Me thinks the Miami Heat are finally back in the championship conversation in The Association.
And for long-suffering Heat fans like yours truly, the arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo may finally give our kababayan Erik Spoelstra the missing ingredient for Miami's fourth Larry O'Brien trophy.
Yes, yes, it's only the preseason. But can you blame a Heat lifer for getting excited?
Miami opened its exhibition campaign with a 129-105 shellacking of Toronto, followed by a 128-118 victory over New Orleans. The Heat then lost a 125-124 squeaker to Minnesota, although both teams rested practically their entire starting units.
That's a respectable 2-1 record, with Miami averaging a whopping 127 points per game.
Not bad for a team still figuring out how its shiny new toys fit together.
The biggest difference, of course, is the Greek Freak.
Antetokounmpo gives Miami something it hasn't enjoyed since LeBron James took his talents back to Cleveland—a bona fide Rop 10 superstar who can single-handedly bend opposing defenses to his will.
Watching Giannis barrel down the court is like witnessing a runaway freight train. Opposing players either build a wall or become unwilling participants in his latest poster dunk.
And when that wall materializes? Giannis simply kicks the ball out to Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, or Tim Hardaway Jr. for an uncontested triple.
Pick your poison.
Against Toronto, the former Milwaukee Bucks superstar collected 9 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in just 14 minutes without missing a shot. He followed that with 18 points against New Orleans.
More importantly, his partnership with Bam Adebayo appears promising.
Bam no longer has to pretend to be Miami's primary offensive weapon while anchoring the defense. Giannis can handle the heavy lifting, allowing Adebayo to exploit mismatches and feast on open looks.
History tells us that Miami wins championships when a genuine superstar leads the charge.
In 2006, Shaquille O'Neal provided the intimidating interior presence while a blossoming Dwyane Wade carried the Heat to their first championship.
Then came the Big 3 of LeBron, Wade, and Chris Bosh, who reached four consecutive NBA Finals from 2011 to 2014, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
Remember how Wade eventually accepted a secondary role to LeBron after Miami's embarrassing 2011 Finals loss to Dallas? That sacrifice made everything click.
Speaking of sacrifice, Jimmy Butler deserves enormous credit for dragging considerably less talented Heat teams to the Finals in 2020 and 2023.
Jimmy Buckets was magnificent during those playoff runs, but let's admit Miami often punched above its weight.
With Giannis, the Heat finally have the heavyweight themselves.
Another encouraging development is Spoelstra's commitment to a faster offense.
Gone, hopefully, are those dreadful possessions ending with contested jumpers as the shot clock expires.
Miami's revamped roster is built to run, attack, and launch triples before opposing defenses get comfortable.
Thompson might look a little heavier these days, but his shooting reputation alone forces defenders to stick to him like glue. That creates tremendous spacing for Giannis and Bam.
Wiggins could enjoy a career revival playing alongside two offensive magnets. Hardaway provides another perimeter option, while Davion Mitchell supplies defensive toughness and playmaking.
But my favorite revelation might be Pelle Larsson.
The Swedish guard attacks the basket fearlessly, absorbs contact, and somehow maintains his composure. His improving outside shot and pesky defense make him an intriguing Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Then there's rookie Ryan Conwell, who erupted for 22 points and 9 assists against Minnesota.
Miami may have uncovered another second-round gem. The Celtics reportedly coveted him, too.
Take that, Boston!
And let's not forget Nick Richards, whose rebounding and interior presence could prove invaluable during the inevitable grind of an 82-game season.
Of course, everything hinges on health.
If Giannis and Bam each play upward of 70 games, Thompson rediscovers his shooting rhythm, and the supporting cast embraces its roles, I see no reason Miami cannot reach the Eastern Conference finals.
The Celtics, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers certainly won't roll over. But neither should Miami fear them.
And wouldn't it be something if the Heat eventually face Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio in the NBA Finals?
That would be the third championship showdown between these franchises after splitting their memorable 2013 and 2014 encounters.
Perhaps our kababayan Spoelstra can deliver one final championship to Heat godfather Pat Riley before the latter rides into the sunset.
I digress.
For now, chemistry must develop, shooters must shoot, and everyone must stay healthy.
But with Giannis wearing Miami colors, expectations have changed.
Conference finals or bust? Absolutely.
NBA Finals? Why not?
Me thinks the Heat is finally on again in South Beach.
