Well, it looks like it has come down to this. We’ve decided to discontinue the site. We’re not even sure anyone has been reading this so instead of continuing to throw money down a hole we’re going to cut our loses. If ever you have read any of our articles or have anything to say you can quickly create an account and post a comment for us to read. It’s been fun. Go Heat!
Team MHB
Ok. Yesterday we were successful in making a significant trade this off-season. The deal sending Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, Wayne Simeon, and a future conditional draft pick for Ricky Davis and Mark Blount.
Immediately we have improved our offense. But here is what makes the move even more productive: Pat Riley freed himself from Walker’s abomination of a contract. I still don’t know how Riles got that sold but here’s some prospect of what next off-season could look like as reported by the Miami Herald’s Michael Wallace (no, not the 60 minutes guy)
The Heat could have as much as $21 million in expiring contracts next summer, making it a potential bidder for a 2008 free agents crop that could include Gilbert Arenas, Ron Artest, Corey Maggette, Elton Brand, Baron Davis and Jermaine O’Neal.
Pat, you’ve done it again.
Considering the laziness of our MHB staff and the fact that my place of business seems to be in an ever increasing lull, I figured we can cover up to date on what I’ve seen/heard from the Heat to this point in the preseason.
Let’s start with Dorell Wright. Reading mostly from what Ira Winderman has seen as well as personally seeing the Heat play against the Hawks, I don’t think he will be our starting small forward this season. The feeling is that his game compliments Wade’s so they are going to put him on the back-burner until Flash’s return. At the Hawks game, he was jump-shooting and shot-blocking. The latter resulting in him fouling out (he must’ve been hanging with Zo). When he chose to fire up mid-range jumpers instead of slashing to the basket, he was pulled. To get back in the mix he’s either got to develop a jump-shot or return to a high-flier and get to the rim as well as rely more on team defense rather than blocking shots (which is awesome when he does but also gets him into foul trouble).
If this were a RPG, Jason Williams would have the dexterity of negative 100. He walks the ball up court, fires up air-balls, misses layups, and somehow manages to strain, pull, or bruise something every couple of games. I definitely think he would be an excellent candidate for a bionic man experiment. This season I am interested to see that if what the Heat camp has said about J-Will is true ( I posted the comment earlier), that he has gotten back to form from when he was with Memphis. I’m finding that hard to believe this preseason.
Smush Parker came here to give us help at the point. The role I could see him filling is a guard similar to Damon Jones. With Shaq in the middle and Flash on your side you have to improve your filed goal/3 point percentage. If he does fill a role like that he would be a better fit than Donkey was he won’t get posterized on defense ( I was at that game Bron Bron threw down on Damon, it was worse seeing it in person). BTW Damon Jones earned the name Donkey by the way he followed around Shaq like Donkey does Shrek (aside from his Kool-Aid smile).
If I’m correct, this will be the first off-season Shaq has had to rest. Since being in the league he has always advanced deep into the playoffs. Not counting his off court dilemmas ,his wife and him are on the outs, his conditioning for a full season sound like it should be interesting. Adding the ability to have Zo help out with minutes should allow the Big Diesel to roll season long, we can only pray.
Udonis Haslem. Finally some good news. Towards the end of last season Udonis was hurt and it showed. This pre-season he is showing that he’s healthy. That baseline jumpshot he has is there and he’s sinking them without Dwyane on the court, which was unheard of before. Look for UD to improve on his dependable 9 and 9 a game.
I was disappointed the other day when Pat Riley had called out Antoine Walker in the media. If you listen to the LeBatard show, I had re-written Limited-Fake-Pavoratti’s lyrics to reflect the current state of affairs in Toine’s world:
Antoine no KFC
Stick to your Slim Fast meals
Well anyway, the real fake guy (limited fake that is) just so happened to rewrite the song with fat boy lyrics and call in before I had the chance. Aside from all that I don’t expect anything from him. The only role I would suggest for him to fill is to stand in the corner and chuck 3 balls to spead our offense. He’ll sink a few.
