Should Damian Lillard join the Heat as expected, sports analyst Ric Bucher thinks that it would unleash the best version of the superstar.
Bucher pointed to the fact that besides Jimmy Butler a big part of Miami’s success last season because of the help from players like Max Strus, Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent – two of whom left the Heat this offseason. Because of that Lillard would have to take on more responsibility which would get the best out of him.
“With the Heat and Damian [Lillard] I think the one thing that we’re looking past, because I do agree, the question is with the depth,” Bucher said on Speak. “Because how they got there they didn’t get there with just Jimmy Butler. Jimmy Butler was a big part of them getting there.
“But they would have not every night, but Max Strus gave them a big game. Caleb Martin gave them several big games, Gabe Vincent gave them a couple big games. They got it from different places and Damian would have to fulfil all of those.
“Damian’s got to give you a big game every night. Now this what I feel like they can go toe to toe without even knowing what the depth is. Why they can go toe to toe and why I am bullish on the Miami Heat is because I look at Damian and Jimmy, and Bam I could make the case that not only does Damian make them [Heat] better, but we can make the case that we may see the best version of Damian Lillard that we’ve ever seen.”
