Heat's James Ennis taking a step back could cost him -- and he knows it
While the Miami Heat have had a fantastic summer, the exact opposite has been true for Heat wing James Ennis.
In his rookie season with the Heat last year, Ennis showed flashes of what he could bring off of the bench. His just-over 40 percent shooting from the floor is pretty abysmal at first glance, but nearly two out of every five shots he attempted in 2014-15 were 3-pointers. And that was his niche -- get open on the perimeter and provide a safety valve to the main action in the paint or up top.
But Ennis has flatlined in Orlando and Las Vegas this summer. He hasn't improved on either of his two main areas of focus, ball-handling and shooting, and he might have even taken a step back in those skills. The truism is that you can't take much from summer league. And it's accurate enough, but when a second-year player struggles, it sends off all kinds of warnings and flashing lights.
And Ennis knows that. As he told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:
"It definitely bothers me," Ennis said. "This is the worst summer league I’ve played. I played better my first year coming from college and from overseas. I know I’ve gotten better, but I’m not proving it. That’s what gets me upset. It seems like I haven’t gotten better.
"I have no answers right now. I don’t have a clue [why this is happening]. I’m probably overthinking things. I’m probably not playing with a clear mind. My mind is cluttered, so it’s taking away [things] I’m good at."
Unfortunately for Ennis, he might not get a chance to get this straightened out. The Heat are full at the wings, and they will likely need to figure out a way to make room for Josh Richardson. A poor summer from Ennis could mean the end of his time with Miami after just one season.
(h/t Miami Herald)
Photo Credit: Jamie Rhodes/USA TODAY Sports
