Erik Spoelstra desires that Nikola Jovic feel uneasy playing for the Heat.

Heat of Miami vs the Bucks

Erik Spoelstra, the coach of the Miami Heat, stated this week that he wants Nikola Jovic, a second-year player, to become more at ease in situations “where he’s not as comfortable.”

Jovic, who made just four appearances this season and played just three minutes that night, was the subject of questions directed at Spoelstra following Wednesday’s victory against the Toronto Raptors.

Jovic finished with no points and two rebounds in his brief minutes. “We feel very encouraged by his progress but we have to quiet all the noise out there when everybody wants it to be a microwave impact right now,” Spoelstra said. All we want to do is adhere to the strategy with discipline. He is improving, and should the need arise, he is prepared to serve for minutes.

Jovic, one of the team’s most anticipated players after an outstanding performance in the FIBA World Cup and high accolades during training camp, has had a perplexing start to the season. However, Haywood Highsmith and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., among others, have surpassed him on the depth chart, keeping him out of Miami’s rotation thus far.

He hasn’t played much and primarily only when Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, two of the Heat’s stars, have been injured. Jovic spent the majority of his time at center, playing 21 minutes against the Timberwolves in October and 16 minutes against the Nets two weeks ago.

This has also caused conflict between Jovic and bystanders. Jovic, a 6-foot-10 perimeter player by trade, was selected with the 27th overall choice in the 2022 NBA Draft. Rather than as a rebounder or rim protector, his talents lie in his ability to handle the ball, distribute, and create open shots. Butler told reporters that Jovic “is not a five” after seeing the player center for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in a recent G League game.

Jovic expressed his dissatisfaction with playing center in an interview with a Serbian media outlet following the game in Brooklyn. A few days later, Jovic clarified the remarks, telling Miami-based journalists, “I play the five because we don’t have a five in the G League,” Jovic remarked. It’s not always simple to play the instruments you’re not very good at. In playing the four, I would essentially be much better. That is about all there is to it.

Since returning to the Heat following a brief spell in the G League, Jovic has impressed coaches. The coaching staff wants him to keep gaining bulk, figure out how to fit into Miami’s defensive scheme, and take this as a chance to develop.

Spoelstra remarked, “He’s had two very good weeks and that makes an impression on everybody.” That everything happens in the background during practice. After returning from his time spent in Sioux Falls, he really got to work.

However, minutes going forward are scarce. This season, the Heat have used Kevin Love, Jaquez, Caleb Martin, Butler, and Highsmith as power forwards. Since there aren’t many true centers in the G League and Adebayo is still recovering from a hip injury, Jovic can currently get playing time most easily at center.

Spoelstra argues that part of Jovic’s growth plan includes learning to play both positions.

Regarding Jovic’s ability to play center and forward, Spoelstra stated, “I want him to learn how to do both.” “You start playing basketball. As a frontcourt player, it’s a necessary component of growth. We’re working on it, and I know where he can feel more at ease right now. But I also want him to learn how to grow in the areas where he’s not as at ease.

Spoelstra went on, “That’s where we have to guard against the noise and all the narratives that are out there.” “It’s all part of a plan. He is in agreement with the plan, which won’t be strictly linear. There will be ups and downs because he’s young, but I feel very encouraged by the progress that he’s made.”