Miami Heat

[theyhateme45]

Might as well only have one thread for all Miami Heat talk...

Udonis Haslem Returns to Miami for Discounted Rate!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-udonis-haslem-s071110,0,1392457.story

Instead of packages from other teams that could have reached $35 million over five seasons, Haslem, 30, said he signed a five-year deal with the Heat, a package that should fall in the $20 million range.

Bosh already has stated a preference not to be cast at center. Despite being listed at 6 feet 8, two inches shorter than Bosh's 6-10 listed height, Haslem said he would have no problem making such a sacrifice for coach Erik Spoelstra.

"I'm sure if that's what Coach Spo wants, we'll have to deal with it, what it takes to make this happen. We've already sacrificed. So why stop sacrificing now?" he said, now standing as the fourth member of the roster to take less than market price in free agency. "I'm sure there are going to be points in the game where Chris and I will be playing together."

WOW!! UD is a true team player.... It's one thing for Wade,LBJ, Bosh to pass on a few millions...they still have their endorsements ect. But for Haslem to leave extra millions on the table per year.... This is a big deal for Miami in filling out their roster. Haslem is the type of player they had to have on their roster.

[theyhateme45]

Mike Miller deal looks like it's done also...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arn-tellem/meet-the-heat_b_643589.html?view=print

Today, another client of mine, Mike Miller, announces his intention to sign a five year free-agent contract with the Miami Heat. Mike welcomes the chance to be the Ringo in a hot combo that already includes LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Providentially, this week the original Ringo and his All Starr Band have a gig just up I-95 in Hollywood, Florida.

For the last week, Mike's future has hinged on LeBron's. We talked to the Bulls, the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Knicks showed tremendous interest: Coach Mike D'Antoni is clearly crazy about Mike's ability. Had the Cavaliers kept LeBron, Mike would have been a great fit for them, too. And, yes, the Clippers were a credible option. But LeBron was always the elephant in the room, just as Mike is now the octopus in the garden (so to speak).

With all the aces played in the free-agency deck, the Heat needed to fill out its hand with someone who could hold the insanely-talented vortex together. The Heat needed a Ringo, a shooting guard who would maintain the tempo and never miss a beat. Mike is that guy.

Over the past four seasons, he topped all starting shooting guards and small forwards in True Shooting percentage (.604). He also had the second-highest 3-point percentage (.418) and the fourth best field-goal percentage (.483). At 6'8", Mike is one of the purest shooters and most versatile players in the league.

On the night free-agency kicked in, Mike and I hung out in a room at the Beverly Wilshire with Pat Riley, Alonzo Mourning and others in the Miami brain trust. We held our own with them until 2:30 in the morning, and I can assure you that the moments were never dull. Enthusiasm is contagious, and Coach Riley a carrier. Had he not become coach of the Heat, he could have made millions by opening a chain of tanning salons in the Sunshine State. He's that good.

Pat had a vision for the team, a vision that he laid out with evangelical fervor. We left the room converted.

In the elevator, Mike told me that if the Pat could pull off a James-Wade-Bosh trifecta, he'd be South Florida-bound. Well, The Heat is on, so, Mike Miller, Welcome to Miami.

[Kakarot]

I dont like the Heat, but good for Haslem. Sacrificing millions, just so he can have a shot at another ring. Still getting good money, but good for him. I wouldve went to the highest bidder. F*ck a ring haha

[DynastyRTR]

True player, until his contract expires, and he has a few nba championships under his belt. then he'll be after some bigger money.

EDIT:

if the Heat can get Big Z, and Kyrylo Fesenko(who really shined when Bogut went down with injury and has tons of potential/upside) at a low cost, the 5 spot is taken care of. the only thing they'll have to worry about then is a vet PG to help develop Chalmers, and a backup for LBJ. Guys like Chucky Atkins and Adam Morrison would be a good fit in South Beach.

PG-Mario Chalmers/Chucky Atkins

SG-Dwyane Wade/Mike Miller

SF-LeBron James/Adam Morrison

PF-Chris Bosh/Udonis Haslem

C-Zydrunas Ilgauskas/Kyrylo Fesenko

[BF91]

I've got nothing but respect for Haslem. The guy is a true team player.

[Henne Given Sunday]

so happy about haslem being back. dude is florida thru and thru......keep picking up the pieces riles!!!!!!!!

[King Taharqa]

[theyhateme45]

PDcavsinsider

Agent Herb Rudoy says Ilgauskas has chosen to sign with Heat. Z hopes to return & be part of #Cavs organization when his career is over.

Western Conference executive: "LeBron has done more recruiting in the last five days than he did in the last 3 years."

IraHeatBeat

Agent Herb Rudoy confirms Zydrunas Ilgauskas to sign with Heat. Only issue is whether 1 year or 1 plus option. Says LeBron was recruiting.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-juwan-howard-s071320,0,4121982.story

Howard, who has been finalizing his minimum-scale deal with Heat President Pat Riley, is in the midst of sorting out last details before joining the team.

In 73 games this past season with the Blazers, including 27 starts, Howard averaged 6.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in an average of 22.4 minutes per game, shooting 50.4 percent from the field. He ranked 16th in the league last season in offensive rebounds per 48 minutes.

Miami Putting the pieces together to make a strong title run this year... we'll still have to see how it plays on the court, but Miller, Haslem, J.Howard, Big Z are all solid role players which is what they need.

[BF91]

Big Z can and probably will step in and start for the Heat. LeBron is doing one hell of a job recruiting guys to play with him.

[King Taharqa]

Big Z can and probably will step in and start for the Heat. LeBron is doing one hell of a job recruiting guys to play with him.

He's doing all this in less than a week. He couldnt get guys to want to come to Cleveland FOR YEARS.

[pantherfan49]

He's doing all this in less than a week. He couldnt get guys to want to come to Cleveland FOR YEARS.

In fairness, the situations aren't one in the same. They aren't even close. But Cleveland as a town sucks, so I can see why it was hard to recruit to Cleveland.

[King Taharqa]

In fairness, the situations aren't one in the same. They aren't even close. But Cleveland as a town sucks, so I can see why it was hard to recruit to Cleveland.

Add in playing for a Pat Riley lures guys more than playing for a Dan Gilbert.

As for this Heat team, they have a couple of nicknames already...

[Henne Given Sunday]

[King Taharqa]

The Heat are very close to singing FA big man Juwan Howard. This would give them another big body, and some much needed depth in the paint.