Heat, offer Odom deal

The Miami Heat and Lamar Odom have discussed a deal that would approach the $9 million salary the free-agent forward nearly agreed to last week with the Los Angeles Lakers before talks broke down, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has reported.


The Heat, who traded Odom to the Lakers five years ago in the trade that brought Shaquille O'Neal to South Florida, have made Odom a firm offer to return, according to The Associated Press.

Pat Riley, addressing Heat season-ticket holders in a two-day session Wednesday and Thursday that was closed to media, said the Heat were also monitoring Carlos Boozer's status with the Utah Jazz but had not entered discussions on acquiring the forward.

Riley said the team could add Odom, Boozer or both without sacrificing its goals toward 2010's free-agent class, the Sun-Sentinel reported, citing people in attendance at the private sit-ins and sources involved in the Heat's dealings.

Florida's lack of state taxes and other payment options give the Heat the ability to offer Odom a contract matching the scrapped Lakers deal, the Fort Lauderdale newspaper reported.

The Lakers retracted their offer to Odom early this week, saying that talks had stalled.

Sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that Odom had balked at the Lakers' unwillingness to extend an offer spanning more than three years in length.

"There are specifics behind why we pulled it, but that's not something we're going to get into," Lakers public relations director John Black said.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Lakers owner Jerry Buss offered Odom two deals, one worth $36 million for four years and the other $10 million a season for three years.

Odom, who will turn 30 in November, made $14.1 million this past season.

Dwyane Wade, who spent much of his rookie season picking Odom's brain, said he hopes those chats start again soon.

"I want Lamar to do what's best for him and his family because we love him as family, but on the other hand, we want him back home, to come home," Wade said Friday in a telephone interview with the AP. "His house is still there. It'd be exciting to see what happens."

Odom averaged 17.1 points -- the second-highest average of his career -- in 80 games with the Heat during the 2003-04 season.

The Heat went 42-40 that season with Odom, winning 17 of their final 21 regular-season games and earning the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference. That summer, Miami traded Caron Butler, Brian Grant and Odom to the Lakers for O'Neal, who helped Wade and the Heat win a championship two years later.

Odom spent the past five years with the Lakers, during which he played a key role off the bench in their 2009 championship run. He averaged 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds during the playoffs.

Wade, who has asked the Heat to make some roster upgrades with hopes of getting back to the championship level, said he doesn't need to call Odom to lobby for his return.

"Lamar already knows how I feel," Wade said. "I really don't know how to feel. He's really taken time to deal with it, sit back. It's a very important decision in his life. It could be about where he ends his career."

Over his 10-year career, the versatile 6-foot-10 Odom has averaged 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds.

"Lamar and I always had a great relationship," Wade said. "He's always been the guy, one of the guys, that I thought really helped me as a young player." Source: Espn

Lakers pull offer to Odom

Jerry Buss is upset that the free-agent forward and his agent have not responded to Lakers' offer of $9 million a season.

The Lakers have pulled their offer off the table to free-agent forward Lamar Odom.

"Yes, we have taken the deal off the table," Lakers spokesman John Black said Tuesday. "Talks have broken down for the time being."

Asked if talks could resume, Blacks said, "That's within the realm of possibility."

Lakers owner Jerry Buss is upset that Odom and his representative, agent Jeff Schwartz, haven't made contact with the organization regarding its $9-million-per season offer for three years.

Odom and his agent have been seeking $10 million for five years.

Neither Schwartz nor Odom could be reached for comment.

The source also said Buss was not happy that Odom and Schwartz have been having talks with the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat about a deal, but have refused to talk to the Lakers.

The Heat and Mavericks can offer Odom only the mid-level exception of $5.8 million, but can give him a five-year deal up to $34 million.

It was widely known that Odom, who will be 30 in November, would have to take a pay cut because of his age, the declining economy and the small number of teams that were far enough under the NBA salary cap to make a legitimate offer to him. He was on the Lakers' books for $14.1 million last season, the final year of a six-year, $63-million contract he signed with Miami in 2003.

