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According to espn.com’s Mark Stein, The Heat are close to signing a deal that will bring Ricky Davis and Mark Blount in return for Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, and Wayne Simeon.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3077037

Sources told ESPN.com that the Heat will soon complete a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire swingman Ricky Davis and center Mark Blount.

The latest incarnation of the deal, according to one source, has Miami sending Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac and Wayne Simien to the Wolves for Davis and Blount.

Mark Blount is no throw-in either ( I picked him up off waivers in my fantasy league last season). This guy had some great spurts last season with some impressive numbers. Consistency was his only problem and the possible trade could be the answer.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed.

Could this be the end of Antoine Walker?

Tags: 2007 Offseason, NBA, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Trades, The Groves Report!, Rumors, News by Groves
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From the Miami Herald (Herald.com):

The Garnett trade left Minnesota with a surplus of shooting guards and small forwards — two positions where the Heat has been looking to add depth throughout the offseason.

The Heat’s interest likely centers on swingmen Ricky Davis and Trenton Hassell, veterans who apparently don’t fit in Minnesota’s plans to rebuild around a youthful nucleus of Al Jefferson, Gerald Green and former University of Florida star Corey Brewer.

Davis, 28, averaged 17.0 points, 4.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds last season and is due $6.8 million in the final year of his expiring contract. Hassell, 28, started 68 games last season as the Timberwolves’ top perimeter defender and has three seasons and $13 million left on his contract.

The Heat is in need of a perimeter scorer to fill in early for Dwyane Wade, who is expected to miss camp and at least the first two weeks of the regular season while he recovers from knee and shoulder surgeries.

For more info on Ricky Davis I recommend the following links:

Ricky Davis Is a Drinking Champion… - Fanhouse

Tricky Ricky in Miami? - Slam Online (Read the comments, they paint a better picture)

Amerikaz Most Hated - unlimited.nba.free.fr

Whatever Happened to Ricky Davis? - Sport Swag

 By the way, these were all found by simply going to Google and typing “Ricky Davis” and “Crazy”.

Tags: NBA, Miami Heat, 2007 Offseason, Minnesota Timberwolves, Ben Ellingsworth, Trades, Rumors by Ben Ellingsworth
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I just have six words to say: I don’t want Allan Houston here!

After all the shit he put us through back in the days when he played for New York and all the trash he talked. Man, fuck that guy; I’ve always disliked Allan Houston. Plus, his knees are shot to shit; who the hell wants a ‘vet’ like him? He’s a fucking walking disaster waiting to happen. Albeit I’m sure we’d give him the vet’s minimum, but still; I don’t want a single fucking Miamian tax dollar or profit dollar from ticket sales, concession stands or whatever going to him. Screw that.

Ok, since I’m the only one that ever writes anything on this damn sight (J/K Ben!), I thought I’d bring that up because I heard a little while back that he wanted to make a comeback (HA!) and just laughed it off. But supposedly now it’s come down to the Heat and the Cavs?! That’s when I got worried. So I had to come here and post something, aside from saving this site because it’s gone untouched for over a week now. LOL juuuust kidding Ben, simmer down now.

So I thought I’d let you all out there know that I’m coming soon with some interesting news. I don’t care if i have to make it up, but it will be news worthy. Oh who am I kidding, I don’t make shit up and I let it be known if it’s speculation or actual fact. Example:

Speculation: Kobe Bryant is going to sit the whole season out, especially after having played with the likes of Kidd and ‘Melo, because his team sucks and he wants out.

Fact: Dwyane Wade is going to miss the first few home games while still rehabilitating that arm and knee. Oh and he rocks.

 See the difference? Not that I was assuming that you guys didn’t know the difference, but still; I had to fill these pages up with something; know what I mean? I’m kidding again. So now don’t you go accusing me of using filler!! Go suck a dick; I just type as I think it.

Ok, so just to give you guys a heads up, I’m gonna try and find out as much dirt as I can on anybody in this goddamn league and post it up here. Ben claims to have two stories he was writing but hasn’t had time to write them. Yeah, uhm, I’m sure he could’ve written something yesterday. Oh wait, I forgot, he was watching the game. My bad. LOL. Ok, well I know he’s bound to post something up soon. He’s been itching to, so don’t worry fans. As for the other two, I can’t speak for them but they both have ’significant others’ so you know how that shit goes.

Lastly, I did a football fantasy league earlier this week and my dipshit friend who’s house we were doing it at, couldn’t figure out how to give all of us that were there, access to his internet via our laptops. So, to make a long story short, we ended up having to let the stupid computer pick for us. So for what it’s worth, I figured I’d post the team I was given. Notice I didn’t say “my” team, because I didn’t get to pick them, but still…I’m not complaining too much and we decided to drop the ante from $50 to $20 because of the outcome of how the teams were selected. By the way, I can’t fucking wait for basketball to start and of course, fantasy basketball as well. I still have roughly half a year left of bragging rights. Hahaha.

