Celebrate ninjas
I'm gonna go back through this thread 2mar0
*}{}{*}{}{*Official 2012-2013 Miami Heat Thread*}{}{*}{}{*
- Thread starter Mask
- Start date
I'm gonna go back through this thread 2mar0
The parade is scheduled for Monday at 11 EST
They gonna party until Monday then....
Miami Heat looks at NBA free agency with quesitons about Mike Miller, Joel Anthony, Ray Allen.
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
MIAMI—
** The Miami Heat schooled the NBA* during the regular season and playoffs. Now comes the hard part, the math.
** As Erik Spoelstra's team prepares for Monday's championship parade down Biscayne Boulevard, we try to make sense of the numbers going forward, with the Heat again limited by the salary cap and challenged by the luxury tax.
LeBron James
** 2013-14 contract status: James is under contract for $19 million next season, with two additional seasons on his contract. He holds a player opt-out for both the 2014 and 2015 offseasons, when he can become a free agent.
** How the math works: No sooner did the championship horn sound on the 2013 title then the clock began running toward James' June 30, 2014 opt-out deadline. It will be a season-long reality.
Dwyane Wade
** 2013-14 contract status: Wade is under contract for $18.7 million next season, with two additional seasons on his contract. He holds a player opt-out for both the 2014 and 2015 offseasons, when he can become a free agent.
** How the math works: Wade's knee issues make it possible he bypasses both his 2014 and 2015 opt-outs, unless he can get more years in return for less money.
Chris Bosh
** 2013-14 contract status: Bosh is under contract for $19 million next season, with two additional seasons on his contract. He holds a player opt-out for both the 2014 and 2015 offseasons, when he can become a free agent.
** How the math works: A trade could potentially alleviate luxury-tax burdens, but he also is the right Big Three fit.
Mario Chalmers
** 2013-14 contract status: The Heat hold a $4 million team option for 2013-14 on Chalmers that must be exercised by June 30 or he otherwise becomes a free agent.
** How the math works: At $4 million, he stands as a value fit, his option assuredly to be picked* up.
Ray Allen
** 2013-14 contract status: Allen holds a $3.2 million player option for 2013-14 that must be exercised by Saturday or he otherwise becomes a free agent.
** How the math works: He cannot earn more from Heat even by opting out. Has the 2013 title sated his Heat desire?
Mike Miller
** 2013-14 contract status: Miller is under contract for $6.2 million next season, as the fourth-highest-paid player on the roster, with one additional season on his contract, a player option.
** How the math works: Amnesty would save the Heat more than $20 million over next two seasons. It could be his mid-July reality.
Shane Battier
** 2013-14 contract status: Battier is under contract for $3.3 million next season on the final season on his contract.
** How the math works: One more season and then retirement?
Chris Andersen
** 2013-14 contract status: Andersen will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
** How the math works: Heat limited to maximum offer of $3.2 million for 2013-14.
Udonis Haslem
** 2013-14 contract status: Haslem is under contract for $4.3 million next season, as the fifth-highest-paid player on the roster, with one additional season on his contract, a player option.
** How the math works: Mr. 305/954 a franchise fixture.
Norris Cole
** 2013-14 contract status: Cole is under contract for $1.1 million next season, with the Heat controlling his rookie-scale draft rights for two additional seasons.
** How the math works: Perhaps most cost-effective labor on the Heat roster.
Joel Anthony
** 2013-14 contract status: Anthony is under contract for $3.8 million next season, with one additional season on his contract, a player option.
** How the math works: A trade or amnesty (if Miller is traded) both are possibilities.
Rashard Lewis
** 2013-14 contract status: Lewis holds a $1.4 million player option for 2013-14 that must be exercised by Saturday or he otherwise becomes a free agent.
** How the math works: Has indicated he will opt-in.
James Jones
** 2013-14 contract status: Jones holds a $1.5 million player option for 2013-14 that must be exercised by Saturday or he otherwise becomes a free agent.
** How the math works: Has said he will opt-in.
Jarvis Varnado
** 2013-14 contract status: Varnado is under contract for $789,000 next season, with one additional season on his contract, a team option. None of his 2013-14 salary is guaranteed until opening night.
