USA Today via Reuters
Miami Heat forward Jae Crowder (99) reacts after making a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of game four of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Miami Heat forward Jae Crowder (99) reacts after making a three point basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of game four of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The journey of the Miami Heat to the 2020 NBA Finals was nothing short of an inspirational movie. However, they didn’t get their happy ending as they were defeated in six games by the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers.
For most of the series, the Heat were short-handed, and in the end, that left us with one of the biggest what-ifs of this postseason. Maybe if Dragic and Adebayo were at their 100%, the team could have pulled an upset.
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In the absence of these two stars, the burden fell on Butler’s shoulders. It’s safe to say he carried the team for the entire series, but the Lakers were too much for them. Recently, Heat forward Jae Crowder revealed, he’s still facing trouble processing the defeat.
“Lastnight I had a Game 6 Nightmare… Post traumatic stress.!!? Im still sick.!!”
Jae Crowder is still having nightmares about the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/Kw4NjIC8AN
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) October 17, 2020
Crowder averaged 12.0 points in the playoffs while shooting 40.3% from the field and 33.2% from beyond the arc. However, his presence on the court can’t be justified with stats. He played the role of a morale booster for the team for the entire playoffs.
Needless to say, the Heat will look forward to running it back next season. But do they have what it takes to make a deep playoff run once again?
Can the Miami Heat repeat their 2019-20 season success?
USA Today via Reuters
Miami Heat forward Jae Crowder (99) holds up two fingers after winning game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics as he celebrates with forward Jimmy Butler (22) at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The Miami Heat wn 106-101. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Even this season, no one expected Jimmy Butler and the Heat to make a lengthy playoff run. However, they surprised everyone and made it to the finals with sheer hard work. Moving ahead to next season, if the team stays intact, they could cause trouble in the Eastern Conference.
For starters, they now have experienced what it takes to play on the biggest stage in the league. Also, Heat’s young stars in Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Duncan Robinson will only improve next season.
With Butler leading the pack, they might cause a few more upsets in the 2020-21 campaign. But with the duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving returning to the league, will it diminish Miami’s chance to make it out of the East?
What do you think? Can the Miami Heat follow up their impressive season with more of the same or not?
