Veteran Cody Zeller shows value in first Heat appearance
It took center Cody Zeller more than a year to make his way back onto an NBA court, but when he finally got his chance, he did not waste it.
The NBA veteran signed to play out the remainder of the season with Miami this past week on a veteran minimum contract and quickly got into the action with the Heat. Zeller scored 10 points and notched four rebounds in his Heat debut, providing a small bright spot as Milwaukee dominated Miami in a 29-point blowout.
“It felt good,” Zeller said after the defeat. “It’s obviously a long time off the court. You don’t really know what kind of shape you’re in till you’re out there. I felt pretty good, individually. Obviously, not the result we want as a team.”
Zeller last played in a game on Jan. 10, 2022. While with the Portland Trail Blazers, he needed knee surgery. Portland waived him about a month later. He joined the Utah Jazz in training camp, but they cut him in November, and he went unsigned until the Heat called.
Zeller has not had much time to get acclimated to life with Miami. He participated in one practice before the Heat left for a three-game road trip that includes stops in Milwaukee, Charlotte and Philadelphia, but he still received a solid review from starting center Bam Adebayo.
“He got his feet wet tonight, got him acclimated,” Adebayo said. “We only had one practice together and then a game, so throwing him out there. Obviously, we trust him and we need him. Biggest thing is just getting everybody comfortable.”
Despite his lack of time with the team, coach Erik Spoelstra inserted him into the game early as the first man off the bench. Zeller played 16:18 on Friday night.
“To be away from the game that long, it’s a credit to him that he stayed in shape,” Spoelstra said. “He was ready for his opportunity. He’s worked extremely hard just to be in good condition. It’s not the same as game condition, but he was also practicing a little bit. Just to get his legs, you can’t fake that.”
Zeller also contributed to the Heat’s offense by setting screens, which he said would improve as he got more accustomed to his new teammates.
“I’ve kind of carved out a niche in my career, back in Charlotte in Kemba [Walker],” Zeller said. “We had so many good, talented guys to come off screens. So it’s kind of been my role. We’re still trying to figure out how to get used to where guys like screens or all that. So some of that will come. But I want to get my teammates open with my screens.”
Zeller’s second game with Miami is in familiar confines. He spent the first eight years of his career in Charlotte, returning to North Carolina on Saturday.
“It’ll be fun for me to be back in Charlotte, playing against them,” Zeller said. “Hopefully, we can get a win then.”
Kevin Love on his Heat debut
New Heat forward Kevin Love did not have the start he would have liked in a Heat uniform. Spoelstra quickly inserted the five-time NBA All-Star into his starting lineup, but the Bucks held Love scoreless in 21:31 of time on the court in the lopsided loss.
“I told [Spoelstra], ‘Whatever you need me for, coach, I’m ready to go,’ ” Love said. “They wanted some of that spacing I bring, especially, at the four position, be able to help Bam on the outside, guard [Brook] Lopez, get out and show on the defensive end. I think they wanted to look at more size in there.”
Love did have eight rebounds in Miami’s loss, and Adebayo credited the veteran’s experience and basketball IQ.
“He’s such a high IQ guy,” Adebayo said. “He knows how to read the game. Like I’ve said before, he’s been in those games. He’s been down 1-3 in the Finals and came back and won, so he’s had that experience.”
Despite Love’s scoreless debut, Adebayo said he thinks the team will click once Love and Zeller have more time with the team. Love agrees with his new teammate.
“It might take a little bit of time,” Love said. “For me, I was just searching tonight. Offensively, in particular. Just trying to make the game easier for other guys, share the ball, share the wealth, play for the next man. That stuff will come. It always will.”
Spoelstra happy to see Crowder and Leonard
The Heat were reunited with two former members of the team Friday night, as Jae Crowder and Meyers Leonard joined the Bucks for the remainder of the season.
Crowder spent part of one season with Miami in 2020, helping the Heat make the NBA Finals.
“I’m a big fan of Jae,” Spoelstra said. “Wish he would’ve stayed out west somewhere. It’s a good fit. … He knows how to fit in, he knows how to play a role, he knows how to play off of great players. He’s experienced. He’s got a lot of playoff experience.”
Crowder notched nine points with three rebounds Friday night.
Spoelstra said he was also happy to see Leonard back on an NBA roster. Leonard, in his 10th year in the NBA, spent part of two seasons with Miami until he injured his shoulder in 2021. While out with the injury, he said a slur on a live stream while playing video games. The Heat told him to stay away from the team and then traded him to Oklahoma City, which eventually released him.
Leonard has since tried to make amends to the Jewish community, apologizing and hosting basketball camps for Jewish children. Milwaukee signed him to a 10-day contract.
“I’m thrilled about Meyers,” Spoelstra said. “Meyers is a great human being. I’m just really excited that he’s able to get back into the league. He’s been battling injuries the last couple of years, so I think that kind of delayed this because his skill set and size and the way he plays the game, the way he’s such a great team guy, he could benefit a lot of different [teams].”
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