The Heat, the best training center for non-drafted players

The secrets of Miami’s success lie in several aspects, between recruiting stars, duty players and a culture of “rough work” as a basic principle.

Behind the big names recruited in recent decades, whether Shaquille O’Neal in 2004, who enabled the Florida franchise to win its first NBA championship title, the James/Bosh duo then in 2010 or more recently Jimmy Butler, the Heat has thus been able to develop a rather original force, by hatching alongside them players with atypical backgrounds, very often undrafted.

“It’s a philosophy of our franchise”confirms Erik Spoelstra. “We have been doing this for several years. We know what we are looking for. We are not made for everyone, but we like to help players achieve their dreams”.

Udonis Haslem, the DNA of the team

The non-drafted players have in them this rage to win that sticks to the mentality of the Heat. This is particularly the case for the soul of the team, Udonis Haslem, recruited in 2003 from… Chalon-sur-Saône.

By his loyalty, his experience and his work ethic, the interior still represents the DNA of the Florida franchise and allows his coach to set a framework around these values, which speak particularly to players who have gone through difficult trials.

“It really is our greatest asset. You can provide all the hard work, but if your veterans don’t promote it and facilitate it, it’s really difficult for young people in this league. Our veterans have been exceptional”added Erik Spoelstra.

This season has confirmed this singularity that Erik Spoelstra is now exploiting at the highest level in the league. Among the five players who played the most games in the regular season, there are four non-drafted players: Duncan Robinson (79), Gabe Vincent (68), Max Strus (68) and Dewayne Dedmon (67).

The fifth ? PJ Tucker (71 games), a player that could be classified in the same category, because even if he was drafted in the second round in 2006, he had to cut his teeth in Europe six years before returning to the NBA. He is also a player with a strong character, which he developed during his years as a “journeyman” on the Old Continent.

“We don’t have the same leeway as drafted players”continued Udonis Haslem. “We don’t have the luxury of making the same mistakes they did. We don’t have the luxury of being lazy, not knowing the systems, or not playing hard like rookies do. We don’t have that luxury when we don’t come out of the Draft.

Duncan Robinson, the greatest achievement

The Heat’s greatest achievement on this point remains for the moment Duncan Robinson, who passed through the third university division and was undrafted in 2018, who three years later became the undrafted player with the biggest contract in history, at $90 million over five years. The reward for hard work based on trust.

“We’re going to give you the same chance as the first draft pick. You have to work hard. But we give everyone that confidence. We believe in leadership at all levels”underlined Udonis Haslem, who over the years has become a “super assistant”.

Words that inevitably echo the career of Duncan Robinson, spotted by Chet Kammerer, a long-time member of Erik Spoelstra’s staff, who flashed during a private workout in Los Angeles on a player not really destined to evolve in the NBA at the base.

“As an undrafted player, just stepping into this franchise, wearing this shirt, you don’t need to look any further than Udonis Haslem’s speech”said the shooter. “This franchise loves underdogs. She likes guys who are vengeful. It’s a perfect marriage.”

The Vincent-Strus-Martin trio already in tune

The latest nuggets unearthed by the Heat this season are called Gabe Vincent, who has taken the time for his development for two years to finally benefit from a real role this year, but also Max Strus or Caleb Martin, another reference player in terms of hardness, an atypical course and who managed to seize his chance after being cut off by Charlotte last summer. We could add the rookie Omer Yurtseven, very good when Bam Adebayo was taking care of himself.

“When you invest yourself fully in culture and work, they reward you for all the effort you put in. That’s really the biggest thing that separates the Heat from a lot of other franchises: how much they care about you and want to develop their guys.”a souligné Max Strus. “It’s a competitive environment. It suits guys like us. We try to take advantage of every opportunity, because we never know when another one will present itself, or even if we will have another one one day”.

Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and Caleb Martin have made their way into Erik Spoelstra’s rotation and will have their say in the playoff marathon. It will be more complicated for Omer Yurtseven, but let’s not forget that Duncan Robinson had only played 15 games for 3.3 points on average during his rookie year.

During Game 1 against Atlanta, it was precisely the latter who distinguished himself by seizing a new franchise record (8 3-point baskets in the playoffs). In Game 2, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent were solid lieutenants for Jimmy Butler, while Caleb Martin again distinguished himself by his aggressiveness, like his two interceptions and his counter on De’Andre Hunter. A non-negligible contribution which may help Miami to regain the heights in the coming weeks.