** How the math works: Will have to earn his keep during summer league.
Juwan Howard
** 2013-14 contract status: Howard will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
** How the math works: Will be on speed dial for another mid-season call.
- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
MIAMI—
** The Miami Heat schooled the NBA* during the regular season and playoffs. Now comes the hard part, the math.
** As Erik Spoelstra's team prepares for Monday's championship parade down Biscayne Boulevard, we try to make sense of the numbers going forward, with the Heat again limited by the salary cap and challenged by the luxury tax.
LeBron James
** 2013-14 contract status: James is under contract for $19 million next season, with two additional seasons on his contract. He holds a player opt-out for both the 2014 and 2015 offseasons, when he can become a free agent.
** How the math works: No sooner did the championship horn sound on the 2013 title then the clock began running toward James' June 30, 2014 opt-out deadline. It will be a season-long reality.
Dwyane Wade
** 2013-14 contract status: Wade is under contract for $18.7 million next season, with two additional seasons on his contract. He holds a player opt-out for both the 2014 and 2015 offseasons, when he can become a free agent.
** How the math works: Wade's knee issues make it possible he bypasses both his 2014 and 2015 opt-outs, unless he can get more years in return for less money.
Chris Bosh
** 2013-14 contract status: Bosh is under contract for $19 million next season, with two additional seasons on his contract. He holds a player opt-out for both the 2014 and 2015 offseasons, when he can become a free agent.
** How the math works: A trade could potentially alleviate luxury-tax burdens, but he also is the right Big Three fit.
Mario Chalmers
** 2013-14 contract status: The Heat hold a $4 million team option for 2013-14 on Chalmers that must be exercised by June 30 or he otherwise becomes a free agent.
** How the math works: At $4 million, he stands as a value fit, his option assuredly to be picked* up.
Ray Allen
** 2013-14 contract status: Allen holds a $3.2 million player option for 2013-14 that must be exercised by Saturday or he otherwise becomes a free agent.
** How the math works: He cannot earn more from Heat even by opting out. Has the 2013 title sated his Heat desire?
Mike Miller
** 2013-14 contract status: Miller is under contract for $6.2 million next season, as the fourth-highest-paid player on the roster, with one additional season on his contract, a player option.
** How the math works: Amnesty would save the Heat more than $20 million over next two seasons. It could be his mid-July reality.
Shane Battier
** 2013-14 contract status: Battier is under contract for $3.3 million next season on the final season on his contract.
** How the math works: One more season and then retirement?
Chris Andersen
** 2013-14 contract status: Andersen will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
** How the math works: Heat limited to maximum offer of $3.2 million for 2013-14.
Udonis Haslem
** 2013-14 contract status: Haslem is under contract for $4.3 million next season, as the fifth-highest-paid player on the roster, with one additional season on his contract, a player option.
** How the math works: Mr. 305/954 a franchise fixture.
Norris Cole
** 2013-14 contract status: Cole is under contract for $1.1 million next season, with the Heat controlling his rookie-scale draft rights for two additional seasons.
** How the math works: Perhaps most cost-effective labor on the Heat roster.
Joel Anthony
** 2013-14 contract status: Anthony is under contract for $3.8 million next season, with one additional season on his contract, a player option.
** How the math works: A trade or amnesty (if Miller is traded) both are possibilities.
Rashard Lewis
** 2013-14 contract status: Lewis holds a $1.4 million player option for 2013-14 that must be exercised by Saturday or he otherwise becomes a free agent.
** How the math works: Has indicated he will opt-in.
James Jones
** 2013-14 contract status: Jones holds a $1.5 million player option for 2013-14 that must be exercised by Saturday or he otherwise becomes a free agent.
** How the math works: Has said he will opt-in.
Jarvis Varnado
** 2013-14 contract status: Varnado is under contract for $789,000 next season, with one additional season on his contract, a team option. None of his 2013-14 salary is guaranteed until opening night.
** How the math works: Will have to earn his keep during summer league.
Juwan Howard
** 2013-14 contract status: Howard will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
** How the math works: Will be on speed dial for another mid-season call.
Miami Heat center Chris Bosh revels in NBA Finals victory over San Antonio Spurs. - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
MIAMI—
* When it was over, when the clock reached zeros, a zero remained in Chris Bosh's scoring column.
* As the confetti fell late Thursday night and the Miami Heat prepared for Monday's championship parade down Biscayne Boulevard, some wondered not only why Bosh was emoting to the point that he almost choked on one of those flakes of confetti, but also how the embraces from teammates could be so unconditional.
