<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The loss to Detroit in the seven-game Eastern Conference finals showed the Heat needs more length, more athleticism and more well-rounded players. Oh, and they have to be tough-minded and willing to play for the minimum wage, or possibly a little more. They might be players such as Houston's Bob Sura, San Antonio's Robert Horry or Milwaukee's Toni Kukoc, who were available before this season and expressed interest in chasing a title alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Wade in Florida, where there is no state income tax. With a solid base of O'Neal, Wade and swingman Eddie Jones, the Heat has choices to make at other positions. Starting point guard Damon Jones has a player option on the second year of his two-year, $5 million contract. "I have a great contract," he said. "Could it get better? Who knows? But that's not something I'm focused on right now." And that doesn't mean the Heat won't look to upgrade. There might be a player who better combines defense and three-point shooting ? on the cheap. Starting power forward Udonis Haslem is a restricted free agent and can entertain offers, but the Heat will have 15 days to match if Haslem signs an offer sheet. He said earlier this season that he would prefer to stay in Miami, and that's a very real possibility. If he leaves, the Heat would have to find rebounding and someone who could score off the constant double-teams on O'Neal. The Heat needs help behind Haslem. If he gets injured or in foul trouble, Van Gundy is empty-handed. Christian Laettner, who might return, tried gamely but his body and skills broke down. Alonzo Mourning is a good backup center, but he can't keep up at forward with players such as Detroit's Rasheed Wallace, San Antonio's Tim Duncan or Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, all of whom figure to stand in the way of a title. Backup point guard Keyon Dooling has a player option on his two-year contract that he might exercise for a starting job on a playoff-quality team. "It's every point guard's dream to run their own team," he said. Dooling, like Haslem, is from South Florida, and that might help keep him here. But if he were lured away, Miami would have a big hole. Dooling has defended point guards such as Detroit's Chauncey Billups, San Antonio's Tony Parker and Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley. Among bench players, Van Gundy said he assumes Mourning will return, and Zo sounded Tuesday as though he would be back. The development of forward Qyntel Woods could provide a boost in athleticism, and that would help against the top teams in the playoffs. Forward Rasual Butler will return along with Woods and 19-year-old guard Dorell Wright, who probably won't be ready next season. With the possibility of losing players such as Dooling, Laettner, guard Steve Smith, center Wang Zhi-Zhi and forward Shandon Anderson, the Heat could have some holes to fill. But overall, Miami thinks it has what it needs to win a title. That's why Van Gundy and team President Pat Riley talked to the players Tuesday about this season being a foundation upon which to build. "It just hasn't been done where you put a core together and win it" the first year, Van Gundy said. "It's unfortunate and it would have been nice to overcome that, but it just doesn't happen. I went back 25 years and it just isn't done. "We wish we would have been the ones to do it, but we weren't."</div> Source Who should the Heat bring back or pursue this summer?
The biggest loss for the Heat will likely be <font color="Red">Udonis Haslem</font> . NBA teams have recently overpaid for players who put up similar numbers. Udonis will hopefully give the Heat a hometown discount, but I'm afraid the difference in $$$ might be too much. Big guys who Rebound are tough to find. Haslem played for the minimum salary as a Heat player. I think the highest the Heat can offer is the Mid Level Salary (5 mil. per season). Here are Haslem Stats compared to recent players in contract years. - Udonis Haslem (04-05)......9.10 rebs 10.9 points .540% FG - Carlos Boozer (03-04)......11.40 rebs 15.5 ppg. .523% FG CONTRACT: 6 Year $70 million = $11,670,000 per season -Adonal Foyle (03-04)..........3.80 rebs 3.1 ppg. .454% FG CONTRACT: 6 Year $51.2 million = $8,533,000 per season -Erick Dampier (Career Stats) .7.40 rebs 8.9 ppg .459%FG CONTRACT: 7 Year $73 million = $10,430,000 per season I liked what <font color="Red">DJones</font> did this season, but he is too much of a one-dimensional player. DJones really hurt us with his lack of defense. <font color="Red">Keyon Dooling</font> on the other hand is the best on the ball defender on the team & can score. If Dooling can become more of a playmaker who dishes the ball I would love to see Keyon in the Starting spot. His shot will improve as time goes on. Dooling must agree to a reasonable contract. Similar to Haslem he is a hometown guy and really wants to play in Miami. I'm fairly confident the Heat & <font color="Red">Shaq</font> will come to an agreement in his deal. The Big Daddy has to get $$$ but he has to understand that his production will decrease with each coming year. But Shaq at 60% is still better than any Center in the league. The Heat can't commit to any long term deals because <font color="Red">Wade</font> needs to get maxed out in 2007. Thankfully <font color="Red">Eddie Jones </font> will finally end his Massive contract that year. I'm not sure what players are available but The Heat needs players who are willing to <font color="Red">play for less money & Win Now</font>. <font color="Red">Alonzo</font> will be leading that example.
