Rodney McGruder needs to improve his 3-point shooting next season

Rodney McGruder was one of the most successful rookies in Miami Heat history but to get minutes in a crowded backcourt, he must develop a reliable 3-point game. 

Another day, another challenge for Rodney McGruder. After one of the most successful rookie campaigns in Miami Heat history, McGruder is now tasked with the hardest feat of all: Following it up.

The gritty young guard showed flashes of the next defensive stalwart in a Heat jersey, joining the likes of Udonis Haslem, Shane Battier, P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn.

He could easily ascend to that level in the years to come and emerge as one of the toughest wing defenders in the league, but McGruder knows his work comes on the other end of the floor.

During a brief interview at the Heat’s summer basketball camp at South Broward High School, McGruder told the Miami Herald’s Manny Navarro that he’s been holed up in American Airlines Arena dedicating the summer to his jumper with shooting coach Rob Fodor.

"“It’s just being ready to shoot,” McGruder said. “Being down at one level, being ready to play the game.”"

McGruder started 65 games for the Heat last season, third most on the team. With a crowded backcourt situation in Miami, there is a good chance he returns to the bench to start the season instead having to fight for minutes. But McGruder can separate himself by greatly improving his 3-point game.

Ranking ninth on the team in overall 3-point percentage last year (33 percent) and falling well behind players like Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters, Wayne Ellington, Tyler Johnson, Okaro White and James Johnson, there is no doubt McGruder has room to improve. Not only will a higher 3-point percentage lead to more minutes, but a far more pivotal role in the Heat’s offense.

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Erik Spoelstra designs his offense to allow players to thrive in space. Going back to the LeBron-era Heat, Spoelstra routinely torched defenses by teaming James and Dwyane Wade, two of the best rim-attackers in the league, with elite shooters like Shane Battier and Ray Allen to provide ultimate floor spacing. Fast forward to present day and the lane is clear for Dragic, Waiters and Hassan Whiteside due to the shooting of specialist Wayne Ellington, Tyler Johnson and others.

McGruder can and should join this group next season and there are a couple of encouraging metric that prove if he can increase his percentage he’ll be of immense value to the Heat. For starters, the focal point of the Heat’s 3-point attack starts in the corners with the team generating 8.3 corner 3’s per game last season good for second in the league.

For McGruder, over 54 percent of his attempts last season came from the corner, which led the team (Justise Winslow came in at 60 percent although only played 18 games) and showed that when he’s on the floor, McGruder fits well into the system. The problem, just 34 percent of those attempts were converted. If that percentage eclipses 40, McGruder is an entirely different player.

Spoelstra can’t afford to leave McGruder on the bench if his 3-point shooting becomes as valuable as his defense. He then becomes a viable starter again alongside Dragic and Waiters as well as a go-to shooter in smaller lineups that could feature James Johnson at the center position and McGruder playing small forward (where he spent 31 percent of his minutes last season).

Oftentimes last year Spoelstra had to hide McGruder in an offensive-dominant lineup so he could defend and rebound without having to shoulder the burden of the scoring. He was never afraid to shoot when open (averaged nearly three 3-pointers per game) but an improvement in this department will not only help the Heat make the playoffs this time around, it’ll also earn McGruder that league recognition he deserved in his rookie year.

Next: Waiters is back, and that's good for Dragic

"“This won’t stop him,” Spoelstra told the Miami Herald of McGruder’s snub from the All-Rookie team. “This just adds more fuel to his fire. I’m looking forward to the player he’ll be next year.”"

As Spoelstra is looking forward, McGruder is keeping his head down and working.