2025 Regular Season Thread Vol. 9

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I’ll say this, I may be Pats biggest critic on this forum. Top 3 for sure but I sure as hell have the most blind faith in him actually getting something big done every summer or trade deadline that comes around lol.

I’m 31 though, that’s all I know. Bam fan this, Bam fan that, no….ive been a Heat fan since Wade got here in 2003. In fact if you want to call me a player fan over a Heat fan then you’d only have an argument if we’re talking Wade. Wade > Heat > Bam. But back to the topic since I’d been here we got Shaq, then a quick turnaround after Shaq into the big 3 era, then we got screwed but the Bosh clots but when that settled down we’re straight into the Jimmy era. All I’ve known as a Heat fan is Pat swinging big and making the move to get his team over the top. Thats why I’ve been so critical recently while also holding probably blind faith that Pat still can get the job done. Being so close to winning and not making ANY meaningful moves to get over the top is not the Pat I’ve known in my time as a Heat fan. I think we’re about to get vintage Pat.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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[Kobewade11]

As far as this KD thing....I don't want KD. We got a super limited amount of bullets, I would rather aim them at a bigger window than what I suspect KD would provide.

I could be way wrong on that...maybe KD last deep into his 40s...but it seems risky to me.


On the other hand... I think this team is more talented then most...if the team is not gutted to ADD KD to the players that are currently getting burn...I can't see how they are not a deep playoff team. I think they would be significantly superior the last Butler run.

I think KD would be a better fit than Jimmy. Dude is a 50% corner 3 guy on catch and shoots. He is 40-44% in Duncan's traditional dribble hand-off area. This is all on high volume. He simply going to have way more gravity than Jimmy ever did when he pulls guys out of the paint to make room for Bam/Ware/ Driving Herro.

Plus...We would not have to watch everyone stand around on the other side of the court to watch Jimmy dribble in a weak side iso. Old KD would be a better fit today then Jimmy is.

I can understand this perspective, but unless you draft franchise pillars you've only got a 3-4 year championship window before you have to retool anyway, just the nature of the game today. KD even at this stage of his career probably raises the ceiling higher than the flavor of the week pg options talked about in here. My gut says a name emerges that no one is talking about right now.

[MettaWorldPanda]

If we get kd AND another star maybe, that’s not happening though. Tanking is the future for this team whether it be a few years from now or 5+ years down the line

Hate to break it to you but short of a Bam trade request that’s simply not happening. This team is in the middle of a lost season with little to nothing to play for any more besides making the first round and maybe stealing a game or 2 from the Celtics or Cavs and despite that they rolled off a long win streak when they realistically could have got the 8th pick worst case (with a 26% chance at top 4, 6% chance at 1st). They are not going to tank and Pat is not going to sit back and watch Jimmy love life on Golden State while we struggle, he simply won’t do it

Completely agree. He’s going to give Bam and Herro another crack at this and Kevin Durant is the short term Hail Mary for this group. I feel like our assets lineup for the aging star right now. The key is getting this done without Ware. Need to keep the primary core intact. JJJ and Jovic have to be the young pieces going out along with swaps and future 1st rd picks. We have Kyle Anderson as the vet backup PF next year and Keshad Johnson waiting in the wings behind him. Larrson and Highsmith have the backup wing spot covered. The draft will bring our combo guard to develop.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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[Flash4thewin]

Reading many post, its like in what universe are these players mentioned seen as a positive value or as an asset?

JJJ
Jovic
Terry
Duncan
Wiggins maybe neutral at best

Those players wont get you a disgruntled star unfortunately.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Reading many post, its like in what universe are these players mentioned seen as a positive value or as an asset?

JJJ
Jovic
Terry
Duncan
Wiggins maybe neutral at best

Those players wont get you a disgruntled star unfortunately.

Jovic has some value he’s been a good pick, Jaime is still up in the air and may thrive somewhere else in a different role considering he was a top 3 rookie just last year he’s worth the upside, Duncan and Terry are expiring contracts we’re not even thinking of the players when it comes to that but Duncan IS an elite shooter, you’re wrong on Wiggins

[MettaWorldPanda]

Reading many post, its like in what universe are these players mentioned seen as a positive value or as an asset?

JJJ
Jovic
Terry
Duncan
Wiggins maybe neutral at best

Those players wont get you a disgruntled star unfortunately.

