Heat likely to defend title with different roster

[Burn531]

MIAMI -- As with any championship team, there is already sentiment around the Miami Heat to bring the entire roster back for next season's title defense.

But that hardly ever happens, in any sport, and center Shaquille O'Neal knows change is inevitable for the Heat, too.

"Everybody's going to take care of their individual business," O'Neal said. "Everybody's going to do what's best for themselves and their families. We'd like to come back and get one more run at it, but all the other teams are reloading for us, so we also have to reload too."

The championship trophy is leaving Sunday with Heat owner Micky Arison for a whirlwind around-the-world tour, an 18,000-mile, three-continent trip from South Florida to Italy, Hong Kong and China.

By the time the hardware gets back home, some players who helped capture it may be gone.

Making a trade to acquire a pick in Wednesday's draft -- the Heat currently don't have any selections -- is a possibility. James Posey, who hit so many big shots for the Heat in the playoffs and was a defensive spark as well, may decide to become a free agent, although that wouldn't necessarily preclude him from returning.

The Alonzo Mourning retirement watch is on. Shandon Anderson's contract has expired. Jason Kapono's option year may not be picked up.

Welcome to another offseason, where even the champions have some tough choices to make.

"We did what we had to do with this group of guys and over the next couple of days, week, two weeks, three weeks, we'll discuss the team," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "Not only do we have to make some decisions, we have some players who have to make some decisions. And then we'll go from there."

One easy decision -- the Heat hope, anyway -- is getting NBA finals MVP Dwyane Wade to sign a five- or six-year extension that he'll be eligible for after July 1. It figures to be worth at least $75 million, and there's every indication the deal could get done fairly quickly.

Wade said he isn't even thinking about the extension, saying his agent Henry Thomas will handle the talks with the Heat.

"I'm excited about my opportunity, my future in Miami and the NBA," Wade said. "So I'm sure that it will happen sooner than later."

But even before that paperwork can be signed, the Heat will turn their attention toward the draft -- even though, as of now, they don't have a pick.

The Heat would have had the 26th and 56th selections in Wednesday's draft; the 26th now belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the deal that brought O'Neal here two summers ago, the 56th is owned by the Toronto Raptors.

Still, that doesn't mean Riley and front office are taking the night off.

"Whether or not we can get a pick, we'll try, and maybe invest in a pick if the player is warranted. We would do that," Riley said. "While we don't have a player to pick in the first or second round, we're going to have a draft and if something happens during the course of the draft and we can pull a trigger, we'll do it."

Riley's offseason plan a year ago was to surround O'Neal with versatility, experience and talent. So he brought in Posey, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and Gary Payton -- and the net result was a championship.

The philosophy isn't going to deviate much heading into next season, Riley said, although younger players like Wayne Simien, Dorell Wright and Earl Barron may find themselves with bigger roles in the Heat's title defense.

"I want to incorporate youth into the rotation, but I don't want to incorporate youth into the rotation at the expense of Shaquille not having everything that he needs to win," Riley said. "So you've got to put talent and experience around him."

Do that, O'Neal said, and good things will continue to happen.

Asked how many more NBA titles the Heat can win in coming years, O'Neal didn't hesitate.

"I've got four more years left," O'Neal said. "I think we can get two out of four. At worst."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2499262

[awmyplace]

Let's Go Heat!!!

Go Heat!!!

[Rip-Hamilton32]

likely to defend..not gonna happen

[awmyplace]

The Heat will defend the championship next year.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

but the looks of your sig..your just a bandwagon fan..you pick the best teams and then claim to know what your talking about when you post.

[awmyplace]

but the looks of your sig..your just a bandwagon fan..you pick the best teams and then claim to know what your talking about when you post.

Well,The Spurs and Heat will be in the fianls next year.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

lol..just like i thought..

[Burn531]

but the looks of your sig..your just a bandwagon fan..you pick the best teams and then claim to know what your talking about when you post.

Especially when her sig says "Shaq=Best Center In The League". :lol Also "2007 San Antonio Spurs World Champs!!!" :lol She just said in this thread "The Heat will defend the championship next year."

[awmyplace]

Especially when her sig says "Shaq=Best Center In The League". :lol Also "2007 San Antonio Spurs World Champs!!!" :lol She just said in this thread "The Heat will defend the championship next year."

Yeah,My sig says that.And why do you care what my sig says?

[Winnipeg_Spur]

Not to take anything away from the Heat, cause they won it this year, fair and square, but I really think they're chances of repeating are not very good. This team relied heavily on veterns who were hungry for getting that one ring (Payton, Walker and especially Zo) and so I don't think all that drive and hunger will be there next year. But who knows, really? The scariest thing about the Heat is that Wade could actually IMPROVE next year, which is a pretty terrifying thought since he just got done carrying his team to a title...

