Our young studs,leading the way

[BBallFreak]

So, I know we have individual threads for guys like Bam and Justise, but I feel we really need a thread for the entire group, because it's the group of them that really seems to be emerging, forming a symmetry, and leading us.

Its Derrick Jones, Jr.
Rodney McGruder
Josh Richardson
Bam Adebayo
And Point Justise

These guys have tons of potential, and they're really starting to make Pat Riley look good, though RealGM hasn't really caught on yet (no one is talking about these guys - not even Richardson) even though we've won 10 of our last 14.

To me, Richardson, Winslow, and possibly Adebayo look like potential all-star caliber players, while McGruder and Jones look like potentially viable starters.

People on these forums, including right here in our home base, love referring to us as a treadmill team with no future that would be better off blowing it up, but I see these youngsters developing and gaining valuable experience while we wait for our big contacts to expire. I see these guys developing the cache to recruit when we have the space to do it. I see these guys locked up on reasonable contracts when we can go out and add more talent in free agency.

I'm finally starting to see what Riley is doing...

[caliban]

The blind sheeps wondered when Riley would start the rebuild. Been rebuilding since the Bosh clots without ppl around the league noticing.

I wouldn't include McGruder in this group due to age and ability. A fine complimentary piece on good money tho.

DJJ needs reps. Right now it's 5 minutes of high impact roleplay followed by simple read and react ball swings into the stands. Definitely enough progress to be encouraged going forward.

Bam will rise. Due to low usg it will take time for some to catch up but his defensive impact will be of highest quality. Prototype modern big defensivly.

Will be interesting to see what happens when the Scouting report adjusts for #JustiseBetter.

Some on the TNT board though I was a looney for suggesting that Richardson would have a higher value that Butler going forward. So happy we won't have to deal with that contract and age related decline.

To end. They all play and take pride in their defense. If I were an offensive maestro I'd like to join up to play with this quartet of twoway dogs.

[Wiltside]

The blind sheeps wondered when Riley would start the rebuild. Been rebuilding since the Bosh clots without ppl noticing.

I wouldn't include McGruder in this group due to age and ability. A fine complimentary piece on good money tho.

DJJ needs reps. Right now it's 5 minutes of high impact roleplay followed by simple read and react ball swings into the stands. Definitely enough progress to be encouraged going forward.

Bam will rise. Due to low usg it will take time for some catch up but his defensive impact will be of highest quality. Prototype modern big defensivly.

Will be interesting to see what happens when the Scouting report adjusts for #JustiseBetter.

Some on the TNT board though I was a looney for suggesting that Richardson would have a higher value that Butler going forward. So happy we won't have to deal with that contract and age related decline.

To end. They all play and take pride in their defense. If I were a offensive maestro I'd like to join up to play with this quartet of twoway dogs.

Kinda would be dope if Klay Thompson got sick of being 3rd banana and wanted to stay somewhere warm. He’d be so sick to plug in on the wing with Winslow and Rich.

[BBallFreak]

The blind sheeps wondered when Riley would start the rebuild. Been rebuilding since the Bosh clots without ppl around the league noticing.

It is an unusual way to rebuild. Get to the playoffs as often as possible and sign middling guys to bigger contracts than the rest of the league thinks they deserve. But in this case, our development program is so good that it seems to be working. It's the only reason Riley could get away with this.

I wouldn't include McGruder in this group due to age and ability. A fine complimentary piece on good money tho.

I don't have a problem including him. He's gotten better and better. I mean, Whiteside didn't really break out until he was similarly aged.

DJJ needs reps. Right now it's 5 minutes of high impact roleplay followed by simple read and react ball swings into the stands. Definitely enough progress to be encouraged going forward.

That's the way it goes when you're developing players. He needs work. He's raw. He must stay in the system though, and then get the time he needs. I'm really happy with the way Spo has managed the prospects. You come to Miami, you buy in, you put in the work, you get a chance to play.

Bam will rise. Due to low usg it will take time for some catch up but his defensive impact will be of highest quality. Prototype modern big defensivly.

Agreed, and his offense is coming along nicely IMO. He's got all the tools. Will be very interested to see where he goes, developmentally. He, J-Rich, and Winslow represent three-fifths of our future starting lineup, and that is some nice talent.

Will be interesting to see what happens when the Scouting report adjusts for #JustiseBetter.

Yeah, I agree. Defense is going to start moving toward him if he keeps this up.

Some on the TNT board though I was a looney for suggesting that Richardson would have a higher value that Butler going forward. So happy we won't have to deal with that contract and age related decline.

