Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now
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The Miami Heat needed a mid-game boost to earn their latest win. They might need some additional help to get over the hump against their next opponent.
The Heat hope the energy from a fiery halftime speech carries over to a Tuesday night meeting with the visiting Atlanta Hawks.
The Heat (2-1) nearly suffered their first loss at home after coming out flat against Houston on Sunday. Miami trailed 65-44 early in the third quarter but Udonis Haslem's words at halftime that were credited as the spark that ignited a 65-24 run to close a 109-89 victory.
Haslem didn't play against the Rockets and has logged 11 minutes in one game this season. That didn't stop him from laying into his teammates with a profanity-laced tirade that featured some water-bottle spikes in the locker room.
"Absolutely awesome," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "That's what leaders do. By the time I got in there, he was already halfway through it and there wasn't much that was needed to be said after that."
The Heat were coming off an emotional 102-92 loss in Cleveland on Friday that reunited Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with former teammate LeBron James. It appeared that defeat would create a lull through the weekend until the Heat woke up late against the Rockets.
Wade scored nine of his 20 points while Luol Deng had seven of his 14 in the third quarter, and Bosh scored all 10 of his in the fourth. Hassan Whiteside added 10 of his game-high 25 after halftime.
Whiteside recorded his first double-double by hitting 12 of 15 shots to go with his 15 rebounds.
Mike Budenholzer's discussion with his team Sunday likely wasn't as animated as Haslem's, but it did the job all the same.
Atlanta (3-1) has won three straight, the last two coming in tight fashion against a young Charlotte team that missed the playoffs last season. The Hawks trailed 76-70 on Sunday after allowing 37 points in the third quarter, triggering a talk from their coach between periods.
Atlanta responded to Budenholzer's defensive requests appropriately, holding the Hornets to 4-of-24 shooting in the fourth to earn a 94-92 win.
"They all know the third wasn't our best, but they found a way," Budenholzer said.
Atlanta's two victories over winless Charlotte came by a combined five points.
The Hawks made 38.0 percent of their 3-pointers last season, second-highest in the NBA, but they sit in the bottom third of the league this season at 32.0.
Kyle Korver has gone 4 of 14 from beyond the arc while Al Horford (5 for 18), Jeff Teague (3 for 13) and Dennis Schroder (3 for 13) have also struggled.
Outside of the ugly quarter against the Hornets, defense has helped the Hawks stay afloat. Opponents are making 39.4 percent from the floor against Atlanta, which has allowed an average of 36.5 points in the paint while forcing 68 turnovers.
Miami has dropped six straight against the Hawks, with two of the last three coming at AmericanAirlines Arena last season.
The Miami Heat needed a mid-game boost to earn their latest win. They might need some additional help to get over the hump against their next opponent.
The Heat hope the energy from a fiery halftime speech carries over to a Tuesday night meeting with the visiting Atlanta Hawks.
The Heat (2-1) nearly suffered their first loss at home after coming out flat against Houston on Sunday. Miami trailed 65-44 early in the third quarter but Udonis Haslem's words at halftime that were credited as the spark that ignited a 65-24 run to close a 109-89 victory.
Haslem didn't play against the Rockets and has logged 11 minutes in one game this season. That didn't stop him from laying into his teammates with a profanity-laced tirade that featured some water-bottle spikes in the locker room.
"Absolutely awesome," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "That's what leaders do. By the time I got in there, he was already halfway through it and there wasn't much that was needed to be said after that."
The Heat were coming off an emotional 102-92 loss in Cleveland on Friday that reunited Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with former teammate LeBron James. It appeared that defeat would create a lull through the weekend until the Heat woke up late against the Rockets.
Wade scored nine of his 20 points while Luol Deng had seven of his 14 in the third quarter, and Bosh scored all 10 of his in the fourth. Hassan Whiteside added 10 of his game-high 25 after halftime.
Whiteside recorded his first double-double by hitting 12 of 15 shots to go with his 15 rebounds.
Mike Budenholzer's discussion with his team Sunday likely wasn't as animated as Haslem's, but it did the job all the same.
Atlanta (3-1) has won three straight, the last two coming in tight fashion against a young Charlotte team that missed the playoffs last season. The Hawks trailed 76-70 on Sunday after allowing 37 points in the third quarter, triggering a talk from their coach between periods.
Atlanta responded to Budenholzer's defensive requests appropriately, holding the Hornets to 4-of-24 shooting in the fourth to earn a 94-92 win.
"They all know the third wasn't our best, but they found a way," Budenholzer said.
Atlanta's two victories over winless Charlotte came by a combined five points.
The Hawks made 38.0 percent of their 3-pointers last season, second-highest in the NBA, but they sit in the bottom third of the league this season at 32.0.
Kyle Korver has gone 4 of 14 from beyond the arc while Al Horford (5 for 18), Jeff Teague (3 for 13) and Dennis Schroder (3 for 13) have also struggled.
Outside of the ugly quarter against the Hornets, defense has helped the Hawks stay afloat. Opponents are making 39.4 percent from the floor against Atlanta, which has allowed an average of 36.5 points in the paint while forcing 68 turnovers.
