Miami Heat Enter Training Camp

September 30, 2015 by Raanan Katz

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.

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.

Key Contributors for the Miami Heat in 2015-2016

August 25, 2015 by Raanan Katz

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

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.