09Dec

Takeaways from the Wizards Loss

Wade and Dragic

By far, the greatest achievement Dec. 7’s game was getting to see Dwayne Wade and Goran Dragic work together. The two each brought in 9 assists. To be honest, this is one of my greatest points of pride with this team. We have great talent, but every game is a team-game.

With little surprise, Wade lead the team in scoring with 26 points. 10 of those points were scored against Otto Porter. Wade was like a shark on the court, aggressively hunting down and converting a number of midrange jumpers, floaters, and banks-shots, while also helping out his teammates score. Wade was completely on his game.

Dragic performed remarkably himself. His half-court work was on point and the corner three that he nailed in the fourth corner was impressive. With 4:06 left on the clock, he managed a sweet pass to Wade who went in for the shot.

Other Notes

With nine rebounds, Chris Bosh’s game was also in pretty great shape.  Grom the get-go, Whiteside was doling out great frontcourt work, and he had some pretty impressive dunks to his name. Noticeably, Whiteside made a great slam at 2:26 in the second quarter.

The Three-point Problem

With more than a minute on the clock, Bradley Beal went up near the rim and then lost the ball and touched it without a defender touching it (although both Bosh and Dragic were close). Shortly thereafter, Neal made the three. It’s unfortunate that Beal’s traveling play went uncalled. Yes, the final deficit was 11 points. But Beal’s traveling 3-pointer scored with more than a minute on the clock, allowed the Wizard’s to basically score 5 when they should have only scored 2. I don’t need to tell you how every point counts. But what I will say is that Chris Bosh faced his second ejection of his career just shortly after that three-pointer was deemed legitimate. It can be demoralizing to see a violation go uncalled.

Moving Forward

Calls set aside, the Wizard’s brought their game. I’m looking forward to tonight’s game @Charlote.

Let’s do this.

30Oct

Miami Heat Open Season with a Win Over Charlotte

The Miami Heat opened the 2015-2016 season with a win at home against the Charlotte Hortets 104-94. The Heat started Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic in the backcourt, Luol Deng and Chris Bosh in the frontcourt, and Hassan Whiteside at center. The Hornets send out Kemba Walker and P.J. Hairston in the backcourt, Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams in the frontcourt, and Al Jefferson at center.

The Heat had stellar play from their top 2 stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Bosh finished the night with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Wade had 20 points and 5 assists. Off the bench, Gerald Green gave the Heat 30 quality minutes scoring 19 points. Jeremy Lin, a new guard with the Hornet came off the bench to score 17 points on 5-10 shooting. Walker added 19 points while Jefferson chipped in with 17. Justise Winslow had a great slam over three Hornets. Check it out below.

The Heat looked good together. Ideally, they’ll want to see more from Hassan Whiteside, the 7 foot center who came on big last year. Whiteside had just 4 points and 6 rebounds after averaging 11.8 points and 10.0 rebounds last year. Another player they’ll want to step up is Goran Dragic. Dragic signed a max deal this summer but contributed just 8 points and 6 assists.

30Sep

Miami Heat Enter Training Camp

The Miami Heat open 2015’s training camp with a lot of familiar faces. The Heat return super stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. They also return recent key additions like Luol Deng and Goran Dragic. Josh McRoberts, an offseason signing from last summer should be getting healthy for this coming season. Let’s take a look at some key additions as well as some training camp players hoping to make the regular season roster.

amare stoudemire miami

Stoudemire joins the Heat

Amare Stoudemire
Once upon a time Stoudemire was a bonafide stud. You can count on him for 20 points and roughly 10 rebounds a night. He has since had many injuries and has aged to the point where he’s a shade of himself. He split last season between the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks averaging 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in roughly 20 minutes a game. He’s no longer a starting power forward but is great for spot starts. He can bring a lot of energy and intensity off the bench for the Heat. He’s a lock to make the regular season roster.

Gerald Green
Gerald Green has had an interesting tenure in the NBA. Originally a 2005 1st round pick by the Boston Celtics, Green went onto win the 2007 Slam Dunk Contest. He had a rocky rest of the way in the NBA and eventually fell out of the league by the end of the 2009 season. After some stints overseas, Green joined the D-League and played well. The New Jersey Nets gave him an opportunity via a D-League call-up and Green impressed. He showed he could drive, shoot from outside and defend. His short time in New Jersey allowed him to get reserve roles with the Pacers and Suns. He should provide great athleticism off the bench for Miami.

