South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Heat draw notice on Olympian scale
PHILADELPHIA — The managing director has been impressed.
For the Miami Heat it is praise that is Olympian in nature — and could foretell a future as world-beaters.
Although formally working this Heat-Philadelphia 76ers Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series merely as a television analyst for TNT, Grant Hill, the Hall of Fame forward, is somewhat double-dipping.
Having taken over for Jerry Colangelo as managing director of USA Basketball’s National Team after last summer’s run to Olympic gold in Tokyo, Hill finds himself having to help fill out coaching staffs and rosters for upcoming entries to the World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics.
That sort of makes this series unofficial tryouts for the Heat’s Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Erik Spoelstra.
“One of the benefits, I guess, to my broadcasting job is the chance to see some of these players up close and personal,” Hill told the Sun Sentinel. “You learn a lot watching in person as opposed to on video or on television.
“And as I learned more about the international game, it’s a little bit of a different game. Yeah, you’re able to, I guess in a way, scout.”
For Adebayo the book has already been written with his contribution to last summer’s gold in Japan. But even since then Hill said he has seen continued growth.
“I think his game and how he plays is perfectly suited for the international stage,” Hill said. “First of all, he’s well-coached. He has a great culture.
“He’s a guy who I believe has worked hard and worked on his game and developed the offensive side, the ballhandling, the passing. His numbers aren’t going to necessarily overwhelm you, but the little plays, the understanding of making the right read, the discipline on defense, being able to guard multiple actions, qualities like that have served him well with the Heat.
“And [they] certainly have served him well on the international stage.”
Then there is Herro, who was invited to work out against the Olympic roster last summer as part of the USA Select Team, a group of prospects who could set up as next-generation Olympians.
“His growth in the last three years has been incredible,” Hill said. “And for a young guy he didn’t look at the role of being a sixth man as a demotion but as an opportunity. And [I like] how he embraced that and just shattered the competition when it comes to sixth man.
“He was part of the Select Team and was impressive, and certainly [he] will be a candidate as we progress forward with the World Cup and with the Olympics.”
And then there’s Spoelstra, who coached the Select Team last summer and then was named to the Olympic staff of Steve Kerr, who takes over from Gregg Popovich as national coach.
“I’ve always been a fan of Coach Spo,” Hill said. “Honestly, I didn’t know him that well. [I] had a chance to spend some quality time with him in Vegas this last summer, as the Select Team was preparing the Olympic team, and was just blown away.
“I think he’s a great communicator. I think his players play hard. I think that’s always been the consistent theme, no matter who’s been in the uniform. You feel as though they really believe in him and believe in the culture there.”
For the moment the sole focus for Adebayo, Herro and Spoelstra is getting past the 76ers and moving on to the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in three years.
But in six years, with the Olympics in Los Angeles, there could be arguably a higher calling for the Heat trinity.
“I really love Spo and am excited that he’s being willing to be a part of this and this great staff,” Hill said. “And [he] will be a candidate down the road to be the head coach himself after this next quad.”
For now the “tryouts” will continue, with Hill again to be working courtside for TNT at Sunday’s Game 4 at Wells Fargo Center.