Inside The Heat

Paul Pierce Claims Miami Heat Won't Make It Out Of The First Round with Damian Lillard

Heat nemesis Paul Pierce says the Miami Heat will struggle with Damian Lillard
Anthony Pasciolla|
Paul Pierce Claims Miami Heat Won't Make It Out Of The First Round with Damian Lillard
Paul Pierce Claims Miami Heat Won't Make It Out Of The First Round with Damian Lillard

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Miami Heat

Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce believes the Miami Heat will lose in the first round even if they acquire Damian Lillard. 

On a recent episode of the ShoBasketball podcast, Pierce gave his opinion on the Lillard to Miami situation.

"Miami was a play-in team; you forgot that," Pierce said. "If you just add Dame, this team won’t make it out the first round, with [Dame, Jimmy, & Bam] with no depth... If you gut that team by getting Dame, they borderline might not make it to the playoffs or out the first round."

On this podcast, Pierce was joined by former All-Star Tracy McGrady and analyst Rachel Nichols, who strongly disagreed with his statement. Pierce was a former ESPN analyst known for his often-outlandish opinions about the Heat.

The Heat finished as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference last season but their playoff run was no fluke. They made the conference finals in 2022 and the NBA Finals in 2020. 

Depth is one of Miami’s biggest organizational strengths due to its ability to develop young and undrafted players. Notable additions such as Gabe Vincent and Max Strus were developed into starting-caliber players before signing multi-year deals with other franchises. They will be forced to give up many assets to acquire Lillard, but they will have no problem retaining and developing depth.

The Heat will likely become the favorites to win the Finals next season if they are able to acquire Lillard. Forming a formidable Big Three with him, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo alongside a top coach in Erik Spoelstra will get the Heat well past the first round.

Anthony Pasciolla is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at anthonypasciolla36@gmail.com or follow him on Tik Tok @anthonysports_

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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com

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