Indazone
03-04-2009, 05:47 PM
Sorry that was just to easy :D
Miami Heat reportedly signs Luther Head.
Agent: Miami Heat signs guard Luther Head
(http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer)
http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2009/03/04/13/755-1051278.embedded.prod_affiliate.56.JPG
Luther Head, a 6-3 combo guard released by the Houston Rockets last week, chose the Heat over interest from San Antonio, Charlotte, Milwaukee and Dallas among other teams. GLENN JAMES / GETTY
BY MICHAEL WALLACE
[email protected]
The Miami Heat had at least three things to offer free agent guard Luther Head in the team's quest to address its lack of depth at point guard.
There was the opportunity for immediate playing time, a strong chance to make the playoffs and the possibility he would be a part of the team's plans next season, as well.
Heat president Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and basketball operations chief Andy Elisburg essentially executed a full-court press to get Head to sign with Miami for the rest of the season.
''They recruited him hard,'' agent Mark Bartelstein said, confirming Wednesday that Head has reached an agreement with the Heat. ``A lot of other good teams were involved, too. But this was the right opportunity.''
Head, a 6-3 combo guard released by the Houston Rockets last week, chose the Heat over interest from San Antonio, Charlotte, Milwaukee and Dallas among other teams. He fills a void in Miami's backcourt that was created by the Feb. 13 trade that sent point guard Marcus Banks and small forward Shawn Marion to Toronto for center Jermaine O'Neal and small forward Jamario Moon.
The trade left the Heat with rookie starter Mario Chalmers and backup Chris Quinn as the only pure point guards on Miami's roster. Shooting guard Dwyane Wade, the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in February, spent extensive time at point guard the past seven games.
Despite Wade's exceptional play of late, the heavy minutes had begun to take a toll. Wade sat out Tuesday's practice to receive an electronic stimulation treatment on his left knee that required surgery in 2007 and a follow-up procedure last year.
Wade said Head's addition could be beneficial, calling Head, ''a guy who can stretch the floor.'' Wade played with Head periodically last offseason at trainer Tim Grover's Chicago facility. Head like Wade, is a Chicago native.
''A player like myself and LeBron, we love shooters, shooters are our best friend, that will be great for us,'' Wade said following the Heat's shootaround Wednesday. ``It could take some pressure off of Rio [Chalmers] as well. It could take some pressure off me as well.''
Heat coach Spoelstra said Head could play alongside Wade or to spell the Heat star when he rests, and added that Head's playoff experience is another bonus.
Head, 26, a fourth-year guard out of the University of Illinois, averaged 4.8 points and 1.6 assists in 22 games with the Rockets this season. He had missed several games with a foot injury and was not a part of the plans in Houston after the team traded Rafer Alston to Orlando and moved Aaron Brooks and Von Wafer into more prominent roles in the rotation.
Head, who cleared waivers Wednesday morning, did not go through the Heat's shootaround, was scheduled to have a physical in Miami in the afternoon and likely won't play in Wednesday's game against Phoenix. The Heat had not announced Head's signing, but Bartelstein said the deal was for a prorated portion of the minimum for a fourth-year player. Miami was about $400,000 below the NBA's $71.2 million luxury tax.
Head, who was to earn $1.9 million this season, will be a free agent at the end of the season. Head is expected to compete with Quinn, also represented by Bartelstein, for the backup shot behind Chalmers.
''He's the type of player that fits,'' Spoelstra said of Head. ``He's got a defensive background with the Houston Rockets . . . so he's got a similar background to our system, which helps if you're trying to fast-track something in 23 games.
``I would probably guess that he knows our rules and concepts as well as anybody already with that background.''
The Heat (31-28) is fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, but has lost nine of its past 15 games.
''We really think he can help this team right now as they head toward the playoffs,'' Bartelstein said. ``He'll have another decision after that.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/basketball/miami-heat/story/932026.html
Probably think he fits because of the Van Gundy system. Miami runs basically the same offense and defensive sets that JVG ran in Houston.
