The Miami Heat firmly believe that injuries, not a lack of talent, have been the major factor holding them back in recent years. This perspective was shared by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
“The Heat’s belief is that health and game availability — not a serious talent deficit — is what mostly has held Miami back,” Jackson wrote. “That conclusion did not change during an offseason evaluation, even with an acknowledgment that more is probably needed to win a title.”
Injuries Plague the 2023-24 Season
The Heat were plagued by injuries throughout the 2023-24 campaign. Only two players — Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Bam Adebayo — played in over 70 games during the regular season. Notably, key offensive players Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro missed significant portions of the 82-game slate. Herro, who tied with Butler for the highest scoring average on the team at 20.8 points per game, appeared in just 42 games. Butler missed 22 games.
Playoff Woes Continue
The injury woes continued into the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in five games in the opening round, missing two crucial contributors. Butler, known for elevating his play in the postseason, was sidelined for the entire series after suffering a sprained MCL during the play-in tournament against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Additionally, Terry Rozier, acquired mid-season in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round draft pick, missed the series against Boston due to a neck injury. Before his injury, Rozier was hitting his stride, averaging 18.1 points per game in March and 18.3 points across four games in April.
Offensive Struggles Without Key Players
Without Butler and Rozier, the Heat struggled offensively against Boston’s formidable defense, scoring fewer than 90 points in three of their four losses. This underscores the significant impact of missing key players on Miami’s performance.
Looking Forward
Given the persistent injury issues during both the regular season and the playoffs, it’s understandable why the Heat believe that health, rather than talent, has been their primary obstacle. Moving forward, ensuring the team’s health will be crucial for their success in upcoming seasons.
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