Are Thomas Bryant, Josh Richardson answers for Miami Heat?
Q: I always liked Josh Richardson and the previous Heat version of Richardson was as good if not better than Gabe Vincent. But why has he been on five different teams in the last five years, some of them good teams? – Joel.
A: Because role players need to find the proper setting for their roles. I’m not sure that anyone does that better than Erik Spoelstra. The Heat won’t attempt to cast the Josh Richrdson of five years ago. They’ll take who Josh is today and then align that with a commensurate role. It is similar to what they did with other used-to-be-somebodys they have added. Also keep in mind the level of quality that Josh has been dealt for, from Jimmy Butler to Seth Curry to Al Horford to Derrick White.
Q: I like the Thomas Bryant signing. I watched some video of him – 6-10, agile and can shoot the 15-18 pick-and-pop. Nice pickup. – Douglas.
A: I agree, and actually was talking about him with someone from the Heat well before the start of free agency. The thing is, with signings such as Josh Richardson and Thomas Bryant, it’s all about perspective, appreciating that each arrives as a role player, not the leading men they had been cast at times elsewhere. The Heat did something similar a few years back with James Johnson, Dion Waiters and Wayne Ellington. Perspective is what matters . . . and having quality players such as Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro at the top of the pyramid.
Q: Were the Heat that far off with Gabe Vincent after adjusting for state income taxes, the Lakers’ $11 million average to the Heat’s $8.5 million average. California’s highest tax rate is 13.3%. Florida’s is 0.0%. Although Gabe would pay some state income taxes as a Florida resident on days played/practiced in states that tax athletes, it seems like both sides (Gabe/Heat) could have made this work if they really wanted. – Stuart.
A: This often comes down to drawing a line. And I appreciate what Gabe Vincent did for the Heat. But if there is no bending on one side, you simply move on. In this case, at least the Heat made a competitive offer. With Max Strus, the numbers were beyond the Heat’s realm seemingly from the outset. Plus, Gabe is from California, and sometimes proximity and location also are factors, even amid the reality that by midseason you can be dealt, anyway. Keep in mind, that also is true with state income tax, with no guarantee that you sign with a Florida team but eventually wind up during the course of a contract with the California or New York team.
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