Team has first full practice since Dec. 14.
Holidays, league schedule led to mini-break
MIAMI — Why, yes, that was the Miami Heat going through a full practice Thursday at American-Airlines Arena.
Amid of whirlwind of travel, holidays, back-toback games and injuries, it was the first time the Heat held a full practice since Dec. 14.
“We tried to take advantage of everything,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of what some would have considered an approach counter to the team’s grinding reputation. “We had a good mini-break for the holiday and guys were able to spend a little bit of time away from the gym. Some guys were able to just get the needed rest to help with injuries.”
Then came Thursday, which also was Hassan Whiteside’s first full practice with the team since being sidelined for the second time with a bone bruise on his left knee in late November. Whiteside returned in Tuesday’s victory over the Orlando Magic.
“When you have opportunities to also practice, that also helps our group, just trying to get on the same page,” Spoelstra said, with the Heat turning their attention to tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets at the end of this four-game homestand. “It’s good to get Hassan out here in a full practice with the guys. And we’ll move forward to [Friday]. Our guys understand how important it is to protect home.”
With the NBA starting a week earlier this season and reducing the number of back-to-back games, the goal was additional rest for players. The result has been fewer days with players fresh enough to practice, with most days off coming after a night game. Thursday was an exception for the Heat, who also had Wednesday off.
“It’s been an adjustment,” Spoelstra said of the new scheduling, “but not only for us, but for everybody. We’re all dealing with the same thing. Your shootarounds and film sessions, team meetings become that much more important.”
Having spent all 15 of his seasons with the team, forward Udonis Haslem said the move away from grueling practices has been a change. It is why he embraced Thursday’s opportunity.
“It was good to have all the guys out there and get the extra bodies and go through the routine and different things that we need to do to get some continuity going,” the longtime captain said. “So it was good just for the spirit of the team to have everybody back and out there.”
Haslem said the Heat have adjusted to the times when it has come to the balance between rest and relentlessness.
“I think Spo’s done a great job of managing everything,” he said. “And the way technology is today, with all these different sciences on how to preserve players, rest players and revive players, you know, we’re tapping into all those things scientifically, too.”
Asked if it meant today’s players were allowed to be softer, Haslem smiled.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I mean technically I’m considered one of today’s players and I ain’t soft. So it is what it is.”
Injury roll
Spoelstra said forward James Johnson, who again is out with ankle bursitis, “was able to go through part of practice today, which was planned.”
Forward Justise Winslow, who has missed the past seven games with a strained left knee, remained limited.
“Justise only did his correctives, some shooting and he’ll go back down for more work,” Spoelstra said of Winslow’s ongoing conditioning detail.
Guard Dion Waiters, out indefinitely with the sprained left ankle that has had him out the past two games, did not practice.
Forward Rodney McGruder continued to increase his drill work, with a return not expected in the short term.
“He’s progressing,” Spoelstra said. “We’re definitely not trying to fasttrack him. So the most important thing for him is to stay patient. We know how consistent, relentless he’ll be with his work, work ethic. We also have to be very smart about it.”