Heat Loss to Magic Painful

8-22 now. 14 games below .500. The Heat are facing a predicament they have not faced in almost 5 years - irrelevancy.

Ever since they landed Dwyane Wade with the 5th pick in the draft, the Heat have mattered. Yet this season the Heat haven't mattered too much at all.

"It's a little demoralizing to play my most complete game yet and to really have a feeling that we were going to win this ballgame," Wade said after the game. "To lose it in overtime, it hurts."

Pain. That is what is most real to the Heat these days. Just ask Zo as his final game, possibly, in a Heat uniform was spent writhing in it. Ask Jason Williams who keeps hearing his name swirling in trade rumors but tries to push through his share with two creaky knees. Ask Shaquille O'neal whose hips and knees are bothering him and his ego is suffering from shock as well.

The only pain Wade seems to be feeling these days is the pain of losing game after game. Since dealing with shoulder and knee problems, Wade has rushed back from rehab only to guide his team as close to winning as possible only to see his efforts go unrewarded.

But this is a team. And it takes a team to win, and a team to lose.

This latest loss shouldn't be surprising. After all, it had one of the key elements of all games this season from the Heat - a valiant last ditch effort only left to be undermined by bad defense and a double digit run by the opposing team at the end of the game.

Cook bailed out the Heat with a three to send it to overtime, but the Heat had nothing in the tank. Pain.

And now, the Heat have to pick it back up and head off to Washington to try and squeeze out a win on the road.

Heat Might Make Change Soon

Smush Parker has been invited back to Miami to rejoin the Heat. Coming out of exile, the question is, will it be to actually play for the Heat or to have an audition for a future trade? We'll know tomorrow night what the case may be but considering Jason Williams creaky knees, even with negative MRIs, and a gimpy Chris Quinn, Parker's services may be needed more so than Riley would care to admit.

Then there is the possibility of a trade with anyone on the roster - save Wade and Shaq. The team is falling apart. Some have noticed that there is frustration running so deep that even a rift between players like Wade and Udonis Haslem is noticeable.

Something is brewing. The Heat need a stable answer at PG, and they need to find another scoring option. This may be hard to do, but with Riley's ability to pull off trades seemingly overnight, who knows what tomorrow holds. But it could come sooner rather than later.

Heat In Need of Makeover

It could be cosmetic or even a bit more serious, but Miami is in need of change these days. Riley knows it, Wade knows it, and even Shaq now realizes it.

Right now, this team is confused. Jason Williams was cleared by Riley to get back to his "White Chocolate" style of playing, but has admitted it is something he is struggling to do. Why all of a sudden was Williams unleashed?

Shaq, frustrated over not getting enough touches, has now realized he has done a terrible job this season and vowed to change. Yet, recent comments have shown Shaq to have lowered his expectations.

What is going on? Miami has no identity - and Riley is not helping matters.

This team doesn't shoot particularly well, it doesn't play strong defense, doesn't have high energy, doesn't dominate the paint. It is a jack of all trades but a master of none. Their record, 13 games below .500, indicates that as well.

Also, there is a particular pattern you could almost bank on each game for the Heat. They come out sluggish, with no energy, and fall behind by double digits. Then the Heat pick it up and either tie it up or take the lead. When the 4th quarter rolls around, however, Miami slacks off defensively and gives up a double digit run. A loss at the end of the buzzer and Miami shakes its defiant and proud head.

So, even though there is no definite identity for the Heat and their players, their losses follow a particular pattern. What has Riley done to adjust? Too much.

Miami has to make changes, but they need to be changes that address the problems they are facing. Not enough energy to start games? Start the younger players like Cook and Wright. Bad defensive stretches at the ends of games? Play more active defenders - Shaq is not an option for two reasons now at the end of games, his horrible free throw shooting and his lack of defensive intensity.

Speaking of Shaq, he really is better suited to coming off the bench to maintain leads. He slows the game down and can control the pace of a game. He also is playing less minutes these days do to his age and wear-and-tear. Can you convince a massive ego like Shaq to come off the bench? You have to. Statistically, Shaq is not doing anything wrong. Yet chemically, in fitting in with the fabric of the team, he is not helping by becoming a statue on the offensive side of the ball, too.

The reason Zo's injury is such a big loss is because he can change a game with his defensive play - one ferocious blocked shot would result in a Heat fast break opportunity. Shaq does not have that ability - or at least, doesn't demonstrate that desire to do so.

Miami must begin games faster and with more energy. Insert Cook, Wright and Wade. Put Barron at PF and plug in Joel Anthony, a shot blocking defensive dynamo, at center to start. Hey, we are 13 games under .500, why not try something completely different? All these players will defer to Wade who will manage the ball anyway. Cook provides vitality and a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor. Wright gives the Heat rebounding intensity and an athletic presence on the wing that works well with Wade. Barron can spread the floor with his jumper, but also provides a bit of a downside in regards to rebounding - but Haslem has peaked himself and it doesn't seem like the Heat lose too much with him off the court to start games. Anthony can provide a shot blocking presence that will force teams to think twice about playing in the low block.

This allows the Heat to substitute immediately Shaq at center, if they want to hold the lead or even build on one, and Haslem can come off the bench to provide a further calming influence on the game. You could even slide Barron back and forth between center and power forward.

The Heat have to make a commitment. Based on the patterns in their losses, the Heat are looking at some tough changes or their season will be lost.

Miami Getting a New Gift?

Is the Heat on the verge of a major shakeup? And just before Christmas?

There are rumors fluttering around about possible deals and Miami is very active with several teams. Here are some possibilities:

Mickeal Pietrus is not getting any playing time in Golden State and signed a contract this offseason because he didn't have enough leverage to find a new team. His interest in playing in Miami, however, is well documented. That doesn't mean that there is a deal in place for Golden State, or even incentive, but with Smush Parker basically done it might be a decent fit for Golden State in trading Pietrus for Smush. Then again, they may feel he has more value.

Mike Bibby and Ron Artest - long rumored to be heading to Miami, but the trigger does not seem to exist. Still, there is interest and other outlets keep insisting Miami is talking to Sacramento and the deal seems to be starting with Udonis Haslem and might also need a Jason Williams reunion tour.

Rafer Alston and Shane Battier - supposedly the Rockets are interested in Jason Williams. He has an expiring contract so that makes him an attractive asset for teams wanting to clear up space for this offseason. Alston is just another PG on the Rockets' roster. Battier is a solid defender that the Heat might also inquire about if they are going to deal Udonis. A long shot either way.

Mike Miller and Stromile Swift - this is mostly speculation, but could be an interesting trade. The Heat would acquire a relatively unknown star in Miller who would provide scoring, shooting and hustle and he could potentially vault over Shaq in terms of scoring priority. Swift is getting some playing time to showcase his abilities a bit, but is not in the plans for the Grizzlies. Riley has always liked Swift's potential, so it could be another possibility to replace a departing Udonis Haslem or serve as a backup for Shaq now that Zo is done.

Luke Ridnour - Current Heatian Luke Jackson's old college buddy could be a strong pickup for Miami, too. It might just cost them Smush Parker and if that is the case, Ridnour could easily be the starter at PG by season's end. His addition along with Jason Williams would give the Heat an excellent, uptempo option at PG.

Larry Hughes is being shopped by the Cavs, but it is less likely any deal will be made with the Heat since they are Eastern Conference rivals.

There is also the option of signing players like Earl Boykins or Ruben Patterson to shore up any needs left by trades.

Heat Bounce Past Jazz

This was probably the most impressive win this year for the Heat. Yes, it is only the regular season and only December at that, but still, gotta start somewhere.

The losses to Boston were impressive considering where Miami was during those two matchups - but they could have easily been wins, too. This game, however, was almost snatched away from Miami - but not by the players on the opposing team, but by the officials.

I was at the game in person tonight (sec. 110, row 15 seat 1) - shout out to my friend Kristen and her sister Kelly and her boyfriend. Anywho, despite the usual people watching, I was able to tune into the game and watch the boys on the floor. Here are some of the things I observed:

Riley is finally getting it with Barron. The guy has great range and can be a Jermaine O'neal type PF in that he can shoot the ball and spread the floor. He won't ever be a great shot blocker and will probably be just above average as a rebounder, but at PF the guy can create problems. His versatility as a PF/C can be utilized when Shaq comes off. Still, I think Joel Anthony is the answer at backup C. (Fantasy owners, running after Barron is a bit premature, although if you are in deep leagues the guy can get you some genius points...)

Wade is back. Despite being saddled with foul trouble, his game is there and his conditioning are probably about 98% there. Just a few ticks but he looks amazing out there and is the offensive catalyst de facto.

Shaq doesn't move enough. He put in a better effort tonight, but he falls into a bad habit of planting and waiting. This is not only his doing, however, as I saw Jason Williams do the same thing when the call is to give Wade the ball. Williams runs to a corner and stands there. Might as well be 4 on 5 at that point - these guys (and their coach!) have got to learn to keep moving. If you can't you're outta shape and need to get off the floor anyway. Go try shuffle board.

Shaq did earn two standing ovations though - one on the hustle play after a loose ball that dropped him headlong into the scorers' table; the other when he fouled out on yet, another BS call.

Speaking of BS foul calls, how did the Jazz end up with 43 FTAs (free throw attempts, for those of you who don't read this blog often enough) to our 23 FTAs? When you got a force like Shaq getting fouled on every touch and a jet engine incarnated in the form of Wade, how is the other team getting the advantage? Not coincedentally, most of the FTAs came at the end of the game - 15 FTAs in the final 7:38, to be exact.

