Heat take advantage of 2 summer leagues
The Miami Heat have seen plenty already during summer league, including the last of Sacramento.
But even with the dramatic dunking of Derrick Jones Jr., the relentless rebounding of Bam Adebayo, the sweet stroking of Duncan Robinson and the precision passing of Derrick Walton Jr., there remains a hunger for more.
So Thursday’s 86-76 victory over a similar team of rookies, young players and free agents from the Sacramento Kings in their closing game at the Californian Classic only represents a start, with at least five more games to follow at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, beginning Saturday.
To Heat summer-league coach Eric Glass, the team’s video coordinator, participating in two leagues allows the team to better instill Heat culture as well as getting a better read on the possibilities for training-camp invitations and two-way contacts.
“Playing organized basketball is the best way to improve and to challenge yourself,” Glass said, with his team going 2-1 in the Sacramento games. “So these guys get three weeks of that, whether it’s practices, whether it’s film sessions. They’re being coached by NBA coaches and these other camps are probably seven to 10 days, where we’re basically doing 17 to 18, 19 days. So each one of those days is development for them, whether they’re playing in a game or not.
“I definitely think the amount of games helps them and, also, when you get down to the last few games, the guys are in our system for two weeks, 2 1⁄2 weeks, where other teams, it’s still like the end of that first week. So they’re going to be more comfortable, more confident in what we’re doing.”
The Heat are one of only eight teams participating in two summer leagues, with a similar four-team event staged in Utah before the Las Vegas league, which features all 30 of the NBA’s teams.
The Heat last summer signed Walton and 3-point specialist Matt Williams Jr. to two-way contracts based on summer-league play. The leagues also allow the Heat to scout prospects for their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Among those working on Glass’ staff this month are Skyforce coaches Nevada Smith, Anthony Carter and Kasib Powell.
For Jones, who signed a two-year contracts on the eve of the California Classic, Thursday turned into another showcase of his athleticism. He closed with 19 points, including a series of dramatic dunks, as well as quality defense against Marvin Bagley, the Kings’ No. 2 overall pick out of Duke in last month’s NBA draft, who scored only one point on 0-for-2 shooting in 29:38.
“He’s been terrific,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the Palm Beach Post of Jones at Golden 1 Center. “He’s been all in with all the work. He wants more. Those guys tend to do well in our program.
“I was really happy for him when he signed the contract. It’s not easy in this league when you’re not drafted and then somebody cuts you. You have to show a level of grit and determination to be able to re-start. He did that, he trusted us to help him with that. His next step as a pro, it’s been fun to watch him improve.”
Adebayo, the lone player from last season’s playoff roster with the Heat in summer league, again was given a forum to display his ballhandling and finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.
Robinson, the undrafted forward out of Michigan, shot 4 of 7 on 3-pointers, after shooting 5 of 6 from beyond the arc in Tuesday’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Walton, who struggled with his shot in the games at Golden 1 Center, offered seven assists Thursday.
The Heat have been given today’s opening day of the Las Vegas NBA Summer League off, returning to action with a Saturday 5 p.m. EDT game against the New Orleans Pelicans on the campus of UNLV.
The Heat’s openinground schedule in Las Vegas will be rounded out by a 5 p.m. EDT Sunday game against the Charlotte Hornets and a 4:30 p.m. Tuesday game against the Utah Jazz.