The standout Miami Heat rookie was a regular in the starting lineup last season but, with the return of Justise Winslow, will that continue to be the case?
It should be ingrained in the minds of all Miami Heat fans by now: Never count out Rodney McGruder.
This offseason has given the Heat rookie all the fuel he needs. First, he was left of the All-Rookie teams despite starting a franchise-record 65 games and grading out as one of the best defensive rookies in the entire league. Then the Heat retained nearly every one of their free agents, again creating a crowded backcourt situation.
Once again, McGruder will have to scratch and claw to get on the floor, just like he has his entire career. Many have debated whether he will remain in the rotation, but don’t count McGruder out to maintain his starting spot, especially early in the season.
There are a number of factors working in his favor, the first of which is that large sample size he provided Erik Spoelstra and staff last year. McGruder was arguably one of the Heat’s most reliable players and one of the catalysts to their historic 30-11 turnaround. Quickly earning the “scavenger” nickname and a steady place in the Heat’s opening lineup as well as late game situations.
Players like Rodney McGruder in today’s NBA are invaluable. Think about what Andre Iguodala does for the Golden State Warriors or Danny Green’s impact to the Spurs’ defensive backcourt. Not the star, not going to end up in the postgame headline, but the player who will make the handful of plays down the stretch to turn the tide of a game.
That’s what McGruder did time after time as the Heat skyrocketed themselves into the playoff conversation. In a starting lineup that has plenty of scoring thanks to Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters and Hassan Whiteside, a player with the tools of McGruder is a perfect fit and it’ll be difficult to justify a permanent spot on the bench.
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Spoelstra is clearly on board, lashing out upon McGruder’s exclusion from the All-Rookie honors.
"“I was so disappointed,” the coach told The Miami Herald. “There was discussion about him possibly being potentially rookie of the year. He had that kind of impact.”"
He praised McGruder accepting the “challenge” every night in taking on the opposition’s best scorer and some of the most talented players in the league. And he did, constantly making life difficult for the likes of LeBron James, Paul George (even forcing an ejection from the Pacers star), Carmelo Anthony and the Warriors’ vicious backcourt.
Spoelstra’s affection for the guard will keep him in a favorable position heading into training camp. The coach even mixed some of McGruder’s tenacity into his pre-draft interview.
Iwundu said Spo asked him in meeting "If I drop a ball under the table who gets it first -- you or Rodney McGruder?" Iwundu replied "Me"
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) May 11, 2017
McGruder is one of the most interesting stories heading into Heat camp this fall. Looking at their current backcourt situation, it is safe to say that Goran Dragic and Dion Waiters’ starting spots are safe, leaving the third guard spot up for grabs.
A healthy Justise Winslow returning adds another hurdle for McGruder to climb and there are fellow guards in Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson and Wayne Ellington. McGruder might be the best defender of that bunch, at least the most versatile.
But for all of his defensive acumen, the offense is where McGruder will have to make a huge leap. Shooting just 33 percent from 3-point range last season, McGruder can’t ascend to a true 3-and-D player until that percentage comes up. He’s working, at least according to the Miami Herald’s Manny Navarro, to make that happen.
The reality is that heading into training camp, Rodney McGruder is still the leader in the clubhouse to be the Heat’s starting small forward (where he spent 31 percent of his minutes last year). A greatly improved (and fully healthy) Justise Winslow would change things drastically but Spoelstra always praises players who “make you play them.” He particularly relishes players with something left to prove.
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“This won’t stop him,” Spoelstra told the Miami Herald after McGruder failed to earn a postseason award. “This just adds more fuel to his fire.”