The Miami Heat’s Culture carries on, as their 2020-21 run officially begins
Despite a painful NBA Finals loss and a few roster changes, the Miami Heat Culture remains strong, as the team moves into the 2020-21 season.
“New year, new me?” Not exactly for the 2020-21 Miami Heat.
Sure, the team is returning to their stomping grounds of South Florida, after being contained to a Disney bubble during the NBA’s 2019-20 reboot. Yes, the squad looks slightly different, having acquired Avery Bradley and Maurice Harkless via trades, as well as drafting rookie Precious Achiuwa in the first round. And it’s true that they’ll be ditching their original Vice threads, for Vice Versa jerseys – the final installment of their City Edition gear.
But despite the tweaks heading into this season, the Miami Heat’s Culture remains very much intact.
Miami held their first full-group practice this past Sunday, having just last competed on October 11, when they ultimately fell 4-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 NBA Finals; however, quick turnaround or not, they’re simply thankful for the opportunity to get back to it.
“Historically this is different… but that’s the price of chasing something great,” said head coach Erik Spoelstra. “You have to be grateful for this opportunity. There’s a lot of different factors to this. One, we’re grateful that we’re one of the last two teams playing… If you’re going in with the same mind that you just want to get back to what you used to do and have that kind of comfort level, you’re just not going to get it. You have to continue to adapt and adjust.”
Jimmy Butler, who only joined the franchise one year prior, certainly echoed Spoelstra’s sentiment.
“Nobody really cares. I got a job to do so that’s what I got to be ready to do…nicked up or not. I think a lot of people are going to be that. Still [got to] go out there and compete.”
While the organization’s Culture runs as deep on the court as their roster, it also extends beyond an unparalleled work ethic, unwavering leadership and man-to-man chemistry. Off-the-court, Heat current and former members hype up teammates by rocking t-shirts of one another, publicly support each other’s professional efforts and always show love to the fans.
So how has the off-court Culture shown up recently?
Well for starters, there was Bam Adebayo’s instant raving of No. 20 pick Achiuwa, which included the claim of the Memphis star likely having more skill, going into his first season of playing professional ball.
“He reminds me of myself when I was at Kentucky but he had way more leeway. I feel like his rookie year is going to be better than mine, me being honest.”
Adebayo also exhibited the ultimate act of paying it forward, a trait that undoubtedly fits The Culture, when he surprised his mother with a new house for her birthday.
https://twitter.com/Bam1of1/status/1335790675267379201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1335790675267379201%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fsports%2Fheats-bam-adebayo-surprises-mom-new-house-birthday
Tyler Herro has too shown selflessness, specifically in regards to his role this year, which is still somewhat up in the air.
“I’m just continuing to get better and hopefully I can do whatever it takes, to be a starter,” said Herro. [But] “I’m willing to do whatever the team needs me to do – I came off the bench last year and it worked out well, so whatever Coach wants me to do, I’m willing to do.”
With the Miami Heat officially tipping off their 2020-21 campaign on December 23 against the Orlando Magic, there is time yet for the team to undergo more changes. But no matter what happens over the next couple of weeks, one thing is for sure: The Culture will remain unscathed.
