[MB30]

Thought we should get a thread started on each team. Ill do the Heat, feel free to add your own of any team.







Current Roster: Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Daequan Cook, Udonis Haslem, Jason Williams (FA, Dorell Wright (RFA), Mark Blount, Ricky Davis (FA), Chris Quinn (FA), Alonzo Mourning (FA), Marcus Banks, Alexander Johnson (FA), Earl Barron (FA), Joel Anthony (FA), Kasib Powell (FA), Blake Ahearn (FA), Stephen Lasme (FA)

Draft Positon: The Heat are in the best position to land the top pick in the lottery - having finished the season with the worst record. The lowest they can pick is the 4th spot in the 2008 NBA Draft

Team Needs: The Heat are ranked last in the league in points per game, so a player who can put the ball in the basket would be a big plus. The Heat are also ranked last in the league in rebounding. So a player that can grab some boards would be a big need. The losses of Marion, Haslem, Mourning and Wright to season ending injuries would not have helped these stats, but a player that can do both these things would help a lot.

The Heat are also in desperate need of a point guard. Too much pressure has been put on Dwyane Wade to do everything for this ball club. The Heat relied on Chris Quinn as their main point guard, who well and truly did above expectations, but is not a lead guard on any team. Jason Williams looks likely to leave via Free Agency, so this could be a potential hole once again heading in to next season.

Draft Targets:

Michael Beasley, PF/SF, Kansas State, Freshman, 6'9", 235



Beasley had a historic season with Kansas State, setting a new record in the NCAA for most double doubles in a season. Has a very nice inside/outside game and is very capable of scoring anywhere from NBA three point range to finishing with either hand close to the basket. Is a left hander, but has a very nice right also. Beasley would help sure up the gaping holes of the Heat's frontcourt - add another big rebounder and a guy capable of scoring 20 points on any night - and the Heat have a very nice partner to team with Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion. There have been some concerns over Beasley's attitude - so hopefully he will be able to keep that in check. Would likely be Miami's top choice if they are lucky enough to land the top pick in the NBA Draft. Beasley is my 1st choice for the Heat.


Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis, Freshman, 6'3", 195



Rose led Memphis to the NCAA Championship game and had a terrific March Madness Tournament. Lightning quick and able to penetrate at will, he is an athletic specimen. Seems to have the most potential in the draft and after Chris Paul's wonderful NBA season - many could be looking at Rose as the next big thing. Rose would slot in to the Heat's PG hole immediately and team with Wade to form one of the most explosive backcourt tandems in the league. Rose still has a ways to go in becoming a reliable NBA scorer - his jump shot can be streaky, but he will push the fast break and get the Heat running - somehting that they want to implement with new coach Erick Spoelstra. Rose is my 2nd choice for the Heat.

What If They Slip?:

The Heat still have capable options if they are unlucky with the ping pong balls, having to not pick any later than 4th in a worst case scenario.

Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, Arizona, Freshman, 6'3", 199



More of a combo guard than Rose, Bayless put up big numbers for an underachieving Wildcats team. Playing predominantly at the point but spending some time at the 2, Bayless showed his athleticism and deep range - he has a very high leap on his jump shot which helps make up for his shorter wingspan than some of his peers. Bayless would team nicely with Wade in the backcourt - other Arizona point guards (Arenas, Bibby, Terry) all have proven to be quality scorers in the NBA, and Bayless is right up there with them. Jerryd would be my 3rd choice for the Heat.


OJ Mayo, SG/PG, USC, Freshman, 6'5", 195



While Mayo is also a combo guard, I consider him closer to a 2 than a true 1. However, he is capable of playing the point in stretches as a rookie - with an eye of becoming a scoring point for years to come. He had a solid season with another underwhelming team in USC where he averaged over 20 a game and got progressively better as the season went on. Mayo has a beautiful looking jump shot and has an NBA ready arsenal of offensive moves. Is also a capable defender with room to improve in this area. With the Heat, Mayo would need to become a more willing passer to get it off to Wade - but still maintain an aggressive scoring approach that is needed within this team. Wade struggles as a full time ball handler, so Mayo would need to take some pressure off of Wade and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. OJ is my 4th choice for the Heat.

