Miami Heat: Omer Yurtseven Trying To Stabilize Along The Learning Curve
By Isiah Curry
Miami Heat: They Need Yurt’s Production, So He Must Play With Confidence
Per 100 Possesions, Yurtseven ranks third on Miami’s roster in Rebounds Per Game (14.4) behind both Adebayo and Dedmon. There’s plenty of room for Yurtseven to become stronger, as he continues to adjust to the greater physical aptitude of the NBA but it’s critical that he holds his own on the backboard if he wants an extended basketball career, in general.
YURTSEVEN MUST LOCK IN EARLY AND WITH CONFIDENCE ON OFFENSE
Shifting to the offensive side of Yurtseven’s play, this final tidbit is more of an adjustment, rather than a weakness. It’s about him settling into his offense, but also having the right plays run.
Through a small showing of games, Omer has started out moments with a sense of hesitation and nervousness, perhaps. This has led to rushing inside shots and mishandling passes.
Even in a standard half-court setting, he tends to have an improper placement as a screener and often cuts at an undesired angle to receive the pass. Much of this is fundamental, but it can be improved by getting consistent run at game speed.
To Yurtseven’s credit, he does eventually appear to settle down and acclimate himself into the flow of the game, which adds to his confidence in utilizing different ways to score — such as this left-handed jump hook over Allen.
It was truly optimized in the Heat’s December 3rd outing versus Indiana, where Yurtseven recorded a career-high 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting despite having a slow start. He began to demonstrate great timing as a screen-and-roll finisher, even finding a few easy putbacks against a formidable Pacers frontcourt.
As the offensive qualities are more of his strong suit, Yurtseven can find ways to score. It just has to be by design, as Miami should continue exploring it.
The ceiling for him as a backup center is conceivable with the Heat committing a long-term investment to Adebayo, but it remains to be seen if coach Spoelstra will experiment with Adebayo and Yurtseven on the floor together.
Indeed, it is within the realm of possibility given Yurtseven’s ability to space the floor. Altogether, there’s much to clean up on both ends before that happens regularly though and it begins with Omer being able to impose his will on the interior.
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The Miami Heat are going to need more from him in Adebayo’s absence and common to most first-year players, Omer should continue to find comfort with extended minutes. The question hangs in the balance of time and situation, but expect to see a continued audition for a very promising young talent.