Penny has impressed a number of onlookers. I have not seen him play yet but from what I’ve heard he’s in better shape to make the team than Allan Houston is to make the Knicks. I’m hoping this guy is our off-season gem.
Out of our new recruits, I like Brian Chase, Devon Green, and Marcus Slaughter. Chase has a nice handle and shows a decent outside shot. Green shows decent fundamentals and Slaughter is a guy who can get up ( look for some alley-oops for him if he makes the squad).
Hopefully Wade can come back to us and return to Flash form, we desperately need him.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Riley pull one more move before the season starts. Towards the end of the Atlanta game, the Hawks stacked up in the middle and decided to let us try and shoot our way back into the lead. We failed miserably.
Gone our Kapono, EJ, and Posey. I don’t know if we have that guy to fill that void right now.
I’m sure you heard about Shaq scouting Brian Chase for Pat Riley. Here’s how it happened, courtesy of the Miami Herald:
The way O’Neal tells it, he was at Wizards All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas’ charity event this summer, when Chase caught O’Neal’s attention.
”I saw a little man go at Gilbert Arenas like I’ve never seen anybody go at Gilbert Arenas,” O’Neal said.
So O’Neal approached Arenas.
‘I said, `Hey, who’s that?’ ” O’Neal said. “[Arenas] said, `He’s about to sign with the Wizards.’
‘I said, `No, he ain’t.’ And I made the call.”
Article Courtesy of Chris Perkins for the Palm Beach Post
MIAMI — The summertime reports on oft-injured Heat guard Jason Williams were glowing. And as he zipped around the court with relative ease in Friday night’s intrasquad scrimmage, he again confirmed he was true to his rigorous off-season training program.
“I’m really pleased with him,” coach Pat Riley said. “I think he has been a standout this summer.”
The Heat had serious doubts about Williams’ health and durability after the season. While Riley wants his point guard to play at least 70 games, Williams has missed 23 and 21 games, respectively, in his two years in Miami. And frequently he was so hobbled it was counterproductive for him to practice.
“I’ve got to have somebody I can depend on and rely on,” Riley said. “And he understands this. He and I had this conversation. That’s why we went after (Milwaukee’s) Mo Williams.”
The Heat eventually addressed its concern about Jason Williams’ health by signing Smush Parker, a former Los Angeles Lakers point guard.
Jason Williams addressed the Heat’s concern by spending the summer working out 21/2 hours a day, five days a week. He worked on strengthening problem areas such as his knees, quadriceps and abdomen, all of which have caused him to miss games in the past two years.
So far it has worked. He now runs pain-free and walks without a limp. He has also lost 10 pounds and reduced his body fat percentage.
“He’s back to the Memphis J-Will,” guard Dwyane Wade said.
That would put Jason Williams on track to play 70-plus games, likely score somewhere between 10 and 14 points per game, and eclipse the hallowed 3-to-1 assists to turnovers ratio coveted by NBA point guards.
“I expect to play 82 (games),” said Williams, who added he feels the best he has felt in his career.
The Heat aren’t concerned about Williams’ talent. They’ve seen him run the offense with precision, both feeding the ball inside to center Shaquille O’Neal and keeping the ball moving around the perimeter. They remember him hitting his first 10 shots in Miami’s Eastern Conference title-winning Game 6 against Detroit in 2006. They recall the 14-assist, zero-turnover game last season.
Williams, who averaged 10.9 points per game last season while tying a career-best by shooting .413 from the field, also has proved adept as a three-point shooter, hitting at least 100 in each of his two years with the Heat.
If the Heat keeps him for the entire season and allows his contract to expire, that money is available to spend on a free agent next summer.
On the other hand, a good start by Williams makes him attractive trade bait for a team looking to cut salary for next season. In exchange, perhaps the Heat could land a veteran who could push their title hopes over the top.
“We’re not looking to trade him at all,” Riley said of Williams. “We just want to make sure we have him available. And he has been the one that has impressed me the most with his work ethic.”
