GMs not warming to Heat as serious challenger in East

But they do put Miami in playoffs as No. 7 finisher; Spoelstra named No. 2 coach

ORLANDO — NBA general managers apparently are not as high on the Miami Heat’s outlook this coming season as the Heat’s own leading man, Pat Riley.

In the annual NBA.com poll of GMs released Thursday, the Heat were predicted to finish seventh in the Eastern Conference behind the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers, and ahead of the Orlando Magic in the race for the conference’s eighth and final playoff spot.

The Heat have missed the playoffs two of the last three seasons, including last season after posting a 39-43 record. They did not receive a vote from the GMs in the category of which team potentially could be most improved this season.

The GMs also addressed several aspects involving individual players and coaches.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra placed second in the voting for league’s best coach, behind the San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich. He tied for third among coaches with the best defensive schemes.

When the GMs were asked which player could emerge as the biggest steal in the draft, Heat guard Tyler Herro, selected at No. 13 out of Kentucky, tied for fourth. Herro, however, did not receive a vote as a candidate for Rookie of the Year or as a candidate to be the best of this rookie class in five years.

Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. tied for third in the vote for most athletic player, behind New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson and Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Among those receiving votes for the player most likely to have a breakout season was Heat center Bam Adebayo, who fell short of the top five in that category.

In the vote for best NBA shooting guard, the Heat’s Jimmy Butler received a vote, placing well behind top choice James Harden of the Houston Rockets.

Butler was not listed among the GM’s choices for which offseason acquisition could have the biggest impact. But swingman Josh Richardson, who was dealt to the 76ers for Butler, received a vote as one of the offseason’s most underrated additions.

Butler, though, did receive support as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, although the Heat were not cited among the five teams voted as best defensively.

Meanwhile, even at 39, Heat power forward Udonis Haslem received votes as one of the league’s toughest players.

The Heat open their 2019-20 season Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies at American-Airlines Arena.