Miami has dropped six straight against the Hawks, with two of the last three coming at AmericanAirlines Arena last season.
Re: ������Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now������
Teague torch Dragic tonight
Teague torch Dragic tonight
Re: ������Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now������
this is why i was so upset with the heat for paying him all that $$$$.
Teague torch Dragic tonight
this is why i was so upset with the heat for paying him all that $$$$.
Re: ������Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now������
his is going to get his big pay day
his is going to get his big pay day
Grizzlies Talking Mario Chalmers Trade With Heat
NOV 3, 2015 3:49 PM
The Memphis Grizzlies are holding trade talks with the Miami Heat centered on Mario Chalmers.
Chalmers has been known to be available in a trade throughout the offseason.
The Grizzlies have struggled to start the season, suffering a 30-point loss to the Cavaliers and a 50-point loss to the Warriors.
Chalmers is in the final year of a two-year deal he signed in the summer of 2014 and is making $4.3 million this season.
The Grizzlies could include Beno Udrih in a trade.
NOV 3, 2015 3:49 PM
The Memphis Grizzlies are holding trade talks with the Miami Heat centered on Mario Chalmers.
Chalmers has been known to be available in a trade throughout the offseason.
The Grizzlies have struggled to start the season, suffering a 30-point loss to the Cavaliers and a 50-point loss to the Warriors.
Chalmers is in the final year of a two-year deal he signed in the summer of 2014 and is making $4.3 million this season.
The Grizzlies could include Beno Udrih in a trade.
Heat-Timberwolves Preview
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The Minnesota Timberwolves' first home game started with an outpouring of emotion. They would like the second to end with a victory.
After a two-day break following a draining tribute to Flip Saunders, the Timberwolves look for their first home win against the Miami Heat on Thursday night.
A heart-rending opening two weeks for the Timberwolves continued on Monday with a pregame tribute to Saunders, the team's president of basketball operations, coach and minority owner who died last week after complications with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
"I was drained from the beginning," rookie Karl-Anthony Towns said. "I was crying the whole pregame. I was emotionally drained coming out."
The Timberwolves (2-1) followed with their first flat game of the season, falling behind Portland by double digits in the fourth quarter before a late rally fizzled in a 106-101 loss.
"(Monday) night was a tough night, guys," interim coach Sam Mitchell said after Tuesday's practice. "There's no words you can give to someone to make them feel better. All you can do is be there."
Getting back on the winning track would help, and it might take a better performance from Andrew Wiggins to make that happen.
Wiggins has opened his second season making 30 percent of his shots while missing all six of his 3-pointers and committing nine turnovers. He had a rough showing offensively against the Trail Blazers, finishing 5 for 17 for 16 points.
"In 82, that's going to happen," Mitchell said. "He understands that. We've just got to get him rolling. He knows that. We need him."
Towns was also grounded against Portland. After posting 42 points and 26 rebounds in Minnesota's first two wins, he finished with 11 points and five boards while committing four turnovers and five fouls.
Towns and Wiggins may have an opportunity to regroup against a Miami team that has allowed an average of 45.0 points in the paint through four games. Miami (2-2) scored 52 points in the lane against Atlanta on Tuesday but also surrendered that many in a 98-92 loss at home.
The Heat trimmed a 15-point lead to four early in the fourth quarter, but couldn't get closer. Miami committed a season-high 19 turnovers while dishing out a season-low 13 assists.
"We were able to fight back. That is an admirable quality of this group," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "But learning how close the margin for error is can be a lesson."
Dwyane Wade logged his fourth consecutive 20-point game even though he spent a long period of the second half in the locker room dealing with a migraine. He returned in the fourth quarter after taking some medicine.
More concerning for the Heat was Wednesday's news that Gerald Green was admitted to the hospital for unknown reasons. On Thursday, Spoelstra said Green "is safe and is healthy."
Green, who signed as a free agent in July, averaged 10.3 points in the first three games. He did not play against the Hawks with what the Heat called an illness.
Minnesota snapped a six-game home losing streak against Miami with a 102-101 win Feb. 4 behind 30 points from Kevin Martin. Hassan Whiteside, who's put up 48 points and 29 boards in the Heat's two games in November, had his only career 20-20 game (24 points, 20 rebounds) last season in Minneapolis.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves' first home game started with an outpouring of emotion. They would like the second to end with a victory.
After a two-day break following a draining tribute to Flip Saunders, the Timberwolves look for their first home win against the Miami Heat on Thursday night.
A heart-rending opening two weeks for the Timberwolves continued on Monday with a pregame tribute to Saunders, the team's president of basketball operations, coach and minority owner who died last week after complications with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
"I was drained from the beginning," rookie Karl-Anthony Towns said. "I was crying the whole pregame. I was emotionally drained coming out."
The Timberwolves (2-1) followed with their first flat game of the season, falling behind Portland by double digits in the fourth quarter before a late rally fizzled in a 106-101 loss.
"(Monday) night was a tough night, guys," interim coach Sam Mitchell said after Tuesday's practice. "There's no words you can give to someone to make them feel better. All you can do is be there."
