After displaying mediocre play for the majority of 2018-19 season, the Miami Heat have picked up the pace since the All-Star break.
While fans wish the winning came earlier in the year, it’s become somewhat typical for the Heat to turn things around by the end of the regular season. Longtime Heat guard Dwyane Wade offered a theory to the late-season surge.
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“I think no matter what team we’ve had, I think the one thing that’s made us have success as an organization is just the consistency, the constant beating in the mind of this is how we got to do it, this is how we got to do it and never letting up,” Wade said, with the Heat continuing its four-game trip Wednesday against the Spurs. “A couple years ago when this team was 11-30, Spo didn’t let up. I know him, he didn’t let up. He continued to keep working the habits, working the game, making sure each player knew what their importance is and why they’re here. Then eventually no matter how stubborn you are, eventually you start getting it.
Although the Heat have lacked definitive stars for the last few years, the team has been in playoff contention due to the amazing coaching and culture of consistency. While the squad could have easily tanked for the lottery in recent seasons, head coach Erik Spoelstra led the team with grit, no excuses and stellar player development.
The Heat’s all-time leading scorer has seen the franchise do it over and over again.
“I think sometimes it takes longer for certain teams,” said Wade. “But I always feel the Miami Heat is always better toward the end for the most part than in the beginning because it’s not an easy system, it’s not an easy culture to get used to. It takes awhile to get used to everything.”
Wade, 37, is having a phenomenal final season in the NBA. The 16-year pro is putting up 14.3 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game this year. While the 2006 Finals MVP isn’t the superstar he once used to be, Wade is still impressing fans with vintage performances from time to time.
On Monday, the veteran collected 25 points, five assists and four rebounds on 58 percent shooting from the field in a huge victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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