duncan228
08-23-2007, 08:57 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/08/23/payton.heat.ap/index.html
Changing of the guard
Riley: Veteran Payton not in Heat's plans next season
MIAMI (AP) -- Veteran guard Gary Payton is not expected back with Miami next season, Heat coach Pat Riley said Thursday.
Payton averaged 6.6 points in two seasons with Miami, and helped the Heat win the 2006 NBA title. Payton said several times last year that he's considering retirement, but the nine-time All-Star hasn't declared whether he's officially ruled out what would be an 18th pro season.
Riley acknowledged that the Heat have interest in signing free agent forward P.J. Brown, who averaged 6.1 points last season for the Chicago Bulls. Brown, who'll turn 38 in October, played for Riley and the Heat from 1996 through 2000, helping Miami to the playoffs in all four seasons.
"I'd love to hang his jersey from the rafters here," said Riley, who has talked to Brown personally about a return. "I really would because he is one of my all-time favorite players, I think one of the all-time favorite players in the history of the Heat. I think he could really help us."
Riley said the Heat also are continuing talks in hopes of re-signing free agent forward James Posey, who has been in Miami for the past two seasons.
"We're still talking and I don't know what is going to happen," Riley said.
The Heat's decision on Payton was long-expected, since Miami already has three other point guards -- Jason Williams, Chris Quinn and newly acquired former Los Angeles Lakers starter Smush Parker -- on the roster.
Changing of the guard
Riley: Veteran Payton not in Heat's plans next season
MIAMI (AP) -- Veteran guard Gary Payton is not expected back with Miami next season, Heat coach Pat Riley said Thursday.
Payton averaged 6.6 points in two seasons with Miami, and helped the Heat win the 2006 NBA title. Payton said several times last year that he's considering retirement, but the nine-time All-Star hasn't declared whether he's officially ruled out what would be an 18th pro season.
Riley acknowledged that the Heat have interest in signing free agent forward P.J. Brown, who averaged 6.1 points last season for the Chicago Bulls. Brown, who'll turn 38 in October, played for Riley and the Heat from 1996 through 2000, helping Miami to the playoffs in all four seasons.
"I'd love to hang his jersey from the rafters here," said Riley, who has talked to Brown personally about a return. "I really would because he is one of my all-time favorite players, I think one of the all-time favorite players in the history of the Heat. I think he could really help us."
Riley said the Heat also are continuing talks in hopes of re-signing free agent forward James Posey, who has been in Miami for the past two seasons.
"We're still talking and I don't know what is going to happen," Riley said.
The Heat's decision on Payton was long-expected, since Miami already has three other point guards -- Jason Williams, Chris Quinn and newly acquired former Los Angeles Lakers starter Smush Parker -- on the roster.