Getting back on the winning track would help, and it might take a better performance from Andrew Wiggins to make that happen.
Wiggins has opened his second season making 30 percent of his shots while missing all six of his 3-pointers and committing nine turnovers. He had a rough showing offensively against the Trail Blazers, finishing 5 for 17 for 16 points.
"In 82, that's going to happen," Mitchell said. "He understands that. We've just got to get him rolling. He knows that. We need him."
Towns was also grounded against Portland. After posting 42 points and 26 rebounds in Minnesota's first two wins, he finished with 11 points and five boards while committing four turnovers and five fouls.
Towns and Wiggins may have an opportunity to regroup against a Miami team that has allowed an average of 45.0 points in the paint through four games. Miami (2-2) scored 52 points in the lane against Atlanta on Tuesday but also surrendered that many in a 98-92 loss at home.
The Heat trimmed a 15-point lead to four early in the fourth quarter, but couldn't get closer. Miami committed a season-high 19 turnovers while dishing out a season-low 13 assists.
"We were able to fight back. That is an admirable quality of this group," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "But learning how close the margin for error is can be a lesson."
Dwyane Wade logged his fourth consecutive 20-point game even though he spent a long period of the second half in the locker room dealing with a migraine. He returned in the fourth quarter after taking some medicine.
More concerning for the Heat was Wednesday's news that Gerald Green was admitted to the hospital for unknown reasons. On Thursday, Spoelstra said Green "is safe and is healthy."
Green, who signed as a free agent in July, averaged 10.3 points in the first three games. He did not play against the Hawks with what the Heat called an illness.
Minnesota snapped a six-game home losing streak against Miami with a 102-101 win Feb. 4 behind 30 points from Kevin Martin. Hassan Whiteside, who's put up 48 points and 29 boards in the Heat's two games in November, had his only career 20-20 game (24 points, 20 rebounds) last season in Minneapolis.
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Heat-Pacers Preview
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The Miami Heat were the first team Paul George faced last season following his lengthy recovery from a gruesome injury.
The Indiana Pacers forward will try to show them how far he's come Friday night in Indianapolis while building on the best scoring performance of his comeback.
It took a little more than eight months for George to appear in a game after he suffered compound fractures in his lower right leg in a Team USA scrimmage Aug. 1. That return came April 5 in a 112-89 home win over the Heat.
George had 13 points in 14-plus minutes and hit two 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to help Indiana pull away. Considering what he overcame, his stats mattered little in 2014-15 as he averaged 8.8 points on 36.7 percent shooting in six games.
George looks like he's back to his former All-Star self this season with 18.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game despite some shooting struggles. He didn't have too many issues knocking down 3-pointers Wednesday, going 5 of 11 from beyond the arc while scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 boards in a 100-98 win over Boston.
The Pacers (2-3) still needed Monta Ellis' free throws with 13.7 seconds left to post a second straight victory.
"I think we're just starting to complete quarters. I thought we played well against the first three opponents, but we just failed to play a complete game. We were very dull in the fourth quarter when we needed to be our best," George said. "I think our will forced this win."
Indiana went 3-1 against Miami last season despite George missing most of those matchups.
The Heat (3-2) have alternated wins and losses through five games but had their finest defensive performance Thursday, limiting Minnesota to 35.3 percent shooting in a 96-84 victory. They held No. 1 overall draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns to his first single-digit scoring night as a pro, six points on 3-of-13 shooting.
That came a day after veteran guard Gerald Green was hospitalized for unspecified reasons. It's unclear when Green, averaging 10.3 points, will return. He played 60 games for the Pacers in 2012-13.
Dwyane Wade, meanwhile, had 25 points after dealing with a migraine in a 98-92 loss to Atlanta on Tuesday. Wade has scored at least 20 points in each of the first five games and has shot a combined 55.9 percent in the past two after going 11 of 19 on Thursday.
"You love to see it because when we see him at the facility as much as the staff, what you see is the commitment," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Players have to adapt with age, and hopefully he's like a fine wine."
Wade is shooting 55.0 percent in his last six games in Indiana -- three during the 2014 Eastern Conference finals -- and scored 27 in the loss in April. Miami has dropped eight of nine there including the playoffs.
C.J. Miles totaled 42 points in the Pacers' two home wins over Miami last season, but his status is unclear because of an injured right ankle that kept him out Wednesday.
Heat-Pacers Preview
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The Miami Heat were the first team Paul George faced last season following his lengthy recovery from a gruesome injury.
The Indiana Pacers forward will try to show them how far he's come Friday night in Indianapolis while building on the best scoring performance of his comeback.
It took a little more than eight months for George to appear in a game after he suffered compound fractures in his lower right leg in a Team USA scrimmage Aug. 1. That return came April 5 in a 112-89 home win over the Heat.
George had 13 points in 14-plus minutes and hit two 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to help Indiana pull away. Considering what he overcame, his stats mattered little in 2014-15 as he averaged 8.8 points on 36.7 percent shooting in six games.
