The Miami Heat fan base is excited about the addition of center Nick Richards
Miami Heat fans have a habit of celebrating some of the most non-celebrated players in the NBA.
They did it for Max Strus, Duncan Robinson and any of the other players who were in the developmental program. The latest player to get this attention is recent signee Nich Richards, who was acquired Thursday.
As expected, the Heat fan base gushed over the move.
Last year Richards split time with the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. He averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 48 games, making six starts. He is known for bringing energy and defense.
The Richards signing is the latest in what has been a busy offseason for the Heat. It began with trading Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis and Jaime Jaquez Jr., to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. They then added role player Tim Hardaway Jr., to be a solid option off the bench. Finally, they grabbed future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson from the Dallas Mavericks to add clutch shooting.
The Heat now have a frontcourt rotation that includes Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Richards, Portis and former No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins. The question now is it will translate to success.
The Heat are coming off a season where they missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season, the last year of Dwyane Wade. After acquiring Jimmy Butler, they made the NBA Finals twice but were unable to add another Larry O'Brien Trophy.
This season is perhaps the Heat's best chance to win a championship since the LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Wade years. Those teams won two rings in four straight Finals appearances from 2010-14.
The current lineup at least gives the Heat a chance to compete against the likes of the defending champion New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]
