It's about Damn Time: The Official Offseason Thread of YOUR World Champion Miami Heat

[TheGregReaper]

i heard rumors of us drafting Fab Melo from Syracuse tomorrow with out first rounder. anymore news on that? Seems like the only time i noticed dude last year was when he was getting in trouble....

 

[Alexander The Great]

i heard rumors of us drafting Fab Melo from Syracuse tomorrow with out first rounder. anymore news on that? Seems like the only time i noticed dude last year was when he was getting in trouble....

he will be gone by then.

 

[THE K-MAN]

"Lebron or Derrick Rose"

Rick Bucker: Derrick Rose

................REALLY RICK


i love the Lebatard show

 

[...and some waffle fries]

the heat got everybody making lateral and backwards ass moves trying to prevent the inevitable.

 

[Alexander The Great]

MIAMI – With the No. 27 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat select …

It might not be the kind of player many think the defending champions need.

Based on how the Heat effectively finished the season with their small-ball versatile lineups, team vice president of player personnel Chet Kammerer said Wednesday that Miami is more likely to draft a perimeter player than a big man when commissioner David Stern steps to the podium with their draft card Thursday night.

“It's not that we're not going to be interested in a big,” Kammerer said during Miami's pre-draft media availability at AmericanAirlines Arena. “We have the greatest player in the world on our roster. What we have to do is bring a player in that will complement him and our stars. I think it's the most important thing right now.”

Despite what appears to be a glaring need for a center, Kammerer indicated the Heat won't necessarily think conventionally when they select late in the first round. Instead, the priority will be to find a player who capable of playing two positions who can fit alongside Finals MVP LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Several mock drafts have the Heat targeting power forwards or centers such as Syracuse's Fab Melo, Vanderbilt's Festus Ezeli or Norfolk State's Kyle O'Quinn, whereas ESPN's Chad Fordsees Vanderbilt's wing Jeff Taylor as a possibility for the defending champions. Kammerer said he's followed several of the media-produced mock drafts, but wouldn't put too much stock in where players are slated to go beyond the top 14 picks.

Although team president Pat Riley's challenge to his draft staff is to find “a good big,” the Heat don't believe any of the potential centers on their draft priority board will be available in the late 20s when they select.

“I think it's going to be difficult to get a big man at No. 27,” Kammerer said. “For us to find someone, at No. 27, that will totally excite us.”

Kammerer, who has been evaluating draft prospects for the Heat for two decades, said he sees plenty of depth and potential in this year's class, particular with players he has rated between the No. 20 and 40 picks. Miami has worked out 41 prospects in the days leading up to the draft.

Kammerer's mission to “find the right fit” could have multiple meanings for the Heat.

Miami could be on the lookout for a player who can play both small and power forward who could by James a few minutes of rest during the regular season. The Heat could also target a power forward or center to add depth behind converted center Bosh with so much uncertainty at those spots on the current roster.

Power forward Juwan Howard and centers Eddy Curry and Dexter Pittman all enter free agency on Sunday. Small forward Mike Miller is evaluating options that could back surgery and, possibly, retirement despite having three seasons remaining on his five-year contract.

A few things Kammerer was fairly certain about entering Thursday's draft was that the Heat likely won't trade out of the pick or make a move to acquire a second-rounder. The plan also is to acclimate their draft pick into the system as quickly as possible, with a spot on the Heat's entry in the Las Vegas summer league next month.

Pittman along with first-year guards Norris Cole and Terrel Harris are likely to play on the summer league squad. Kammerer also said 2010 second-round pick Jarvis Varnado, who has played overseas the past two years, is also scheduled to play with the team in Las Vegas.

But for now, the objective is to get a productive piece to add to the mix – not necessarily a developmental project.

“With the way we ended the season, it's more likely we look at a perimeter (player) more now than we would have two weeks ago, frankly,” Kammerer said. “We ended up switching a lot defensively this year, which turned out to be pretty successful for us. So if we can find a player that's versatile, that can fit and play defense and switch and not cause mismatches, that's going to be pretty important.”

