Impressive rookie guard Kendrick Nunn has regained his hot hand by staying true to himself, not becoming overconfident and continuing to push the action, Khobi Price of the Sun Sentinel writes.
Nunn, a Rookie of the Year candidate, was averaging 16 points on 46% shooting entering Sunday’s game against San Antonio. He’s provided solid production as starting point guard with Justise Winslow still rehabbing from a back injury.
“He has to [pick his spots offensively] because there are a lot of guys that are very similar, that are efficient with their shooting attempts,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said, as relayed by Price. “Our team is built, the success is built on the more guys having an impact. But he’s ignitable. He’s finding his own way to fit into this offense, but fit in with Jimmy [Butler]. Kendrick can score in a lot of those random situations because he has a great feel for getting the ball in the basket.”
Nunn finished with 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting against the Spurs, also recording four assists and two steals in 36 minutes of work. Miami will continue relying on his production as the team shoots for a high playoff seed this spring.
“We want Kendrick to be aggressive and we try to put him in the right spots to have a quality shot,” Goran Dragic said. “He’s great at reading those situations and you can see he can make shots.”
Here are some other notes from Miami tonight:
- Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel examines whether the timing of Justise Winslow‘s back injury has sabotaged potential trade options, with the forward set to be re-evaluated by the team’s medical staff in two weeks. Winslow would likely play just a few games before the February 6 trade deadline, and that’s only if he returns after his evaluation. Miami currently holds a 29-13 record, but the team is just 5-5 in its last 10 games.
- Winderman listed his mid-season report cards for each Heat player in a separate Sun Sentinel article, giving Jimmy Butler the highest grade of an A+. Butler has struggled in clutch situations and behind-the-arc this season, but the veteran forward has propelled Miami to the second-best record in the East on All-Star-level play.
- Despite a very strong first half, Miami remains focused on improving throughout the rest of the campaign, Price writes in a separate story. “We got something special in the making,” All-Star hopeful Bam Adebayo said. “We just have to keep our heads down and keep the same mentality we’ve been having and we’ll be okay.”
Nunn is legit man, looks like second coming of wade. Plays well on both ends of court, id wouls trade kuzma for him straight up lol
Mystery man Winslow is 7-4 this year. Like Richardson last year JW probably should be gone already even though it is tough to handle moving him and he offers
“a myriad of plug-and-play possibilities” (link).
I doubt anyone actually to risk him. He would only be good in trade as compensation for a top expiring player. This brings the risk to Riley that he could get spurned next year in free agency and go into another moping mode, signing high to mediocre players, putting his stock into fixing them with his culture.
Even Zach Lowe wants them to have another “transendent” player. If it’s NOT a tough call, it’s because nobody is calling.
The Heat remind me of the Blazers in recent years. Strong start to the season but will likely stayed in the second half and in the end will not be considered a legitimate threat to come out of the East
Fade a bit in the second half*
Got to love voice texting.
Agreed. I think at some point, Nunn and Herro will hit some sort of rookie wall whether it be defenses adjusting to the Heat better or just fatigue and they will need Butler to really step up. They should be a tough out in the playoffs regardless and I can see them winning a playoff series even if they fade a bit in the second half.
Love + Delly for JJohnson + Waiters + Leonard + a protected 1st that turns into 2 2nds.
Think that would put Miami as favorite for the East. Better than the CP3 trades. They could also trade a 1st for Gallinari but they seem reluctant to deal w the Thunder atm.
Heat should try to get Holiday from NO. He would be perfect for the team mentality and would be a great one two punch with Butler. i wonder what it will take to happen.
I would be legit salty if Winslow is traded for anything less than something significant that can be here for multiple years. Not even considering the long term reasons, Winslow fills a current need for this roster. Heat have money they can move and still technically can trade their 2025 1st round pick
Nunn was compared to Damian Lillard a bit coming into his draft year. He looked like a Miami Heat type of player in summer league last year. He definitely could score, but he filled a need in that area for the Heat, and I guessed they could potentially hide his deficiencies, and help improve them, but getting the chance he has gotten with Waiters situation, he has been amazing. He does have some similarities in certain areas to Wade with his inventiveness, his poise, his intelligence, and how hard he plays, as well as some mannerisms…but that’s not necessarily important. Hopefully he continues to get better. It’s a cool story