I doubt Dooling will be back because a team with cap space will be willing to give Dooling the money he wants. I don't think the Heat want to spend a good portion of their MLE on Dooling. Udonis won't get that kind of money because he's not as great as an offensive player as the other players, and he doesn't have the upside like a Boozer. I would look to retain him. Teams with cap space don't really have the need for a Udonis, and likely won't gurantee him a starting spot. In Miami, he'll get his starting spot back (most likely unless he's outplayed badly by a drafted PF) and he'll have another chance at the title. This year, a big addition should be Dorrell Wright. He'll get some PT, and he'll show why the Heat drafted him over Jameer Nelson. I hope he gets to start sometime during the season with Wade moving back to the Point (he controls the ball most of the time anyways). BTW That Foyle contract is wrong...It was around the 40 mill area over 6 years. If DJ decides to stay, then I think he should be coming off from the bench. Atleast that should be his job during some point in the season (Dorrell will take over). They have no guy on the bench that can come in and score right away like many teams. Although Damon Jones cannot create his own shot, he can be that guy that comes in and kills the opposing team with his shooting.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">Udonis won't get that kind of money because he's not as great as an offensive player as the other players, and he doesn't have the upside like a Boozer. I would look to retain him. Teams with cap space don't really have the need for a Udonis, and likely won't gurantee him a starting spot. In Miami, he'll get his starting spot back (most likely unless he's outplayed badly by a drafted PF) and he'll have another chance at the title. BTW That Foyle contract is wrong...It was around the 40 mill area over 6 years. </div> The numbers of the contracts are according to Insidehoops.com. http://www.insidehoops.com/nbasalaries.shtml http://www.dfw.net/%7Epatricia/contracts I agree that Boozer is a better offensive player, but Adonal 'Freakin' Foyle !!??? What the hell is Golden State thinking giving that guy that kind of money??
Shaq was brought in to win championships. Let's see what they can do this next year. If Shaq can come in shape again I will be impressed. Two years in a row coming to camp in shape is a compliment for Shaq. Maybe that's why he wanted to be a police officer so he could have all the free donughts. LOL! Sorry bandwagon miami heat fans this is going downhill.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting pimpdaddy33:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq was brought in to win championships. Let's see what they can do this next year. If Shaq can come in shape again I will be impressed. Two years in a row coming to camp in shape is a compliment for Shaq. Maybe that's why he wanted to be a police officer so he could have all the free donughts. LOL! Sorry bandwagon miami heat fans this is going downhill.</div> Bandwagon miami heat fans ??? What's going downhill ??? Bring something stronger next time you post in the Heat Forum. P.S. Kobe is really close to a championship right?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting pimpdaddy33:</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq was brought in to win championships. Let's see what they can do this next year. If Shaq can come in shape again I will be impressed. Two years in a row coming to camp in shape is a compliment for Shaq. Maybe that's why he wanted to be a police officer so he could have all the free donughts. LOL! Sorry bandwagon miami heat fans this is going downhill.</div> So....Kobe bandwagoner.........how does it feel now that the Lakers have gone downhill already?