[Burn531]

Yeah,My sig says that.And why do you care what my sig says?

Because you say in your sig that the Spurs will win the Title in 07 but earlier you said the Heat will defend there Title next year. Your a hypocrite.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

lol..hahaha another reason i know you know nothing about basketball would be calling duncan then 2nd best center and shaq number 1..

[awmyplace]

Because you say in your sig that the Spurs will win the Title in 07 but earlier you said the Heat will defend there Title next year. Your a hypocrite.

Leave me alone okay!

[Rip-Hamilton32]

or not..stick to your miami forums..where people will go along with your stupidity

[Burn531]

Leave me alone okay!



Yeah sure I'll leave you alone. *waits for her to change her sig......*

:lol Not even a few hours and the sig has been changed.

[awmyplace]

or not..stick to your miami forums..where people will go along with your stupidity

I can post on any fourm I want to.

[Rip-Hamilton32]

lol..only if you like getting ragged on

[mavsfan1000]

The Heat without Mourning equals no ring. Mourning better comeback if the Heat want to win another championship.

[awmyplace]

The Heat without Mourning equals no ring. Mourning better comeback if the Heat want to win another championship.

I am so happy for him.I hope hopes stays with the Heat.

[bulletedge]

The only reason the Heat won is because the Mavs pulled one of the biggest choke jobs in history. The odds are pretty good that won't happen next year...no matter who is playing in the Finals.

Shaq says he has 4 years left? And that he guarantees two more titles in those four years? We need to file these predictions away....

[emo serb]

and its not "Let's Go Spurs!!!", I believe it's "Go Spurs Go", you seem to know a lot awmyplace.

[awmyplace]

The only reason the Heat won is because the Mavs pulled one of the biggest choke jobs in history. The odds are pretty good that won't happen next year...no matter who is playing in the Finals.

Shaq says he has 4 years left? And that he guarantees two more titles in those four years? We need to file these predictions away....

Yes!Shaq says he has four year left.

[mike detroit]

Yes!Shaq says he has four year left.

I'm not sure he has one.

[awmyplace]

I'm not sure he has one.

Oh Okay!Last summer,Shaq signed a 5 year extension worth 100 million for the next five years.

[emo serb]

It's rumored that the Heat may sign Shawn Kemp and he could battle for the starting job in miami. What are your thoughts on this awmyplace?

[mike detroit]

Oh Okay!Last summer,Shaq signed a 5 year extension worth 100 million for the next five years.

well that settles it!

I wasn't talking about his contract. I was talking about him physically. he's looking old.

[awmyplace]

It's rumored that the Heat may sign Shawn Kemp and he could battle for the starting job in miami. What are your thoughts on this awmyplace?

Is he a good basketball player or what?

[mike detroit]

Is he a good basketball player or what?

miami has lots of cocaine, so who knows what kemp could accomplish!

[emo serb]

Is he a good basketball player or what?
Are you kidding me? Shawn Kemp is a FRICKEN BEAST!!! He hasn't even hit his prime yet.

[awmyplace]

miami has lots of cocaine, so who knows what kemp could accomplish!

I think the Heat should get Allen Iverson.

[mike detroit]

I think the Heat should get Allen Iverson.


as much as i love watching AI, nothing would make me happier than seeing miami pick him up.

[awmyplace]

as much as i love watching AI, nothing would make me happier than seeing miami pick him up.

Why?

[mike detroit]

Why?


it would destroy your team

[awmyplace]

it would destroy your team

I don't think it would destroy the Heat.

[mike detroit]

I don't think it would destroy the Heat.

you haven't watched AI's game enough then.

[emo serb]

MJ was also rumored to come out of retirement, do you think the Heat should try to sign him?

[awmyplace]

you haven't watched AI's game enough then.

Yes I have watched A.I's game.He needs a championship.

[emo serb]

Yes I have watched A.I's game.He needs a championship.
How old are you?

[RON ARTEST]

I can post on any fourm I want to.
he didnt ask you what forums you can post on. hes just asking you to leave this one.

[mike detroit]

Yes I have watched A.I's game.He needs a championship.


If miami had iverson, then you should get used to this:

"wade makes a move, iverson fakes to him and ohhhhh... misses the jumper"

[RON ARTEST]

I think the Heat should get Allen Iverson.
what the fuck? who would you trade for him?

[mike detroit]

what the fuck? who would you trade for him?

shaq

[emo serb]

what the fuck? who would you trade for him?
Sign and trade Wang Zhi Zhi.

[awmyplace]

MJ was also rumored to come out of retirement, do you think the Heat should try to sign him?

Yes I think the Heat should try to sign him.