Here’s some interviews I stumbled upon. The first two by Maurice Brooks at nba.com, J-Wills off of the nba.com/heat
BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y., Aug. 20, 2007 – Two years ago, Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O’Neal teamed up to help the Miami Heat win an NBA title. On Monday, the twin towers, along with Donald Trump, hosted the 4th Annual Zo’s Million Dollar Shootout at the Trump National Golf Club. NBA.com hung out with the two legendary centers on the 13th hole, between Mourning hitting the ball into the water and O’Neal swinging and missing.
Catching Up With Zo
Maybe Mourning will have a second professional sports career when he is done playing hoops. On second thought …
(David Dow/NBAE/Getty)
Brooks: What’s up, Alonzo? The East is going to be completely different this season with the Celtics acquiring Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Talk a little bit about what Boston’s offseason deals do to the conference.Mourning: I think it is going to be great. This makes things more interesting and gives the East a totally different look. Everybody is always quick to label the East as a jayvee league, but we won the championship two years ago and the Pistons won it a couple of years before that.
I think Garnett will balance the league. Bringing over a great player from the West will help make things more competitive and I’m excited about the challenge. This is my last year and I expect my team to go out with a bang. I think this is great.
Brooks: You guys just got a little deeper by picking up Anfernee Hardaway. Do you think he still has anything left?
Mourning: I think Penny coming back is good for us. He’s healthy, he’s hungry and he wants to prove to the world that he can play this game at a high level. He’s talented and versatile and he can play the one, two and three, which gives us another dimension off the bench. People aren’t going to recognize him. He’s in great physical condition. He is going to shock the world when people see how well he can play the game right now. He has fresh legs and he is hungry. He’s going to get back in there and showcase his talents.
Brooks: He is not the only former star traveling the comeback trail. Allan Houston and Reggie Miller, two of the best shooters in NBA history, are also talking about lacing up the sneakers again.
Mourning: All you got to do is get Allan open and he can knock it down. I don’t know how well he is going to play defensively. You never know. He’s been out the game a little while, but if he gets into a rhythm he can be a very good player. He won’t be the player he was a couple of years ago, but he will be a very good addition to a team.
Brooks: What about the Knick killer (watch this)?
Mourning: Reggie is a Hall of Fame-type of player who can provide leadership off the bench. He is a veteran who will give a team a lift. He is a guy who is not trying to prove anything. He simply wants to help out and be a part of the process.
Brooks: A year after winning the title, you guys got swept by the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. What happened?
Mourning: We had health problems last year. We were out of sync. We had some guys who came into the preseason very complacent. We had a lot of different health issues that affected our rhythm.
Chatting With The Diesel
Don’t let this picture fool you. Unless it is for charity, Shaq has no business holding a golf club.
(David Dow/NBAE/Getty)
Brooks: What’s the deal, big fella? What are your thoughts on the Celtics getting Kevin Garnett? Does it remind you of 2004 when you were on the Lakers with Kobe, Karl Malone and Gary Payton?O’Neal: Yeah, I played on the most stacked-deck team in the history of the game and we didn’t win the championship. Obviously having KG come over is going to make the Celtics better, but now they have a lot of pressure on them. They’ll be the most watched team in the league. They have a lot of heat on that team. A lot of heat. Ray (Allen) was the go-to guy. KG was the go-to guy. Paul (Pierce) was the go-to guy. One or two of those guys is going to have to make some sacrifices.
Brooks: Does this make Boston one of the top three teams in the East?
O’Neal: I never really thought about it like that. Cleveland is going to do what they do. New Jersey is going to do what they do. We’re going to do what we do. It’s going to be competitive. Boston is top five I guess.
Brooks: I talked to Alonzo earlier today and he was going on and on about how Penny is in tremendous shape.
O’Neal: Yeah, Zo said Penny looks fabulous. He says he looks good, but I haven’t seen him play yet. You can tell he wants to play because he signed a non-guaranteed contract. He wants to come out and prove himself. Hopefully he comes in and plays well.