* But he knew.
**And they knew.
* At the moments of truth, with a season teetering in the balance, Chris Bosh stood tallest.
*Which is all he has been asked to do since his arrival in the 2010 offseason.
* In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, there was his offensive rebound that led to his assist on Ray Allen's season-saving 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation in the overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs that paved the way for Thursday's Game 7. He closed Game 6 by blocking a potential game-tying 3-pointer by Danny Green with 1.2 seconds to play in the extra period.
** And then in Game 7, Bosh's first scoreless performance in 742 games, there was the rebound of the second of Tim Duncan's point-blank shots at the rim with 42.6 seconds left, with the Heat up by two. The Spurs never would draw closer.
** Moments later, big emotions from the Heat's most versatile big man, his confetti-choking moment an instant YouTube sensation.
** "They always say the second one is the hardest," he said in a reflective moment. "I see why they say that now. It was a hell of a ride and just to be able to do that with that special group of guys, it makes that much more memorable."
** Bosh offered his comments beside a beverage display case outside the Heat locker room. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers were summoned to the podium on championship night. Bosh was not.
* *On championship night, he wasn't even the third wheel to James and Wade. He was closer to the fourth or even fifth wheel, at least when it came to external inspection.
** But inside the locker room, inside the coaching suite, the confidence has been resolute, unconditional.
** He fits this team at this moment. It is why he was on the court during those Finals moments of truth. It is why he again will go face to face with confetti in a lead role Monday.
** "During one of the fourth quarter huddles," coach Erik Spoelstra said, "LeBron even said to him, 'Hey, doesn't matter what happens to this point.*No one is going to remember how many points you had, what type of game you had.* Just help us make some plays to win this thing.'
** "And C.B. understood.*He made some big plays down the stretch defensively, a couple of rebounds, battling against Duncan with foul trouble."
** And that's the thing, since the moment Bosh signed on alongside James and Wade, there has been an appreciation of having to do whatever is needed, score when James or Wade aren't scoring, defend when no one else on the roster can match his mix of quickness and lengthy, defer when being a third wheel allows James and Wade to wheel and deal in the open court.
*** At championship moment, that meant helping limit Duncan to 4-of-11 shooting in the second half of Game 7.
*** "That's all I had," Bosh said of his defense. "For a few games in this playoffs, that all I had to rely on. Tim Duncan, he's one of the best, he's one of the greatest. He's one of the reasons I'm in this position today and just to be able to compete against him was everything to me. It was just difficult hanging in there."
** He was able to get through his Thursday moment because he saw James and Wade get through their moments, when they were questioned, as well.
** "That's the main point about it," Bosh said. "Every game was different. For two months, every game was different for us. Guys, we have consummate professionals. They come in, they do their job, they don't complain."
** Therefore, there were no complaints from Bosh about Thursday, when there were just five shots from him, Mario Chalmers taking three times as many. Because a scoreless Chris Bosh emerged as a championship Chris Bosh.
** And if anyone dare speculate about a breakup of the Big Three, well, then Bosh said they just don't know what they need to know about how these back-to-back championship moments have been put together and why there is a parade Monday.
*** "Hey man, come on," he said. "We're trying to do something special. We've got two of them. It's the best feeling in the world and we have a lot more work to do. But for now, we can celebrate."
***
MIAMI—
* When it was over, when the clock reached zeros, a zero remained in Chris Bosh's scoring column.
* As the confetti fell late Thursday night and the Miami Heat prepared for Monday's championship parade down Biscayne Boulevard, some wondered not only why Bosh was emoting to the point that he almost choked on one of those flakes of confetti, but also how the embraces from teammates could be so unconditional.
* But he knew.
**And they knew.
* At the moments of truth, with a season teetering in the balance, Chris Bosh stood tallest.
*Which is all he has been asked to do since his arrival in the 2010 offseason.
* In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, there was his offensive rebound that led to his assist on Ray Allen's season-saving 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation in the overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs that paved the way for Thursday's Game 7. He closed Game 6 by blocking a potential game-tying 3-pointer by Danny Green with 1.2 seconds to play in the extra period.
** And then in Game 7, Bosh's first scoreless performance in 742 games, there was the rebound of the second of Tim Duncan's point-blank shots at the rim with 42.6 seconds left, with the Heat up by two. The Spurs never would draw closer.
