Heat guard's shot is missing
But Miami’s coach in summer league says defense key for Walton.
LAS VEGAS — As shot after shot continued to do everything except fall through the basket in Sacramento, Heat guard Derrick Walton Jr. was determined not to allow it to throw him off his game.
Walton just reminded himself what Heat summer league coach Eric Glass preached about the summer.
“What’s important to us is he’s playing defense,” Glass said after the Heat’s 86-76 victory over the Kings on Thursday, closing out the Sacramento portion of their summer league with a 2-1 record.
“I think you all have seen it the first three games. He’s really taken a commitment. He wasn’t doing that stuff consistently all year and he’s really taken it upon himself to take the challenge on that end. And he’s battling his butt off.”
Walton had a nightmarish week from the floor in Sacramento, shooting 18.5 percent (5 of 27) in the three games, including 16.7 percent (3 of 18) on 3-pointers. But it was worse after two games. Walton missed all but two of his 18 attempts and made just 1 of 14 3-pointers.
So when Walton saw his first two shots fall against the Kings, both 3’s, it still felt good, even though his shooting woes were not what the coaches were focusing on.
“I wasn’t shooting to my normal standards but you go through spells like that,” he said. “I just had to make sure I was doing other things
... just being disruptive, getting us into the offense. Just making other plays. I always know my shot would come but it was satisfying to see one go through today.”
Walton also had seven assists and no turnovers Thursday. He averaged 6.67 assists for the three games.
Walton, 23, starred at Michigan but was undrafted in 2017. He is seeking a second two-way contract after being extended a qualifying offer from the Heat. He was on a two-way deal for the entire 2017-18 season and split time between Miami and Sioux Falls of the G League. At Sioux Falls, Walton averaged 16.1 points and shot 44.2 percent from the floor.
He also averaged 7.0 assists. The Heat are looking for him to become more of a natural leader at point guard.
“I’ve been doing the point guard thing my entire life, so it’s kind of second nature,” Walton said. “The way we’re playing with some experimental stuff, I’m just trying to make sure I’m doing stuff in the flow of the offense. I’m just trying to put my head down and make a play.”
The Heat open play in the Las Vegas summer league today against New Orleans. Walton has a laundry list of things he wants to continue to work on in Las Vegas, where the Heat will play a minimum of five games.
That includes being more disruptive on defense, getting back into the play when he’s screened and continuing to lead by example and voice.
Also on that list: Shoot the ball as he’s accustomed to shooting.
“He’s a good enough shooter,” Glass said. “We tell him if he passes up open shots that we’re going to be pissed. So just keep shooting it. Those things are going to fall. I’m not worried about that. Just get into your defense, the shot will come.”