Heat rookie Pelle Larsson earning high praise early in preseason: ‘He’s an elite role player’

It hasn’t taken long for Miami Heat rookie Pelle Larsson to notice he’s not in college anymore.

“The biggest difference is just the level of play, the level of the players, toughness,” Larsson said after his first NBA training camp. “Everything is one step higher. You have to be one step quicker, stronger, smarter.”

But it also hasn’t taken long for Larsson to make a strong impression on Heat coaches.

“He’s been steady and consistent pretty much all of camp, all of September, and most of the summer as well, for that matter,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said this week of Larsson. “He’s a very good role player and I mean that as the highest compliment.”

Larsson, who was selected by the Heat with the 44th overall pick in the second round of this year’s draft, is already showing off a well-rounded skill set that Spoelstra and the rest of the Heat coaching staff covets.

Larsson has flashed that skill set and his potential behind closed doors during offseason pick-up games in the Heat’s facility and preseason practices. And in recent days, that skill set has been on display to the public.

After totaling 21 points, four rebounds and nine assists during the Heat’s half-serious “Red, White & Pink Game” intrasquad scrimmage, Larsson followed that up with another impressive stat line of 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and 2-of-2 shooting on threes, two assists and one steal in 16 minutes off the bench during Tuesday’s preseason opener against the Hornets in Charlotte, N.C.

“Just playing hard every day, connecting with the guys on the floor and then making sure I’m a good teammate and a good team player,” Larsson said of his on-court approach.

When looking at Larsson’s college numbers, it’s his three-point shooting that stands out. He shot an eye-opening 47 of 110 (42.7 percent) from three-point range as a senior at Arizona last season.

But it’s the other areas of Larsson’s game that make him a useful complementary piece with nearly any Heat lineup. At 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, he has the ability to serve as a physical and pesky perimeter defender while also making an impact on the offensive end without needing the ball in his hands through his outside shooting and instinctual cutting.

“He’s as advertised,” Spoelstra said, with the Heat preparing for its second of five preseason games on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans at Kaseya Center (3:30 p.m., Bally Sports Sun). “I think that’s what is so interesting about the draft process for all the different teams. Each team has their own philosophy, each team values different things. He’s an elite role player. If you mention that to some organizations, they probably think that that’s horrible. I think it fits absolutely with our style of play, our culture, how we view players and how they impact winning.

“He knows how to defend multiple positions, he brings you physicality on that side of the floor. Offensively, he moves very well without the ball, so he could be a connector with whatever unit he plays. And also, he’s been really working diligently on his shooting.”

As one of the older prospects to be drafted this year, Larsson, 23, enters the NBA with more experience that most rookies. He’s a four-year college player, but he also played professionally in his home country of Sweden before enrolling in college.

“You can see how he can be a plug-and-play with his maturity, his physicality, the fact that he does it on both ends and he knows how to fit in,” Spoelstra continued. “Those are hard things to teach, particularly the way that the game has been trending in America with the development of AAU and everything. He’s a little bit of a throwback. He’s a savvy experienced player that knows how to impact winning.

Heat coaches have challenged and continue to challenge Larsson during practice, especially on the defensive end.

“They say guard a new guy every day,” said Larsson, who’s entering the first season of a three-year contract that he signed with the Heat this past summer. “Guard Jimmy [Butler] one day, Duncan [Robinson] one day, Tyler [Herro], Terry [Rozier]. They’re different. So it’s hard to switch over sometimes. Obviously, we get switched within the defense a lot, too. But it’s fun to have a new assignment, a new challenge every time.”

With Herro (strained right groin), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (strained left groin) and Josh Richardson (rehab from right shoulder surgery) all unavailable for the Heat’s first preseason game, Larsson received early minutes as one of the first players used off the bench in Tuesday’s preseason opener.

“With Jaime out, he plugged into that role and did some very good things,” Spoelstra said of Larsson’s performance in the Heat’s first preseason game.

Larsson has earned the opportunity to play with some of the Heat’s rotation regulars — even if it is the preseason — while the roster is missing a few important faces. But when the Heat’s roster is at or close to full health, consistent playing time may not be there for Larsson early in his rookie season.

“I want guys to fight for minutes, make me have to watch you, make me have to play you,” Spoelstra said on the eve of training camp. “Impact winning.”

One thing is for sure: Larsson got Spoelstra’s message.

“Just that I can make winning plays,” Larsson said when asked what he wants to prove this preseason. “They’re not going to put anyone out there who doesn’t show that. That’s the first thing they look for. And then if you can knock down open shots, they’ll be really happy. But the main thing is making winning plays — on the ball and off the ball. As a cutter, as a passer, whatever it is, just stack up winning plays.”