Still, as hard as the officials seem to be trying to hand Miami their third straight loss, you could feel like this game was never really under threat. The Heat quietly built up a lead in the third quarter and maintained it for a while, except for the fact that 35% of the Jazz FTAs came in the final 7:38 of the game. Sure, Miami got some FTAs too, but it wasn't the bulk of their offense.

Miami played much harder tonight. They need to continue to battle to push through this horrendous start. Next up Cleveland on Christmas - probably one of the most overrated teams in the NBA. Miami could be one of the most underrated.

Zo Done

Well, I was obviously waiting to post this article on Zo's possible career ending injury because I wanted to believe the basketball gods would not allow him to exit like this. They would not allow a warrior like Zo to leave the game for good wincing in pain, being helped off the court with what turned out to be a torn tendon. Still, in typical Zo fashion, he would not allowed himself to be carted off.

Then again, how else would Zo be able to leave the game for good unless forced out? It had to be taken from him.

Further Reading:
Sun-Sentinel: Mourning Injury Worse Than Thought
Miami Herald: Heat's Mourning to have surgery Thursday

If Zo doesn't come back, we can't look at how he left but how he continued to play the game and was a contributor even well after his kidney surgery. He defied the odds, and helped build this franchise into a champion. His roar and flexing biceps will continue to be an icon for Heat fans, and his intensity will be missed.

Easily, the most recognizable Heat player his shot blocking, defensive intensity and beautiful hook shot made the Heat a formidable team in the mid-90's. And Zo, both figuratively and literally, was at the center of it all.

Now, there will be mourning for Mourning's game. We will miss him, and perhaps his retirement came too soon.

Then again, how about "uno mas"?

To Rebound Shaq Must Rebound

All this talk about Shaq is kind of getting old. No, he isn't the 23 year old man-child he once was, tearing down goals in enemy arenas. But he isn't done, either.

Much has been made about Shaq's demise, and as they say it is much ado about nothing. Shaq's minutes have decreased but there is good reason for that, too. He isn't as productive as he once was, but that is not to say he can't be a force in every game he sets his giant foot on the court.

He must re-think his game, re-formulate his identity and what his goals are on the court.

I have said this before, Shaq is so large and massive there is no reason why he cannot be the best pure rebounder on the court. His size has not diminished, and you can't teach strength. What Shaq has never really had was heart - by that, I mean the kind of heart a guy like Udonis Haslem has.

For Shaq, the game has always come very easy. His combination of size and strength seem almost unnatural. In fact, that is the biggest difference between Shaq and any other player in the NBA - but that is obvious. Yet, this is the source of his greatest frustration, his biggest obstacle is the massive ego that blots out the sun in his mind. The recent comments which show Shaq is starting to acknowledge his decline are indicative of an important shift: Shaq must realize that he is not as quick as he once was and does not have the same lift. After this, he can start to formulate a change, he can start to adapt his game to suit his age and skill set.

The biggest breakthrough has yet to come. Riley has already started to limit Shaq's playing time - this isn't done for punishment, but rather because Shaq is clogging the lane and slowing the game down. Wade has admitted publicly that several of his turnovers are coming from him trying to force the ball into Shaq. Defenses are defending him differently - they are now fronting him whereas before he would just spin and catch an ally. Or he was more mobile and physical and would force teams to double down or foul. Now, he plants in the lane and waits.

Shaq has to move more.

More importantly, he needs to use his assets. He needs to use that giant frame to box out and fight for the ball. This is where the heart of Udonis Haslem would benefit Shaq - since the game is easy for him, he never really had to battle and scrape and fight. He just had to flick his switch and let his will be done. Haslem, one of the smaller power forwards in the game, always gets himself into position and has great anticipation. Shaq, on the other hand, seems to not be able (or want) to get into a good position. He allows himself to be taken out of the play all too often.

If Shaq can work on getting himself into position, and stop trying to set up the post so much, he could find a way to reinvent himself. He would also generate more shot attempts. ''More than 10, so I can get into my game,'' he said. ``My son can't even get into the game with seven shots.'' But your son isn't waiting in the post for a pass, either. In fact, how many set plays are run for Zo? About as many as Chris Quinn gets. Yet Zo finds ways to get involved in the game and be a factor.

Once Shaq understands that he can no longer rely on waiting for the ball to come to him, he will be on his way to mattering once again. The longer it takes, however, is the longer it takes for this team to turn things around. If Shaq can get his rebounds over 10 a game, a feat that he should do in his sleep, but has only done 6 times in 24 games this season. He used to do it all season long.

Smush Out; Jackson Debut

Heat look like they are going to lose this game to the Wiz, which is unfortunate because they are a better team without Gilbert. They just had to rely on an injury to him in order to discover what pretty much any half wit watching basketball knew. Its true because I have noticed this too!

That said, there were some bright spots. Quinn looks a bit more confident and seems to start to believe he can play at this level. He was bombing away from the three point line, being really the only consistent offensive threat at the end of the game.

Luke Jackson played some extensive minutes at the end of the game, and looked ready to fit in. He is athletic and seems to be able to find open spots on the floor - if only Miami can find him. Then again, their offense just looked dreadful in comparison to how well they played on the road.

7 losses out of 9 at home. Riley warned that the Heat come out sluggish and it showed.

Speaking of slugs, where is Smush you might be wondering? Legal problems have basically ended his tenure in Miami. He is being shopped and it is looking like Miami might be targeting a PG from Seattle, either Luke Ridnour, Luke Jackson's teammate at Oregon, or Earl Watson. Now, it is probably not likely that Smush would be enough to net something like that in return, but who knows? Smush is also the reason why Jackson was added as the Heat need more offense and can't afford to wait for Penny to get his shot back.

Heat miss out on a way to kick things back into high gear, but that is the Heat for you. They underdeliver and overpromise it seems.

Heatflashes: Jackson Replacing Kapono, Heat Beat LA

So the Heat are going to land Luke Jackson, but is he the replacement the Heat were looking for when Kapono left quickly with fists full of cash? Yeah, he is.

Let's face it, Kapono had a great shot and happened to be 6'7" and could move, somewhat, better than a much shorter and more brash talent in Damon Jones. That was his job. Can Jackson do that? You bet. He is more athletic than Kapono, with a pretty good shot to boot. Even if he is not graded as highly as Kapono, which Toronto seems to think, he is a much more affordable risk to take in regards to acquiring some consistent outside shooting. Kap'n is getting $6M per season, while Jackson won't be making anything close to that. Toronto, who had Jackson on their roster last season and in camp this season, thought Kapono was a much better option and paid for it. The Heat, however, developed Kapono where none had previously seen an asset of any kind.

So bet on Riley & Co. getting Jackson in camp and at least squeezing some threes out of him from time to time. Yet, also remember another Kapono isn't necessarily needed - Ricky Davis is already providing some deft shooting while Daequan Cook looks to be the real deal, too. Getting some time on the floor with Shaq will definitely make Jackson a viable shooting option.

The only question is, who is going to be waived to make room? I don't want to see Anthony go, and I don't want to see Anfernee go, so that leaves a guy who has long been a project and doesn't have anything resembling an "Anthony" in his name, Earl Barron. The Red Barron is a nice power forward, but Riley already has Udonis and Alexander Johnson in his way. And if you want to play Barron at C, you don't get the shot blocking skill you value with your defense which Joel Anthony has a'plenty (and a great rebounder, too). Not to mention Shaq and Zo are in the way.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Heat are 5-15. Finally got that fifth win. I didn't catch the game last night because I was driving back from the West coast - of Florida. Still, to come home and see us win a game, with a diminished Shaq in the process, makes me happy and curious. What is Riley doing with Shaq? Is he trying to break him down some after that explosion in practice? Because frankly, Shaq should shut up and listen to what Riley wants - he controls Shaq's fate. Whether he likes it or not, Riley could be so bold as to dwindle his minutes down to garbage time and even to none at all. Riley controls Shaq's contract as he is also the Prez of the Heat, too. Besides, it isn't like the Heat are winning anyway with Shaq out there...and if they can win without him, that doesn't bode well for the big Aristotle. He needs to focus on rebounding anyway and stop whining about his offensive touches.

That said, Miami's best offense has been when Shaq has controlled the game and the flow of the offense goes through him. So, you have to wonder what is the lesson here?

Heat Acquire Luke Jackson

The Miami Heat have recently acquired Luke Jackson from the Idaho Stampede of the DLeague.

In need of shooting, the Heat decided to give Jackson a shot himself and called up the 3 year NBA veteran who was drafted 10th overall in the 2004 NBA draft out of Oregon, where he played alongside Seattle's Luke Ridnour.

What really turned the Heat's heads was Jackson's 30 point performance in his first game in the DLeague this season - shooting 5-6 from beyond three point range.

Jackson now offers a strong outside shooter which the Heat lacked since Kapono left this offseason. Daequan Cook has been providing a very nice scoring presence off the bench for the Heat as a rookie, but Miami feels it needs more shooters to complement Shaq's game and help spread the defense. It would be a step in the right direction for the 4-15 Heat who seem to be unable to break through and get consistent wins. How quickly, and how often, Jackson can get out on the floor for Miami will remain to be seen.

Jackson has athletic ability and a very good stroke from outside. He could provide the shooting presence the Heat are missing and given the Heat's history of finding assets where previously regarded to be none, Jackson could be the next Jason Kapono - incidentally, the two squared off against one another in college.

Is Daequan Cook Ray Allen's Mirror?