George looks like he's back to his former All-Star self this season with 18.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game despite some shooting struggles. He didn't have too many issues knocking down 3-pointers Wednesday, going 5 of 11 from beyond the arc while scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 boards in a 100-98 win over Boston.
The Pacers (2-3) still needed Monta Ellis' free throws with 13.7 seconds left to post a second straight victory.
"I think we're just starting to complete quarters. I thought we played well against the first three opponents, but we just failed to play a complete game. We were very dull in the fourth quarter when we needed to be our best," George said. "I think our will forced this win."
Indiana went 3-1 against Miami last season despite George missing most of those matchups.
The Heat (3-2) have alternated wins and losses through five games but had their finest defensive performance Thursday, limiting Minnesota to 35.3 percent shooting in a 96-84 victory. They held No. 1 overall draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns to his first single-digit scoring night as a pro, six points on 3-of-13 shooting.
That came a day after veteran guard Gerald Green was hospitalized for unspecified reasons. It's unclear when Green, averaging 10.3 points, will return. He played 60 games for the Pacers in 2012-13.
Dwyane Wade, meanwhile, had 25 points after dealing with a migraine in a 98-92 loss to Atlanta on Tuesday. Wade has scored at least 20 points in each of the first five games and has shot a combined 55.9 percent in the past two after going 11 of 19 on Thursday.
"You love to see it because when we see him at the facility as much as the staff, what you see is the commitment," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Players have to adapt with age, and hopefully he's like a fine wine."
Wade is shooting 55.0 percent in his last six games in Indiana -- three during the 2014 Eastern Conference finals -- and scored 27 in the loss in April. Miami has dropped eight of nine there including the playoffs.
C.J. Miles totaled 42 points in the Pacers' two home wins over Miami last season, but his status is unclear because of an injured right ankle that kept him out Wednesday.
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Raptors-Heat Preview
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Now that they've made an early statement as one of the Eastern Conference's top teams, the Toronto Raptors are hoping to learn from their first setback.
With the best start in club history behind them, the Raptors will try to cap their road swing in positive fashion Sunday night with their third straight win against the Miami Heat.
Toronto trailed by 10 points after one quarter Wednesday before storming back for a 103-98 win at Oklahoma City to open 5-0 for the first time. The club overcame a 15-point first quarter Friday, but was outscored 28-18 in the fourth en route to a 92-87 loss at Orlando.
The two-time defending Atlantic Division champions would like to put an end to the troubling run of slow starts in the last of this four-game trip, having gone a combined 8 for 41 from the field to total 28 points in the opening 12 minutes of their last two games. That could be a difficult task against the Heat, who have outscored their opponents 48-31 in the first quarter of their last two contests.
"We're a winning team (now)," guard DeMar DeRozan, who scored a game-high 23 against the Magic, told the team's official website. "Teams are going to be going after us. Good thing that it's early. We can learn from it and try to get another one back on Sunday."
The key could be on the offensive end. Toronto shot just 23 percent in the first half versus Orlando and finished at a season-low 34.9 percent overall. The Raptors also have shot 15 for 54 (27.8 percent) from 3-point range on the trip after going 5 for 23 on Friday.
Kyle Lowry, DeMarre Carroll and Luis Scola went a combined 12 for 30 (30.0 percent) against the Magic. Lowry has gone 11 for 30 over his last two games, while Carroll is 8 for 33 on the road swing.
"Again it's our starts," coach Dwane Casey said. "We've got to come out and play with force on the offensive end. Not only the start, throughout the game."
The Raptors had dropped 16 straight versus Miami -- which had LeBron James in most of those games -- before taking the last two of the three meetings in 2014-15. DeRozan has averaged 24.0 points on 51.4 percent shooting in his past four visits to American Airlines Arena.
Although they've alternated between wins and losses over their first six games, the Heat have allowed an average of 90.3 points on 40.4 percent shooting in their last four. They also rank among the league's leaders in defending the 3-point line, limiting opponents to 28.6 percent.
Miami has turned its focus to a seven-game homestand following Friday's 90-87 loss at Indiana.
"All I'm thinking about is getting out of here as quickly as we can, get our rest and get ready for a big one in our building to kick that thing off," coach Erik Spoelstra said.
After averaging 22.2 points on 49.4 percent shooting in his first five games, Dwyane Wade had nine on 4-of-15 shooting versus Indiana. He totaled 55 points in the two losses to the Raptors last season.
Chris Bosh, who had 21 points and 11 rebounds Friday, didn't play in either of those meetings while dealing with blood clots in his lungs. Miami is 11-0 when he plays against his former team.
Gerald Green isn't expected to return after he was hospitalized for an undisclosed illness.
Raptors-Heat Preview
STATS LLC
Now that they've made an early statement as one of the Eastern Conference's top teams, the Toronto Raptors are hoping to learn from their first setback.
With the best start in club history behind them, the Raptors will try to cap their road swing in positive fashion Sunday night with their third straight win against the Miami Heat.
Toronto trailed by 10 points after one quarter Wednesday before storming back for a 103-98 win at Oklahoma City to open 5-0 for the first time. The club overcame a 15-point first quarter Friday, but was outscored 28-18 in the fourth en route to a 92-87 loss at Orlando.
