By Joel Perez 
With 2024 coming to a close, I wanted to share some thoughts on a few NBA topics: an update
on my Miami Heat, the Lakers’ recent trade, and the chatter around NBA ratings and the
Christmas Day games.
Miami Heat Update
Of course, I had to start with my Miami Heat. We’re coming off what might be the most eventful
win of the season against the Houston Rockets. The game ended with a dramatic sequence that
went viral—not for the basketball, but for the on-court altercation. It all began when Amen
Thompson lost control and seemingly threw Tyler Herro out of bounds, sparking a scuffle that
led to multiple ejections and likely suspensions following league review.
Despite the Jimmy Butler trade rumors and recent drama, this team has stayed resilient, finding
ways to compete even when Jimmy isn’t on the floor to lead. Butler was available to the media
at practice for the first time in about a week, as he’s missed the last five games due to illness.
When asked if he wanted to stay in Miami, he responded, “That’s a good question. Who knows?
I don’t, but right now I’m here, so I’m going to make the most of it.”
Another pretty vague answer from Jimmy regarding the situation—but did we really expect
anything different? For now, we’ll just have to wait and see where this goes as we approach the
trade deadline in February.
A big surprise for the Heat has been Kel’el Ware’s effectiveness in limited minutes. He’s earning
Coach Spoelstra’s trust and has quickly developed a strong pick-and-roll connection with Tyler
Herro, adding a new dynamic to the Heat’s offense. Having Ware in the dunker spot could be a
game-changer for the Heat in critical stretches, giving Spo more options in high-pressure
moments.
Speaking of Tyler Herro, his play this year has solidified him as an All-Star candidate. The
improvements in his game have been undeniable. He’s simplified his approach, knows how to
pick his spots, and has become a lethal shooter both inside and outside the arc. His efficiency
has been outstanding, and he’s undoubtedly been the Heat’s best player so far this season.
As for Bam Adebayo, he’s been steady, but not quite at the level Heat fans have come to expect
from him. Regardless, having Herro and Bam as foundational pieces going forward makes me
confident as a Heat fan. With those two, I know we’ll always have a chance to reach the
mountaintop.
When it comes to trades, I’m unsure about who the Heat should target. A contract like Terry
Rozier’s or even Duncan Robinson’s could be intriguing assets for other teams, but with the
young talent and upside we already have on our roster—including Jaime Jaquez Jr. (JJJ), Kel’el
Ware, and Haywood Highsmith, who has been one of the league’s top wing defenders—it’s hard
to justify making major changes.
The second half of the season should be exciting. Let’s hope the Heat stay healthy and build on
their momentum—I’m staying optimistic.
Los Angeles Lakers Trade D’Lo Back To Brooklyn
This past Sunday, the Lakers made a significant trade, acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith and
Shake Milton in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks.
The Lakers finally offloaded D’Lo to Brooklyn for the second time in a decade, which is wild to
think about. I was one of the biggest D’Lo fanboys when he first arrived in Brooklyn and went
absolutely berserk, earning his first and only All-Star appearance. Russell had some incredible
performances and probably led one of the most fun and memorable Nets teams in recent years
to the playoffs.
It’ll be great to see him back in a Nets uniform, and I’m confident he’ll thrive. He’ll likely lead the
team in scoring and have the chance to showcase his talents without being critiqued on a
nightly basis, as was often the case in Los Angeles. The Nets have been the most active team
in the trade market this season, making two trades before January, and I wouldn’t be surprised if
they make another before the deadline. A player like Cam Johnson could fetch Brooklyn solid
value, such as draft compensation and young talent. Johnson is having a career year in both
scoring and efficiency, making him an attractive piece for many teams.
Brooklyn bringing back D’Lo as a fan favorite adds some excitement to the Barclays Center
during what seems to be shaping up as a tankathon for the rest of the season. On top of that,
acquiring three second-round picks feels like a win for the franchise. They also did right by
Dorian Finney-Smith, sending him to a championship-level organization like the Lakers, where
he’ll finally get to play meaningful basketball. I’m sure that means the world to him.
Now, onto the Lakers’ side of things. I love this trade for the Lakers for two main reasons. First,
adding Finney-Smith provides much-needed wing defense, along with his shooting ability. He’s
one of the most efficient corner-three shooters in the league and a winning player. He’s a perfect
fit alongside LeBron and AD and could significantly help with the Lakers’ defensive struggles,
especially when they’re being torched by opposing wings.
Second, Shake Milton is a solid guard who has proven he belongs in this league when given
significant minutes, as we’ve seen during his stints with the Sixers and Nets. His versatility adds
depth to the Lakers’ rotation.
All in all, the Lakers acquired a crucial rotation piece and a potential spot starter for certain
matchups without giving up any first-round picks. Plus, they stayed below the second tax apron,
preserving flexibility for future trades as the deadline approaches.
NBA Ratings and Christmas Day Game Slate
There was a lot of chatter across the media, including the worldwide leader in sports—ESPN, of
course. Just before Christmas, all the major sports outlets were buzzing about how bad the NBA
ratings were, with plenty of talking heads questioning the league’s future. While I can
understand concerns about the ratings, I feel like there’s 2 main concerns with the league and
one of them is the accessibility to games. Once the league addresses that, I’m confident the
ratings will skyrocket.
Right now, the casual NBA fan has to jump through too many hoops to watch games. It’s a
hassle switching between apps to find the right one, and even those fortunate enough to
purchase League Pass don’t get full access—local blackout restrictions prevent fans from
watching their own teams. Making games easier to access—by eliminating app-hopping and
resolving blackout restrictions—could significantly boost viewership and bring back casual fans.
As for the league’s future? I believe some subtle changes could make a tremendous difference.
One idea I’ve had—and that many NBA analysts have discussed—is reducing the number of
games in the regular season from 82 to around 58. Spreading out the schedule would help
players avoid back-to-backs, reducing injury risks and improving overall player performance.
Fewer games would also make each regular-season matchup more impactful, placing greater
emphasis on every result.
There’s also been chatter about eliminating the corner three and finding new ways to curb “foul
baiting” to improve the flow and integrity of the game. The NBA has always been at the forefront
of innovation, consistently exploring ways to enhance the sport. The recent $76 billion TV media
rights deal for the next 10 seasons highlights the confidence these networks have in the
league’s ability to perform and grow.
The NBA is in good hands and will continue evolving to make the game better than ever—or at
least, I like to think so for my own sanity…
And don’t even get me started on the Christmas Day games—I beg you! For the first time in
what feels like forever, I actually had the day off (because it’s Christmas, of course). While
spending time with my family, basketball was always on the TV. Let me just say: this was one of
the best Christmas Day slates we’ve had in years. The numbers back it up too—according to AP
News, the slate averaged 5.25 million viewers, making it the most successful Christmas Day
slate in five years.
Wemby against the Knicks was sensational, and watching Kyrie and Ant go head-to-head was a
blast. I can’t say much about the Celtics-76ers game since I didn’t really watch much of it (no
shade to Boston or Philly… okay, maybe a little). But the matchup of the night had to be Lakers
vs. Warriors: LeBron vs. Steph. Watching those two legends go at it all game brought an all-time
level of excitement to a regular-season matchup. Steph Curry’s back-to-back threes brought the
Warriors within reach, but Austin Reaves sealed the win with a game-winning shot that felt like a
Christmas miracle.
Phoenix and Denver was another standout game, with Kevin Durant and the Suns taking the
win at home against the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic delivered yet another MVP-caliber
showcase—because that’s just what he does every time he steps on the floor.
There’s truly no better time to be an NBA fan.
Kevin Gonzalez 
Angel Rivera