Miami Heat head coach Eric Sporstra has offered hope to one of the team’s training camp prospects, but he insists that the timing must be right.
The Miami Heat played their first preseason game against the Orlando Magic, losing 118-126.
The outcome is not a problem, the game only serves to develop fitness for the team’s stars, giving fringe players the opportunity to wager their claims.
Guard Ethan Thompson was one of those who played heavy hours in a total of 27. Compare it with Starman Bum Adebayo, who played only 13.
Thompson received praise from heat coach Eric Spelstra.
Ethan Thompson was not drafted in 2021 and joined the Chicago Bulls in the Summer League. He later signed a contract with their G-League team, Windy City Bulls.
Thompson never reached the NBA and spent time with Mexico City Capitan in the G League, then played in his home country of Puerto Rico.
Last year he signed with the Orlando Magic for training camp, but was abandoned before the season.
Now he has another shot. This time with the Miami Heat, Eric Sporstra is sure Thompson is an “NBA player.”
After the match, he revealed that Miami has long-term interest in the 26-year-old.
Spoelstra said:
“(We thought) he had quality quality that suits how we play and do things. He had a very good training camp.
“He was really committed in September and August. He just has to keep plugging in.
“He’s very close. To me, he’s an NBA player. It’s the right opportunity, and it’s the right timing issue.”
Ethan Thompson scored five points, grabbed three rebounds and provided six assists during the Miami Heat’s defeat. The numbers weren’t impressive, but there was plenty of room to show he could offer something to his team.
Miami currently does not have All-Star Guard Tyler Hero dealing with injuries.
Hero misses the start of the season and targets five or six games into the season.
Thompson is down the depth chart and has the potential to make a return to the G-League, but he has some preseason games that he really tries to assert the opportunity.