 Here’s the team I was given in football:

QB: Peyton Manning (IND) & Matt Leinart (ARI)

RB: Shaun Alexander (SEA), Thomas Jones (NYJ), Marshawn Lynch (BUF), Jerious Norwood (ATL) & LaMont Jordan (OAK)

WR: Marvin Harrison (IND), Andre Johnson (HOU) & Braylon Edwards (CLE)

TE: Dallas Clark (IND) & Jeremy Shockey (NYG)

K: Robbie Gould (CHI) & Jason Hanson (DET)

Defense: New England

Not a bad squad and truthfully, it’s close, but nowhere exact, the line-up I would have chosen. I can honestly say that knowing I was going into this with the 5th overall pick, there are three players that I originally wanted to get that I did end up with in this pick. Kismet? Perhaps. Until next time. Good luck with your picks if you’re doing one. If not, what kind of fucking loser are you to not even participate in a league just for shits and giggles? It’s once a week! Sheesh.

Tags: Teams, Off The Court, Cleveland Cavaliers, Non Basketball, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Rumors, 2007 Offseason, NBA, Echoflow Knows! by Erik Sierra
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James Posey may be getting close to joining  Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets next season rather then returning to the Miami Heat.

From the New York Post:

“We’ve been talking and talking for a while,” Posey’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed yesterday. “And while it’s hard to get into specifics, yes, the Nets are in the running. I would think there will be a decision soon.”

It is still possible that Posey could end up returning to the Heat, but either way an answer appears to be comming soon.

From the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

“I don’t want to get into the teams, but I expect something to get done later [Friday] or [Saturday],” Bartelstein said.

Tags: Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, NBA, 2007 Offseason, Rumors, Ben Ellingsworth, Free Agency by Ben Ellingsworth
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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!

Tags: NBA, Non Basketball, Local Topics, 2007 Offseason, Rumors, News, Echoflow Knows!, Free Agency by Erik Sierra
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After a great trip to L.A., I’m back in Miami and scouring the Internet for the latest hoops news. Unfortunately, the biggest story right now is a tragic one. 25 year old Eddie Griffin was killed last week when his vehicle collided with a train. It’s been said that Griffin had issues with alcohol and some are speculating that alcohol could have played a part in this horrific accident. From KHOU.com

“He was a secret binge drinker. He was not going out partying and doing all this wild stuff,” attorney Rusty Hardin said. “He was sitting in a room by himself drinking, and no one knew that was happening.” Hardin represented Griffin in an assault charge case several years ago.

In the running for the “Most Boring Story” of the summer is the Reggie Miller comeback drama. Am I the only person who thinks Reggie is being a prick for even considering this? I guess Reggie and everybody else outside of Indiana are not even thinking about how die-hard Pacers fans feel about his possible comeback, where he would be whoring out his services and coming off the bench for a ring. I know guys do this all the time but Miller is one of those guys who is an icon for the team he played with his entire career. This would be like Larry Bird coming back in 1995 to help someone like the Rockets win a title. But apparently, Reggie is still mulling it over.

Stephon Marbury, who is completely insane, thinks that Michael Vick is getting a raw deal from the press. Although I did think he made an interesting point about how hunting is considered a sport and dogfighting isn’t. I don’t agree with him but I hadn’t really thought of that.

I thought this article was really interesting. It contradicts some of the arguments about the NBA’s talent level being diluted.

“Nellie Ball” may be in jeopardy in the Bay area. Don Nelson and the Warriors seem to be at a stalemate.  

Ira Winderman is just as confused as we are about what Antoine Walker’s role on the Miami Heat will bethis year. I think that anything that prevents him from, you know, actually playing sounds like a great role for him. Maybe he can work the arepa stand in the AAA.

I also noticed that Ira has not commented about the Ron Artest buzz. I’m guessing because its bullshit. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is a joke. I would be willing to bet a lot of money that there is no credence to his blurb about the Heat pursuing Artest. That’s not to say that it isn’t possible but I don’t think he has any information to support that. I believe he just puts things in his “Roundup” articles to generate buzz. I’ve even joked before about making up rumors about Artest comming to the Heat and then a few days later, its in his toilet rag of a newspaper. Look, I may be just some fan writing about my dumb ass opinions on basketball, but I don’t go out there and make things up. This guy works for a major newspaper. If your going to put something in your article, at least give us a hint on where that information is coming from. And please, don’t use the unnamed “source” thing either. Nobody likes you Barry and everyone knows that you have no real sources.

