NBA teams enjoy showing appreciation to their fan bases, particularly when it’s holiday time.
Few teams in sports support their communities more fervently than the Miami Heat, who hosted their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Celebration on Thursday. The team collaborated with organizations to distribute 600 Thanksgiving baskets and also give 450 hot meals to underserved families throughout Miami-Dade County.
It’s hard for NBA teams to maximize five consecutive off days, but the Heat (6-7) found some solace in giving back and honing its relationship with the fans. Miami hasn’t played since Monday and won’t suit up again until Sunday.
“There actually have been a lot of tears — tears of joy, tears of gratitude,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said Thursday. “This is our 33rd year doing this. … It’s turned into more than it was 33 years ago. Now, it’s a festive party.
“This is our backyard here, and to share on a day like this really is amazing.”
Among other Heat luminaries in attendance: three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo, team president Pat Riley and Heat stalwarts Alonzo Mourning and Bob McAdoo.
The spirit of giving in this holiday season👏
We hosted our 33rd annual Thanksgiving celebration at Miami Rescue Mission to provide meals for hundreds of underprivileged families in the community. pic.twitter.com/wsTIrR5oHV
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 21, 2024
Earlier in the week, Adebayo hosted his “Bam, Books and Brotherhood Thanksgiving Twist” event in Liberty City, where dozens of families received Thanksgiving meals, side dishes, photo opportunities and autographs. He said he enjoys such events every year and will never get tired of doing them.
Bam Adebayo, A’ja Wilson and Udonis Haslem arriving for the Bam, Books and Brotherhood Thanksgiving Twist here in Liberty City pic.twitter.com/oUsAfSnsbe
— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) November 20, 2024
“You gotta really mean it when you say it,” Adebayo said. “We see a lot of people that give to the community, but they don’t be there. The biggest thing I learned about U.D. (Udonis Haslem): He was always on the frontline when he does community work. I feel like that’s the biggest representation you can have — you being there.”
At this time of the year — between the dishes, high-spirited crowds and charitable moments — what was the best moment of the entire afternoon?
Riley, who earlier this week learned the Los Angeles Lakers will honor him with a statue, reflected on how important it is for Heat culture to be an extension of the NBA community, no matter the fan base or location.
“I think it’s important for any organization, any business,” Riley said. “You create an environment in which everybody can flourish, and that becomes a shared vision within the organization. That doesn’t mean that a lot of people sometimes don’t agree with it, but everybody gets on board, and that’s what the important thing is.
“The NBA is a giving league. I think every franchise — from the front office right on down to the players association — has this kind of spirit in their communities. … A lot of people are going to have a great holiday because of this.”
The Heat still play basketball, right?
On Sunday, the Heat will host the Dallas Mavericks (8-7) in their first game since Monday’s double-digit win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat have played only five home games thus far, the fewest in the NBA. They’re aiming to reach .500 again but have won three of of their last five.
The biggest key to Miami’s turnaround? Since Nov. 10, the Heat are fifth in defensive rating after ranking 20th. They will seek to either maintain or improve that footing against Dallas, which will be without Luka Dončić, who is expected to miss at least the next week with a wrist injury.
Dallas enters this matchup with three consecutive wins after losing a season-worst four straight. The Mavericks rank seventh in overall net rating despite being a game over .500.
Last season, the Heat lost both regular-season meetings, including a 19-point loss the last time the Mavericks visited South Florida. Dončić and teammate Kyrie Irving combined for 54 points in that matchup, and the latter should be comfortable picking up the slack Sunday. Irving is second on his team in points per game (24.3) and is enjoying the most efficient season of his career (career-high 54.5 percent shooting, 53.8 percent from 3). Such potency undoubtedly will test Miami’s improved defense.
That could be an opportunity for either Jimmy Butler or Tyler Herro to carry Miami’s offense and avoid the game getting out of hand. Butler recently returned from a four-game absence with 30 points and 10 rebounds. In the two losses to Dallas last season, he averaged only 13 points. Herro is maintaining a career-high 24.2 points-per-game average, but he is shooting only 40.8 percent in his last three games.
After Monday’s win, Butler jokingly called himself and Herro “1A and 1B” in terms of Miami’s scoring hierarchy. If both players catch fire on Sunday, it can help Miami reach .500 again, and the team (and its fans) could have a bit more to be grateful for as the holiday season unfolds.
(Top photo: Issac Baldizon / Getty Images)
