The Miami Heat might’ve gotten away from the NBA Draft with the steal of the entire thing. Taking a guy that man considered a man of mystery heading into the process, the term international man of mystery certainly applies to the newest Miami Heat player in Serbian forward, Nikola Jovic.
Standing a full 6-11, the lengthy yet versatile forward comes into the league with a reputation for being electric on offense.
He can shoot the three pretty well, create his own looks, and has a skill set that just makes you gasp when you see it used by a man of his size.
However and always, the offense isn’t the only important aspect that goes into making a basketball player. That’s especially at the professional level and especially when it comes to the Miami Heat.
A player’s ability to play defense is what matters most to the Miami Heat. Now, the offense is extremely valuable, but you have to be a willing defender.
Miami Heat Draft: Nikola Jovic, Defense, Hard Work, And Athleticism
When you think about defense though, it isn’t exactly the same as the offense. Offense is one of those things where most guys have it or they don’t.
Yes, you can fine-tune things and continue to develop, but if you are just a naturally gifted ballhandler or at shooting the jump shot, chances are that no matter how much another guy works, he’ll never be able to exactly replicate that ability.
No matter how many times a guy practices the fadeaway jumper, they’ll never be Kobe. No matter how many times a guy works with tennis balls, Tim Hardaway Sr’s ability to dribble the ball was just a supernatural gift.
That’s the concept being hit on here. On the other side though, it’s not that cut and dry.
A guy’s ability to defend is rooted in their desire or ability to put in hard work, outthink the opponent, and how much a guy wants it.
Miami Heat Draft: Guys Have Shown To Be Able To Massively Improve Defensively, So Why Can’t Jovic?
A guy with a big heart can come in and turn himself into a very good to elite defender if he wants to, just look at Gabe Vincent.
These are also all of the things alluded to by the NBA’s and Miami Heat’s Godfather, Pat Riley, when speaking about the pick after it was made. You can also look at a recent champion for the same phenomena.
Andrew Wiggins has always had the ability to be a good defender. His fortitude and desire to do so has only increased by being in Golden State though.
You also have this fact to consider. Though any guy can work hard and become a great defender, the more athletic or naturally physically gifted the player is, the easier that should be and that also increases his ceiling as far as how good of a defender he can become.
That’s the whole point here and in bringing it all back around, there you have Nikola Jovic. So, for all of the talk about his poor defense or what he won’t be for the Miami Heat on that side of the ball, you have to be fair.
Defense is teachable and able to be executed at a high level easier than offense. With his tools, the Miami Heat’s developmental system, his teammates, and a lot of hard work—Jovic can become a great defender if he wants to be.
But at worst, he won’t be a turnstile. That, you can be certain of.