2011 NBA Offseason: Miami Heat
Draft Grades, Offseason Needs, Free Agents
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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Miami Heat (Last Year: 58-24)
2011 NBA Draft Team Grade:
With Reggie Jackson and Nolan Smith off the board, the Heat felt it needed to move up a couple spots to grab a point guard whom it felt could contibute right away, and Norris Cole was the best one on the board. It didn't cost them much to move up three spots, and it helps fill a need. (Team Grade: Makes sense)
Live 2011 NBA Draft Grades:
28. Norris Cole, PG, Cleveland State
The Heat acquired Cole (28th pick) from Minnesota for No. 31. Miami needs an upgrade at the point with a few point guards going higher than expected, the Heat needed to make a move to grab a guy they like. Cole should be able to find a role with Miami right away if they do not make a major move in free agency or trade to grab a vet point. (Pick Grade: Makes sense)
*** 2011 NBA Offseason Needs and Free Agents listed below this comment box. ***
2010-11 Season Summary:
You have to give the Heat this; even though they fell short in winning the World Championship, they helped create quite possibly the most entertaining 12 months of NBA basketball since the mid-90s. But with all the hype surrounding the Yankees of the NBA, anything short of a NBA title is a disappointment.
It took some time, but Miami was able to find its groove after a slow start. The team went 49-13 after beginning the year with a 9-8 mark, and did so short-handedly as Mike Miller missed half of the regular season and Udonis Haslem was limited to just 13 games due to injury before returning in the postseason.
One of the many questions surrounding the Heat this season was how their role players would complement the Big Three. Miller and Haslem were supposed to be big factors in that equation, but Miami had to look elsewhere, relying on guys like James Jones, Joel Anthony, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mario Chalmers, Carlos Arroyo, Eddie House, and even washed up veterans like Erick Dampier and Mike Bibby in hopes of finding an additional boost.
But with the Heat, it all revolves around their superpower trio. Not needing to burden the load like he did in Cleveland, LeBron saw his numbers dip some but still proved to be one of the best all-around players in the league. Dwyane Wade also benefited from having some responsibility lifted from his shoulders and emerged as the closer of the team.
Chris Bosh proved what we already knew; a soft power forward who is more comfortable hitting mid-range shots than trying to be a true presence in the post. Of the Big Three, Bosh received the most criticism throughout the season and truly appeared to be riding the coattails of his two new teammates.
So how do you judge the first year of this experiment in South Beach? Finishing with the second best record in the Eastern Conference is probably right on par with what most expected from this team. We knew it was going to take some time for the pieces to gel together and that is what happened. Yet, Miami was still the favorite come the NBA Finals, but failed to cash in on their preseason promise. Before it is all said and done though, expect the Heat to be laughing last.
2011-12 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Udonis Haslem/Joel Anthony/Eddy Curry/Dexter Pittman
PF: Chris Bosh
SF: LeBron James/Shane Battier
SG: Dwyane Wade/Mike Miller/Eddie House
PG: Mario Chalmers/Norris Cole
NBA Free Agents:
SF-James Jones (UFA)
C-Erick Dampier (UFA)
Offseason Transactions:
Heat sign F Shane Battier to three-year, $9.4 million contract.
Heat re-sign PF Juwan Howard to one-year deal worth league minimum.
Heat sign C Eddy Curry to one-year deal worth league minimum.
2011-12 Team Salary: Approximately $68.3 million
NBA Offseason Needs:
1. Brain Surgeon for LeBron: LeBron took an absolute beating for his fourth quarter no-shows in the NBA Finals, and you cannot help but wonder how that might effect his psyche heading into next season. He has been able to brush off the criticism in the past but with the growing reputation of being a choke artist, Miami needs to make sure LeBron has his head straight this offseason and can put the Finals in his rear view.
2. Point Guard: From Mario Chalmers to Carlos Arroyo to a washed up Mike Bibby; the Heat just did not have a point guard. Chalmers showed glimpses at times of being a solid role player but is a restricted free agent. Miami does not need a point guard who can create and find open teammates; LeBron and Dwyane Wade can handle that responsibility. Instead, the Heat has to add a point guard who can defend and also knock down open jump shots since LeBron and Wade are inconsistent from the perimeter.
3. True Big: The world knows that Chris Bosh is one of the softest power forwards in the league so Miami needs to find a capable big man who can protect the rim and maybe give Miami some sort of a back-to-the-basket scoring presence. Haslem is a solid role player, but best suited playing the four while Joel Anthony is nothing more than an energy guy who should be seeing regular minutes. Add in Big Z's free agency, and it leaves a hole in the middle for the Heat.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - June 20
2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 18
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 17
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
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All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Miami Heat (Last Year: 58-24)
2011 NBA Draft Team Grade:
With Reggie Jackson and Nolan Smith off the board, the Heat felt it needed to move up a couple spots to grab a point guard whom it felt could contibute right away, and Norris Cole was the best one on the board. It didn't cost them much to move up three spots, and it helps fill a need. (Team Grade: Makes sense)
Live 2011 NBA Draft Grades:
28. Norris Cole, PG, Cleveland State
The Heat acquired Cole (28th pick) from Minnesota for No. 31. Miami needs an upgrade at the point with a few point guards going higher than expected, the Heat needed to make a move to grab a guy they like. Cole should be able to find a role with Miami right away if they do not make a major move in free agency or trade to grab a vet point. (Pick Grade: Makes sense)
*** 2011 NBA Offseason Needs and Free Agents listed below this comment box. ***
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Lol
06-30-2012
01:19 am
xxx.xxx.xxx8.19
(total posts: 1)
 9
 10
WHO cares about this draft pick. It's not like the Heat needed to draft anyone. And what player isn't an F in the second round? If I remember correctly most 2nd round picks become irrelevant. The Heat are champions, screw the draft, they're just going to get better thru FA. GO HEAT! HAHA
Sharapaho
06-28-2012
11:50 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.105
(total posts: 1)
28
27
I would definitely give the selection an F, this guy isn't gonna make the final roster. But trading Moultrie to avoid the luxury was a good move. Hopefully the heat make a run at spencer hawes or somehow convince Marcus Camby to leave houston.
