Josh Richardson again trying to regain his footing amid second Heat tour

MIAMI Josh Richardson was unable to shoulder the burden last season.

Now for the veteran Miami Heat guard, its about regaining his footing.

After missing the second half of last season following shoulder surgery, the hope was of picking up where he left off nine months ago amid a winter revival during his second Heat tour.

But now the pesky heel issue that had Richardson out at the start of the season again had him watching his steps in recent days, including missed practice time this past week.

Its very frustrating, as a guy who tries to approach it the right way, Richardson said, with the Heats attention turning to Friday nights game against the Toronto Raptors at Kaseya Center.

I like to play if I can walk.

If I can move correctly, I usually try to play.

I feel like its a lot of small things in my lower body from not being able to move for seven months with the shoulder surgery, just trying to figure out how to work everything.

Its just little ticky-tack stuff.

But, yeah, its frustrating.

When signed in 2023 free agency, Richardson was viewed as the backup point guard to Kyle Lowry.

Then Lowry was traded in January for Terry Rozier.

When Richardson was injured, veteran Patty Mills then was brought in for depth.

This season, the runway appeared open for Richardson .

But then the same heel issue that now recurred stopped him in his tracks at the start of the season.

A week ago, it was two-way player Dru Smith who got the call in the second half of the victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Then Jimmy Butler assumed more playmaking.

Entering Friday, Richardson had been held out of the previous three games by coachs decision.

At this point, even when ambulatory, Richardsons role appears murky.

I mean a lot of stuff around here is fluid, if youre going to be honest.

It can differ from day to day, Richardson said.

Im prepared to do whatever the team needs on any night.

So, its fluid.

Related Articles A constant when utilized has been playing 94 feet on defense, pressing the length of the court.

Its kind of always been my schtick, to be honest, he said.

Ive kind of always been a pick-up guy.

But when I get in, I just try to bring energy.

I dont want to be a weak link.

My offense isnt rolling like it usually is, how I want it to be.

So Ive got to put my fingerprints on the game somehow.

And I know being a pressure guy and kind of making the game ugly can be a talent.

The thought when Richardson signed his two-year deal in July 2023 was that he would opt out this past summer.

Instead, the shoulder injury left him with little recourse but to opt into a second season at the veteran minimum.

It is what it is, he said.

Im happy to be playing basketball.

I wish it could have turned out different, because I thought I started playing good basketball when I got hurt last season.

But thats life, and you cant live with regrets.

So Im just trying to work my way back, make the best of this year.

At 31, Richardson finds himself in the middle of the Heats roster construct of both young and old.

He said he has found that middle ground a place where he can connect across the spectrum.

I probably hang out with Kevin and JB on road trips and stuff, on the bus, he said of 36-year-old center Kevin Love and 35-year-old Butler.

But there also is common ground, he said, with 27-year-old Bam Adebayo, 31-year-old Rozier and 23-year-old Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Ill usually be with Bam, Terry, Jaime, Richardson said.

But on the court, mentorship, Ill talk to the young guys, give them little pointers.

Because theyre workhorses and theyre getting better.

So anything I can do to help them in their development, Ill definitely do.

Im already a vocal guy, so its kind of easy..

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