NBA Power Rankings: It’s time for the Miami Heat to hit the panic button

In the latest edition of our NBA Power Rankings, it’s time for the Miami Heat to hit the panic button 

The Miami Heat have been the most disappointing team in the NBA this season when you consider expectations and roster construction. At this point, I don’t think there’s any denying that.

Even as the team has been healthy over the last four games, the Heat is just 2-2 in a soft part of its schedule. Miami might string together a few wins over the next week, especially considering their “weak” upcoming schedule, but make no mistake: this is not a championship-contender roster.

The Heat needs to make some sort of change at the NBA Trade Deadline if this franchise wishes to change that. At 8-14, and 4.5 games back of the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference, this is officially panic time for the defending Eastern Conference champions.

Whatever that means for the franchise, I’m not so sure. But if there’s anything we know about Pat Riley, it’s that he won’t keep the status quo for long. That’s simply not the way he operates.

Let’s get to this week’s NBA Power Rankings.