MIAMI HEAT Offseason Thread 2021 Vol.4 - Beasley Time

[carnageta]

Wasn’t KZ 2nd on Miami’s draft list? Meaning if Herro was off the board we would have selected Okpala 13th overall.

Now that’s scary..

[BFRESH44]

Wasn’t KZ 2nd on Miami’s draft list? Meaning if Herro was off the board we would have selected Okpala 13th overall.

Now that’s scary..

They had him graded as a first round prospect, but taking him 13th is not something that was ever confirmed to be option had Herro not been available. The draft fell off a cliff after the Herro selection anyway, so it’s not saying much.

Imagine if we took Romeo Langford. KZ might still end up better than him.

[Heat_team02]

Wasn’t KZ 2nd on Miami’s draft list? Meaning if Herro was off the board we would have selected Okpala 13th overall.

Now that’s scary..

They had him graded as first round prospect, but taking him 13th is not something that was confirmed. The draft fell off a cliff after the Herro selection anyway, so it’s not saying much.

Imagine if we took Romeo Langford. KZ might still end up better than him.

The guy I wanted at the time was Nickeil Alexander-Walker & in the 2nd Rd Carson Edwards..

[BFRESH44]

Wasn’t KZ 2nd on Miami’s draft list? Meaning if Herro was off the board we would have selected Okpala 13th overall.

Now that’s scary..

They had him graded as first round prospect, but taking him 13th is not something that was confirmed. The draft fell off a cliff after the Herro selection anyway, so it’s not saying much.

Imagine if we took Romeo Langford. KZ might still end up better than him.

The guy I wanted at the time was Nickeil Alexander-Walker & in the 2nd Rd Carson Edwards..

We got the right player. Nobody drafted after Herro has more upside in my opinion.

[Heat_team02]

Anthony Chang is saying Jarreau pretty much has the 2-Way locked up.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/heat-notes-jarreau-okpala-stewart-yurtseven.html

[Kobewade11]

KZ used to play different before he got here.

Watch on YouTube

He's the same guy, just can't out-athlete the competition like in college.

[twix2500]

His first season was primarily about gaining weight. His first season he was too skinny let alone be very undeveloped BBall IQ wise. When I reviewed him in college I mentioned he was very raw. He was playing off his physical gifts, length and quickness. He had poor fundamentals.

Tyler Herro was the complete opposite. He was a lot more fundamentally sound and pro ready. Herro was a pretty well developed player fundamentally. He was more likely to start off ahead of most players. Physically size was Herro concerns.

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[SA37]

KZ used to play different before he got here.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

It's a small sample, but again, I just don't see an NBA player there.

This smells a lot like one of those picks/acquisitions teams make because suddenly teams get the Jay Bilas shakes and are enamored by wingspan, length, and "he can guard/play all 5 positions" and get distracted from real basketball skills.

I hope I have to eat my words, but from the little bit I have seen, I don't think Okpala is going to be in the league much longer.

[twix2500]

KZ used to play different before he got here.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

It's a small sample, but again, I just don't see an NBA player there.

This smells a lot like one of those picks/acquisitions teams make because suddenly teams get the Jay Bilas shakes and are enamored by wingspan, length, and "he can guard/play all 5 positions" and get distracted from real basketball skills.

I hope I have to eat my words, but from the little bit I have seen, I don't think Okpala is going to be in the league much longer.

That's what you call a raw NBA player. Its been done in the past and present. The past was a lot more difficult because you had to play the guy during real games and lose while developing him. A team must be committed to long term. That is why you have G-League and SL to use to develop a player. Derrick Jones Jr was a player who was very raw, and got two SL and G-leagues before he was sent to Miami and was able to get some minutes for the Heat. He also gotten minutes on a bad Pheonix roster who could afford to lose and develop players. Derrick Jones Jr got two summer leagues, 2 g-leagues seasons, he got two seasons of NBA minutes with Phoenix. Miami picked him up the mid 2nd year. His stats are pretty bad but he learned how to stay within a certain role. And that is what the Heat are hoping Okpala can learn to master a small specialize role. They are hoping he can become a better version of DJJ. And possibly more than that when he gets older.