There is one thing observation that I cannot stop making and last night didn't help. We all have those comparisons - the kind where we wonder what it would be like to watch one athlete play against another from a different era. We call them throwbacks, sometimes. Like watching a rerun, we stop to wonder if a player of the present would matchup well with a great from the past. We wonder would Barry Bonds one-up the Babe? Would Shaq dunk on the Stilt?

Well, I know that this isn't quite on that level, but isn't eerie how similar Daequan Cook's game is to Ray Allen's? Or it it just me?

Well, maybe some people are getting it. This little dialog was found in the Sun-Sentinel - although Skolnick doesn't seem to be making an apparent comparison (I'll do that instead):

"I love his game," Cook said of Boston's Ray Allen.

Allen has honed his offensive game over 12 seasons, and that savvy showed even when Cook defended the six-time All-Star well. Once, Allen went right, then left, then ballfaked, getting Cook into the air, getting the foul. But Cook also played some part in Allen missing 12 straight shots.

"I like his game," Allen said. "He's solid, he can shoot the ball, he's strong. It's going to be about his work ethic, and how he attacks the game. He's got to want it more than somebody else wants it. I like, so far, his makeup."

I just can't help but think of this as a "pot and kettle" situation. Both players have similar shots - just watch their mechanics. They have quick releases and need very little space (and time) to shoot. They also are adept at creating offense without the ball - they can move without the ball and create scoring opportunities. Cook even has, get this!, an affinity for the finger roll! Sure, he can dunk (see the game in Boston where he dunked over Po-Z) and so can Ray Allen - just neither prefer to (although you get the sense Cook has a bit more flair).

The draft day trade of Jason Smith for Daequan Cook has been, so far, one of the few things that has gone right for the Heat this offseason. Riley has to play Cook because, well, no one else can shoot the ball. With Cook, he has a guy who is not afraid to shoot at all, and is pretty darned good at it. He can help spread out the defense and can come off the bench. His game is improving each time out and his defense is becoming pretty good - it is early.

So I wonder, what would Ray Allen say if you asked him, point blank, if he saw any of himself in this rookie. I feel certain he would say, 'yes'.

Heat Fall to Celtics, Prove Little

Miami was out of this one almost as quickly as they were in it.

The Celtics had a laugher in their hands, the score at one point being 71 to 46. They were hitting threes so frequently, I half expected Doc to come off the bench and heave up a few.

Miami, on the other hand, was missing everything - so it seemed for a team shooting 48% at that point of the game. What really was going on was careless play and sloppy turnovers. Miami, however, really didn't seem to be doing too many bad things statistically, but an easy observation showed them to be out of sync and perhaps pressing a little too hard.

In the end, the Heat made a game of it - just like they did earlier in the year up in Boston. Yet, it matter little because just like that game, the result was still a loss. A maybe at best.

This Heat team continues to disappoint. Sure, it may not blow others away with big time acquisitions, but the names are there and the talent is there, too. Riley has to utilize better and there are signs of that happening. Still, the Heat seemed to underdeliver on a night that could have sent warning to the rest of the league that the Heat were rising once again.

At this point, it looks like they are struggling to stay alive.

There is plenty of time for the Heat to right the ship and get into the playoffs. In fact, there still is little doubt that this team is playoff caliber. It can be championship caliber IF Wade can return to his old, MVP self (lately he is looking fatigued and sloppy, part of the comeback panacea) and Shaq can continue to play like his old self and not just old. Wade's presence on the offensive side of things helps.

So even though the Heat missed out on an opportunity to make a statement, they still have something to build on. The first loss, however, was positive in that it showed that Miami could play with a higher caliber team. This loss, however, is positive in that the expectations for Miami was to get a win against a high quality team. They just couldn't deliver tonight and that proves very little at this point.

24 turnovers, a season high by the way, didn't help prove much either other than the Heat's sloppiness hampered their chances.

Heat Make Lineup Changes

Riley pulled Jason Williams and Ricky Davis out of the starting lineup and inserted Chris Quinn and Anfernee Hardaway. The results, although early, look pretty good.

The Heat are showing a much more active defensive presence and are opening up the game a bit more on the offensive side of things. The Bobcats look befuddled, for a change, as the Heat's adjust may have them off a bit. We'll see...

Update:

Heat up 55-43 at the half, despite a clear goal tend from Jason Richardson on Ricky Davis' final second shot. Got to like the way the Heat are playing tonight, although you have to wonder if this change is permanent or an experiment or just a knee jerk reaction. One thing is for sure - Riley is using his bench tonight, going like 10 deep. The team looks much more active on both ends of the floor. Only one more half to go...

Up-Update:

After three, Heat running things. Closed out the 3rd quarter with a 17-3 run. Wow. Not looking old tonight. Maybe Riley found something by bringing JWill and Ricky Ticky off the bench? Oh, and playing Cook and AJ isn't hurting either.

Now...where is that DWright kid...

Final:

Heat end up scoring 110 and holding the Bobs to 90. 20 point win. A win, more importantly, but it looks like the Riley gimmick worked tonight. Let's hope he sticks with it.

Stephon Marbury, Andre Miller or Mike Bibby?

There are some rumors swirling about that involve the Heat - and it can be somewhat scandalous.

The Heat are currently in the midst of getting the team to gel - Wade has returned and dropped 31 points on the Rockets to seal up the win. 'Bout time, that is what the Heat were missing.

Or is it?

Seems that Riley is willing to give the team a few more weeks of experimentation and then the verdict on whether or not Andre Miller, Mike Bibby or Stephon Marbury could end up on Biscayne.

There are rumors already starting about each player being linked to the Heat.

Further Reading:
Andre Miller to Miami?
Stephon Marbury to Miami?

If the Knicks decide to keep Isiah, it could happen. If the 76ers decide that the new direction they were going in after shipping off AI isn't working, then another new direction might require Miller time be in Miami.

Jason Williams is just not providing Riley with what he wants - an offensive threat. Williams looks much better, quicker and healthier, but his scoring drive is not there and his big play ability still seems somewhat diminished. Sure, he is a more mature player than ever before but the Heat just need more from him. Shooting under 40% on the season, and uner 30% from three point range is not helping matters. His FGAs per game remain at 9.3 - exactly the same as last season. Yet last season he hit 41% with chronic knee pain and this season he is shooting worse with supposedly healthy knees!

Riley has criticized JWill for his lack of agressiveness at times, opting instead to defer than take the shot. Williams needs to show a healthy dose of self interest at times and needs to initiate the offense at times by looking for his own shot.

If this trend continues, the Heat most definitely will be looking for a new starting PG. With Williams in his final year of his contract, he could be an attractive option to another team looking to clear up space whereas Miami is in win now mode.

And we're back...

This time, it's for real.

Miamiheatwave.com is back online - still working out a few kinks, but we are here! Go to the boards again, talk Heat all you want all the time - we are back and here for good.

Soon, we'll have the main portal back online and the WIKI will be back up soon.

It has been a while, but we have been able to free ourselves from our old host and will now get back to talkin' Heat all the time. There is a game tonight against Houston at 8pm! Go Heat!

MiamiHeatwave.com Making a Comeback

Well, we have left our old host (because they are a-holes, quite frankly) and starting up again.

Everythign, pretty much, has to be rebuilt - including the forums.

For now, check out the progress by either typing in MiamiHeatzone.com or by clicking on this link which will take you to the front end of the site - which is, of course, being rebuilt. Yet again.

Hang in there everyone, things will be returning to normal soon.

Riley Finally Realizes This Team Needs a Change

Riley's comments are a bit too late.

He started to blast the team for underperforming against the Bobcats and now the Sonics, who had the Heat down by 20 at home. And Wade was making his debut.

Um, yeah. Now you noticed?

This team hasn't gelled yet. Sure. And certainly this team is not full of lazy players who don't want to win - that is coachspeak to help motivate the players. Hold them accountable in the media, and get them fired up.

But there are real problems here, too. It starts with Riley's choices.

Letting Kapono go was not the worst thing that happened. He was just outpriced, overvalued. Bye. He's overrated. The problem is that Riley didn't replace him. Right now, teams are just forcing Miami to shoot and not giving them much to work with. That is, before Wade came back whose ability as a playmaker will help enhance the Heat's offense.

What it really comes down to is Miami can't shoot. Riley chose to keep Penny Hardaway and instead let a young shooter like Jeremy Richardson go. He also is not playing Dorell Wright or Daequan Cook - which means by keeping Penny, you also opted to put these young players back on the bench.

Now, it isn't Penny's fault - he is playing very well right now. But he isn't breaking any zone defenses - which Cook, Wright and even a Jeremy Richardson could help do.

The other problem, which is bigger, is that Shaq is not a starter anymore. He is not even the best center on this team - that would be Zo. Then Joel Anthony. Then Shaq.

Shaq just doesn't get it. You can't absorb passes in the pivot and hold on the ball - it won't score on its own. You have to put the ball in the hoop. Shaq just doesn't have the lift anymore, and as a result he fouls a lot on his way to the basket. Everything is slow and predictable. If he had a hook shot, he could fake it better and keep his defenders off balance. But he doesn't.

Shaq could use his excellent passing ability to keep defenders honest, but that would require his teammates to make shots - which they haven't been.

Riley has some tough decisions to make - and it really should come down to benching Shaq and going against what Riley feels comfortable doing - playing the young players.

