Miami Heat open camp in Boca Raton and FAU Owls ready to 'steal little things from them'

BOCA RATON — The 2023 NBA Finalists and NCAA Final Four darlings finally met Tuesday at Florida Atlantic University as the Miami Heat conducted its first training-camp practice.

FAU coach Dusty May and most of his players were on hand at Baldwin Arena to attend Class Eric Spoelstra 101.

“It’s great for them to see the level of professionalism, the level of detail that goes into every movement, every drill,’’ May said. “Everyone is well aware of how intentional they are with work and development. Our players will steal little things from them. Nothing but positive things for our program as a whole.’’

In specific, May said he feels center and Palm Beach Lakes graduate Giancarlo Rosado can study the intangibles of Heat stud Bam Adebayo. “Similar skill set and tactics,’’ May said. “It’s a unique situation that allows us to watch the best in the field do what they do every single day.’’

After the Heat’s first practice, Miami president Pat Riley strolled over to May for a 20-minute chat. May was to meet with Heat coach Spoelstra later in the day.

The Owls’ first-ever run to the Final Four captivated the nation last spring.

“It’s very inspiring what they‘ve been able to do,’’ Spoelstra said. “To build this program up to the level they have now, it’s a lot of fun right now for South Florida sports. FAU ‘s run was one for the memories. I’m looking forward to catching up to (May) and his staff.’’

Over the summer, May met with the Heat coaches after Miami’s unlikely run to the NBA Finals as 8th seeds but Spoelstra was away at the World Cup.

May is a Heat/Spoelstra /Riley devotee.

Dusty May picks Heat coaches' brains

“I picked their brain on some things,’’ May said. “Every year they figure out the best way for them to play. They’re always on the cutting edge while also maintaining their integrity of who they are. It’s admirable to see them get the most out of the talent almost every single year.

“One of our greatest compliments last year when our season finished, they said we played like the Heat,’’ May continued. “The way we shared the ball, our toughness, our intensity. We’re very proud of that.’’

The Heat last staged training camp at FAU in 2017 and obviously return to a campus now on the college-basketball radar as a mid-major power.

Every other year, the Heat hold their week-long training camp in the Bahamas. An NBA rule states teams can’t go out of the country for camp every year.

However, the Heat are staying at the Boca Raton Beach Club, hard by the ocean.

“I like it when we’re able to go away,’’ Spoelstra said. “We’re fortrunate enough to be able to go to some very luxurious hotels and beaches. We grind and work and know the beach is out there and (the coaches) never are able to see it all week.’’

Spoelstra reached into his Boca memory banks when he was a Heat video coordinator.

“We love it up here,’’ Spoelstra said. “It’s nostalgic for us. I remember the first camp here (in 1995), Pat brought the team up here. Everyone was on eggshells, including me.

“We knew it would be the change for the franchise and we were part of a movement. We’re now staying at the same hotel. It’s been renovated. We’re practicing in the same gym that has been totally renovated. Everything feels nostalgic and also different.’’

FAU’s club started practice last week. Few expect Miami, after failing to land Damian Lillard, to make another Finals run. Few expect FAU to land in another Final Four.

But nobody can ever predict, especially since most of the players from both squads return.

“The parallel is we both have a lot of the same pieces back,’’ May said. “They brought so much to the area and we’re proud to be in the same region as them.’’

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Eric Spoelstra follows Panthers, Marlins, Coco Gauff, Lionel Messi

Spoelstra is swept up with the South Florida sporting surge that also included the Panthers making the Stanley Cup Finals, the Marlins making the playoffs, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami signing, Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open title  and the Dolphins off to a 3-1 start.

“I think there’s a connection,’’ Spoelstra said. “Even if we don’t all get to hang out, we feel connected, a similar bond. We were throwing watch parties for FAU and Miami (Hurricanes) with friends and family. I’m bringing my kids to Dolphins and Marlins games. It’s a cool time.’’

As the Heat left the FAU court, the Owls regained their home hardwood – the season still more than a month away.

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Is FAU feeling the pressure with many returnees, including guards Alijah Martin, Johnell Davis and Nick Boyd and center Vlad Goldin?

“Our goal is to apply the pressure, not to respond to others’ pressure,’’ May said. ‘ There’s some that do. It will be our job to alleviate that pressure. It will be our job for them to stay in the moment and focus on our frame by frame approach. If we concern ourselves with that, we’ll be happy with the results.’’

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU Owls watching as Miami Heat open camp for 2023-24 NBA season