Dru Smith, a two-way guard for the Miami Heat, is rumored to be soon converted to a standard multi-year contract after the team traded Thomas Bryant creating cap flexibility. At 6-foot-3, Smith has impacted coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation with his …
Dru Smith, a two-way guard for the Miami Heat, is rumored to be soon converted to a standard multi-year contract after the team traded Thomas Bryant creating cap flexibility.
At 6-foot-3, Smith has impacted coach Erik Spoelstra‘s rotation with his defensive energy, a knack for hitting open looks, and ability to play on-or-off ball. After an impressive college career at Evansville and Missouri, he has spent the past four years bouncing between the NBA and the G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (and briefly with the Long Island Nets), where he was consistently a standout performer.
In an interview with HoopsHype, Smith shared how he has been navigating his career obstacles like recovering from a torn ACL, making the most out of every chance he gets and more.
The Miami Heat’s Thomas Bryant has quietly carved out a solid career as a dependable and efficient big man. Known for his ability to space the floor and provide an interior presence on defense, he is the epitome of professionalism as a role player …
The Miami Heat’s Thomas Bryant has quietly carved out a solid career as a dependable and efficient big man. Known for his ability to space the floor and provide an interior presence on defense, he is the epitome of professionalism as a role player
After a standout collegiate career at Indiana University, Bryant found his footing with the Washington Wizards, eventually earning a championship ring with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.
Now in Miami, whether as a key role player, a reliable backup, or a mentor, Bryant exemplifies the Heat’s culture of hard work and professionalism.
Bryant spoke with HoopsHype his experience adapting to new roles, playing alongside legends such as LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Jimmy Butler, and offering his perspective on generational talents like Victor Wembanyama.
Miami Heat rookie Pelle Larsson is quietly establishing himself as one of the most efficient and reliable players among rookies this season. Despite inconsistent playing time and being thrust into action out of necessity due to injuries within the …
Miami Heat rookie Pelle Larsson is quietly establishing himself as one of the most efficient and reliable players among rookies this season. Despite inconsistent playing time and being thrust into action out of necessity due to injuries within the rotation, Larsson has made the most of his opportunities. The Swedish swingman, a product of the University of Arizona, is emerging as a trusted rotational piece under Erik Spoelstra’s system, positioning himself among the league’s most effective rookies.
So far this season, Larsson is averaging 15.7 minutes, 5.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting a blistering 58.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.
His offensive efficiency is where he truly shines. With an impressive 67.7 percent effective field goal percentage, he ranks in the 95th percentile among wings, driven by his precision on non-corner three-pointers and strong finishing around the rim. His points scored per shot attempt (PSA) of 131.6 is elite for his position, which demonstrates his knack for capitalizing on scoring chances with minimal wasted possessions.
Larsson spoke this week with HoopsHype about his season with the Miami Heat.
The biggest question for Miami this season will be whether they have enough playmaking to navigate the regular season, with Terry Rozier as their primary ball-handling guard – despite being more of a combo guard by nature. The playmaking burden may …
The biggest question for Miami this season will be whether they have enough playmaking to navigate the regular season, with Terry Rozier as their primary ball-handling guard – despite being more of a combo guard by nature. The playmaking burden may then rest heavily on the shoulders of other players. Bam Adebayo appears ready to take on an expanded offensive role after showing more versatility, including three-point shooting, during his time with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He could very well be the team’s leading scorer, with Tyler Herro playing a crucial role. Herro, who averaged a career-high 20.8 points per game last season, has shown flashes of All-Star potential, but his inconsistency and injury struggles have held him back. Both Adebayo and Herro will need to step up, especially if Jimmy Butler paces himself for another deep playoff run.
Ultimately, the Heat’s focus is less on regular-season standings and more on being healthy and ready for the playoffs, where they have repeatedly shown they are a legitimate threat.
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — It is a solution to a problem that is so obvious that you wonder why no one thought of it before.
