The Heat’s undrafted players have been stepping up in the absence of several key talents this month, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald writes. As Chiang notes, players such as Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent have increased their production, keeping the Heat afloat in recent games.
“These guys, they’re the lifeblood of our player development program,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Guys that haven’t been drafted that have big dreams, are willing to put in the work and gradually incrementally get better over time. That’s what you have seen with both of these guys. This is not something that just happened overnight.
“Obviously, neither one of them were selected during draft night. It takes an incredible amount of perseverance, belief in yourself and a crazy work ethic to keep on working every single day because you have a lot more days of adversity when things aren’t necessarily going your way or you’re not getting playing time or you’re not really seeing progress.”
Miami is currently missing Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Markieff Morris and Victor Oladipo due to injuries. The team is also playing without Caleb Martin, who scored 28 points in his last game, due to health and safety protocols.
There’s more from the Southeast Division tonight:
- Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. suffered a lower right leg muscle strain on Friday against the Heat, the team announced on social media. Carter exited the game in a wheelchair, so the MRI results appear to be positive news for the 22-year-old. He missed Saturday’s contest against the Nets.
- Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is happy to be back on the court after a tough bout with COVID, Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer writes. Ball most recently finished with 27 points, four rebounds and five assists in a loss to Portland on Friday.
- Magic guard Terrence Ross isn’t worried about any trade rumors that include his name, Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel writes. Ross is currently in his sixth season with the Magic, averaging 11.1 points per game on a career-low 39% from the floor and 29% from deep.
Unfortunately, Carter Jr. just can’t seem to stay healthy each and every year. Hopefully, he isn’t out very long, when healthy, he’s proven to he a steady and solid big for both the Bulls and the Magic.
He could really blow up if he were on the Suns, Lakers, Bucks, or the Warriors, but sadly, he’ll probably continue to go unappreciated down in Orlando regardless how good he becomes.
Also, man the Heat are great at identifying undrafted players that they can get the most out of and utilize their strengths to their advantage in their system.
The Raptors have been often tabbed as being one of the premiere franchises, if not being the #1 franchise, of finding and developing overlooked/underappreciated talent, but Miami just might be taking their crown.
I think Denver, Miami, and Toronto are some of the best teams, but we are also seeing Houston and Chicago quickly making names for themselves as rising in the ranks of being able to find quality players that other teams overlook/undervalue..
Personally I think DEN is way ahead than any other team when it comes to finding hidden gems of talent!
Very very unlikely but Charlotte should target Ben Simmons.
They have some intriguing players such as Terry Rozier, Gordan Hayward, Mikes Bridges, PJ Washington and Jalen McDaniels.
Long term wise they NEED to build around LaMelo Ball. Ball is hugely exciting, has a insanely high ceiling and has an enormous personality. He can score inside and out, he can create for others, on ball/off ball and rebound.
I personally think Ben Simmons would be a great fit with ball. He brings elite level defence, also is a great passer of the ball, is a force when driving inside and also has huge potential and a huge personality.
Long term wise they haven’t committed to Bridges, Hayward won’t be around for much longer at this level, Rozier isn’t anything more than an above average role player, Washington what do they do with him?
If a package of Rozier, Bridges and Washington, fancies the Sixers I’d be happy parting with that for Simmons.
Ball Oubre Simmons Hayward Plumblee that’s nice. Plus Smith Bouknight Martin McDaniels/Thor and Carey.
As a Hornets fan, I wouldn’t want to see them trade Washington. I’d rather see Charlotte offer up Bouknight, Bridges and some picks for Myles Turner.
Even if the sixers liked that package enough the issue is fit. Bridges and Harris are too similar. It would have to be a 3rd team with one of them going there
The Heat find those guys that grind. Sixers have had problems finding those gems. Was a topic of convo the other night on the radio. Guys not stepping up when they get their moment, can’t hit open shots. Heat find shooters.
Right, it isn’t just good shooters though that the Heat are finding. They are finding high IQ and guys that are quality playmakers as well.
I give it to Miami and Denver, I think they’re definitely the best two franchises at identifying and developing overlooked/underappreciated talent.