Myron Gardner has spent the early part of preseason turning himself from an afterthought into a player Erik Spoelstra may have a hard time ignoring.
With the Miami Heat bringing in a wave of new pieces for this season - or this era, if you prefer - Gardner could have been easy to overlook. Instead, he’s been one of the more eye-catching bench options so far, and his latest preseason showing only added to that case.
In Miami’s most recent win, Gardner put up 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. The numbers pop, but they only tell part of the story.
When he’s on the floor, he’s been one of the more electric players on the second unit.
That kind of burst raises the real question: can Gardner do enough between now and the start of the regular season to force Spoelstra’s hand?
Spoelstra pointed earlier this week to Pelle Larsson’s rookie season as an example of a player being too effective to keep out of the mix. Larsson worked his way into the rotation that way. Gardner is now trying to make a similar argument for himself.
There’s at least a path for it. Gardner brings versatility, athleticism, and two-way potential, and with the Heat thin in the backcourt, Spoelstra would seem to have reason to keep an open mind. He’s not exactly the pure playmaking guard Miami might be looking for, but he does give the team another active body who can impact both ends.
Through two preseason games, Gardner is averaging nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game while shooting 5-for-11 from the field and 4-for-9 from 3-point range. More importantly, he’s shown enough good habits to keep earning looks.
Now the next step is simple: keep it going.
The final three preseason games should give Gardner more chances to make his case, especially as the starters gradually see their minutes trimmed. If he stays as productive as he’s been through the first two outings, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him push his way into Spoelstra’s regular-season plans.
In Other News...
Heat Season May Come Down To One Player Behind Giannis And Bam
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo occupying the top tier of Miamis roster conversation, the Heat still have to sort out who fits best just below them. Andrew Wiggins brings the kind of length, scoring touch and defensive versatility that makes him an obvious piece in that discussion, while Davion Mitchell adds a very different kind of value as a steady backcourt presence. The supporting cast, including Pelle Larsson and Tim Hardaway Jr., gives Erik Spoelstra a few more ways to piece together lineups around his two stars.
The more interesting question is which of those next-tier pieces becomes the one that ties everything together when the games get tighter. Miami has enough role players who can fill a job description, but it is the connective presence that often decides whether the offense stays organized and the defense stays in front of the ball. If the Heat are going to turn talent into a real hierarchy, the answer may hinge on which player can do the most demanding work without needing the ball to dominate the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Starters Might Not Get The Tuneup Fans Expected Against Minnesota
With the regular season opener against the Timberwolves looming, the Heat still do not know whether Thursdays third preseason game will serve as the kind of tuneup many fans have been expecting. Erik Spoelstra has not committed to using it as a full dress rehearsal, and he said he is still weighing how to handle starter minutes across the remaining preseason schedule.
Miami also has some roster business to sort through, which could shape how Spoelstra uses the final exhibition games. The team may lean toward giving non-rotation players more run before the roster decisions are locked in, a reminder that this part of camp is about more than simply getting the first unit ready for Minnesota. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Roster Chatter Suddenly Puts Miamis Bench Spots In Focus
Tim Hardaway Jr. is back in a Miami uniform, and his addition has helped turn the Heats end of roster into a more intriguing conversation than it might have seemed a week ago. The veteran guard gives Erik Spoelstra another familiar perimeter option after signing a one-year deal, while the front office has also been active in managing the back of the roster with players who could matter in different ways as camp and the season move forward.
Dennis Smith Jr. is part of that shuffle as well, and the Heats willingness to cycle him through the system shows how much attention they are paying to bench depth and organizational flexibility. At the same time, Miami still has broader roster questions hanging over it, including ongoing trade interest around Kyrie Irving and decisions involving Myron Gardner and Nick Richards, which keeps the bench picture from feeling settled just yet. [Read more 🡒]