The Miami Heat have finally started to look like the team they were in the bubble. Although they only reached the eighth seed and 44 wins compared to last year, the season began with a lot of promise. After coming off a run to the NBA Finals in the bubble, the Heat had high expectations for the 2022-23 season. However, injuries and inconsistent play plagued the team throughout the year, and they had trouble finding their rhythm. With the duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, the Miami Heat are a formidable opponent to the top 5 seeds in the East. However, after the All-star break things seem to have changed for the better.

Gabe Vincent, who averaged 9.4 points per game (PPG) in the 2023 season, seemed to have exploded. During the playoffs, he has undoubtedly played like an all-star. In the series against the Milwaukee Bucks, he averaged 13 PPG. In game one, his 3-point percentage was at 80 percent while keeping it at a mildly consistent 44 percent to keep the series going. He also had a couple of games above 20 points. Gabe Vincent’s Ball movement and IQ made Miami a more serious foe for the Bucks, and he torched the Knicks in the second round.

Kevin Love, a seasoned veteran acquired by the Heat during the season, proved to be a valuable addition to the team's playoff campaign. He provides them with the intangibles: spacing the floor and key defense on bigger defenders. In Cleveland, they had big’s that were younger and had yet to develop all their skills. No doubt Evan Mobley and Jarret Allan will be huge defensive players one day, which is why Cleveland benched him because of this younger talent. Love made crucial contributions at the right times on both sides of the court, demonstrating his championship experience and basketball IQ. Averaging eight points and six rebounds per game, he contributed scoring and rebounding off the bench. I guess what I’m saying is, who knew Kevin Love still had this in him?

I believe there is a solid argument in support of Max Strus being the Miami Heat’s X factor. He torched Rj Barret every time he was on that three-point line for Miami. Strus, who signed a two-way contract with the Heat in 2019, has been a valuable asset for the team this postseason. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks, he played a critical role off the bench, scoring 12 points and hitting four of his five three-point attempts. But Strus' success in the playoffs is no fluke. He's been a consistent performer for the Heat all season long, appearing in 39 regular season games and averaging 6.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 42.4 percent from beyond the arc. Max Strus has been playing at a very high level with Tyler Herro’s absents.

On April 16th Tyler Herro suffered a broken hand during the first half of game 1 in the Milwaukee Bucks series, putting his playoff run with the Miami Heat in serious jeopardy. However, this unfortunate event presented an opportunity for someone else to step up and fill Herro's shoes - none other than his teammate, Duncan Robinson. Robinson had shown flashes of potential but had yet to establish himself as a consistent contributor. With Herro out, Robinson earned more playing time, which he made the most of. He was a critical part of the New York Knicks playoff series, again lighting it up from the three-point line, similar to Max Strus. Duncan Robinson, known for his exceptional three-point shooting, has finally started to make his mark in the playoffs after being benched the entire year. His accurate shooting weakened rival defenses and provided opportunities for his teammates. Robinson helped the Heat retain their offensive firepower during the playoffs by shooting an amazing 45 percent from beyond the arc. He was a problem for the Knicks while shooting inside his comfort zone, averaging around 18 minutes a game and shooting at a 40 percent three-point percentage.

Caleb Martin, another one of Miami’s untouchable three-point threats, showed his talents starting in game 2 against the Knicks. 22 points, eight rebounds, and 50 percent from three-point range while starting in Jimmy Butler’s absence. In game 4, 10 points, two assists, and five rebounds off the bench. He hasn’t seemed to slow down since and the Miami Heat have been in a very good position with him leading the second unit with Kyle Lowry.

Now, for the man who needs no introduction, Jimmy, Himmy, Himothy, Butler. A God amongst men some people will say, but for me, not really. Yes, he is leading the charge for the Miami Heat and is their most valuable player. During the Knicks series, which I unfortunately watched unfold as a Knicks fan, the role players really stepped up. In game one, Jimmy played really well for 25 points with a +9 +/-, Gabe Vincent 20 points +11 +/-. In game 2, Jimmy did not play due to injury, yet it was still a battle. Caleb Martin stepped up in his absence with 22 points on shooting 8/15. Another Gabe Vincent masterclass with 21 points and five assists. Overall, the success of the Miami Heat in the 2022-2023 playoffs was not solely dependent on their star players but also the exceptional performances of their role players. As Jimmy Butler himself said, “I don't call them role players; I call them teammates.”