The Miami Heat boat-raced the Chicago Bulls, 143-107, on Friday inside United Center, their third of four Emirates Cup group contests.
Miami had seven players reach double figures for the sixth time this season, including second-year forward Keshad Johnson, who had his best game as a pro.
Johnson scored 14 points while hauling down 12 rebounds with two blocks, one steal and one assist in 29 minutes. In each of his previous five appearances — and for much of his career — Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra had deployed him as their emergency backup 5. After Friday’s blowout win, even the 18th-year head coach acknowledged that wasn’t the best way to use the 6-foot-6 wing, despite his linebacker-esque frame.
“I’m really happy for [Keshad Johnson],” Spoelstra said. “When I have given him minutes, they haven’t been fair. This is the first game I have played him at the 4 (power forward). The other games, I’ve played him at the 5 (center) — first game was against [Nikola Jokic]. I mean c’mon. That’s not even fair.
“He has stayed diligent. He’s constantly being mentored by [Malik Allen], [Udonis Haslem] and [Bam Adebayo]. Everybody roots for him because he’s so pure. He really works at it. He stays ready so he doesn’t have to get ready. And he finally got an opportunity where it was much more in his wheelhouse and he made a big impact.”
Erik Spoelstra’s had no other choice in past. On Friday, he did.
In previous Johnson stints, the Heat were operating without a true backup 5. Johnson is the clear cut “break class in case of emergency” option, even though he was clearly out-classed (in terms of skill) and undersized.
On Friday, playing without Andrew Wiggins (hip) and Nikola Jović (hip), Spoelstra had the option to deploy Johnson alongside either one of Kel’el Ware or Bam Adebayo. And he thrived, putting together his most impactful game as a pro.
“Coach Spo told me to be ready and do what I do. To bring energy,” Johnson said. “That’s what I was able to bring in with Wiggs minutes being gone and Jovic minutes being gone. Everybody gotta step up.
“The coaching staff does a great job with player development. So I was able to go out there and not miss a beat.”
In a very limited sample of 22 career games, Johnson’s averaged 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. The hyper-athletic wing is a rangy defender, quality rebounder and a dynamic play finisher around the rim. But the 6-foot-6 forward hasn’t, rightfully, been in the team’s pecking order. He was in their blowout win, and showed that he was worthy enough to get more opportunity should the absences continue to pile up.
In the right role, of course.
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goldin next spobot.u had no choice but to play keshad.and wallah a banger was born.free vlad now
Irrational exuberance refers to an overexcited and unrealistic market sentiment that causes asset prices to become detached from their fundamental value, leading to a speculative bubble. It is driven by factors like fear of missing out (FOMO), psychological contagion, and a herd mentality, where investors become overly optimistic and ignore warning signs. This term was famously coined by former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan in 1996.
The same is true in sports. Pump the brakes a little. I see some folks become irrationally critical when things go badly, and irrationally exuberant when things go well (like for one game sometimes). I was happy about the makeup of this team before the season. I, and others, were optimistic and called delusional for being so. We were never as bad this season as some people thought early on, and we probably are not as great as some suddenly believe. The truth is somewhere in between. You can choose to be positive and enjoy the ride, or you can look for the dark cloud around every silver lining. Being positive is a choice. Being patient is too. I choose to be positive and not make premature judgements when a player is doing very poorly OR very well.
I agree. Sometimes we have a tendency to be too harsh and at other times we are too exuberant. Being a fan is a roller coaster ride. The one difference is that this year there are several things to be happy about. I was hoping just a couple of the players would have good years. I never expected so many to be playing the best basketball of their careers. These guys must be happy and having fun to be playing this well together.
That’s why I’ve previously mentioned the 69 Mets and Jets and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team. Although it doesn’t routinely happen in sports, if the stars align, conditions are right and you have a group of unselfish players who get along exceptionally well, in some very rare circumstances the whole can be greater than the sum of it’s parts (without the presence of a superstar). I feel this is going to be one of those seasons for Miami. I see a lot of exciting games in this team’s future.
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.”
~ Babe Ruth ~
GO HEAT!!!
Let’s go Mookie Wilson!
Okay, ‘86.
I didn’t want to throw you under the bus on that one so I had Alexa consult with A.I. and here’s what they came back with.
“Greenspan used the phrase “irrational exuberance” in a speech on December 5, 1996, to question whether “unwarranted market optimism” was unduly escalating asset values. While the term “FOMO” was not used by him, analysts and commentators often associate the behavior he described with the concept of the fear of missing out, which leads investors to buy into a rising market regardless of fundamental value.”
I wasn’t suggesting he used or coined fomo, it was only part of the definition.
Huh?
Yeah, not a miracle team, but did beat the Red Sox that year.
If Caruso can guard and give Jokic a hard time then there is high possibility Keshad can do it too.he has the drive to reach that level.
There is now some trade talks going around that Heat wants Gafford or Claxton. Your thoughts on this?
I been watching Kasparas in the Gleague. There are flashes but he is too green. Still need to improve his handles,still not on a nba level. His young so it will depend on his work ethics if he is going to reach the level of a two way PG.
Shot better last game with good assists and 5 steals, but you’re right about him being green. As for the 2 centers, either could be a fit, but Claxton’s salary might not work. Gafford has a better salary to deal with. Complicated right now. They need to get an answer from the league if Rozier’s contract is tradable. And the 2 likeliest players they could trade would be Wiggins or Herro. They probably won’t do anything to put them back in the luxury tax.
The Heat doesn’t need to give up a quality player to bring in a big, unless it is part of a bigger trade. Meanwhile, I’m ok with letting Johnson fill in at PF paired up with Bam and Ware. He’s tough, athletic and not afraid of contact. This may be just the break he has been looking for and the opportunity Riley and Spo have needed to determine exactly what kind of potential Keshad has. Prior to the last game, he looked like someone who was on an expiring contract that would not be extended.
The purpose of rookie contracts is to give young players the opportunity to develop into quality NBA players. Jakucionis was sent to G League to give him playing time and a chance to develop his game. He is very raw and it may take more than one season to see the best he has to offer. Meanwhile, he has the right attitude, aptitude and work ethic to be all he can be. He’ll get there but progress will be incremental. It isn’t going to happen all at once overnight. This is the time for everyone to be patient.
Every player has an optimal role and Keshad is really best utilized at the four position. He can be every bit as helpful as HH was last year, and in some ways will likely surpass that level. Nothings for certain yet, but my guess is he will become a regular rotation player.
I agree about Keshad. That rotation is going to be very tough to manage with Herro returning, especially if Keshad finds his niche and Jovic finds his mojo.
On the other hand, Miami can use its very deep quality bench to its advantage. The Heat can play point of attack defense and run & gun offense for an entire game by frequently substituting quality players. Most teams will not be able to keep up with the torrid pace for 48 minutes. Either their starters will be burn out or their reserves will get outplayed. That is what happens with football defenses that are kept on the field for the majority of the first three quarters. They are exhausted by the 4th quarter and their weaknesses are exploited. That has already happened in a couple of games this season.