Miami Heat: Individual player grades for the 2017-18 starting five

Josh Richardson – B+

2017-18 was all about growth for the Heat’s youngins, and Richardson certainly grew into an even better version of himself.

Having had a solid 2016-17 run, averaging 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals a game, Rook 2 took things up a notch this season. He finished the year averaging 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals per contest, flexing on both ends of the court.

His most jaw-dropping performance came on February 7 against the Houston Rockets, when the third-year went off for 30 points in 39 minutes on 11-for-20 shooting from the field (including going 7-of-9 from downtown). He also totaled four rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal, really proving just how well-rounded of a player he has developed into.

That kind of high-level play wasn’t a fluke though. Richardson scored 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting (6-of-8 from beyond-the-arc) versus the Los Angeles Clippers on December 16, while also recording three rebounds, two assists, three blocks and a steal.

The only problem being, he wasn’t always consistent.

While the swingman definitely proved his overall worth, he had a problem showing up night in and night out. Sometimes he found himself with a hot hand, resulting in efficient offensive production. But then just like that, a game or two later, he would go cold, unable to find his rhythm.

Still, even when he found himself unable to shoot, he would continue to hold his team down defensively. So much so that head coach Erik Spoelstra thought he surely belonged on a NBA All-Defensive team (plot twist: he was then snubbed).

Richardson is undoubtedly the face of Miami’s future.