To say that the Miami Heat’s 2015 draft class was a huge success would not be an understatement when you take into account what they found in both rounds.
Despite Justise Winslow lacking confidence in his jump shot, the No. 10 pick has come in handy as an all-purpose small forward. Not only is he often used to match up against the opposition’s most potent wing scorers during closing time, but he is also used as a ball handler who can set the team up in their half court offense.
Most general managers knew that he would be a difference maker. Just ask Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge after he allegedly offered the Charlotte Hornets six draft picks so that they could jump up and draft the former NCAA champion. But it is the 6-foot-6 guard out of Tennessee plucked out of the second round 30 picks later who has onlookers in shock.
I, for one, thought that Josh Richardson was simply the next name on Miami’s long list of draft-and-stash players that would be shipped to season overseas. No matter how much the Heat insisted that they loved him, he still seemed like a long shot with Goran Dragic, Mario Chalmers, Tyler Johnson, Gerald Green and eventually Beno Udrih platooned in front of him.
However, after season-ending injuries to Johnson and Udrih, Chalmers’ trade and Green’s dwindling confidence, Richardson is getting his shot to be the next man up. And he has made an impact on both ends.
Richardson has averaged eight points per game in his five outings after the All-Star break, and his propensity for chase down blocks and deflections has been enough to make coach Erik Spoelstra ignore the fact that his youthful exuberance often has him falling for any pump fake thrown his way.
Thankfully for Miami, his minutes have been impactful enough to make the team’s pipeline look bright despite their lack of future draft picks. Richardson, Winslow, Johnson, Hassan Whiteside — and maybe even D-League defender Briante Weber — should be able to build Pat Riley a nice youthful bridge to make up for past mistakes.
