Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat laughs with Bam Adebayo #13 against the Utah Jazz (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat are the third-fiddle in the NBA’s Eastern Conference as things begin to take shape… or the fourth, depending on whom you ask. Either way though, they aren’t the favorites or the direct competition to the favorites, according to many.
Based on the talent that the Brooklyn Nets roster, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant and the prowess of the Big 3 of the reigning NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks, a group led by Giannis Antetokounmpo but that features Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, the Miami Heat are firmly behind both of those squads in the collective thoughts of many right now.