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Breaking down Josh Richardson’s rookie season with the Miami Heat

By Joseph Zapata

May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against the Toronto Raptors in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against the Toronto Raptors in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Heat 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Josh Richardson figures to be a piece the Miami Heat can build with.

After exceeding almost every expectation imaginable, Miami Heat second-round rookie Josh Richardson has proven himself the steal of the 2016 NBA draft.

It might have taken Mario Chalmers getting traded, and Tyler Johnson getting hurt, but Richardson took advantage of the opportunity and never looked back. The lengthy combo guard instantly became a 3-and-D threat.

In March, Richardson’s first full month in the rotation, he averaged 12 points per game, while shooting an absurd 58.9 percent on three-point attempts. Yes, you read that right. On 3.7 long-range attempts per game, the rookie made well over half his shots for an entire month. Not even Stephen Curry had a month of such efficient three-point shooting.

As time went on, Richardson naturally regressed, but he still posted an impressive 40 percent on long-range attempts, and 37 percent throughout the playoffs. It’s safe to say he’s not a plus-50 percent shooter, but he’s proven himself a lethal threat from the perimeter.

Josh Richardson’s 2015-16 season shot chart

Shotchart_1463724479480
Shotchart_1463724479480 /

Along with displaying his extraordinary shooting skills, he quickly became one of the Heat’s best perimeter defenders. His combination of length and lateral quickness makes Richardson a nightmare for any opposing guard. Players being guarded by Richardson shot 4.8 percent worse from the field than their average, per NBA.com.

But the former Tennessee Volunteer struggled to make as big of an impact during the postseason. This is hugely understandable considering rookies tend to disappear in the playoffs, or have no role at all, but Richardson went from being one of the Heat’s hottest shooters, to being Iman Shumpert (translation: meh).

His impact on the defensive end was paramount, but he frequently dwindled into oblivion as a scorer. In the seven game series against the Charlotte Hornets, Richardson shot an underwhelming 31.4 percent from the floor and averaged only 6.4 points per contest.

The rookie bounced back with a more efficient 44.7 percent shooting against the Raptors, but failed to produce much volume, only averaging 6.9 points per game. Luckily for Richardson, he’ll most likely have another crack at the playoffs next season (barring any franchise setbacks).

All in all, it’s hard to find much to complain about in regards to Richardson’s phenomenal rookie year. Most importantly, the Heat signed him to a 3-year deal, which should give him plenty of time to develop in a Miami Jersey.

More heat: How do the Heat build around Whiteside?

Richardson has all the tools to blossom into a really talented player. Going forward, he’ll need to become more consistent offensively, instead of just being a spot-up shooter. Otherwise, the sky is the limit for this promising young guard.

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