Heat guard Victor Oladipo is confident that the fit between him and Miami will be a great one, telling reporters this past week that he hopes it will last for years to come, as relayed by Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel.
Oladipo, who was acquired by Miami on trade deadline day just over a week ago, has been cited as a potential Heat target for well over a calendar year, with multiple reports indicating that Miami was always his preferred destination. He played his second game with the team on Saturday against the Cavaliers, starting at point guard.
“I think my name has been linked for so many years,” Oladipo said. “Obviously, I spend my offseasons here, the connection with D-Wade and everything like that, I think in some people’s eyes, it would be a good fit.
“For me, personally, I thought I definitely could fit into the Heat culture and what they stood for, how they play, how they get after it and things of that nature. So when told I was being traded there, first and foremost it’s not like I’m going to a foreign land where I don’t know anybody or a foreign experience. It’s something that I’m comfortable with.”
There’s more from the Southeast Division today:
- Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer examines where the Hornets could find offensive production with LaMelo Ball (wrist fracture), Gordon Hayward (foot sprain), and Malik Monk (ankle sprain) sidelined. The trio has combined for 44% of the team’s scoring, meaning other players will have to step up in order for the franchise to sustain success. Charlotte holds the fourth-best record in the East at 25-23, but the club is also just one game ahead of the No. 7 Knicks.
- Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel examines whether Marc Gasol could become a buyout option for the Heat in his “Ask Ira” mailbag. Gasol has an uncertain future with the Lakers, who pegged the recently-signed Andre Drummond as their new starting center last week and already have Montrezl Harrell playing as back-up center. Miami is in the market for a big man and league rules require that they add another player by Thursday.
- Chris Kirschner of The Athletic examines a number of Hawks-related topics in his latest mailbag, including coach Nate McMillan, star big man John Collins and more. Atlanta has climbed back into the playoff picture and currently holds a 25-24 record, trailing the Hornets by half a game.
If the Lakers stupidly get rid of Gasol, that would be the fastest signing Pat Riley ever made in his life. Literally couldn’t be a better fit…
In terms of actually available pieces, I see Noah Vonleh, Thon Maker, Kabengele, Dedmon as likely the best options. Maybe someone that is still on someone’s roster or a g-league guy that I’m not considering. Heat have 2 open roster spits. Would have likee to have seen RHJ, but Portland smartly signed him. I’m such a big fan of Shaq Harrison, and would like to see him. He could be really helpful insurance in case of injury to someone like Iguodala, and he has Heat DNA. Regardless, probably makes sense to grab a big, and someone on the wing with those 2 spots
Oladipo has looked great defensively, and already leads the Heat in net rating. He talked about still needing to strengthen his leg, with their being a balance issue between them, and I think the Heat can help him in that regard. I actually have the same problem lol, so I know that can take a while to fix, and it also explains certain things we’ve seen from him at times, where he has shown flashes of his previous athleticism and explosiveness since the end of last year
It’s interesting no one has touched Dedmon all year.
No way Lakers let Gasol walk. They are going for a championship. Gasol can come in and board and move the ball if nothing else.
Yeah I don’t see LA buying him out. He doesn’t make that much and my guess is he went to LA to try and get a ring. So I don’t see either side having much incentive to part ways before summer.
Dipo should spend more time working on his brick of a shot than worrying about his fit in Miami LT. He looks so bad this year.
And somehow he’s still way better than Olynyk and Bradley combined?
Doesmt matter when the rest of the team is shooting it better with him there, and the new starting lineup has a defensive rating of like 73 in his 2 games
Lol, his O rating is close to 73. Their team D rating was 110 and 107. Middle of the pack for them as a whole. It’s still going to be hard if hes shooting sub 30% on 15 shots a game.
Also Vic isn’t telling us anything that hasn’t been heavily rumored about for two years.
In another article he spoke about how he’s still coming back from his 2019 surgery. I think his poor shooting is an effect of his bad wheel. If you can’t get to the rim and can’t get separation then shooting pcts tend to plummet (unless you’re a 3&D guy just spotting up).
None of it is a particularly good omen. Starting to remind me a little of Isaiah Thomas a few years ago
Hornets missed out on the buyout market but if Bridges, Rozier and PJ keep scoring like they have been for the last couple of games then they should be able to hold down the fort until the rest of the team recovers
You watching the game right now? I don’t know about that.
Oladipo is not back yet. In Houston he avg 20 a gm. But he is timid at times. He had a serious injury especially for a basketball player. He needs time to get it right. Hope he heals. Even at 80% of what he was is a good addition for Heat. I just didn’t see that in Houston. I know Knicks looked at him hard before TD.
Riley strikes again, getting Oladipo on the cheap – though it helps that Oladipo basically limited his own market, wanting only to go the HEAT.
Best case for the HEAT, they make another deep post-season run even with a gimpy Oladipo – who is then convinced to sign a team-friendly contract this offseason.
I trust in Riley. Oladipo does not need to be a 20 pt/per game guy. He needs to be a menace on defense and a play maker. If he has 8 assists per game, a few steals, and can get in the face of 3pt shooters, Riley has succeeded. The Heat are no match for the Nets or Sixers when it comes to fire power, so their best hope for a deep run in the playoffs is on the back of Butler and a hope that they get hot from 3 pt land from the shooters. Combine that with an aggressive defense and they will be competitive in the playoffs.