Miami Heat: Gabe Vincent Is Showing More Positives Than Negatives

After enduring a rigorous portion of the 2021-22 season schedule, the Miami Heat returned home on Monday to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans, 113-99. Left with several key players missing, both during and after a six game road trip, head coach, Erik Spoelstra, has been left with no other option but to rely more heavily on his reserve talents.

With the absences of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo having each of Miami’s top stars miss three games this season and Kyle Lowry getting the night off against New Orleans, the window of opportunity has opened for several of the Heat’s secondary options.

Tyler Herro, a potential Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player candidate, has started in his last four appearances and is providing an elite level shot-making ability. Max Strus, a skilled shooting wing, hasn’t missed a step after recently returning from a knee injury.

Other Heat players, including Dewayne Dedmon and Caleb Martin, are also contributing on both ends. But, a player who might be the most underappreciated and has received an undeserved amount of criticism along the way — is Gabe Vincent.

Miami Heat: Gabe Vincent Is Showing More Positives Than Negatives

Only playing in 17 minutes in a span of six games, Vincent’s role and minutes both immediately increased, playing in, at least, 13 minutes in each of his last six outings. Vincent saw just under 20 minutes on Monday versus Oklahoma City, while seeing 27 minutes on Wednesday with Kyle Lowry resting versus New Orleans.

He put up 13 points in that one, going 3-6 from outside. While Gabe Vincent was brought in primarily as a catch and shoot option and with that reputation, there’s an unpredictability factor for when he puts the ball on the floor.

Although he’s 3-12 on field goals with 0 dribbles taken, he’s 5-8 on field goals with 6-7 dribbles taken. Compounding those numbers, he keeps his turnovers low and can stabilize the offense while getting the ball to where his teammates need it.

Most importantly, he’s taken on the multiple challenges of pressuring ball handlers and being a disrupter on defense. While we should sarcastically thank Avery Bradley for his explosion in last week’s Lakers defeat, he can be literally thanked for helping to unlock one of the Miami Heat’s most pesky little defenders.

Miami Heat: Gabe Vincent Likely Isn’t Piece To Build Around, But Certainly With

In 11.6 minutes, Vincent has a 95.5 Defensive Rating, which ranks first for all Heat players with, at least, 10 games played.

The next step is that you’d want to see him commit fewer fouls and especially with Miami lacking depth at the point guard position. However and mostly, because he typically plays in limited minutes behind Miami’s primary ball-handlers in Lowry, Butler, and Herro.

With the looming return of Victor Oladipo, along with Miami’s potential plans in the buyout market, there’s a clear dissection of roles for Vincent. An example of the volatility and though early on, he started against Indiana back on October 23, though he could be thrust into any role on any given night.

Is the Heat’s third year undrafted guard a longterm centerpiece for the Heat to build around for several years? Most likely not, but there’s always a roster spot for a player of Vincent’s ilk and the Heat have room for it at this moment.

He possesses a calm demeanor, while having a willingness to compete harder than everyone else on the floor. Whether it’s for five minutes or for 25, there’s been more positive production than negative in Gabe Vincent as a rotational player.

It’s never easy to prevail in an increased role, but it’s always a positive to have that edgy, lunch pail type of player who can give you something. Gabe definitely gives you something.