The Miami Heat are just two seasons removed from an NBA Finals appearance and are eyeing another trip this year, one they hope ends with a win.
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Heat president Pat Riley commended teams like the Boston Celtics, who have made moves to become contenders in recent years, but also said he believes in the roster he has right now.
To get to a championship level, he wants to see more from his stars, saying Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro all need to step up.
“But I believe in this team, I truly believe in these guys. Bam, Jimmy and Tyler, to some extent maybe Terry [Rozier] have to be better,” Riley said, per the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang. “It’s always about can you produce more, can you be more, can you be together more. I’ve seen the improvement. … So I think we have a core of really, really great players who need to find another level of greatness. This is their time. So take the challenge.”
Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and five assists per game last season, all of those numbers being his lowest in more than four years. Adebayo put up 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds while Herro notched 20.8 points, 5.3 boards and 4.5 assists.
Injuries took a toll on Miami in the postseason as it was without Butler, who sprained his MCL in the Heat’s play-in game against the Philadelphia 76ers. With no Butler, Miami lost to the Celtics in five games in the first round.
With a fresh start this year, Riley is hoping to get the best out of his three stars as the Heat seek their first championship since LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh won in 2013.
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