What We Learned
The Heat’s player development system relishes a project like Rodney McGruder. He’s a young, athletic, hungry and aggressive guard who has had to earn everything in the NBA. He’s willing to do anything to get on the floor, and that’s exactly what was asked of him this year.
In McGruder, the Heat have a truly dynamic and versatile defender who is fearless, caring not for the accolades of whoever he happens to be matching up against that night.
Take Paul George for example. The all-world Pacers forward was ejected after picking up his second technical foul just a few minutes into the second half after scrapping with McGruder for a second time. “He shoved me, I just shoved him back,” McGruder said after the game. Waiters chimed in, saying that George “probably just wasn’t up for that or ready for that. That’s just who Rodney is and how he plays.”
McGruder certainly earned respect from the opposition and will definitely have their attention next season, so his defensive improvements will be extremely important.
Offensively, his game must feature a consistent three-point shot. If McGruder can become a 3-and-D player off the bench, he endears himself to them for as long as he sees fit to stay in Miami, as that type of player is essential to the Heat’s system.