In the 2021-22 NBA season, the Miami Heat impressed everyone with their brilliant teamwork and never give up attitude. They clinched the first seed in the Eastern Conference, but due to the absence of a clear second superstar on the roster, not many had them as favorites to go deep into playoffs.
After all, other teams in the East are loaded with multiple superstars. Despite all the odds stacked against them, the Heat played well in the 2022 postseason. They finished second to just the Boston Celtics after a seven-game series in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Following their unbelievable victory in Game 6 of the series behind a stellar performance from Jimmy Butler, it gave fans new hope. Unfortunately, in the final game of the series, the Celtics won it, just by four points.
During the post game conference, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was asked about his thoughts on his team missing a chance at facing the Warriors in the NBA Finals:
“It feels heartbreaking. We just wanted a crack at Golden State and just find out as competitors. I love this group… We’ll never know and that’s the part we’ll have to live with.”
Spoelstra: "It feels heartbreaking. We just wanted a
crack at Golden State and just find out as competitors. I love this group… We'll never know and that's the part we'll have to live with."
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) May 30, 2022
The Heat might have lost the ECF, but the team won the hearts of basketball fans worldwide. There was a glaring issue that was highlighted throughout the playoffs for the Heat. Apart from Jimmy Butler, there was no player that played consistently.
The Celtics were simply better than the Heat and it was proved with the final score of the series. Maybe next season, the Heat can add another superstar to their roster. If they don’t add any new star players to the team, it is quite possible that the ECF is the limit of the current Miami Heat team.
Will we see a big name head to South Beach in the coming offseason? We will find out soon.
