From the jump this postseason, the Heat have had their backs against the wall.
Miami lost to the Hawks in the play-in tournament, and trailed against the Bulls late before saving their season. They were written off against the experienced Bucks, upstart Knicks and powerful Celtics come playoff time.
After Game 2 of the NBA Finals, when the Heat pulled yet another upset win over the Nuggets to tie the series, Miami guard Gabe Vincent succinctly addressed the Heat's critics throughout their Cinderella run.
"I speak for my whole team when I say we don't give a damn," Vincent told Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal when asked about public perception of Miami's chances. "We just wanna get four wins. We don't give a damn about any of the other stuff."
Vincent dazzled in Game 2 with 23 points, leading his team as the Heat rallied to swipe a 111–108 triumph. Undrafted out of UC Santa Barbara in 2018, he has been cited as an embodiment of the Heat's ethos.
.@SHAQ: "Are you guys a little upset that you're not getting the respect that you deserve?"
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 5, 2023
Gabe Vincent: "I speak for my whole team when I say we don't give a damn. We just want to get four wins." pic.twitter.com/Q1PuXsSZ7h
When pushed further on the notion of disrespect toward Miami, Vincent held firm with Game 3 on Wednesday looming.
"We don't care [what people are saying]," Vincent said. "Four wins. That's all that matters."
