Stuck in the Worst Place?

The worst place to be in sports is lukewarm. You’re neither good enough to make a difference nor bad enough to start from scratch. After 53 games, in my opinion, Miami is exactly where the worst place is.

“I’ll get to work, the staff will get to work, we’ll do what we need to do. I promise we’re going to correct this.” — Coach Spoelstra

Those were the words of a seemingly defeated head coach right before the final stretch of the season begins on February 21st. The only question I have in response is: Do you believe him?

If you do believe him, do you think this team has enough talent to make a real playoff run? If you don’t, then what exactly is the goal here? Let’s break down what we’ve seen over the past 53 games.

Right now, this team is obviously different from previous years because Miami no longer has its ceiling raiser in Jimmy Butler. Maybe that’s why I feel a sense of regression instead of a feeling of recharge. This season has been exhausting to watch, even without the Jimmy drama we had to watch unfold.

Miami currently sits at the 9th seed. They’re three games away from avoiding the Play-In Tournament altogether but six games above missing the tournament entirely. To me, that means Miami is stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Is there anything about this team that gives you a sense of hope? Their two best players—Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo—are probably the second- and third-best options on a championship team. Is it fair to say that Miami’s best chance at playoff success left when Jimmy did?

The version of Jimmy Butler that Miami had toward the end was no longer the one we, as the fans, had grown to recognize from previous years. It was definitely time for both sides to move on. But watching him excel as the second option for Golden State—in a role Miami would have loved to have him play THIS season—feels like a gut punch.

Even though it’s only been a handful of games, would it surprise you if Golden State upsets #1 Oklahoma City or #2 Memphis if they reach the postseason? In my opinion, no. That’s the difference Jimmy makes.

“Franchise changer.” — Draymond Green

That’s exactly what Jimmy was for Miami in recent postseasons. Without him, Miami is probably a first-round exit at best. In my opinion, there hasn’t been a single statement victory (without Jimmy) that proves this team can compete in the playoffs.

Look past Miami’s top two options. Do you see players who can step up in big playoff moments? If your answer is no, then who beyond Tyler, Bam, and Kel’el Ware are you keeping as building blocks for the future?

Which group of good players would you trade for a better one? Which set of young players would you trade for a superstar thatfrees up?

If Miami is NOT in the playoffs, there’s a chance they could end up with two lottery picks—if they’re lucky. Would you trade those picks for a superstar? Or would you take the Oklahoma City approach: drafting well, developing talent, and building a roster?

The conclusion I’ve come to—and probably you have too—is that for Miami to reach their previous championship heights again, they are either a Dwyane Wade draft or Anthony Edwardstrade away from their next successful chapter.

Until then, it will just be more of what we see now.

With 29 games remaining, Miami’s direction will likely be chosen for them. The questions I’ve asked above will evolve with time, but the reality remains the same.

No matter what Coach Spoelstra promises to fix, nothing will change the fact that this team is exactly who we think they are: lukewarm.

They don’t have the talent to finish in first place, but just good enough to never be in last place.

Stuck in the middle. The worst place to be.

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