Boozer to the Bulls not good for the Heat

Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer appeared on WMVP’s “Waddle and Silvy Show” Tuesday morning and pretty much said what Bulls fans – if they are pro-Boozer – would want to hear:

--He believes he’ll be traded relatively soon.

--He’d love to play for the Bulls.

--He’s open to signing a contract extension and skipping free agency next year.

--He’s tight with Miami’s Dwyane Wade. The Bulls’ ultimate goal appears to be trading for Boozer this summer, while also clearing enough cap room to encourage Wade to come home next summer as a free agent.

As a refresher, Boozer has averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in two of the last three seasons. Anyway, here’s the interview:

Q: Do you think you will be traded?
A: Yeah I do. I had a talk with the Jazz. The Jazz told me they want to go in a different direction and I respect their decision. We mutually agreed to work out a trade that was beneficial for them and beneficial for my family and me. So with that being said I’m gonna be traded relatively soon or in good time.

Q: Will you be traded to the Chicago Bulls?
A: I definitely heard a little rumbling about it. Whether it will go down or not, that’s kind of between the Jazz and Chicago. But obviously if I did get traded to Chicago, I’d love to be a part of the Bulls.

Q: What is feeling about the Chicago Bulls organization?
A: Great organization, top notch from top to bottom. They do things very professionally there. At the same time, they have a good group of talent there. Obviously with Derrick Rose at the helm and being rookie of the year last year and having some very good talent around him. Very good team. If I was able to come there, I’d bring a lot, especially in the low post and being a leader as well. We’ll see what happens.

Q: Are you set on free agency (in 2010)?
A: I’d definitely be open to signing an extension and be locked into a team. Obviously, one that wanted me to be there in the future and one I thought would have a chance to succeed. That would be something me and my agent would explore right away.

Q: Do you see similar aspects of Derrick Rose and (Utah’s Deron) Williams?
A: They’re both big body point guards. They have incredible speed and quickness. Derrick Rose is probably one of the most athletic guards I’ve seen in a very long time. Especially at the point guard position, probably the most athletic point guard I’ve seen. He grew up a lot during the course of the season, had a monster playoff series, a memorable one with Boston.
Bright future, very talented, very humble. I love his demeanor, he never seems shaken, never seems too excited, he always has the same Tim Duncan look; you never know if you’re up by 20 or down by 20. Very explosive player, and I see a lot of similarities between him and Deron. Very good passer, very good explosive player, and he’s fun to watch.

Q: Could you influence Dwayne Wade to come to Chicago?
A: Well, me and D-Wade are very close. We talk quite a bit, but that’s a decision he has to make with himself and obviously if I did come to the Bulls … I’d love to have D-Wade play for us. At the same time, D-Wade is like me and wants to win a championship bad. If I was able to go to the Bulls and get D-Wade to come, we’d be right there at the top of the list. Source: DailyHerald.com

Boozer expects to be traded by Jazz 'relatively soon'

Carlos Boozer doesn't expect to be playing for the Utah Jazz this season as reported earlier by Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.

Just two weeks ago, Boozer opted to remain with the Jazz for the final year of his contract. But the two-time All-Star told a Chicago radio station Tuesday he expects the Jazz to trade him.

"The Jazz told me they want to go in a different direction and I respect their decision," Boozer said Tuesday during an interview with WMVP. "We mutually agreed to work out a trade that was beneficial for them and beneficial for my family and me. So with that being said I'm gonna be traded relatively soon or in good time." Source: CBSSports.com

Haslem & James Jones for Boozer

No concrete evidence has materialized -- yet -- that the Heat are preparing to send Udonis Haslem's expiring contract to Utah for the expiring contract of Carlos Boozer.

But one trade scenario, presented online Monday by David Aldridge of TNT and NBA.com, would appear to have some promise for the Jazz, who long to find a way to move Boozer and take back less money, which generally requires the involvement of a third team.

