If you're still under the impression that the Miami Heat must still prove to themselves - and the fan base - that they're better off without Jimmy Butler, the next opportunity to do that will be on November 19, when Jimmy will make his second official return to Miami.
The Heat will also visit Golden State for a likely second clash against Jimmy and the Warriors on January 19.
It's been less than a year since the Heat traded Jimmy to the Golden State Warriors, so naturally, all the emotions are still pretty raw and fresh. And while the players and coaching staff may be ready to move on from that entire saga, it's still relatively real to the fans.
And in many ways, there's still plenty of intrigue surrounding the dynamic between Jimmy and the Heat. That's why Jimmy's (second) return to the Heat will be of plenty of intrigue, not only in Miami but potentially across the league.
Not to mention that when the Warriors are in town, there's always going to be a specific level of intrigue anyway.
Success in the Heat's first full season without Jimmy Butler
As the Heat prepare for their first full season without Jimmy, this will prove to be a huge year for the team. Not only do the Heat have to prove that they're "over" Jimmy, but they also must prove to the fan base that there is, in fact, a plan moving forward for the franchise, and that it's one the fans can rally around.
That will be a big part of the goal this season for the Heat. Especially in a "gap" year, in which success won't specifically be defined with wins and losses, the Heat must prove that they're going down a direction that the fans can completely support.
And up to now, even after the solid moves that the Heat have made this summer, it's difficult to pinpoint where exactly this fan base falls.
But if the Heat can instill confidence in this fan base, it will, without question, help change the narrative around this franchise moving forward.
It's tough to detail what that exactly looks like, but the continued development of this young core, along with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo taking steps forward in their respective games, is probably a good barometer to keep a close eye on.
The Heat have a lot of "proving" to do this year, and most of it will be to themselves.