Reply With Quote
I didn't know that Haslem took a pay cut. Definitely fishy; there's something coming on the back end for him.
I hope Simien wasn't planning on playing very much this year.
After a great year of success, the Miami Heat had come to realization that they hadn’t reached the promise land, despite challenging Detroit to a game seven in the Eastern Conference Finals, which was played at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. But President of Basketball Operations Pat Riley wasn’t going to stand by quietly.
This years draft proved to not only be great, but incredibly deep. Miami, who had the 27th pick this year, selected Wayne Simien from the University of Kansas. With, what some might say, the “steal of the draft”, Wayne made the Heat an even deeper, and dangerous team.
With Wayne locked up with a contract already, the free agency period hit. Miami’s first priority was to sign Shaq to a long term deal. Finally, on August 2nd, that was exactly what they did. Shaquille signed a five year, 100 million dollar deal, which showed what a loyal player he was to the Heat organization, by leaving millions of dollars on the table to other teams. But to O’Neal, it wasn’t necessarily about the money, as much as it was about winning a championship with Miami. The 12-time All-Star, averaged 22.9 points, while snatching down 10.4 rebounds, while also leading the league in field goal percentage during his first year with the Heat. Udonis Haslem, who also re-signed, and who also took a pay cut, was happy that he could continue playing with a legend.
"I guess that's five more years of wide-open shots for me," said forward Udonis Haslem, who signed his five-year, $30.7 million deal to stay in Miami on Tuesday. "I'm looking forward to that, definitely. Obviously Shaq has been a tremendous benefit to the whole team. ... I'm going to ride him until his wheels fall off."
The news only got better for the Heat, who on August 3rd, made the NBA’s largest trade in which they received Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, and James Posey, while only dolling out Eddie Jones, and Rasul Butler, one thing was clear…The Heat are becoming the leagues most dominant team. The trade was the largest in NBA history, edging out the 2000 trade in which Patrick Ewing was traded.
"We traded a lot, but we got back three quality players," said Heat president Pat Riley. "Antoine Walker is one of the very best multi-faceted, versatile players in this game. ... He is able to handle the ball, pass it, make plays, shoot 3's and rebound the ball. There isn't anyone in this league better at doing that."
Walker, who was selected to three All-Star games in his career already, will play the small forward position, while James Posey, an above average defender, serves as his backup. And barring the absence of three point threat Damon Jones, who is currently still a free agent, Jason Williams would become the starter at point guard.
It was announced as the largest trade in NBA history, a record 13 players switching teams, with four teams involved, and no one could have been happier than the Miami Heat. Antoine Walker, who was reunited earlier in the year with the Celtics, was surprisingly let go, and has arguably made the Heat a much stronger team.
Antoine has put up numbers of 19.1 points and nine rebounds a game, just missing a double-double average, while stealing 1.16 balls a game. Add Jason Williams to the mix, who last year with the Grizzlies averaged 10.1 points per game, while dishing out 5.6 assists. Not to mention James Posey, the seven year veteran, who came packaged with Williams in the deal. Posey, who was a fan favorite in Memphis for his explosive strides to the basket and his incredible dunks, averaged just under ten points, and five rebounds, while averaging 1.67 steals per game. Last but not least, the Heat received a throw in player, Andre Emmett, a player who has a ridiculous vertical leap, and dazzled fans while attending Texas Tech. The Heat unfortunately had to give up Eddie Jones, a proven leader for the team, and Rasul Butler, who was a solid role player off the bench. Jones leaves the Heat after five seasons with the team.
"I spoke to him and he's appreciative of the five great years he's had in Miami," agent Leon Rose said. "He's proud that he's helped build something, although it's unfortunate that he won't be able to see it to fruition. But he wishes the organization nothing but the best."
However, with this trade, the Heat have not only gotten stronger, but more feared as a team.
The Heat are also welcoming back rookie sensation Dwyane Wade, who has been nothing else but great. And if you know Pat Riley, then you know that there could still be something left up his sleeve. But for now, I’m sure everyone involved with the Miami organization is happy with their revamped roster.
Now the only thing left to do now is wait for the regular season to open, because this is an off-season to remember.
I didn't know that Haslem took a pay cut. Definitely fishy; there's something coming on the back end for him.
I hope Simien wasn't planning on playing very much this year.
PM me if you'd like these to be proofed before posting.
. You beat me to it, CD. I was going to post the same thing.
Amazing what a good editor can do.....
Miami was very close to a championship last year. They just got better than that which is scary for any team who plays them. Miami will make San Antonio look like an average defensive team. Too many threats equal unguardable. Wade is the next Jordan.
All these moves ESPECIALLY the Jason Williams move get my seal of approval. Playoffs are his time to shine.
Yeah, Miami got alot better....I will buy that for a dollar.
Frikkin Jason Williams and Antoine Walker
What a joke
Go champs
cant climax without a dwyane wade jersey on forum
Miami's "Offseason to Remember" may end up more memorable than the season itself, much less the postseason.
OK, you're officially stupid. Wade is not only NOT Jordan from an offensive standpoint, but MJ at least took pride enough in his defense to make first team All D a couple of times. The only thing I think of while watching Wade attempt to cover someone is Ole'!
They still aren't as good offensively as the 2004-05 Phoenix Suns or the 2002-03 Dallas Mavericks.
But with Jason Williams and Antoine Walker on the floor, they might be similar to those two on defense.
That's not fair. Wade is an above-average defender at least, He's no Jordan of course, but I wouldn't take that comment too seriously. HeatChamps reads su iously like a certain rodent that frequents these parts.
The only time Wade will look bad on defense is when Shaq is supposed to rotate on the pick and roll but doesn't.
why don't you wait till' the season starts before you talk trash. and by the way. post this crap in the nba forum.
The original post does eerily reek of a certain tooting of a specific Vanhorn
what the is this, the heat forum???
jesus christ, do you accually believe that adding walker and williams to your squad is gonna make you better?? COME ON!! Miami is making the same mistake that the lakers and mavs made last year.. and if remember correctly, a TEAM won the championship "bulked up" team full of nothing but headachs... All im suggesting to you is that you have the advils on standby
lol... they got a lot better offensively ill give them that... but with shaq at the middle...
shaq defending pick and rolls.... with Udonis haslem guarding the ring
WAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
- Isiah Thomas
Look up "Undisciplined 3-point shooting" in the basketball dictionary and you see Jason Williams and Antoine Walker pictured.
Those long rebounds had better be chased down by Heat perimeter players instead of the opposition, because they sure aren't going to be within Shaq's reach.
Scoreboard and O'Briens = dominance
Prediction on the season:
Walker will be traded by mid season.
Shaq will not play all 82 games in fact he'll find another way to aviod the regular season and make it back for the playoffs.
D-wade will be specttacular. (But to say he is Jordan-like is completely ignorant)
J-will will have his usual season but will dissapear come playoff time.
Say o to your easter confrence champions The Indiana Pacers.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
