The Miami Heat organization doesn't take a liking to players who don't put in the hard work daily, especially with Erik Spoelstra.
The Miami Heat will prepare for a pair of games against the New York Knicks, with the first matchup at Madison Square Garden tonight, followed by a return to South Florida on Monday.
However, multiple stars are likely to miss both meetings from both sides.
Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson was recently diagnosed with a Grade-1 ankle sprain, which was sustained on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic. Heat's All-Star duo, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, traveled with the team to New York, but have already been ruled out for tonight's matchup with different foot injuries.
It's a classic case of "next man up," however, Erik Spoelstra isn't satisfied with one of the younger players' production.
Nikola Jovic has shown flashes of his offensive talents, but it hasn't been consistent. He's finished below double-digit scoring in eight out of 12 games this season.
In the Heat's recent meltdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were without Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Donovan Mitchell, Jovic recorded two rebounds, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in 22 minutes.
There are moments when the 22-year-old isn't as aggressive as he should be, along with lousy decision-making, whether it's bad passes or forcing shots.
Spoelstra recently made comments about Jovic's struggles:
"It's about an intention, a maturity, a professionalism all the time," he said. "That's what we've always been on him about. It's not his confidence, we bump him with confidence. That's what it is for young players, it's not the new offense."
Jovic also signed a four-year, $62.4 million rookie contract extension this summer, which comes with a level of pressure.
It's a similar short leash Kel'el Ware has experienced to start the season, even during the preseason.
The former first-round pick is no longer in the early stages of his development; it has reached a point where there are certain, but higher, levels of expectations. Spoelstra isn't a head coach, nor is the Heat organization, to accept anything less than excellence.
He's also alluded to Jovic's approach:
"To approach a practice day, a shootround, and a film session like it's really important, he's made improvements with that," Spoelstra said. "It's still not where it needs to be because he's young. He doesn't see that it's always important, but he's getting there. It's a matter of consistency. You could see the possibilities when he has that intention and when things are important to him. Some of the things I'm just talking about are also his strengths. All of us, sometimes, what your greatest strengths are, those things can also be your greatest weakness. He has the size, he has the vision, he can deliver passes, he also has this laissez-faire, like oh whatever. He doesn't feel pressure. That's sometimes where it's frustrating for his head coach on a shootaround and he's just going through the motions, but it's that mentality that also gives him that fearlessness to make plays in the clutch. He's not afraid of making the play."
Jovic's role has expanded significantly this season with the departure of Jimmy Butler at last season's trade deadline. Therefore, more responsibilities come with it. He will be heavily relied upon in the Heat's next two games against the Knicks, especially with Adebayo sidelined.
Jovic will have a chance to respond on the court.
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