With Mike Miller signed, what's next for the Heat?
by David Dwork on Jul 16, 2010 1:48 AM EDT
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After what feels like weeks of waiting (really it was just a few days), the Heat finally was able to officially sign forward Mike Miller to a 5-year contract on Thursday. A roster that was very recently considered/assumed to be ‘3 guys and a bunch of scrubs' has quickly evolved into a very formidable and downright scary group of basketball players.
With Miller now locked up, the Heat has reached the $58 million salary cap. That means they can start signing free agents willing to play for the minimum, some of which have already began lining up. Zydrunas ‘The Igloo' Ilgauskas and Juwan Howard are both practically on the team, but we've done that dance with Howard before. Still, both could be members of the Heat by the end of the weekend.
Past that, there are still some options for the Heat to explore. Judging by the members of this site, Jason Williams should absolutely be the next guy to sign on the dotted line. As a player, I am all for this move. Experienced and smart, he showed us last season in Orlando that there are still a lot of shots in his arsenal.
It will be interesting to see if/how J-Will responds to the comments he made earlier this year about the 06 Heat team, but from a basketball standpoint this move makes a ton of sense. Regardless of what kind of offense they primarily run, the Heat will need some kind of true point guard on their roster. It's ironic that Jason Williams could be brought in to do for Mario Chalmers what Gary Payton was brought in to do for Jason Williams back in 2006; provide leadership, a veterans presence and (to some extent) defense...though Payton was one of the best defenders at that position, ever.
Another guy I'd like to bring south from Orlando is Matt Barnes. He is a great defender who can shoot and score; a perfect fit to come off of this teams bench. The question would be though, where does he fit in? Barnes is a forward, and the Heat already has Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Udonis Haslem and now Mike Miller. There are always ways to make it work, but that could come into consideration when Barnes weighs his options.
Miami and Boston seem to be his final two choices, though other teams are said to be in the running. This all stems from Barnes being upset with Orlando for not offering him a contract to come back and then signing Quentin Richardson. The Magic has also apparently matched the Bulls offer sheet with J.J. Redick, which puts them at the cap.
Barnes offered this message on his Twitter page Wednesday afternoon "2maro is the day. I will let my fans know where I'm going to sign. Its gonna SURPRISE you!!!! Keep it locked." Whether or not that means Miami is something we'll have to wait a few more hours to find out.
The option to bring back James Jones could be lessening because it seems the Spurs have him in their sights. San Antonio has about $2.3 million left in cap space to spend, and Jones is towards the top of their want list. Miami can now only offer players the veteran's minimum, which for Jones wouldn't be close to that $2.3
Moving on, now that the Michael Beasley trade has finally been processed, he can speak about his former team. I wasn't sure what to expect because while I never thought Super Cool was the smartest guy, he always had a sense of swag to him. Here is what Beasley had to say on Wednesday:
"I don't want to say anything I'm going to regret. Miami had to do what they needed to do to accomplish their goals over the summer. They wanted one big free agent or two, they got all the free agents. You've got to clear some small things to get the big things in. And I'm OK with that.""Coach Riley sat me down and told me, 'If this happens . . . ' At the time we all thought the Big Three was just a myth. So never in a million years did I think it was going to happen. Coach Riley let me know if he had a chance to get LeBron James or Chris Bosh, it could happen. So I was sort of prepared for it. It happened and I'm a Timberwolve now."
Some very mature words from the former 2nd overall pick. I can honestly say I wish Beasley nothing but the best up in Minnesota. Leaving here with class puts a nice bow on Super Cool's Miami Adventure.
Finally...for all you J-Will lovers out there, here is probably my best memory (game-wise) for Williams. Enjoy!
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Bit of class from Beasley – Like Riley said the decision wasn’t a knock against him, just that he would not of fit into the rotation. I hope he shines in Minnesota.
It’ll be interesting to see who the remaining signings are over the coming days…I hope Barnes and JWill come to the Heat with a couple of the guys doing the rounds in the summer league games now.
Not impressed with Pittman so far – he has size but his hands have been terrible – Vernado’s positioning has been great defensively but he may struggle with his size at the next level. On a positive note the guards have been playing great – Beverley and Hasbrouck especially.
"Great effort springs naturally from great attitude" - Pat Riley
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships" - Michael Jordan
Matt barnes
Is he willing to sign for the minimum?
Classy words from Supercool.
2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
2010 The Jim Mandich NewsFlash Award Winner.
""It only ends once. Everything that comes before is just progress"
Love the maturity from Beasley!
