Posey, Walker Unhappy

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Forwards James Posey and Antoine Walker, two of Miami's top reserves, also will miss their second consecutive games. They will stay in South Florida and remain on the inactive list until they reach their team-mandated body fat percentages. And they're not happy about it.

"I like to play basketball," Walker said. "That's all I want to do. I don't want to get involved in body fat and weight."

Both players said they're in good enough condition to play an entire game with no problem. Both also said they were just 1 percent over their limit in the Jan. 1 weigh-in. Walker needs to be at 10 percent body fat and said he's at 11. Posey needs to be at 8 percent and said he's at 8.

Posey said he never hit 8 percent last season but came close once.

"I was 8 1/2 percent, but I was coming off the flu," he said. "Other than that I was at 9."

When they reach their body fat requirements, they'll join the team on its six-game, 12-day Western Conference road trip.

"I feel great," Walker said. "I'm healthy, I'm strong. Coach is real specific about percentages. I respect the program, I respect where he wants me to be at, and I'm going to work to try to get there."

Wade said it's been a "trying year for us so far" but said the Heat's leaders will lead by example to help replace Riley.

"Coach was a strong voice in the locker room but as players a lot of us are strong voices on the court and it's going to continue to be that way," he said.

But it's not easy fighting off the frustration. Center Alonzo Mourning, usually the first player to speak with reporters after games, waved off the media Wednesday.

Haslem is trying to concentrate on the coming game, Phoenix, rather than Miami's problems.

"Regardless of whose coaching or playing the guys that are out there have to get the job done," he said.</div>

Source

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">While Wade's absence is for a tangible setback, Walker and Posey remain somewhat confused about being deactivated for failing to meet Riley-mandated conditioning thresholds. Posey, at 9 percent body fat, and Walker, at 11, both are 1 percent above their directives.

"I just know I'm at 9 percent now and 218 pounds, so I don't know," Posey said. "I feel good, like I'm in great shape."

Like Walker, he remained behind to work with conditioning coach Bill Foran, whose calipers ultimately will determine when the two can rejoin their teammates.

"Man, they're pinching me every day," Posey said.

Walker questioned those who question his conditioning.

"I practice every day and play every game," he said. "The last time I checked, when you're out of shape, you're not able to perform and play and miss days, you get aches and injuries that stop you from being able to perform on the basketball court."

Speaking later on WQAM (560-AM), Riley said nine of the 13 returning players from last season initially failed to meet their conditioning standards and that he has allowed O'Neal to exceed his targets because of the efforts made by the center.

Of his frustration with his underachieving roster, Riley said, "They simply don't want to work. They don't want to work right now. To me, it's disgraceful. And from that standpoint, that's what I've been dealing with, and that's what I'm trying to eradicate."</div>

Riley Responds via Radio Show