***2010-2011 MIAMI HEAT OFFICIAL THREAD*** (1 Viewer)

[Cliff Clavin]

Mike Miller was inked to a 5yr/$30 million deal this morning/last night.

Anyone knowledgeable about whether this number is about what other teams were offering for him? It feels like the Heat should be trying to lowball players that want to go to a championship team.

Seems about right for Miller. I would have guess he'd get anywhere from $5M-9M per season. The 5 years is a little much IMO.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Beasley was traded in the middle of the night last night. Mike Miller was inked to a 5yr/$30 million deal this morning/last night.C-???PF-BoshSF-MillerSG-WadePG-LeBronBench-Chalmersor...C-?PF-BoshSF-JamesSG-WadePG-ChalmersBench...Miller to rotate in at the 3/4 spot, but I don't see Bosh playing Center.

Bosh has played plenty of center over the years. Joel Anthony is also serviceable if we can resign him.

We?CC, you are a Boston fan. no?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

We've built a great team here. Maybe one of the best ever. I have no doubt that we will win the title. We've got the talent, now we just have to put in the hard work.

We'll never get blown out because of LeBron, Dwyane, and Chris. LeBron and Dwyane will make the game easier for Mario. It will be good that Mario's role will be so much clearer now: play good defense, grab a few steals, and knock down the open shots. He won't get bogged down trying to be the floor general out there.I'm trying not to get too excited, but I think Mike could lead the league in three-pointers. It was so awesome when Kapster did that in 2007. (Wow, that seems so long ago, doesn't it?)

2007 seems like an eternity now... I miss that sweet, sweet stroke. I wouldn't be surprised if Mario wins the MIP award this year. The shackles are off him this year and he'll prove that we have one of the best PGs in the league. Once other teams start paying attention to him, watch the low-ball offers start coming in. I'm pretty sure teams will offer up a aging star like Nash or Kidd .

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Beasley was traded in the middle of the night last night. Mike Miller was inked to a 5yr/$30 million deal this morning/last night.C-???PF-BoshSF-MillerSG-WadePG-LeBronBench-Chalmersor...C-?PF-BoshSF-JamesSG-WadePG-ChalmersBench...Miller to rotate in at the 3/4 spot, but I don't see Bosh playing Center.

Bosh has played plenty of center over the years. Joel Anthony is also serviceable if we can resign him.

We?CC, you are a Boston fan. no?

@ Boston.Life long Heat fan, sport.

 

[Frostillicus]

In.

 

[Frostillicus]

First Summer League game this Sunday, starring Jarvis Varnado and Dexter Pittman. Also appearing: Mikhail Torrance, Jon Scheyer, Anthony Mason, Jr.

And Damian Johnson.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

@ Boston.Life long Heat fan, sport.

Life long, where did you grow up in SoFla? Do you remember the Rony Seikaly/Glen Rice days? How bout Harold Miner?

 

[Frostillicus]

@ Boston.Life long Heat fan, sport.

Life long, where did you grow up in SoFla? Do you remember the Rony Seikaly/Glen Rice days? How bout Harold Miner?

I remember the Jon Sundvold days:99threepointratingontecmobasketball:

 

[simmonjm]

If only we could of got Chris Duhon, he is a great floor general and 3 point sharpshooter. I bet the odds for us to win it all would have decreased to even money had we got Chris Duhon.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

We've built a great team here. Maybe one of the best ever. I have no doubt that we will win the title. We've got the talent, now we just have to put in the hard work.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

@ Boston.Life long Heat fan, sport.

Life long, where did you grow up in SoFla? Do you remember the Rony Seikaly/Glen Rice days? How bout Harold Miner?

I was a Glen Rice fan before Lebron was even born. GO HEAT!

 

[EYLive]

We've built a great team here. Maybe one of the best ever. I have no doubt that we will win the title. We've got the talent, now we just have to put in the hard work.

And try not to sex up Lebron's mom. He's sensitive about stuff like that.

 

[Celph Titled]

We've built a great team here. Maybe one of the best ever. I have no doubt that we will win the title. We've got the talent, now we just have to put in the hard work.

And try not to sex up Lebron's mom. He's sensitive about stuff like that.

HAAAAAAAAA

 

[Cliff Clavin]

If only we could of got Chris Duhon, he is a great floor general and 3 point sharpshooter. I bet the odds for us to win it all would have decreased to even money had we got Chris Duhon.