That means start Dorell Wright and don't give him such a short lease - the kid can flat out play. You just have to give him a chance. Same goes for Cook, who just needs time and experience. Heck, you already have one of the worst records in the NBA. On the positive side, Wade is just getting back and this team has not played together much yet. Then again, the same could have been said about last year's team, and even the year before that.

Riley has to start changing things, but he needs to point the finger at himself and get over his age-old bias of experience over youth.

Dwyane Wade Returns!

The Flash is back.

Dwyane Wade will be making his 2007 debut tonight against the Supersonics. And just in time - after a blowout laugher to the Bobcats, Miami is struggling to find its offense. Tonight, Wade will bring it back.

Wade did make a difference tonight - he helped push Miami back into this game and also showed signs of life in the 4th quarter.

Miami was a 4th quarter team when they won their championship. They typically showed their mettle when there was no hope left. Tonight, Seattle just fought for their first win and responded even when Miami made their push.

But Wade is back. That is a sign of hope in of itself.

Switching hosts...MHW will be back real soon...

Just a heads up to everyone...

We had to leave our old host because they went crazy on us. In fact, I am going to be migrating my other site, currently hosted with IPS very soon. I will make a more formal complaint against that company in the coming days for how they mishandled my site. But enough about them.

In the meantime, take in this horrible game against the Bobcats. Looks like the Heat are feeling down because MHW isn't online either. They are not alone! At least we get a look at Cook and Alex the Great.

MHW will be up soon - hopefully by Thursday.

And We're Back...

MiamiHeatwave.com is now back up and running. Thank God.

I was really suffering from not getting my fix! And just in time as the Heat got their first win of the season yesterday against the Knicks.

In fact, talk all about it over at the boards...

First Win for Heat Looks Vintage

Funny how just earlier today I was commenting on how the Heat are a Dwyane Wade away from starting their winning streaks. The Heat are right there and showing improvement each night out - tonight, they were able to get over the hump and preserve the win.

In hostile territory, but not against a real hostile team.

The Knicks are going to be up and down this season, too, as they have still to figure out that Marbury is overrated and they have no real consistent scoring threat from anyone. So a win today should be looked at with relief more than anything else.

Still, its a start.

Miami showed improvement, although still maintaining sloppy play. Lots of turnovers down the stretch let the Knicks back in the game, but their ability to persevere started to show.

And Wade watched and cheered from the sidelines.

It wasn't a pretty game, 16 turnovers a .438 FG% (.240 from 3 point range). The free throws were plentiful - for the Knicks (17 FTAs to only 9 FTAs for the Heat). Nevertheless, the Heat were able to overcome adversity and steal this win back.

Haslem had a huge double double (16 and 16) which offset fellow Gator alumnus David Lee's double double (14 and 14). Shaq is showing signs of durability and consistency, dropping another 16 points and 9 rebounds in 36 minutes of solid production.

Penny Hardaway continues to put is solid minutes. His scoring is not there, but he contributes in other ways - stealing minutes from Dorell Wright, of course.

All in all, a vintage looking win for the Heat as they overtake their once proud rivals in a game that harkened back to a mid-90's contest with the low scoring.

Heat Just a Wade Away from Turning Things Around

0-5 is not time to panic. Unless of course it is a playoff series in which case it would be beyond the time to panic. The Heat have not had an easy schedule but they have been competitive. There are reasons to be encouraged:

1) Ricky Davis is adjusting. The guy is an exciting, athletic player that can be a difference maker on both ends of the floor for Miami. He could easily be that 3rd scoring option the Heat desperately need and he is showing signs of that - getting 20+ points against the Suns most recently.

2) Jason Williams looks better. He also dropped 20+ on the Suns and looks terrific moving the ball in traffic and pushing the offense. Getting used to playing with different personnel will help and with Wade set to return soon JWill's play will only get better. Will he stay healthy? This is his final contract year...

3) Shaq is starting to look good again. His first two games he was virtually non-existent offensively - as far as scoring is concerned. Of late, he too is starting to score more. Looking less sluggish, he is also showing that he can still take over a game for stretches.

4) Anfernee Hardaway is as good as advertised. Coming off the bench he has played excellent defense, provided timely and efficient scoring, and showing heady play. He could be Posey's replacement. Penny is worth much more - somewhere Abraham Lincoln is smiling.

5) Wade is coming back. Sooner rather than later.

See the difference in the margin of win or loss in the Heat's first five games has been a play or two. Even against a team like San Antonio on the road, the Heat played them tight throughout but couldn't hang in the whole game trying to adjust as a team to new personnel and a strong opponent. If Wade, healthy and ready to go, was in that game there would have been a big difference on the offensive side of the floor. That could have resulted in a win.

Put a healthy Wade in the lineup against the Pistons, the Suns, the Bobcats and you might see a win in those games as well.

What we are seeing is a microcosm of last season - the Heat without Wade is a good team, not a great team. They have to find a way to compete and win - but with Wade they could make up the difference and turn things around.

Heat fans, keep this in perspective. It is still early. A healthy Wade, set to return, could be the difference.

MiamiHeatwave.com Still Down

Just an update - I should have MiamiHeatwave.com back up and running this week. My hosting company has been horrible in regards to customer service - it has been practically non-existent. I recommend anyone who is considering building a website, at this time, avoid Invision Power Services, as they have treated me most unfairly in this situation.

Anyway, that aside, we still have the data for the site and if necessary, we will use another hosting service to get the site back up and running once again.

Hang in there...in the meantime, keep reading the blog and posting your comments! Go Heat!!!

MiamiHeatwave.com is NOT DEAD

For those of you wondering what is going on, here is the gist of it.

My site has been accused of phishing. This has not happened with my knowledge as I alone run the site. Now, if someone hacked into the backend and did something to create a phishing section of my site - that is another story.

Right now, another company has accused my site of phishing and my host is not available with tech support or account support at this time. Because I cannot fix the problem myself, with the account being suspended, I cannot see what the problem is or how to rectify it.

Once I get to the bottom of this, things will be fixed and MiamiHeatwave.com will be back up and running shortly.

The company accusing me of phishing, however, will not be treated lightly for their misplaced accusations. I was never given any chance to fix this problem and was certainly never contacted directly.

Yet, rest assured, MiamiHeatwave.com will be back in the next 24 hours or so.

Daequan Cook is the Future

Daequan Cook had 17 points in his Heat debut, but that was hardly the headline. It was how quickly he scored and how precise his stroke was.

The kid from OSU was not setting the nets on fire at any time this preseason. He was noted for his age, and usually with his talent his lack of production was excused. Yet, it seemed somewhat off.

I pegged this kid to be another Ray Allen-type scorer - a real quick shot, athletic and explosive and can find his spot anywhere on the floor. He has great awareness of how to move without the ball and find a way to score. The problem is, execution.

The other thing this kid has is an enormous ego and confidence to play full time at this level. Both assets are palpable, and needed to push someone to be a very good or great player in this league.

Concerns abound. Will he find himself shooting like this another night in the NBA this season? Heck, will he even find himself coming off the bench anytime during this season with Riley dishing out PT to whomever he feels comfortable with? Let's hope so because Cook is the future.

Not in the way Dwyane Wade is. Wade is the face of this franchise - he is actually making Shaq matter at this point of his career. Cook, however, could be an excellent complementary player that can help this franchise not just win championships, but help the team transition into a future without Shaq. Right now, the Heat is limited on its outside shooting - and they can afford to be because of the space Shaq creates.

A backcourt of Wade and Cook might be an interesting thing to watch develop, too. Wade usually gets the ball in crunchtime and if Cook can play confidently and show he can play defense, his ability to play without the ball would complement Wade's game and make him even more dangerous as he can choose where he wants to make a play on the floor.

Let's face it, Riley is only coaching to win another championship. That said, Cook is probably far from his mind - even more so than Dorell Wright, of course. But it is tantalizing to think about Cook's abilities in this offense, his skill set as a complementary score, only underlines his future promise to this team. Was last night against Indy a preview or an aberration? Time will tell.

Opening Night in Miami

Some reactions on Opening Night in Miami for the Heat's 20th NBA season.

Has it really been 20 years? I was 10 when the Heat came to town...funny how time flies. Especially when you want a second championship.

Ricky Davis looked ok in his debut. He has to learn the intricacies of Riley's offense, but basically when this team is hoping to play in the 80s, there is a longer learning curve. But does anyone else feel that this team looks a lot more athletic with Dorell, Davis and Smush on the floor?

Detroit just has our number. Even Smush couldn't finish a dunk tonight, the Heat were just off. I mean Tayshaun Prince had 33 points tonight. In fact, he is typing this blog for me from the AAA on my computer and I live in Aventura. Just saying, the guy has freakishly long arms. Arms like stilts.

Zo looked majestic. Too bad this is his "last" season in the NBA, he still looks like a full time starter out ther eon the floor - manning the paint and contesting every shot.

Dorell Wright is intent on being the best kept secret in the NBA. Or at least Riley is intent on keeping it that way.

We had an Alexander Johnson sighting. I expect big things from him. Really.

But I also expect better from this Miami team. No Wade, no win, but we got Indy up next.

Ricky Davis Returns

Now that is more like it.

When the offseason started, we all knew Miami had to get younger and more athletic. Not for the reasons you may think - the Heat's foundation is not deteriorated or old, but rather because they just needed to change things. Youth tends to lend you more athleticism but also more hunger - which is what the Heat really need. To get back on that championship diet.

In comes Ricky Davis, the former Heatian who did not stick because he was, well, too young and probably too athletic for Riley to coach up. Now he's a vet, and things are different. He is a bit more mature, but still quite brash - something Miami also could use these days. We need some head-banded attitude. Now we got Smush Parker and Ricky Davis.

