Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s biggest question

By Ben Ladner

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Josh Richardson
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 4: Josh Richardson /

Miami Heat: Will Josh Richardson take a leap?

Richardson had the best year of his career and emerged as Miami’s best all-around player last season, proving a reliable option on both ends of the floor. His efficiency improved under a heavier workload, but even with gaudier numbers across the board, Richardson still has identifiable room for improvement. He used less than a fifth of Miami’s possessions while he was on the floor and his overall efficiency was around league-average last season. He has the tools to be an elite defender.

Finding a clear role on a bizarrely constructed roster was at times a challenge for Richardson, who still doesn’t have quite the offensive wherewithal to be a first option, but still merits more involvement. Part of his low usage stemmed from an inability to reliably create his own shot; Richardson acted as a finisher far more often than he did as a playmaker. His isolation efficiency placed him in the 26th percentile leaguewide and he only ran three pick-and-rolls per game on slightly below-average efficiency. When he gets to the rim, Richardson, a springy athlete with improved dexterity around the basket, has no trouble finishing. But he doesn’t get there nearly enough, and frequently eschewing lanes to the hoop for pull-up for mid-range jumpers.

If Richardson can improve his shot selection and finishing, Miami’s offense will flow significantly more cleanly and consistently than it did last season. The Heat ranked 22nd in points per possession and didn’t have the sort of catalyst who could independently break them out of cold spells. Ideally, Richardson would function as a lockdown defender and second or third option on a good team. The Heat currently have the star that can allow Richardson to play that role, and their financial situation will limit their flexibility moving forward. But the more Richardson, who is still only 24, can develop into a focal point, the better suited Miami will be to compete when it has more control over its future.

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