Trading Haslem and James Jones to the Jazz would allow Miami to give Boozer a one-season test drive without endangering its 2010 salary-cap space and conceivably would help Utah out by fitting C.J. Miles into its $4.3 million trade exception in exchange for a future draft pick in another transaction. Source: ESPN.com

Roll call: Allen, Andre, Lamar & Carlos

This is why there is nothing wrong with sitting back during the first week of free agency. Plenty still remains to be sorted out, even from a Heat standpoint, with more than a few examples worth citing.

Allen Iverson: So now it's the Clippers who are the front-runners, unless you're still listening to Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley. Mostly, this is about making Allen relevant again, trying to stoke interest. The concern remains, as NBA.com points out, that Iverson is "chafing" at the notion of playing off the bench. Considering Baron Davis remains with the Clippers, Mike Conley with the Grizzlies, Raymond Felton (at least for now) with the Bobcats, an argument can be made that the best chance to start would be in Miami. But is that what a young team needs, a player who is "chafing" about a role even before arriving?

Lamar Odom championship Lamar Odom: Yes, the Heat has long fancied Lamar, which is why, amid Odom's difficult negotiations with the Lakers, Pat Riley's team has been injected into the conversation. But getting beyond whether the Heat would offer the maximum five years at the mid-level and cut into its future space, is Odom seriously going to take a two-thirds pay cut just to spite the Lakers? As for sign-and-trades, that would only be considered if the situation truly turned desperate for both Odom and the Lakers.

Andre Miller: To his credit, 76ers General Manager Ed Stefanski has been candid about a long-term contract for Andre Miller not being in the best interest of his young team. So that makes sign-and-trades a possibility. It remains difficult to gauge Heat interest, especially with an outside shooter preferred alongside Dwyane Wade. The 76ers are said to be looking for a forward and a guard, so Udonis Haslem and Daequan Cook could be a starting point.

Carlos Boozer: He will be moved, the question is where and how a trade can be structured that trims 2009-10 salary for the Jazz. Until Boozer is dealt, the Heat figures to remain in the equation. Don't discount the Heat's trade exception as being part of a salary-cutting fix for Utah. Source: The Sun Sentinel

A.I. & Boozer talk continues

Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley went as far as to tell ESPN.com that he considers the Heat the favorite to land Iverson.

Word from inside the Heat, however, is that Iverson in no way stands as a priority, and interest from Wade appears to be dramatically overstated.

As for Boozer, who appears to be on the way out in Utah due to the Jazz's oversized payroll, there could be potential interest in a deal for Heat power forward Udonis Haslem, who, like Boozer, holds an expiring contract and whose blue-collar approach appeals to Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Source: The Sun Sentinel

Boozer to Miami?

He's been linked to Miami for quite some time, partly because he has an offseason home there, partly because of his relationship with Heat star Dwyane Wade and partly because of his friendship with Heat owner Micky Arrison.

But Miami has no team payroll salary cap space this summer, so for a while talk of Carlos Boozer-to-the-Heat as a free agent cooled.

And now it's warming back up.

Heat star Dwyane Wade — who has been bickering with the franchise lately regarding a contract extension and the team's need to improve its roster — is lobbying, to a degree, for Miami to go after the Jazz's on-the-trade-block power forward.

The two are good friends and were gold medal-winning USA Basketball Olympic teammates.

"Any time you can play with another great player, a fellow Olympian, I mean it's always something that's got to spark your interest," Wade told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Saturday. "But, at the same time, I'm done trying to push (Heat president) Pat (Riley) to do anything. He's going to do a good job for us. And we just have to have patience."

On the same weekend Jazz point guard Deron Williams held his charity golf tournament, Boozer — by the way — was scheduled to take part Sunday in the Summer Groove charity all-star basketball game at Miami, an event Wade co-hosts.