** Moments later, big emotions from the Heat's most versatile big man, his confetti-choking moment an instant YouTube sensation.
** "They always say the second one is the hardest," he said in a reflective moment. "I see why they say that now. It was a hell of a ride and just to be able to do that with that special group of guys, it makes that much more memorable."
** Bosh offered his comments beside a beverage display case outside the Heat locker room. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers were summoned to the podium on championship night. Bosh was not.
* *On championship night, he wasn't even the third wheel to James and Wade. He was closer to the fourth or even fifth wheel, at least when it came to external inspection.
** But inside the locker room, inside the coaching suite, the confidence has been resolute, unconditional.
** He fits this team at this moment. It is why he was on the court during those Finals moments of truth. It is why he again will go face to face with confetti in a lead role Monday.
** "During one of the fourth quarter huddles," coach Erik Spoelstra said, "LeBron even said to him, 'Hey, doesn't matter what happens to this point.*No one is going to remember how many points you had, what type of game you had.* Just help us make some plays to win this thing.'
** "And C.B. understood.*He made some big plays down the stretch defensively, a couple of rebounds, battling against Duncan with foul trouble."
** And that's the thing, since the moment Bosh signed on alongside James and Wade, there has been an appreciation of having to do whatever is needed, score when James or Wade aren't scoring, defend when no one else on the roster can match his mix of quickness and lengthy, defer when being a third wheel allows James and Wade to wheel and deal in the open court.
*** At championship moment, that meant helping limit Duncan to 4-of-11 shooting in the second half of Game 7.
*** "That's all I had," Bosh said of his defense. "For a few games in this playoffs, that all I had to rely on. Tim Duncan, he's one of the best, he's one of the greatest. He's one of the reasons I'm in this position today and just to be able to compete against him was everything to me. It was just difficult hanging in there."
** He was able to get through his Thursday moment because he saw James and Wade get through their moments, when they were questioned, as well.
** "That's the main point about it," Bosh said. "Every game was different. For two months, every game was different for us. Guys, we have consummate professionals. They come in, they do their job, they don't complain."
** Therefore, there were no complaints from Bosh about Thursday, when there were just five shots from him, Mario Chalmers taking three times as many. Because a scoreless Chris Bosh emerged as a championship Chris Bosh.
** And if anyone dare speculate about a breakup of the Big Three, well, then Bosh said they just don't know what they need to know about how these back-to-back championship moments have been put together and why there is a parade Monday.
*** "Hey man, come on," he said. "We're trying to do something special. We've got two of them. It's the best feeling in the world and we have a lot more work to do. But for now, we can celebrate."
***
I know for a fact, last year Shane said rings or no rings, after three years, he's retiring
Shane bout to have 3 rings and grant hill has none
But
Grant hill got the money
But
Grant hill got the money
Man Miller is Wade backup and split time with Allen....
Lewis comes after Lebron and Bosh
LeBron Hasn't Begun Contemplating 2014
Jun 24, 2013 12:31 PM EDT
LeBron James can opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat during the 2014 offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are two teams likely to have enough cap space to sign him to a max contract outright, though the success of the situation with the Heat would prove difficult for him to leave.
"I don't know because I haven't really even thought about it," said James. "So when that moment comes up, I will approach it, like a professional, and we'll see what happens."
James almost certainly won't announce his decision live on television in an hour-long special.
"You learn from your mistakes," he said. "That's something I've been able to do."
James and the Heat have reached the Finals in each of their three seasons together.
"That's something I've lived with, and if the opportunity comes [again], if I'm in that position, I'll be able to handle it much better."
Jun 24, 2013 12:31 PM EDT
LeBron James can opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat during the 2014 offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are two teams likely to have enough cap space to sign him to a max contract outright, though the success of the situation with the Heat would prove difficult for him to leave.
"I don't know because I haven't really even thought about it," said James. "So when that moment comes up, I will approach it, like a professional, and we'll see what happens."
James almost certainly won't announce his decision live on television in an hour-long special.
"You learn from your mistakes," he said. "That's something I've been able to do."
James and the Heat have reached the Finals in each of their three seasons together.
"That's something I've lived with, and if the opportunity comes [again], if I'm in that position, I'll be able to handle it much better."
This video is pretty interesting and funny at the same time.
Gotta admit - that shit looks fun!