Brooks: I read that you said you were going to get Yao 24-inch car rims as a wedding gift. Did you keep your word and what made you think of that as a gift?
O’Neal: They asked me what I was going to get him and that was all I could come up with. I haven’t got them for him yet, but I live in Houston, too. I may just go by his house one day and take his car.
Brooks: I’ve been checking out your golf swing. Do you play much?
O’Neal: I don’t play at all. Zo asked me to team up with him two years ago for his charity and I’m here for a good cause. I’m having a good time.
Brooks: Let’s talk hoops for a second. The postseason didn’t end well for you guys. What went wrong?
O’Neal: Last season wasn’t our time. We had a lot of injuries and stuff like that. It just happens. This is the first time in my career that I’m going to have over four months to rest in the offseason, so this year there are no excuses.
Insider Interview with Jason Williams
Want to know what your favorite HEAT player is up to during the dog days of summer? HEAT Insider sat down with Jason Williams for this exclusive interview to discuss his knee, the HEAT off-season moves and his future with the team.
HEAT Insider: How is your summer going, and how do you stay busy during the off-season?
Jason Williams: “I don’t do too much. I have a house up in Orlando , so I spend much of my time there. Other than that, I work out preparing for the season, play a lot of golf and hang out with the kids.”
HI: How about your knee? How is that coming along?
JW: “It feels great – just about pain free. This is the best I’ve ever felt. I’ve been doing a lot of weight training on my knee – about five days a week. You wouldn’t even know that I had surgery. I should go into the season at 100 percent.”
What preventative measures are you doing on your part to keep healthy this season?
JW: “I’m keeping a positive attitude and hoping for the best. I’m going to continue taking care of my knee. The best thing I can do for it is making sure it’s stretched.”
HI: The HEAT has made several new additions to the team, such as Smush Parker and Penny Hardaway. Are you excited about playing with these guys?
JW: “Yes. I’m excited, but being in the NBA you get used to roster changes. Ever since I’ve been in the league, I’ve had new teammates every year. It’s something that you get used to. Pat (Riley) knows what he’s doing, so if we have new guys here, you know they can play and they deserve to be here. I can’t wait to get back on the floor and play with my new teammates.”
HI: Are you expecting the team to bounce back this season?
JW: “I expect to win the championship every year. If you don’t expect that why even play? We’re going to get back here in October (for training camp), take it one day at a time and see how good we can be. Hopefully, we’ll be hoisting the trophy come June.”
HI: You’re heading into the last year of your contract. Are you looking to end your career in Miami?
JW: “I would love to end my career here. I love the city and the fans. If it’s up to me, I’ll stay here. All I can do is play well and hopefully everything else will work out.”
POSTED: 8:37 am EDT August 24, 2007
Cuba’s foreign minister said rumors about Fidel Castro’s deteriorating health are untrue. Felipe Perez Roque made the comments to reporters while attending the Forum for East Asia-Latin American Cooperation in Brazil. Cubans were hoping Fidel would make a public appearance during his birthday celebrations nearly two weeks ago. When asked if the 81-year-old Castro was still in charge of Cuban affairs, Roque said, “He is being informed and consulted constantly.”
Well, there’s not a whole hell of a lot going on in the sports world today, or rather at all really since the Garnett trade so I thought I’d put some rumors that are supposedly dead.
1. Reggie Miller has put to rest the rumors that he’s coming back to the NBA and accepting Danny Ainge’s offer to come play for the C’s. He says that although he’s been doing twice-a-day workouts to see if his body could handle the “physical stress” of playing an entire NBA season, he says that he now knows that he cannot put up with the “mental stress” of playing. I’m glad Reggie decided not to come back because if he did I would’ve burned him here for the shit he talked about Karl Malone for joining the Lakers in search of a ring and all the other vets he was ragging on for doing the same and also I’m glad he didn’t come back because I too understand the “mental stress” of working out, playing basketball as a job, collecting a million-plus paycheck and getting laid in practically every city you go visit to play the local team. Actually, no, I lie, I don’t know what that ‘mental stress’ is but I sure as hell would like to find out. I just suspect that since Reggie retired, his wife probably put his nuts in her purse and that’s the real reason he’s not coming back.
