What Josh Richardson and Thomas Bryant said in their introductory Heat media sessions

Highlights from the introductory media sessions for new Heat players Josh Richardson and Thomas Bryant, who both signed deals with Miami at the league minimum this week:

▪ Richardson, who began his career with the Heat, said the thought of returning “was always there, always kind of in mind. It almost happened a couple of times in the past. The timing worked out for everybody right now.”

In fact, he kept his South Florida home for four years since last playing for the Heat in 2018-19.

▪ How has he changed as a player since being sent to Philadelphia in the Jimmy Butler trade before the 2019-20 season?

“I don’t think I’m that much different. Once I get back into the swing of things, growing that same intensity back that I know approach every day with, I think things can be similar. The lineup is different. I’ll have a different role. Bam [Adebayo] and Jimmy [Butler] and those guys that are the alphas. I don’t have a problem figuring out where I fit and where I can best help the team win games.”

▪ Richardson said there were “warm feelings” when he spoke with Erik Spoelstra on Friday night before deciding where to sign and that conversation “was enough to kind of sway things a little bit. That should tell you enough about it.”

In 2019, “we had a talk before I physically left,” Richardson said. “He said there will be a time where we will talking again and it will be possible to bring you back.”

He remembers Spoelstra making him hit 70 of 100 threes in a session. “I remember that like it was yesterday. I’ve been doing that drill for a long time and I’ll keep doing it while I’m here now. Spo did a lot of things that stuck with me throughout my career, how to approach the game.”

▪ Why did he take the minimum from the Heat instead of a higher offer elsewhere? “Sometimes you have got to sacrifice certain things. I had talks with coaches and after weighing the options, I thought that it would be in my best interests and everyone involved to come back and give it another go.”

▪ How will coming back to the Heat help Richardson?

“Just the way the game is approached. It’s hard to compare walking in the gym [in some places] to the intensity that’s shown here and all the attention to small details” in preparation. “It’s getting back to doing things how I was used to.”

He made clear that he wasn’t taking a shot any of the five other teams that he has played for.

▪ On Adebayo’s game: “He’s been great in the way he’s grown as a ball-handler, his confidence, attacking, his confidence through the whole game and treating it as if he is an All Star every year, because he is basically. That comes with a lot of responsibility. He has done a good job of just shouldering that and being one of those guys for this Heat team the last few years.”

▪ The 6-6 Richardson - who can play small forward or shooting guard and defend some stretch power forwards and be a pseudo point guard at times -- said: “I’m a guy who can play wherever. If they throw me out there, I’ll figure it out. Wherever I see that we could use help, I can step in.”

He said the Heat team he’s joining, from a stylistic and scheme standpoint, “I don’t think is that much different” from the one he departed in 2019.

▪ Richardson, on what makes the Heat unique and different: “How in tuned everyone is here. How things go from top to bottom, it’s more a straight line. Everyone is on the same page here. Just being up close to it, seeing it every day,when I was here, is a little bit different.”

▪ Bryant, who replaces New Orleans-bound Cody Zeller as the Heat’s backup center, said what appealed to him about Miami was “the want they had for me. I felt they really wanted me on this team, and knowing throughout their history, the Heat organization, the Heat culture, what they do. I feel I represent that culture, being the most professional person you can, holding yourself to a very high standard with conditioning and having your body right as well. Those are things I stand for and I feel the Heat stand for as well.”

He spoke to fellow former Indiana players Victor Oladipo (over several years) and Zeller “and they always told me this organization is about toughness and about the work. You pride yourself on that, so you should fit right in. Just understand it’s a different culture over here.”

▪ Bryant, on his game: “Being with different teams, I’ve learned a lot from a lot of different vets and great guys that have won throughout this league. One thing I learned from [different] guys is the attention to detail every single day and the amount of work you have put into your craft every day, no matter if you’re playing or not. Keep improving, Be a sponge, be a student of the game.”

▪ He has not spoken to Spoelstra yet, but said Spoelstra conveyed to his agent - Mark Bartelstein - “and he relayed the message to be about bringing that intense energy, being the best player I can and being a better person who can help them win games and stay on the court as well.”

Because he has three-point range, he could play some with Adebayo. Would Bryant like that?

“If the opportunity presents itself, absolutely,” he said. “Both of our games complement each other. If we work on it and pick up the chemistry. If the opportunity presents itself, I feel that would be a really great weapon to have.”

▪ On leaving the champion Nuggets: “It’s understanding it’s a business. Things aren’t going to work in your favor. You want to stay with a team with would want you. If you have to move, you have to move.”

▪ How can Bryant help the Heat? “I feel I can help this team, based on what I’ve seen [with an] interior presence, interior scoring as well. My versatility out there to be able to shoot the three as well, make mid-range jump shots and score at the rim. The versatility I will bring to the table will really help the team in a great way.”

▪ On returning from a serious knee injury a few years ago: “It’s been a journey. It has helped me mentally and physically, mentally the most trying to overcome obstacles. It really helped me mature as well. Going through different situations I’ve been through, it’s helped me grow. Times that may seem bad aren’t as bad.”

▪ He said he knows the Heat well from studying them in the Finals: “We all had to lock in on the scouting report. I have a good understanding of their all around game and how they play with their positionless basketball. The effort of trying to get downhill. No matter if they make or miss, running the court as much as they can and try to get some easy buckets and the ball movement that is so infectious to where a two turns to a three, and then you have an open lane. I feel I have a good grasp of understanding the Heat culture.”

▪ On Butler: “I love to play with his versatility. He has one of highest IQs in basketball, the amount of grit he plays with, the toughness. He always gives his all. I will be a [good] complement to him because of my grit, the energy I play with, the run, the hustle and also being able a versatile person to play key minutes with Bam and/or Jimmy out there.”