Vincent benefiting from Bradley’s mentorship

In a flash, actually two flashes, perceptions changed Sunday when it came to Miami Heat two-way guard Gabe Vincent

First, less than three seconds after teammate Precious Achiuwa converted a free throw in the first quarter of the victory over the Atlanta Hawks, Vincent stepped in for a backcourt steal against Skylar Mays, converting it into a layup four-tenths of a second later.

Later, there was a similar defensive play against Rajon Rondo.

Arguably, it turns out, an assist on both those plays belonged to Avery Bradley, a teammate currently sidelined by a calf strain. Vincent revealed Tuesday he had been studying Bradley’s defense even before Bradley signed with the Heat in the offseason as a free agent.

“Over the past couple of summers, I’ve been watching his film,” Vincent said ahead of the Heat’s rematch against the Hawks at American Airlines Arena. “And especially in this past year, I’ve been watching his film, and breaking it down with coaches. And now that he’s here, breaking it down with him, to just try to pick his brain as much as possible.”

Bradley’s encouragement Sunday? Do it again.

“He was loving it, he was loving it,” Vincent said after Tuesday’s shootaround. “I got my first steal, he had told me just before that, ‘Go get a steal G,’ and then I got one.

“And then, after that, he said I needed another one, and that’s when I got the one on Rondo and then full-court pass to ‘Dre [Andre Iguodala]. He was pretty excited about that. And definitely just trying to continue to pick his ear and pick his brain and just try to grow on that side of the ball.”

When the Heat faced the option last season of bringing up 3-point

specialist Mychal Mulder from their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, they instead opted for the more-rounded offensive game of Vincent, who at the time was with the Sacramento Kings’ G League affiliate. Mulder subsequently signed with the Golden State Warriors.

Now, during the moments when the Heat are shorthanded, Vincent has become a defensive option of choice.

“I think it got overlooked,” said Vincent, who went undrafted out of UC-Santa Barbara in 2018. “I mean, everyone always looks at the point total at the end of the game, especially in the G League. And shooting the three has always been one of my greatest skills. But I pride myself defensively, as well. I see it as another way of scoring.

“If I can keep this guy under his average, that is like my team being plus four, plus three, whatever it may be. I pride myself on the defensive end, as well.”

In a season when the Heat have been without Bradley, Goran Dragic, Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler for protracted periods, the backcourt opportunity has been there for Vincent.

“I’ve always thought there was more to my game,” he said. “‘I think I can play off the bounce, I think I can defend.

“And I’m in a position now where it’s something different every night that may be needed.”