Should Miami Heat swingman Josh Richardson be on one of the NBA’s All-Defensive teams?
The Miami Heat continue to be underdogs.
Yes, despite being led by head coach Erik Spoelstra and headlined by All-Star Goran Dragic. Yes, even though Dwyane Wade made his return to South Florida.
Once the most notorious team in the league during the days of the Big Three, the sixth best team in the Eastern Conference has gone unnoticed. Forgotten about. Disregarded.
Recently made more apparent by the fact that Josh Richardson failed to make either of the league’s All-Defensive teams.
The swingman placed 16th in voting, falling short to All-Defensive first team selections Robert Covington, Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert, Jrue Holiday and Victor Oladipo, as well as second team members Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, Draymond Green, Al Horford and Dejounte Murray.
(He did however finish ahead of LeBron James.)
While these types of honors certainly don’t define a player’s career, or even season, it can feel like a slap in the face to be overlooked. Especially given just how strong of a 2017-18 campaign the third-year really had.
And clearly, Richardson agrees, tweeting this after the snub:
🤷🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
— Josuélito (@J_Rich1) May 23, 2018
He certainly has the right to feel frustrated, too.
The young buck has locked down some of the league’s toughest guys to defend, not showing an ounce of fear or hesitation. He has stepped up against the likes of DeMar DeRozan, James Harden and Klay Thompson, truly showcasing what Miami Heat Basketball is made of at its core.
notable players when defended by josh richardson this season:
— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 23, 2018
victor oladipo: 7-22 fg, 6 TOs
paul george: 3-15, 3 TOs
klay thompson: 6-15, 2 TOs
demar derozan: 9-24, 1 TO
kemba walker: 6-15
john wall: 4-12
lou williams: 4-12, 5 TOs
james harden: 2-9, 1 TO
no all-defensive team. pic.twitter.com/1PIGPKyRxd
Unfortunately, he’s not the only member of the organization that was snubbed by the NBA this off-season. Rookie Bam Adebayo also got left off a list.
No. 13 failed to make either one of the league’s All-Rookie teams, falling short of earning a second team recognition by a single vote. Josh Jackson rounded out the top ten with 45 points, while Adebayo finished with 44.
It’s true that perhaps the 7-footer’s season stats don’t immediately jump off the page, but the eye test told a very different story. Especially when considering he had to step in for a sidelined Hassan Whiteside.
Still, he finished highly ranked in many important categories, most notably second among rookies in screen assists.
Heat center Bam Adebayo (@Bam1of1) got snubbed. Missed the rookie second team by a vote after being a force on both ends while contributing to winning basketball. pic.twitter.com/iBenOy1Qcp
— Miami Heat Beat (We Just Cover The Team) (@miaheatbeat) May 22, 2018
Fortunately for both Richardson and Adebayo, they have plenty of time to keep adding to their legacies. In fact, with the inevitable upcoming roster changes this summer, they are poised to take over as the future of the franchise, alongside guys like Justise Winslow.
Both did a great job at showcasing their worths this year, especially Richardson who improved tremendously since his second season. So if their 2017-18 contributions are any indication of what’s to come, it’s safe to say the team is in good hands.
Next: Miami Heat offensive intervention: Goran Dragic's mid-range game
It’s only a matter of time until the Miami Heat are back on top.