Every year, a little-known, even unknown, player reveals himself to the Heat. In the past there have been Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent, and this start of the season reveals the qualities ofHaywood Highsmith. Author of 18 points in Game 1 of the last Finals, this former MVP of the second NCAA division was invited into the starting five of the Heat, and since then the team has not lost!
“Haywood” simply replied Jimmy Butler when asked last night why the Heat was running smoothly. “ Because he is the holder » he adds, when asked why.
After Tyler Herro’s injury, Erik Spoelstra was expected to start Duncan Robinson, but he preferred to focus on Highsmith’s defensive qualities and versatility. Which at the same time allows Robinson to be kept as the 6th man, and everyone benefits.
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“I find that we are more connected to each other, more determined, more focused” lists Highsmith about the good pass of Miami, which remains on seven victories in a row. “We just do all those little things that are helpful to win. When the attack doesn’t work, we know that we can count on the defense and make stops. We can then project ourselves, run in transition and get easy baskets.”
As a result, the Heat have rediscovered their defensive virtues around this Butler-Highsmith-Adebayo axis, and that makes Spoelstra proud. “It’s our identity, our commitment” he recalls about the identity of his team. “It takes a lot of effort every night and I see more repeated effort, more commitment to doing difficult things. This is necessary to have a very good defense. It’s never easy with the way teams play, with the pace, the spacing and the talent. But we are showing more determination to do these difficult things. »
To find a place in the Heat, and therefore in the NBA, Highsmith chose to concentrate on defense, and this former resident of the German championship does not hide his ambitions. “I want to be myself, and the defender that I know how to be” he replies. “I had told people that I aspired to be on the All-Defensive Teams, and things like that. So I’m doing what I said, and since it’s not easy being a guy who defends against the best players night after night, I just have to keep going. »
| Haywood Highsmith | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 5 | 8 | 40.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1.8 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 19 | 9 | 34.8 | 32.1 | 40.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 2.3 |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 54 | 18 | 43.1 | 33.9 | 46.4 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 4.4 |
| 2023-24 | MIA | 7 | 27 | 44.7 | 34.5 | 77.8 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 3.0 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 8.4 |
| Total | 85 | 16 | 42.0 | 33.3 | 50.0 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 4.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