He would be the alpha dog on our team keeping everyone's egos in check.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

The Heat in NBA Live '95 were also my team. I won two championships with that team...

Go Heat!

 

[Mr. Pickles]

The Heat in NBA Live '95 were also my team. I won two championships with that team...

Go Heat!

I went with Orlando. D Scott was cash money.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Last time LeBron/Wade/Bosh/Miller paired up they won the Bronze medal in the '04 Olympics

not sure you're familiar with the meaning of the word

 

[Doctor Detroit]

The Heat in NBA Live '95 were also my team. I won two championships with that team...

Go Heat!

I went with Orlando. D Scott was cash money.

I just let Steve Smith and Glen Rice, two Michigan natives, shoot the rock from three. Legends were made that year, it was surreal.

 

[Celph Titled]

Haters gonna hate.

 

[shake zula]

LAS VEGAS -- In the end, forward Udonis Haslem chose the chance to be part of a dynasty over the opportunity to make more dollars.

Haslem said Monday he turned down more lucrative offers to sign a five-year contract with the Heat. He likely will earn close to $4 million annually.

``It was an opportunity to win, an opportunity to be close to my mother, with her illness, and an opportunity to be a part of something special,'' he said. ``I've never been in this for the money. I would be changing my DNA if I changed just for money.''

Haslem said there were times he thought the Heat would not be able to afford him.

``I would be lying if [i said] I thought this would work out,'' he said. But the salary cap was recently set at $58.1 million -- $2 million beyond expectations -- allowing the Heat to offer more.

``The money is now more reasonable,'' he said.

He said he strongly considered mid-level exception offers (starting at close to $6 million) from Denver -- where he believes he would have started -- and Dallas.

He said he will feel more comfortable coming off the bench than he initially did last season, when Michael Beasley was named the starter before the regular-season opener.

``It was giving up your starting job as opposed to someone beating you out for it,'' he said of last season. ``Coming off the bench behind Chris Bosh, who has multiple All-Star appearances, I have no problem coming off the bench.''

Haslem said when he learned LeBron James and Bosh would be joining Wade with the Heat, ``I couldn't believe it. It didn't seem real. It seemed like something out of a TV show, a video game. This would be something like my son would put together in a video game, NBAY2K.''

He appreciates Wade, James and Bosh taking contracts under the maximum to allow the Heat enough salary cap room to sign Haslem and Mike Miller.

``My hat goes off to those guys because they took less money to make this situation work,'' Haslem said. ``Me and Dwyane kept in contact the whole summer.''

He said he is drawing motivation from the criticism that the Heat won't have enough good players around the three stars.

``There are still people that feel like this can't work, that those three guys won't have any help,'' Haslem said. ``That's a direct insult to myself and other guys that decide to come along.''

Haslem, 6-8, said he is willing to play center at times if needed, though it's expected the Heat will start a center. Bosh said previously he does not want to play center.

``I'm sure there will be points in the game where me and Chris play together,'' he said.

Haslem also said he is pleased that the Heat is adding Miller, his former roommate at UF. ``That's my boy -- he's like Dwyane to me, just different colors. He's like my brother.''

Wade, Heat president Pat Riley and the entire franchise had been aggressively recruiting Haslem. The team sent 200 employees and fans to Haslem's Southwest Ranches home last month to surprise him on his 30th birthday. Riley was adamant that keeping Haslem was a priority and called the forward just after midnight at the July 1 start of free agency.

Haslem said James also called him, encouraging him to re-sign.

The Heat retains Haslem but lost starting small forward Quentin Richardson on Monday to the Orlando Magic. Meanwhile, free agent point guard Derek Fisher spurned overtures from the Heat and said he will re-sign with the Lakers.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/12/1727...l#ixzz0tVlvQXjZ

Miami HeraldJames

Bosh

Wade

Miller

Haslem

Chalmers

Anthony

So is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs???

On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

LAS VEGAS -- In the end, forward Udonis Haslem chose the chance to be part of a dynasty over the opportunity to make more dollars.

Haslem said Monday he turned down more lucrative offers to sign a five-year contract with the Heat. He likely will earn close to $4 million annually.