David Kay
07-03-2011
04:12 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx5.17
(total posts: 1)
25
24
@Dave typo on my part... fixing it as I write this...
Dave
07-02-2011
07:51 am
xxx.xxx.xxx.159
(total posts: 1)
27
23
Why is the 2011 salary 94 million... Is it just a hater sarcasm joke?
REAL TALK
06-28-2011
05:56 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx1.96
(total posts: 1)
25
41
Norris Cole could of been a true point guard for the T-Wolves. Why does SOTA keep messing up???? Rubio can't hit a shot if life depended on it and Luke Ridnour can't even break down WNBA defense. THIS FRANCHISE IS CURSED!
Big 2
06-24-2011
12:14 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.160
(total posts: 1)
30
27
Swag.
Walter
06-21-2011
05:09 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx4.88
(total posts: 1)
26
28
First comment... we're going to have comment boards like this all over the site soon. We're still working out the kinks, so this is not the finished product.
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2010-11 Season Summary:
You have to give the Heat this; even though they fell short in winning the World Championship, they helped create quite possibly the most entertaining 12 months of NBA basketball since the mid-90s. But with all the hype surrounding the Yankees of the NBA, anything short of a NBA title is a disappointment.
It took some time, but Miami was able to find its groove after a slow start. The team went 49-13 after beginning the year with a 9-8 mark, and did so short-handedly as Mike Miller missed half of the regular season and Udonis Haslem was limited to just 13 games due to injury before returning in the postseason.
One of the many questions surrounding the Heat this season was how their role players would complement the Big Three. Miller and Haslem were supposed to be big factors in that equation, but Miami had to look elsewhere, relying on guys like James Jones, Joel Anthony, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Mario Chalmers, Carlos Arroyo, Eddie House, and even washed up veterans like Erick Dampier and Mike Bibby in hopes of finding an additional boost.
But with the Heat, it all revolves around their superpower trio. Not needing to burden the load like he did in Cleveland, LeBron saw his numbers dip some but still proved to be one of the best all-around players in the league. Dwyane Wade also benefited from having some responsibility lifted from his shoulders and emerged as the closer of the team.
Chris Bosh proved what we already knew; a soft power forward who is more comfortable hitting mid-range shots than trying to be a true presence in the post. Of the Big Three, Bosh received the most criticism throughout the season and truly appeared to be riding the coattails of his two new teammates.
So how do you judge the first year of this experiment in South Beach? Finishing with the second best record in the Eastern Conference is probably right on par with what most expected from this team. We knew it was going to take some time for the pieces to gel together and that is what happened. Yet, Miami was still the favorite come the NBA Finals, but failed to cash in on their preseason promise. Before it is all said and done though, expect the Heat to be laughing last.
2011-12 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Udonis Haslem/Joel Anthony/Eddy Curry/Dexter Pittman
PF: Chris Bosh
SF: LeBron James/Shane Battier
SG: Dwyane Wade/Mike Miller/Eddie House
PG: Mario Chalmers/Norris Cole
NBA Free Agents:
SF-James Jones (UFA)
C-Erick Dampier (UFA)
Offseason Transactions:
Heat sign F Shane Battier to three-year, $9.4 million contract.
Heat re-sign PF Juwan Howard to one-year deal worth league minimum.
Heat sign C Eddy Curry to one-year deal worth league minimum.
2011-12 Team Salary: Approximately $68.3 million
NBA Offseason Needs:
1. Brain Surgeon for LeBron: LeBron took an absolute beating for his fourth quarter no-shows in the NBA Finals, and you cannot help but wonder how that might effect his psyche heading into next season. He has been able to brush off the criticism in the past but with the growing reputation of being a choke artist, Miami needs to make sure LeBron has his head straight this offseason and can put the Finals in his rear view.
2. Point Guard: From Mario Chalmers to Carlos Arroyo to a washed up Mike Bibby; the Heat just did not have a point guard. Chalmers showed glimpses at times of being a solid role player but is a restricted free agent. Miami does not need a point guard who can create and find open teammates; LeBron and Dwyane Wade can handle that responsibility. Instead, the Heat has to add a point guard who can defend and also knock down open jump shots since LeBron and Wade are inconsistent from the perimeter.
3. True Big: The world knows that Chris Bosh is one of the softest power forwards in the league so Miami needs to find a capable big man who can protect the rim and maybe give Miami some sort of a back-to-the-basket scoring presence. Haslem is a solid role player, but best suited playing the four while Joel Anthony is nothing more than an energy guy who should be seeing regular minutes. Add in Big Z's free agency, and it leaves a hole in the middle for the Heat.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - June 20
2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 18
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 17
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
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