(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
The Miami Heat definitely impressed a lot of people last season as they surprised fans and went all the way to the NBA Finals.
They are about to enter a much tougher Eastern Conference, but Pat Riley believes they have what it takes to reign supreme.
Speaking to the Miami Herald, via Dru on Twitter, Riley said that Kyle Lowry is the special piece of the puzzle that could help the Heat win.
“I look at Kyle [Lowry] as an X-factor this year. He looks good, he’s playing hard, he’s smart as hell, he’s all of those things that we want,” Riley said.
“I look at Kyle [Lowry] as an X factor this year. He looks good, he’s playing hard, he’s smart as hell, he’s all of those things that we want.”
– Pat Riley https://t.co/WTNPB1q7CY pic.twitter.com/zWSu3I4XQs
— Dru (@dru_star) October 23, 2023
Riley added that Kevin Love also has that X-factor.
He also commented that the team’s bench is stronger than the rest of the teams in the league.
Last season, Lowry’s second with the Heat, saw him average 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
At 37 years old, Lowry doesn’t move or score like he used to during his days with the Toronto Raptors but he has still proven himself to be a valuable part of the team.
The X-factor he brings is a combination of his drive, energy, and strong basketball IQ.
But is that really enough for the team to return to the Finals?
The East has transformed in some huge ways during the summer and the Heat weren’t able to upgrade their roster as they had planned.
It was tough to go all the way last season and it’ll be even tougher this year.
Lowry only started in one of his team’s 23 postseason games in 2022-23 and his output dipped a bit during those playoff games.
Will he be able to rebound and bring more of his X-factor to the Heat?
The post Pat Riley Identifies 1 X-Factor For The Heat This Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.