Heat happy with KZ Okpalas progress – Hot Hot Hoops

Rookies Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro were opening night starters this season. Chris Silva, who was originally on a two-way contract with the Miami Heat, played backup center early in the season and had his deal converted into a standard contract. (Of course, Silva later fell out of the rotation.)

But KZ Okpala, who was selected with the 32nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and immediately traded to Miami? Hes spent most of this season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. In fact, Okpala only played non-garbage time minutes with the Heat in a game at the Sacramento Kings Feb. 7 when the team had traded James Johnson and Dion Waiters, and Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill hadnt arrived yet.

Heat executive Adam Simon is happy with what hes seen, though.

The following is an excerpt from Barry Jacksons article.

Once mid-January came around, we saw the strides. He was feeling more comfortable with the ball in his hands. The game was slowing down for him. The greatest things he was doing were on the defensive end, making an impact guarding multiple positions. At times, he was switched onto [centers], guarding both forward positions, being versatile, doing a great job on the glass. All those things were positives.

Simon later talked about Okpalas progress on offense in Jacksons article.

Besides running the floor well, hes a good midrange shooter, Simon said. Hes extending out to three-point shooting [range] and has been getting better at that. Hes being more selective. What hes good at is understanding mismatches. Hes got a good handle; if hes defended by a slower player, he can use his handle to defeat them off the dribble. Against smaller defenders, he can use his size to shoot over guys. Thats his best strength offensively hes good attacking and getting in position to shoot over guys.

Weve highlighted Okpalas 22-point, 14-rebound night in January here. While its a safe bet that Okpala wont get playing time when the NBA restarts the season, he may find himself ready to contribute during his second season. After all, Duncan Robinson catapulted from a seldom-used two-way player in his rookie season to a starter this year.

Read the original here:

Heat happy with KZ Okpalas progress - Hot Hot Hoops