When the Miami Heat tip off the NBA Finals on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, they'll be significant underdogs.
The craziest part?
Their entire roster is used to it.
Time for a thread 👇👇👇
1) Head coach Eric Spoelstra started his Miami Heat career as a video coordinator back in 1995.
Since then, he's worked his way from the video room to 3x NBA Champion and is regarded as one of the best coaches in the NBA today.
The lesson?
Keep going.
2) When it comes to Jimmy Butler, you couldn't make up his story if you tried.
- Homeless at 13
- 73rd ranked SG in Texas
- No D1 offers, attended JuCo
- Last pick of 1st round
Now, Butler is a 4x all-star with $220M in career earnings - looking to win his 1st NBA championship.
3) Duncan Robinson has continuously believed in himself, even when others didn't.
- No D1 offers
- Attended DIII Williams College
- Transferred to Michigan
- Undrafted in 2018
- Signed with Heat
Now he'll start in the NBA Finals as one of the best 3-pt shooters in the NBA.
4) Since going undrafted in 2018, Kendrick Nunn has fought his way to back to relevancy.
Nunn spent a year in the G-league, but impressed Heat coaches with a 40-pt game this preseason.
In total, he started 67 games this year and finished 2nd in ROTY voting behind Ja Morant.
5) Jae Crowder spent 2 years at JuCo before transferring to Marquette.
After staring w/ Butler at Marquette, Crowder was selected in the 2nd round of the draft.
Despite being a quality player, Crowder has been traded 4 times - yet he hopes to have finally found a home in Miami
6) Udonis Haslem is considered the heart and soul of the Miami Heat.
His story:
- Undrafted in '02
- Spent a year in France
- Lost 50lbs in 8 months
- Signed with Heat in '03
- 3x NBA Champion
The craziest part?
Haslem has played with Jae Crowder and his father, Corey.
7) The mastermind behind the Miami Heat?
Pat Riley, who has been a dominate fixture in the NBA Finals as a player, coach, and executive.
Finals Appearances (@CBSSports)
As a player: 3
As a coach: 9
As an executive: 5
Already a legend, Riley looks to add to his legacy.
8) When the NBA Finals tip off on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers will start 4 players selected in the top 10 - including three #1 overall picks.
The Heat?
That number is 0.
They may not look like much individually, but together they just might be the best team in the world
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