Hopefuls looking to make the 15 man roster include the following:
Center Keith Benson – Signed a 1 year minimum non-guaranteed deal.
Guard Corey Hawkins – Signed 1 year minimum non-guaranteed deal.
Guard Tyler Johnson – Played last season for Miami. Is in the 2nd year of his deal which is partially guaranteed
Forward James Ennis – Played last season for Miami. Is in the 2nd year of a 3 year deal but salary is guaranteed if he makes opening night roster.
Forward Greg Whittington – Signed a 1 year minimum non-guaranteed deal.
Guard Tre Kelley – Signed a year minimum non-guaranteed deal.
Guard Josh Richardson – 2015 2nd round pick signed a 3 year deal that is partially guaranteed but fully guaranteed for this season.

25Aug

Key Contributors for the Miami Heat in 2015-2016

Everyone knows the Miami Heat have Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. If the Heat are to be successful in the upcoming season, they’ll need them to be at the top of their games and stay healthy. To contend for a title, they’ll need a supporting cast to build off of last season or step up and become a bigger contributor. Let’s take a look at who some of these players can be.

Hassan Whiteside – Center

Whiteside burst onto the scene last season after spending most of his career in the D-League. Originally an early 2nd round pick by the Sacramento Kings in 2010, the 7 foot Whiteside played in just 19 career NBA games prior to his call-up to the Heat. In 48 games and 32 starts for the Heat, Whiteside averaged 11.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, while shooting 63% from the floor in just 23.8 minutes a night. He’ll need to continue on this path next season for the Heat to contend in the ever-so improving Eastern Conference.

Goran Dragic – Guard

Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic

Dragic was acquired last season in a trade with the Phoenix Suns and resigned with the Heat following this past season. Dragic brings an interesting dynamic. With a backcourt of Wade and Dragic, you don’t really have a true point guard. But what you do have is two guys who can both handle point guard duties and bring something else to the table. Dragic is a great outsider shooter and Wade is a slasher. He’s a proficient shooter from the field, three point range, and the free throw line and can also rebound well for the guard position.

Amar’e Stoudemire – Center/Power Forward

With Amar’e Stoudemire signing for the veterans minimum at $1.5 million, the Heat are essentially trying to catch lightning in a bottle. A low risk, high reward type deal, if Stoudemire can return to All-Star form then the Heat have themselves a great value pick and a formidable player to add to a team nucleus that consists of Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Chris Bosh, Luol Deng, Hassan Whiteside, Chris Anderson, and 1st round pick Justise Winslow. If he doesn’t pan out, well the Heat are still rather deep with big men that can play with Anderson, Whiteside, Bosh, Haslem, and McRoberts.

30Jul

Miami Heat Cutting Costs

With the Miami Heat now a season under their belt without LeBron James, they now see how talented their team is. Many teams don’t mind paying luxury tax if they’re a sure bet for a deep run into the playoffs. However, Miami learned that they are no longer that kind of team. With that said, the Heat have been looking to shed costs where they deem necessary. They have made a few moves over the last week that have helped them get closer to the luxury tax line. Let’s take a look at some of these moves.

Heat Trade Napier to Magic

The Miami Heat traded Shabazz Napier to the Orlando Magic in a lopsided deal. Napier, a former 1st round pick was sent for just a protected 2nd round pick in 2016. The move was a salary dump trade for the Heat who currently have Goran Dragic and Mario Chalmers under contract to play point guard.

Heat Trade Zoran Dragic to Celtics

While the Heat re-signed Goran Dragic, they shipped his younger brother Zoran to the Boston Celtics. Zoran came to the NBA last season joining his brother in Phoenix. However, at the trade deadline the two were both shipped to Miami. Miami is now sending Zoran and a 2020 protected 2nd round pick and cash to Boston for a 2019 protected 2nd round pick.

Heat Waive Henry Walker

You may remember him as Bill Walker from his time with the Knicks and Celtics but Bill returned to the NBA last season as Henry Walker. Walker’s contract for year two was due to pay him $1.1 million, $100,000 of which would become guaranteed if he was on the roster by August 1st. The Heat decided to waive him.

These three moves save the Heat roughly $11 million in salary and luxury tax penalty payments.

15Nov

About last night …

By Joe

MY GAME STORY LINK: CLICK ME!

Poor defense has plagued the Heat during its two-game losing skid. The Pacers out-rebounded the Heat 53-28 on Wednesday on and Friday the Heat’s defense allowed the Hawks to shoot 56 percent from the field.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra…

ON THE LOSS: “There were a handful of times when we were able to impose our will. It takes a tremendous amount of effort, multiple efforts and activity to be able to defend offensive teams like this. We certainly felt with Dwyane [Wade] out that we scored enough to give ourselves a chance to win, but we never got to the defensive disposition and mind-set that you need to win against a team like this in their building.”

ON CHRIS ANDERSEN’S LIMITED MINUTES: “I actually had the intension to play him in the first half, but I went with [Udonis Haslem]. It looked a little bit out there, but Bird will be out there Sunday.”