The two-time defending Atlantic Division champions would like to put an end to the troubling run of slow starts in the last of this four-game trip, having gone a combined 8 for 41 from the field to total 28 points in the opening 12 minutes of their last two games. That could be a difficult task against the Heat, who have outscored their opponents 48-31 in the first quarter of their last two contests.
"We're a winning team (now)," guard DeMar DeRozan, who scored a game-high 23 against the Magic, told the team's official website. "Teams are going to be going after us. Good thing that it's early. We can learn from it and try to get another one back on Sunday."
The key could be on the offensive end. Toronto shot just 23 percent in the first half versus Orlando and finished at a season-low 34.9 percent overall. The Raptors also have shot 15 for 54 (27.8 percent) from 3-point range on the trip after going 5 for 23 on Friday.
Kyle Lowry, DeMarre Carroll and Luis Scola went a combined 12 for 30 (30.0 percent) against the Magic. Lowry has gone 11 for 30 over his last two games, while Carroll is 8 for 33 on the road swing.
"Again it's our starts," coach Dwane Casey said. "We've got to come out and play with force on the offensive end. Not only the start, throughout the game."
The Raptors had dropped 16 straight versus Miami -- which had LeBron James in most of those games -- before taking the last two of the three meetings in 2014-15. DeRozan has averaged 24.0 points on 51.4 percent shooting in his past four visits to American Airlines Arena.
Although they've alternated between wins and losses over their first six games, the Heat have allowed an average of 90.3 points on 40.4 percent shooting in their last four. They also rank among the league's leaders in defending the 3-point line, limiting opponents to 28.6 percent.
Miami has turned its focus to a seven-game homestand following Friday's 90-87 loss at Indiana.
"All I'm thinking about is getting out of here as quickly as we can, get our rest and get ready for a big one in our building to kick that thing off," coach Erik Spoelstra said.
After averaging 22.2 points on 49.4 percent shooting in his first five games, Dwyane Wade had nine on 4-of-15 shooting versus Indiana. He totaled 55 points in the two losses to the Raptors last season.
Chris Bosh, who had 21 points and 11 rebounds Friday, didn't play in either of those meetings while dealing with blood clots in his lungs. Miami is 11-0 when he plays against his former team.
Gerald Green isn't expected to return after he was hospitalized for an undisclosed illness.
Big blowout win against the Raptors today. HEAT!!!
Sick but he's home...
Yea this was big time
Gerald Green (illness) out Sunday vs. Toronto
The Heat did not offer any update on the status of Gerald Green (illness), and he will miss Sunday's game vs. the Raptors.
A Miami Heat spokesman wouldn't even confirm whether or not Green had been released from the hospital (which has been reported), and the lack of information regarding exactly what happened with Green is concerning. We wish him the best, but it's probably time to send Green to the wire in most leagues with so much uncertainty regarding when exactly he'll be able to return to the court.
Source: Ira Winderman on Twitter Nov 8 - 4:26 PM
The Heat did not offer any update on the status of Gerald Green (illness), and he will miss Sunday's game vs. the Raptors.
A Miami Heat spokesman wouldn't even confirm whether or not Green had been released from the hospital (which has been reported), and the lack of information regarding exactly what happened with Green is concerning. We wish him the best, but it's probably time to send Green to the wire in most leagues with so much uncertainty regarding when exactly he'll be able to return to the court.
Source: Ira Winderman on Twitter Nov 8 - 4:26 PM
Re: Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now
Green seems to have some mental issues (was hauled off after screaming nonstop in the Lobby of his condo) but he's finally out the Hospital.
The bench played great tonight and spark the Team.
Green seems to have some mental issues (was hauled off after screaming nonstop in the Lobby of his condo) but he's finally out the Hospital.
The bench played great tonight and spark the Team.
Whiteside wit them 6 blocks
Heat just moved Rio to Memphis Grizz for Beno Udrih
$6 Million saved in luxury tax, however Riley should've kept Napier... Why let him go and Chalmers
$6 Million saved in luxury tax, however Riley should've kept Napier... Why let him go and Chalmers
Where did Napier go?? And why isnt stat playing??
Napier went up the road to Magic...
Stat slowly getting his body back(knee) plus them minutes gonna be hard to come by with
Heat rookie Justise Winslow turning heads, playing well beyond years
By Zach Harper / NBA writer
November 10, 2015 11:12 AM ET
MIAMI -- "He's the oldest 19-year old I know."
This has been something Chris Bosh has said about Miami Heat rookie Justise Winslow after a handful of preseason and regular season games. Just two weeks into Winslow's first NBA season and people are still shaking their heads at how he fell to Pat Riley and the Heat with the 10th pick in the draft. It was one of those fortuitous gifts that just seemed too perfect to actually happen.
Throughout training camp and preseason, coach Erik Spoelstra said the best thing Winslow could do in trying to fit in with such a veteran core (including Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, and Goran Dragic) is to not respect them. Bring the athleticism and energy, but don't revere them on the court. Take it to them on every possession as if it's something he's supposed to do despite not having the requisite experience. He's starting to treat the rest of the league this way early on.