``It was an opportunity to win, an opportunity to be close to my mother, with her illness, and an opportunity to be a part of something special,'' he said. ``I've never been in this for the money. I would be changing my DNA if I changed just for money.''

Haslem said there were times he thought the Heat would not be able to afford him.

``I would be lying if [i said] I thought this would work out,'' he said. But the salary cap was recently set at $58.1 million -- $2 million beyond expectations -- allowing the Heat to offer more.

``The money is now more reasonable,'' he said.

He said he strongly considered mid-level exception offers (starting at close to $6 million) from Denver -- where he believes he would have started -- and Dallas.

He said he will feel more comfortable coming off the bench than he initially did last season, when Michael Beasley was named the starter before the regular-season opener.

``It was giving up your starting job as opposed to someone beating you out for it,'' he said of last season. ``Coming off the bench behind Chris Bosh, who has multiple All-Star appearances, I have no problem coming off the bench.''

Haslem said when he learned LeBron James and Bosh would be joining Wade with the Heat, ``I couldn't believe it. It didn't seem real. It seemed like something out of a TV show, a video game. This would be something like my son would put together in a video game, NBAY2K.''

He appreciates Wade, James and Bosh taking contracts under the maximum to allow the Heat enough salary cap room to sign Haslem and Mike Miller.

``My hat goes off to those guys because they took less money to make this situation work,'' Haslem said. ``Me and Dwyane kept in contact the whole summer.''

He said he is drawing motivation from the criticism that the Heat won't have enough good players around the three stars.

``There are still people that feel like this can't work, that those three guys won't have any help,'' Haslem said. ``That's a direct insult to myself and other guys that decide to come along.''

Haslem, 6-8, said he is willing to play center at times if needed, though it's expected the Heat will start a center. Bosh said previously he does not want to play center.

``I'm sure there will be points in the game where me and Chris play together,'' he said.

Haslem also said he is pleased that the Heat is adding Miller, his former roommate at UF. ``That's my boy -- he's like Dwyane to me, just different colors. He's like my brother.''

Wade, Heat president Pat Riley and the entire franchise had been aggressively recruiting Haslem. The team sent 200 employees and fans to Haslem's Southwest Ranches home last month to surprise him on his 30th birthday. Riley was adamant that keeping Haslem was a priority and called the forward just after midnight at the July 1 start of free agency.

Haslem said James also called him, encouraging him to re-sign.

The Heat retains Haslem but lost starting small forward Quentin Richardson on Monday to the Orlando Magic. Meanwhile, free agent point guard Derek Fisher spurned overtures from the Heat and said he will re-sign with the Lakers.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/12/1727...l#ixzz0tVlvQXjZ

Miami HeraldJames

Bosh

Wade

Miller

Haslem

Chalmers

Anthony

So is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs???

On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

 

[EYLive]

JamesBoshWadeMillerHaslemChalmersAnthonySo is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs??? On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

oof, the big 3 will need to average 48 minutes a game

 

[the moops]

I wonder how many times Mario Chalmers has wet himself thinking about how many easy assists he is going to get next year?

 

[Celph Titled]

JamesBoshWadeMillerHaslemChalmersAnthonySo is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs??? On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

oof, the big 3 will need to average 48 minutes a game

I thought the same thing about the Celtics a couple years ago. Haslem, Chalmers, Miller, etc.'s jobs are going to be a whole lot easier now.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

JamesBoshWadeMillerHaslemChalmersAnthonySo is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs??? On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

oof, the big 3 will need to average 48 minutes a game

I thought the same thing about the Celtics a couple years ago. Haslem, Chalmers, Miller, etc.'s jobs are going to be a whole lot easier now.

Those Celtics formed a historically great defense. Bosh vs Garnett? Miller vs Posey? Perkins vs Whoever?

 

[the moops]

JamesBoshWadeMillerHaslemChalmersAnthonySo is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs??? On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

oof, the big 3 will need to average 48 minutes a game

Why?PG - Chalmers 34, Wade 7, Lebron 7SG - Wade 31, Miller 17SF - Lebron, 31, Miller 17PF - Bosh 38, Haslem 10C - Anthony 20, Haslem 10 and either Howard or Z for 18.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

LAS VEGAS -- In the end, forward Udonis Haslem chose the chance to be part of a dynasty over the opportunity to make more dollars.

