The decision to sign Nikola Jovic to a contract extension may have only taken one week of training camp to make the Miami Heat seem like absolute geniuses. Of course, that's if you take the word of those in attendance.
According to Heat beat writer Brady Hawk, Jovic has looked "extremely good" in camp through the first couple of scrimmages. Of course, it would be foolish to take that as gospel, especially before he's even played a pre-season game, much less begun the regular season. But it should count for something, and it could suggest that perhaps the Heat were already seeing something that the rest of the league hasn't yet before the extension.
At the very least, it should get Heat fans excited. That should count for something, considering it's been somewhat difficult to find the huge storylines to hype up the fan base. Jovic could give the Heat loyalists a young player they can begin to rally around.
And, sure, Jovic will need to prove it with a strong showing in the pre-season and then a quick start to the regular season, but it almost always has to begin with a great camp. And, at least through the first week, it does appear as if that's exactly what's happening with Jovic.
The hype surrounding Nikola Jovic
Coming off a hype-filled summer, it's no surprise that the noise surrounding Jovic is so loud. Jovic stood out while playing for Team Serbia during the EuroBasket Tournament, and continued to show promising signs playing off of Nikola Jovic.
Jovic won't have the luxury of playing off of Jokic anymore with the Heat, but there's still reason to believe he could be on the verge of a breakout year.
If Jovic is going to have that breakout star season, it has to be this year. He's probably in line to be named the starter next to Bam Adebayo, especially after the contract extension, and should be fully healthy with all hands on deck to begin the year.
Theoretically speaking, he's a great fit next to Bam in the frontcourt. There are questions about whether it's in the best interest of the Heat to play with such a small frontcourt, but it's proven to be effective - even if it should only come in spurts.
The first look at Nikola Jovic
The Heat will officially hit the floor this weekend, Saturday, against the Orlando Magic to tip off their pre-season slate. That's when fans will get their first real look at Jovic as he prepares for his fourth season in the league.
While it may be unfair to place huge expectations on Jovic heading into that single game, there should be hope that he can begin to show some positive flashes of what many are hoping - and perhaps expecting - to be a special season.