While some poeple think the Heat are completely screwed after this season, this is not all true. While they do not have the most promising future in the league, they have a decent future ahead of them. With Dwyane Wade (25) leading the way this year with not much help showing his dominance they have atleast one sure star to rely on for years to come. Wade will continue to play as a star until the dayhe retires and hopefully Miami can keep Wade here for that time. Also showing their skills this season are sharpshooter Jason Kapono (26) and youngster Dorell Wright (21) both guys can still develop their skills further and could become good players and possible starters in the future. Udonis Haslem (26) will continue to be a solid player for the Heat and will fill the starting PF hole for the Heat in the future like he is doing now. The only real question mark at the moment is the C spot. With Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, and Michael Doleac all heading downhill, the Heat will have to find someone to replace them when they are gone. Will it be Wayne Simien (23) who has not been able to show his skill due to injury who will step up or will it be someone in the draft who the Heat will draft with their pick in this year's very talented draft? The C position could be a problem in the future but the Heat will definitely not be in as bad a shape as everyone else thinks. With over 10 million dollars coming off after next year (J-Will, Zo, and Doleac) the Heat will have some capspace. If the Heat can get rid of Antoine Walker somehow the team's cap issues will be set and they can prepare for the future.What do you think?
I agree with you completely. I have a feeling that Shaq might play 3 or so more years and then retire. I also think that Zo and Payton might retire after this season. With Eddie Jones back right now, he should definitely bring some offense and defense to the table, I'm not really sure how long that will be for though. I'm not sure if they'll do it but I'm sure they can get rid of Walker and get a good player at a cheaper price either for the center or forward positions.The guard and forward positions are pretty much set. A couple of changes could be made but right now, I see it asG - Jason Williams, Chris Quinn, or Dwyane WadeSG - Dwyane Wade, Eddie Jones, or Dorell WrightSF - Jason Kapono, James Posey or Dorell WrightPF - Udonis Haslem or Wayne SimienC - Shaq (until he retires), Earl Barron, or Wayne Simien**the "or" means they can probably play another position if needed toThe Heat definitely need to start preparing Simien as a combo power forward/center and Barron as center. They have both have potential but they just need game experience.
Sorry, guys...lets not fool ourselves. Unfortunately I feel this is our final season of being a true contender. The way I is see it is Zo and Payton are almost definite goners, that leaves huge holes at the backup PG and C spots. Then count in all the time Shaq and Jason will miss from injuries, it's just not happening. I know we have Wade, but we're not gonna be relying on guys like Kapono, Wright, old EJ, and Simien to carry us. Speaking of Simien, I have to be honest he hasn't impressed me at all. I know he hasn't gotten much playing time, but I just don't see the skill sets there. Also, forget about playing him at center...he's underized as it is for a PF, so that limits him.All in all, we are pretty much screwed until Shaq's contract runs out or he retires. We desperately need to start the rebuilding process next year. This needs to start with getting rid of Antoine Walker...somehow some way, wether it be for 2nd rounders or D-Leaguers. He's just a huge contract that'll be a complete waste to us. We basically keep Wade, Wright, Haslem, and possibly a few others and we'll just have to wait it out until Shaq is off the books. That's the reality.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (wade2shaq93 @ Feb 11 2007, 07:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>With over 10 million dollars coming off after next year (J-Will, Zo, and Doleac) the Heat will have some capspace.What do you think?</div>We won't have any cap space...first of all Zo's contract isn't even that big. Second Jason Williams' contract doesn't expire until the year after next. Third, Doleac has a player option and I expect him to take it.
I was checking Hoopshype when I posted that and it said that all the contracts added up were just about 10 mil which would leave us with a little bit of capspace...I think Kapono and Wright could be developed into solid scoring options with Wade starting at the point which he has pretty much done all of this season. Simien is definitely a big question mark but the 1-4 could be good with Wade, Wright, Kapono, and Haslem. Kapono and Wright have played well this year in the time they have seen, this wa their first real chance to prove themselves and both did a good job doing so, I dont see why they wouldnt get more playing time in the near future and develop into good options for the Heat. We all know what Wade and Hasem can do so the only real question marks are the center position and the bench.Anyway I just wanted to see some life out of the Heat forum, this thing is practically dead lol
Kapono and Wright...Kapono and Wright? Come on, that's not gonna keep us as contenders. Either way, Kapono is a free agent and with the way he's playing he'll probably book for the money and Wright is still a bit raw and developing. Like I said, with Zo/GP gone...everyone another year older, no cap room (I double checked those contracts, none are expiring) it's just not happening as much as it pains me to say it.
well, only time will tell I guess...frome what ive seen Wright and Kapono can be good players in the future, I think they can come up and surprise people other than that Im sure we have our picks still so we can get some good players in the next few drafts to help...The sad thing might not be our future, it could be that we have only three active Heat members on this part of the board :no1:
^ Hahah, I'd rather have this than the dumpload of bandwagoners we had last year. Anywho, give it up with Kapono! lol He's not gonna get any better than he already is...he's a pure jump shooter. He plays very little D. He hasn't proven anything before this little hot streak he's been in. Who knows how long that lasts. And like I said he'll be a free agent either way after this season.Fact is, we're done until Shaq's contract is off the books...I know it sucks, but there's nothing we can do. I just hope we play our cards right in the meantime.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LightsOut @ Feb 12 2007, 09:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^ Hahah, I'd rather have this than the dumpload of bandwagoners we had last year. Anywho, give it up with Kapono! lol He's not gonna get any better than he already is...he's a pure jump shooter. He plays very little D. He hasn't proven anything before this little hot streak he's been in. Who knows how long that lasts. And like I said he'll be a free agent either way after this season.Fact is, we're done until Shaq's contract is off the books...I know it sucks, but there's nothing we can do. I just hope we play our cards right in the meantime.</div>I kind of agree, that this might be the last time were title contenders till like 4-5 years from now. You never know though maybe it won't be as bad as it seems. This years draft is very deep maybe we could get a player like Daequan Cook to be the backup Pg, and look at how we got Haslem a undrafted free agent, I know it's unlikely but maybe we could pick up another contributor in the 2nd round- or someone who wasen't even drafted. Riley got skills maybe he has a trade up his sleeves were not even thinking of. Maybe players will sign for less like Zo and GP did to play with Wade and even Shaq on his last legs. I know there are a lot of but's in this but we never know.
Miami's near future doesn't look too bright to me, to tell you the truth. GP and Zo don't have much left in the tank, Shaq will decline more and more every year and continue to miss games, Toine is 30% of the player he was in Boston and his trade value is very low, Eddie Jones is still solid but he's not getting any younger, and J-Will has always been injury prone. The only valuable young talent is Wade, Haslem, Wright, Simien, and I believe Earl Barron could be a decent backup center in his prime. Back to Simien, though. I think people are totally forgetting about him. He's going to be a very solid NBA player. He was excellent in college at Kansas (I remember loving to watch Simien, Aaron Miles - love him, and J.R. Giddens at Kansas). He's very strong, he has an NBA body, he's a banger, he's long and pretty athletic, and he's an excellent rebounder. He will be a very solid player for the Heat in the future, don't forget about him while he's hurt and not playing much on this veteran-filled team. But outside of those guys, you have aging veterans with little left in the tank, no high draft picks, and no cap space to go out and really get a good player. After this season, Miami will be facing a little 2 or 3 years setback. Once they free up some cap space, they will be able to bring in some free agents. Miami is obviously an attractive city and of course players would like the idea of playing with Dwyane Wade. But until then, the organization and its fans are going to have to hang tight and stay patient while they sort of re-build the team.