Jovic has some value he’s been a good pick, Jaime is still up in the air and may thrive somewhere else in a different role considering he was a top 3 rookie just last year he’s worth the upside, Duncan and Terry are expiring contracts we’re not even thinking of the players when it comes to that but Duncan IS an elite shooter, you’re wrong on Wiggins

I’m gonna keep saying this but Duncan’s contract will not be traded as it becomes fully guaranteed and takes any and all flexibility against the tax line unless we outright find a dump of Highsmith and Love. What flash forgot to include is the 2025 GSW pick, 2027 pick swap, 2029 pick swap, and 2030(unprotected 1st rd pick) and potentially 2032 but don’t think it needs to get that heavy. That 2030 pick is valuable to the Suns who traded there pick to the Jazz for some rinky dink pics in order to try and dump Beal. When i comb rosters and salaries of the proposed suitors in play we make a very intriguing offer that can counter most.

[MartyConlonJr]

I know JJJ seems doom and gloom but if you go check his per36 stats vs last year, I was surprised to see everywhere other than FG%, 3PT% and FT%, and a little bit of ppg (per min) he is better most everywhere other than that. Higher ft rate, WAY more rebounding, better facilitating/ more assists, steals, blocks, lower fouling rate.

Makes me wonder how good he actually was last year vs our optimism, though he did struggle towards end of last season with a groin injury

I think there is a mental part or confidence to his game though in the eye test that is there - this season has been a bit of a mess emotionally for our guys.

[marson]

I know JJJ seems doom and gloom but if you go check his per36 stats vs last year, I was surprised to see everywhere other than FG%, 3PT% and FT%, and a little bit of ppg (per min) he is better most everywhere other than that. Higher ft rate, WAY more rebounding, better facilitating/ more assists, steals, blocks, lower fouling rate.

Makes me wonder how good he actually was last year vs our optimism, though he did struggle towards end of last season with a groin injury

I think there is a mental part or confidence to his game though in the eye test that is there - this season has been a bit of a mess emotionally for our guys.

The scouting report already has him covered. Just don't fall for his pump fake, and you'll be fine.

He needs to improve in other areas of his game, starting with his corner threes.

[marson]

Back to pre-all star form.

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[SoFlaKingReal]

Golden State is truly awesome now. They got Jimmy and at least one title run, we got an injured scrub.

[SerialChiller]

Golden State is truly awesome now. They got Jimmy and at least one title run, we got an injured scrub.

I don't really care about the Warriors with Jimmy, they are still unlikely to win it all. The trade made sense for both teams, Butler fits Curry's timeline where they have maybe 2 years to try and win it together before their play drops off, and even then can they stay healthy? I figured they'd be the ones to deal for Butler because it just made too much sense for them. We needed to finally move on, we weren't able to get the guy we needed to pair with Butler and time ran out, I'm glad we picked a lane and committed to the future instead of paying him like 60 million through his like age 38 season. It just sucks that we waited so long and it got so ugly and we diminished his potential return value by the time we finally pulled the trigger. Could of probably had another 1st or even two after the Dame trade fell through if we hadn't waited so damn long.

[marson]

Golden State is truly awesome now. They got Jimmy and at least one title run, we got an injured scrub.

I don't really care about the Warriors with Jimmy, they are still unlikely to win it all. The trade made sense for both teams, Butler fits Curry's timeline where they have maybe 2 years to try and win it together before their play drops off, and even then can they stay healthy? I figured they'd be the ones to deal for Butler because it just made too much sense for them. We needed to finally move on, we weren't able to get the guy we needed to pair with Butler and time ran out, I'm glad we picked a lane and committed to the future instead of paying him like 60 million through his like age 38 season. It just sucks that we waited so long and it got so ugly and we diminished his potential return value by the time we finally pulled the trigger. Could of probably had another 1st or even two after the Dame trade fell through if we hadn't waited so damn long.

Yeah, we never had a player like Steph Curry during his six years here. Jimmy is truly a second option who can step up as the first option occasionally on a championship team, and now you're seeing him thrive with less pressure to carry the load.