Also in the deal Minny threw in Mark Blount. All it cost the Heat is Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac and Wayne Simien. Let's face it, Walker was fun to watch when things were going good, painful to watch when they weren't. He is always going to be a member of the Heat's only (for now!) championship team. His Walker Wiggle still gives me the giggles, but his game is highly inefficient and sometimes God-awful to watch. His contract, soaring up to $10M per is just as bad.

As for Doleac and Simien? Expendable. Doleac for Blount is actually an upgrade as Blount has a better arsenal and could be an excellent addition coming off the bench. Upgrade. As for Simien, he just seems to not be able to get it together in Miami. That and we have a very nice prospect in Alexander Johnson who could hold his spot on the bench instead.

This is a great move all around as it gives Miami more options to play with. The Heat need a SG to start the season and frankly, they didn't have a really good option until they traded for Davis. Now, they could start Davis at the 2 or the 3 - depending on whether or not Dorrel Wright can wrestle the starting job. Of course, this was the biggest question for Miami - Wright had to be the starter coming out for them to really have any kind of success. Now, things aren't as dire.

Heat Lack of Depth Should Force Youth Movement

Riley is starting to get to me these days. Look, we don't have the greatest depth in the world and at times last season we were seen as slow, old, sluggish, apathetic and just not hungry enough to care.

Gone are Jason Kapono, arguably our best outside shooter since Glen Rice, and James Posey - the defensive dynamo that had the panache for big shots.

What are we left with, a Penny Hardaway comeback story? Riley, are you serious?

Sure, Hardaway could be a serviceable presence in tough game situations, like the playoffs. But you have to get their first.

The general consensus is that Riley would be more likely to keep Hardaway over young players like Jeremy Richardson or Devin Green. Why?! Just because it is a name that is familiar to Riley? He's thinking about 8 years ago when he should be thinking about 8 years from now.

Fortunately, players like Dorell Wright, Daequan Cook, Wayne Simien and Alexander Johnson are all in spots where the Heat need them. Joel Anthony, Marcus Slaughter, and possibly even Earl Barron could be sent packing even though each has talent enough to make the roster. Then there is the backup PG battle heating up between Chris Quinn and Brian Chase...

This bias - or is it an unhealthy fixation - has no benefit. Hardaway is not going to give the Heat more of a future than a talent like Jeremy Richardson, a player who can play in this league and contribute. Look at Allan Houston - the Knicks told him, finally, to pack it up. Doug Christie is still trying to make his comeback - or sell his blasted book about he and his wife's love life (bleck!). Christie contacted the Heat, ironically, and they said no.

So why should Hardaway get a spot that would be best served for a younger player with more upside? Because Riley doesn't want to spend his time developing players and his demands are high. He wants perfection. That is great, but frankly, a veteran might be less likely to make a mental mistake, but is going to be far more limited in what he can do on the court. It really is a tradeoff.

Yet, you can't win games if no one comes to play healthy. Hardaway's durability is just as much of a question as is how would Richardson perform in games. Hardaway might have more experience, but Richardson has less miles.

On a team that saw its two superstars miss almost an entire season's worth of games, there is little to be gained by having another high mileage presence that could be out with an injury. Wade is already going to miss at least the first month. Time to shift the thinking around here.

Heat Having Rough Preseason

The Heat got routed in Orlando tonight, 102-69. Sure they were without Shaq, Wade, Jason Williams and even Penny Hardaway, but the Magic were without several key players, too. Van Gundy, coaching for the first time against his old team, noted that the Heat were a different team without their stars.

Kind of like the entire season last year.

There was too many turnovers from both teams - 44 - and fouls - 33 - to really see any kind of rhythm in the game. Of note, Dorell Wright had 6 blocks in what was a rather ugly night for Heat games - luckily the game wasn't televised, right?

Heat Getting Jolt of Energy

Let's face it, Pat Riley knows what he is doing.

He is like that guy that quietly sits down at the bar, nestles on up and asks for his drink. While he does so, everyone stops what they are doing and watches for his next move.

You can feel the anticipation in the air.

Riley has not blown the doors off by simply pulling the trigger on an easy, big ticket deal that would instantly make Miami the favorites in the East. That would be too easy, and too amateur. If anything, Riley is no amateur. Besides, he has pulled that old trick before in the past - trading for Zo in the earlier heydays of the Heat team which lead to a series of successes in the mid to late 90's (and some heartbreaks) and also with the most recent trade of Shaq. Been there, done that, got the ring.

Other teams might feel the need to shortcut their way to the top - like Boston - but it is always a risky deal because you have to have the right components in place: a coach that can coach, a team culture that is about winning and pride. The Heat have that, and have always had that - except for last season the mix wasn't there. The team was bloated on its championship and believe it or not, one of the key components to last season's disaster is gone - James Posey. This isn't to knock Posey but failing to come in to camp in shape is one thing. A guy like Antoine Walker will never be that chiseled because of his body type, but the effort was there. With Posey, is just looked like complacency. This year's camp is already looking drastically different.

And it is the unsung, unknown young guys that are making the difference.

What Riley is quietly doing is taking the old recipe and infusing it with new ingredients. This is a factor that most of us mere mortals chose to ignore and instead whine about not getting the big trade that would instantly improve the team. Yet it isn't about instant gratification if you are trying to do something right, it is about a system and the process of executing that system. You need the right components.

You could add the right component by making a trade and also give up some of your talent that is currently in house.

Or you can fill the tub with your own water, and develop the talent to fit into your system.

The latter works especially well if you believe it is just a minor tweak that is needed rather than an overhaul. And this is in fact what Riley believes. Trading for a Zo or a Shaq is a statement about turning over the team's culture. When you have both of those guys on your roster, you really only need to tweak things.

The real difference between a good player and a great player is intrinsic motivation. If you have it, you don't need a guy screaming in your ear telling you to shoot 1000 more free throws or to go to the gym at 4 in the morning. You do all of that because you want to be great. You know nothing else.

In that category are players like Wade, Shaq and Zo. Others on the roster may have delusions of granduer, but because of Shaq, Zo and Wade they will be raising their play much in the same way the moon orbits the earth - because of gravity. Riley understands this principle, he has developed a system and has won everywhere he has coached. Having championship bookends on your coaching career only validates that you know what you are doing.

And Riley is up to something. He has taken this team and injected it with an infusion of youth in order to push the great players and the hoi polloi into getting back to the level they were in 2006.

It might come down to a guy like Brian Chase ultimately shaping the focus of this team more than Riley can do. And that is essentially what a great coach does - he puts things in place and stands aside while the team takes over its own destiny.

Training Camp 2007: It All Starts Here

The offseason hasn't been kind to the Miami Heat - in fact, it seems like they put the "off" in offseason.

From the misses on Mo Williams, Mickael Pietrus, Juan Carlos Navarro - even Charlie Bell - Miami was unable to add a marquee name to its roster. Heck, even a somewhat vague name would have helped.

There is hope though. After years of stacking up with veteran help signing to the bare minimum, Riley FINALLY shifted gears a bit and stocked up on young talent - signing them to the bare minimum.

There is a noted difference in camp with the younger crowd. The team seems a bit more hungry and energetic - things they definitely were not last season.

The buzz? Keep an eye on Jeremy Richardson. We have been pretty high on this guy's athletic ability and his skills offensively. He was kind of labeled a project with some upside, but he has matured physically and with the Heat's system, they may be able to fine tune him enough to get into the rotation. Riley has commented that Richardson reminds him of a young Glen Rice, which would obviously be a good thing for the Heat since they will need to find an offensive shooting presence off the bench to replace Jason Kapono.

Another young guy to keep an eye on is Alexander Johnson. If he can show his promise and deliver consistent performances, he could squeeze into the backup PF role that was envisioned for Wayne Simien. Johnson, however, has more skill, more size, more explosiveness. If both he and Richardson can show they belong, the role for Antoine Walker, the Heat's most controversial and most inefficient player, becomes diminished.

At point guard there seems to be some excitement over Jason Williams' quickness returning. He has said that he feels the best he has in about 5 years, and that his lateral quickness is back and he can actually penetrate into the paint. Everyone has been raving about J-Dub's ability to pass the ball and how his energy level is up. Shedding 15 pounds and resting some surgically repaired knees will help.

Which brings us to Williams' backup, Smush Parker. It seems an ankle injury that never healed is bugging him, keeping him limited in practice for now. Rest assured, that the Heat have a capable backup PG that could keep pushing the tempo once Williams' is resting on the bench. Riley, of course, realizes he cannot push Jason Williams as much, but if healthy, it would be more prudent to keep him minutes limited so he can endure the regular season for the post season.

Yet, if Parker is not able to practice, there is an interesting battle for the 3rd spot heating up between Chris Quinn and Brian Chase. Chase was recently signed by the Heat after Shaq recommended him to Riley. The ex Utah Jazz point guard displays great quickness and agility and proves to be a tough defensive assignment at only 5'9". He is also pushing pressure on Chris Quinn to make the final roster.

As for other tidbits from the start of camp, there is Penny Hardaway's future with the Heat, which seems to be that of veteran presence off the bench much like Shandon Anderson was or even Eddie Jones was of last season. Also, Daequan Cook continues to show promise - the good news is he is playing with confidence and he is in shape. If he can continue to develop his game, he might get some solid minutes in the regular season.