Outlook: The Heat will no doubt be a much improved team next season - health willing. Wade, Marion, Hasle and whoever the Heat choose in the draft will have to stay healthy and learn to play a new, uptempo system in order to get back in to the playoffs.

I dont believe this team is as bad as they were last season - a turnaround should be expected if they can get Dwyane Wade out on the court for over 70 games next year.

[Vuchato]

The Nets have the 10th(pre-lotto) and 21st picks, they need mainly bench-wings that could maybe start in the future, and offensive bigs.

With the 10th pick, assuming the top seven are gone (Beasley, Rose, Mayo, Bayless, Lopez, Gallinari, Gordon), look for them to try and grab Kevin Love. They could grab a project in Randolph or Jordan, or go overseas with Batum. Perhaps even reach for CDR. I do not expect a point guard to be picked at this spot, unless Marcus is traded.

At 21, Douglas-Roberts would be ideal if he lasts, as well as Batum or Hibbert. Otherwise, Brandon Rush or Joe Alexander could be picked. Perhaps Courtney Lee.

[LamarButler]

I really hope the Heat get the #1 or #2 pick. If Seattle got the #1, I think they'd choose Rose, allowing the Heat to get Beasley if they got the #2. I just don't see Rose and Wade working that well together. They both need the ball in their hands a lot and neither can spot up. Itd be redundant. On the other hand, adding Beasley to the Heat, along with Marion coming back, and a healthy Haslem and Mourning would be a very solid team.

[NewAgeBaller]

Originally Posted by BG44

Team Needs: The Heat are ranked last in the league in points per game, so a player who can put the ball in the basket would be a big plus. The Heat are also ranked last in the league in rebounding.

oh wow

Well you already did the Heat, but really everything is a need for us. More scoring (penetration, shooters, low-post scoring), passers/guys who can create offence, rebounding, defence, toughness, etc..

[TM]

Originally Posted by LamarButler

I just don't see Rose and Wade working that well together. They both need the ball in their hands a lot and neither can spot up. Itd be redundant.

Didn't seem to be a problem for Memphis and specifically, Chris Douglas-Roberts

[HB]

Originally Posted by Vuchato

The Nets have the 10th(pre-lotto) and 21st picks, they need mainly bench-wings that could maybe start in the future, and offensive bigs.

With the 10th pick, assuming the top seven are gone (Beasley, Rose, Mayo, Bayless, Lopez, Gallinari, Gordon), look for them to try and grab Kevin Love. They could grab a project in Randolph or Jordan, or go overseas with Batum. Perhaps even reach for CDR. I do not expect a point guard to be picked at this spot, unless Marcus is traded.

At 21, Douglas-Roberts would be ideal if he lasts, as well as Batum or Hibbert. Otherwise, Brandon Rush or Joe Alexander could be picked. Perhaps Courtney Lee.

Thats a horrible draft for the Nets. Buddinger and Mcgee if both are still on the board when they pick. CDR is a good pick, but the Nets need shooters and he doesnt fill that need.

[rocketeer]

Originally Posted by HB

Thats a horrible draft for the Nets. Buddinger and Mcgee if both are still on the board when they pick. CDR is a good pick, but the Nets need shooters and he doesnt fill that need.

cdr can shoot.

[rocketeer]

Originally Posted by TM

Didn't seem to be a problem for Memphis and specifically, Chris Douglas-Roberts

i wouldn't consider cdr and wade to be similar type players.

rose and wade i would consider to have similarities and both guys would probably be better off with a better shooter in the backcourt with them, but i'd hate to be a guard that had to go up against a wade/rose combo.

[HB]

Originally Posted by rocketeer

cdr can shoot.

But is not a shooter. There was not one legit shooter on that whole Memphis team