Miami Heat Road To The Lottery Thread

Probably just random Ford talk.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-080520

 

Hypothetically speaking, let's say Chicago goes with Rose and Beasley falls into our hands. The only PG under contract for the Miami Heat right now is Marcus Banks - obviously nothing more than a backup at this point. The free agent pool in terms of mid-level guys intrigue me a bit: Louis Williams, Delonte West, Daniel Gibson, Beno Udrih, Juan Carlos Navarro (SG), and Chris Duhon. Philadelphia would be stupid to let Louis Williams walk as a restricted free agent; can't see them not matching a full mid-level contract.

However, how about pulling a Brand/Odom with Gibson/West? Make an offer to our preference, and if matched, jump at the other. I can't imagine Cleveland investing $30-35 million contracts in both players. Both would be fine compliments to Dwyane Wade in the back court (excellent three point shooters, especially), and with Beasley, Marion, and co. it wouldn't make for a bad roster at all.

I mean, we're talking about "improving" a 15-win basketball team here.

G - Daniel Gibson/Marcus Banks
G - Dwyane Wade/Daequan Cook
F - Shawn Marion/Dorell Wright
F - Michael Beasley/Udonis Haslem
C - Mark Blount/Alonzo Mourning

Wild card on the roster for bloom: Joel Anthony, C

I wouldn't be disappointed heading into Oct/Nov at all.

 

Well, we all know that Riley is going to field as many offers as possible. IMO, Elton Brand is a name that will resurface. I've already seen a few rumors floating around, i.e. Marion/Beasley for Brand/Maggette, which would disturb me as much as I like Elton Brand. The only guy I'd jump for is Chris Bosh, as I'm not too sure Toronto's situation is as stable as one would think. Forget about Brand, Anthony, etc.

I'd be very disappointed if we end up picking for another team at #2. Very disappointed.

 

Amare Stoudemire is another name to watch out for.

Section, your source.......needs to register. www.thephins.com

 

Alonzo Mourning is pretty much committed to a return for the 2008-2009 season as long as his health holds up. And yes, shoring up the PG spot is the top priority and Rose is Miami's preference, but if Chicago goes with Rose at #1, then we're going Beasley at #2. There's no way we pass on Beasley for Bayless or Mayo.

Lots of talk last summer about a potentially sending Amare to Atlanta for a package which was highlighted by the 3rd overall selection. I don't know if Phoenix will revisit trade talks, but Nash and O'Neal are getting up there in age while still under contract for a few years, so they've got some financial decisions to make. If it all boils down to it, #2 overall this year is a lot more enticing than #3 overall last year.

 

And wow, hell of a read from a guy who witnessed the lottery selections.

We were one ball away from #1, then one ball away from #3! (again - yikes)

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-flspheatnote21sbmay21,0,2125194.story

^WOW.

 

Chicago will take Derrick Rose. We should just accept the fact that Michael Beasley will be a Miami Heat barring trade, because that's what is going to happen. They're not passing on Derrick Rose. I don't have a single issue with that either, because I love Michael Beasley.

However, Kirk Hinrich is out there, and he would be the perfect fit next to Dwyane Wade in the back court. Don't buy into the "overrated" talk. He had one down season, and he's only 26-27 years old. He's an excellent defender, ball handler, and three point shooter. I don't think it's going to take much to acquire him due to the log jam at guard for Chicago, as well as his contract situation. Probably a couple of contracts, or at most, Udonis Haslem and a filler. Btw, Pat Riley made a comment last night via conference call stating that it won't be too long before he's on the phones with John Paxson - whatever that means. He did, however, allude to Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon.

G - Hinrich
G - Wade
F - Marion
F - Beasley
C - Blount/Zo (ehh)

 

Oh, and I've been hearing a little Hinrich/Nocioni for Marion rumor today.

Pretty credible source, but just talks so far. Riley and Paxson are talking.

 

I would disown the Miami Heat, better yet, the NBA......if Beasley is traded. I think he's going to be an All-Star by year two, and a helluva rookie year one. Honestly, I think he'll be far more productive than Rose right away. Still, I prefer Derrick Rose for the Miami Heat because shoring up the PG spot would be magnificent. Both will be great players - Beasley's stats will probably look better, yet Rose will probably better impact the game.

I could see Michael Beasley averaging 25/10 at age 21-22.

 

Unless it's for Amare Stoudemire or maybe Chris Bosh.

 

I liked Okafor a lot coming out of Uconn and I watched him a ton. I thought he'd be a great defender right away, with potential to be one of the best overall bigs in the game - similar to my Greg Oden thoughts, although Oden had far more potential coming out of college than Okafor. I still think he's a solid/talented big, but he underachieved a bit in terms of how good I thought he'd be. I completely avoided the Okafor/Howard debate which went on for months, as I've never seen an Atlanta Christian Academy game (or whatever it's called) in my life. :lol

 

With all the reading I've been doing, I'm not even too sure that I'd take Rose over Beasley at #1. I mean, yes, better fit and what Wade would go for, but still. Beasley is just a remarkable talent, man. If I was in Pat Riley's shoes, I'd draft Beasley and package Marion for a pair of players which would require a PG and/or C. Two starters for one All-Star type of deal.

 

Interesting read from RealGM's Mock Draft 8.0 (Post-Lottery Edition)

LINK