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Let's Go Heat!!!
Go Heat!!!
MIAMI -- As with any championship team, there is already sentiment around the Miami Heat to bring the entire roster back for next season's le 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 le 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 les 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
Let's Go Heat!!!
Go Heat!!!
likely to defend..not gonna happen
The Heat will defend the championship next year.
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.
lol..just like i thought..
Especially when her sig says "Shaq=Best Center In The League".Also "2007 San Antonio Spurs World Champs!!!"
Yeah,My sig says that.And why do you care what my sig says?Especially when her sig says "Shaq=Best Center In The League".
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 le...
Because you say in your sig that the Spurs will win the le in 07 but earlier you said the Heat will defend there le next year. Your a hypocrite.
lol..hahaha another reason i know you know nothing about basketball would be calling duncan then 2nd best center and shaq number 1..
Leave me alone okay!
or not..stick to your miami forums..where people will go along with your stupidity
Yeah sure I'll leave you alone. *waits for her to change her sig......*
Last edited by Burn531; 06-25-2006 at 07:38 PM.
I can post on any fourm I want to.
lol..only if you like getting ragged on
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.
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 les in those four years? We need to file these predictions away....
and its not "Let's Go Spurs!!!", I believe it's "Go Spurs Go", you seem to know a lot awmyplace.
Yes!Shaq says he has four year left.
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.
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?
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