Rookie Rodney McGruder has come to personify Heat culture

Rodney McGruder went undrafted in 2013, before playing in Hungary and the Developmental League. Finally in the NBA, the 25-year-old rookie is making the most of his opportunity.

If you’ve followed Miami Heat basketball for long enough, you’re no stranger to the term Heat culture. 

Defense. Hustle. Making the right pass. Team president Pat Riley looks for it in potential players, and head coach Erik Spoelstra praises players for it.

Heat culture is all about team-first qualities. Role players like Udonis Haslem and Shane Battier have come to epitomize it best in recent years. But this season, a new face of Heat culture has emerged: Rodney McGruder.

McGruder — a classic NBA D-League redemption story — was placed in the starting lineup earlier in the season almost out of default when Justise Winslow went down. Now, he’s not only holding his own, he’s thriving.

The 25-year-old is averaging 6.4 points, 3.4 rebound and 1.5 assists per game, but his impact goes far beyond statistics.

McGruder has a tendency to make what Spoelstra calls winning plays. Fighting for the extra rebound. Taking charges. Chasing down loose balls.

And he always seems to be in the right place, at the right time.

But McGruder’s real skill lies on the defensive end — a major reason the transition from Winslow has been so seamless.

The Heat rookie comes into each game with effort and energy, and an impressive ability to defend taller players. At just 6-foot-4, McGruder is able to play up in position, and as a result usually starts on the opposing teams go-to scorer.

This versatility was on full display in Saturday’s 113-95 victory over the Pacers as McGruder was tasked with guarding Paul George, a player five inches taller and one of the elite scorers in the league. But George was never able to get it going.

The four-time All Star was held to just 10 points on 3-8 shooting and four turnovers, before getting ejected in the third quarter for his second technical foul. McGruder wasn’t directly involved in the latter infraction, but the first came in a shoving match between the two.

Either way, it’s clear George was flustered by McGruder’s defense.

Think about that. Paul freakin’ George – bona fide All Star and nightmare matchup for anyone, Paul George, was shut down by undrafted rookie Rodney McGruder.

After the game, guard Dion Waiters didn’t mince words as to why.

Via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:

"“That’s what Rodney does,” Waiters said. “He gets under your skin. You know he is going to make you work. He is like the heart and soul of our team. Paul George wasn’t up for that or ready for that. You have to respect that man.”"

Forward James Johnson put it another way:

Another reason for the successful Winslow-McGruder transition is the latter’s ability to shoot outside, a skill Winslow (career 25 percent from three) has yet to develop.

With an offense concentrated on superior offensive talents in Dragic, Waiters and Whiteside – all McGruder has to do is pick his spots, and knock down the open shot. So far, it’s working: In the last 28 games, McGruder is shooting an impressive 37.8 percent from the arc.

His scoring has been more consistent of late as well: In the first 43 games, McGruder notched double figures just six times. He has done so eight times in the last 12 games.

We’re just 55 games in to the Rodney McGruder experience, but so far he’s proven to be a quality role player. He defends and hustles with the best of them, is a willing passer and has an improving jumper.

Next: Stretch 4: 2 wins and another injury

Earlier in the season, Spoelstra said McGruder would ideally be coming off the bench “with tremendous energy and toughness.” A mix of injuries and strong play has kept him with the first five for now, but with Josh Richardson back from injury, Spoelstra could decide to switch it up, or he may reward McGruder for his consistent play.

Either way, two things are for sure: Rodney McGruder is the newest symbol of Heat culture, and he’s not afraid of your All Star.