And finally, “Beware ze Milky Pirate.” (I got this from a “source“)

Tags: NBA, Miami Heat, Off The Court, 2007 Offseason, Trades, News, Rumors, Ben Ellingsworth, Free Agency by Ben Ellingsworth
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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.

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, Off The Court, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Local Topics, Articles by Author, Teams, Rumors, Echoflow Knows!, Trades, NBA, Miami Heat, News by Erik Sierra
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Ben and Erik are off on the left coast so I guess I’ll cover the rumormill. As reported by the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson:

CHATTER

Sacramento hasn’t ruled out trading point guard Mike Bibby, and now views the Heat as a potential partner if it does, an NBA official said. The Heat would give up Jason Williams, but whether Miami would move Udonis Haslem in such a deal is questionable. Bibby, due $13.5 million and $14.5 million the next two seasons, could be packaged with forwards Kenny Thomas or Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

…Ben think’s Barry is usually full of shit.

Tags: Sacramento Kings, Local Topics, Miami Heat, 2007 Offseason, Trades, Rumors by Groves
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With so little happening in the NBA right now, you have to really dig around to find anything interesting to read. Here’s some links to keep you busy.

• Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer and frequent contributor to HoopsHype.com says the “Heat is on Miami to Improve.”
• Scott Pollard has decided to wear the number 66 for the Celtics. Why? Well, “Because all of the other fuc_ing numbers were taken.” Somehow, I don’t think Pollard’s number will be hanging from the rafters when he’s done.
• Does Mike Bibby want to be a Cavalier? According to Log’s Blog: Yes he does.
• Do you like colorful graphs? Apparently, so do a lot of people. Here’s a good one posted by Tziller at Ballhype.com.
• More Penny-Shaq stuff from ESPN.com
• I love “What If?” type scenarios. Slam Magazine does too. Here’s one about the early 90’s Golden State Warriors.
• NBA.com has some rookie survey’s on display for your consumption. Which player are the rookies looking most forward to playing? 
• Juwan Howard (Who did not make the list of players that the rookies were looking most forward to playing) wants no part of the Timberwolves rebuilding process. Please don’t let him become a free agent. I have this feeling that Riley would be beating down his door. His ancient, hasn’t been really good in years… sounds like a Heat signing waiting to happen. (That last link is to one of our articles. It’s shameless and petty but I’m shameless and petty. So too bad.)

Hopefully something of note will happen soon. I’m on the verge of just making something up. Ron Artest being traded to the Heat sounds good.

Tags: NBA, 2007 Offseason, Ben Ellingsworth, Rumors by Ben Ellingsworth
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According to the Herald:

• With Matt Barnes (who had spoken to Miami) re-signing with Golden State, the Heat’s established free agent small forward options — beyond incumbent James Posey and restricted free agent Mickael Pietrus (the Heat and Warriors continue talks) — are down largely to Jalen Rose (the Heat pursued him last November but hasn’t this summer), Ruben Patterson and Jarvis Hayes. . . . The Heat — believed to be open to moving Michael Doleac for small forward help — Tuesday auditioned veteran center Vitaly Potapenko, his agent said.

This is coming from the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, who I’ve spoken about before on this site. But I think that he makes a good point in this article. If the Heat are bringing in Vitaly Potapenko for an audition, it’s to see if he’s competent enough to fill in for Michael Doleac in case they were to loose him in a trade. Potapenko is not the type of player you would hope would actually be out on the floor for any significant period of time.

I wouldn’t read into it too much. I don’t think it necessarily means any trades are in the works or are close to happening if they are in the works. At the very least, it’s the Heat keeping their options open if a move needed to be made.

As far as the small forwards mentioned in that article, I’m not too excited by any of those options. Personally, I’d like to know once and for all if Dorell Wright can be a starter in this league or not. Ruben Patterson is kinda intriguing until you look at his stats. He’s a poor 3 point shooter (which would be the highest priority coming from the SF on the Heat’s current roster.) but a decent rebounder. At 6′5″ RuPat is small for a 3 guard but is “stout” enough to be an effective inside presence. In other words, he’s the exact opposite of what the Heat need from the 3.

We have a large fellow who plays the post pretty well, and Udonis is there to clean up around the boards. The Heat need an athletic player who can push the ball up the court since the only guy on the team who has proven he can start a fast break is Wade (J-Will is a corpse on the fast break). Someone who’s a threat from outside would be nice as well, since the loss of Kapono has left Miami without a consistent 3 point shooter.

I don’t know if Dorell Wright can fill both or either of those rolls but I think that we need to find out once and for all. I know there are major flaws with the other options and it’s time to give the guy who’s been here for 4 years a chance to prove himself.

Tags: Miami Heat, NBA, 2007 Offseason, Ben Ellingsworth, Rumors by Ben Ellingsworth
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