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Miami Heat’s Derrick Jones Jr. on how to recover from COVID-19

When Derrick Jones Jr. tested positive for COVID-19 during tests on June 23, he wasn’t sure how his body would respond.

But three weeks later, the 23-year-old striker was practicing with the Miami Heat as the team prepared for the resumption of the season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World. Jones was authorized to travel with the team to enter the NBA’s Central Florida bubble last Wednesday after returning multiple consecutive negative COVID-19 tests before the trip.

“Physically, it didn’t have the impact I thought it would have,” Jones said in a video conference with reporters after Tuesday’s rehearsals. “My first day back at the gym was just like my last. I didn’t take days off, really. As if my shot was always the same. My condition was always the same. Everything was on par, as it was. But physically I felt great. I have never felt any symptoms. “

Fifteen of Heat’s 17 players got on the bus to Disney last week. Guard Goran Dragic said Friday that the heat was without center Bam Adebayo and guard Kendrick Nunn.

Heat has tested three COVID-19 positive players since mandatory testing began on June 23rd. Jones has been authorized to travel with the team, but the two Heat players who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month remain in Miami and are expected to join the team in Disney later when they are allowed to travel.

The Miami Herald did not report the names of the two players who most recently proved positive because they did not authorize the release of their names.

“I’m happy to be here,” said Jones of joining his heat teammates at Disney. “I’m happy to play basketball with my boys, to be able to see my boys every day now, it’s better for me.”

Jones, who won the Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend in February, scored his career highs in points (8.9), rebounds (4.2), assists (1.1), steals (1.1) and minutes (24.5) in 51 games (15 starts) this season. He is also an upcoming unlimited free agent who is about to begin his first major contract in his NBA career.

“I don’t want to be part of any other team. I love it here, “Jones said.” There are guys here who work hard every single day, night and evening. Whenever we have time to be together in the gym, we always want to do it because we all feel we can help each other in certain ways. and it works for us. “

Jones believes that the environment helped him grow his game, especially in the offensive field.

“I feel that my jump shot has improved a lot,” he said. “My whole game has improved a lot, but above all my suspension shot and only my offensive decision-making. I feel like I’ve improved a bit on defense. I will continue to do exactly what I do, keep the best player, make his night a nightmare. “

THIS AND THAT

After a “day off” from Monday’s free practice, coach Erik Spoelstra said Heat was “able to do much more out of five and five” on Tuesday. It marked Miami’s fourth practice at Disney.

Spoelstra said: “Yesterday was not a full day, because we were able to have a meeting and cover things on the board of directors, and that in many respects it is just as important at the moment as on the pitch. We managed to solve it a little more [Tuesday]and we will be able to continue this trend. “

Spoelstra added that the technical staff will be “attentive to the representatives” in the practices leading to the restart of the season when it comes to Heat veterans.

“They want to get enough reps, where they feel like they are making progress, going in rhythm and also a solid connection with their teammates,” he said.

Spoelstra said the Heat KZ debut striker Okpala has added £ 10 to £ 12 since joining the second round last summer. 21-year-old Okpala, who is listed at 6-8 and 215 pounds, has played five games with Heat and has spent a lot of time in the G League with Sioux Falls Skyforce this season.

“This is so important to him right now,” Spoelstra said of Okpala’s time with Heat in Disney. “He lost our summer training camp, the summer championship mostly, and he lost much of our training camp last year. This is exactly what he needs. And I’m not really in evaluation mode right now, although I’m really encouraged. It looks different. He put on 10, 12 pounds. He has physically changed his body and this will continue to happen. He is learning the game, but he is learning to compete and get things done on a more intense level with the details. “

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Anthony Chiang covers the Miami Heat for the Miami Herald. He attended the University of Florida and was born and raised in Miami.

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