 

[Pito]

i said drinks on me if the heat won the title..

ill be at hard rock on saturday..

holler at me for a free drink

 

[He Who Posts Well]

i said drinks on me if the heat won the title..

ill be at hard rock on saturday..

holler at me for a free drink

I'll have to get a rain check but I'll gladly take some rep in the meantime

 

[OG_StankBrefs]

"Lebron or Derrick Rose"

Rick Bucker: Derrick Rose

................REALLY RICK


i love the Lebatard show

Rick Bucher is fukkin terrible. Can't stand dat Jake Busey lookin fakkit.

 

[Primetime21]

Top 10 greatest individual playoff runs ever in an NBA championship season by ESPN

10. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat, 2006
PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3P% FT% PER DRtg
28.4 5.9 5.7 2.2 1.1 3.9 49.7 37.8 80.8 26.9 100

Wade may owe a few thank-you notes to James and Chris Bosh for helping him get his second ring, but the 2006 Finals MVP certainly earned his first one.

You can argue that Kobe Bryant deserves a spot in this top 10. But Shaquille O'Neal was no longer in his prime when he paired with Wade, and Wade's 2006 PER and field goal percentage top Kobe's bests in 2000-01, his personal best stretch that ended with a title. Wade may trail Bryant in total rings, but, statistically, his 2006 run holds the upper hand.

2. LeBron James, Miami Heat, 2012

PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3P% FT% PER DRtg
30.3 9.7 5.6 1.9 0.7 3.5 50.0 25.9 73.9 30.3 99

This is the best non-MJ Finals run of all time. James' PER ranks fourth in NBA postseason history, but there's no metric on the planet that can properly measure his do-it-all value defensively. James earned his "1-through-5" nickname from Erik Spoelstra for a reason; this might have been the most impressive defensive performance from a wing player ever. James guarded everyone, including Rajon Rondo, Kevin Durant and Tyson Chandler, in his pursuit of a title and never shied away from a defensive assignment.

Although his elite defensive rating reflects a portion of his defensive contributions, it simply doesn't account for his invaluable flexibility. He gets extra bonus points for that. Statistically, James could have been a tad sharper with the ball, from the free throw line and from downtown, but that's like complaining a Rolls Royce can't fly. If James polishes his perimeter shooting game, the top spot on this list is in jeopardy.

full
NBA Playoffs -- Greatest individual playoff runs - ESPN

 

[Da_Eggman]

i said drinks on me if the heat won the title..

ill be at hard rock on saturday..

holler at me for a free drink

long as it ain't in murphy law i hate that fake ass pub

 

[Malcolmxxx_23]

 

[Alexander The Great]

I think it comes down to Draymond Green or Jeff Taylor for us tonight brehs.

Green seems more skilled offensively, can scorre on the block, can shoot, can pass.
Taylor seems more athletic, better 3 point shooter, better defense, great in transition.

Don't really know which position Green would play, Taylor would def be a Small Forward.

 

[HiphopRelated]

My problem with Green is he's too slow for sf and too small for PF

I think we draft Taylor if Melo is off the board, I think dude could have a Kawhi Leonard type impact but his wingspan is meh

Still want a 2nd round pick for O'Quinn

 

[intruder]

I think it comes down to Draymond Green or Jeff Taylor for us tonight brehs.

Green seems more skilled offensively, can scorre on the block, can shoot, can pass.
Taylor seems more athletic, better 3 point shooter, better defense, great in transition.

Don't really know which position Green would play, Taylor would def be a Small Forward.

I love "tweeners" in genetal (reminisces over Steve Smith, Lamar Odom and Jamal Mashburn in Heat uniforms) but i'm not sure they are always that successful in the NBA. With that said, seems like the way this team is built thats what suits us best so fukk it.

 

[intruder]

Where is the Dolphins offseason thread?