WHY DID JAMES ENNIS START: “To keep Mario [Chalmers] in the second unit, and to stabilize that unit. Instead, he played 40 minutes.”

Chris Bosh …

ON THE POOR FIRST QUARTER: “We’re not getting off to good starts defensively, whether it’s the …read more

Source:: Raanan Katz – Miami Herald – Miami Heat

14Nov

Stuff about tonight’s game, #Heat (5-3) at #Hawks (4-3)

By Joe

HEAT (5-3) at HAWKS (4-3), 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports

LINE: Hawks by 2 (Opened at 3.)

OFFICIALS: Tom Washington, David Jones, JT Orr

WHY WATCH: The Hawks have won three in a row while the Heat is trying to boucne back from its 75-point performance against the No Name Pacers on Wednesday. Both the Heat and Hawks now feature similar offensive styles predicated on ball movement and Friday night’s matchup will be the first of four meetings between the two division opponents this season.

SPO-SPEAK: “It’s not always going to work out smoothly, ball moving, everyone in great rhythm like it was in Dallas. There are games you’re going to have to develop some team and collective grit and figure out how to win. And those can be very gratifying at the end, particularly when you don’t play great.”

…read more

Source:: Raanan Katz – Miami Herald – Miami Heat

13Nov

About last night …

By Joe

GAME STORY LINK: CLICK ME!

The Pacers turned ugly into art and embarrassed the Heat 81-75 on Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. Miami was out-rebounded 53-28. It was the lowest scoring total for the Heat on its home court since the 2009-10 season.

In addition to the rebounding problems, the Heat went 8 of 18 from the free-throw line. The Pacers won despite shooting 37.5 percent from the field and recording more turnovers (16) than assists (13).

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra…

ON THE REBOUNDING: “I’ll have to get to the film, but certainly more block outs and we have to be a gang-rebound team. It can’t be just a one individual and that certainly hurt us tonight. We’re all well aware of that.”

ON THE MISSED FREE THROWS: “These are those types of games that you would really like to see your team to find a way to grind it out when you’re not necessarily in a great rhythm. It’s a defensive game. It’s a grind out game and you like to find a way to win ugly at the end. Whatever, just make some plays. We had some foul trouble. We had some free throw opportunities that we came up short but …read more

Source:: Raanan Katz – Miami Herald – Miami Heat

12Nov

Stuff about tonight’s game: Pacers (2-6) at Heat (5-2)

By Joe

PACERS (2-6) AT HEAT (5-2), 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports, ESPN

LINE: Heat by 8 1/2 (Opened at 10.)

OFFICIALS: Scott Foster, Eric Lewis, Eli Roe

WHY WATCH: The Pacers are bruised and broken to begin the season, but tonight’s nationally televised game is still the first matchup between the Heat and Pacers since last season’s Eastern Conference finals.

SPO-SPEAK: “It’s still Indiana, so you know they’re going to bring it defensively,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They’re not going to allow you to have easy opportunities on the paint. You’re going to have to work your offense with force, with poise and the ball is going to have to move. The more shortcuts you try to take, the more it plays right into their hands.”

ON THE 5-2 START: “It’s not even about that right now,” Spoelstra said. “It’s about our habits. Are we coming in to work to get better? And the guys have been great. They have a real lunch pail, hardhat mentality to come in here and work and work the process to try to get better.
“You’re seeing some of the improvement, but we have a long way to go, particularly on the defensive end. And there is no shortcut to it. …read more

Source:: Raanan Katz – Miami Herald – Miami Heat

10Nov

#Heat guard Dwyane Wade opens up about #LeBron James and the struggling #Cavaliers

By Joe

Dwyane Wade has played in every game this season and he’ll be in the starting lineup on Sunday night here in Dallas. He’s feeling good, his body has responded well to the beginning of the season and his team has a better record than his good buddy LeBron James up in Cleveland.

In other words, it’s a good time to weigh in on the NBA’s biggest story to start the season, the early struggles of those very same Cavaliers and LeBron’s role on the team. Any advice Wade would give LeBron at this point in the season?

“He has all the tools he needs,” Wade said. “We’ve been through it together where we ran into struggles as a team. You’re going to do that in the season whether it’s in the beginning of the season, or sometimes in the middle or sometimes at the end. He’s a four-time MVP. He’s a two-time champion. I’m sure he’ll figure it out as a leader.”

The Heat is 4-2 entering Sunday’s game against the Mavericks and the Cavaliers are 2-3 with a home game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night. In a sense, both the Heat and Cavaliers are starting from scratch this season, …read more

Source:: Raanan Katz – Miami Herald – Miami Heat