Haslem said Monday he turned down more lucrative offers to sign a five-year contract with the Heat. He likely will earn close to $4 million annually.

``It was an opportunity to win, an opportunity to be close to my mother, with her illness, and an opportunity to be a part of something special,'' he said. ``I've never been in this for the money. I would be changing my DNA if I changed just for money.''

Haslem said there were times he thought the Heat would not be able to afford him.

``I would be lying if [i said] I thought this would work out,'' he said. But the salary cap was recently set at $58.1 million -- $2 million beyond expectations -- allowing the Heat to offer more.

``The money is now more reasonable,'' he said.

He said he strongly considered mid-level exception offers (starting at close to $6 million) from Denver -- where he believes he would have started -- and Dallas.

He said he will feel more comfortable coming off the bench than he initially did last season, when Michael Beasley was named the starter before the regular-season opener.

``It was giving up your starting job as opposed to someone beating you out for it,'' he said of last season. ``Coming off the bench behind Chris Bosh, who has multiple All-Star appearances, I have no problem coming off the bench.''

Haslem said when he learned LeBron James and Bosh would be joining Wade with the Heat, ``I couldn't believe it. It didn't seem real. It seemed like something out of a TV show, a video game. This would be something like my son would put together in a video game, NBAY2K.''

He appreciates Wade, James and Bosh taking contracts under the maximum to allow the Heat enough salary cap room to sign Haslem and Mike Miller.

``My hat goes off to those guys because they took less money to make this situation work,'' Haslem said. ``Me and Dwyane kept in contact the whole summer.''

He said he is drawing motivation from the criticism that the Heat won't have enough good players around the three stars.

``There are still people that feel like this can't work, that those three guys won't have any help,'' Haslem said. ``That's a direct insult to myself and other guys that decide to come along.''

Haslem, 6-8, said he is willing to play center at times if needed, though it's expected the Heat will start a center. Bosh said previously he does not want to play center.

``I'm sure there will be points in the game where me and Chris play together,'' he said.

Haslem also said he is pleased that the Heat is adding Miller, his former roommate at UF. ``That's my boy -- he's like Dwyane to me, just different colors. He's like my brother.''

Wade, Heat president Pat Riley and the entire franchise had been aggressively recruiting Haslem. The team sent 200 employees and fans to Haslem's Southwest Ranches home last month to surprise him on his 30th birthday. Riley was adamant that keeping Haslem was a priority and called the forward just after midnight at the July 1 start of free agency.

Haslem said James also called him, encouraging him to re-sign.

The Heat retains Haslem but lost starting small forward Quentin Richardson on Monday to the Orlando Magic. Meanwhile, free agent point guard Derek Fisher spurned overtures from the Heat and said he will re-sign with the Lakers.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/12/1727...l#ixzz0tVlvQXjZ

Miami HeraldJames

Bosh

Wade

Miller

Haslem

Chalmers

Anthony

So is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs???

On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

Nice. Now all they have to do is bring in Teddy Dupay, Brent Wright, and Eddie "One Eye" Shannon to complete the Florida Gators 1998-1999 reunion.

 

[Celph Titled]

James

Bosh

Wade

Miller

Haslem

Chalmers

Anthony

So is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs???

On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

oof, the big 3 will need to average 48 minutes a game

I thought the same thing about the Celtics a couple years ago. Haslem, Chalmers, Miller, etc.'s jobs are going to be a whole lot easier now.

Those Celtics formed a historically great defense. Bosh vs Garnett? Miller vs Posey? Perkins vs Whoever?

I think you left out a couple guys in your analysis. I also think you conveniently didn't mention that the Heat's troika is more capable offensively, and younger.If you care to make a wager on which trio wins more rings, I'm happy to spot you the one Boston already has.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

I simultaneously love and hate this experiment. On one hand, we'll probably never be able to properly evaluate LeBron James again. His future is too convoluted with Wade and Bosh now. On the other, it's absolutely fascinating to see what will happen with three top players coming together in their prime. The dynamic between James and Wade is something that will be scrutinized daily for years. Hopefully we'll be able to see this to its conclusion before some karmic injury befalls this team. I'm almost expecting someone to blow out a knee now.

 

[TLEF316]

link to a t-shirt my facebook friend posted today

was a lebron fan before thursday night, but i'm thinking about ordering this to wear to the bar.