[ABDENOUR POWER]

Sign and trade Wang Zhi Zhi.

Wang for AI? Who are you kidding?

Wang is the MAN!

[mike detroit]

it's becoming a habit for awmyplace to post crap like this and then disappear when the thread gets too rough.

[awmyplace]

shaq

Why trade Shaq?I wouldn't trade Shaq.

[mike detroit]

Yes I think the Heat should try to sign him.


ahhh good to see you're just trolling and don't really believe this shit. either that or wow, you don't know much about basketball.

[ABDENOUR POWER]

Yes I think the Heat should try to sign him.

Charles Barkley is also rumored to be eyeing a return to the NBA. Maybe Miami should go after him too. A frontcourt tandem of Barkley and Snaq would be HUGE, in more ways than one. What do you think?

[RON ARTEST]

you don't know much about basketball.
its obvious she doesnt. jordan? :lol hes like 100 years old.

[emo serb]

Wang for AI? Who are you kidding?

Wang is the MAN!
You're right ABDENOUR POWER, Philly may have to add a couple first round picks to even this deal out.

[awmyplace]

its obvious she doesnt. jordan? :lol hes like 100 years old.

Jordan is 40.

[RON ARTEST]

Yes I have watched A.I's game.He needs a championship.
i heard somewhere that charles oakley was thinking about making a return, what do you think?

[emo serb]

Jordan is 40.
He was born in 1963, do the math.

[awmyplace]

He was born in 1963, do the math.

He is 43

[Burn531]

He is 43

:lol

[mike detroit]

He is 43


I smell a comeback!! oh wait, that's just the odor coming from awmyplace's opinions.

[Burn531]

It's funny because she actually answered the question to "do the math". :lol

[emo serb]

:lol I like how all the Pistons fans are ganging up on her(?). Even Ron Artest is helping us lol.

[Burn531]

:lol I like how all the Pistons fans are ganging up on her(?). Even Ron Artest is helping us lol.


According to her public profile she's a female with a kid. The only reason she's getting ganged up on( :lol ) is because she has no idea what she's talking about most of the time.

[emo serb]

According to her public profile she's a female with a kid. The only reason she's getting ganged up on( :lol ) is because she has no idea what she's talking about most of the time.
:lol I wonder if her 12 year old takes care of her?

[awmyplace]

:lol I wonder if her 12 year old takes care of her?

My daughter helps me clean around the house

[NASpurs]

My daughter helps me clean around the house:lmao I don't think that's what he meant

Oh geez this screen name must be a troll

[East Coast Babe]

Quit making fun! Jordan is going to the Bobcats, but not to play. As part owner. They can use him to help acquire good players! Barkley, is too fat for Bball and too old and besides we like making fun of him on TNT!

[RON ARTEST]

He is 43
you actually answered his "do the math" comment? :lmao do you know anything about sports at all? you should be banned for the stuff you say. :lol

[z0sa]

people are getting stupider and stupider as the days go bye. and awmyplace isnt (really) the one Im thinking about when I say this.

[RON ARTEST]

people are getting stupider and stupider as the days go bye. and awmyplace isnt (really) the one Im thinking about when I say this.
stupider? who the fuck was your english teacher? just kidding, :lol im bored and tired. time to go to sleep.

[mike detroit]

stupider? who the fuck was your english teacher? just kidding, :lol im bored and tired. time to go to sleep.

i was embarassingly drunk and made an ass of myself last night. and yet, mentally, i was right up there with her.

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

:lmao I don't think that's what he meant

Oh geez this screen name must be a troll

I pray to God that it is, but I would really like to see her and kalikot_boy argue in a forum some day.

[awmyplace]

you actually answered his "do the math" comment? :lmao do you know anything about sports at all? you should be banned for the stuff you say. :lol

Yes I know sports.

[NBA Junkie]

do you know anything about sports at all? you should be banned for the stuff you say. :lol

She can't be any more idiotic, than say, King fans who actually think they're going to get Kevin Garnett from the Wolves this summer.

Anyone who believes that deserves lifetime banishment from this forum.

[emo serb]

i was embarassingly drunk and made an ass of myself last night. and yet, mentally, i was right up there with her.
I think I'd have to give you the edge on the mentally part Tyra. :lol

[NBA Junkie]

It's rumored that the Heat may sign Shawn Kemp and he could battle for the starting job in miami.

All potential Mothers-to-be are eagerly awaiting his arrival.

[mike detroit]

I think I'd have to give you the edge on the mentally part Tyra. :lol


I even amazed myself with my ability to screw that arguement up on multiple levels. Damn afternoon tigers games.

[female sports fan]

you actually answered his "do the math" comment? :lmao do you know anything about sports at all? you should be banned for the stuff you say. :lol


where would our entertainment come from if she was banned?