Advertisement - scroll for more content
Pelle Larsson Rumors
Montenegro prevailed 87-81 over Sweden, and despite losing by an average of 25 points in the first three games of Group B, now has a very good chance to qualify to the Eurobasket round of 16. Nikola Vucevic, with 23 points on 9/15 FG, 15 rebounds, and four assists, had his best game yet in the tournament at the perfect time. On the other side, Houston’s Pelle Larsson also delivered with 28 points on 10/20 FG, but it was not enough. On the contrary, Vucevic was not only much more efficient but made arguably the biggest shot of the game, making the score 83-79 with 33 seconds left and giving his team a two-possession cushion.
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spent much of last week in Europe, and for good reason. Not only does the Heat have three current players preparing to take part in this year’s EuroBasket tournament, but two of those players are recent Heat draft picks who are part of the organization’s youth movement. Heat forward Simone Fontecchio will represent his home country of Italy, Heat forward Nikola Jovic is on Serbia’s roster and Heat guard Pelle Larsson is playing for Sweden, with Jovic and Larsson among the seven players on Miami’s roster who are 25 or younger. That had Spoelstra traveling through Europe last week, spending time in Stockholm to watch Larsson represent Sweden in a EuroBasket prep game against Estonia before heading to Belgrade to watch Jovic play for the Serbian national team in an exhibition against Slovenia.
Still, Spoelstra indicated that Larsson has earned a rotation role, which would be a step up from last season’s limited action. “We just want to have him as an all-around player,” Spoelstra said, with the Heat to open training camp Sept. 30 at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. “Now, he’s a very smart player, he’s a heady player, very skilled. And so during summer league we just had him handle the ball for us, more for his player development. It’s not that we’re trying to turn him into a point guard. But the more skills he can add, it can help your team. “And he’s a physical player. We call him a bully with the basketball. He knows how to draw fouls. He knows how to get into the paint. He’s improving his passing. And we think with improved ballhandling, he’ll be able to take advantage of those skills even more.”
Anthony Chiang: During a televised interview in Sweden, Erik Spoelstra says his plan is to watch Nikola Jovic and the Serbian national team tomorrow. Spoelstra currently in Stockholm to watch Pelle Larsson play for Sweden.
Bobby Marks: The Heat are now $4M below the luxury tax and $9.5M below the first apron hard cap. 11 guaranteed contracts 2 partials (Rozier/Larsson) They will create a $5.6M trade exception. Miami has 1 future 2nd (2027) now available.
Advertisement
“Very, very good experience for me,” Larsson said of his summer league on-ball opportunities. “I’m going to have more of it this summer with the national team, as well. So I just got to keep growing with that. I had too many, maybe, lapses of focus handling the ball. But it’s a great learning experience.”
Anthony Chiang: As first mentioned on the NBA TV broadcast, the plan is for Pelle Larsson to leave Las Vegas to join Sweden's national team after tomorrow's Heat summer league game. Larsson expected to play in the EuroBasket tournament later this offseason.
Ira Winderman: Kel'el Ware getting the night off tonight for the Heat at summer league in San Francisco. Heat vs. Warriors at 7 p.m. on ESPN+, ESPN3 and FanDuel Sports app. (No cable.) He opening with lineup of Keshad Johnson, Pelle Larsson, Vlad Goldin, Kasparas Jackucionis, Kira Lewis Jr.
Anthony Chiang: During an ongoing conference call with reporters, Heat newcomer Simone Fontecchio said he plans to play for Italy in the EuroBasket tournament later this offseason. Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson also expected to play in the event.
Ira Winderman: Heat confirm just a day off today for Keshad Johnson, Pelle Larsson, Kira Lewis in summer league. No injuries involved.
Advertisement
Anthony Chiang: Kasparas Jakucionis says he won't play in EuroBasket this year. Nikola Jovic (Serbia) and Pelle Larsson (Sweden) are expected to take part in the tournament later this summer.
Anthony Chiang: Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson will be available tonight vs. Hawks. Only Heat player out is Kevin Love. Two-way contract players are ineligible for postseason.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement