The Heat finally got the picture quality they were expecting Klay Thompson in Friday’s win over Indiana, writes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. After connecting on 32.4% from beyond the arc in Miami’s first five games, Thompson made seven 3-pointers and scored 25 points. He fulfilled the coach’s prediction Erik Spoelstrawho told reporters before the game that Thompson could help turn around a team that has struggled to score.
“I think once he really picks up, it’s going to have an exponential impact on our offense.” Spoelstra said. “He’s already got a great look. I mean, when two or three of those in transition (go down), it just changes the whole complexion of how our transition game looks and feels.”
The Heat had been hoping to sign Thompson throughout the summer, refusing to spend money on other shooters, hoping he would reach a buyout deal in Dallas. They recognized him as an ideal outside threat to help stretch the defense and create more space for Janice Antecumba and Bam Adebayo.
“A huge reason I’m here is to play with a talent like Giannis and help him hopefully do what he’s done before – win a championship and an MVP.” Thompson said. “Spo made my role very clear at the start of the season. It’s to play solid defense and give space to our best players. I thought I did a good job of that tonight and that’s something I’m definitely going to build on and I’m just really happy with the patience I showed tonight.”
There are more from Miami:
- Thompson’s flurry has given a much-needed boost to a starting lineup that has been one of the worst groups in the league this season. Anthony Chung of The Miami Herald observes in the article for subscribers only. Thompson, Antetokounmpo, Adebayo, Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins scored more than 30 points in 53 minutes in the first five games. On Friday, they outscored Indiana by 20 points in a combined 13 minutes, including an 18-4 run early in the third quarter. “We really worked on it” Spoelstra said. “We understand what our kryptonite can be and what our power zones can be. I wanted to see the guys play that kind of game tonight where they have fun and have a great feel for where the ball can go. It didn’t feel like guys, we were taking turns. It was a flow. Guys celebrated each other. Those were pretty good steps in the right direction for a good offense.”
- Antetokounmpo said he and Adebayo are figuring out how to create their own space on the court, something that hasn’t happened during the team’s 0-4 run. Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel (subscription required). “We have to think about, you know what magnets are like? They stick together, but when you flip them over, they kind of pull apart.” Adetakumba said. “That’s how me and Bam have to be there. When he’s on top, I have to work the baseline. When I’m on top, he has to work the baseline. We just have to keep being away from each other, away from each other’s space and intimacy.”
- Now the statue of Dwyane Wade outside Kaseya Center was updated with a new faceWinderman believes in a mail bag column who might be next in line to receive the statue.
