Miami Heat Thread

[_Steve_]

I still think he could be a nice addition if he comes away cheap. As a 7 footer he would bring size to the roster plus you have a extra body to throw on guys like Howard. As Andrew said, even if it's just by accident, he can have his impact defensively... I'd think of him of something similar to what Theo Ratliff or maybe Joe Smith have been for the Lakers last season.

[NovU]

Yep. That's probably the only reason I like him to join the Heat. I remember actually getting bit excited when there was a rumour that he was in shape and Miami was close to signing him during the season. All due to lack of consistency at C position.

The Heat were lacking any kind of consistency at C position last season despite we had so many bigs. The Heat basically spent the whole season and the playoffs searching for the right rotation especially at C position. Sometimes Magloire got minutes, sometimes Ilgua sometimes even Juan howard got damn minutes at C. So the Heat were basically only intersted in Curry's service as an experimental purpose. Even now, it goes the same. The chances are there as Curry was actually an OK player at one point in his career, but it's still a long shot that he's likely to provide consistency as a starter or as a back up. I see him as "Sure why not" kind of deal at the moment just like most of our bigs last season. But for now, I'd say Joel's the first to come off the bench even if Curry joins, that is ofc if we sign Sammel Darlingbear. Otherwise a big chance of Joel starting, which I'd iike to avoid.

[shadowgrin]

big chance of Joel starting, which I'd iike to avoid.

And you wonder why I hate your guts.

[Andrew]

I still think he could be a nice addition if he comes away cheap. As a 7 footer he would bring size to the roster plus you have a extra body to throw on guys like Howard. As Andrew said, even if it's just by accident, he can have his impact defensively... I'd think of him of something similar to what Theo Ratliff or maybe Joe Smith have been for the Lakers last season.

That'd be wishful thinking on the part of the Heat, particularly in regards to a Theo Ratliff comparison. At this point of his career and following a few injuries he's not as dependable or effective but earlier in his career Ratliff was an outstanding shot blocker and a very good defender; Smith was pretty decent as well. Anyone who can win a footrace with a turtle is going to be able to elude Curry, his size alone might disrupt some plays around the rim but I wouldn't count on it happening all that much, especially when it matters most. It'd be a low risk move for the Heat and another big body on the roster so there's not much for them to lose by giving it a try, but I doubt there'll be too many pleasant surprises.

[NovU]

big chance of Joel starting, which I'd iike to avoid.

And you wonder why I hate your guts.

Don't get me wrong but I think he's just better as an instant energy off the bench. Coach Erika Sportra perhaps knew that and started old bunch instead of Joel last season. Otherwise Damnpeer and Ilguana would have been obsolete. And I think my Darlingbear would make a better starter. But both are Canadians so we know you can't go wrong either way.

[rise]

Why the hell didn't Pittman play more during the regular season? He can't suck that bad, because he remained on the roster all season. Unlike Eddy Curry, Pittman is huge while being able to run the floor from end to end in LESS than 30 seconds.

[NovU]

Shortened season will benefit teams like the Heat, that heavily relies on three stars? Despite less games to work with chemistry, I think a shortened season will somehow benefit that relies on a few pieces. For instance, NBA retirement home Celtics players should worry less about fatigue and possible injuries that might occur from long and tiresome season.

Why the hell didn't Pittman play more during the regular season? He can't suck that bad, because he remained on the roster all season. Unlike Eddy Curry, Pittman is huge while being able to run the floor from end to end in LESS than 30 seconds.

If Pittman was capable I think the management would have played him and given him enough chances to prove himself. Sure some of us fans think he couldn't have been any worse than some of the bigs we had but I have a feeling if he was anything special he'd have seen minutes.

[NovU]

Are u serious?

Heat's Mike Miller sidelined by hernia surgery: 'That's just my luck'

Miller confirmed Thursday to the Sun Sentinel that he underwent surgery for a sports hernia this week and could be sidelined for up to two months.

[rise]

Amnesty time.

[Andrew]

He's hard some hard luck the past twelve months. His name has already been thrown out there as an amnesty candidate, it wouldn't surprise me if that came to be. It would be a little cold given the circumstances but getting off the hook for his contract and using the MLE to bring in a solid replacement might be the best way to go.

[rise]

The Heat brought him in to shoot the ball, which is slightly hard to do after having like a thousand surgeries on his hands and shoulders. If he's not going to be healthy, might as well bring in someone who will be

[NovU]

Oh well... At least Bosh seems to be motivated and stronger.

[_Steve_]

The Heat brought him in to shoot the ball, which is slightly hard to do after having like a thousand surgeries on his hands and shoulders. If he's not going to be healthy, might as well bring in someone who will be

Heat need the best supporting cast they can get right now. I doubt they'll wait and see whether Miller will become healthy in the future or struggle with injuries as in his previous seasons.
As there are many solid free agents available, I consider Mike Miller's time in Miami to be over...

[shadowgrin]

Even with that bigger frame he'll still flop like a bitch. See LeBron for example.

[NovU]

Haha. Maybe.

I saw the Raptors fan saying that... in one season with Toronto, he came in bulkier than ever but then at the end of the season, he was back to his skinny ass self. Glad it's a shorter season this time. Lolz.

