Erik Spoelstra has long requested Nikola Jovic’s work in parts of his game and was happy to see him take ownership.
Nikola Jovic has a lot of expectations needed to head into a new season. Miami Heat youth are being promoted to have a great season.
Jovic signed an extension of $62.4 million last week with The Heat. With such a big deal, the Heat wants to get strong plays from him in return.
Jovic hopes that Heat will play modern style basketball next season. And he has to be a big part of that move.
After Jovic played with Serbia at Eurobasket, he showed a massive improvement in the game. But at least, according to head coach Eric Spelstra, one aspect still wants a lot.
Eric Sporstra spoke with reporters after the Miami Heat’s preseason defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks. When discussing Nikola Jovic, the longtime NBA coach shared his concerns.
He appreciates Jovic’s improvements in all respects, but he believes his rebound needs to be better, which is something he has asked him for a long time.
“It felt like he rebounded better than tonight, and that’s one of the things his head coach has told him a lot. He’s improved basically everywhere except for his rebound, and he took ownership of it tonight.
“He can make much better rebounds than he had in training camps last summer, and that has to be a priority for him…
“He can do it perfectly, but there are plenty of extra layers that come with it. He has to recover his size. And he is our best bust-out guy.
Nikola Jovic was asked about the comments of the SPO coach after the match. He admits Spoelstra is right, and his lack of rebound played a role in his defeats last season and preseason.
“The rebound was part of Orlando’s success. The rebound was a big part of the reason they lost to Cleveland, and he highlighted that.
“In the morning shootaround, you just learn boxing techniques and do some drills. That was really important to us. Today we highlighted that more.”
It is clear that Miami fever is common in Nicola Jovic. The young Serb star would not have won his big contract and a starting spot for the team.
But he must understand that he is being guided by one of the most keen minds in the NBA. And not offering Erik Spoelstra’s request is a one-way ticket to the bench.