The final verdict is still out, but the signs do suggest that the Miami Heat may have hit on another young gem. Pelle Larsson has had an exceptional developmental summer, and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has made it loud and clear that the team expects Larsson to have a huge sophomore season.
Spo has seen the work that Larsson has put in this offseason and believes it will pay off with a bigger role this season.
"What he does are the things that we value…he makes winning plays…he will continue to get better because he has a great work ethic and outside of that he’s just a great human being."Erik Spoelstra on Pelle Larsson
But it's not just Spo's glowing remarks on Larsson that should have Heat fans excited. It's clear how much Spo (and the team) believes in Larsson based on his willingness to go overseas to watch him play in the EuroBasket Tournament.
Even though it may not seem like a big deal, it is a small move that does indicate how much the team is invested in the continued development of Larsson. And if this summer is any indication, he's certainly on the right track heading into his sophomore season.
Pelle Larsson has had a huge summer
Larsson had a solid rookie season, especially for a second-round pick. But what he's been able to show this summer should give the Heat confidence that perhaps they didn't have even a few months ago.
Larsson had a standout stint during the NBA Summer League in which he averaged 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists on 42 percent shooting from the field over the course of five appearances. Perhaps most of all, he looked the part.
Watching him play, it was clear he didn't belong out there with the rest of the summer league talent. That's not necessarily a knock at the competition, but a testament to how much Larsson has thrived in his development over the last few months.
At this point, the only concern for the Heat has to be the loaded workload that he's taken on over the course of the summer. But, in theory, it's setting him up for a strong second season.
Larsson has certainly done the work that it takes for him to succeed in this next step of his development. And perhaps most importantly, the Heat clearly strongly believes in him.