****The Official 2013-14 NBA Thread****

Positives on Napier (according to Riley/Heat profile):

A) 4 year player.
B) mature
C) shooting range.
D) good handle for 90 feet, facing up.

Drawbacks:

A) limited wingspan
B) slow feet
C) bad shot selection.
D) lacks straight line speed.

 

There is also a report that Riley worked out Napier in "secret" last week.

I am trying to confirm that.

If I do...then the Napier stuff is real...and the stuff I was fed was 100% posturing (like I hypothesized)

 

I would guess that they could go with a core of Wade and Bosh and add either a big piece like Melo or Love (in a year) or go with a couple of next tier guys like say a Lowry and Deng. Obviously Lebron is difficult, if not impossible to replace, but with about $20 mill available in cap space, Riley, an attractive city and favorable tax environment and playing in the East Miami would probably remain among the top 4 contenders in the conference.

I fully expect Lebron to return and would guess it's at least a 95% probability that he does (<3% Cleveland and <2% every other team), but even losing Lebron Miami wouldn't be in a bad position roster-wise since they'd have a ton of flexibility and arguably the best architect you could ask for.

 

I like Napier more than Early b/c I don't think you can improve 'feel for the game' and 'court vision' that much in an older player, but I don't expect him to be available anyways. My concern with Napier is that his athleticism might be exposed against better NBA competition. Slow feet and limited size may just be too much to overcome. Early has ability to finish and I expect he can improve his lower body strength, improve his handle and get more consistent mechanics on his shot, but I worry about his feet on D and the aforementioned 'feel'. But I don't really claim any expertise as a basketball scout so I'll trust Riley's eyes over my own any day (I probably wouldn't say that about any NFL GM). It would be interesting to learn if Riley really did have that secret work out with Napier.

 

This Napier stuff is really interesting. Personally I think he's a great fit for Miami. Combination of floor general, ball-handling, aggressively pushes transition with the pass, quick hands on defense, very good jump-shooter with range off the catch or off the bounce, ability to score one-on-one primarily with that step-back fall-away jumper that he's made a living on. He has a knack for creating turnovers and could take some weight off LBJ/Wade's shoulders with his offensive game. Here he is in AAC tournament crunch-time breaking down 6'4 draft prospect (second round) Sean Kilpatrick from Cincy.
[video=youtube;aQY9Vc4gtpQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQY9Vc4gtpQ[/video]

I also don't think people realize how bad UConn's team was for much of the year. He carried them, led them in points and steals, and at 5'11 was their second-leading rebounder. Just about all his points came on shots he created for himself one-on-one because it's just what he had to do in that roster. When other guys started to play better, Bazz improved as well. He hit 46% of his jumpers in the tournament.

There are drawbacks, of course. But to me Miami doesn't need him to finish at the rim or be flexible to switch and defend big two-guards who want to post him up (though he bothered the sh-t out of Kentucky's big backcourt in the Finals). I just think his strengths are very appealing for what Miami could use, and he's NBA-ready with game that has improved every single year especially with range. Heat fans (and LeBron) would love him, imo. But like Section said...this, along with LBJ's tweets about him, create a very good reason to blow smoke about their interest and leak it to ESPN or whatever. Pretty fascinating.

 

Wade, Bosh, and Lebron are together right now at SOHO Beach House.

 

Please tell me the rumor Pat Riley is going to make a hard run at Kendrick Perkins is 100% false.

 

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=11135060

Sounds like this Mavs/Knicks trade is going to happen.

Mavs receive: Chandler and Felton

Knicks receive: Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington and the 34th and 51st picks

 

It is 190% false.

But if he is amnestied..they did like him 4 years ago..so maybe they offer the vet min. then.

 

You got the better players, and you save 7 Million for next year when you waive Sam Dalembert.

Calderon has trade value as well.

it is a GREAT DEAL for NY.

I told you to take some pain this year...but Phil has a good plan.

 

Really? That's a sweet deal for NY, imo.

 

Boik still has this inexplicable expectation that the Knicks are actually trying to win games next season.

 

Isn't Cleanthony Early basically another James Ennis?

 

More like Dorrell Wright. Better handle. good first step.

Ennis is a locked in SF. He has a mediocre handle and a slow release. Ennis is just uber athletic and it would be fun to see him running with Lebron, etc..

 

I HAVE NOT HEARD THIS. This is a rumor that a few guys are tracking down for it's origins.

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated has written a piece loosely based on this. It is out today.

 

I want to know if Carmelo will bring his talents to south beach too.

 

I love the deal. You are clearing space for next year..and you added an asset when you had NONE. Great deal.

 

Doubtful.

 

Yup. And even short-term...Knicks got something for Raymond Felton and managed to swing a PG who, to me, seems to fit the triangle offense pretty perfectly because of his range. Calderon could light it up in that system, imo.

Phil will have that payroll and roster grooving, no doubt. I'd expect another trade or two in the near future as well.

 

Oh well, bring in more players for our bench, I want Monroe, Mills, and Deng. Let's make it happen!

 

Really want this offseason to truly start.

Section what do you think the draft can tell us about other potential moves?

 

not much really.

 

No info...but I would bet on Houston.

The Heat WILL speak with him though...and who knows..they might ask him to keep them in mind and sign a shorter deal.

 

So you think even if we did take a PG like Napier we would still target a guy like Lowry for example?

 

Timmy Jr and Larkin belong in Miami.

 

It's not about what you want Boik, it's about doing what's right.

 

Rockets trade Asik to Pelicans

 

Pelican Power!

 

Best news of the offseason. Just opened up 15 mil, plus the Pelicans paid us an extra 1.5 mil...lol

Morey is a f'n genius. Now, dump Lin on some poor soul.

 

Riley is not the coach...but I don;t see a "Riley" team with somebody inexperienced running point.

 

Don't mind this move by the Rockets. Frees up money.

 

Since when is Morey considered a genius?