There’s been a lot made of Miami Heat culture over the last few years, with the team having a lot of success with longtime head coach Erik Spoelstra leading the way on the sideline and Jimmy Butler getting it done on the floor.
Along with having one of the best leaders in the game in Butler, Miami has had a knack for finding players that no other teams wanted and turning them into legitimate starters on a title-contending team.
Last year, the Heat had two undrafted players in their starting lineup as they made it to the NBA Finals once again, with Gabe Vincent and Max Strus playing significant roles in the team’s success.
Both players cashed out in NBA free agency and landed new roles with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectively.
However, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas believes that the culture started when LeBron James got to Miami and fell off once he left, via “Gil’s Arena” and ClutchPoints.
“Before LeBron [James] got [to Miami], 1st round loss, 15-67, 1st round loss… Then LeBron got there and they went to the championship… When LeBron left, no playoffs. Did he take the Heat Culture with him?”
— Gilbert Arenas 👀
(via @GilsArenaShow)pic.twitter.com/wsGLqobOU7
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 7, 2023
Arenas seems to conveniently forget that the Heat won a title before James got there with a very young Dwyane Wade and an aging Shaquille O’Neal, which was arguably the beginning of Heat culture, with Pat Riley calling the shots in the front office.
James obviously had a significant impact on the Heat as he helped the team get to four consecutive NBA Finals and win two of those four attempts at a title, but it started before he got there, and it is back now with Butler leading the charge alongside Bam Adebayo.
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Current Heat Star Shows Respect To LeBron James