Miami Heat assigns Dexter Pittman to NBA D-League
After failing to crack him into the centre rotation, the Miami Heat assigned rookie big man Dexter Pittman to the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League on Thursday 25 November.
Pittman, who was the Heat’s 32nd overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, has not played in Miami’s first 15 games this season and the team does not want to prolong his development, which prompted
them to assign him to the D-League.
“That’s the whole purpose of me going, to get some game situations up under me,” Pittman said. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work, but it’s not right just to throw me out there with the big
guys yet. Even though I am physically ready, I’ve got to go there and get mentally ready and IQ wise.”
Pittman also added that he learned a lot from the Heat, especially about how they worked hard and took all the criticisms professionally. Although he has not played with the Heat this season,
the 22-year-old centre said that he enjoyed his stint with the team and he is looking forward to playing with them again in the future.
“I love all these guys, they’re fun to be around,” Pittman said. “Being a rookie coming into the NBA, you’re kind of timid because they’re older vets. But you look at it, they have been in
my shoes too, and they know what it’s like. So I just have fun.”
The Heat had high hopes for the former Texas standout when they drafted them in June because of his size and length, but they knew from the start that it would take some time for Pittman
to reach his potential. The 6ft 11in centre, who averaged 3.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in four pre-season games for Heat, will likely make his D-League debut when the Skyforce go up against the Dakota Wizards on Friday 26 November.
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