Center Of Attention

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Dec 5, 2011 6:06 AM EST

There's no secret where I'm going with the discussion. I know some of you guys might be tired of this discussion and others are just as excited to talk about it as me. Our current roster lacks at the center position; with Zydrunas Ilgauskas retired, Erick Dampier and Jamaal Magloire as free agents we have to rely on an undersized Joel Anthony and undeveloped Dexter Pittman and not to appealing Eddy Curry. Don't get me wrong i love Joel as much as any other fan but he's going to struggle against the bigger centers in the league in terms of rebounding and creating offense. Now there's plenty of options at the center position this off season, but getting them is easier said than done especially with the limited cap space the Heat have.

Now we can try to make a move for the 6'11 Samuel Dalembert who would definitely be an upgrade at the position. For his career Dalembert is averaging 8 PPG, 8 RPG and almost two blocks per game. Dalembert has ties to South Florida and has announced his interest in the Heat this off season but would have to take a significant pay cut to join the squad. The $5 million mid-level exception does not appeal to many of the premium free agents in the league especially at the limited center position. Personally picking up Dalembert would be my top priority free agent, with our legendary GM Pat Riley anything can happen, i guarantee you if he tried to sell you something you'd probably buy it.

Other options at the center include Greg Oden who hasn't played in nearly two years and has played only 82 games since being drafted in 2007. Oden has a $8.9 million one year deal he can take from the Trail Blazers which would be hard for the Heat to match. If we were to pick up Oden he wouldn't be able to play until January as he is still recovering, but when healthy he is a pretty decent player. In his last he put up 11 PPG, 9 RPG, 2 BPG and was shooting 61%. Then there's Kwame Brown whose coming off his most productive season in a while, averaging 8 PPG and 7 RPG. I personally don't think Kwame is the answer at our center position but at this point even he is an upgrade. Of course there's Nene who in my eyes is a long shot to join the team. Imaging Nene under the rim, it would create more scoring options for the Heat, his 15 PPG (last seaon) would really help our offense and we wouldn't have to worry about defense, Spoelstra can make the worst defense players seem decent (see. Mike Bibby)

A little different approach would be to take Shane Battier who is a defensive specimen and a factor on the perimeter. On twitter Battier stated

"Getting mad love from Grizz nation, Heat nation, Thunder nation and Rocket nation. Let free agency begin!!! Thanks y'all!"

Battier also has strong ties to Nick Arison as both represent Duke Blue Devils. Battier would replace Miller nicely and a triple threat defensive with Wade,James and Battier would be nice to see for us fans and torture for opposing offenses.

My question to you guys, who do you want to see in a Heat uniform this season?

Poll

Who would you like to see in a Heat jersey this season?

Dalembert

30 votes

Nene

29 votes

Battier

13 votes

K. Brown

3 votes

Oden

6 votes

81 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Dalembert seems like the safer option

I really liked Oden’s game out of college. Oden definitely has more upside, but his downside risk (injuries) seems more probable.

Dalembert on the other hand is a known entity and he’s a great fit. He will rebound and block shots consistently. Most importantly he’s a great fit offensively because he won’t demand the ball too much and will get his points off of hustle.

I think getting Battier (another perfect fit) would be a luxury and not a necessity. He brings off the chart intangibles such as leadership, maturity, fundamentals, but the center position has to be our # 1 priority and I don’t believe that we can get both. I think we can realistically get someone like Grant Hill who brings those same intangibles (although not nearly as productive) along with our center.

by PSLNOLE on Dec 5, 2011 8:05 AM EST reply actions

I agree with everything here

I personally loved Oden out of college but if we are serious about winning multiple championships and becoming a dynasty, I don’t think he’ll last

We Bout To Let These Haters Know..
This Heat Thing, IS MORE THAN HYPE

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Dec 5, 2011 12:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Fingers crossed for Nene....

…but would be REAL happy with Dalembert

"You're either carrying a spear, or running from it"

by BigSpearDiplomacy on Dec 5, 2011 9:08 AM EST reply actions

Nene and Chandler for me would send me flying over the roof

Chances of that though are SLIMMMMMM

We Bout To Let These Haters Know..
This Heat Thing, IS MORE THAN HYPE

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Dec 5, 2011 12:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I like Sammy D and Battier. Is there any way we can get them both?

Also, my Christmas shopping wish list for the Heat:
Sammy D
Shane Battier
Nene or Tyson Chandler (Oh, please, Santa, please)
Caron Butler
Jamal Crawford

If all else fails, we could do well with getting Kwame Brown. I just hope he keeps up his decent play. Heck, if I’m talking about Kwame, might as well throw in Eddy Curry. A hardworking environment would do them well. I think they will be useful. Still, just thinking about Sammy D and Battier or even just the very very slim chance we can get Nene gives me an orgasm.

