3 Miami Heat players perfect for Team USA Basketball

Josh Richardson

Josh Richardson should be snubbed no longer.

Having beefed up his defensive capabilities and his touch from 3-point land, Richardson is the most prototypical fit Miami has to offer.

Team USA is filled to the brim with stretchy, flexible talent. Anchored by the likes of Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Paul George and of course, James, Team USA is founded on the lineups that can feature on and off-ball variety.

For the Miami Heat last season, Richardson anchored the offense with a plethora of options.

Richardson posted a 57-43 percent split between his buckets coming assisted and unassisted, respectively. Miami benefited from his flexibility to score both in transition and the half-court set.

Richardson’s season came to a head in the middle of the year. For a span of 40 games from December through February, Richardson averaged 13.8 points, while shooting nearly 42 percent from 3. On Team USA, Richardson would benefit from the truncated schedule that would allow him to hit a stride and keep his contributions coming.

But more importantly than his fit on the court, Richardson’s inclusion would be the gateway to the respect he deserves.

A second-round draft pick in 2015, Richardson was formerly known as “Rook 2” among Miami’s locker room.

Though the nickname was meant as a cheeky joke playing up the interchangeability of he and then-fellow “Rook 1” Winslow, the name’s subtle stigma is something Richardson is desperately trying to shake.

"“I’m capable of being a great player in this league and I think I showed flashes,” Richardson said at the end of the 2018 season. “I think I just have to do it consistently.”"

Joining Team USA’s ranks could be the start of such consistency.

Representing an elite group of the NBA’s top talent likely translates into Richardson’s continued growth into one of Miami’s finest.