Erik Spoelstra’s eye-opening take on how G League stint will help promising Heat big man

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MIAMI – With the focus around the Miami Heat surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, the supporting cast will be crucial to reaching new heights in the 2026-27 season. As this new era for the Heat is led by Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, there are other players that are looking to stand out and make a name for themselves in the league, like Vladislav Goldin.

Entering his second season with Miami, he’s one of the team’s three players on a two-way contract, joining Tre Donaldon and Keshad Johnson. Standing seven feet tall, the hope is that his time with the team’s G League affiliate in the Sioux Falls Skyforce from last season, and this upcoming year as well, could develop him to fit the Heat’s system with its fast pace.

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra praises Vladislav Goldin’s improvements 

Though logging just seven minutes of playing time through the first two preseason games, Saturday’s 125-124 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves was a good step in the right direction for Goldin.

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The FAU and Michigan product under head coach Dusty May, now with the Dallas Mavericks, recorded 18 points on seven of 10 shooting from the field, one of two from deep, and made all three of his free throws, to go along with six rebounds (two offensively), two assists, and a block.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra highlighted Goldin’s improvement in moving at the “speed of the game,” helped by his time in the G League.

“Well, the speed of the game, G League helped him last year because that’s even faster than our league,” Spoelstra said. “They play smaller and faster. A lot of guards. It’s the changing of possessions because he has the size, and when he’s around the basket, he does good things. He had some great finishes on broken plays. The offensive rebounding, obviously, he’s got a really good touch there. It’s been a matter of him keeping up with the speed of the game when it really gets quick and gets up and down, and he’s really worked at it. His conditioning is great, but it’s a synapse change of getting into the next possession.”

Heat’s Nikola Jovic with high praise for Vladislav Goldin

Goldin averaged 11.3 points, seven rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 56.6 percent from the field in seven games with the Skyforce last season. As Goldin continues to develop with the Heat, he has the support of his teammates, clearly shown by the words of Nikola Jovic, who said the big man is “one of the best dudes” he’s met.

“It’s great. Vlad is one of the best dudes I ever met, and he’s been to a lot of college situations where he can go back home and stuff like that. So I always felt like trying to help him as much as I can. I’m not really a vet, so I’m also going through certain things, but it’s great seeing him do good, and I hope he has a great career and he accomplishes a lot of things,” Jovic said.

The Heat center spoke to ClutchPoints at training camp last week about wanting to prove himself and show that he “can compete and play at this level,” no matter the aspect of the game.

Emphasizing the improvement in his fundamentals, Goldin looks to further improve this season, as it remains to be seen how he’ll be used in his sophomore NBA season, as Miami starts the regular season on Oct. 21 against the Timberwolves.

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