The Miami Heat played their first Summer League game last night, and some players really showed out. They might have some gems on the roster that could legitimately contribute at the NBA level.
The game aired on ESPN2 as Miami faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Heat ended up winning 80-78 in a closely contested game.
There are still plenty of games to play, including the Las Vegas Summer League. This is only the California League, where the Heat, Lakers, Kings, and Warriors are the only teams competing.
With that being said, it’s always fun to speculate after a game, especially when some players dominate the competition. What are three takeaways Miami Heat fans should have after the first Summer League game?
Takeaways from the first Miami Heat Summer League game: Marcus Garrett is a defensive monster
Marcus Garrett was another player who showed out in the Heat’s first Summer League game. He played well on both ends of the floor, but really showed his potential on defense.
He finished the game with ten points, three rebounds, two assists, and six steals. Miami Heat fans took notice on Twitter, showing their love for the Kansas product.
The 6-5 guard was constantly in the right place, scooping up rebounds and putting in work on both ends of the floor. Heat fans know what to look for when searching for a great fit in Miami, and Garrett is exactly that.
He hustles, he works hard, and he’s a hard-nosed defender. There’s not much more the Miami Heat can ask for from the 22-year-old combo guard.
Takeaways from the first Miami Heat Summer League game: Javonte Smart plays with great energy and is a solid ball-handler
Javonte Smart played 30 minutes in Miami’s first game, and despite a poor shooting performance, he made it look like he belonged. His energy and aggressiveness are exactly what the Heat should be looking for.
He scored ten points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out four assists. One of his dimes just happened to be a gorgeous no-look pass to Omer Yurtseven under the hoop.
Regardless of the highlight-reel play, Smart did struggle to shoot efficiently. He shot 3-13 from the field and 2-7 from three-point territory.
There is a slight hitch in his jump shot which causes him to shoot the ball slightly slower than most would like to see at the NBA level. However, some work with a shooting coach could do wonders for Smart.
The most impressive part about his game was easily his ability to run the floor. Whenever he was the ball-handler on offense, the Heat managed to put points on the board.
He ran the pick n’ roll with Yurtseven beautifully, which is a very important skill to have in the NBA. The Heat need more depth at guard, and Smart could be ready to step in and provide them with that right away.
Even so, he displayed great aggressiveness when driving to the rim. His on-court IQ looked great, and if he can iron things out a bit, he could be a legitimate contender to crack the Heat’s regular-season roster.
Takeaways from the first Miami Heat Summer League game: Omer Yurtseven needs to be on the NBA roster
Omer Yurtseven stole the show in Miami’s first Summer League game. He was the best player on the floor for either team and it wasn’t even close.
He finished the night with 27 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, and a block in 32 minutes of playing time. It was a dominating performance from the 7-0 big man.
Despite all this, there were some clear issues to take note of. Yurtseven also ended the game with seven turnovers and six personal fouls.
These are both things that he can work on, though. There is very clear potential for him on the offensive side of the floor.
He shot 11-20 from the field and 3-7 from three-point range. The Miami Heat desperately need a floor-spacing big man, and Yurtseven can be that for them.
Pat Riley re-signed Dewayne Dedmon to backup Bam Adebayo. However, with how well Yurtseven played in the first Summer League game, he could legitimately make a case to be the backup center next year.
He’s not quick enough on the perimeter to start next to Bam Adebayo full-time, but having him as an option to space the floor is amazing. He could open up a ton of opportunities for the Heat on offense.
The Miami Heat have their second Summer League game tonight against the Warriors on ESPNU at 8:00 p.m. Make sure to tune in and see what players could be on the Miami Heat next season!