Just last year, the Miami Heat shocked the world by making an appearance in the NBA Finals, where they were able to take the Lakers to six games before eventually being defeated.
Entering the 2021 campaign, expectations were high, and nobody was underrating their talent.
Unfortunately, the Heat were unable to match those expectations this season and entered the playoffs as the 6th seed in the aftermath of a wildly inconsistent performance.
And now, down 0-3 to the Milwaukee Bucks, they were the butt of jokes and memes on social media, with their elimination imminent.
Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson on the bench, violently whispering, "Gosh darnit," to himself, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/LJ3nr624C2
— Better Woj (@BetterWoj) May 28, 2021
Heat are pic.twitter.com/4Wp6teRkTl
— Taco Trey Kerby (@treykerby) May 28, 2021
Heat Culture pic.twitter.com/z85xVcBls2
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) May 28, 2021
Heat fans really said “heat in 5” but they not even gonna make it to game 5 pic.twitter.com/3h2oJrQS9Y
— avid D.J enjoyer (@WilsonBurner) May 28, 2021
watching the heat play #HeatTwitter pic.twitter.com/yEZWRgs3gy
— Edwardo Moreno (@EMORE04) May 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/Tatums_Bacon/status/1398097855995387905
The Bucks are now 5-1 against the Heat this season.
Their five wins have come by an average of [*checks notes*] 25.2 points 😳 pic.twitter.com/dA4lVgtpNc
— Blue Wire (@bluewirepods) May 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/TheUpsetFan/status/1398097824051601408
yeah … the odds aren't in the Heat's favor pic.twitter.com/zzxHdtouJ6
— SB Nation (@SBNation) May 28, 2021
After all the talk they did last season, it’s really unfortunate for them that they are likely to get swept in the first round against the same squad they beat a year ago.
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are still stars and the Heat have a bright future ahead of them.
But now, the Bucks have shown they are the better team, and they will be the ones to advance to the Semi-Finals, where they will likely face the Brooklyn Nets.
In the end, it’s hard not to feel optimistic about the current situation for Miami. Despite being down 0-3, and the series likely being over, they have plenty to work with going forward, and leaders who can help make the team better for next season.
It will be interesting to see what changes they make this offseason.
