MIAMI – Yes, they have noticed that they have gone unnoticed.
So, yes, after a run of three Eastern Conference finals in four years, including two NBA Finals appearances, but then a first-round playoff flameout last season, chip appears very much back on shoulder for the Miami Heat.
Even before players talk the talk at Monday’s media day at Kaseya Center, and even before they again start to walk the walk at Tuesday’s start of training camp at the Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas, there already is an appreciation of the moment.
Basically, it has been hard not to notice going unnoticed at last month’s NBA schedule release. From the heights of NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and ’23 and the national notice that followed, the Heat have been scheduled for only seven national appearances on ABC, ESPN or TNT, down from last season’s 16.
Forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. said the motivation would have been in place regardless, but certainly is heightened.
“No matter what it is, we’re going to find a way to make us have a chip on our shoulder,” he said. “I think even going in, I think it’s seven national TV games for the Miami Heat. That’s what the NBA thinks of us. And that’s OK, because I guarantee you that they’re going to still be talking about us when the season goes on and we play our season.
“I think the media is still going to find a way to talk about us and what we’re doing and we’re going to definitely make some noise. They’re going to have no choice but to mention our names.”
So, no, the perceived disrespect will not go unsaid.
“I think it matters and I think people take note of it,” guard Duncan Robinson said. “I mean it’s definitely been sort of a theme and narrative around the facility, that nobody thinks we’re going to do anything.
“I think as long as I’ve been here, I feel like that’s really a place of comfort for us, not in the sense that we’re comfortable being there, but in the sense that we’ve been there plenty of times and we kind of know how to move forward from it. And we know what button to push and how to maximize opportunities when we’re in these sort of places.”
Because they have been here before.
The run to the 2020 NBA Finals in the Disney World pandemic bubble came in the wake of an appearance in the 2019 draft lottery. The 2023 NBA Finals berth came from a run as the No. 8 East seed.
“So I think at the very least it will set the tone in training camp,” Robinson said of the external indifference. “And that ultimately can be the springboard for a good start to the season. And that’s what we’re really focused on right now.
“Championships obviously aren’t won in October or November, but you’ve got to start building the habits and the resolve to get to a point where you’re able to win ’em in June.”
In an offseason that saw the Philadelphia 76ers add Paul George, the New York Knicks add Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Orlando Magic add Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Heat head to camp with only two players on the 21-player camp roster who have not spent previous time with the team (regular season, summer league or a previous Heat training camp): Alec Burks, the lone veteran free-agent addition, and Nassir Little, who is on a non-guaranteed veteran-minimum camp tryout contract.
Otherwise, there is a fight for respect in the wake of falling 4-1 to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in the first round of last season’s playoffs.
“This summer, I’m seeing all the talk,” guard Terry Rozier said of the perception of the 2024-25 Heat as a stagnant mix. “I know people been bored or whatever. I’m going to respond the right way.”
Heat camp roster
Player, Ht., age
No. 13 Bam Adebayo, 6-9, 27
No. 31 Thomas Bryant, 6-10, 27
No. 18 Alec Burks, 6-5, 33
No. 22 Jimmy Butler, 6-7, 35
*No. 8 Josh Christopher, 6-4, 22
**No. 15 Caleb Daniels, 6-4, 25
No. 14 Tyler Herro, 6-5, 24
No. 24 Haywood Highsmith, 6-5, 27
No. 11 Jaime Jaquez Jr., 6-5, 23
*No 16 Keshad Johnson, 6-6, 23
No. 5 Nikola Jovic, 6-10, 21
No. 9 Pelle Larsson, 6-5, 23
**No. 25 Nassir Little, 6-5, 24
No. 42 Kevin Love, 6-8, 36
**No. 17 Jacob Pullen, 6-4, 23
No. 0 Josh Richardson, 6-5, 31
No. 55 Duncan Robinson, 6-7, 30
No. 2 Terry Rozier, 6-1, 30
*No. 12 Dru Smith, 6-2, 26
**No. 50 Isaiah Stevens, 6-0, 23
No. 7 Kel’el Ware, 7-0, 20
* – Two-way contract.
** – Camp tryout contract.
Key dates
Monday: Media day at Kaseya Center.
Tuesday: Training camp opens at Baha Mar resort in Bahamas.
Oct. 5: Final day of training camp.
Oct. 7: Red, White & Pink Game intrasquad scrimmage at Kaseya Center to benefit cancer care and research, 6 p.m.
Oct. 8: Preseason at Charlotte Hornets, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10: Preseason vs. Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13: Preseason vs. New Orleans Pelicans. 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 15: Preseason vs. San Antonio Spurs, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18: Preseason at Memphis Grizzlies, 8 p.m.
Oct. 21: NBA cut down to no more than 15 players on standard roster and three on two-way contracts, 5 p.m.
Oct. 23: Regular-season opener vs. Orlando Magic, 7:30 p.m.
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