MIAMI — For Miami Heat guard Alec Burks, the swings of the NBA playing-time pendulum have been severe.
We don’t need you.
We need you a lot.
In recent years, it has been the story of the 33-year-old veteran’s career.
In last season’s playoffs, Burks was held out of seven consecutive games by New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, used for 44 seconds in the next. Then, amid a spate of injuries elsewhere on the roster, there were at least 21 minutes the next five games, capped by a 26-point performance against the Indiana Pacers.
Then flash forward to these past few weeks with the Heat, held out of five consecutive games by coach Erik Spoelstra and then relied upon to provide a turnaround in Monday night’s victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
It wasn’t only the 27-point turnaround when he was on the court, it was the 14-year-veteran doing it after being idle since Nov. 6.
“He’s such a great example for young players coming in,” Spoelstra said, “to always be ready, to be prepared, to understand what the system is and understand how you can bring value, and then not get caught up in all the emotional wild swings of maybe your playing time isn’t going exactly how you want it, or when you’re not getting the offensive opportunities you want.
“What it can be that can distract and sometimes derail younger players, he’s a pro’s pro. And that gets thrown around often, but when you actually experience it and see it, you really appreciate it.”
Against the 76ers, at a juncture when little was working, after Spoelstra had gone 10 deep, Burks was summoned from the deep freeze. Seven points and six rebounds later by Burks, the Heat were back in business, with just their second home victory of the season.
“I let him know that, too, the other day,” Spoelstra said of his appreciation. “He’s stacking up good performances every time he plays. And it just makes the head coach think. And that’s what you want. You want more of players impacting winning, impacting the game while they’re in there, and then making you think, how can you find more consistent time for a guy.
“He was really good the other night. But he’s been good in all his stints.”
Whether that translates into a return to the return remains to be seen. Burks appreciates as much amid this five-day break leading to Sunday’s 6 p.m. game against the Dallas Mavericks at Kaseya Center.
“I stay even keeled, never get too high, never get too low, whatever happens, happens,” said Burks, arguably the most soft-spoken player in the locker room. “I’m blessed to be in this position. No matter what happens, I’m glad to be here. So if I’m not playing, I’m playing upstairs.”
As in upstairs at Kaseya Center on the practice court, where those out of the rotation play three-on-three.
“I usually play pick-up games with other people in my similar situation,” he said. “That’s how you usually stay in shape, stay sharp, with live reps.”
Because of his veteran standing, there also are workouts with those who used to be contemporaries, with the playing careers of Heat assistant coaches Wayne Ellington and Caron Butler overlapping with Burks’.
“Working out with Wayne, working out with other people I played with, that’s how you stay ready,” he said.
Such has been the Heat way for years, an assistant coach always available for a workout, a court always available for competition. Basically, a place for the Alec Burkses of the NBA to hone their craft and sweat through their patience.
“One way or another, you’re going to be physically prepared,” Spoelstra said. “That’s giving yourself the best chance of when your number is called that you get the opportunity to perform.”
From the deep freeze to warm and toasty, with little Heat doubt about the ability to instantly heat up.
“Alec’s been doing this a long time and he’s a super talented player,” Heat guard Duncan Robinson said. “He’s played just about every role there is to play. And we know very well what he’s capable of.”
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