Chicago, New York, Detroit and Miami all supposedly are potential destinations for the two-time NBA All-Star — if he's dealt.

Boozer recently opted in for the final year and last $12.65 million on his current contract — taking him off the free-agency market, but prompting Utah to aggressively try to trade him. Source: Deseret News

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade tries to clear the air

Dwyane Wade's recent public criticism of the Heat's lack of roster moves so far this summer was in response to a painful stance team president Pat Riley took last month regarding the guard's contract status.

Wade reiterated Thursday that no rift exists between the two, but he also said he did not agree with Riley's decision to hold off on any major roster upgrades until Wade commits to a long-term extension.

'Coach Riley opened up the wound when he said, `Until Dwyane signs back, we can't do anything,' '' Wade said Thursday during a charity golf tournament as part of The Summer Groove events he is co-sponsoring with Alonzo Mourning. ``But me and Pat Riley are not against each other. We both want the same thing. We're just in two different positions.''

And those positions have been clearly -- and publicly -- defined over the past three weeks since Riley divulged his position in a June 18 meeting with reporters in his office at AmericanAirlines Arena.

It was then when Riley said his top offseason priority was to re-sign Wade to an extension -- then address the team's other roster needs to build on a 43-39 finish.

Riley also said he needed to protect the team's spending flexibility next summer, when the Heat could be in position to re-sign Wade should he reject an extension this summer and add another top-tier free agent from a potential star-studded class that could include LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh.

But a fast-track approach could not be taken unless Wade was on board and locked in for the long haul.

''There can't be any major franchise changes made without his commitment,'' Riley said last month. ``He knows this. I'm going to do the best sales job I can. Whatever we do going forward is going to be predicated on that.''

Miami has the $5.8 million mid-level exception, a $4.3 million trade exception and a

$2 million veteran's exception it could use to improve the roster. But the Heat already is above the league's $69.9 million luxury tax, which results in a dollar penalty for every dollar in excessive payroll.

IVERSON AN OPTION

The Heat is exploring sign-and-trade options and is in talks with several free agents, including former MVP Allen Iverson, who has listed Miami among his preferred destinations.

Riley has not addressed Wade's contract status since he made those comments and has declined recent interview requests. But Wade has responded repeatedly and adamantly, and he has countered that he wants to see key roster upgrades before he commits to anything beyond the final guaranteed season of his contract.

During promotional appearances earlier this week, Wade said he would stay in Miami only if the team was a championship contender. Miami has not advanced past the first round since Wade, 27, led the Heat to its only NBA title in 2006.

Wade also questioned the readiness of the Heat's young players to take the next step in order to keep up in the East, where the Heat was the fifth seed last season but lost in seven games to Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs.

Wade said his patience has been tested in recent weeks with the Heat's inactivity at a time when Detroit, Cleveland, Boston, Washington, Atlanta, Orlando and Toronto all have made bold moves to remain or climb into contention.

The Heat's front office is believed to be concerned if not displeased with the public-venting approach. Wade even acknowledged Thursday that his comments in response to Riley's might have created a perception that he is at odds with the franchise that drafted him fifth overall in 2003. But any such perception should not be considered the reality, Wade said.

''I sense that, and it makes for good headlines,'' Wade said. ``I had to answer [questions], and I answered them -- to say I just want to make sure we build a winning team here. We both want this organization to build to win a championship now. He has to deal with the money side of it. I have to deal with the playing side. That's the difference.''

Mourning, who recently accepted a job as the Heat's vice president for player development, said Wade has been effective in his approach.

''The only way for people to understand what you're thinking is for you to communicate,'' Mourning said Thursday. ``So now, I think the Heat knows exactly where Dwyane's heart is.''

WADE CAN SIGN SUNDAY

Wade, coming off the best statistical season of his six-year career in Miami, becomes eligible Sunday to sign an extension that would tack three seasons and about $60 million onto his current contract.

