Miami Heat swingman Josh Richardson had himself quite a season.
The No. 40 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Josh Richardson’s transition into the league via the Miami Heat went almost unnoticed.
Despite having a strong college career with the University of Tennessee, averaging 16.0 points and 4.6 rebounds as a senior (being named to First Team All SEC, SEC All-Defensive Team and Defensive All-American Team), the former Volunteer was hardly a household name.
However now, almost three years later, Richardson’s versatility is starting to be recognized league-wide.
While Rook 2 (a nickname he made never be able to shake off) showed glimpses of his full potential during his first season, the 24-year-old’s development since, is incredible. Going into tonight’s final regular season contest against the Toronto Raptors, Richardson has averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals a game, in 33.2 minutes of play. He has also started in all 80 matchups he’s seen time in.
And yet, his talents extend far beyond what can be seen on a stat-sheet. His high-level defensive ability, for one.
"“He’s become a very disciplined, dynamic defender, one that can really take on multiple positions. But in a totally different way,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He will challenge Dwyane [Wade] in terms of a shot-blocking two-guard if he is fortunate enough to play that many years down the line.”"
Incredibly high praise, especially coming from Spoelstra, who has seen Wade grow into a superstar.
It’s well-deserved though, Richardson having arguably turned into the Heat’s X-Factor this year. And not just defensively, either. Whether it be scoring 30 points on 11-for-20 shooting from the field against the Houston Rockets, or swatting four blocks versus the Dallas Mavericks, he has steadily contributed on both ends of the floor.
Now, it’s time for the swingman to get ready for the playoffs.
Having missed the postseason last year, Miami is gearing up to show the Eastern Conference what its made of. Currently 43-38, the Heat sit seventh in the East, just one game behind the Milwaukee Bucks. Which means if the playoffs started right now, they’d face off against the No. 2 Boston Celtics.
But nothing is set in stone just yet. It’s still possible for Miami to end up in sixth, resulting in a first-round matchup versus the Philadelphia 76ers.
Even though Richardson may not have had a dominant role in the 2016 playoffs, he still made a mark on the Heat’s postseason run that year. Eliminated in Game 7 by the Raptors in the second round, Miami utilized the 6-foot-6 small forward in both series.
He averaged 6.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in round one versus the Charlotte Hornets, including a 15-point performance on 5-for-9 shooting in Game 2. And 6.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 block in round two, scoring 13 points on 5-of-8 in Game 5.
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