And then there is the biggest question mark of all, Dorell Wright. If he can finally live up to the promise of being the Heat's only high school draft pick ever, it would be a boon for the Heat. He has grown, he has filled out some, and he seems to be taking a much more mature and professional approach this summer as he takes on probably his more pivotal point of his career. If he can show defensive skill while at the same time controlling the ball and hitting his jumper consistently, Riley may have found his starting small forward. If not, the Heat may be pressed to make a move.

Charlie Bell: The One That Got Away?

Well, as we all know (and some of us expected) the Bucks matched the Heat's offer for Charlie Bell - which means he won't be moving to Miami anytime soon.

We could all pin our hopes on a trade, but it was more likely the Heat were going to make a trade if they retained Bell than they would actually trade for Bell.

What this means is the Heat's offseason continues to disappoint. Sure, it was a long shot and Riley basically took a shot in the dark on this, but it wasn't quite like the genius moves of the 2003 offseason where Riley dangled money for Elton Brand only to snatch up the Clippers other RFA, Lamar Odom. Mo Williams re-signed with Milwaukee, but because they are possibly even cheaper than the Clippers they had enough money to match Bell, too.

But this brings up an interesting discussion - or two rather.

1) Is the restricted free agent situation even a worthwhile pursuit? It seems like teams hold all the cards and the only negotiation ploy for an RFA is to threaten to go to Europe. This is what Bell did, and it is what Sarunas Jasikevicius is doing as is Mickeal Pietrus. Pietrus just wants to play in Miami, but it is looking like Golden State has some kind of weird vendetta against Pietrus and will stop at nothing to flounder his ideas. So, he threatens to stay in Europe - but the trick is, even if he does go to Europe, when he comes back to the NBA the Warriors still hold his rights and he is still in the same situation.

As an RFA in the NBA, you're basically screwed. Methinks that will get tinkered with come time for the next CBA.

2) Did signing Smush as an act of desperation stifle the Heat's ability to sign a guy like Charlie Bell? Yes, it did. But the real question is, who was more valued - Bell or Smush? It seems Smush is, but if he isn't, than what is the explanation for the Heat? Bell was available all summer, yet they made no overtures. They would have been better off pushing for a deal at the start of the offseason, like the Raptors did with Kapono, and we may have had him here in Miami. After all, the Bucks had to deal with the Yi situation and then the Mo money scenario. Quietly going after Bell at that time would may have been too much for Milwaukee to handle and they might have let him go since they were trying to plan on retaining the other priorities.

That is, if you think Bell was a highly coveted target at all. I think it was more of a 'hey, why not?' kind of move for Miami. No risk, all reward. And now the Bucks have to deal with that 5 year contract.

The Open J: Grab Bag

So the offseason has been a bit slow, but some of you have been stopping by and reading what we are covering these days. Time to return the favor!

I pulled this question out of one of our comments, posted by jasond76. He asked:

I agree about Johnson, actually. Although I honestly had to research him to become more familiar with what he could offer, I really think he could be a positive player for the Heat. Anyone Hollinger rates as a top 10 rookie around the all-star break is a great addition. With all of the interest Haslem is garnering, is there a chance we might trade Haslem for other needs (SF, a younger/healthier PG) and consider giving Johnson major minutes?

Hollinger rated Alex Johnson in the top 10 rookie class, huh? I didn't know that, very interesting.

I think we have to be realistic about something - Udonis Haslem has probably the most value of the Heat players that we could part with. Sure, you could argue that Jason Williams does, since he has a one year deal. But Haslem's age and affordable contract, coupled with his production and experience, make him an excellent candidate to be a complementary piece for a playoff team. The question is, as I believe I understand jasond76's suggestion, is can the Heat actually afford to part with him? On another "Open J" article, I actually posted that the Heat should trade UD.

So, my answer is yes.

The only question is, to whom? First things first - can Alexander Johnson push Haslem from the starting spot? Quite possibly. That isn't to say UD is not any good, just that Johnson has vast potential and it has gone quite untapped since his college days at FSU. He is explosive, athletic, and with those gifts comes confidence that he can perform at the pro level. He can rebound, he can score, and his long reach enable him to defend better and hurry his assignments and force them to shoot contested shots. UD gets better positioning, but that is something Johnson can work on and obtain with experience. Johnson has a solid midrange game, not quite as good as UD's, but Haslem was not polished by any means coming into training camp as an undrafted rookie with the Heat a few years back.

Yes, Haslem is expendable, and for that very reason he should be dealt. We Heat fans tend to overvalue him, but coupled with another asset, something tangible could be yielded in return.

Also, watch this Charlie Bell signing very carefully. If the Heat are able to retain him, this could be a signal that a move is imminent. On its own, this Bell signing has very good value as the Heat gain a shooter and scorer in Bell that could complement Wade's game and even afford the Heat to play Bell alongside Wade while giving Bell the point guard as the defensive assignment. And they could do so with confidence. This of course means that Jason Williams could be just a bit more expendable, but it would also mean that the Heat would have to be confident with Smush Parker as their starting PG.

The Johnson signing definitely makes Haslem a bit more expendable. Signing Bell could mean that we would be free to drop another asset into the pot to pull the trigger on a deal. We'll see if the gambit pays off.

Thanks again, jasond76 for the question. Keep 'em coming!

Charlie Bell Signs Offer Sheet with Miami Heat

This may signal another move in the works. Then again, it might be a pipe dream.

The Heat extended an offer to Charlie Bell and he took it. The 6'3" guard who has been stuck in Milwaukee the last few years, signed an offer sheet with the Heat for 5 years at 18.5M. The Bucks can match, but reports were that they expected to entice Bell with less than a million per season. Bell and his representation started to explore playing in Europe as an option to free him from the Bucks, but with the Heat's signing the Bucks may be reluctant to match but instead look for another option.

The Bucks have 7 days to match the Heat's offer...that means mark the 24th on your calendar. Let the countdown begin.

Shaq's Divorce

Look, this is something that belongs on TMZ or some other celebrity head-hunting site. Nevertheless, it is news about a Heat player and we must cover it. So, our commentary is this - oh well. Looks like there was some marital trouble in Shaq-ra-la. It seems to be due to suspicions about finances. Looking for more?

Read:
Greg Cote's Blog
Should we all be more like Shaunie?
Sun-Sentinel

Heat Getting Older?

That's right, as if the media can't make fun of the Heat enough, there is a possibility the Heat could actually get older.

Apparently the latest buzz is the Heat are interested in two names that may seem familiar to NBA fans of several years ago - Doug Christie and Allan Houston.

Christie has stated that he is going to play again this season and has several offers from teams for private workouts. He has been making the circuit, and in actuality the Heat is a team that looks to be a consideration. Since the loss of Posey, the Heat are in need of a tough, physical perimeter defender and Christie could provide that as well as a solid outside shot. Since he would be viewed as a stretch, due to his age, his value would be high in the sense that he could really only demand the veteran minimum salary.

The other possibility is more intriguing for Heat fans, considering the history. Alan Houston has been a favorite of Riley's and is in great shape and has an excellent understanding of positioning on offense. He can play off of Shaq and Wade - however, due to his advanced age at his position, he might not be able to offer more than 15 or even 20 minutes of high level play. At 36, he came in the league with Shaq and has ties to the big fella, although his history against the Heat would make his signing hard to swallow. Reportedly, both the Heat and the Cavaliers are interested.

Right now it is highly unlikely that the Heat make a big move via a trade, but rather they will most likely sign a player in order to thicken the pool going into camp. Adding either Christie or Houston would be an intriguing move to bolster the roster and shore up a hole left by a departing player.

Posey No More

James Posey signs with the Celtics

So things didn't work out as planned. Jason Kapono was not supposed to bolt for Toronto and James Posey was supposed to be signed-and-traded to another team so the Heat could find a suitable replacement.

Looks like neither things happened and the Heat have to deal with it. Or just deal.

Signing Alexander Johnson may be a prelude to a deal, as he adds depth at the power forward position and with Posey's departure all that is left at SF is potentially Wright, Penny and summer league prospect Jeremy Richardson. It just seems like something has to give.

But what happened? Did the Heat really make a run at signing Posey, or did they just assume he would be out of their price range?

And since he clearly wasn't, what exactly is meant by a competitive offer? Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein - also Mo Williams' agent - confirmed that the Heat did tender an offer but that it ultimately was a better opportunity to play in Boston than in Miami.

Huh?

Talk about a bandwagon - it's already bloated and full in Boston. Apparently all it took was landing Kevin Garnet and the trophy is on a one way ticket to Boston. But seriously, what does this say about Miami's chances? They made a "competitive offer" to one of their own free agents, and he takes the same - or less - money to play in Boston? Shaq and Wade aren't enough, not to mention you live in Miami and have one ring just a season removed already. What kind of an opportunity is Posey looking for?

This should sting a bit to the Heat players, their coaches and their fans. None of us expected that Posey would stick around, but the fact that the market was so bad for FAs this season should have only increased our chances of retaining Posey, yet the Heat didn't seem to be interested. And perhaps, that is the biggest shock of all - Miami had graded Posey out of their plans and instead hoped they could use him as a chip to trade up with.

Could it be a rivarly in the making? Well, let's let Boston get their bearings and see how good they will be by mid season first. Right now, they are a bunch of names and unsure depth.

Alexander Johnson Fits in Miami

He's young and he is under appreciated. Most fans will not have heard of Alexander Johnson, unless they were Florida State basketball fans - like myself.

I had the privilege of watching Alexander Johnson play basketball at FSU while Leonard Hamilton was just starting up his program and right away I was impressed with his physical ability.

