Miami Heat fans haven’t agreed on much lately, but there’s one topic everyone seems to be on the same page about: Josh Richardson. Specifically, that he’s poised to have a breakout 2018-19 season. So, let’s look at what he’s been able to accomplish so far.
Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month
On April 5, 2016, Miami Heat star Josh Richardson was named the league’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
In March, he had averaged 12.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals a game, while shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 58.9 percent from downtown (second-highest for a single month in NBA history, on at least 50 attempts).
He led all rookies in plus/minus (+66), 3-point field goals made (33) and 3-point shooting (with at least 10 attempts).
His eight-time double-digit scoring helped the Heat earn 10 wins (the most in a single month since March 2014), including a victory over the Chicago Bulls on March 11, during which the swingman recorded a then career-high 22 points.
In the fourth quarter, he outscored the entire Bulls squad by himself, having shot a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, and 4-for-4 from 3-point land.
His nine made field goals and four made 3-pointers were also career-highs.
He then went onto score 18 points against the Charlotte Hornets on March17 (going 7-of-9 from the field and 3-for-4 from beyond-the-arc), and 19 points versus the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 19 (shooting 6-of-9 from the field and 4-for-6 from downtown).
While Richardson had shown glimpses of potential prior to his March 2016 performance, it was during that stretch of time that his true brilliance really starting to shine bright.