Miami Heat’s Josh Richardson Believes Coaches Use Preseason “As A Lab”

The Miami Heat brought back guard Josh Richardson this offseason on a two-year deal worth roughly $5.9 million.

Ahead of tonight’s preseason opener against the Charlotte Hornets, Richardson shared his thoughts on the preseason.

"I think coaches around the league use preseason as a lab to see what works and what doesn't work,” Richardson said. “Get guys' legs pumping again because it's hard to replicate game shape in practice."

Coaches and players tend to view the preseason in a less serious light than the regular season and playoffs. This means prospects on two-way or Exhibit 10 contracts will play aggressively in hopes of securing a roster spot.

For the Heat, coach Erik Spoelstra will look to get young and undrafted players the majority of the playing time. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Cole Swider, and Jamal Cain will see large opportunities.

The preseason acts as the perfect chance for players to readjust to the pace and competitive nature of an NBA game. Richardson is entering his ninth season in the league, so he understands the process better than most.

Coaches in the NBA are at varying stages, from first-year opportunities to nearly 50 years as a coach. From their perspective, the preseason allows them to further understand their team and how the system should operate.

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Inside the Heat.

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