Believe me, I know. I was considered looney for not condemning Justise Winslow's contract as the worst thing ever. I was condemned for liking the J-Rich contract. We're an overlooked team on these boards because we're not built in a typical way. We develop our players into stars, rather than just tanking for guys who may or may not be stars.

To end. They all play and take pride in their defense. If I were a offensive maestro I'd like to join up to play with this quartet of twoway dogs.

Agreed. Especially as they develop their offensive games. These youngsters (Winslow, Richardson, and Bam, in particular) are looking so good right now, it would be very difficult to turn down the chance to lead them. We're seeing genuine all-star caliber players emerging right before our eyes, IMO.

[BBallFreak]

Kinda would be dope if Klay Thompson got sick of being 3rd banana and wanted to stay somewhere warm. He’d be so sick to plug in on the wing with Winslow and Rich.

Klay is very much a two-way stud in his own right. He'd look fantastic with these kids. We'd be big, talented, and versatile. Truly positionless on the offensive end. Not sure he'd be my number one target, but he'd be on my radar, for sure...

[Kobewade11]

Its kind of what Golden State did. Not saying we have a transcendent player like Curry in this bunch but as a collective they drafted (not tanked) and developed internally. Their core was mid to low end lottery picks, end of first round guys and second round guys. Then they signed the Iguodalas and Livingstons to go around that.

Klay didnt arrive until 23 as the man, Curry 24. Richardson is a young 25, Justise is 22, Bam and DJJ are only 21. Even GS was getting knocked out of the playoffs early for a few years before they got to the top, we’re not treadmilling we’re trending up.

[Joel Embust]

Derrick Jones Jr. went undrafted. That's crazy. Even though he was extremely raw, you look at his size and physical gifts and take a chance on a player like that in the 2nd round. It's not like he was a senior either, he was a freshman.

You look at him now and look at a guy like Bender who came from the same class, but was drafted 4th overall. Bender wasn't drafted for his production, but for his potential due to those unicorn attributes, 4th overall. Same age, Jones is just getting started while Bender looks like he'll be out of the league.

[BBallFreak]

Derrick Jones Jr. went undrafted. That's crazy. Even though he was extremely raw, you look at his size and physical gifts and take a chance on a player like that in the 2nd round. It's not like he was a senior either, he was a freshman.

You look at him now and look at a guy like Bender who came from the same class, but was drafted 4th overall. Bender wasn't drafted for his production, but for his potential due to those unicorn attributes, 4th overall. Same age, Jones is just getting started while Bender looks like he'll be out of the league.

Ironically, DJJ started in Phoenix. They passed him up, obviously believing he wasn't good enough. But that happens in this league. Udonis Haslem was cut by the Spurs before coming to our developmental program. We cut Patrick Beverly and watched him become exactly the point guard we needed for another team. It happens. I think we do better than most.

And with this crop, I think we're doing exceptionally well. It was masterful scouting that got J-Rich in Miami, on a contract that worked perfectly in what we wanted (we signed him to a first round deal, even though he was a second rounder), Bam was considered a reach, and it took a ton of patience to get Winslow to where he is today. It has a lot to do with luck, and a lot to do with skill. Our front office has both...

[gom]

Derrick Jones Jr. went undrafted. That's crazy. Even though he was extremely raw, you look at his size and physical gifts and take a chance on a player like that in the 2nd round. It's not like he was a senior either, he was a freshman.

You look at him now and look at a guy like Bender who came from the same class, but was drafted 4th overall. Bender wasn't drafted for his production, but for his potential due to those unicorn attributes, 4th overall. Same age, Jones is just getting started while Bender looks like he'll be out of the league.

Jones tried out with the Heat before he went undrafted in 2016. I'm sure our scouts knew what he was about, but we didn't have much of a chance. He likely had Sun connections because of his UNLV ties, so they got him first. That is the same year Phoenix drafted Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss (they traded two later FRPs--Papagiannis and Skal--for the rights to draft Chriss at 7). Pretty amazing this list... Skal has played 10 games this season and averages 9 minutes a game (3 pt/2 rb), Bender 11 games averaging 8 minutes (2 pt/1 rb), Chriss has played 10 games this season 6 minutes a game (2 pt/1 rb), and Papagiannis is out of the league. DJJ? Waived by PHO but playing 24 games (4 starts--none of the others started one game!) and 17 minutes a game this season for the Heat. 6 points and 4 rb (2 orb!) and almost a block and steal per game... Good for a 112/105 ORTG/DRTG.

