The Miami Heat played their first preseason game of 2017-18 on Sunday, October 1, giving fans a taste of what’s to come.
Good news: you no longer have to miss Miami Heat Basketball.
The Heat hosted the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, October 1, tipping off 2017-18 preseason play with a 96-90 win.
And while this preseason victory may not count towards the team’s record, you best believe it gave fans plenty of insight as to what’s to come this year.
For one, the guys took strength and conditioning seriously this summer. With James Johnson and Dion Waiters looking leaner than ever, Kelly Olynyk getting up and down the floor with greater ease and Josh Richardson seemingly having bulked up… no one can argue against this ball-club already being in mid-season form.
Then, there is the fact that Justise Winslow is clearly back. Sure, he may not exactly know his role yet. And the rust is certainly still evident. But the recovery period is over; the young buck is ready to prove the haters wrong, on both ends of the floor.
And in case anyone still had any doubts: drafting Bam Adebayo was absolutely the right move. The rookie only saw time on the floor with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but that was enough to catch the eye of Heat Nation. Between his size, athleticism and hunger, he already embodies The Culture.
So what else did the Heat’s first preseason game shed light on? Here are five takeaways.
Josh Richardson Is Back And Better Than Ever
With October 18 marking the start of Miami’s regular season, lineups are yet to be set. Which is exactly what preseason play is great for figuring out.
But one thing is already obvious: Josh Richardson wants those minutes. If not a starting role, perhaps over Rodney McGruder.
Having averaged 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals a game last year, many didn’t know how to feel about the 24-year-old. Although he showed flashes of genius here and there, he definitely wasn’t the most consistent member of the Heat.
For example, Richardson had a solid month of play in April, having averaged 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 2.3 steals in 38.3 minutes over 6 contests. But that came after the guard had a 17-point game and followed it up with scoring just 2 points in 29 minutes, both against the New York Knicks.
However, so far, so darn good this preseason.
Richardson recorded 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks and 1 steal against Atlanta, bringing energy and hustle to the floor for 25 minutes. He looked confident, made smart plays, and ran the offense like a leader. Which couldn’t always have been said of No. 0 last season.
While the raw talent and potential to develop was always there, Richardson spent a great deal of time in his head. Ultimately, standing in his own way of success. But clearly, he’s now new and improved. And there’s no reason to believe this won’t continue to grow even more.
Nothing like a new contract to boost a guy’s morale…right?
No matter the reason, fans should expect a big season from their third-year.
The Team’s Depth Is Impressive
Miami doesn’t have everything figured out.
However, one thing they’ve nailed is depth. Which goes hand-in-hand with the team ball they play.
This ball-club hardly has headlining acts. Sure, Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside share a great deal of the Heat’s spotlight. But gone are the Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade duo days. The Big Three are no more. This is a group of versatile, well-rounded players, who share the ball first and foremost.
And yes, that includes the entirety of the squad.
There will always be guys who have to come off the bench. Some, third-in-line, barely stepping on the floor in certain matchups. But even the last man on the roster is ready to ball out when needed. Okaro White, being perhaps the most obvious example. For instance, he may have only played 17 minutes on Sunday, but he still managed to score seven points and grab four rebounds.
Basically, there isn’t one wasted player on this team.
Even Adebayo got to the line and made his first NBA basket, in the six mere minutes he played versus the Hawks.
At guard, there’s Dragic, Wayne Ellington, Tyler Johnson, McGruder, Richardson and Waiters. Forwards include Johnson, Olynyk, White and Winslow. And Adebayo and Whiteside hold it down at center.
In other words? Miami is stacked. Plain and simple.
With many guys having the ability to wear many hats, a la Olynyk who is technically a center but can easily play alongside Whiteside for extra size and strength.
Fingers crossed the Heat don’t have to endure the plethora of injuries they fell victim to last year, but it’s still comforting to know they won’t be depleted if a guy or two does have to miss time.
Tyler Johnson Is Going To Shoot Lights Out From Downtown
Here’s a super preemptive, but spot-on hot take concerning Tyler Johnson: he will shoot at least 40 percent from downtown this season.
No need for the eyes emoji. Resist the urge to mimic the Marcus Camby gif.
Just hear me out.
Johnson is already a 37.4 percent career 3-point shooter. And with his role only expanding, there’s no reason to believe he won’t break 40 percent.
In fact, he already did.
On Sunday, the 25-year-old scored 14 points in 17 minutes, on 6-of-8 shooting from the field (going 1-for-2 from beyond-the-arc). Which technically brings him to 50 percent from 3 on the night.
(Did I mention he was the team’s leading scorer?)
Hardly evidence to support the argument, but it’s certainly a start. As is the fact that during the team’s Red, White & Pink scrimmage, Johnson put up a pair of 3’s, finishing with 10 points on the day. And in April, he shot 56.5 percent from 3. During Miami’s playoff push. When the team was under duress, because every game was essentially life or death.
In other words, if the North Dakota-native can shoot like that in crunch time, imagine what he’ll be able to do over the duration of his fourth year in South Beach.
It’s no secret that Johnson is gunning for Sixth Man of the Year. An award he should have at least been considered for last season. And although the team’s success will forever be a priority for the rising star, there’s no doubt that at least part of the motivation behind his grind will be selfish.
Hassan Whiteside Isn’t Perfect
Although the Heat as a whole are under constant scrutiny, Hassan Whiteside gets as much criticism as anyone on the team.
Despite the fact that he averaged 17.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game last year, making him one of the league’s top big men.
He should always be doing more offensively. Going harder defensively. Playing smarter overall.
And Sunday night surely had a large part of Heat Nation saying just that.
The 28-year-old recorded 8 points, 11 rebounds and 1 block in 19 minutes. Not necessarily an ugly stat-line, but not exactly mind-blowing either. And reaction to his performance went beyond just numbers. Whiteside seemingly lacked energy, was disengaged and let his frustration get the best of him (cue the five personal fouls).
Sound familiar?
Maybe just a little.
But that’s ok. Because the center can’t be expected to have a perfect game, night-in and night-out. And it doesn’t mean Whiteside isn’t putting in the work. Nor does it reflect that he doesn’t care.
After all, partner-in-crime Dragic finished the afternoon with just 6 points and 3 assists in 14 minutes. That doesn’t take away from the EuroBasket gold medal he earned with the Slovenian national team this summer. Or make him any less of an elite point guard.
It’s preseason. The first preseason game, at that. A game that came on the tail-end of a whirlwind week filled with media day and training camp.
Next: The end of an era, and the start of a new one at All U Can Heat
Miami Heat Basketball is officially back. And while Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks probably won’t be remembered come next April, it certainly helped Heat Nation get a sense of what they can expect in 2017-18.