[ad_1]
A big storyline surrounding the Miami Heat’s deep playoff run this season is the contributions they’ve received from non-drafted players. The Heat has four undiscovered players – Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin and Max Strus – who are key contributors in the postseason. But while the attention these guys are getting is well deserved, some people are tired of the whole “raw” story.
“They get paid to play this game like everyone else,” Golden State Warriors Draymond Green said of non-drafted players. “Whether you’re 1 or 60 or not drafted, once you’re between the lines, what are you doing between these lines? So stop the whole undrafted thing, man. Get tired of hearing it.”
Green also took to Twitter to express his feelings on the subject.
Heat coach Eric Spoelstra expressed a similar sentiment after Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
“Yeah, that’s kind of played out… that’s so disrespectful to keep talking about it like that.” Spoelstra said about the “non-drafted” conversation. “Gabe [Vincent] has been with us, he is a veteran. He is a seasoned veteran. I haven’t even bothered to look at the playoff experience, but he has as much playoff experience as anyone else in this postseason. He’s been with us since the bubble. That storyline is over. These guys have proven themselves and competitors and winning players.”
When it comes to Vincent specifically, Green saw firsthand just how good the guard can be during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“Those guys played for Team Nigeria and they beat us,” said Green. “The way Gabe Vincent played for Team Nigeria, that’s how Gabe Vincent plays for the Miami Heat and he plays well, creating a lot of value for himself.”
When it comes to guys like Vincent and the rest of the undiscovered players on the Miami roster, the moral of the story is simple: it’s not about how you get into the league, it’s about what you do once there.
[ad_2]
Source link