Looks like he’s been taking lessons from UD while he was here =P
by ap3604 on Jul 16, 2010 6:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I remember that J Will clip.
It was game 5 of the ECF.
Wade has flu like symptoms and somebody else had to step up…
Guess who it was?
Not Shaq right away but it was J Will
I think he went 11/12 from the field in total.
22 points.
Hmm
Rasual Butler or Matt Barnes.
Maybe Rasual is doing the same thing Boozer did.
Wait and see who we sign at final backup wing and wait to see where Barnes goes before he makes his decision.
Barnes?
We keep adding players but how many minutes do we have left for bench guys?
LETS GO HEAT!!!!!!!
Joel Anthony is the man
Henne please don't be good be Great
This is how it goes
We do need a backup pg,If Barnes is signed he can play backup sf and Miller can play backup sg, if Rasual Butler is signed then he is the backup sg and Miller is backup sf,J Will should be resigned as backup pg,Magloire as starting center.
SO 3 spots to be filled.
Backup pg,sg/sf depending on Butler/Barnes and Magloire at starting center.
by thedeeofdees on Jul 16, 2010 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions
I was also impressed with Beasley's class
Riley still had nice things to say about him upon his exit. Good for them, usually with that high of a pick there’s some bitterness from either side when things don’t work out. Good luck to him, I honestly hope to see him blossom in Minny.
I think Barnes is Miami-bound and I knew there was a reason I held onto that J-Will jersey of mine.
Appreciate a generous owner, accomplished VP, strong GM and fair coach
This league will soon fear the Fins
by special agent wildcat on Jul 16, 2010 8:23 AM EDT reply actions
Man I still say forget Beasley
Beasley is no longer on this team finally.
Now then…
Weather we get Barnes or Rasual Butler I don’t mind.
Resign J Will and Magloire too!
Lol I'm glad Igloo stuck
J-Will J-Will J-Will!!!
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." -Master Oogway-
yeah i figure if I study high, take the test high, get high scores! right? -redman-
The official Kory Sheets clan leader!!! LaRon Byrd the next Phenom out of Miami!!!
Wade County and The 3 Kings!!! Bring J-Will back to Miami!!!
surprise!
supercool exited with class. shocking, in fact. best of luck to him in minnesota.
barnes, butler, j-dubb, howard and z?
looks like things are taking shape!
Kenny has been calling it for weeks
Let’s get this done and thanks for the email back – I will be there if we sign Mr. Chocolate!!!
F$@! yea!!!
by Metro Dade Vice on Jul 16, 2010 10:37 AM EDT reply actions
Heat Dynasty!
PG’s=Chalmers,Hasbrouck,J Will
SG’s=Wade,Mike Miller
SF’s=LBJ,Barnes
PF’s=Bosh,Haslem,Juwan Howard
C’s=Magloire,Z,Joel Anthony
by thedeeofdees on Jul 16, 2010 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
NO JWILL
hes had some nasty things to say about our championship team. and remember that play in the east finals against the C’s. when rondo out hustled him for a loose ball and won the game, is that the kind of player we want to add?
You gotta hate to lose more than you want to win
Why is it even a discussion?
With the exception of Derek Fisher, there is not a more perfect fit for this team at the PG position than Williams. He had a great working flow with D.Wade, he is an unselfish baller who cares about winning and on occasion making the other team’s defense look mediocre at best. He can mentor Rio while helping to lead a 2nd unit, or at times bring the energy to the first unit when Rio needs to sit down. J-Will can score when he needs to but first and foremost his play is predicated on creating for others, imagine what he can do with guys like Wade and Lebron on the wings and Bosh down low? Imagine what JWill can do in the open space when teams are double Wade, or maybe they double LBJ, either way, someone will be left open and JWill will take advantage.
Get it done Pat and the dynasty you envisioned will be complete. PERIOD
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
"With Mike Miller signed, what's next for the Heat?"
Assemble your garbage time squad and start having your starters and two subs doing a whole lot of wind sprints. Your team is set.
Perfect nickname suggestion for the trio!!!
The Wade Brigade! Marching on forward to their goal of a title!
What are the odds
Miami signs someone who can single cover Dwight Howard?
Thanks to those who respond.
"The Cavaliers were a contender to win the finals therefore they will always be a threat to contend for a title."~Wally Balls 407
Free these guys
Free J Will (PG to consider next to him: Keyon Dooling)
Resign Magloire!