In the Heat's first seven games, Spoelstra has tested Winslow on LeBron James, James Harden, Paul George, and DeMar DeRozan. He worked against LeBron but mostly didn't bother him too much (3-of-3 from the field). Against Harden is where the Heat really took notice of his defensive capabilities. With Harden encased in struggles with his shot, Winslow added to the frustration by allowing just one make in seven attempts.
"Coach kept putting him [on top guys]," Bosh said. "He put him on LeBron. Then he put him on James [Harden], and once we saw him on James, it was like OK. Then he guards Paul [George]. Paul got the best of him a little bit but there weren’t too many mistakes he made. It was more so on screens. It was on the bigs and the help side defense on that one.
"Just look at his poise. These are guys who average 20-30 points a night. DeRozan is [the Raptors'] leading scorer. He gets to the line 10 times a night. He averages 20-plus points. He just made it a nightmare for him.”
To Bosh's point, against George, Winslow was both good and bad. George was 1-of-6 with Winslow as the closest defender, but he got loose from the rookie on plenty of screens that took advantage of defensive miscommunications. The next game back, Winslow was tasked with slowing DeRozan and allowed just one make in four attempts while frustrating the Raptors' scorer to the point of provoking a technical foul and an offensive foul.
How does such a young player manage to do this with little to no experience?
“Yeah, he’s confusing me," Bosh admitted following the win over the Raptors. "I mean you always want to just kind of be easy on the rooks but he’s raising the bar every game. With his maturity. His ability. His knack to play defense. I’ve never seen anything like it as long as I’ve been in this league -- from a rookie.
"He’s just not making many mistakes. He’s playing solid defense. He’s already built like a tank. Him just being able to move his feet is able to help us out a lot.”
There can be a lot of noise in individual net rating statistics, especially this early in the season. But the Heat have just flat-out been better with the rookie on the floor. In the 140 minutes with Winslow on the bench, the Heat hace been outscored by 9.2 points per 100 possessions. In the 197 minutes Winslow has played, they're outscoring opponents by 19.4 points per 100. A difference of 28.6 points per 100 possessions doesn't even seem real, but his activity has affected the game demonstratively.
Opponents are shooting just 32.8 percent when he defends an attempt, which is 9.1 percent lower than they'd normally shoot. It's getting to the point that this kind of defensive production is expected out of a guy who has only played in seven games. He rebounds well, he hardly scores, he passes well, but the defense is what seems to be guaranteed. His teammates are counting on it.
His assignments over the next week will test him in very different ways. You can expect him to see time on Kobe Bryant, Gordon Hayward, and Andrew Wiggins. His presence on the floor is getting to the point where Spoelstra may have to consider starting the rookie, although that could threaten the balance and effectiveness of Miami's bench unit that is performing so well. It's the determination and poise to be that defensive presence that allows Winslow to do it. He has the right mindset for it.
“He’s committed to it," Spoelstra explains. "I don’t want to put too much right now on his shoulders. It’s what’s required. When he comes in off the bench, this is a dynamic wing league. This is a league of speed, quickness, of athleticism. Guys who can do a lot at the 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-9 range.
"And that’s one of the reasons we drafted him. You have to be able to have guys on your roster that can compete at those positions. Some nights, guys are going to get the best of him. He competes. He studies. He applies. He learns.”
Applying what he's learning with each possession that goes by is something we rarely see from rookie wing defenders. We saw it with Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio. We saw it with Wiggins in Minnesota last year. And for the time being, we're seeing it with Winslow and the way he approaches everything. No smile. No expression. All business out there.
He'll turn 20 years old in March, a few weeks before the Heat plan on returning to the playoffs. To Bosh, he'll probably be the oldest 20-year old in the world by then. To the rest of the NBA, he'll simply be a nightmare to score against.
By Zach Harper / NBA writer
November 10, 2015 11:12 AM ET
MIAMI -- "He's the oldest 19-year old I know."
This has been something Chris Bosh has said about Miami Heat rookie Justise Winslow after a handful of preseason and regular season games. Just two weeks into Winslow's first NBA season and people are still shaking their heads at how he fell to Pat Riley and the Heat with the 10th pick in the draft. It was one of those fortuitous gifts that just seemed too perfect to actually happen.
Throughout training camp and preseason, coach Erik Spoelstra said the best thing Winslow could do in trying to fit in with such a veteran core (including Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, and Goran Dragic) is to not respect them. Bring the athleticism and energy, but don't revere them on the court. Take it to them on every possession as if it's something he's supposed to do despite not having the requisite experience. He's starting to treat the rest of the league this way early on.
In the Heat's first seven games, Spoelstra has tested Winslow on LeBron James, James Harden, Paul George, and DeMar DeRozan. He worked against LeBron but mostly didn't bother him too much (3-of-3 from the field). Against Harden is where the Heat really took notice of his defensive capabilities. With Harden encased in struggles with his shot, Winslow added to the frustration by allowing just one make in seven attempts.