Miami Heat President Pat Riley says Chalmers will be back, wants Miller, considers Oden
MIAMI—
** Miami Heat President Pat Riley made the priority clear Wednesday during his post-championship state-of-the-team media session at AmericanAirlines Arena.
** "We don't like to change," he said at the same podium where his players and coach spoke the previous two days about their goal of defending their 2013 NBA championship. "I don't like to change that much, not when you're winning."
** He then backed up his words with a pair of announcements, first that the team has picked up the $4 million 2013-14 team option on the contract of point guard Mario Chalmers, and that his preference is not to expose swingman Mike Miller to the offseason amnesty-release program, instead hopeful of having Miller on his roster next season.
** Later, in a revealing moment, he acknowledged just how significant winning the championship was to the overall personnel process, to retaining the core going forward.
* Asked if there would have been greater consideration for turnover had the Heat not rallied for their dramatic Game 6 NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs and then closed out the series in Game 7, Riley said, "Probably. The whole set of dynamics would have been an absolute negative flood of energy. But it didn't happen. Would we have approached it differently? We probably would have been thinking differently. But I don't even want to think about that."
** Instead, there was a second consecutive championship, a parade down Biscayne Boulevard and Riley speaking of battling through the luxury tax to return the championship roster largely intact, appreciating that it is owner Micky Arison who ultimately would have to sign off on a luxury-tax bill that could eclipse $20 million or even $30 million.
** "The challenge," Riley said, "is how to manage it within the confines of a very punitive collective-bargaining agreement. I'm going to leave that to Micky."
** But he also plans to remain in place to oversee the personnel aspect.
** "Why would anybody want to get off this train?" Riley said, adding he plans to stay in his current position, "as long as Micky will have me."
** On the personnel front, Riley touched on numerous personnel issues.
** -- Beyond the formalities of signing off on Chalmers' 2013-14 option by Sunday's deadline, he said a return by Miller also is the preference, with the NBA's amnesty period in mid-July.
** "Mike has sacrificed over the last three years," Riley said. "He is truly a great, great player. He's not just a great shooter. He's a greater player."
* Riley stressed that an amnesty release of Miller is more of an outside notion.
* "Unless I get a mandate . . . we haven't talked about it," he said. "We really haven't talked about it. We just want to keep this team together."
** -- Of guard Ray Allen potential testing the free-agent market, with Allen facing a Saturday player-option deadline, Riley said, "I can't speak for Ray. I really don't know what his decision is going to be. I do know that we want him back.
* "I also know that he's a very, very smart man, in that playing with LeBron James and Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade and having him on the roster and all the other players he has become very close to, I think he'll make the wise decision."
** -- Riley said he is hopeful of re-signing Chris Andersen during free agency, noting Andersen's dedication is to the point where "Birdman" was at AmericanAirlines Arena working out while Riley was offering his Wednesday comments.
** "He was very uncomfortable in the meeting the other night, when I planted a kiss right on his lips. He didn't know how to take that," Riley said, joking that he actually limited the post-championship embrace to a hug.
** "We love Chris Andersen and we want him back. He will obviously be informed by his agents as to all the ramifications of what's out there."
** -- Riley said the Heat mostly plan to wait out the free-agent market, looking for low-cost options, saying, "We're going to cannibalize that market in August and September."
** He hinted the Heat may not spend their $3.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception on an outside option.
*** "We're not going to be a player, that active in the way we were the last couple of years in acquiring Shane [Battier] and getting Ray and Rashard Lewis," he said. "I think those were great additions that we needed to fill in the blanks with. I'm not so sure we need to fill in the blanks right now."
* -- Riley, though, does appear to be intrigued by free-agent center Greg Oden.
* "We visited," Riley said. "Greg was in Miami with his agent, Mike Conley Sr., and we had a good two-day visit. We will explore that and see where it goes because of the possibilities.
* "There's been a lot of players young in their careers that have had chronic injuries that somewhere . . . it doesn't happen to them anymore. I think he's such a young player and to be such a force, that you'd want to monitor him very closely. So we will do that."
***
MIAMI—
** Miami Heat President Pat Riley made the priority clear Wednesday during his post-championship state-of-the-team media session at AmericanAirlines Arena.
** "We don't like to change," he said at the same podium where his players and coach spoke the previous two days about their goal of defending their 2013 NBA championship. "I don't like to change that much, not when you're winning."
