The 2021-2022 Miami Heat season ended recently with a game 7 loss in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Boston Celtics. This was certainly a disappointing loss, especially to a fierce rival like the Celtics. However, there was plenty more that happened for the Heat this season. Let’s get into the 2021-2022 Miami Heat season recap.
Duncan Disappoints
Duncan Robinson has had an incredible journey, going from an undrafted player to one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA. In the 2021 off-season, the Heat signed Duncan Robinson to a 5-year, $90 million a year contract. However, Duncan was largely disappointing this season, averaging 10.9 points per game on 37.2% from 3.
That is down from 13.1 points per game in the 2020-2021 season. Duncan also shot the ball less efficiently than he did last season, from 3 and from inside the 3-point line. Duncan also did not play that well in the playoffs. He started off strong with 27 points in the Heat’s playoff opener against the Hawks. Despite this, Duncan only averaged 5.6 points per game in the 2022 playoffs and didn’t start a single playoff game.
All this has led to plenty of speculation that the Heat will trade him this off-season. While that remains to be seen, he certainly didn’t live up to his new contract this season. That much is painfully clear.
2021-2022 Miami Heat Season Recap: Herro Breaks Out
Herro was a major positive for the Heat in the 2022 regular season. He averaged 20.7 points on 44.7% from the field. He also shot 40% from 3. Herro’s strong play off the Heat bench earned him the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
What impressed me the most was not his stats, but his overall improvement. Herro was more effective off the dribble, when driving and finishing at the basket, and his passing improved as well. Herro put in a lot of work last off-season and it paid off. Herro did struggle in the 2022 playoffs, but his regular season performances still make him a bright spot for Miami’s 2022 season.
The Heat Have to Retool the Team
Reaching the Eastern Conference Finals is definitely an accomplishment, but it’s clear that the Heat need to make some changes to strengthen their status as championship contenders. The Heat need a backup 4 who can shoot and defend and a backup center, as well. It’s possible Duncan Robinson gets moved in a deal to acquire one of these players. In any case, many of the Heat’s players aside from Bam and Jimmy didn’t step up in the playoffs on a regular basis. For that reason, the Heat do need to retool the roster a bit to remain a top team in the Eastern Conference next season.