I understand that many think a player is getting a lot training during a NBA season, that is true, as far as getting NBA experience and seeing how Pros prepare for games but the player does not get development time. Meaning he is not attended to individually and allowed to f up in practice because teams do not practice a lot during the season. Most of the time they are doing drills to keep body in shape and in the film room. When they are doing a fullcourt practice its about getting the team ready for a game plan. The end of the bench players are used as players imitating the opposing teams for the regular rotation players to practice against. Teams do not get as much fullcourt practice as some may think.

Practice time is something that will be in short supply around the NBA this season; teams are basically playing every other day, and that — along with travel and mandated days off — realistically leaves time for no more than two practices per week

Watch on YouTube

And there are times they do not practice for a whole week or longer. In terms of fullcourt play. There is no time for a team trying to win for Okpala to try new things during practice or work on new things during practice. The rotation players are what is being attended to. And its why the Heat like the to have old vets at the end of the bench. Players who do not need individual attention.

[eddieheatfan]

KZ used to play different before he got here.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

It's a small sample, but again, I just don't see an NBA player there.

This smells a lot like one of those picks/acquisitions teams make because suddenly teams get the Jay Bilas shakes and are enamored by wingspan, length, and "he can guard/play all 5 positions" and get distracted from real basketball skills.

I hope I have to eat my words, but from the little bit I have seen, I don't think Okpala is going to be in the league much longer.

[Bishop45]

Healthy Langford> KZ

, And this is not the official Langford Stan account brwu

[DayofMourning]

KZ isn't going to make or break us this year fellas.

Bam and Herro? Now that's where the focus is.

[Wiltside]

Healthy Langford> KZ

, And this is not the official Langford Stan account brwu

I'm still on the Romeo train. Mind you, his career has been awfully similar to KZ's to this point.

[Slot Machine]

They had him graded as first round prospect, but taking him 13th is not something that was confirmed. The draft fell off a cliff after the Herro selection anyway, so it’s not saying much.

Imagine if we took Romeo Langford. KZ might still end up better than him.

The guy I wanted at the time was Nickeil Alexander-Walker & in the 2nd Rd Carson Edwards..

We got the right player. Nobody drafted after Herro has more upside in my opinion.

This is quite the hot take.

[3ballbomber]

I respect your views & even agree with numerous points. But i've been watching this game since around mid 80's & can sense talent when i see it. KZ ain't it. He's also far from Herro or Duncan, You evidently could see their talent through what they showed you on the court. That's why i didn't want any of them to be traded. KZ on the other hand...i just can't see any significant possible breakout. He is what we currently see. Again, i hope i'm wrong & he proves it but i'd rather not wait to find out. We shld move on & i believe that may happen this season.

For what purpose are you not prepared to wait? What is the alternative? It sounds as if you want to cut him for the sake of cutting him.

[3ballbomber]

I respect your views & even agree with numerous points. But i've been watching this game since around mid 80's & can sense talent when i see it. KZ ain't it. He's also far from Herro or Duncan, You evidently could see their talent through what they showed you on the court. That's why i didn't want any of them to be traded. KZ on the other hand...i just can't see any significant possible breakout. He is what we currently see. Again, i hope i'm wrong & he proves it but i'd rather not wait to find out. We shld move on & i believe that may happen this season.

That's because they're different type of players.

Herro and Duncan are skill based players - if they we're skilled they would be math teachers. They have nothing to bring to a NBA team from a physical stand point.

KZ moves and has the length and body/athleticism of an NBA star. What he's lacking ATM is defined NBA skills. He's showing signs in some areas (mainly man defense and spot up shooting) but he's not there yet. If you get his skills to develop enough he has a very high ceiling because he doesn't have the physical limitations Duncan and Tyler have.

