While Josh Richardson is no longer a member of the Miami Heat, his memories from four seasons with the team remain fresh in memory.
In a new interview, the new Philadelphia 76ers guard was asked about whether fights ever took place during Heat practices, with the veteran offering hints that such scuffles did take place.
Richardson joined the podcast of ESPN’s Zach Lowe, who also interviewed 76ers center Joel Embiid. Richardson was asked by Lowe (at the 34:05 mark) about how the Heat’s culture is different and if players would either struggle to blend in or end up failing.
“No, no, no, no,” Richardson responded when asked if the culture is for everyone. “If you have any ounce of soft in you, you’re not gonna make it over there.
When Lowe followed up by asking if fights took place, Richardson chose not to respond with either a yes or no. However, the fact that he didn’t deny that they occurred seemed to be a subtle way to confirm that they happened.
“I can’t tell you,” Richardson said. “This information cannot be disclosed.”
Fights between NBA players go back to the beginning of the league in 1946, with teammates sometimes mixing it up. The fact that a team is frequently together for at least seven months out of the year practically ensures that some conflict will take place along the way.
Throw in the Heat’s culture of physical play and some of the intense personalities that have been connected to the franchise, and it’s not a stretch to envision fights breaking out. Exactly how many have taken place is undoubtedly a question that will never be answered.
However, the Heat’s acquisition of Jimmy Butler, which required them to send Richardson to Philadelphia, should keep the possibility of fights in the back of fans’ minds. Butler has never been a shrinking violet during his NBA career, whether with opponents or teammates, and that personality isn’t likely to show any sign of changing.
Yet after missing the postseason in four of the past six seasons, the Heat don’t appear concerned about Butler stirring the pot. That’s because he has the talent to take them to the playoffs.
