Through 59 games this season, the Miami Heat are only marginally better than their 2017 counterparts. This time last year, Miami was 27-32, a record which topped off at the .500 mark by season’s end.
Now 30-29, the Heat are still fighting for playoff relevance, trying to edge out the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers and others, to ensure a post-season berth.
The similarities in records over the past two seasons would suggest Miami’s remained stagnant in a changing Eastern Conference. But the reality is quite the opposite, subtracting names like Josh McRoberts, Okaro White and Derrick Williams, while incorporating pickups like Kelly Olynyk and oddly enough, Dwyane Wade.