He looks bad because he's raw and IMO nervous out there, but you can see the potential of what he might become if the game slows down for him and he improves a few skills.

We have nothing to lose by giving him more time and reps to figure it out. Again, a hard working, young, elite physical tools, showing some glimpses of skill - that's the definition of a project worth taking.

How long are we going to sing this same tune before realising it will never happen? I'm all for chances & development....I just don't see it in the kid. I did read reports this morn about him working even harder. Let's see the results of that this coming season. Hopefully he improves enough other teams see value in him.

[3ballbomber]

KZ used to play different before he got here.

I feel the mental aspect is huge part of his play. He's playing scared, probably because Spo never gave him confidence to make mistakes and not worry about getting benched. He doesn't strike me as the most confident person, for some players getting the support and encouragement of their coach is key. Not having enough reps against lower competition also hurt because he's playing like he's not sure what his own limitations/abilities are.

TBH I'm not sure what the coaching staff is doing to help him - Doesn't look like they're giving him a defined role or confidence...they're just throwing him out there, and he's not that type of guy or player.

Again, why are we babying him. It just sounds like continued excuses for him. KZ's a big boy. At this level it's his responsibility to figure himself out. He has to hold himself accountable. You're taught this at youth level as part of character development, which is held more important than skills development. At this point in his career you do what it takes. He simply does not look like a hungry young player willing to do all he can to be a successful player. Only now are we hearing he wants to work harder. This should have been the mindset frm the beginning. This is what p*sses me off about the kid - he's taking things for granted instead of taking advantage of his situation. So many kids i know would kill to be in his shoes. This is why i'm doubtful he ever makes anything of himself. For me...he needs a mental coach more than any skills development. Soft!

[3ballbomber]

I respect your views & even agree with numerous points. But i've been watching this game since around mid 80's & can sense talent when i see it. KZ ain't it. He's also far from Herro or Duncan, You evidently could see their talent through what they showed you on the court. That's why i didn't want any of them to be traded. KZ on the other hand...i just can't see any significant possible breakout. He is what we currently see. Again, i hope I'm wrong & he proves it but I'd rather not wait to find out. We should move on & i believe that may happen this season.

I completely agree with your take 3 ball. It's always wait wait wait 2 more summer leagues 2 more G leagues from being 2 more away with subpar talent. Nothing jumps off the screen with KZ at all and looks easily shaken mentally. He does not fit the mold of this team. I don't think Spo could ever trust him in crucial situations. The conditions yesterday where just about perfect for him to succeed other then it being an open gym La Fitness run. His body of work all summer even down to the Olympics has been awful. He was basically benched in the Olympics as Nigeria struggled when the games got serious. I would love to have Jordan Nwora right about now in his place. They are probably a bunch of players on summer league rosters around the league I would take over Okpala right now. With this being the final year of his deal it feels almost certain he'll be gone before the trade deadline. We could really use a veteran PG in his roster spot or even a vet swingman that can be trusted during the playoffs if an injury occurs.

It's all adding up that he's just not it. Even this early you can tell. Again, he needs a mental coach. Tim Grover wld get this kids mind in order. soft, no heart, no hunger......nothing. He looks dead inside. Somebody needs to spark him spiritually & mentally - that journey starts w/ him.

[HIF]

Is this now the KZ Opala thread? Shows how much we've got to look forward to at the moment.

[puppa bear]

Is this now the KZ Opala thread? Shows how much we've got to look forward to at the moment.

it’s more that people have specific axes to grind and hi-jack a thread to do so. At least Grumpy has the decency to start his own Nunn over Herro thread - maybe 3ball needs a bashing KZ thread.

My take: dude has been disappointing, but has physical tools to be a contributor on a good team, if it clicks. DJJ was discarded by the Suns and became a useful bench role player with us. Maybe KZ needs a similar change of scenery, or maybe he just won’t make the leap.

I get both sides, but I don’t get why fans would want to just dump him right now. The FO isn’t going into the lux tax useless it’s a true needle mover