The Heat is—again—on in South Beach

Me thinks the Miami Heat are finally back in the championship conversation in The Association. And for long-suffering Heat fans like yours truly, the arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo may finally give our kababayan Erik Spoelstra the missing ingredient for Miami's fourth Larry O'Brien trophy. Yes, yes, it's only the preseason. But can you blame a Heat lifer for getting excited? Miami opened its exhibition campaign with a 129-105 shellacking of Toronto, followed by a 128-118 victory over New Orleans. The Heat then lost a 125-124 squeaker to Minnesota, although both teams rested practically their entire starting units. That's a respectable 2-1 record, with Miami averaging a whopping 127 points per game. Not bad for a team still figuring out how its shiny new toys fit together. The biggest difference, of course, is the Greek Freak. Antetokounmpo gives Miami something it hasn't enjoyed since LeBron James took his talents back to Cleveland—a bona fide Rop 10 superstar who can single-handedly bend opposing defenses to his will. Watching Giannis barrel down the court is like witnessing a runaway freight train. Opposing players either build a wall or become unwilling participants in his latest poster dunk. And when that wall materializes? Giannis simply kicks the ball out to Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins,...