Heat 2012 Off-Season Thread

[Jace]

RealGM

While Derrick Rose recovers from his knee surgery, there is a possibility of him vastly improving his shot.

‘‘He can only do three things,’’ said Tim Hardaway, who missed the 1993-94 season after suffering a similar injury. ‘‘He can dribble — not run and dribble, just dribble walking up and down the court; he can shoot a bunch of free throws; and he can shoot a bunch of set shots like he’s playing H-O-R-S-E every day, all day.

‘‘But that’s going to make him better. If you shoot 1,000 jump shots a day, 1,000 free throws a day, you’re going to get better. That made my shot better. It really made my jump shot and free-throw percentage better.’’

Hardaway's niece, Mieka Reese, is Rose's longtime girlfriend.

That's kinda wild, was not aware. I know they're both from Chicago, so its not too crazy. RECRUIT HIM TIMMY.

[Jace]

Black Floridians throwbacks again next year? Maybe, if Nike knows something we don't yet. LeBron's 10th signature shoe just leaked, and in a familiar colorway.



Never seen the swoosh backwards before. I like the courage, but not sure I love the execution.

[Wade County]

Judging by that shoe colourway, i'd say Floridians are a certainty.

Is it time we changed up our uni design do you think? We've had these ones for over a decade, and while I think they look nice - I wouldn't be against an update to something a bit different.

[Eternal]

Originally Posted by Jace

Please don't. Not with him.

I know. I just like responding to his posts sometimes as they are so outrageous.

[Jace]

I'd be surprised if we ride with these for more than 2 more seasons. Won't likely be a dramatic change, just the kind of updates teams like the Knicks, Lakers, and Trailblazers have done over their existence. As I've said before, there are a lot element of our older set I'd like to see us reincorporate (neck/sleeve borders, more detailed number/letter borders especially for the names, vertical numbers, probably thinner side panels.) You know they'll make sure to sneak it in before the big 3 can break up, which makes me think for 13-14. The league has to know a year in advance, so we'd probably be hearing about it pretty soon. However, somehow the Bobcats surprised everyone with their new ones this offseason. I don't think anyone knew they were planning to change, aside from maybe the league, but its never kept secret. Even the folks at uni-watch.com were caught off guard.

If it does wind up in a Heat/Lakers clash this coming Finals, that would be the 8th season in a row either the Heat, the Lakers, or LeBron James were represented in the Finals. **** yeah, lockout!

I say this partially in jest as the restrictiveness hasn't fully kicked in yet, but I don't think teams like LAL and NY will blink at paying ridiculous taxes to win. Letting Lin go doesn't make me think NY won't.

Originally Posted by Eternal

I know. I just like responding to his posts sometimes as they are so outrageous.

Man, I can't help it either sometimes. Wasn't sure how much you knew.

[Eternal]

Originally Posted by Dee-Zy

I wouldn't go as far as saying that...

Lakers are big heavy, starters and "bench", or atleast, "heavier".

Miami have ridiculous depth at the wing, where Lakers are very weak and are starting a very old backcourt in Nash/Kobe/Metta

The Heat most likely do still have the edge in the bench department, but it's not by much... Both teams have VERY average benches at best. Which of course is the way it should be, seeing how both teams have put everything into their starting lineup.

[Jace]

Not entirely sure on LA's youth situation between Goudelock and the other guard (Murray?), but the Heat's bench has one or two mystery ceiling spots. Cole can very well make huge strides. After the explosive start he was lost most of the season until just before the playoffs, and again in the Finals. That experience, and Ray's presence, and his first Heat summer program will help a lot. His attacking ability gives us a much needed dimension when he's on, IMO. Chalmers rarely breaks the D down the way Cole can. Pittman I'm less optimistic about, but crazier shit's happened, I guess. All he has to do is be decent to give us something. That's been a lot to ask for the most part, though. Only other chance for a youth to step up and grab a semi-role would be if Jarvis Varnado, Mickell Gladness, or Justin Hamilton go nuts in training camp.

Beyond that, the possibilities for Lewis are too wide at this point for me call this one this early. Jamison is a similar X-factor. Hill is great relief for either Pau or Howard though. Meeks should also get better.

[Jace]

Holy shit. Just when you thought Jason Terry was dumb/annoying/shameful...

Jason Terry revealed a new tattoo that is sure to endear him to Boston Celtics fans.

Terry, who played with the Mavericks the last eight seasons before signing with Boston in July, shared a few pictures of his new tattoo via Twitter on Saturday. His new ink features the Celtics’ leprechaun logo with the championship trophy swapped in where the leprechaun would otherwise be balancing a basketball on his finger. The tattoo appears on the inner part of Terry’s left biceps, opposite the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy tattoo on his right biceps.

Terry’s original championship trophy tattoo became a source of controversy when it was revealed he got the tattoo before the 2010-2011 NBA season began. At that point he hadn’t won an NBA championship, and he promised to get it removed if the Mavericks didn’t win the title.

As fate would have it, Dallas rallied to beat Miami in the NBA Finals, making the tattoo decision look prescient. Celtics fans are hoping the new ink will result in the same outcome.

I'm speechless. Never seen this done before. Especially for a team you haven't even played for yet at the end of your career. Alright.


Pretty awesome to see Morey take it in the chops again, after his cute pre-Decision comments. He amnestied Scola to get Dwight. Smooth.

[Jace]

Spo gives a hint at where next year's starting line-up stands: (Exactly what I assumed)

LIMITED DREAM: Spoelstra, amid the Olympics, had some fun during a media session amid his tour of the Philippines when asked to name his personal Dream Team. "I would start with a point-guard, Mario Chalmers," he said, indicating where he was headed. "This guy Dwyane Wade, let's start him, too. There's an up-and-coming fellow named LeBron James, I'll put him on. Udonis Haslem, one of my favorites, I'll put him on number four. And let's finish it with this guy named Chris Bosh. That would be my Dream Team." Of course, Spoelstra's NBA Finals "Dream Team" had Shane Battier starting in place of Haslem with that group.

Would've been odd of him to say Lewis, which is the other possibility in my eyes. Hopefully one steps up early and grabs it.

NBATV is showing chronological "Championship Clinchers." 2006 is coming up next. After that you can watch LeBron's first Finals end.

[doctordrizzay]

Originally Posted by R-Star

Ray Allen isn't starting? Oh ok. Neither is Battier or Haslem?

Hmmmm..... So do the Lakers get to call one of their starters a bench player as well?

I don't know what planet you live on where you think Ray Allen is starting. And don't come in here acting like you know Miami Basketball, idiot. Fool getting cocky and acting like he know basketball. Get out of here lil Alberta punk.

[King Joseus]

[Wade County]

lol @ Terry. **** I hate that guy.

And he's on the Celtics now, so my hatred will only get deeper.

[Smithian]

Joel Anthony > Your Bench

[Wade County]

What is our depth chart right now?

PG - Chalmers / Cole
SG - Wade / Allen / Miller
SF - Battier / Lewis / Jones
PF - James / Haslem
C - Bosh / Anthony / Pittman

Personally I don't think our bench is too bad. Am I biased?

[Jace]

Originally Posted by Wade County

What is our depth chart right now?

PG - Chalmers / Cole
SG - Wade / Allen / Miller
SF - Battier / Lewis / Jones
PF - James / Haslem
C - Bosh / Anthony / Pittman

Personally I don't think our bench is too bad. Am I biased?

I think Haslem will start off at starting PF, Lewis will back him up. Swapping UD for Battier makes our bench deeper IMO.