This is why the Heat could get off to a flying start

New teams take time.

Not every one, of course. The 2008-09 Boston Celtics paired three All-Stars who had each reached the Conference Finals on their own -- but never further -- and they were scorching from the start. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen ripped off 29 wins in their first 32 games, on their way to a championship.

The 2010-11 Miami Heat couldn't follow that lead. While there were projections that the power trio ofLeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh would never lose at all, ever, they actually lost eight of their first 17, and had to hold a 50-minute post-defeat meeting in Dallas to sort it all out. Then, of course, they found their footing, winning 21 of 22 against a softer schedule and reaching the NBA Finals.

That's more the norm.

It takes time for connection, on and off the court. Players to find their spots and their roles. Stars to learn to sacrifice. Role guys to learn when and how to step in and step up, even if they're as experienced as Klay Thompson, Miami's latest addition.

So it is possible that the 2026-27 Heat, after dealing or losing four rotation players -- four of their top eight scorers, in fact -- could struggle to assimilate out of the gate behind new franchise man Giannis Antetokounmpo. They will be playing a new style on the offensive end, more akin to eras past, playing more inside-out, drawing double-teams and finding shooters. They will also be competing in an Eastern Conference that is the strongest on paper it's been in decades.

Giannis Antetokounmpo — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

So why do I believe they will actually start quick?

Because none of this is all as new as it may seem.

Here are 3 reasons that Miami could come storming out of the gate:

1. It starts with defense

Bam Adebayo — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After the Big Three assembled in 2010, coach Erik Spoelstra -- trying to establish an identity while only in his third head coaching season -- took the celebrity roster to an Air Force base. And he drilled defense. That was it. Hard hats. No egos. He was trying to set a tone, trying to show that no matter how many accolades James, Bosh and Wade had already acquired, they were going to do the dirty work, and learn to dominate on the defensive end first. That seemed to stick. But the other side of the court was a mess early; Wade and James tripping over each other, since they had been accustomed to being at the top of the circle without interference as the main men on their respective teams, Bosh not knowing where to be. This time around, Spoelstra can actually focus early on both ends. The defense is innate with this group. Antetokounmpo has already been a Defensive Player of the Year; Bam Adebayo should have been, at least once or not more. Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell have the capability to be elite stoppers, and have shown so. Pelle Larsson doesn't take plays off, and backs down to no one. And Klay Thompson knows what he's doing on defense, even if his feet aren't as quick as they were. Miami will be in every game from the open, because of how they will guard. And Spoelstra should get the offense revving sooner, without over-emphasizing just that one element.

2. These Aren't All Strangers

Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell and Bam Adebayo — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Unlike with some builds or rebuilds, the Heat aren't entering this season with everyone needing nametags. Three of their starters -- Adebayo, Mitchell, Wiggins -- are the same as last season. Larsson is still around to lead the bench and likely play some in closing time. But it goes beyond that. Tim Hardaway Sr. essentially grew up in the Heat locker room, and many of the same people are in the organization; he also spent some of the summer working out with Wiggins. Thompson and Wiggins started together, and blended well personally and professionally, on the 2022 championship Warriors; Thompson thanked Wiggins after for "making my job so easy." Antektokounmpo was accompanied in the trade to Miami by Bobby Portis Jr, one of the few players he still truly trusted by the end of his Milwaukee tenure. Now there are reports that Vin Baker, an Antetokounmpo confidant with the Bucks, will be joining the Heat's coaching staff. And Caron Butler, who mentored Giannis early in his career, is already on Miami's staff. Plus, Spoelstra isn't some kid coach anymore. He's the longest-tenured coach in professional sports. This group should bond quickly, with him at the helm.

3. The superstar is driven, every day

One of the miracles of the Heat's strong 2004-05 season, even if it didn't end in a title -- because of Wade's Eastern Conference finals rib injury -- was that they somehow got the last truly motivated version of Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq had been known at that point for not taking the regular season all that seriously, which is one reason the Lakers didn't offer him the contract extension he sought. But that actually worked to Miami's benefit. O'Neal was highly motivated, and he got himself in shape quickly (not Heat shape, but better than he'd been) and that launched him to a second-in-MVP-voting season. Giannis needs no such shove to get in shape. He's already there. He's also coming off a 36-game season with no playoffs, which gave him more rest than he's had in years. And he's not playing for the Greek national team. He will be itching to get back on the court, and prove he's still top-five, if not top-one in the league. If anything, the Heat will need to hold him back some. A motivated Giannis is a destructive one. And this may be as motivated as he's ever been. He won't take the regular season lightly. Neither will the Heat. Neither is built like that. The start of this build could really be something.

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