"Coach kept putting him [on top guys]," Bosh said. "He put him on LeBron. Then he put him on James [Harden], and once we saw him on James, it was like OK. Then he guards Paul [George]. Paul got the best of him a little bit but there weren’t too many mistakes he made. It was more so on screens. It was on the bigs and the help side defense on that one.
"Just look at his poise. These are guys who average 20-30 points a night. DeRozan is [the Raptors'] leading scorer. He gets to the line 10 times a night. He averages 20-plus points. He just made it a nightmare for him.”
To Bosh's point, against George, Winslow was both good and bad. George was 1-of-6 with Winslow as the closest defender, but he got loose from the rookie on plenty of screens that took advantage of defensive miscommunications. The next game back, Winslow was tasked with slowing DeRozan and allowed just one make in four attempts while frustrating the Raptors' scorer to the point of provoking a technical foul and an offensive foul.
How does such a young player manage to do this with little to no experience?
“Yeah, he’s confusing me," Bosh admitted following the win over the Raptors. "I mean you always want to just kind of be easy on the rooks but he’s raising the bar every game. With his maturity. His ability. His knack to play defense. I’ve never seen anything like it as long as I’ve been in this league -- from a rookie.
"He’s just not making many mistakes. He’s playing solid defense. He’s already built like a tank. Him just being able to move his feet is able to help us out a lot.”
There can be a lot of noise in individual net rating statistics, especially this early in the season. But the Heat have just flat-out been better with the rookie on the floor. In the 140 minutes with Winslow on the bench, the Heat hace been outscored by 9.2 points per 100 possessions. In the 197 minutes Winslow has played, they're outscoring opponents by 19.4 points per 100. A difference of 28.6 points per 100 possessions doesn't even seem real, but his activity has affected the game demonstratively.
Opponents are shooting just 32.8 percent when he defends an attempt, which is 9.1 percent lower than they'd normally shoot. It's getting to the point that this kind of defensive production is expected out of a guy who has only played in seven games. He rebounds well, he hardly scores, he passes well, but the defense is what seems to be guaranteed. His teammates are counting on it.
His assignments over the next week will test him in very different ways. You can expect him to see time on Kobe Bryant, Gordon Hayward, and Andrew Wiggins. His presence on the floor is getting to the point where Spoelstra may have to consider starting the rookie, although that could threaten the balance and effectiveness of Miami's bench unit that is performing so well. It's the determination and poise to be that defensive presence that allows Winslow to do it. He has the right mindset for it.
“He’s committed to it," Spoelstra explains. "I don’t want to put too much right now on his shoulders. It’s what’s required. When he comes in off the bench, this is a dynamic wing league. This is a league of speed, quickness, of athleticism. Guys who can do a lot at the 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-9 range.
"And that’s one of the reasons we drafted him. You have to be able to have guys on your roster that can compete at those positions. Some nights, guys are going to get the best of him. He competes. He studies. He applies. He learns.”
Applying what he's learning with each possession that goes by is something we rarely see from rookie wing defenders. We saw it with Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio. We saw it with Wiggins in Minnesota last year. And for the time being, we're seeing it with Winslow and the way he approaches everything. No smile. No expression. All business out there.
He'll turn 20 years old in March, a few weeks before the Heat plan on returning to the playoffs. To Bosh, he'll probably be the oldest 20-year old in the world by then. To the rest of the NBA, he'll simply be a nightmare to score against.
Man..come on GG
Heat suspend Gerald Green for 'conduct detrimental to the team'
By Ananth Pandian / NBA writer
November 10, 2015 06:41 PM ET
Despite being released from the hospital on Saturday, Gerald Green will not be returning to the Miami Heat until Friday. The Heat have suspended Green for two games due to the incident relating to his hospitalization.
From a press release from the Heat:
The Miami HEAT announced today that Gerald Green has been suspended for two games for conduct detrimental to the team. He will begin his suspension immediately and miss tonight’s contest vs. the Lakers and Thursday’s game vs. Utah. He will rejoin the team on Friday.
“I want to apologize to my family, fans and the HEAT organization,” said Green. “I accept the suspension and look forward to rejoining my teammates this weekend.”
The Heat are still remaining mum on why Green was hospitalized and what warranted his suspension. But it is quite clear that the two events are related.
Green will be back in the lineup next week when the Heat take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at home in Miami.
Heat suspend Gerald Green for 'conduct detrimental to the team'
By Ananth Pandian / NBA writer
November 10, 2015 06:41 PM ET
Despite being released from the hospital on Saturday, Gerald Green will not be returning to the Miami Heat until Friday. The Heat have suspended Green for two games due to the incident relating to his hospitalization.
From a press release from the Heat:
The Miami HEAT announced today that Gerald Green has been suspended for two games for conduct detrimental to the team. He will begin his suspension immediately and miss tonight’s contest vs. the Lakers and Thursday’s game vs. Utah. He will rejoin the team on Friday.
“I want to apologize to my family, fans and the HEAT organization,” said Green. “I accept the suspension and look forward to rejoining my teammates this weekend.”