 

[Gatorman]

Heat fan who is that I didn't buy tickets when I had the chance (the day wade and bosh signed).

Loving the UF connection on this team to go along with the big three. There has been a rumor that eddie house may sign as well (eddie was a rook for the het before he went to Boston)

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

James

Bosh

Wade

Miller

Haslem

Chalmers

Anthony

So is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs???

On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

oof, the big 3 will need to average 48 minutes a game

I thought the same thing about the Celtics a couple years ago. Haslem, Chalmers, Miller, etc.'s jobs are going to be a whole lot easier now.

Those Celtics formed a historically great defense. Bosh vs Garnett? Miller vs Posey? Perkins vs Whoever?

I think you left out a couple guys in your analysis. I also think you conveniently didn't mention that the Heat's troika is more capable offensively, and younger.If you care to make a wager on which trio wins more rings, I'm happy to spot you the one Boston already has.

As long as we are making betting challenges unrelated to what is actually posted, The Celtics defense in 2008 will be better relative to the league average than the Heat offense of 2011.Name the last champion with a weaker interior post defense then what the Heat plan on trotting out right now.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I think we've pretty much locked up the title now that we've signed haslem.

 

[Celph Titled]

I never said anything about defense, you did. I said that the jobs of the role players are going to be easier because they'll have so much talent around them. Consequently, they're going to be the best team in the East, and arguably the best team in the NBA next year.

And leaving out James and Wade when comparing defenses, which is intellectually dishonest at best.

Please don't cry.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Did mike miller officially sign?

If big z and Eddie house sign also you have to really like the squad.

 

[shake zula]

I simultaneously love and hate this experiment. On one hand, we'll probably never be able to properly evaluate LeBron James again. His future is too convoluted with Wade and Bosh now. On the other, it's absolutely fascinating to see what will happen with three top players coming together in their prime. The dynamic between James and Wade is something that will be scrutinized daily for years. Hopefully we'll be able to see this to its conclusion before some karmic injury befalls this team. I'm almost expecting someone to blow out a knee now.

I really don't get this. Jordan played with Pippen and there is no issue re his greatness. You guys are insane if you think Lebron is any less than what we've seen the last 7 years.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

I never said anything about defense, you did. I said that the jobs of the role players are going to be easier because they'll have so much talent around them. Consequently, they're going to be the best team in the East, and arguably the best team in the NBA next year. And leaving out James and Wade when comparing defenses, which is intellectually dishonest at best.Please don't cry.

Perimeter players don't have the same impact defensively as interior defenders. Not even close.

 

[Kenny Powers]

We gots Adonis Haslem

 

[Mr. Pickles]

I simultaneously love and hate this experiment. On one hand, we'll probably never be able to properly evaluate LeBron James again. His future is too convoluted with Wade and Bosh now. On the other, it's absolutely fascinating to see what will happen with three top players coming together in their prime. The dynamic between James and Wade is something that will be scrutinized daily for years. Hopefully we'll be able to see this to its conclusion before some karmic injury befalls this team. I'm almost expecting someone to blow out a knee now.

I really don't get this. Jordan played with Pippen and there is no issue re his greatness. You guys are insane if you think Lebron is any less than what we've seen the last 7 years.

Right, one guy. James is playing with arguably the second best player in the NBA after him. Bosh is probably somewhere in the top 12. This isn't Jordan and Pippen. It's nowhere near it.

 

[shake zula]

I simultaneously love and hate this experiment. On one hand, we'll probably never be able to properly evaluate LeBron James again. His future is too convoluted with Wade and Bosh now. On the other, it's absolutely fascinating to see what will happen with three top players coming together in their prime. The dynamic between James and Wade is something that will be scrutinized daily for years. Hopefully we'll be able to see this to its conclusion before some karmic injury befalls this team. I'm almost expecting someone to blow out a knee now.

I really don't get this. Jordan played with Pippen and there is no issue re his greatness. You guys are insane if you think Lebron is any less than what we've seen the last 7 years.

Right, one guy. James is playing with arguably the second best player in the NBA after him. Bosh is probably somewhere in the top 12. This isn't Jordan and Pippen. It's nowhere near it.

