NBA Playoffs 2020: 5 reasons the Miami Heat can win it all

5. Not your average veteran leadership

At face value, the Heat’s roster construction is similar to that of a team focused on developing its young players while showcasing the veterans as potential trade bait. Eight of their 17 guys (including Kyle Alexander and Gabe Vincent, who are on two-way contracts) have less than two years of experience. Yet they have 41 victories and a chance to finish as the No. 2 seed in a top-heavy Eastern conference.

This is thanks to the veteran leadership that is not only motivated to win, but motivated to teach the young guys as well. Jimmy Butler exemplifies the saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” This is only the second time in his eight-year career that the five-time All-Star has been the undisputed best player on a team. But his personality and fiery attitude fits seamlessly on this Miami squad after it failed in Minnesota. Butler has even taken Bam Adebayo under his wing and both guys have made sure to hold each other accountable for any mishaps.

Jae Crowder and Udonis Haslem are players accustomed to lesser roles, but they carry extensive playoff experience. Crowder was a key two-way wing for the 2017 Celtics who advanced to the conference finals. Haslem’s defense and sideline mid-range jumpers helped his hometown team win three titles.

Finally, Goran Dragic and Andre Iguodala may be less vocal than Butler, Crowder and Haslem, but they lead by example. Dragic has excelled as the sixth man, averaging 16.1 points in 28.4 minutes per game. Iguodala is the jack-of-all trades with three titles under his belt. It’s always a good sign when two guys with pedigree such as Dragic and Iguodala are willing to come off the bench for a relatively young team, especially if it’s proved successful.