The Heat are still remaining mum on why Green was hospitalized and what warranted his suspension. But it is quite clear that the two events are related.
Green will be back in the lineup next week when the Heat take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at home in Miami.
Re: ������Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now������
ud40I chose this picture cause not everyone has traveled the road we have. Not everyone has had to perform in summer league to get a job. Playing like your life depended on it while draft picks out there coasting. I been there. I'm living proof of the grind. I know what it's like when the chips are stacked against u and all u want is a chance. Thankful that I could be a true representative of how far u can go coming from the bottom @biggame_32. Keep ya head strong stay prayed up and don't ever lose focus. This is a new opportunity and I know you'll take advantage.
Udonis Haslem: G. My brotha. My lil homie. U always kept it A1 from day 1. In a world filled with lights and cameras I found a brotha. Under my wing since u got here u and Bease will always have a place in my heart. I’d take a fine in a minute when someone was messing with u on the court. Idc where u from where u at or where u end up. I got U lil homie. Alaska to Miami to Memphis just call and it’s whatever. The bond goes beyond this game. The success we’ve shared is just a small part of the relationship we’ve built. It’s just beginning. The beauty of real friendship is we don’t have to see each other everyday to know we still connected. How u left is how we gon stay. Memphis getting a hell of a player and a fearless competitor. Wishing u all the best in the west division. – via Instagram
ud40I chose this picture cause not everyone has traveled the road we have. Not everyone has had to perform in summer league to get a job. Playing like your life depended on it while draft picks out there coasting. I been there. I'm living proof of the grind. I know what it's like when the chips are stacked against u and all u want is a chance. Thankful that I could be a true representative of how far u can go coming from the bottom @biggame_32. Keep ya head strong stay prayed up and don't ever lose focus. This is a new opportunity and I know you'll take advantage.
Udonis Haslem: G. My brotha. My lil homie. U always kept it A1 from day 1. In a world filled with lights and cameras I found a brotha. Under my wing since u got here u and Bease will always have a place in my heart. I’d take a fine in a minute when someone was messing with u on the court. Idc where u from where u at or where u end up. I got U lil homie. Alaska to Miami to Memphis just call and it’s whatever. The bond goes beyond this game. The success we’ve shared is just a small part of the relationship we’ve built. It’s just beginning. The beauty of real friendship is we don’t have to see each other everyday to know we still connected. How u left is how we gon stay. Memphis getting a hell of a player and a fearless competitor. Wishing u all the best in the west division. – via Instagram
Re: ������Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now������
Police incident report says Heat swingman Gerald Green punched someone in the eye at his Miami condo before police were called in to help fire rescue deal with a combative patient
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article44279211.html
Police incident report says Heat swingman Gerald Green punched someone in the eye at his Miami condo before police were called in to help fire rescue deal with a combative patient
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article44279211.html
Re: ������Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now������
Udonis comes across like a classy dude and hell of a teammate. He's going go the Alonzo route and probably always have a place within the franchise.
Heat look solid, especially with Johnson and Winslow as your future. Dragic looks like the odd man in but it takes time to gel
ud40I chose this picture cause not everyone has traveled the road we have. Not everyone has had to perform in summer league to get a job. Playing like your life depended on it while draft picks out there coasting. I been there. I'm living proof of the grind. I know what it's like when the chips are stacked against u and all u want is a chance. Thankful that I could be a true representative of how far u can go coming from the bottom @biggame_32. Keep ya head strong stay prayed up and don't ever lose focus. This is a new opportunity and I know you'll take advantage.
Udonis Haslem: G. My brotha. My lil homie. U always kept it A1 from day 1. In a world filled with lights and cameras I found a brotha. Under my wing since u got here u and Bease will always have a place in my heart. I’d take a fine in a minute when someone was messing with u on the court. Idc where u from where u at or where u end up. I got U lil homie. Alaska to Miami to Memphis just call and it’s whatever. The bond goes beyond this game. The success we’ve shared is just a small part of the relationship we’ve built. It’s just beginning. The beauty of real friendship is we don’t have to see each other everyday to know we still connected. How u left is how we gon stay. Memphis getting a hell of a player and a fearless competitor. Wishing u all the best in the west division. – via Instagram
Udonis comes across like a classy dude and hell of a teammate. He's going go the Alonzo route and probably always have a place within the franchise.
Heat look solid, especially with Johnson and Winslow as your future. Dragic looks like the odd man in but it takes time to gel
Re: ������Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now������
I am neutral on Winslow and Johnson...because really neither of them will really make a difference in pushing a team from average to top tier
I am neutral on Winslow and Johnson...because really neither of them will really make a difference in pushing a team from average to top tier
Re: ������Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now������
Winslow is Wade's replacement...guess the felt he has what it takes...I haven't got a real good feel on Johnson yet
Winslow is Wade's replacement...guess the felt he has what it takes...I haven't got a real good feel on Johnson yet
Re: ������Miami Heat 2015-2016 - We Loaded Now������
If Pat believes this then he smoking whatever it was that Gerald Green was on
If Pat believes this then he smoking whatever it was that Gerald Green was on
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