Resign Joel!
Sign Barnes or Rasual Butler!(whoever wants to come)
This is taking too long!
How long are these guys taking to simply sign the contracts so we can have our roster?
J Will sign the damn contract!
Magloire sign the damn contract!
Joel sign!
Barnes say you want to come to Miami and sign!
idk if barnes is gunna come
seems like he was about to sign with someone (heat or celtics were the likely teams) today but now some other teams came into the mix and im pretty sure they can offer him more money and more minutes…just depends what hes after. minutes or a ring
how many players do the heat have under contract thus far?
"the man who created a legend; the legend who resurrected a franchise."
wade, bosh, james, chalmers, haslem, and miller?
"the man who created a legend; the legend who resurrected a franchise."
officially yes
igloo and juwan howard(i think) have committed to the Heat
- LN21 and MHTD - Going Commando
- Mi lugar favorito es compañero de apartamento juevos
by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Jul 16, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Wrong!
Wade,Lebron,Bosh,Miller,Haslem,Chalmers,Hasbrouck,Z,Pittman was just recently signed
Thats 9 players under contract thus far.
4 more to go(J Will,Magloire,Joel Anthony,Barnes or Rasual Butler)
has Z officially signed yet?
and my bad, i didn’t know Pittman and Hasbrouck signed
- LN21 and MHTD - Going Commando
- Mi lugar favorito es compañero de apartamento juevos
by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Jul 16, 2010 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
and as a tip
if you replying to someone, hit the reply button, makes it much easier to follow the conversation
- LN21 and MHTD - Going Commando
- Mi lugar favorito es compañero de apartamento juevos
by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Jul 16, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Reports
says that Heat has signed Pittman and Joel Anthony
I guess they are holding to Pittman to make sure he keeps his weight down. Plus he’s still a hardworker, cant let summer games decide it all.
Hoorays for Anthony!! :D
About to sign Ilgauakas soon too.
i like pittman
and the Heat are notorious for their endurance workouts, Riles worked them past the point of exhaustion, there have been hundreds of reports of players throwing up during the workouts, and i’m sure Spo has picked up right where Riles left off, Pittman will be in shape, if not he will be suspended
- LN21 and MHTD - Going Commando
- Mi lugar favorito es compañero de apartamento juevos
by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Jul 16, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm
I still say resign Magloire too.
Word on the street is Barnes is talking to the cavs?
Really?
What happened to wanting to play for a contender?
He would be a jackass if he signs with the cavs.
He is all about money not winning.
No wonder he cannot stay 3 seasons on a team.
2 seasons or less then he is a free agent again.
Mysterious Hand
In that J Will photo in the article…
Imagine...
Picture Lebron at point guard for the heat…
A backcourt of James and Wade would be a force to be recon with for the entire league.
The 21 century Magic Johnson?
Yup.
Picture Lebron,Wade,Mike Miller,Bosh,Magloire as the starting lineup?
Lebron of course would have to want to play point guard,averaging 22 and 12 with 9 rebounds?
Sounds like Magic Johnson type numbers to me.
And Lebron has put up those numbers before.
Come on Riley, at least bring the idea to Lebron!
by thedeeofdees on Jul 16, 2010 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I think if he was getting 22/12/9 (which are realistic numbers) he’ll try real hard to get that 1 extra rebound, averaging a triple double on the best team in the league, there’s no way they can give the mvp to Kobe then.
#1 LBJ and A-Rod fan
Haters gonna hate.
Kobe doesn't go for regular season MVPs
No vets really do. Kobe will knock himself out for Finals MVPs though. (He really only won the most recent Finals MVP by default… his best games were Lakers losses. But that’s beside the point.)
Overwhelming favorite for regular season MVP in my book is Kevin Durant.
Summer League Game
…Coming into the 3rd quarter, Beverly and Varnado hadn’t played in a few games, but immediately when they came in the Heat pulled away easily. Their defense was phenomenal, especially Beverly, who I swear forced at least 10 TOs in the 3rd quarter alone. And Hasbrouck, as a shooter looked great too.
I think LeBron is going to have to play some minutes at point considering how Miami is lacking at that position. Jason Williams seem to be best ‘available’ point guard to back up Chalmers.
We’ve got 3 big men in Joel Anthony, Zydrunas Ilgauskus and rookie Dexter Pittman but each has weaknesses. ‘Z’ is probably one of the slowest big man out there today, Pittman is a green rookie, so Joel Anthony will have to play much better.
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