Players eager to build on strong finish
MIAMI — Before Heat players walked off into the offseason, they took some time Monday to reflect on the season and look forward during exit interviews.
Dion Waiters and James Johnson spoke about their desire to return to Miami next season. Justise Winslow gave an update on his shoulder injury. Tyler Johnson revealed that he plans to replace his missing tooth.
Hassan Whiteside, Luke Babbitt and Josh McRoberts declined to speak to the media, as exit interviews are voluntary.
Here’s the best stuff:
Dion Waiters
■ What is the Heat way? “Them staying on top of you and making sure you do what you got to do. Most important is getting your mind and body right. That’s one thing they preach over here, get in the best shape of your life.”
■ Waiters believes thi s Heat team can compete for an NBA championship: “You never know in this league, anything can happen. You hear people say, you need a certain player. No you don’t. We’ve got a bunch of guys who play together and who play the right way and guys go out there and defend, that’s what we do. I like our chances against anyone.”
■ Waiters said he doesn’t need s ur ge r y on hi s l e f t ankle. The ankle is still “a little swollen,” but he’s walking without a limp.
Tyler Johnson
■ Johnson said players still under contract with the Heat will be back at the team facility “early” to start offseason work. But not too early. “I need some time to take my fam around and do some of the things we weren’t able to do during the season. But I’ve made it very clear to my family that just because it’s the summer time doesn’t mean I’m going to be able to be doing vacation like that. ... I understand what we’re building here. It’s something real.”
■ Although Tyler wants James Johnson to return next season, he “only wants the best for him.” But Tyler made it clear that “we all want him back.”
Goran Dragic
■ Will you try to convince James Johnson and Waiters to return? “Definitely. James and Dion, they know how we feel. They know that we want them back. Hopefully they stay.”
■ On having one of the best seasons of his career: “The reason was just that I felt comfortable. This place feels like home now. I don’t have any distractions off the court. I’m just thinking about basketball.”
■ Dragic will leave for Slovenia on April 30 and will play for his national team this summer. He won’t return to Miami until September. Wayne Ellington
■ The Heat have a $6.3 million team option to bring Ellington back next season. When asked about his situation, Ellington smiled and said, “We’ll see what happens, man. But I have a good feeling. ... Obviously, this is something that was special to all of us. It felt like this is the start of something that can really be great for us. But, obviously, I understand the business.”
■ Ellington said he plans to stay in Miami for his offseason work. “I have a newborn son so he can’t really travel too much. ... I’ll be in the gym.”
■What does Ellington plan to work on this summer? “I want to continue to get in better shape. I feel like I can become an even more deadly 3-point shooter. I want to get it stuck on automatic.”
James Johnson
■ What’s Johnson’s goal next season? “I just want to beat Rodney McGruder next year in the conditioning test. Mark that down or whatever, but that’s my goal.”
Justise Winslow
■ W i n s l o w s a i d h e ’ s “ahead of schedule” in his rehab from season-ending shoulder injury. He has still not tested the shoulder with contact work, but his range of motion “is pretty good.” Winslow plans on being 100 percent for the start of training camp.
Willie Reed
■ Reed is expected to opt out of a player option worth $1.6 million and become a free agent this summer. “I don’t know what it’s going to be like for me, to be honest. I’ve never been in a position like this before, so I’m just trying to trust the process.”
Josh Richardson
■ On his play late in the season: “It was encouraging. When I feel 100 percent, I feel like that’s what I can do.”
Rodney McGruder
■ McGruder said he hasn’t been able to sleep since the end of the regular season. “Just thinking what’s next. You’re used to being on a routine and structured schedule. ... Then it just comes to a halt. It’s been really tough to get sleep lately.”