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07-13-2003, 10:43 AM
link to article (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-heatnote13jul13,0,2735587.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat)
Wade makes his point at guard
By Ira Winderman
Staff Writer
Posted July 13 2003
The Heat lost its final game of the Pepsi Pro Summer League but may have found its point guard of the future.
The Heat closed its five-game schedule in Orlando with a 75-68 loss Saturday to a similar group of young players and free agents representing the Detroit Pistons.
In the loss, which left the Heat with a 3-2 record for the week, first-round draft pick Dwyane Wade continued his shift to point guard with nine assists, his highest total in the five games, and no turnovers. He added a team-high 13 points.
"I certainly think it's a viable lineup now with him at the point," said assistant coach Stan Van Gundy, who guided the Heat's summer entry. "He has not looked out of place.
"I expected him to struggle more than he did."
A shooting guard at Marquette, Wade was used exclusively at point guard the past week. He was so effective in getting into the lane Saturday that Detroit was forced to shift into a zone. Van Gundy said the irony is the Heat has yet to get a read on Wade as a shooting guard.
The Heat was unable to overcome the 25 points of Pistons guard Tayshaun Prince, who had the best week of any player in the six-team field. The Heat went the latter stages without Wade, who suffered a minor leg injury in playing his fifth game in as many days.
Former Florida forward Udonis Haslem closed with 14 rebounds for the Heat, as he looks to get to the NBA after spending least season in France.
"That guy just goes and gets everything," Van Gundy said. "He just competes and competes and competes."
BROWN OUT
The decision by former Heat forward P.J. Brown to remain in New Orleans with a reported four-year, $40 million contract with the Hornets does little to alter the Heat's approach. Coach Pat Riley said he is not in position to add a complementary player with his $11 million in cap space. ...
With Brown off the market, the Heat figures to have a tougher time in replacing Alonzo Mourning, with teams such as the Nuggets and Spurs likely to now turn their attention to the likes of Rasho Nesterovic, Michael Olowokandi and Brad Miller. Denver and San Antonio both are in position to outbid the Heat. ...
Should the Heat turn its attention to the Clippers' Elton Brand, it likely only would be able to make a dent with a creative offer sheet. The power forward, a restricted free agent, already has been offered a five-year, $65 million package by Los Angeles.
MAGGETTE TAKEN?
Word the Nuggets are poised to extend an offer sheet to Clippers forward Corey Maggette figures to be of interest to the Heat. Once a restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet, he becomes bound to either his current team or the team making the offer. Riley has spoken highly of Maggette's prospects for emerging as an elite player. ...
Interest in Warriors free-agent point guard Gilbert Arenas, a player who has intrigued Riley, appears to be waning. Utah has reportedly opted against a bid and Denver is not believed to be willing to offer more than $7 million as a starting point. Riley's interest is believed to be at an even lower figure. ...
Free-agent point guard Tyronn Lue said he has received interest from the Heat, but has expressed a preference for Denver, where he visited Friday.
If a lot of this cap money is carried over util next year Manu is going to likely gets some hefty offers, particularly if he has a solid year.
Wade makes his point at guard
By Ira Winderman
Staff Writer
Posted July 13 2003
The Heat lost its final game of the Pepsi Pro Summer League but may have found its point guard of the future.
The Heat closed its five-game schedule in Orlando with a 75-68 loss Saturday to a similar group of young players and free agents representing the Detroit Pistons.
In the loss, which left the Heat with a 3-2 record for the week, first-round draft pick Dwyane Wade continued his shift to point guard with nine assists, his highest total in the five games, and no turnovers. He added a team-high 13 points.
"I certainly think it's a viable lineup now with him at the point," said assistant coach Stan Van Gundy, who guided the Heat's summer entry. "He has not looked out of place.
"I expected him to struggle more than he did."
A shooting guard at Marquette, Wade was used exclusively at point guard the past week. He was so effective in getting into the lane Saturday that Detroit was forced to shift into a zone. Van Gundy said the irony is the Heat has yet to get a read on Wade as a shooting guard.
The Heat was unable to overcome the 25 points of Pistons guard Tayshaun Prince, who had the best week of any player in the six-team field. The Heat went the latter stages without Wade, who suffered a minor leg injury in playing his fifth game in as many days.
Former Florida forward Udonis Haslem closed with 14 rebounds for the Heat, as he looks to get to the NBA after spending least season in France.
"That guy just goes and gets everything," Van Gundy said. "He just competes and competes and competes."
BROWN OUT
The decision by former Heat forward P.J. Brown to remain in New Orleans with a reported four-year, $40 million contract with the Hornets does little to alter the Heat's approach. Coach Pat Riley said he is not in position to add a complementary player with his $11 million in cap space. ...
With Brown off the market, the Heat figures to have a tougher time in replacing Alonzo Mourning, with teams such as the Nuggets and Spurs likely to now turn their attention to the likes of Rasho Nesterovic, Michael Olowokandi and Brad Miller. Denver and San Antonio both are in position to outbid the Heat. ...
Should the Heat turn its attention to the Clippers' Elton Brand, it likely only would be able to make a dent with a creative offer sheet. The power forward, a restricted free agent, already has been offered a five-year, $65 million package by Los Angeles.
MAGGETTE TAKEN?
Word the Nuggets are poised to extend an offer sheet to Clippers forward Corey Maggette figures to be of interest to the Heat. Once a restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet, he becomes bound to either his current team or the team making the offer. Riley has spoken highly of Maggette's prospects for emerging as an elite player. ...
Interest in Warriors free-agent point guard Gilbert Arenas, a player who has intrigued Riley, appears to be waning. Utah has reportedly opted against a bid and Denver is not believed to be willing to offer more than $7 million as a starting point. Riley's interest is believed to be at an even lower figure. ...
Free-agent point guard Tyronn Lue said he has received interest from the Heat, but has expressed a preference for Denver, where he visited Friday.
If a lot of this cap money is carried over util next year Manu is going to likely gets some hefty offers, particularly if he has a solid year.