Miami Heat: If Victor Oladipo Continues His Level Of Play, Who Knows?
If you consider “playoff experience”, Vincent has entered an end-of-season rotational battle, specifically with Strus, Robinson, Caleb Martin, and lastly Victor Oladipo, a teammate who has appeared in 16 postseason games and played 565 minutes in his eight-year career.
Formerly an All-Star and franchise cornerstone, Oladipo has the understanding of both leading an organization through crucial postseason moments and also contributing at a high level as well.
Although Oladipo hasn’t had plenty of time to whip himself into impeccable game shape, through short moments, you can see flashes of a player that could fulfill the Heat’s needs if they were to become stagnant offensively.
Still and for Vincent though, he’s proven to be as impactful as any reserve on the team.
Unafraid of the moment, a calm demeanor has validated Vincent’s game, as he always tends to play within his own confines. Having such an unbothered personality is vital to any winning franchise and while Gabe’s ceiling as a player may never reach the level of Oladipo’s, he holds the advantage of being unpredictable, which could be very difficult for opponents to scout in a playoff setting.
For Vincent to sustain a consistent role in the postseason, his catch-and-shoot abilities must remain proficient. Shooting just under 37 percent for the 2021-22 season has kept him as a reliable option, but for a team that gears towards rim pressure, Gabe’s on-court value goes as far as the NBA’s three-point distance extends.
If Vincent fails to provide the Miami Heat’s second unit with consistent shooting early, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Spoelstra looks towards his bench for other options. To credit the work Vincent has provided up to this point though, he’s earned an opportunity to see those minutes.
Whether it allows him to see a large role in the coming weeks—is a question that’ll be answered in due time. For a team that was once criticized for their lack of depth, the Miami Heat now have a good problem on their hands with Gabe Vincent seeing floor time.
Standing at the top of the Eastern Conference and just days away from the postseason, the Miami Heat have seen several players create a strong case for themselves to play. Whoever receives the nod from Spoelstra must certainly be ready though.