Heat 2012 Off-Season Thread

[Jace]

There could be a smidgeon of subterfuge there. We're definitely poking at every potentially intriguing big, I don't know that they see Blatche as a "center center," so I don't fully agree with Barry's logic there. I do like that they're all in on the speed around the big 3 concept. Even Ray runs around like he's on meth. I think we'll see a lot of lineups with Rio/Ray next to the 3, assuming there's no large SF to guard. So often pure SFs are playing PF anyway nowadays, once teams go to their bench, at least.

And I'm glad Riley is keeping it real about the Pittman suckfest. I didn't expect anything close to 20/10 from him, but at least catch rebounds/passes and foul like you're going into your 3rd season after four in college. He had the occasional nice offensive move, but we'd see that close to never in the regular season (aside from blowouts.)

[Wade County]

Looks like i'm the only one who isn't totally against Andray Blatche for the minimum.

Yes he has done some stupid, immature things on and off the basketball court. But the guy is 25, 6'11, multi-skilled big man who we could get for a minimum contract. We're not exactly in the position where we can get young, reasonable players (particularly big men) on cheap deals.

The Wizards locker room has been a mess the past few years with no leaders. On this team, he would have to respect LBJ, Wade, Bosh, UD, Ray Ray....etc. Look at what JaVale McGee did in the postseason on the Lakers - he had a terrific series against one of the better bigs in the league in Bynum. Blatche could fill a role here.

Would a veteran like Kurt Thomas be a better fit? Yeah probably. But all the decent vets are signed. So why not take a flyer on Blatche. If he sucks - cut him.

While we're at it - i'd like to see how Oden is coming along with that knee(s). If he ever got 85% healthy...on this team...

[Smithian]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...JmrW_blog.html

Required reading for anyone advocating Blatche. I recommend #2, 4, 8, 9, & 10 as main reasons advocating for his signing makes you "shart in the face" worthy.

[Wade County]

Guess I am shart worthy then

Randy style?



I'm not saying he isn't a knuckle head. I'm saying over here, we wouldn't tolerate his bullshit. Riles may be able to get something out of the guy.

[UD40]

I see it in the same light as Eddy Curry. A guy who "could've been" but had some issues, came into the system, knew his position and got what he earned. For Curry, that was an awesome set of shoulders from waving a towel. Let Blatche earn what he gets.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Wade County

Looks like i'm the only one who isn't totally against Andray Blatche for the minimum.

Yes he has done some stupid, immature things on and off the basketball court. But the guy is 25, 6'11, multi-skilled big man who we could get for a minimum contract. We're not exactly in the position where we can get young, reasonable players (particularly big men) on cheap deals.

The Wizards locker room has been a mess the past few years with no leaders. On this team, he would have to respect LBJ, Wade, Bosh, UD, Ray Ray....etc. Look at what JaVale McGee did in the postseason on the Lakers - he had a terrific series against one of the better bigs in the league in Bynum. Blatche could fill a role here.

Would a veteran like Kurt Thomas be a better fit? Yeah probably. But all the decent vets are signed. So why not take a flyer on Blatche. If he sucks - cut him.

While we're at it - i'd like to see how Oden is coming along with that knee(s). If he ever got 85% healthy...on this team...

That would all be well if it were true but it isn't. He's not skilled. He can't pass and doesn't, and he can't shoot and takes bad shots. He's just a bad basketball player with some streetball skills.

[doctordrizzay]

Originally Posted by Smithian

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...JmrW_blog.html

Required reading for anyone advocating Blatche. I recommend #2, 4, 8, 9, & 10 as main reasons advocating for his signing makes you "shart in the face" worthy.

Keep Andrey away, he seems like a guy who would poison Wade Bosh or Lebron before a game for his own pleasure.

[Jace]

What about 5 Smithian?

5. Solicitation

“Washington Wizards forward Andray Blatche, who was arrested Aug. 2 in an undercover sting, agreed today to attend a day-long seminar offered by prosecutors for men who solicit prostitutes.”

Yeah.

Originally Posted by Wade County

Looks like i'm the only one who isn't totally against Andray Blatche for the minimum.

Yes he has done some stupid, immature things on and off the basketball court. But the guy is 25, 6'11, multi-skilled big man who we could get for a minimum contract. We're not exactly in the position where we can get young, reasonable players (particularly big men) on cheap deals.

The Wizards locker room has been a mess the past few years with no leaders. On this team, he would have to respect LBJ, Wade, Bosh, UD, Ray Ray....etc. Look at what JaVale McGee did in the postseason on the Lakers - he had a terrific series against one of the better bigs in the league in Bynum. Blatche could fill a role here.

Would a veteran like Kurt Thomas be a better fit? Yeah probably. But all the decent vets are signed. So why not take a flyer on Blatche. If he sucks - cut him.

While we're at it - i'd like to see how Oden is coming along with that knee(s). If he ever got 85% healthy...on this team...

Don't forget me! You made all the right points. Don't see why people are acting like this is injecting an experimental drug that may or may not kill us. If he acts up, its a minimum deal. They get swallowed every year. Too big of a reward to scoff at.

And yeah, the Oden potential is also tantalizing. Not many other places we could possibly find a real, potentially productive center.

[Jace]

The Arison cruise took a stop through Wade County (and the State of the Union).



I'm guessing Eddy Curry will be next.

[Dee-Zy]

Union is 11 years older than Wade, I still can't believe it. She looks like she is younger than Wade!!!

[-33-]

Originally Posted by Jace

What about 5 Smithian?





