Klay Thompson on Saturday in his preseason debut for the ” Heatbut the impact he had on the opposition’s defensive game plan served as a reminder of why Miami made him a priority in the offseason, writes Anthony Chung of The Miami Herald. As head coach Erik Spoelstra watching, Thompson’s defender essentially stayed glued to him most of the time on the court, turning it into a 4-on-4 game and creating room for Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wigginsand Davion Mitchell get open views if Janis Antecumpa received additional attention.
“Usually I always have the guys with me, the guys who build the wall” Antetokounmpo said. “But it wasn’t. . . . So when you know you’ve got a guy who’s maybe one of, if not the best, second-greatest shooter of all time on the court with you, I think it makes the game a lot easier for you. When he’s open, you’ve got to deliver the ball. When he’s not open, you’re playing four-on-four, with more spacing, being able to make plays for yourself, for your teammates.”
Speaking about his decision to negotiate a buyout with the Mavericks to sign with the Heat, Thompson said he made “great friends” in Dallas and has no regrets about the two years he spent there, even though the team was headed for a rebuild. Eric Nehm of The Athletic. However, he is more than happy to play again for a club aiming to become champions.
“I can feel the hunger from the organization, how badly they want to get back to the finals.” Thompson said. “I love this energy. It makes me be a better professional. It makes me much more consistent with my daily habits and I’m just happy to be here. … What I like about Miami is how hungry these young players are. Their commitment to being here early to prepare themselves in the offseason is something I’ve never seen before. It just inspires me to give them everything I have.”
Here’s more on Heat:
- Last November, when Thompson was still playing for the Mavericks, he and the Heat forward Myron Gardner engaged in a bouncy back and forth after Gardner called Thompson a “bum” off the Miami bench. However, the assistant coach Caron Butler walked Gardner to the Mavericks’ bench after that game to make amends with Thompson, and the two Heat teammates can laugh about the incident now, as Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel details. “He didn’t try to fight education like, ‘Damn, this is one of all time. I may have tripped and messed up a bit,” Butler said of Gardner. “And that helped him going forward. It was all like competition. It wasn’t disrespectful. And we can live with that.”
- After increasing their offense from 27th in 2024/25 to first in 25/26, the Heat carried over their tight end system into the 2026 preseason, Chan writes for The Miami Herald. Antetokounmpo admitted he is still adjusting to the speed but expressed optimism about its effectiveness. “We were playing pickup the other day and I was the last guy in transition, which is new for me.” – said Janis. “They were moving, they were flowing. We’re going to get so many easy looks. We’re going to be able to get the scoreboard up to 110, 120. It always gives you a chance to win, and we’re going to guard.”
- The Sioux Falls Skyforce’s new assistant coach is a few weeks away from G League training camp Norris Cole worked in the camp with Gar. According to ChanSpoelstra appreciated the presence of the former NBA guard who played for him from 2011-15. “I think he’s built for (coaching)” Spoelstra said. “He’s got a really great attitude. He’s got all the right things. So the work ethic, the competitiveness, the attention to detail that he had as a player, I think that translates to coaching. I think it’s a great fit and he was ready to go to Sioux Falls. That’s the biggest test. A lot of guys have reached out over the years. They want to be coaches, but it’s really you start there and then see what happens.”