Jordan played with Kukoc, Longley, Rodman, and Grant. I'd concede non of those players are Bosh. But I'd argue that Wade isn't Pippen. It isn't one guy. Those Bulls teams were all around awesome. It wasn't Jordan and 11 slobs.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

I simultaneously love and hate this experiment. On one hand, we'll probably never be able to properly evaluate LeBron James again. His future is too convoluted with Wade and Bosh now. On the other, it's absolutely fascinating to see what will happen with three top players coming together in their prime. The dynamic between James and Wade is something that will be scrutinized daily for years. Hopefully we'll be able to see this to its conclusion before some karmic injury befalls this team. I'm almost expecting someone to blow out a knee now.

I really don't get this. Jordan played with Pippen and there is no issue re his greatness. You guys are insane if you think Lebron is any less than what we've seen the last 7 years.

Right, one guy. James is playing with arguably the second best player in the NBA after him. Bosh is probably somewhere in the top 12. This isn't Jordan and Pippen. It's nowhere near it.

Jordan played with Kukoc, Longley, Rodman, and Grant. I'd concede non of those players are Bosh. But I'd argue that Wade isn't Pippen. It isn't one guy. Those Bulls teams were all around awesome. It wasn't Jordan and 11 slobs.

No one is saying Jordan played with 11 slobs. However, the Heat have three top tier guys in their absolute prime. Jordan never played with a guy that threatened his dominance. Jordan never left his own team to join a guy who is on his same level who already had a ring with that team.I'm not sure how much more clearly I can paint this for you. It won't stop people from evaluating LeBron's greatness, but it will be very difficult as a result.

 

[Kenny Powers]

No one is saying Jordan played with 11 slobs. However, the Heat have three top tier guys in their absolute prime. Jordan never played with a guy that threatened his dominance. Jordan never left his own team to join a guy who is on his same level who already had a ring with that team.I'm not sure how much more clearly I can paint this for you. It won't stop people from evaluating LeBron's greatness, but it will be very difficult as a result.

Im not so sure prime Wade > prime Pippen, but its close. Main advantage for this Heat team is Bosh, but he isnt the type of low post banger most guys with his size and skill usually are. He's better than Ho Grant all around, but Grant and Bill Cartwright were better rebounders. BJ Armstrong was easily better than Chalmers. As far as starting 5 go, those teams are damn close and would be competitive. Who knows how good Miami will be defensively either.For the 2nd 3-peat, Rodman replaced Grant which gives them a greater advantage in rebounding and D, but not scoring. Longley was a C comparable to Cartwright, and then you basically have Kukoc, Kerr, and Ron Harper replace Armstrong. These 3-peat teams were probably even better.Easy to say Miami is better because their top 3 > Bulls top 3, but its a lot closer than youd think considering those Bulls team had more size, better rebounding, and likely better depth. Oh yeah, they won 70 games that one year too.

 

[shake zula]

I simultaneously love and hate this experiment. On one hand, we'll probably never be able to properly evaluate LeBron James again. His future is too convoluted with Wade and Bosh now. On the other, it's absolutely fascinating to see what will happen with three top players coming together in their prime. The dynamic between James and Wade is something that will be scrutinized daily for years. Hopefully we'll be able to see this to its conclusion before some karmic injury befalls this team. I'm almost expecting someone to blow out a knee now.

I really don't get this. Jordan played with Pippen and there is no issue re his greatness. You guys are insane if you think Lebron is any less than what we've seen the last 7 years.

Right, one guy. James is playing with arguably the second best player in the NBA after him. Bosh is probably somewhere in the top 12. This isn't Jordan and Pippen. It's nowhere near it.

Jordan played with Kukoc, Longley, Rodman, and Grant. I'd concede non of those players are Bosh. But I'd argue that Wade isn't Pippen. It isn't one guy. Those Bulls teams were all around awesome. It wasn't Jordan and 11 slobs.

No one is saying Jordan played with 11 slobs. However, the Heat have three top tier guys in their absolute prime. Jordan never played with a guy that threatened his dominance. Jordan never left his own team to join a guy who is on his same level who already had a ring with that team.I'm not sure how much more clearly I can paint this for you. It won't stop people from evaluating LeBron's greatness, but it will be very difficult as a result.

I don't think you are doing a bad job of painting this for me. You just happen to be wrong and your position baseless.

