I really do think it’s an advantage because the more the ✨TaLeNtEd ✨ teams internalize that “they’ve gotten better and the Heat got worse,” the more they will underestimate them when it matters (despite knowing better). I think it just happens on a subconscious level even if you intellectually and practically know you shouldn’t underestimate them.
“We’re a different team, this won’t happen to us like it did our last years team” mentality.
The media always will, but I doubt conference rivals like Celtics, Bucks are just gonna relax, because they have the frame of mind that they were sent home early last year.