Johnson seems to be cut in that same mold as a Charles Barkely, a physical player with a strong power game and the ability to explode and surprise opponents. See for yourself:



Johnson has a long wingspan and can play on both ends of the floor. He is a gifted athlete, has good agility and quick feet and can get up off the floor very quickly - sometimes it can be somewhat surprising as he looks slower than he is. Just check that video above.

He can stick the jumper to about 18 feet, he has good form and a high release point and he can play physical down low in the block. He also has shown great passing ability and at FSU he was frequently used to set up plays at the top of the key.

Also while at FSU, Johnson often took on the tough, physical assignments and proved he was up to the task. In fact, it almost seemed as if he preferred it. He might have struggles against smaller, quicker players but only because of his positioning and understanding of defensive techniques needs some help when guarding players. However, he is a very strong rebounder on both ends of the floor due to his physical nature, his vertical leap (around 40") and his reach. In fact, some scouts and experts marked Johnson the 2nd most athletic big man in the draft behind Tyrus Thomas.

The Heat just got younger at PF and expanded their roster up to 18 players by signing Johnson. He also signed a high value contract for 2 years at 1.5M - this demonstrates the Heat are thinking more shrewdly about their situation. With Shaq and Wade eating up a bulk of the finances, the Heat have to be smarter with their spending which means they need to focus on younger talent that could be cheaper and fit their system while at the same time tolerating more risk on the court. Alexander Johnson just makes sense.

Further Reading:
Ex-FSU Star Signs with Miami

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Also, keep an eye on PJ Brown. Rumor has it he would like to retire after this season and he might be looking to do it in Miami where he would have a chance to win a title and finish up where he spent his better professional years.

All's Quiet on the Offseason Front

We shouldn't mistake the relative quiet from the Heat for inactivity. Rest assured that options are being explored but don't bet on anything happening at this point.

I know we all but gave Mickael Pietrus a Heat jersey, but it is looking like the Heat are retracting their interest. Maybe it is a ploy to drive up Dorell Wright's value - or maybe they really are that interested in Wright after all. One thing is for certain, Riley needs to play him and give him a shot and the only thing that seemed to keep him shackled on the bench was his inconsistent shot. Statistically, you might be surprised to learn that Wright fared pretty well against his peers at his position. He demonstrated himself to be fairly efficient, but he excelled at rebounding and that is something the Heat need more of, especially on the offensive side.

That and the fact that the Heat "leaked" information that Wright is now being listed at 6'10" make him an even more intriguing prospect that even last season. Perhaps some time at PF in addition to SF? We'll see. But it is also one of the reasons why Riley is going to stand "pat" with the roster at this point.

Also, there is the Penny factor. He has been getting rave reviews from other players who have seen him in private workouts, and also he has been doing a pretty good job working with some of the young players like Daequan Cook and Jeremy Richardson - a sleeper at the SF spot that might even get some significant PT if he makes this team.

So, although the Heat haven't made that big splash, and it is uncertain if they will or not, there is reason for hope here as some of the key young players have room for growth and with Kapono and Posey almost entirely out of the way, there is certainly an X factor that could see the Heat's identity change and grow. That is, if Riley is open to it. Which may be illustrated by a trade - if he makes one, he needs to make it. If not, he might be satisfied with his talent already.

Ime Udoka No Longer a Possibility for the Heat

Take Ime Udoka off the board. The Heat will not be able to sign the defensively-minded guard that worked his way up from the NBDL and obscure Portland State into a starter on the Blazers last season.

The Oregonian is reporting that Udoka is close to finalizing a deal with the Spurs, the defending champs, on his way out of Portland. It seems that the Blazers drew Udoka out of their plans with their flurry of offseason moves.

Udoka, who can stick the three and has developed a reputation for being a tough perimeter defender, will probably land a deal in the $2M ranger starting out. He would have been a very good option for the Heat who are looking for more depth at the guard and small forward positions, and his pricetag is in the Heat's financial range.

Reminiscing With Little Penny

So there was a rift between Shaq and Penny, probably over Little Penny and all his off court antics. It has been troubling times for Little Penny, out of work for many years due to a declining Penny Hardaway. But now, with a new team and a new lease on life, and claiming his knees are pain free, Penny Hardaway is back with Shaq for one final run and rumors of Little Penny's return have started.

Let's take a moment to consider some of Lil' Penny's work:









Still trying to find that documentary about what happened to Little Penny. There was a rough patch for him and he had to go through drug rehab. He doesn't seem to want to talk about that though.

Hardaway Signing Shows Riley to Be Cheap and Lazy

Riley the GM has failed to give Riley the coach any assets to do battle with this season. At least, any significant upgrades for this upcoming season - but it really wasn't Riley the GM's fault, his hands were tied by his penny-pinching owner.

So much so that everyone is trying to figure out how much a penny is worth because the Heat just picked up a Penny.

The Hardaway signing is validation of the Heat's modus operandi - that they will rely on Riley's old, tired, and stubborn method of coaching as well as continue to waist the resource they have in Shaq and even in DWade. Instead of unleashing hell this offseason, the Heat pinned it up and went home before everyone started unfurling their tents.

If the Heat were just cheap, that would be one thing. There are other, better options on the table still: Ruben Patterson, Jumaine Jones, Dahntay Jones, Jalen Rose, Ime Udoka, James Singleton, James White even Josh Powell. All have been active NBA players over the last two seasons - which is something that cannot be said for Penny. But the Heat are lazy, too and it is evident because of this fact - there are better options available but the Heat just went for the retread, the known name.

Make no mistake, Penny will be used much more heavily than perhaps he should be. It isn't about his age or about how he torched NBA camp veteran Ron Hale, it is about Riley's mind being stuck somewhat around 1998. I mean really, why let Eddie Jones go if you were just going to sign a guy in the same age bracket with a similar skill set but is not really as good of a defender?

What this means is now Daequan Cook and Dorell Wright will not get off the bench a whole lot and that this move only retards their growth. If Riley the coach didn't want these talents on his team, he should have had a conversation with Riley the GM. I mean, they have the same agent at least, right? Penny Hardaway, who looks nothing like his puppet I might add, is going to have to fight for his spot in the rotation but he will have less to prove since he is more of a known quantity to Riley.

Yet, does this really improve the Heat? Smush Parker is an upgrade over Payton since he is young, has a pulse, and can tie his own shoes. Payton only had two out of three of those qualities. But Penny, who is he replacing?

If he is replacing Eddie Jones, then fine. But if he is replacing James Posey, we are in a world of sh*%. As nice as a story as Penny Hardaway could be, he is far from proven at this point and is only cashing in on his past accomplishments.

This Heat team needed less history and more ceiling. Riley, as the coach, is not interested in ceiling and growth but instead in what he can grasp and quantify as proof. Penny's past, for Riley, demonstrates what he can do - even if it data about 10 years outdated.

There are better options for Miami - even a potential Mickael Pietrus deal which would have made a huge splash and turned around the Heat's dreadful offseason - but Riley has been unable to pull the trigger. Again, I hope it is due to the other team's demands and not to Riley's lack of vision. I sincerely hope this is not a point in which Riley shows himself an outdated dinosaur incapable of growth himself.

But in signing Penny Hardaway, it only shows the Heat to be cheap, lazy and unimaginative.

Deja Vu: Heat Sign Another Hardaway

Anfernee Hardaway. Wow. Almost like dusting off an old relic out of the garage.

The Heat finds new ways to confuse this offseason as they sign Anfernee Hardaway to a contract today, terms not disclosed.

It is an interesting consideration with this signing because essentially, the Heat have replaced Gary Payton with Smush Parker, which is an upgrade, and now is looking to replace Eddie Jones with Anfernee Hardaway.

There was a time when this would have been a ballyhooed move, but that was probably about 10 years ago. What can we expect from Hardaway? His last time on the court in an NBA game was in November of 2005: Gas prices were under $2.50 back then. Still, he has been working hard on his conditioning and getting himself back into game shape after succumbing to knee injuries in 2005, his final season with the Knicks.

There might be more to prove off the court, too, as Ira Winderman seems to suggest. Shaq and Hardaway have grown apart and based on some of the things Shaq said, there might have to be an agreement just to move forward without reconciliation.

Yet for the Heat this is a value move. They get a guy who can play the 1, 2 or 3 and offer more depth at SF and offer competition to the pool of players that are chasing that starting spot. In other words, this is a signal that Riley is still not sold on Dorell Wright but would Penny help this Heat team regain its foothold atop the East? Not likely, unless he has been a real revelation behind closed doors.

For more reaction join us on the boards.

Pietrus Still Wants to Play in Miami

Reports out of France are that Mickael Pietrus still wants to play in Miami and there is a slight chance that could still happen - but it will depend on how valuable James POsey is to the Golden State Warriors. Or some other team for that matter that would like to be a part of a three team deal to send Pietrus to Miami and grab Posey for themselves.

The Warriors just re-signed Matt Barnes, an unrestricted free agent, to a one year deal worth about as much as Mickael Pietrus' offer of 3.5M. There are concerns that because the Warriors signed Barnes to a 3M portion of their MLE, they will go further into the luxury tax to keep Pietrus - something they are not willing to do. Which means there may be a window of opportunity for Miami to make something happen - if they value Pietrus enough to go over the luxury threshold themselves.

Wade Defends Heat's Offseason: Welcome to Plan B

Wade's defense of the Heat's offseason was unnecessary. We all know that the Heat had limited financial tools to get anything done this offseason - in fact, that is kind of the point.