Don't forget me! You made all the right points. Don't see why people are acting like this is injecting an experimental drug that may or may not kill us. If he acts up, its a minimum deal. They get swallowed every year. Too big of a reward to scoff at.

And yeah, the Oden potential is also tantalizing. Not many other places we could possibly find a real, potentially productive center.

I'm in favor of Blatche at the minimum.

[Jace]

Dwyane looks so much better than he did before/after his first surgery. He didn't put on much, if any, weight this go-around, and it seems he's been cleared to at least condition way earlier. I might be a little off in my previous belief that he won't look very good until late in the season/playoffs.

Originally Posted by Dee-Zy

Union is 11 years older than Wade, I still can't believe it. She looks like she is younger than Wade!!!

Great for him now, considering he probably had his first wet dream to Gabby when he was 12, but it won't be long before he regrets it...hate to say it. She does have a great personality, though...for what it's worth.


Here is an underrated aspect of The Ray Effect:

Avery Bradley expressed his gratitude to Ray Allen in how he helped tutor him offensively during their two seasons together with the Celtics.

"Ray was a great tutor," said Bradley.

"I'm sad that he's gone, but we all wish the best for him. But he definitely meant a lot. He helped me out every single day. Sometimes I'd just be working out and he'd be watching on the side. He'd get up and tell me what I needed to work on, or tell me how I can be more consistent. I really thank him for that."

Bradley entered the NBA with excellent defensive potential but an offensive game that needed more improvement.

"Ever since my rookie year, all [the veterans would help] because I was so open to learning," Bradley said. "But especially Ray. Once I started playing the 2-guard, he wanted to help me out, so that I could be the best 2-guard I could be."

Avery was a curious case to me as a highly touted combo guard prospect going one and done. I understood he was very athletic with a defensive demeanor, but offensively the story was he couldn't run a team, was a bad shooter, and a subpar finisher at the rim. Essentially he was a combo-guard with neither guard's ability, it seemed. Scouts/teams still seemed to love him, including the Heat.

Anyway, since then he's developed a great 3-ball, especially from the corners, from what seems like out of nowhere. Makes sense that Ray played a part in this. I love the image of Ray watching over Avery's workouts from the sidelines, creepily in the shadows.





Jesus has some notes for you, my young disciple.



Before even reading this I'd thought about what Ray can do for Rio, just in the shooting department alone. We know Rio has the touch and talent from beyond the arc, but I think a lot of his lower body activity causes some of his inconsistency (part of what makes Ray such a great shooter is his footwork. Watch how quickly and precisely he gets his feet set from anywhere on the floor, on the move or spotting up. **** that greasy dude who played in LA, Ray is "the Machine.") He may also have mechanical inconsistencies up top Ray would surely notice (he is officially O.C.D., in all aspects of life.) Not to mention, Rio has shown great adeptness at hitting midrange J's when he gets looks there. He's not great at pulling up off-the-dribble, but if Ray could show him a thing or two about coming off screens off-the-ball, and Spo were willing to put Rio in that role in some of our sets, he could thrive there. Imagine defenses having to keep track of Rio and Ray getting any sort of daylight while holding down the big 3. Sexy thoughts.

Of course, NoCo could use a Ray-ing even more. He actually has some similar attributes to Bradley. Not as tall or athletic, but same defensive tenacity and better driving ability. Cole also would give Ray more to work with in terms of shooting ability (he's a better natural shooter than Avery.) Cole also has inconsistent mechanics in both his upper and lower body movement, again fixable by someone with Ray's meticulous eye. Spo gave Wade a jump shot, but he's no Jesus.

Speaking of Wade, if he's open to Ray giving him pointers and essentially being the shooting coach he's mentioned seeking multiple times this summer, we might see some '09 shooting performances again.


FLASHBACK!! (This is the @ORL highlight I meant to post when I posted one of Dwyane's 50pt games from that season recently)



Both games at Orlando that season were huge for him. This, however, is the game I always think of when I ponder Dwyane's best jumpshooting performances. The move at 2:33 replayed in slow-mo at 2:57 is simply jizzy. He rocked Keith Bogans (when he was still a legit defender) and drilled a beautiful step-back 20-footer. Its not like he was chucking, he was 14-20 by that point.


Back on the Ray effect, one last player who can pay huge dividends: Terrel Harris. Indications are the Heat wants him for one of those final two spots (I, and Adam, approve, particularly after the way he looked in SL.) Terrel has the perfect game to model after Ray. Throw in his defense and attacking ability and he could be a real gem if he makes strides.

Shit, Ray should just run our summer program.

[MarioChalmers]

I'm for Blatche too. Because yeah, he's totally going to be a bad influence on LeBron, Wade, Bosh, and Allen.

[doctordrizzay]

Originally Posted by MarioChalmers

I'm for Blatche too. Because yeah, he's totally going to be a bad influence on LeBron, Wade, Bosh, and Allen.

He's been fined and arrested many times...He would be a huge distraction. Media every day would be Blatche this Blatche that...then they would ask wade lebron and bosh about it over and over again. I mean come look his damn record, its ****ing ridiculous...the guy is a nut. Why the **** would anyone even remotely think we should take him? R u insane?? He is all- around BAD news.

[MarioChalmers]

Originally Posted by doctordrizzay

He's been fined and arrested many times...He would be a huge distraction. Media every day would be Blatche this Blatche that...then they would ask wade lebron and bosh about it over and over again. I mean come look his damn record, its ****ing ridiculous...the guy is a nut. Why the **** would anyone even remotely think we should take him? R u insane?? He is all- around BAD news.

So you think he's bad news?