Why Is Everyone UNDERRATING Giannis & the Miami Heat? & Spo's Preaseason Plan
Locked On Heat - Daily Podcast On The Miami HeatShow Notes
Are the Miami Heat being seriously UNDERRATED heading into the NBA season? Despite adding Giannis Antetokounmpo alongside Bam Adebayo, some national analysts are projecting Miami to finish as low as sixth to ninth in the Eastern Conference. Are they overlooking a legitimate contender?
Wes Goldberg and David Ramil open the Locked On Heat mailbag to debate whether the Heat deserve to be considered a top-three team in the East — and why national expectations remain surprisingly low.
But first, Miami has several injury and illness updates ahead of Thursday’s preseason matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Andrew Wiggins and Pelle Larsson have been dealing with illnesses, Keshad Johnson is working back from a hamstring strain and Dru Smith remains sidelined with a calf injury. Plus, Erik Spoelstra reveals his plan for the rest of the preseason, including how much Giannis and the regular rotation will play before opening night.
More from Locked On Heat - Daily Podcast On The Miami Heat
Did the Miami Heat's drop coverage really cost them their season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves? After Anthony Edwards torched Miami's defense, fans are questioning Erik Spoelstra's strategy. But the numbers tell a more complicated story.
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered in his Miami Heat debut, but Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves spoiled opening night! Miami's season-opening loss exposed some familiar concerns, including a lack of offensive shot creation outside of Giannis. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil break down everything that went wrong in the Heat's first game of the 2026-27 NBA season. Giannis looked like the superstar Miami hoped for, but where was the help? And how much should Heat fans worry about the supporting cast after just one game?
Miami Heat fans brace for a new era as Giannis Antetokounmpo debuts against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Are championship-level expectations finally back in Miami?
Why did the Locked On NBA Network rank the Heat in the B Tier of its preseason power rankings? Are NBA analysts overlooking Giannis and Miami's championship potential? Plus, the Heat have one open roster spot after final cuts around the league. Could Walter Clayton Jr. or Dalton Knecht be worth a look?
Who are the BEST and WORST teams in the NBA heading into the 2026-27 season? With opening night just around the corner, Locked On NBA Daily reveals its official 30-team NBA Power Rankings, organized into S-through-F tiers!