Heat star Josh Richardson spoke on the ‘OGs Podcast’ about his experience as a rookie with Erik Spoelstra. Richardson told the story of how he went to practice his shooting on his day off. After seemingly wrapping up at the empty practice facility, Spoelstra showed up and asked Richardson to make 70 out of 100 three-pointers before he left. Upon failing, he would have to run the court multiple times and try again.
“Man, it wasn’t a 100 in a row… I came into the league, I could not shoot. I was a straight athlete, defending. I couldn’t. I go in the gym on an off day. And there’s literally no coaches, no one in there. So I find an intern… I go up there. I’m working, nobody here, I’m doing my thing. So I’m shooting threes, I’m all done. I look over, and I see Spo walk in… He tells me to keep going and then says, ‘Get in the corner, 100 threes.’ I’m thinking, ‘Damn, coach, I was already done. What do you mean?’…”
“So, I go around and make about 60 out of 100, which is awful for wide-open shots. Spo says, ‘Give me a 10.’ I’m like, ‘What?’. You know the 10 is down-back, down-back, down-back… So, I do it and come back. He tells me to go again, another 100 threes. I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’ He says, ‘You got to make 70 before you get out of here’… So I’m like ‘alright’… I go again, I make like 65. ‘Give me another 10!’. I’m like there’s no way bro, so I run it again…”
Richardson then added how he had to repeatedly run the court if he didn’t make 70 three-pointers, doing so multiple times. Eventually, after many attempts, Richardson finally made 70 three-pointers, after which Erik Spoelstra told him that kind of hard work is exactly what makes up Heat culture, and that is what he needed to do to succeed with the Heat.
“’We’re going right now’. I’m like, ‘Coach, come on, I’m finna pass out’. He’s like, ‘You gotta compete’. I’m like, ‘There isn’t anyone in here for me to compete with’. He’s like ‘with yourself’… Okay, that makes sense. So I go again. I’m at 66 for 95. Bro I had 69 for 99, clank the last one. I’m saying every word you can think of, throwing the ball… ‘Give me another 10!’.”
“I run it, I get back, I finally make 70 the next time. He talks to me, he’s like, ‘This is how you gotta approach it. If you want to play’ – I’m not playing yet – ‘better be ready and this is how you got to approach it, you got to work out, and work harder’.”
(From 1:02:19)
Richardson’s story is a perfect example of ‘Heat Culture’. The franchise is known for demanding a work ethic and determination from their players, and this story from Richardson is no different. And while he may have been frustrated at the moment, Richardson understood that he needed to be better.
Josh Richardson Found His Way Back To The Heat
Josh Richardson’s first stint with Miami was successful. While he barely got to start in his rookie season, he got more minutes and opportunities to start in his sophomore year. He made the most of his chances, averaging 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
His final season with the Heat is still the best of his career, as he averaged 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He signed with the 76ers in 2019, where he underwhelmed. The following year, he signed with the Mavericks and again had a difficult season.
Richardson would proceed to bounce around the NBA following his stint with the Mavericks, signing with the Celtics in 2021, who traded him to the Spurs in the same season. And in 2023, Richardson would be traded again, this time to the Pelicans.
After underwhelming stints in different teams, Richardson signed with the Heat once again, where he plays behind Jimmy Butler as a bench option. Last season, he averaged 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for the Heat, providing valuable scoring to the team.
Perhaps Richardson will get more minutes next season, giving him the chance to jumpstart his career and get back to his peak from his first stint with the Heat.
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