Has the Miami Heat’s disrespect or overlook by oddsmakers reached new heights?

Many teams were placed ahead of the Heat in favorites to win it all. The Heat odds at +5000 by some betting services. 

Whether the Heat are the No. 1 or the No. 8 seed, this is a team you don’t want to underestimate.

The 2023 team made one of the most impressive runs in the postseason since the 1999 New York Knicks. They became the second team to go to the Finals as the No. 8 seed. 

Where could they end up this season? Another play-in tournament appearance? Can they stay away from seeds 7-10?

Yes, there are questions about Jimmy Butler’s future this offseason, especially since he hasn’t received a contract extension. We are curious how guys like Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier will perform this season. Can Jaime Jaquez Jr elevate his game and be reliable?

All those guys, including Robinson, come into the new season motivated and determined. They’re accustomed to media and oddsmakers doubting them. 

At this point, they don’t care. They talk on the court, where it matters most. 

We don’t know if Butler remains with the team for the entire season. He could be moved during the trade deadline. In the business of sports, you can’t please everyone. The front office determines how to combine the right pieces and make the best of them. 

The Heat embrace adversity. It’s what brings this unit together and motivates them to dominate. If they’re healthy and in the playoffs, anything can happen. 

Miguel Mike Medina is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com

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Every player on the Miami Heat is considered movable except for All-Star center Bam Adebayo.

The Heat are preparing for the possibility of veteran star Jimmy Butler departing at either the trade deadline or next offseason, opening a few options for the front office. One of which is trading Butler to a championship contender for a younger forward like New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram.

Bleacher Report pitched the Heat as the best landing spot for Ingram, but made note Heat team president Pat Riley could build around Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

“On the other hand, there may be value in taking some pressure off those three, and Brandon Ingram’s mid-range game and playmaking skills could make him sort of a Butler facsimile,” B/R’s Andy Bailey wrote. “Of course, he’s not quite on the same talent tier, so having Ingram as a potential Butler replacement would require steps up from Herro and Jaquez, but Miami might be stylistically consistent.”

As Bailey mentioned, it’s impossible to place Butle and Ingram on the same tier considering their differences in the postseason alone. The 35-year-old is regarded as one of the NBA’s top playoff risers while Ingram’s saw a significant drop last year. He averaged 20.8 points on 49.2 percent shooting in the regular season compared to just 14.3 points on 34.5 percent shooting in their Round 1 series.

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

The Miami Heat could make a final addition to the roster prior to the start of the regular season.

The Heat recently worked out free agent wing Nassir Little, otherwise known as the ‘Zion Stopper’, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith. Little played last season with the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds on 46 percent shooting in 45 appearances.

Many fans are convinced Little still has talent to offer on a championship contender. The two-way upside is undoubtedly the top quality of his skillset, as defense is how the nickname ‘Zion Stopper’ came about.

Little and Williamson matched up in the 2018 McDonald’s All American Game, where the former Suns forward put on a masterclass against the New Orleans Pelicans star. He scored a stepback mid-range shot on him, followed by multiple steals on the other end.

The Heat already have one lockdown forward rostered in Haywood Highsmith, but giving another a chance could come with benefits. Miami’s front office was unable to retain playoff riser Caleb Martin, creating a gap in the room. While sophomore Jaime Jaquez Jr. is eager to take a leap in an increased role, the 6-foot-5, 24-year-old offers an established two-way ability.

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.