Miami Heat: Omer Yurtseven Trying To Stabilize Along The Learning Curve
By Isiah Curry
Miami Heat: Being A Stronger Rebounder Should Be Priority For The Young Big
The ability for most centers to defend outside of the paint can take a taxing amount of energy, but Yurtseven being able to defend laterally while properly maintaining footwork becomes essential in this era of basketball. He must refrain from overcommitting as a one-on-one defender, which will pay dividends going forward.
THE REBOUNDING FACTOR HAS TO BE TAKEN UP A NOTCH FOR YURTSEVEN
The next area of concern actually comes in a more unusual pattern for Yurtseven — which pertains to rebounding the basketball.
At seven feet and 275 pounds, he came down from an average of 13.4 total rebounds per game with the Oklahoma City Blue last spring to 9.4 rebounds in three outings during the Heat’s Summer League run.
It’s clear that Omer is a live body and is active enough to contribute towards his team’s rebounding leverage.
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Of course, the level of competition has grown for Yurtseven in the last several months, but his overall ability to actually secure rebounds is not always the most consistent.
He often mistimes his jump before the ball rolls off the rim, which gives his opponents a chance of either tapping it to themselves or leaving Omer bobbling for control. For this possession though, it was more of both.
Granted, the Miami Heat couldn’t haul in the defensive board with four white jerseys around the basket, but a right corner miss from Isaac Okoro (strong closeout from Lowry) would just phase right through the hands of Yurtseven. This was all before Allen would vacuum his fourth offensive rebound of the evening.
As Cleveland retains possession, the Heat cannot recover. Allen kicks out to Rubio, who then finds Kevin Love in the left corner, with the 13 year veteran currently shooting over 40 percent from three for just the third time in 13 seasons.
Oddly enough though, Love is also having his worst season of shooting corner threes (31 percent) since 2012. Nonetheless, one wide-open look is all it takes for a conversion, as this was a turning point in the quarter where Miami had tied the game at 64 earlier.
Furthermore, give anyone but him a good look. Love has mauled the Heat in both showings this year.