Will The Miami Heat Shooters Ever Get Any Respect This Season?

After securing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade this summer, the Miami Heat made sure to accommodate the former Finals MVP with efficient three-point shooting to space the floor; however, disrespect was shared this week.

Bleacher Report ranked the league’s top-30 best shooters, but neither Klay Thompson nor Tim Hardaway Jr. made the list. Meanwhile, Bobby Portis Jr., who was part of the Antetokounmpo deal, was slotted at No. 26. Last season, he shot a remarkable 45.6 percent from behind the arc. If Portis Jr. maintains that efficiency, it makes the Heat’s bench unit dangerous.

However, leaving out two obvious top-30-caliber shooters is abysmal.

Thompson’s career speaks for itself: four-time champion, five-time All-Star, and a two-time All-NBA. He’s currently fourth in league history with 2,899 total three-pointers made. Although Thompson is past his prime, that shouldn’t be used to disregard him as one of the league’s best shooters. Last season, he shot 38.3 percent from behind the arc, which was better than 24 players mentioned.

After completing a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, the 36-year-old signed with the Heat on a two-year, $11.48 million contract, including a $5.88 million player option for the 2027-28 season. Thompson made the financial sacrifice to prove he can still make an impact on a championship contender.

Tim Hardaway Jr. signing with the Heat could be viewed as inevitable. He’s been linked to the organization since his childhood, when Tim Hardaway Sr. was playing for the organization from 1996 to 2001. Hardaway Jr. is coming off a Sixth Man of the Year finalist campaign: 13.5 points on 44.7 percent shooting, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 80 games (six starts). He shot 40.7 percent from behind the arc.

After signing a one-year, $6.5 million contract as a free agent this summer, Hardaway Jr. announced he will wear his father’s retired No. 11 jersey.

The Heat added two impactful shooters who were sincerely overlooked. Both will have big roles offensively while playing alongside Antetokounmpo. As he collapses defenses in the middle, they will have wide-open opportunities.

Plus, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson, and Nikola Jovic will serve as floor spacers. Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo will draw most of the attention defensively, which allows the Heat to operate from inside to out. As the Heat soon finalize the roster, Thompson and Hardaway Jr. will have opportunities to prove doubters wrong.

They will play one last preseason game against the Orlando Magic before the real test begins.

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