NBA scout weighs in on Heat newcomers amid strong Miami debuts for Jaquez, Bryant
Wednesday’s Heat opener offered encouraging signs about two of the Heat’s three most important newcomers.
New backup center Thomas Bryant was active and effective in 16 minutes, closing with eight points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal.
“He brings so much energy,” Bam Adebayo said after the 103-102 opening night win against Detroit. “You can tell that he does the little things that don’t show up in the stat sheet. He’s talking. He’s rebounding, getting deflections, making his teammates better. And that’s the biggest thing for him to keep doing. I feel like our second unit really feeds off his energy.”
Meanwhile, rookie guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. displayed his polished footwork and mature game in finishing with six points (3 for 3 shooting), two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 13 minutes.
“He’s got some go,” Jimmy Butler said. “He gets right to it in the mid post, takes the right shots, kicks the ball out incredibly well. This might be his rookie year but he’s played basketball in a winning manner for so long that he’s doing it on this level now.”
Before the season began on Wednesday, we solicited input from a veteran NBA scout on the Heat’s new players. His thoughts, offered on condition of anonymity because he is not permitted to publicly discuss players on other teams:
▪ Josh Richardson, who missed the opener with a foot injury: “He’s still an effective two-way player. He’s been on four teams since leaving Miami and I don’t think he’s been quite as good since he left. To me, he’s an eighth man, and that’s not to disparage him. He can make shots, defend.
“He doesn’t do anything particularly great but he does a few things pretty well. Maybe going back there will give him a spark. He will get good minutes. His handle is good, isn’t great, but it’s a good pickup. Very good signing at the minimum.”
▪ Bryant: “I think he’s gone under the radar somewhat. I’ve always been a fan of his because he plays hard, can shoot, can defend multiple positions. He fits the culture perfectly.
“He’s a much better scorer than Cody Zeller. He can post up and face up. Cody was just a [pick and] roll guy and couldn’t catch at times. Cody was great screen setter and runs the floor, but Bryant is the clearly better player. It’s not close.”
A second scout said of Bryant: “He’s not a rim protector or great defender, but he can shoot and he plays his butt off. He has three point range. He fits in the culture there.”
Erik Spoelstra said Bryant has been particularly diligent learning his assignment in the Heat’s pick-and-roll defense.
▪ Jaquez Jr.: “Huge fan of his. He’s a throwback in that he’s a four year player, the most experienced college player in the draft. I like the toughness. He can defend. He’s going to affect winning, and he’s not going to hurt you or do something crazy. He’s ready to play today.”
▪ On new two-way contract guard R.J. Hampton, who has averaged 7.1 points in 162 career games and 18 starts:
“He’s an NBA player. He’s athletic, good size. His shooting isn’t as good as you would want [41.0 from field, 34.2 on threes]. Average shooter at best. He’s got enough talent but he hasn’t carved out a niche and I’m not sure if he will. You have to be more than just an athlete and have some skill. Potentially he could defend; he has the foundation to be a defender, but I don’t think that’s his mindset. If he bought in, that might be role for him.
“What is he? He’s more of a wing who has played some point, but he is not a point guard. I wouldn’t call him a combo. He has enough size to be a three [small forward]. He can play emergency [point guard]. He had opportunities in Orlando. As a two-way, he’s a good sign.”
