The Miami Heat's influence in the EuroBasket Tournament can no longer be denied. Three Heat players (Nikola Jovic, Simone Fontecchio, and Pelle Larsson) are slated to hit the floor for their respective teams when the knockout round officially tips off in the EuroBasket this weekend.
Jovic has emerged as a key piece to Team Serbia, who are still currently the favorites to win it all. Serbia will face off against Finland on Saturday afternoon. Larsson has continued to make waves, building off an excellent showing in the NBA Summer League, with Team Sweden, who will take on Turkey to open the Round-of-16 Saturday morning.
Fontecchio, who has been hot and cold this summer in the EuroBasket Tournament, will help Italy prepare as they take on Slovenia on Sunday.
All in all, the Heat will have a strong representation in EuroBasket this weekend, and it should make the front office proud. But it's not just the representation that fans should find joy in; it's also the fact that these three players have each made their own noise for their respective teams this summer.
Fontecchio set the individual game scoring record for Italy a few days ago, Jovic has been arguably the second-best player (next to Nikola Jokic) for Serbia, and Larsson averaged 20 points per game in the group stage to help Sweden advance to the knockout round of EuroBasket for the first time since 2013.
How much stock should be put into the summer?
The hope, of course, is that their stellar play this summer will carry over for the Heat heading into the start of training camp, which is now less than a month away.
It's easy to see why there is optimism for the Heat. The big question is, how much stock can be put into what these players have done overseas? And the answer to this question could end up going a long way in determining just how good the Heat will be this season.
Jovic is largely expected to take another big jump in his development, especially in a contract year, and, especially after the trade of Haywood Highsmith, the Heat are going to need Larsson to take a big step forward in his own right.
If he does, there's no question it will add another wrinkle to what the Heat may want to do this season. Fontecchio may not be considered a young gem for the team, but he could end up playing a big role as the team begins to search for its Duncan Robinson replacement.
In a season that is currently full of plenty of unknowns for the Heat, watching three of their likely contributors excelling on the national stage is certainly a great sight to see. And the Heat's influence this weekend in the EuroBasket Tournament won't be lacking.