If it is physically demanding and perhaps even dangerous for high school girls golfers to play at 3 p.m. in desert temperatures nearing 110 degrees in August and September, why not have the girls play in the morning?
“I really think it is a great idea,” said Rob Hanmer, in his fourth year as girls golf coach at Rancho Mirage High School.
The Rattlers have played two home matches this season starting at 9 a.m. at Mission Hills North, just across Ramon Road from the high school. But the idea of morning matches is growing, with Shadow Hills High School scheduling two matches this season at 8:30 a.m. at Bermuda Dunes Country Club.
With girls golf a fall sport in California high schools, and with the start of school and athletics edging earlier and earlier in August, golf matches played in August afternoons face temperatures well over 100 degrees. CIF-Southern Section rules require players to walk the golf course, and on particularly hot days that can cause serious problems.
“I wish we had been doing it the whole time,” said Shadow Hills head coach Nick Anziano, whose team played a morning match last week against the Rattlers. “Years ago, I brought it up to a handful of coaches, and at the time I was still just trying to learn the ropes. It seems like a no-brainer.
“I’ve had girls throw up. It’s not uncommon, really,” Anziano said. “Every season I have had some kind of heat-related illness strike somebody.”
Damariz Hernandez of Shadow Hills High School tees off on the first tee at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning in a match against Rancho Mirage High School at Mission Hills North golf course. (Photo: Larry Bohannan/Desert Sun)
Courses tough to find in the fall
Like the seemingly obvious answer to other problems, Hanmer’s scheduling of morning matches for his team actually came from another issue: course availability. Hanmer discovered last fall at the Desert Empire League boys golf finals that his girls team wouldn’t have access to Mission Hills Country Club in August or October of this season.
“So I started scrambling. Mission Hills North has been unbelievable for us, but they close at noon (in August),” Hanmer said. “My athletic director was standing there, and I said we’re going to have to play some matches at Mission Hills North in August. Can we play at 9 in the morning?”
In the summer months, most public play at the Gary Player-designed Mission Hills North has teed off by 8:30 a.m., meaning the 9 a.m. slot is perfect for the high school matches.
Both Hanmer and his assistant coach, David Shaw, said there are some academic benefits from the earlier matches as well.
“We had our first match last week and missing the early classes, well, the girls don’t want to miss classes that much,” Shaw said. “Now, instead of always missing the back end (of the day), it’s half and half now. They get to see more of their back-end classes. We will get them back today by fourth period.”
Hanmer said the morning matches might solve some problems for teams, but the fall still presents issues like courses closing for overseeding in September and October. But knowing some matches won’t be played in the heat of the afternoon might improve participation in the sport.
“We are trying to create some enjoyment in the sport and some lifelong golfers,” Hanmer said. “It still comes down to golf course availability. We have to play whenever the golf courses let us play. It just worked out really well with this golf course that 9 a.m. opened up and it worked for us.”
For the third time this week, the planet’s average temperature has risen to a record-breaking high. Data from the University of Maine’s Climate Change Institute showed the world’s average temperature reaching 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, 62.9 degrees on Tuesday, and 63 degrees on Thursday. This news, in addition to heat waves in Arizona and the southern United States, has people worldwide making plans for how to stay cool in the heat. If you’re one of those people, these tips can help you cope with summer weather.
Most people know basic heat-safety essentials. Stay hydrated, don’t overexert yourself, and wear light, breathable clothes. But when you’ve exhausted the basics and are still sweating, try these five tricks for staying cool.
Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the Nuggets beating the Heat in Game 3.
The Denver Nuggets easily defeated the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the NBA Finals 109-94, with Nikola Jokic putting up a ridiculous 32-21-10 stat line. Jamal Murray also added a triple-double of his own with 34-10-10.
The Nuggets currently lead the series 2-1 and have regained homecourt advantage. Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to Game 3.
Nikola Jokic led the way for Denver with yet another triple-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, while Jimmy Butler had a somewhat quiet night with 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the first game of the Finals.
