The Miami Heat are an organization that firmly believes in the next man up mantra. While it is put on display every single night, it’s been tested early on in this latest season.
With Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, Bam Adebayo, and now Tyler Herro all missing games so far, the Miami Heat’s top-four players, it’s been on the rest of the roster to step up.
And step up they have, which goes from the newest guys to the guys that have been there the longest. Think that’s just lip service?
Take the Miami Heat’s Wednesday night win, the first half of a back to back set with the Pelicans and the Wizards, where Udonis Haslem not only got some run but meaningful run.
On the second half of that set of games though, the Wizards game on Thursday, it was one of the newest members of the Heat that stepped up in a major way. Being with the team for a season or so now, Gabe Vincent is still one of the least-tenured members of this team.
However, you couldn’t tell on Thursday, as he played with the poise and the confidence of a guy who was always meant to be right where he was.
Coming in with the reputation for being a shooter, he struggled with his shooting for much of last year and early into this one. In the last few games though and coincidentally enough (or not), with increased minutes, opportunity, and usage, he has seen his production and game come through.
While it’s been noticeable throughout in his given opportunities, it really illuminated itself in the game against the Wizards and not just in this highlight of a play from the miniature leaper.
GABE VINCENT 𝙏𝘼𝙆𝙀𝙎 𝙁𝙇𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏 ✈️@iamgabevincent2 @MiamiHEAT | #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/Y0KaLzj88G
— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) November 19, 2021
Playing more key minutes without Tyler Herro in the lineup, Gabe proceeded to have what could be his best game in a Miami Heat uniform so far.
Scoring 18 points, grabbing two rebounds, and dishing out three assists, Vincent did so on 50 percent shooting from range, 3-6. Here’s the key though and as mentioned.
Gabe had the opportunity, the time, and the freedom to be able to play his game over the past few games and especially this latest one, because he knew he wasn’t really in threat of coming out.
The Miami Heat needed his body… as the depth was limited.
While this isn’t that (a love-fest, a case, or anything else for anyone else on the roster… though it applies), it does say something about the young players that many are found so quick to judge or write-off.
With time and opportunity to figure things out and literally… mess up in real and live-game action, things come. It’s, literally, just the way it all works and especially in sports.
It’s a reactive game, to opposition, the ebbs and flow of the game, and the rules that guide it. The tier of player helps determine how fast it comes or how much of it shows up, night in and night out, on each individual basis but it simply takes time and adjustment in most circumstances.
Gabe has seemingly found, had, and made good use of those moments. He’s, apparently, doing what he can to end the conversation around the Miami Heat’s backup point guard scenario too.
With the thought of them, perhaps, bringing someone else in, he seems determined to make a case. In fact, he is and needs to be heard when it comes to the speculation on the Heat’s backup PG.
Because, well… they might already have him.