The Miami Heat shocked the basketball world in the 2020 playoffs, beating the Bucks and Celtics to make the NBA Finals as the fifth seed in the East.
Although the Heat put up a good fight against the Lakers in the battle for the 2020 Championship, many dismissed their run as a fluke, suggesting that the circumstances which resulted from COVID-19 was the main reason why the Heat were able to make it so far.
This season, through 21 games, Miami hasn’t exactly disproved that theory. They’re just 7-14 so far, sitting at 13th in the East. Naturally, fans have already used it as fuel for doubt, like this Twitter user below:
The Miami Heat are proving why the bubble title has an asterisk. Without any subtractions, the Heat have gone from the NBA Finals to 13th in the East at 7-14.
— Ballers Hype (@BallersHype) February 4, 2021
On one hand, the Heat being this bad is certainly evidence that the 2020 playoffs are deserving of an asterisk. On the other hand, the Heat have dealt with multiple injuries this season, which is no doubt a huge reason for their struggles this season.
On Twitter, and in the comments, fans were debating…
lmfao y’all sum clowns 💀💀💀 talkin bout “no subtraction”. if u dont watch the nba just say that. Not only have they had half the squad out for i’m pretty sure almost the whole season but Jimmy also didn’t play 10 games and they had one of the shortest off seasons in nba history
— dani (@JaylenWburner) February 4, 2021
Bad take, jimmy missed a bunch of games. “Without any subtractions”
— Ruby Tuesdays🇨🇦 (@MuggsyBouges) February 4, 2021
Biggest Fluke in NBA history The 2020 Miami Heat @wolfbear631
— jordan wong (@JWong808) January 30, 2021
Officially in panic mode with @MiamiHEAT….looking like the biggest finals appearance fluke of all time smfh start trading
— エリック・ドイツ (@SirPearlerDa3rd) February 4, 2021
Miami Heat overachieved. Fluke year. Reality coming for them this year https://t.co/7YoYtPYLrJ
— Lionel “Messi” Lopez 🦁🤘🏼 (@LeosWay93) February 2, 2021
Yo, @MiamiHEAT!!! a lot of people are noticing that it's not there!!! we should be better than last year… that "FLUKE" tag will be in discussion more and more!!! something has got to be done!!! I want that #HEATCulture back!!! #HEATTwitter. #LETSGOHEAT!!! 🏀🔥.
— RussB3ballin' (@RussB3ballin) February 4, 2021
Last season brought a lot of unprecedented changes to the NBA. Not only was there a months-long hiatus in the middle of the season, but the playoffs were played in a bubble, with players away from their families, with no homecourt advantage, and in arenas without fans.
Just how much of a role it had in Miami’s Cinderalla run, however, is still up for debate. It’ll be up to them to prove themselves this campaign.