He will be 22 in February.

[Bishop45]

If McGruder gets in then I have to request papers for Dion. Given that health's on his side

Can't wait to see who we draft next yr as well, some potential gems in there

[BBallFreak]

If McGruder gets in then I have to request papers for Dion. Given that health's on his side

Can't wait to see who we draft next yr as well, some potential gems in there

Dion was a lottery pick who's done a good bit before coming to Miami. He's also been out for more than a year. I have a hard time putting him on this list, even if he starts averaging 20 a game on 45% shooting.

[Bishop45]

If McGruder gets in then I have to request papers for Dion. Given that health's on his side

Can't wait to see who we draft next yr as well, some potential gems in there

Dion was a lottery pick who's done a good bit before coming to Miami. He's also been out for more than a year. I have a hard time putting him on this list, even if he starts averaging 20 a game on 45% shooting.

That's fair, he hasn't earned it yet

[ElDoggo]

Yes, the young guys are bringing energy and focus. TJ and Whiteside have also been pretty good

[BBallFreak]

Yes, the young guys are bringing energy and focus. TJ and Whiteside have also been pretty good

Good point. Two more alumni of our development program. Good players who were nowhere and, while admittedly overpaid now, offer a lot to this team.

[Mars]

Duncan and Yante are waiting in the wings.

[BBallFreak]

Duncan and Yante are waiting in the wings.

They better be doing more than waiting.

[Mars]

Duncan and Yante are grinding to maximize their opportunities and convert their two-way contracts.

They better be doing more than waiting.

Fixed.

[oreon]

The blind sheeps wondered when Riley would start the rebuild. Been rebuilding since the Bosh clots without ppl around the league noticing.

It is an unusual way to rebuild. Get to the playoffs as often as possible and sign middling guys to bigger contracts than the rest of the league thinks they deserve. But in this case, our development program is so good that it seems to be working. It's the only reason Riley could get away with this.

I wouldn't include McGruder in this group due to age and ability. A fine complimentary piece on good money tho.

I don't have a problem including him. He's gotten better and better. I mean, Whiteside didn't really break out until he was similarly aged.

DJJ needs reps. Right now it's 5 minutes of high impact roleplay followed by simple read and react ball swings into the stands. Definitely enough progress to be encouraged going forward.

That's the way it goes when you're developing players. He needs work. He's raw. He must stay in the system though, and then get the time he needs. I'm really happy with the way Spo has managed the prospects. You come to Miami, you buy in, you put in the work, you get a chance to play.

Bam will rise. Due to low usg it will take time for some catch up but his defensive impact will be of highest quality. Prototype modern big defensivly.

Agreed, and his offense is coming along nicely IMO. He's got all the tools. Will be very interested to see where he goes, developmentally. He, J-Rich, and Winslow represent three-fifths of our future starting lineup, and that is some nice talent.

Will be interesting to see what happens when the Scouting report adjusts for #JustiseBetter.

Yeah, I agree. Defense is going to start moving toward him if he keeps this up.

Some on the TNT board though I was a looney for suggesting that Richardson would have a higher value that Butler going forward. So happy we won't have to deal with that contract and age related decline.

Believe me, I know. I was considered looney for not condemning Justise Winslow's contract as the worst thing ever. I was condemned for liking the J-Rich contract. We're an overlooked team on these boards because we're not built in a typical way. We develop our players into stars, rather than just tanking for guys who may or may not be stars.

To end. They all play and take pride in their defense. If I were a offensive maestro I'd like to join up to play with this quartet of twoway dogs.

Agreed. Especially as they develop their offensive games. These youngsters (Winslow, Richardson, and Bam, in particular) are looking so good right now, it would be very difficult to turn down the chance to lead them. We're seeing genuine all-star caliber players emerging right before our eyes, IMO.

Just because Winslow and J Rich are taking a leap doesn't mean we can ignore the screw ups by the FO. This team should have blown up 2 years ago. Imagine if we gave minutes to Winslow and J Rich and focused on development they would have been ahead of the schedule then they are right now. Plus we would have had cap space going into this summer with a loaded FA. We could have a built a legit contender instead we have to wait till 2020 when we have cap space.
Not harping on the FO, they have done a lot right. But we can't ignore the many mistake they've made in the last 3 years

[DayofMourning]

Look at BBF generating productive/positive discussion.

That's why he's in the Realgm HOF.

[ElDoggo]

john wall is out to strengthen their tank. Glad we didn't trade for damaged goods.