Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra applauded Nikola Jovic’s progression/work ethic after Tuesday’s 123-97 road win vs. the Milwaukee Bucks (24 points/7 rebounds/3 assists/1 steal/8-13 FG/5-8 3-PT/3-4 FT/+14 +/-).
*24 points, 8 made field goals, and 5 made threes were all career-highs*
(via Miami Heat):
Reporter: “Nik Jovic has been very self-aware with us saying, ‘I have to defend better if I’m going to play.’ On that side of the court, where’s the most growth to you?”
Spoelstra: “His attention to detail, the discipline, understanding the schematics, the multiple efforts… all of these things. He’s been making progress for a couple years. It’s not something that happens overnight. It’s not improvement that’s been linear. There’s been ups and downs and learning in a competitive forum, going to Sioux Falls, having his stints with us where he’s starting and being accountable to play at a high level. All of that stuff matters, and he’s been very dedicated. I see a maturity and growth from last year to this year. Even handling when we get guys back, and not getting discouraged and not working, he continued to work, including after the Boston game. He went into the gym after the game and got more work in with the coaches. So when guys start to do that, you start to see things change.”
