Miami Heat: The 7 foot pump-fake and what could have been

For days during the process leading up to the draft, Miami Heat fans clamored for Oregon prospect Bol Bol. It almost happened, and then it didn’t.

The Miami Heat had already had a solid 2019 NBA Draft, taking flame thrower Tyler Herro out of Kentucky and a long swooping swingman out of Stanford in KZ Okpala. Although they had traded with the Atlanta Hawks for the 44th pick earlier in the week, they moved up to 32 during the draft in a swap with Indiana to take Okpala. This still left them with the 44th pick though.

In simultaneous fashion, while the Miami Heat front office was wheeling and dealing to move up, projected Oregon lottery pick in freshman Bol Bol found himself slipping in the draft. When he was still there after pick number 43, you could almost sense that the Miami Heat would take the skilled big man that was once projected to go somewhere in the lottery. Before we get too far, let’s take a closer look at Bol.

Bol Bol is the son of former NBA player Manute Bol, as heavily publicized. He is an uber skilled big, who can handle, pass, and shoot it all over the court, including from three-point range.

Although he only played in nine games for the Oregon Ducks this past season before injury set in, he managed to average 21 points, 9.6 rebounds, an assist, and 2.7 blocks per game across 29.8 minutes played. He shot 52 percent from three-point land and although only hitting 1.4 of 2.8 attempts per game, he still looked like a very capable shooter.

He could do almost anything on the court, except staying healthy. That is a part of what many assumed led to him falling in the draft.

Here is more footage of a private workout held by Bol in the days leading up to the draft. It was said to supposedly be to remind scouts of his ability and dispell certain injury concerns. Unfortunately, it is safe to say that it didn’t work like he thought it would.

As we move back to just right after the 43rd pick was made, Heat Fans started to get anxious that there may be a shot. Then the pick was made. At 44, the Miami Heat selected Bol Bol.

However, before the dust could settle and the elation could set in, Shams Charania blew it all up. He reported that the Miami Heat had traded Bol Bol to the Denver Nuggets for a future second-round pick and cash considerations. Shortly after this was announced, here is the next reaction from the same account from above.

https://twitter.com/HeatvsHaters/status/1141916111853805569

This didn’t go over too well with Miami Heat Nation. The Twitter Mob was on the loose. Here are a few more reactions.

It got so bad, that some fans were even cursing the great Pat Riley. Even after I tried to talk this Heat fan back off the ledge, the Bol news dropped. This was his reaction.

https://twitter.com/Joe_Joe_Fresh/status/1141917421277786112

Regardless of how everyone feels about the Bol trade, which would have been an excellent pickup at 44, the Miami Heat still made out pretty good in the draft. They got a good shooter in Tyler Herro and a wing with good size and skill in Okpala.

Although the Bol thing was the ultimate happening that didn’t happen, the Heat got better tonight. These picks will definitely help the team to improve, but being able to take Bol at 44 could have been the steal of the draft. Let’s hope the trade doesn’t backfire.