But placings can be misleading. If not in terms of league strength, then in terms of overall quality.
Miami Heat may be the third best team in the Eastern Conference. But are they good?
The Heat are 3-3, third despite only having a .500 record, most recently losing 110-111 to Sacramento Kings.
Miami Heat not title contenders
The Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers are the two standout teams in the East, with the Cavs still unbeaten.
Bill Simmons believes the Heat’s time as a genuine Championship contender is gone, arguing they have missed their window.
He told his podcast: “I genuinely believe it. I think it’s over for these guys. I think the league just got better, and they stayed the same. And I watched them, and they don’t seem that special defensively. I don’t think they, they seem like, you know, really good or anything at crunch time. I always feel like the guy on the other team has just as good of a chance of scoring.
“And they just seem like they missed their window, you know, which was a great window, by the way, they made the finals in 2020 the made the finals in 2023 you know, they had a really nice four year run. They battled Boston. This was great. But now Butler’s 35 you know, they put a lot of eggs in the Jovic basket and I’m not seeing it.
Simmons unconvinced trades make Heat better
One thing the Heat could try and do to improve is roll the dice and improve their roster. But Simmons can’t see a viable path forward which turns them into a contender.
He believes a trade could be struck with the 1-6 Milwaukee Bucks for Dame Lillard, but is unconvinced it improves them.
“There’s panic trades to make like, would Milwaukee accept Herro and Duncan Robinson and a pick for Dame tomorrow? They probably would, but I don’t see it with them, and I don’t think that’s a controversial opinion.
“I just think that I just feel like they’re at a different phase of whatever journey they’re on.”
Simmons adds that the Heat will probably be mentioned amid speculation Giannis Antetokounmpo could be traded from the Bucks, but believes there is no way it really leaves the star in a better situation, because of what Miami would have to give up.
He said: “They’re going to be mentioned with Giannis a ton, like, get ready for that machine to start, Adebayo would have to be in the trade, plus picks. And, you know, is that a better situation than the one Giannis is in now, if Bam is in the trade.”
Simmons added that if any big move happens, it could see Jimmy Butler being traded away.
“I don’t know, but I think this team is going to be a lot of trade rumors, and I’m going to be really interested to see if Butler’s on this team on 15 February.
“Because if I had to bet I would say it’s 50/50, and probably bet on no.”
