While Dru Smith was working tirelessly to regain his footing, his NBA career faced a standstill. Yet, during that time, he remained still . . . and discovered ways to take meaningful strides toward the invaluable role he has carved out for himself with this season’s Miami Heat.
Let’s rewind: After suffering a torn ACL in his right knee just a month into last season, the 6-foot-2 guard, who went undrafted out of Missouri in 2021, embarked on a rigorous rehabilitation process that led to his earlier-than-expected return at the start of this season. For months, it was all about no running, no jumping—just stationary shooting. Even after being waived by the Heat last March to make room for Patty Mills on the playoff roster, Smith continued to work diligently on the Heat’s practice court, collaborating with assistant coaches Eric Glass, Dan Bisaccio, and shooting consultant Rob Fodor.
One drill. One motion. Spot-up shooting became his focus, guided by medical constraints that prevented him from moving.
“Last year, when he got hurt, it gave us all a chance to hone in on one aspect—his shooting,” reflected coach Erik Spoelstra, as the Heat prepared for a three-day break before resuming their schedule against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night at Kaseya Center. “He did a lot of stationary work before he was cleared to jump. Working with E.G., Dan, and Rob Fodor, he put in the hours. It was a unique circumstance.”
Uniquely specific—and uniquely beneficial.
Whenever the Heat have needed scoring from Smith in his growing reserve role, it has often been through spot-up shooting, echoing the repetitive drills he practiced last spring.
The reward? Career-best shooting statistics: .478 from the field, .500 on three-pointers, and an effective field-goal percentage of .598—actually surpassing teammate Tyler Herro in that category.
“I was just excited to be on the court,” Smith, 26, said of his time standing alone, taking those standstill jumpers as his knee healed. “I’d stay after practice, waiting for the guys to finish, and then we’d get to work.”
Due to his release (with full pay) to clear a roster space, he was prohibited from practicing with the active roster last spring.
“I was just happy to be back out there getting shots up and touching the basketball,” he added. “It was good. It allowed me to find enjoyment in my rehab days and appreciate different aspects of it.”
“What we worked on was meaningful; we were actually trying to improve, even if I was limited in mobility. It helped build a solid foundation during that time, and we were able to translate those improvements once I started getting off the ground again.”
Now, Spoelstra struggles to keep Smith off the court, often inserting him within three minutes of the start of each half—exemplified during Monday night’s 125-124 overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons.
In that game, Smith showcased his recovery from the knee injury, racking up a career-high six steals—demonstrating defensive versatility and presence everywhere on the court.
Yet, he remains acutely aware of the importance of those less mobile days, when spot shooting was his only option.
“I think it was beneficial because it gave us time to make minor tweaks that are difficult to accomplish when you’re fighting for a roster spot in training camp,” Smith explained. “When you’re in training camp, it’s tough to adjust your shot mechanics because if you start missing, you revert to old habits.”
In those moments, Smith found himself in a sort of shooting lab.
Fodor, known for promoting a higher, compact shooting motion without a dip upon receiving the ball, recognized that most of Smith’s shots would come uncontested—allowing for a shooting style less compact than players like Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro.
“When you first enter the league, teams will often leave you open to test your shooting,” Smith noted. “They want to see if you can make those shots.
“I don’t necessarily need to release the shot as quickly as Duncan or Tyler; I just need to ensure it’s efficient and comes off in one fluid motion. The more fluid I am, the quicker the shot gets off.”
Now, with the ability to run and jump again, Smith appreciates the return to full mobility.
“It was tough being injured,” he admitted.
And yet, strangely, there were unexpected benefits that shaped his game, allowing Dru Smith to shed the label of an NBA longshot.
“That time helped,” Smith affirmed. “It definitely helped.”
Source: Sun-sentinel.com
