Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra Says Haywood Highsmith's Confidence At All-Time High

Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith has made great strides in the last two years

What impresses Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is the way forward Haywood Highsmith always remained positive. 

Highsmith had ups and downs the past two years but managed to stick with it. The finished product is what the Heat are seeing these days from yet another one of their developmental projects turned rotation players. 

"It's been these incremental jumps of improvement and it's not linear," Spoelstra said. "You have great days, some days that are not great, days that you have to forge through. He just has great fortitude. Like a lot of guys that we've developed, you have to have that. If you don't have that, you're probably not going to make it. The talent level is always pretty similar. It's the fortitude that's the separator. He has that. He's always been consistent with his work."

Highsmith had 15 points, three rebounds and an assists in 27 minutes in Wednesday's preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The Heat played without Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin. It provide Highsmith opportunity to show he's came a long way since two-way contract days. 

"I think it took the regular season, having some good moments and in the playoffs," Spoelstra said. "It just really centered into his brain ... Players get to that point and all of a sudden they know it. He arrived to that point this summer." 

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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