The Miami Heat will begin their quest for a third consecutive NBA championship by taking their talents to the Bahamas.
The reigning champs will use the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort for training camp practices from Oct. 1 through Oct. 4.
Going to a vacation destination for training camp does have its advantages. The media presence will likely be much smaller than what it would be if camp was held in the U.S. Less media coverage could be ideal for a club that receives substantial coverage.
The trip also allows the team to bond and develop important chemistry ahead of the new NBA season. There aren’t too many better places for this to happen than the beautiful, sunny beaches of the Bahamas.
With last year’s championship roster mostly intact, the Heat have a tremendous opportunity to become the first team to win three straight NBA Finals since the Los Angeles Lakers’ trifecta in 2000, 2001 and 2002. However, many of the Heat’s top competitors in the Eastern Conference, including the Brooklyn Nets, made major offseason moves in an attempt to knock the Heat of their perch.
Miami will raise its third championship banner on Oct. 29 against the Chicago Bulls at AmericanAirlines Arena.
