NBA scout explains what’s to be admired, appreciated with each of Heat’s key players
This Heat postseason run not only has generated added national appreciation for the team’s culture, but also for many of the team’s players.
Here’s how a veteran NBA scout (who was also a former coach) described what he has liked about the Heat’s rotation players after watching them closely over the past month:
▪ Jimmy Butler: “The thing I’m surprised at is he continues to get better. His shooting has improved, his ability to command double-teams and his play out of double teams has improved. He plays both ways, guards top scorers and never complains about it, doesn’t run away from anything. His everyday approach to how basketball should be played is as good as there is. He’s a confident player, but he doesn’t brag or boast. He’s such a worker and he’s in the perfect environment there. He’s all about winning.”
▪ Bam Adebayo: “I know a lot of people talk about the [variations in his] scoring, but I don’t dwell on that. To me, he’s the prototype for what a hybrid frontcourt player should be: a two-way player who just does his job. When he needs to defend bigger players, he does that.
“When he needs to defend smaller players, he does that. He can be a point center when you need him to do that. He’s the epitome of what all frontcourt [power rotation] players should be — versatile, athletic and provide offense when needed. A three pointer probably would help his game, but I’m not sure how efficient it would be for him.”
▪ Kyle Lowry: “I know he had a tough season, and you’re not going to get a great game every night, but toughness is a trait that’s underrated, and his toughness is a 10. When you talk about grinding out games, and strong-willed players, and high-basketball IQ guys, Jimmy and Kyle are right up there. I saw him get a rebound in a scrum with [Julius] Randle the other night; he’s the smallest dude out there and he gets the rebound. That’s the epitome of Kyle to me.”
▪ Gabe Vincent: “He plays with a level of confidence, late in games and in general, that you wouldn’t expect from players who come in without a padded resume. I have so much respect for him.
“If he doesn’t have a good shooting night, he’s still making it difficult for the opposing guards to score. He is not a liability. You never say ‘leave that guy open and let that guy beat us’ because he will beat you.”
▪ Max Strus: “His ability to make tough shots, and corner threes against good defenders, is an asset. You can’t leave him open. His rebounding last year shocked the hell out of me in the Philadelphia series. He’s not doing a ton of that in the Knicks series. But he’s proven to be a really heady player and a shot maker. He tries defensively; there’s no effort issue there.”
▪ Caleb Martin: “He attacks the basket really well. You have to stick to a plan that a coach puts forward, but he does a good job improvising when needed, and it’s usually the right thing. He improvises more than any of their guys. His three-point shooting has improved. And he does it on both sides of the ball.
“He’s always in the passing lanes or comes over and will generate help. He may not get the steal but somebody else will. Sometimes you’re thinking, ‘What the heck is he doing driving on the baseline?’ But it usually ends well.”
▪ Kevin Love: “I know the shooting has been up and down, but I think he has something left if they bring him back next year. People are quick to downgrade players like Love and Lowry because they don’t do it every night. As they get older, they can’t provide those highs as they did when they were younger.
“He’s going to be doing outlet passes when he’s 50. His ability to space the floor, he’s always going to have that. His approach and shooting are valuable assets at that spot.”
▪ Duncan Robinson, who has three years remaining on his contract (after this one) at $18.1 million, $19.4 million and $19.9 million (half of that final year is guaranteed):
“The way he shot in the Milwaukee series and the other night [Game 5] against the Knicks, he’s helped himself a lot. He’s even trying to make plays on the dribble, though he’s not great at that. Somebody is going to want that shooting at his size. I think they’ll have an easier time moving now if they go in that direction.”
This story was originally published May 15, 2023 at 12:53 PM.