The Heat are limited in that they can only use their MLE, bi-annual exception and a veteran minimum exception to entice anyone to play in Miami (again, why MLB has it right - they don't handcuff teams willing to spend to win). But the Heat are being cheap because Mickey Arison, only worth a few billion himself, doesn't want to pay the luxury tax for players he adds to this team.

Hey Mickey, you only get one shot at this. You have Shaq on your roster, arguably one of the greatest forces that ever played in the NBA. And you want to limit your chances at turning your franchise from an average one into one of the premier franchises in the NBA because of a few million dollars?

It's like Michelangelo turning down the Sistine Chapel because he didn't want to lay on his back while painting.

Sometimes to do something monumental you have to commit to it just a little more than everyone else. After all, that is how it becomes a great achievement.

And here stands one of the best young talents in the NBA, with truly a shot at being one of the all time greats, Dwyane Wade, and he is talking about how the Heat tried but couldn't get the talent they needed. Isn't that ironic?

Pat Riley, as usual, disappears when something like this goes down. He wants to wash his hands of it and not get involved. Yet if something positive happens, he's right there to take his lion's share of the credit.

Sure, the Heat tried, but in truth they didn't really try. They didn't want to overpay - like they did with Anthony Carter, Eddie Jones, Brian Grant. They wanted to prove themselves shrewd and smart and savy, stating that they knew the market and what they needed.

Then they should have just stated up front that they were targeting Smush Parker and that is it. Because they proved themselves to be damning to their own cause: like pumping up Mo Williams' value by bringing him in for a recruiting trip. If not for that, the Heat may have landed Williams at a steal.

The Heat had an option to add one of the best talents in Europe with Barcelona PG Juan Carlos Navarro, but the Wizards were asking too much. The Heat chose not to up their offer from a draft pick and thus the Grizzlies nabbed him - for their draft pick.

So what does this mean? That Miami is still a good destination for NBA players, just they don't have the money to spend. But Riley has to realize that because of this limitation, he cannot bail himself out with a big ticketed acquisition. This calls for Plan B or "Riley Has to Coach the Damned Thing".

Dwyane Wade addressed the media from his basketball camp in Davie, and defended the Heat's offseason by stating that they just didn't have the financial space available to make a move. Yet, he also pushed Dorell Wright out there when he said it could present an opportunity for him to play.

And Wade's right. But Riley has to show he can grow as a coach and not be stubborn about playing a talent like Wright, who simply needs experience and a chance to utilize his skills; he certainly will get the chance in training camp.

Because of the Heat's limited financial situation, Riley is going to have to do his best job as a coach since as a GM he couldn't help much. Yet, this season will call for a challenge to Riley's definition of himself as a coach - he will have to be more flexible in who he is willing to play.

Since the Heat could not go out and get a big ticket item, they are going to have to turn to developing players like Wright, Jeremy Richardson, Trey Johnson, Daequan Cook and even Smush Parker to round out their roster.

Could the Heat Trade for Jermaine O'neal?

Apparently, Jermaine O'neal wants out of Indy and a trip to LA. That's nice. But since we are speculating here, why not see if Miami could be a suitable option for the other O'neal?

The rumor is that the Lakers have been pushing for JLo, as I like to call him due to his incessant on-court whining, but have been only offering Andrew Bynum and Kwame Brown as integral parts of the deal. The Pacers want Odom, but the Lakers want to keep Lamar to integrate further into their triangle which is the crux of Phil Jackson's "genius" label, eventhough it comes from Tex Winters.

Can the Heat trump that deal? Possibly.

Jermaine O'neal is scheduled to make 19.7M, 21.3M and 22.9M over the next three years. That is pretty sizeable.

The Heat could counter with Jason Williams (8.9M) and Antoine Walker (8.5M) for a total of 17.4M.

This leaves the Heat about 2.3M short in the financial aspect of the deal. So, throw in Udonis Haslem (6.0M) and the Heat are roughly up 3.7M. The Pacers could counter with Jamaal Tinsley, who makes 6.3M this upcoming season: Heat would be -2.6M.

Now the Heat could counter with offering Dorell Wright (1.7M) or they could take one of the aforementioned players off the board (Udonis Haslem, or even Jason Williams or Antoine Walker) and instead use James Posey as a sign-and-trade to make the numbers stick.

The question remains, is this a more attractive offer for the Pacers than Bynum and Brown? It could be because they would be getting O'neal's contract off the books and getting solid value in return. Jason Williams would come off their books and free the Pacers up to spend roughly 8M more next season. They could also get Walker off the books via a buyout or ride it out one more season and get him off the books in 2008-2009. The Pacers would also get rid of Jamaal Tinsley's risky contract - he has 4 more years left (6.3M, 6.7M, 7.2M, and 7.5M) and with injury concerns.

For the Heat, it would be an interesting move that would generate some more buzz to counter the Boston trade for Kevin Garnett. The Heat would gain that legit third star they need to take pressure off of Shaq and Dwade and it might be enough to vault them back into championship contention immediately. The Heat would also gain a floor leader whose skill set would complement Wade and Shaq's much better - a strong defender who can handle the ball and move the offense. With Jermaine O'neal, the Heat wouldn't require Tinsley to score but he could stick the open shot when needed.

Ultimately, the Heat would give up:
Jason Williams
Antoine Walker
Udonis Haslem
Dorell Wright
and/or James Posey

and recieve from the Pacers in return:
Jermaine O'neal
Jamaal Tinsley

Of course, that is 4 or possibly 3 players that the Pacers would recieve in exchange for two and roster moves would have to be made to make room.

The real question is, why couldn't the Heat get involved in trade talks with the Pacers? Couldn't they offer just as much if not more than the Lakers? Would they be willing to do so? Would it cost the Heat too much down the road? The answer to that last question is not really. Sure, they would have three players with around a combined 55M payroll, but the contracts would last until Shaq's final season 2009-2010. Both O'neals would come off the books and Wade would have a player option in place should he choose to invoke it.

It's too much of a risk to not try and make that move. Especially as how much better the East has gotten this past offseason.

Juan Carlos Navarro and Eddie Jones Escape

Any potential deal for Juan Carlos Navarro is all but dead and now Eddie Jones has left the building, once again. The Heat continue to be off in the offseason as it seems.

Coming into the offseason, the Heat needed to address two major areas - point guard depth and small forward depth. The Heat needed to get more athletic and dynamic, seeing as the Bulls were able to pick apart Miami's defense and steal pretty much every matchup at will.

With the signing of Smush Parker, the Heat did meet those requirements even if the signing is practically unheralded. With the Heat being strapped financially, most likely any deal of significance would come via a trade. Juan Carlos Navarro was one such target, but it never emerged.

I have to disagree with Ira Winderman about Juan Carlos Navarro. He would have been an excellent pickup for the Heat to play alongside Wade. What the Heat need is not a point guard - that is just an archaic title that doesn't apply to NBA players in today's game. Navarro is a combo guard; he can shoot, he can pass and create, he can run the offense or sit back and be a complimentary player in that he can stick the open shot and work the floor. Basically, Navarro is what the Heat need from Jason Williams - and he's young (27) and has plenty of hard core international experience, some of it against Team USA. That is, until the championship rounds where the American teams have not made it.

Navarro would have been an excellent complementary player for Wade and Shaq, spreading the floor and taking over ball-handling duties as well as being able to be marketed to the South Florida Spanish-speaking crowd. Sure he wouldn't play lock down defense, but that is what Smush is for in the first place - to be Gary's replacement off the bench.

However, the Wizards were asking a lot and the Heat's first round pick would have been very similar to the Grizzlies offer and it wouldn't necessitate the Wizz to deal within their own division. Yes, I think Navarro is going to be an excellent NBA player - he has the skill set to score and create on offense. So it would be wise for the Wizards to not risk getting torched by the guy they traded away.

But let's hope that is the reason why Navarro slipped through the Heat's fingers. Pat Riley did go all the way to Spain to meet with Navarro to see if he was interested in playing in Miami. Turns out it was a trip for the tapas and a hangout with Woody Allen, too (who was also in Spain and met up with Navarro - I have no idea why). Because the Heat missed out on Mo Williams due to money, and Francis due to his desire to play in Houston. Let's hope Navarro isn't going elsewhere because Riley couldn't muscle up to the table.

As for Eddie Jones, this is a blow in terms of depth potential. Realistically, EJ would be a perimeter defender off the bench and shouldn't offer too much more. He would have basically slipped into the Shandon Anderson role, but EJ could drop some buckets on opponents when needed. Still, one can help but feel that the Heat did not miss out here - Riley would have most likely been overly dependent on EJ and would have given him tons of PT instead of focusing on getting Wright those crucial minutes. Also, the last time EJ was on the Heat before, they missed going to the Finals and exited early (ECF in 2004-2005). Maybe he is the black curse for the Heat.

Well, it's a thought.

There are potential replacements for both targets, however, and maybe this is the true message: the Heat may not have valued Navarro anymore than they value Sarunas Jasikevicius. He is about to be let go by the Warriors and maybe the Heat really do know the market.

Same goes for EJ - why re-sign him when they could get younger and more athletic by way of a Dahntay Jones? Or perhaps Jumaine Jones? All have the same brand-name last name...

Eventhough it is tempting for us Heat fans to get down on these latest moves, or lack thereof, we also should be mindful that there are plenty of other options still remaining and the Heat are just biding their time until they can find what they want at the price they want.

Kind of like a garage sale.