Miami Heat: 3 pivotal storylines post All-Star break

(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

1. How far can Josh Richardson take his game?

Without doubt, the rise of Richardson this season has been the success story of the Heat’s season thus far.

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Entering the season, Richardson’ role in the rotation was somewhat up in the air due to the presence of swingman Rodney McGruder and fellow 2015 draftee Justise Winslow. After starting the first five games of the preseason at the small forward slot, McGruder succumbed to a leg stress fracture, thus leading the way for Richardson to assume the mantle as the starting 3-man.

After a slow start to the season, Richardson’s game has simply risen leaps and bounds. Over his past 30 games, Richardson has averaged 16.1 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks in 35.5 minutes per game. Furthermore, his shooting splits of .478/.446/.833 has been outstanding while being a +38 while on the floor.

Richardson’s value has certainly not going unnoticed around the league. Just recently, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald interviewed an anonymous veteran scout who offered the following comments on the product of Tennessee’s game:

"“I like him a lot. Clearly a piece you can win with. Clearly an NBA starter. Would have a lot of value if Miami ever moved him.”"

In addition, coach Spoelstra has never been short for praise of Richardson:

"“He’s becoming somebody new and more dangerous. His confidence is growing exponentially right now and I just want him to keep on fueling that. His menu is growing. He’s a point forward for us and he can get us organized as a point guard. He can play off the ball and is still taking the challenges of one through five….he’s playing at an All-NBA defensive level for sure.”"

On top of his consistent offensive production, Richardson’s greatest impact has been at the defensive end of the floor. Thus far, the Heat have been 3.3 points per 100 possessions better off defensively when Richardson has been on the floor.

A more notable statistic is since the 1987-88 season, just five players in their third season in the league have averaged at least 13.2 points, 1.7 3-point goals, 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks per game:

This is certainly some list to follow, with each of the other players having been named All-Stars, and Carter and Nowitzki set to be future Hall-of-Famers.

While Goran Dragic recently became the only player on the Heat roster prior to the return of Dwayne Wade to be named an All-Star, it can be easily be argued that Richardson can be named as the Heat’s most important and influential player due to his ability to impact at both ends of the floor.

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So with the Heat clinging to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, the continued elite play of Josh Richardson is going to be essential in their race for a playoff berth.