Wade is set to earn $33 million over the next two seasons, but appears to be leaning toward opting out of his deal next summer for free agency. Should he opt out after the 2009-10 season, Wade could re-sign with the Heat for about $120 million over six years or take a five-year deal for about $90 million with another team.

''I think people look at it and see it's not about the money,'' Wade said. ``If it was, I'd sign back [with Miami]. The Heat can pay me more money than any other team, so it's all about winning for me. And that's what I'm expecting more than anything.''

Source: Miami Herald

There are no temporary solutions

Among the responses in my interview this week with Dwyane Wade, one, in particular, resonated.

When I asked about possibly buying time this season with players on one-year contracts, he replied, "I'm looking for us to be in a position where we put guys around me that we can win with for the long haul. And I'll wait until that happens."

Allen Iverson vs. Heat And that's where this Allen Iverson discussion should end. Would Iverson help the Heat over the short run? Certainly. He would provide the offense the team so lacked in those first-round blowout losses to the Hawks.

But consider where that would leave the Heat, should it field a starting five with Iverson and Jermaine O'Neal: With a lineup of two prime contributors who would have to go if a true makeover were to be undertaken next summer.

It was one thing when Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Brian Grant were summarily cast aside in the 2004 offseason for Shaquille O'Neal. None of those three knew they were out the door as soon as that magical run to the second round was over. They played as if there was a South Florida future.

But to go into a season asking the best of O'Neal and Iverson while also acknowledging there is little wiggle room for a return, what type of atmosphere would that create? Having one rental player is tough enough. But two? And with a second-year coach?

If Wade needs a stop-gap scorer for when he exits games, someone along the lines of Hawks free-agent guard Flip Murray might make more sense. Asking a journeyman role player to be a journeyman role player is a different story than asking a former All-Star to give his best and then get the heck out of the way. Times two. Source: SunSentinel.com

Iverson might be the answer to Miami Heat keeping Wade

His nickname was ''The Answer'' back before that became a question. At age 34, he is no long-term solution for the Heat or any other NBA team. But here, at least, he might just be something worthy of a new nickname.

Allen Iverson: ``The Gesture.''

Miami signing the free agent Iverson, and the interest is mutual, could be the pacifier that serves to mollify superstar Dwyane Wade, who has gone public -- though tactfully -- with his displeasure over his team being passive so far this summer while Eastern Conference rivals are making moves to get better.

Heat architect Pat Riley's focus has been on planning for the much-anticipated, bounteous free agent summer of 2010, which is fine except that standing pat now surrenders Miami to one more season of so-so. Of barely getting into the playoffs and quickly getting out of them.

It's hard to blame Wade, 27, for impatience with that idea when, all around him, he sees the Cavaliers giving LeBron James a little gift called Shaquille O'Neal; sees NBA finalist Orlando adding Vince Carter; sees recent champion Boston getting Rasheed Wallace; sees Detroit adding Ben Gordon; and sees Toronto landing Hedo Turkoglu.

Miami wants to hold on to Wade every bit as much as Cleveland wants to keep James when both can become free agents in 2010, but while the Cavs are offering their superstar incentive to re-sign by getting better now, Wade so far sees he is still holding up a roster that is not good enough and stagnant.

Like Shaq in Cleveland, Iverson in Miami would be an aging star, but a gesture, a good-faith effort to make it harder for Wade to go elsewhere rather than commit long-term to Miami.

Who knows? It might even be a start in somehow persuading Wade to extend his contract now (he is eligible to do so beginning Sunday) rather than wait a year and entertain outside offers.

By the way, Wade revealed on Twitter on Tuesday that his Pinecrest home is on the market for $3.3 million, but don't take that to mean he's leaving. He wants to stay with the Heat. But he wants reasons to stay.

Iverson is attainable and affordable as the free agency signing period opens Wednesday. More important, popping the 10-time All-Star into the guard rotation makes Miami clearly better, right away. He would bring the play-making experience at point guard that rookie Mario Chalmers cannot yet offer. He also would bring more pop with the ball to a team that still needs an offensive complement to Wade. Iverson can still create his own shot; he averaged 17.5 points last season.