 

[the moops]

Im not so sure prime Wade > prime Pippen, but its close. Main advantage for this Heat team is Bosh, but he isnt the type of low post banger most guys with his size and skill usually are. He's better than Ho Grant all around, but Grant and Bill Cartwright were better rebounders.

Bosh has nearly identical rebounding numbers as Grant (even a little better) and has much better rebounding numbers than Cartwright.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Easy to say Miami is better because their top 3 > Bulls top 3

I'm not saying this. At all.

 

[JMon348]

#### ###

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

this would be kind of like Jordan and Karl Malone in their primes joining the Pistons to play with Isaiah Thomas. Or something.

 

[shake zula]

this would be kind of like Jordan and Karl Malone in their primes joining the Pistons to play with Isaiah Thomas. Or something.

or..Batman, Superman, and the Green Lantern teaming up...

 

[Frostillicus]

LAS VEGAS -- In the end, forward Udonis Haslem chose the chance to be part of a dynasty over the opportunity to make more dollars.

Haslem said Monday he turned down more lucrative offers to sign a five-year contract with the Heat. He likely will earn close to $4 million annually.

``It was an opportunity to win, an opportunity to be close to my mother, with her illness, and an opportunity to be a part of something special,'' he said. ``I've never been in this for the money. I would be changing my DNA if I changed just for money.''

Haslem said there were times he thought the Heat would not be able to afford him.

``I would be lying if [i said] I thought this would work out,'' he said. But the salary cap was recently set at $58.1 million -- $2 million beyond expectations -- allowing the Heat to offer more.

``The money is now more reasonable,'' he said.

He said he strongly considered mid-level exception offers (starting at close to $6 million) from Denver -- where he believes he would have started -- and Dallas.

He said he will feel more comfortable coming off the bench than he initially did last season, when Michael Beasley was named the starter before the regular-season opener.

``It was giving up your starting job as opposed to someone beating you out for it,'' he said of last season. ``Coming off the bench behind Chris Bosh, who has multiple All-Star appearances, I have no problem coming off the bench.''

Haslem said when he learned LeBron James and Bosh would be joining Wade with the Heat, ``I couldn't believe it. It didn't seem real. It seemed like something out of a TV show, a video game. This would be something like my son would put together in a video game, NBAY2K.''

He appreciates Wade, James and Bosh taking contracts under the maximum to allow the Heat enough salary cap room to sign Haslem and Mike Miller.

``My hat goes off to those guys because they took less money to make this situation work,'' Haslem said. ``Me and Dwyane kept in contact the whole summer.''

He said he is drawing motivation from the criticism that the Heat won't have enough good players around the three stars.

``There are still people that feel like this can't work, that those three guys won't have any help,'' Haslem said. ``That's a direct insult to myself and other guys that decide to come along.''

Haslem, 6-8, said he is willing to play center at times if needed, though it's expected the Heat will start a center. Bosh said previously he does not want to play center.

``I'm sure there will be points in the game where me and Chris play together,'' he said.

Haslem also said he is pleased that the Heat is adding Miller, his former roommate at UF. ``That's my boy -- he's like Dwyane to me, just different colors. He's like my brother.''

Wade, Heat president Pat Riley and the entire franchise had been aggressively recruiting Haslem. The team sent 200 employees and fans to Haslem's Southwest Ranches home last month to surprise him on his 30th birthday. Riley was adamant that keeping Haslem was a priority and called the forward just after midnight at the July 1 start of free agency.

Haslem said James also called him, encouraging him to re-sign.

The Heat retains Haslem but lost starting small forward Quentin Richardson on Monday to the Orlando Magic. Meanwhile, free agent point guard Derek Fisher spurned overtures from the Heat and said he will re-sign with the Lakers.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/12/1727...l#ixzz0tVlvQXjZ

Miami HeraldJames

Bosh

Wade

Miller

Haslem

Chalmers

Anthony

So is this the core that people thought was going to be the trio and scrubs???

On paper this is the best team in the NBA and it isn't even close.

Nice. Now all they have to do is bring in Teddy Dupay, Brent Wright, and Eddie "One Eye" Shannon to complete the Florida Gators 1998-1999 reunion.

One Matt Bonner signing could kick me off this bandwagon as quickly as I jumped on it.

Gonna be tough to get Dupay out of the clink.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Gonna be tough to get Dupay out of the clink.

Weirder..