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.
Spo, Jimmy and Pat have all already played it up in the media so I’m sure its something that they’re using as motivation. I don’t know if it has much of an impact on the opposing teams. Everyone knows what they’re going to get when facing the Heat in the playoffs. Noone is going to underestimate them after the last few seasons whatever their regular season record.