<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI -- Heat forwards Antoine Walker and James Posey were deactivated for the team's game Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers because they didn't meet a team conditioning goal. Heat coach Pat Riley, who also announced Wednesday that he was taking a medical leave of absence, said Walker and Posey may be back as soon as Friday in Phoenix -- but could face suspension by Jan. 15 if the undisclosed goal is not met. "There's been an ongoing conditioning goal that our team has had to make since the summer. ... January was the deadline, they haven't made it, and they knew this was going to happen if they didn't make it," Riley said. "By the way, both of them are in the best condition of their lives. They're very close. But a deadline is a deadline." Neither Walker nor Posey were available Wednesday afternoon. The team did not hold its customary game-day shootaround practice, and it was unclear when the players were told they wouldn't play against the Clippers.</div> Source Today has been a strange day for Miami sports. Nick Saban takes the Alabama job, Pat Riley decides to take a leave of absence, and now this.
After last year's wonder year the Heat players have gotten a year older and lost their motivation. Can't say I'm sad to see It happen but still odd the way they have fallen apart.
Well, it isn't like I feel sorry for Posey or anything (see Chicago Bulls forum). However, Walker has often appeared like the type of player that is in need of more exercise, I'm not surprised.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI — A limping Pat Riley put his foot down Wednesday hours before taking a leave of absence to have his knee and hip surgically repaired. Forwards James Posey and Antoine Walker were deactivated for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers for failing to meet body-fat requirements by 1 percent. Riley, the Heat's president and head coach, set the requirements. Both players risk suspension if they don't meet Riley's demands in 11 days. Riley said they won't play until they shape up. "This is simply about something I believe in and I really don't care what they think," Riley said before turning the Heat over to interim coach Ron Rothstein. "A deadline is a deadline and if by January 15th they don't make it they are going to be suspended." Posey's body fat is 9 percent and Walker's is 11 percent, a Heat spokesman said. Riley is requiring Posey to be at 8 percent and Walker at 10 percent. Neither player will travel when the Heat leaves today for a six-game western road trip, remaining behind to work with strength and conditioning coach Bill Foran. They could join the team at any point on the trip. "I'm in great shape," said Posey, 29. "I've never had a problem with that since I've been in this league." Walker, 30, refused to comment. He is listed by the team at 6-feet-9, 245 pounds and Posey at 6-8, 217. "Pat has set standards that they're obviously going to try to attain," said agent Mark Bartelstein, who represents both players. "But no one should be under the false impression that Antoine and James are not ready to play basketball at the highest level." Since the start of this season, Riley has been unhappy with the play of the team, especially the veterans, calling the club's defensive lapses "mind-boggling." But Walker is the only player who lost his starting job, being replaced by Dorell Wright after 11 games. Posey has been a reserve since the season began. While announcing the disciplinary measures and his leave of absence, Riley summed up his disappointment in the team that beat Dallas for the NBA title in June. "We have a championship team that is sideways right now and so this is going to be a great challenge," he said. Entering Wednesday's game, the Heat was 5-9 on the road and just 8-8 at home. About 75 minutes before tipoff, Posey and Walker were the lone players in the locker room, both sitting in silence and staring into space with their arms folded. "We all have certain rules to live by in this organization and we just try to meet those things," said center Shaquille O'Neal, who has complied with Riley's request that he lose weight. "Those guys are hard workers. They'll be back."</div> Source So the Heat will continue to play with just 9 available players on a 6 game road trip until Posey and/or Walker can get their body fat down.
They can't play because of their body fat? That's a weird rule. I don't believe I've heard anything like that before. Does Shaq get an exception?
I think Riley is sending a message to Shaq. He wants O'Neal to know he's serious about him getting into shape.