The one concern with signing Iverson is that Miami would be pairing a veteran who can be tough to handle with a still-unproven second-year coach only five years older than Iverson.

Yet, within that concern would exist a good opportunity for Erik Spoelstra to prove to Wade that he can handle it all and become a championship coach, so that Wade isn't inclined to engineer a behind-the-curtains overthrow of Spoelstra, the way Shaq did with Stan Van Gundy in 2006.

Besides, Iverson would be a nice fit here as Chalmers continued to develop at a less pressured pace with substantial minutes off the bench. Criticism of Iverson has rarely centered on his effort on the court. There aren't many guys who will hustle more or fight harder for the basketball.

Miami taking steps to get better now is important if Wade says it is. That is the truth Riley must accept. The colloquialism ''Ain't nobody happy if Mama's not happy'' sort of applies here. Wade's happiness and confidence in the team's move back toward championship contention are what will cause him to re-sign or depart.

As D-Wade said this week: ''I want to make sure we're on track to where I want us to be on track before I sign back.'' And: ``Build me a team.''

Mollifying and keeping Wade work in tandem with Miami also adding a major free agent in 2010 -- ideally, Chris Bosh, 25, a 6-10 do-everything forward/center who has declared he will not re-sign this summer with Toronto.

Miami would be safer to try a sign-and-trade for Bosh this summer rather than risk competing for him in free agency, but that gets complicated because Toronto's interest in Miami's big trade bait, Michael Beasley, might be lukewarm.

Consider that Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo is the son of the Team USA chairman (Jerry) who just left Beasley off his 25-man developmental list for the 2012 Olympics.

That was a hard slap of a snub that underlines what a project Beasley still is perceived to be, and it's hard to think Toronto's personnel guy would be in love with a player his father has serious doubts about. That makes waiting a year for Bosh most likely, at which time neither money nor the famous lure of South Beach will be as crucial in enticing Bosh as the certainty he will be paired with Wade on a championship contender.

For the Heat, it has never stopped being about the one absolute priority: keeping Wade.

That starts with keeping Wade happy.

And if signing Iverson is part of The Answer there, well, do it. Source: The Miami Herald

Allen Iverson: Pat Riley, Dwyane Wade make Miami Heat `great situation'

HAMPTON, Va. -- Dwyane Wade's public campaign for the Heat to soon add play-making help to the roster resonated up the Atlantic on Tuesday, when free agent guard Allen Iverson placed Miami atop his wish list of potential destinations.

Iverson, one of several free agents the Heat had preliminary contact with last week, said playing alongside Wade and under the leadership of team president Pat Riley would be an intriguing option.

Speaking in one of his first interviews since the end of a tumultuous one-season stay in Detroit, Iverson also said he would be open to signing a one-year deal.

''The fact that Dwyane is there and Pat Riley has something to do with personnel, it seems like a great situation,'' Iverson said after his charity foundation presented scholarships to students from his hometown. ``I just want a situation where I can win and be happy. Being that those two guys are there, man, it just seems it'll be a good deal.''

Just how willing the Heat is to make a deal with Iverson remained in question heading into Wednesday, when free agents can sign contracts.

Riley has adamantly said he doesn't plan to take on any contracts that extend beyond next summer, when Wade and other marquee players such as Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire could become unrestricted free agents.

Riley also said he wouldn't make any major roster moves this summer unless Wade were to commit to a contract extension, which he becomes eligible to sign Sunday.

The Heat has the $5.5 midlevel exception, a $4.2 million trade exception and a $2 million veteran exception it could use to bolster the roster. But the team also is over the projected luxury tax and would have to pay a dollar-for-dollar penalty.

Iverson -- or any other potential free agent -- likely would have to accept less than the full midlevel amount and closer to the veteran's exception on a one-year deal in Miami.