The Heat brought him in to shoot the ball, which is slightly hard to do after having like a thousand surgeries on his hands and shoulders. If he's not going to be healthy, might as well bring in someone who will be

Heat need the best supporting cast they can get right now. I doubt they'll wait and see whether Miller will become healthy in the future or struggle with injuries as in his previous seasons.
As there are many solid free agents available, I consider Mike Miller's time in Miami to be over...

Maybe. But remember last offseason shopping for the Heat? Bron's one lunch with Ilguaskas made him say "Ok, I wanna play with you so I will sign for the minimum.", and then there came along many vets at dirty cheap Walmart price, and then there was Bibby who gave up $5 million dollars. Shopping I don't think will be the problem for the Heat once again. Almost anything will be an upgrade over Ilguanas and Dumbpier at C and Mario somewhat proved to be worthy in last playoffs so even without a major upgrade there, the Heat should be still contending at a high level. So I'd say banking the amnesty is fine despite Miller being a disappointment at the moment. He's not grossly overpaid for the player he is, if he was healthy. Maybe even underpaid if he could have kept himself healthy. So I wouldn't mind giving him another chance. Unless of course, that's if we could bring in guys like Nene or Chandler.

Now for the Heat, Sammuel and Battier are the targets here. Pat Riley could be aiming higher but those two are realistically and reasonably within range. Caron Butler, I'd have to say he will likely to choose the Bulls before the Heat. He could be a starter for the Bulls but a mere reserve behind Lebron with the Heat. Other players the Heat could realistically consider are Baron Davis, T-Mac and such. But definitely Sam and Bat are the must-gets over those other has-beens.

[_Steve_]

A healthy Baron Davis might be as productive as an injured Mike Miller.
So I'd prefer Miller over Davis and/ or T-Mac.
But I agree with you on Nene or Chandler. From what I've heard of Nene, he might be playing for less money if he could sign with a contender.

[rise]

A healthy Baron Davis might be as productive as an injured Mike Miller.
So I'd prefer Miller over Davis and/ or T-Mac.

What.

Miller can't play through the injuries he's been having and when he returned, he wasn't even a shell of his former self. Baron was pretty solid when he was healthy and playing with Blake Griffin. Baron wouldn't have much of a problem lobbing alleyoop passes to LeBron/Wade/Bosh. There's not much of a chance someone of Baron's caliber is signing for the minimum though. He's a very good point guard, and when he is released through amnesty, a solid team that could be a contender in a couple years with a lot of cap room will probably offer him a contract worth more than the MLE for a few years. I can see him going to Miami or something after that.

[Andrew]

Jamal Crawford's a free agent. If he's willing to take the MLE, he'd be a more than decent option to replace Miller. Josh Howard is also a free agent, though he's had his own injury problems recently.

[NovU]

A healthy Baron Davis might be as productive as an injured Mike Miller.
So I'd prefer Miller over Davis and/ or T-Mac.

What.

Miller can't play through the injuries he's been having and when he returned, he wasn't even a shell of his former self. Baron was pretty solid when he was healthy and playing with Blake Griffin. Baron wouldn't have much of a problem lobbing alleyoop passes to LeBron/Wade/Bosh. There's not much of a chance someone of Baron's caliber is signing for the minimum though. He's a very good point guard, and when he is released through amnesty, a solid team that could be a contender in a couple years with a lot of cap room will probably offer him a contract worth more than the MLE for a few years. I can see him going to Miami or something after that.

I actually agree with SteveHTOWN on injured Miller being better than Davis in some ways. Baron has been a below average point guard for 3 years in a row now. He's 32 years old and has a history of injuries. There is no way he's going to get overpaid again in his career. And even if the team uses amnesty option on him, he'll still get all the money in the contract. This means less needs for money but more needs for fun and ring chase. Considering all that, it's the Heat team that might not consider him at all. Baron if he's let go, will definitely want Heat's attention. 32 years old point guard who's been labeled an underperformer and a injury prone, that's who he is at the moment. I'd be surprised if he gets a lot of love calls like you are assuming.

But if he comes to Miami, it'll be a fun experiment sort of like Eddy Curry's.

[Andrew]

Bringing Davis on board could work for the Heat, but I don't think it's the move they need to make. In LeBron and Wade, they've got two guys who can create plays and handle the ball and while Chalmers is no star, he's capable of being a solid player at the point. Perhaps you still bring in someone like Davis or give Bibby another shot if you think there's a chance that'll work out better than it did last season but a swingman who can score well and defend at least adequately strikes me as a higher priority.

[Martti.]

So the 3 teams out West the Heat play twice? Mavericks, Lakers and Thunder. Plus they play 4 times against the Bulls. In comparision, the Bulls got the Kings, Hornets and Grizzlies.

[NovU]

Not only that, but the schedule seems to be packed with so many back to backs. Pretty tough schedule.

We're going to see some crazy fantasy league numbers.

[Andrew]

So the 3 teams out West the Heat play twice? Mavericks, Lakers and Thunder. Plus they play 4 times against the Bulls. In comparision, the Bulls got the Kings, Hornets and Grizzlies.

The Bulls play seven of their first nine games on the road. The compressed schedule is rough on everyone in some way.

A couple of items Heat fans may be interested in:
Miami Heat and NBA superstar LeBron James talks about 'his brand' and his switch from the Cleveland Cavaliers

phpBB [video]

[shadowgrin]

I didn't understand anything that Shaq mumbled.

[Andrew]

Could certainly be a recurring problem with his new gig.