** He then backed up his words with a pair of announcements, first that the team has picked up the $4 million 2013-14 team option on the contract of point guard Mario Chalmers, and that his preference is not to expose swingman Mike Miller to the offseason amnesty-release program, instead hopeful of having Miller on his roster next season.
** Later, in a revealing moment, he acknowledged just how significant winning the championship was to the overall personnel process, to retaining the core going forward.
* Asked if there would have been greater consideration for turnover had the Heat not rallied for their dramatic Game 6 NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs and then closed out the series in Game 7, Riley said, "Probably. The whole set of dynamics would have been an absolute negative flood of energy. But it didn't happen. Would we have approached it differently? We probably would have been thinking differently. But I don't even want to think about that."
** Instead, there was a second consecutive championship, a parade down Biscayne Boulevard and Riley speaking of battling through the luxury tax to return the championship roster largely intact, appreciating that it is owner Micky Arison who ultimately would have to sign off on a luxury-tax bill that could eclipse $20 million or even $30 million.
** "The challenge," Riley said, "is how to manage it within the confines of a very punitive collective-bargaining agreement. I'm going to leave that to Micky."
** But he also plans to remain in place to oversee the personnel aspect.
** "Why would anybody want to get off this train?" Riley said, adding he plans to stay in his current position, "as long as Micky will have me."
** On the personnel front, Riley touched on numerous personnel issues.
** -- Beyond the formalities of signing off on Chalmers' 2013-14 option by Sunday's deadline, he said a return by Miller also is the preference, with the NBA's amnesty period in mid-July.
** "Mike has sacrificed over the last three years," Riley said. "He is truly a great, great player. He's not just a great shooter. He's a greater player."
* Riley stressed that an amnesty release of Miller is more of an outside notion.
* "Unless I get a mandate . . . we haven't talked about it," he said. "We really haven't talked about it. We just want to keep this team together."
** -- Of guard Ray Allen potential testing the free-agent market, with Allen facing a Saturday player-option deadline, Riley said, "I can't speak for Ray. I really don't know what his decision is going to be. I do know that we want him back.
* "I also know that he's a very, very smart man, in that playing with LeBron James and Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade and having him on the roster and all the other players he has become very close to, I think he'll make the wise decision."
** -- Riley said he is hopeful of re-signing Chris Andersen during free agency, noting Andersen's dedication is to the point where "Birdman" was at AmericanAirlines Arena working out while Riley was offering his Wednesday comments.
** "He was very uncomfortable in the meeting the other night, when I planted a kiss right on his lips. He didn't know how to take that," Riley said, joking that he actually limited the post-championship embrace to a hug.
** "We love Chris Andersen and we want him back. He will obviously be informed by his agents as to all the ramifications of what's out there."
** -- Riley said the Heat mostly plan to wait out the free-agent market, looking for low-cost options, saying, "We're going to cannibalize that market in August and September."
** He hinted the Heat may not spend their $3.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception on an outside option.
*** "We're not going to be a player, that active in the way we were the last couple of years in acquiring Shane [Battier] and getting Ray and Rashard Lewis," he said. "I think those were great additions that we needed to fill in the blanks with. I'm not so sure we need to fill in the blanks right now."
* -- Riley, though, does appear to be intrigued by free-agent center Greg Oden.
* "We visited," Riley said. "Greg was in Miami with his agent, Mike Conley Sr., and we had a good two-day visit. We will explore that and see where it goes because of the possibilities.
* "There's been a lot of players young in their careers that have had chronic injuries that somewhere . . . it doesn't happen to them anymore. I think he's such a young player and to be such a force, that you'd want to monitor him very closely. So we will do that."
***
Ray Allen won't opt out of contract with Miami Heat
Ray Allen celebrates after Game 7 of the NBA Finals, when his Heat clinched the title against the Spurs.
by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports
Miami Heat guard Ray Allen has exercised his player option for the 2013-14 season and will not become a free agent, his agent, Jim Tanner, told USA TODAY Sports.
Allen is scheduled to make $3.2 million next season, but there was the possibility Allen might opt out of the final year of his Heat deal only to sign a slightly more lucrative deal with the team. The Heat confirmed Allen exercised his option.
After the Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Allen said he "would love to" come back for another season.
