Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dominating D-League
Weber records 5th triple-double, gets monthly honor
MIAMI — As forward Okaro White continues to thrive with the Miami Heat since his call-up from the team’s NBA Developmental League affiliate, former Heat guard Briante Weber continues to thrive with that affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
A day after he came within one steal of becoming the first NBDL player to record a quadruple-double, Weber was honored Wednesday as NBDL Player of the Month for January.
Weber, a final cut during Heat training camp, averaged 21.5 points, 8.3 assists, 6.6 rebounds and 3.6 steals in January, with five double-doubles and two tripledoubles.
“I think it’s awesome,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Weber’s continued D-League development. “I love Bri. I mean we spent a lot of time with him and he’s just slowly getting better and better in the special areas that he needs to.
“But I think he’s found a great place where he can develop, Nevada [Smith, the Skyforce coach] is utilizing him in terrific way.”
Weber closed Tuesday’s 120-115 overtime loss Tuesday night to the Oklahoma City Blue with 19 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds and nine steals. It left him with his fifth triple-double of the season. The rest of the D-League has nine combined.
As a matter of perspective, there have only been four quadruple-doubles in NBA history, and only one involving steals, accomplished by San Antonio Spurs guard Alvin Robertson in 1986 against the Phoenix Suns. The NBA’s three other quadruple-doubles, all involving blocked shots, belong to Nate Thurmond, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson.
Among those Weber beat out for the D-League month honor were former NBA players Vander Blue, Johnny O’Bryant, Phil Pressey and Manny Harris.
Weber is eligible to be signed by any NBA team.
“His time will come,” Spoelstra said.
Rodney respect
Before Rodney McGruder stepped into the Heat’s starting lineup for the 33rd time this season, the most starts by a Heat rookie since Mario
Chalmers started all 82 games in 2008-09, Spoelstra said it should not be overlooked how the freeagent forward has come to define perseverance.
“You hear so many people talk about it in society,” Spoelstra said. “Right now in America that is tougher and tougher to find. For whatever reason Rodney, he’s a picture of it. He’s had this door shut on him often and many times that did not discourage him. It just developed more resolve to work harder, wait for the right opportunity, the right place the right time and be ready for it. And that’s what happened.”
McGruder went undrafted out of Kansas State and toiled overseas and in the D-League before this breakthrough rookie season.
“We cut him from summer league a couple of times, but transitioned him to Sioux Falls,” Spoelstra said of the Heat’s DLeague affiliate in South Dakota, the Skyforce. “He thought that was promotion, the way you should view it, as another year to develop in our system and get better as a basketball player and became arguably the most important player on the team last year. He’s a winner.
“So when he has what other players would find as setbacks, he views as a learning tool and motivation to get better for his next opportunity and that’s what he’s done. He’s earned everything he’s gotten.”
Honorable mention
Spoelstra was among those nominated for the NBA’s Eastern Conference Coach of the Month that went to Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr took the honor for the Western Conference . . .
Asked about all the drama with his former players, Dwyane Wade with the Chicago Bulls and
LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Spoelstra said Wednesday, “I don’t think about that at all.” He added of Wade, “Yeah, I miss Dwyane, but that’s part of being human.”