When the Miami Heat acquired James Ennis from the Atlanta Hawks on the night of the 2013 NBA Draft, fans didn't know what to expect. Well, they got a glimpse of what Ennis could do when he played extremely well during the 2013-2014 season in Australia. Now, after playing in the NBA Summer League and NBA preseason, Ennis has given hope to Heat fans for the present and the future.
During Summer League, Ennis averaged 16 points per game while playing 25 minutes per game, on a solid 54 percent shooting from the floor. He also added 6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. One knock on his Summer League performance could be his 2.7 turnovers per game. Other than that, Ennis made a very good first impression on NBA fans.
Ennis continued his stellar play into the NBA preseason, where he is averaging 11 points per game on 53 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent shooting from three-point range. He is also averaging 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and only 1.3 turnovers per game. Two things are eye catching here, his shooting from long range and his steals per game. Those are the two biggest areas the Heat will need Ennis to play well in this year.
Two things that stats cannot clearly express are Ennis' athleticism and his defense. He is 6-feet-7 inches tall with a wing span that is just about 7-feet long. This will help him cause havoc to opposing ball handlers, as he is expected to have a decent amount of steals this year. Another thing his athleticism helps him with is finishing around the rim, which is arguably the best part of his game. He will do well in transition this year for Miami.
The potential is all there. James Ennis just needs to find a way to play up to his potential. He will not start for the Heat because Luol Deng is the starting small forward, but Ennis will definitely be one of the key role players. Overall, it is safe to say that James Ennis has a chance to show the NBA just what he is made of.