Miami Heat reportedly signs Luther Head.
Agent: Miami Heat signs guard Luther Head
(http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer)
http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2009/03/04/13/755-1051278.embedded.prod_affiliate.56.JPG
Luther Head, a 6-3 combo guard released by the Houston Rockets last week, chose the Heat over interest from San Antonio, Charlotte, Milwaukee and Dallas among other teams. GLENN JAMES / GETTY
BY MICHAEL WALLACE
[email protected]
The Miami Heat had at least three things to offer free agent guard Luther Head in the team's quest to address its lack of depth at point guard.
There was the opportunity for immediate playing time, a strong chance to make the playoffs and the possibility he would be a part of the team's plans next season, as well.
Heat president Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and basketball operations chief Andy Elisburg essentially executed a full-court press to get Head to sign with Miami for the rest of the season.
''They recruited him hard,'' agent Mark Bartelstein said, confirming Wednesday that Head has reached an agreement with the Heat. ``A lot of other good teams were involved, too. But this was the right opportunity.''
Head, a 6-3 combo guard released by the Houston Rockets last week, chose the Heat over interest from San Antonio, Charlotte, Milwaukee and Dallas among other teams. He fills a void in Miami's backcourt that was created by the Feb. 13 trade that sent point guard Marcus Banks and small forward Shawn Marion to Toronto for center Jermaine O'Neal and small forward Jamario Moon.
The trade left the Heat with rookie starter Mario Chalmers and backup Chris Quinn as the only pure point guards on Miami's roster. Shooting guard Dwyane Wade, the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in February, spent extensive time at point guard the past seven games.
Despite Wade's exceptional play of late, the heavy minutes had begun to take a toll. Wade sat out Tuesday's practice to receive an electronic stimulation treatment on his left knee that required surgery in 2007 and a follow-up procedure last year.
Wade said Head's addition could be beneficial, calling Head, ''a guy who can stretch the floor.'' Wade played with Head periodically last offseason at trainer Tim Grover's Chicago facility. Head like Wade, is a Chicago native.
''A player like myself and LeBron, we love shooters, shooters are our best friend, that will be great for us,'' Wade said following the Heat's shootaround Wednesday. ``It could take some pressure off of Rio [Chalmers] as well. It could take some pressure off me as well.''
Heat coach Spoelstra said Head could play alongside Wade or to spell the Heat star when he rests, and added that Head's playoff experience is another bonus.
Head, 26, a fourth-year guard out of the University of Illinois, averaged 4.8 points and 1.6 assists in 22 games with the Rockets this season. He had missed several games with a foot injury and was not a part of the plans in Houston after the team traded Rafer Alston to Orlando and moved Aaron Brooks and Von Wafer into more prominent roles in the rotation.
Head, who cleared waivers Wednesday morning, did not go through the Heat's shootaround, was scheduled to have a physical in Miami in the afternoon and likely won't play in Wednesday's game against Phoenix. The Heat had not announced Head's signing, but Bartelstein said the deal was for a prorated portion of the minimum for a fourth-year player. Miami was about $400,000 below the NBA's $71.2 million luxury tax.
Head, who was to earn $1.9 million this season, will be a free agent at the end of the season. Head is expected to compete with Quinn, also represented by Bartelstein, for the backup shot behind Chalmers.
''He's the type of player that fits,'' Spoelstra said of Head. ``He's got a defensive background with the Houston Rockets . . . so he's got a similar background to our system, which helps if you're trying to fast-track something in 23 games.
``I would probably guess that he knows our rules and concepts as well as anybody already with that background.''
The Heat (31-28) is fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, but has lost nine of its past 15 games.
''We really think he can help this team right now as they head toward the playoffs,'' Bartelstein said. ``He'll have another decision after that.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/basketball/miami-heat/story/932026.html
Probably think he fits because of the Van Gundy system. Miami runs basically the same offense and defensive sets that JVG ran in Houston.