OH! Those are really cool! (OH! Those are really cool!)
I can't to see what kind of shoes Michael Beasley wears! (I can't to see what kind of shoes Michael Beasley wears!)
OH! I love Michael Beasley's hair! (I can't wait to see Michael Beasley play defense!)

by (o.O) on Dec 5, 2011 10:43 AM EST reply actions

Santa...

We Heat fans have been good haven’t we? Fingers crossed

We Bout To Let These Haters Know..
This Heat Thing, IS MORE THAN HYPE

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Dec 5, 2011 12:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Sam D. but if we have been good enough--well, we had to take a lot of shit last year for one thing!, give us Chandler Santa!

Reporter: What would you say a Greg Studrawa offense is like? Stud:

"Attack and be very physical…fly around…attacking, come after you and come after you and come after you…." Me: I love this answer.

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Dec 5, 2011 1:33 PM EST reply actions

we have no shot at Nene or Chandler, they are worth too much money...

I am torn between Dalembert and Oden. Dalembert is a very safe player and will improve our team. Oden on the other hand is HUGE risk HUGE reward type player. He could either never be healthy, or he could finally put the injury issues behind him and make us one of the most dominant teams of all time. When healthy, Oden was playing like the 2nd best center in the league. He averaged 11.5 pts, 8.5 rbs, and 2.3 blocks with great defense in only 24 mpg and he is only 23 years old. But like I said, he is a huge risk…

In Pat we Trust
"Sorry if everyone thought we were going to go 82-0" - Dwyane Wade
"A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore." - Yogi Berra

by #1Heatfan on Dec 5, 2011 2:45 PM EST reply actions

also to add on to what i said,

I think If Oden could give us a healthy 20-22 mpg and have the rest of the time split between Anthony, Bosh and Haslem we could be unstoppable. Again, its a huge if…

In Pat we Trust
"Sorry if everyone thought we were going to go 82-0" - Dwyane Wade
"A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore." - Yogi Berra

by #1Heatfan on Dec 5, 2011 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

I agree, there's no way we're getting Nene or Chandler

Oden’s injury risk is too much for this team. IMO If we were in a rebuilding year then he’d be a very interesting player, but in a shortened season with championship or bust expectations he’s just too risky. Dalembert isn’t an exciting option but he’s a realistic option that’s a good fit without much risk. Also, I think if Oden really wants to test the market he could get more money.

by PSLNOLE on Dec 5, 2011 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

plus, the blazers would almost certainly match any offer we could make to Oden (the MLE)...

In Pat we Trust
"Sorry if everyone thought we were going to go 82-0" - Dwyane Wade
"A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore." - Yogi Berra

by #1Heatfan on Dec 5, 2011 9:05 PM EST up reply actions

Nice article, H3atles and long time no see (same goes for #1Heatfan and (o.O)). I will be a happy camper if we do manage to land both Dalembert and Battier. As with Greg Oden, it looks as if he will resign with the Blazers.

"A man who believes that he can do everything, let him dig a grave and bury himself."

by The One Who Wears The Crown on Dec 7, 2011 2:32 PM EST reply actions

good to see u too man...

personally, i cant really blame Oden for returning to the Blazers. He’ll make like 9 mil and assuming he can stay healthy, he will get a huge contract next year (from a team that loses out on Paul/Howard). And, honestly, even if he isnt able to stay healthy, there will still be a team willing to take a chance on him with the MLE. I would be very happy with Dalembert and Battier/Prince (but Prince might be too pricey). I dont know about you guys, but I cant wait until Christmas Day…

In Pat we Trust
"Sorry if everyone thought we were going to go 82-0" - Dwyane Wade
"A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore." - Yogi Berra

by #1Heatfan on Dec 7, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

Good to see all of the Heat family again

I can’t wait till Christmas man, I will be out of town so I wont be able to join you guys but I come back in time for our second game. The best part of those Heat games was talking with u guys.

We Bout To Let These Haters Know..
This Heat Thing, IS MORE THAN HYPE

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Dec 8, 2011 3:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

The man with the coolest log in name is back

Heat season is on baby!!!!

"80 percent of this thread is rangerjae's sig". -Jim Margulus 6/16/11

Follow me on twitter @michaelcaserno and read my blog, it sucks but its fun

by rangerjae on Dec 8, 2011 1:50 PM EST reply actions

Lol!!

Couple days man, just a couple days

We Bout To Let These Haters Know..
This Heat Thing, IS MORE THAN HYPE

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Dec 8, 2011 6:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

c0min9 fr0m a Ce1tic Fan

I don’t know why, but, why doesn’t Heat just trade 3 of their current centers for Dalembert. What, Stern would veto the trade? I’m only saying this is because if the Heat grabs Dalemebert, and keep Dalembert for back up.

Its all about money, its all about Banner 18

by 2012Celtic on Dec 21, 2011 8:37 AM EST reply actions