Locked On Heat - Daily Podcast On The Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are back in the NBA's national spotlight—and the schedule proves it. Wes Goldberg and David Ramil react to Miami landing a Christmas Day showdown against the Boston Celtics and an ESPN game against the Minnesota Timberwolves to open the season. What do these marquee games say about the expectations surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and the new-look Heat?

Then, Norman Powell is opening up about his departure from Miami. Powell said he expected to return to the Heat and believed there were potential paths to keeping him after the Giannis trade, comments that sparked a reaction from Heat fans and prompted Powell to clarify his remarks online.

Wes and David break down what Powell actually said, why Miami never made him an offer and whether the Heat should have sacrificed additional flexibility—or moved players like Nikola Jovic—to bring Powell back.

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

 

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NBA just sent a pretty clear message: The Miami Heat are back in the national spotlight. Wes Goldberg reacts to the first major announcements from the 2026-27 NBA schedule, with Miami landing marquee games during both Opening Week and on Christmas Day.

What does another Christmas appearance mean for a Heat team that has historically thrived on the holiday? Wes looks at Miami's Christmas history, the renewed rivalry with Boston and why that matchup carries extra juice after the Celtics swept the season series last year.

Then, zooming out, Wes explains what these national TV assignments tell us about how the NBA views the new-look Heat. Miami is one of just 10 teams featured during both Opening Week and Christmas, putting Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and the Heat firmly back among the league's biggest attractions.

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

 

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do the Miami Heat actually match up with the best teams in the Eastern Conference? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil begin a two-part series breaking down Miami's positional matchups against the East's top contenders. First, they react to Michael Pina ranking the Heat 11th in the Eastern Conference and his concerns about the spacing around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Are those concerns legitimate, or has the skepticism about Miami's offense gone too far?

Then they go matchup-by-matchup against the Boston Celtics. How do Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Bam and Giannis stack up against Boston's loaded lineup? Finally, they turn to the New York Knicks and examine the challenges of defending Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns—and where Miami might have advantages of its own.

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

 

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The mailbag is back, and this one is packed with some of the biggest questions surrounding the new-look Miami Heat. Is this still Bam Adebayo's team, or has Giannis Antetokounmpo officially become the face of the franchise? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil break down the leadership dynamic, offensive hierarchy, and why the answer may not be as simple as it seems.

We also reveal the lineup combinations we're most excited to watch, discuss how Miami stacks up against the Eastern Conference's top contenders, and explore whether Ben Simmons could actually make sense as a low-risk addition. Plus, we react to the possibility of Bradley Beal and Nick Richards joining the roster, talk about two-way players and developmental options the Heat should monitor, and share our expectations for what Giannis could mean to Miami's regular-season success.

00:00 Are the Heat Bam or Giannis' team?

13:32 Who matches up with Giannis?

21:57 Is Beal and Richards a disappointing outcome?

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast

Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor an exclusive 20%.

 

Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who faces the most pressure on the Miami Heat entering the 2026-27 season? Wes Goldberg and David Ramil rank the Heat players and coaches with the most at stake, starting with Giannis Antetokounmpo. After forcing his way to Miami, the expectations are immediate: championship contention. The hosts discuss why the pressure on Giannis resembles what LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal faced when they arrived in South Beach.

Then they examine Bam Adebayo's place in Heat history and whether this season could define his legacy as one of the franchise's all-time greats. Finally, they debate who else has the most to prove, including Erik Spoelstra, Davion Mitchell and Nikola Jovic. Which breakout seasons are essential for Miami's title hopes, and whose reputation could change the most by the end of the year?

00:00 Is Giannis' Legacy at Stake?

11:30 Bam Adebayo Ring Chase

21:00 Others Under Pressure

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Indeed
Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast

Cozy Earth
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDONfor an exclusive 20%.

 

Betterhelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.