Miami Heat’s Josh Richardson could net defensive honors
By Sequoia Sims
Miami Heat forward Josh Richardson is putting together the best season of his young career, on both ends of the court.
Miami Heat second round pick
Josh Richardson has shown steady all-around growth as a basketball player, since being drafted out of Tennessee by the Miami Heat in 2015, as the No. 40 pick. Richardson was known strictly as a “3 and D” guy coming out of college. The Heat saw Richardson’s potential and upside from day one, and had big plans for his 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame, and 6-10 wingspan.
Offensive stats at a glance
Richardson is currently averaging 13.1 points a game, on 45.2 percent shooting from the field and 36.9 from downtown.
Those measurables, along with Richardson’s talent, skill-set and relentless effort, planted seeds of optimism and endless possibilities in head coach Erik Spoelstra’s mind. Especially regarding his ability to not just be able to play multiple positions such as point guard, shooting guard, small forward and “stretch-four,” but to also be able to defend against those positions as well.
Defensive honors
The last Heat player to make the NBA All-Defensive Team (second team) was shooting guard and future Hall-of-Famer Dwayne Wade, in 09-10.
Hustle Plays
Richardson is averaging 2.2 deflections, 1.1 loose balls being recovered, 5.7 contested two-point shots, 3.1 3-point contested shots and 8.7 contested shots overall per game.
Richardson’s relentless effort
The Heat have a reputation for playing hard and relentless every night, and that draws national attention to the team and to some individual players.
It’s been said their defense is all about will and not skill. There are several players worthy of fitting that bill on the Heat. However, there is one player worth pointing out, who night in and night out showcases the relentlessness to defend multiple positions and the best player of the opposing team, whenever his number is called.
That player is Richardson, who’s currently fourth in blocked shots (51) and eighth in steals (72) for small forwards in the NBA. Richardson is ranked 10th amongst small forwards in real plus-minus with 1.65; he ranks eighth amongst all small forwards in his team’s win total on the season, with 5.42.
Last but not least, when rating a player’s estimated on-court impact on team defensive performance measured in points allowed per 100 defensive possessions, he ranks seventh with 1.36. By comparison, that’s better than the Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Paul George‘s 0.69.
If Richardson can sustain his defensive relentless effort past the All-Star break and finish the season off strong, he’ll have a great opportunity to have his name honored amongst the league’s defensive elite, by making the NBA All-Defensive Team.
Next: Miami Heat's injury exception could help snag Tyreke Evans in a trade
The Heat currently rank 12th in total defense and have the seventh best defensive efficiency (104.3). Richardson’s defense will soon have the NBA community talking and wondering why he wasn’t in the conversation sooner, as an All-Defensive team candidate.