[greg4012]

[tweet][/tweet]

It’s comical. For one, KD is old and 6 years removed from an Achilles tear. Two, his price is going to be substantial in any trade plus will require paying him top dollar with him going to free agency after next season. When is the last time he’s won a playoff series? I know Bam fans are getting antsy wanting to see the team make any kind of move for a star but unless we can get him for pennies of what the suns are going to ask, it’s an easy no go

You add KD to this current group and it’s going to have a major impact on everyone and immensely boost everyone’s ceiling. I laid out our competetive offer. Give or take a few pieces we can easily get this done as long as the Suns don’t get greedy asking for Ware.

Sorry but we get outbid like we always do. Suns committed all their resources to KD just to be on the outside looking in of the PLAY IN GAME and will be determined to recoup assets. If you’re the Heat you keep playing the patience game like they’ve been doing for the past however many years over coughing up more picks on something with a potentially VERY short shelf life

If we get outbid we get outbid. On the next one. That’s the point of optionality for the next year plus.

[greg4012]

Kevin Durant has a career average of 27 ppg (6th highest in NBA history; 4th highest in points per 100 possessions). Kevin Durant averages 29 ppg in the playoffs (4th highest in NBA history). This season Kevin Durant averaged 26.6 ppg on better efficiency than his career averages. In last season's playoffs he averaged 27 ppg on the second highest efg% of any playoff appearance in his career.

This is not Jimmy Butler. This is not a random all-star. This is the exception. It's not the only viable path, but it absolutely should be considered a viable path.

I'm one of the main advocates for not paying players max money through their age 37 season and beyond because the numbers show that they don't return value with the only exceptions being the best scorers the game has ever seen that are also top 10 players of all time. That's exactly what Kevin Durant is.

From 2020 to 2023, Jimmy led two Finals runs and three ECF appearances, carrying undermanned squads while playing at an MVP level. That 2023 run as an 8-seed? He torched the Bucks, averaging 37.6 PPG on 67% TS. That’s elite two-way playoff impact—something KD hasn’t delivered since his Warriors days.

Since leaving Golden State, KD hasn’t made it past the second round and has dealt with injuries and underwhelming exits. Meanwhile, Jimmy’s been more durable, more clutch, and the driving force on both ends in deep playoff runs.

KD is the better scorer historically, but over the last five years, Jimmy has clearly had the stronger run and has simply been the better player.

That’s why I just don’t see them gambling on an aging Durant with major durability and postseason impact concerns, especially after moving on from a guy with fewer question marks.

Kevin Durant is a better basketball player today than Jimmy Butler. Kevin Durant is a more complementary fit for Miamis build/personnel than Jimmy

Jimmy was great for us and can still have a great impact for the Warriors. Sentimentality.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Golden State is truly awesome now. They got Jimmy and at least one title run, we got an injured scrub.

You’ve gotta let it go, if he doesn’t win a championship his success will be nothing compared to what we did here.

[twix2500]

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;t=330s

Interesting seeing the media criticize a franchise for not holding their players accountable.

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[Tony15]

Golden State is truly awesome now. They got Jimmy and at least one title run, we got an injured scrub.

They're better, sure, but slow down with awesome. They're still way too reliant on Steph being superhuman....

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[Voltron914]

Golden State is truly awesome now. They got Jimmy and at least one title run, we got an injured scrub.

I don't really care about the Warriors with Jimmy, they are still unlikely to win it all. The trade made sense for both teams, Butler fits Curry's timeline where they have maybe 2 years to try and win it together before their play drops off, and even then can they stay healthy? I figured they'd be the ones to deal for Butler because it just made too much sense for them. We needed to finally move on, we weren't able to get the guy we needed to pair with Butler and time ran out, I'm glad we picked a lane and committed to the future instead of paying him like 60 million through his like age 38 season. It just sucks that we waited so long and it got so ugly and we diminished his potential return value by the time we finally pulled the trigger. Could of probably had another 1st or even two after the Dame trade fell through if we hadn't waited so damn long.

Yeah, we never had a player like Steph Curry during his six years here. Jimmy is truly a second option who can step up as the first option occasionally on a championship team, and now you're seeing him thrive with less pressure to carry the load.

exactly.the heat couldn't afford a 60m 2nd option without a true #1 thats why the Dame disaster hurts so much. u see that is how we would've been playing with Bam being the draymond anchor. if Curry goes down then thats it. I think they will get to the 2nd round then get beat.