Allen wasn't sure what to expect when he joined Miami in 2012-2013 after leaving the Boston Celtics. But he fit in almost immediately and became close with Heat star LeBron James. The two talked often after practice and competed against each other whether it was cards or to see who ran wind sprints the fastest.
Allen appreciated that James sought out Allen's advice and knowledge. During the playoffs, Allen told USA TODAY Sports: "He was just probably the most dominant player that I played with. Every game, he's ready to play. I haven't seen him play one bad game this year. He may have had games where he didn't shoot the ball the way he would have liked. If you look at his numbers, that's pretty much what he did all year and was unstoppable. Everybody followed suit. He plays with such a motor that everybody had to play at that level.
"He's just an incredible student of the game. He pays attention to everything. He remembers things from previous games. We may have played a team two months ago and he will remember a defensive coverage, and he's got an incredible IQ where he keeps everybody alert."
After Game 7 of the Finals, Allen said, "It's his ability to want to get better and his ability to learn, his ability to adapt to situation. He wanted to learn everything I knew. He always asked me questions about why I do certain things and what they meant. A player of his caliber, I had not been used to that. I'd like to say we competed toe-to-toe a lot this year — off the court, on the court."
Coming off the bench for the first time in his career, Allen averaged 10.9 points a game and shot 41.9% on three-pointers last season. His three-pointer in Game 6 of the Finals completed a huge Heat comeback to force the game into overtime, where Miami beat the Spurs and staved off elimination. Afterward, he said it might have been the biggest shot of his career.
The NBA's all-time three-point leader averaged 11.4 points on 44.6% three-point shooting in 63 Heat regular-season wins to 8.9 on 29.5% in 16 losses (and missed three games). He previously won a championship with the Celtics as part of a now-dissolved star trio alongside Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
The 37-year-old is fifth behind Kobe Bryant, Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki and Pierce among active players with 23,804 career points.
Copyright 2013 USATODAY.com
Ray Allen celebrates after Game 7 of the NBA Finals, when his Heat clinched the title against the Spurs.
by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports
Miami Heat guard Ray Allen has exercised his player option for the 2013-14 season and will not become a free agent, his agent, Jim Tanner, told USA TODAY Sports.
Allen is scheduled to make $3.2 million next season, but there was the possibility Allen might opt out of the final year of his Heat deal only to sign a slightly more lucrative deal with the team. The Heat confirmed Allen exercised his option.
After the Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Allen said he "would love to" come back for another season.
Allen wasn't sure what to expect when he joined Miami in 2012-2013 after leaving the Boston Celtics. But he fit in almost immediately and became close with Heat star LeBron James. The two talked often after practice and competed against each other whether it was cards or to see who ran wind sprints the fastest.
Allen appreciated that James sought out Allen's advice and knowledge. During the playoffs, Allen told USA TODAY Sports: "He was just probably the most dominant player that I played with. Every game, he's ready to play. I haven't seen him play one bad game this year. He may have had games where he didn't shoot the ball the way he would have liked. If you look at his numbers, that's pretty much what he did all year and was unstoppable. Everybody followed suit. He plays with such a motor that everybody had to play at that level.
"He's just an incredible student of the game. He pays attention to everything. He remembers things from previous games. We may have played a team two months ago and he will remember a defensive coverage, and he's got an incredible IQ where he keeps everybody alert."
After Game 7 of the Finals, Allen said, "It's his ability to want to get better and his ability to learn, his ability to adapt to situation. He wanted to learn everything I knew. He always asked me questions about why I do certain things and what they meant. A player of his caliber, I had not been used to that. I'd like to say we competed toe-to-toe a lot this year — off the court, on the court."
Coming off the bench for the first time in his career, Allen averaged 10.9 points a game and shot 41.9% on three-pointers last season. His three-pointer in Game 6 of the Finals completed a huge Heat comeback to force the game into overtime, where Miami beat the Spurs and staved off elimination. Afterward, he said it might have been the biggest shot of his career.
The NBA's all-time three-point leader averaged 11.4 points on 44.6% three-point shooting in 63 Heat regular-season wins to 8.9 on 29.5% in 16 losses (and missed three games). He previously won a championship with the Celtics as part of a now-dissolved star trio alongside Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
The 37-year-old is fifth behind Kobe Bryant, Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki and Pierce among active players with 23,804 career points.
Copyright 2013 USATODAY.com
Similar threads