''Some offers are on the table and discussions are ongoing,'' agent Leon Rose said. ``That's all I can really say at this point about that.''

Wade, who has made the media rounds this week for The Summer Groove charity events, has said at every stop that he would like to see the Heat make significant upgrades before he signs a long-term deal.

Wade has experienced highs and lows in his six seasons in Miami, which won a championship in 2006 but stumbled to a league-worst 15-67 record two seasons ago after injuries to Wade and key players.

Miami rebounded to go 43-39 last season, but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Wade said this week that Iverson was the type of dynamic scorer who could help.

''With AI, you look at a guy who is one of the best guys to ever put on an NBA jersey,'' Wade said in a radio interview Monday. ``A guy who can still score in the right offense, in the right flow. So you can never turn your nose up at a guy like Allen Iverson. I hear a lot of people that love and want to come to Miami, but it hasn't happened yet.''

Informed of Wade's comments, Iverson, a former league MVP and 10-time All-Star, said the respect between he and Wade is mutual.

''He's looking for a guy who can take some of the pressure off him and he can take some pressure off me,'' Iverson said. ``It's sort of like Denver, when me and [Carmelo Anthony] had each other's back.''

Iverson also addressed issues ranging from his rocky season in Detroit that ended with a mysterious back injury before the playoffs, the role he expects to play for his next team and his desire to reclaim a spot among the league's elite.

Miami, Memphis and Charlotte have been mentioned among teams that have varying interest in Iverson, who averaged career lows in points (17.4) and minutes (36.5) last season. He was voted an All-Star starter last season in Detroit, which traded Chauncey Billups for him.

But Iverson said the situation was never right with the Pistons, who demoted him to a reserve role, a first in his 13-year career. He left the team to treat a back injury April 3, a day after he said he would rather retire than come off the bench.

''I thought it was the right situation when I got traded, but it was a bad situation,'' Iverson said of the Pistons, who fired coach Michael Curry after one season and overhauled the roster. ``You know it's bad when they fire the coach after one year. I'm not saying it was on him. It was wrong for me.''

On Tuesday, Iverson downplayed the back injury and said he is ''totally healthy and ready to go'' for next season. But he's dealing with another pain.

''My shoulder is hurting [badly] now because of the chip I'm carrying around on it,'' he said. ``I can't wait.''

He amended his demands to start, but said being asked to play 15 or 20 minutes a game would be a waste.

With Wade entrenched at shooting guard and Mario Chalmers having started a franchiserookie-record 82 games last season, the Heat would have to creatively work Iverson into a prominent role in the rotation.

''Any coach, GM or player in the league knows what I'm about,'' said Iverson, who has a career scoring average of 27.1 points. ``With 15 or 20 minutes, I may as well stay home and play with my kids. I can help a team way more than that. I'm not saying I have to start. I want people to know you should earn that. Beat me out. Let's go to [training] camp, and may the best man win. I promise that you won't.''

Source: The Miami Herald

Extension economics may leave Wade no choice but to wait

The possibility of guard Dwyane Wade signing an extension with the Miami Heat might be out the door even before the door opens.

While Wade can sign an extension beginning Sunday, a league source confirmed Tuesday than an arcane NBA rule would limit that extension to a maximum of three seasons beyond the two Wade already has on his current contract, the $14.4 million he is due this coming season and the $15.8 million he is due in 2010-11 in his option year.

Yet if Wade instead waits until next summer and opts out of that 2010-11 season to become a free agent, he can sign a new six-year contract with the Heat.

In effect, by extending his contract this summer, Wade can sign only through the 2013-14 season. However, if Wade plays out this coming season and enters 2010 free agency, he would be eligible to sign with the Heat through 2015-16. That would put him under contract through age 34.

"That's a big part of it. I'm in the prime of my career," he said. "You've got this window from 27 to 33, 34, normally, where you're as good as you're going to get."

