Eddie House agrees to sign with Heat

[Alpha_]

MIAMI -- Eddie House's agent says the veteran guard has agreed to terms on a $2.8 million, two-year contract with the Miami Heat.

Agent Mark Bartelstein said Thursday that the second year is a player option.

House was a second-round draft pick by the Heat in 2000 and spent his first three NBA seasons with them. He has since played for eight other teams, including Boston and New York last season, when he averaged 7.0 points in 68 games off the bench.

The Celtics and Bulls were among several teams that showed interest in House this offseason.

His career average is 7.6 points, and he's a 39 percent shooter from 3-point range, with a reputation for making clutch baskets.

House will be a strong contender for a reserve role as part of the Heat's supporting cast for Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5420096

[Martti.]

Love it. My nephew, a huge Chicago can, was really hoping he would go the Bulls, makes it that much sweeter.

[JaoSming]

I miss Eddie

[Axel The Great]

At least now they get a good PG, and add some more depth at the PG position (Arroyo, Chalmers, House).

[NovU]

I am guessing the Heat needed House more than the Bulls. Despite him being old, his range will be an asset to the Heat, while the Bulls I think are looking more for the the lengthy wing man who can guard taller/bigger guards out there.

Anyways, this is another good pick up for the Heat. The team consists of bunch of veterans that all came cheap and at almost no risk due to short length of contracts. This obviously is what the Heat needs to do for next couple years, picking up the veterans at low price, rather than trying to get/develop young players.

[koberulz]

At least now they get a good PG, and add some more depth at the PG position (Arroyo, Chalmers, House).

If by 'good PG' you mean 'undersized SG', then sure.

[Axel The Great]

OK.

[NovU]

He's a combo guard that plays both position. Height wise, PG, skill wise, SG. But I think he was usually listed as PG at least for last couple years.

[rise]

It can never hurt to get more experience on your team...

This could be really good for Miami.

[Andrew]

Guess that means the Bulls will have to go after Mason or Bogans instead. Solid pickup for the Heat.

[brett35]

this team just keeps getting better and better, eddie house is a great 3 point shooter that will really compliment wade and lebron. just what they need.

[koberulz]

He's a combo guard that plays both position. Height wise, PG, skill wise, SG. But I think he was usually listed as PG at least for last couple years.

Doesn't really matter where he's listed, his skillset is that of a SG. Which, in a team with LeBron and Wade dominating the ball, isn't really a bad thing.

[The X]

Very good signing for the Heat. You almost don't get any better for veteran's minimum. He will single handedly be the main factor in at least 3 regular season & 1 playoff win

[Martti.]

They also re-signed Shavlik Randolph. Their frontcourt now is Bosh, Haslem, Anthony, Big Z, Howard, Magloire, Randolph and Pittman. Plenty of depth and now with House and Hasbrouck, they have some depth in the backcourt too.

[NovU]

Doesn't really matter where he's listed, his skillset is that of a SG.

Probably. He sucks at ball handling so bad, can't even move the ball across the half line against full court pressure.

As for his role, I don't think he'll be that much used as he's old and slow, but I can already envision him hitting 2 three pointers and act all heroeic in a game or a few, which I wouldn't mind happening.

[benji]

This Heat team is proving how fucking stupid the traditional position designations are. They never mattered as much as people have wanted them to. LeBron and Wade destroy the idea that you need a "PG." (As Jordan/Pippen also did...gasp, shock, how dare he!)

A lot of people are stuck pre-lockout. And even more are stuck pre-2003. It's almost like they hate the league evolving beyond what they grew up with.

[kingjames23]

why do you need a point guard when you have a point forward(LEBRON)? this affords you to have a 2 shooting guard backcourt with one guy who slashes(WADE) and a 2nd shooting guard to spot up behind the arc (MILLER/ HOUSE) the only time you need a point guard on the floor is when Lebron sits. i see House taking on a John Paxon/Steve Kerr type role like in Chicago. correct me if i am wrong, but didnt Jordan or Pippen usually bring the ball up court and direct traffic? this seems to be the dynamic they are going for in Miami

i agree with Benji there

when was the last time you saw a traditional Center or Power forward outside of Howard? the skillsets of bigmen coming into the league these day are, on average, much different than they were 10-20 years ago. 7 footers who put the ball on the floor and shoot 3's? that's insane! pretty soon a players position wont even be identifiable. point guards used to all be around 6'0-6'2 outside of Magic, now there seems to be 6'4, 6'5 point guards everywhere and everyone calls a 6'0 point undersized.

[shadowgrin]

Wade can also play the point if needed. All Eddie House needs to do is shoot threes and defend.

[The X]

when was the last time you saw a traditional Center or Power forward outside of Howard? the skillsets of bigmen coming into the league these day are, on average, much different than they were 10-20 years ago. 7 footers who put the ball on the floor and shoot 3's? that's insane! pretty soon a players position wont even be identifiable. point guards used to all be around 6'0-6'2 outside of Magic, now there seems to be 6'4, 6'5 point guards everywhere and everyone calls a 6'0 point undersized.

That's easiest question of the day, that being Andrew Bogut, who is a much more traditional pivot than Dwight Howard

[Lamrock]

Not to mention Greg Oden

[kingjames23]

i wasnt only talking about centers. may power forwards are now perimeter players whereas in the oldentimey days they were the guys who just stuck by the basket and scored by cleaning up on missed shots. theres not a lot of karl malone prototype power forwards. everyone wants to play away from the basket now. theres a few, but its a dying breed.

[benji]

may power forwards are now perimeter players whereas in the oldentimey days they were the guys who just stuck by the basket and scored by cleaning up on missed shots.

Uhhhh...define "oldentimey days" because I seem to remember a heck of a lot of jump shooting power forwards from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

[shadowgrin]

Even Karl Malone can hit them midrange J's. Even attempted some three point shots in his career.

kingjames is confused on the role of each position...

(Jazzy J) writes:
> Grant Hill's skills are such that he could play any of 3
> positions effectively. He could play the point much like an
> Anfernee Hardaway does, or like a Steve Smith does ...

All of this discussion about Grant Hill and what position he'll play has
inspired me to re-release the OFFICIAL Usenet Basketball Team Position
Definitions:

Center - The tallest player on the team. He's supposed to get rebounds. If he
scores or blocks shots in addition to getting rebounds, he's an All-Star. If
he does two other things besides get rebounds he's an MVP and/or future Hall of
Fame member.

Power Forward - The second tallest player on the team. PF's are like centers,
except they look at the basket instead of have their backs to it.

Small Forward - A small forward is not a guard, not a center, and not a PF.
Other than that, noone is quite sure what they do, so anything they do is OK.

Shooting Guard. He scores. He doesn't pass. If a player scores and passes,
he is an All-Star. If he scores and passes a lot, he's an MVP and/or a future
Hall of Fame member.

Point Guard. He passes the ball. He doesn't shoot the ball, EVER!!! If a PG
does shoot the ball, then he is a SG playing out of position.

I hope this helps ( ).

[rise]

I could have give a better description of the positions when I was 11months

[Andrew]

I believe it's supposed to be a rather glib interpretation of things, very tongue-in-cheek.