2. There’s a slight possibility that Riley’s constant denial of The Heat going after Ron Artest may actually be valid; thus rendering that rumor dead. But, then again, it IS Riles and he’s known for being somewhat of a ‘chess master’; never revealing anything until the very last moment, so by then, the competition is left helpless to counter attack and the fans are left wondering, season ticket in hand, “Who the fuck is Alexander Johnson.” LOL.
3. And last but not least; speaking of Miami, I have quite a girl. She gave me the heads up regarding a rumor stemming from an extremely reliable source within her office, that Cuban Communist Dictator Fidel Castro died earlier today. As the story goes: her coworker is dating some dude who’s brother is a high-ranking official in the Cuban military and he called him from Cuba within the past hour to inform him that yes, the man died today and so he passed the information back to her. Schools and shops were immediately closed and the word is supposedly slowly making its way over here but the Cuban government is trying to keep this, for obvious reasons, under wraps as much as possible.
So if this news does crack the 90 mile gap between Key West, FL. and Cuba, my suggestion to my fellow Miami residents is watch out because the streets are going to be hectic tonight. People are going to be waving flags, banging pots and pans and whatever other objects they can create noise (music) with. There will probably be people dancing on cars, shooting guns in the air and whatnot. So I guess now all the Cubans here who ‘claim’ to have been millionaires back in Cuba will be packing their shit up and will be going back…..no?…….yeah, I didn’t think so either. Just remember; you heard it here FIRST!
Well, on a slightly lighter note; I thought I’d put it out there that it happens to be staff writer Ben Ellingsworth’s birthday today. I’m not going to tell you how old he is, but as usual, nothing is going on in the basketball world today as is nothing in Ben’s life. LOL. So if you happen to know or see Ben, feel free to throw a basketball in his face; as a birthday salute, of course.
In other news, former Timberwolves, Warrior and Knick, Latrell Sprewell had his 70-foot yacht, known around Milwaukee as “Milwaukee’s Best”, reposessed yesterday by a federal marshall. Apparently Spree wasn’t paying the $10,000 a month nut on it and now is going to try to sell it to pay off the $1.3 Million he still owes on it. Hahaha. What a loser. And to think that three years ago, he rejected a $21 Million contract offer, saying it was insulting to be offered that and that he had “a family to feed”. Shit son, if you’re stupid enough to turn down $21 Million dollars, then yes you are stupid enough to have your shit jacked from you. Spree has supposedly had problems with the yacht, including running it ashore and an indescribed incident that ended with Spree breaking his hand.
I’m glad though, seriously, that you can probably still afford to “feed your family”. Just no more fishing trips though, right? Damn.
So again, Happy Birthday Ben and a Nelson-like “Haha!” to you Spree. Happy sailing!
Greetings to all from the west coast. Ben and I are out here hanging out with some friends, but it’s not all just pleasure; we’re very dedicated to our trade and are out here trying to find out as much information as possible that is basketball related. I’m trying to call as many people as I know to try and secure an interview with Kobe Bryant and when I say ’secure an interview’ I really mean, find out where he is at a particular moment and rush him with questions in hand in hopes that he’ll at least acknowledge me; maybe even answer one. Ben on the other hand is going to scour the city looking for some clothes because in his haste this morning, he didn’t quite exactly pack everything he wanted; mind you, he woke up late and we just barely made our flight. In regards to basketball, I think he’s trying to ’secure an interview’ with the Clippers new point guard; Brevin Knight. HAHA! Well, we’re all off to dinner; it’s the Velvet Margarita which looks pretty cool and am looking forward to going to and doing it L.A. Style; getting smashed. Who knows, with any luck I’ll run into someone. If I can, I will go to Sacramento and hunt Bibby down and found out if the rumors are true. For more on that, read Brett’s article.