Those extra two seasons could be worth about additional $50 million, money Wade might have trouble otherwise recovering at such an age.

In addition, should Wade sign when his extension window opens Sunday, his salaries for 2014-15 and 2015-16 would then have be negotiated under a new collective-bargaining agreement, which is expected to be far more restrictive, considering the current economic climate.

The NBA is scheduled to move to a new working agreement in the 2011 offseason.

Either way, a quick decision is not necessary. By rule, Wade can extend any time between Sunday and June 30, 2010. Sunday merely opens the negotiation window, since it is the third anniversary of Wade's rookie-scale extension.

One advantage for the Heat in the current collective-bargaining agreement is a rule that encourages free agents to remain with their current teams, with an extra $30 million available in such instances. A player moving to an outside team in free agency can only sign for five seasons, instead of six with his current team, and for smaller allowable raises.

However, the extension rules would seem to work against the Heat locking Wade up before next July, since it would require the NBA's 2009 scoring champion to yield significant future earnings by signing now rather than later.

For his part, Wade said the process has been grating.

"I know that one of the selling points is going to be, 'Sign now, you won't have to go through it,' " he said, as he promoted the upcoming Summer Groove charity week that culminates with Sunday's all-star game at AmericanAirlines Arena. "But, at the same time, you're talking about your future here. You get one opportunity to be a free agent. Your next deal is a long-term deal and you're with that team for a long time.

"So, if you've got to deal with those questions for a year, then you've got to deal with the questions for a year. But this is about the future, your future."

Like Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, another potential 2010 free agent who already has said he would not entertain an extension, and like Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, who also is expected to bypass an extension, Wade said such a decision should not take the focus off the coming season.

"I'm not going anywhere in 2009-2010," he said. "This season, I'll be in Miami, and this is where I want to be." Source: SunSentinel.com

Wade says he’ll stay if Heat a title contender

MIAMI (AP)—Dwyane Wade(notes) will remain in Miami on one condition. He wants the Heat to become a championship contender again, the quicker the better.

Otherwise, he might need moving trucks next summer.

The reigning NBA scoring champion, who can opt out of his Heat contract after the 2009-10 season, said Monday that simply getting to the playoffs “is not enough” to satisfy him anymore, and that his long-term commitment to Miami hinges entirely on the franchise getting back into the mix for the title trophy he hoisted just three years ago.

“I’m going to listen. I owe the Miami Heat that much. I’m going to listen to what they have to say and I’m going to think about it,” Wade told The Associated Press. “But right now, the way I feel, I want to make sure that we’re on track to where I want us to be on track to before I sign back.”

Wade made clear that he would like to stay with the Heat, reiterating something he’s said countless times in recent months. There’s no acrimony between the 2006 NBA finals MVP and Heat president Pat Riley either, and Wade said that the jump Miami made this past season—from 15 wins and the league’s worst record in 2007-08, to 43 wins and the No. 5 seed in the East in 2008-09— was thrilling.

“I’m good with that,” Wade said, “for one year.”

Another season around .500, though, won’t be as enticing.

“That’s not enough for me,” said Wade, who set career-bests last season in scoring average (30.2 per game), 3-point goals (88, three more than his total from his first five NBA seasons combined), steals (2.2 per game), blocks (1.3 per game) and games played (79).

At 27, he feels like he’s just entering his prime—and doesn’t want to miss any opportunity for more titles.

“I’ve told coach Riley this: All my life, all I’ve ever wanted to do is win and be put in a position where I can win and succeed,” Wade said. “Build me a team. Put the pressure on me to win a championship. Give me a team and say ‘All right, you’ve got to go do it,’ and I’ll take that pressure. Give me guys that we feel can compete every year to win a championship. I don’t want to go anywhere else.”

Wade’s contract status is the biggest issue facing the Heat this summer. He could sign an extension as early as next week.

His destination after next season has been an oft-discussed topic, especially since he and good friend LeBron James(notes) structured their last contracts the same way to have the flexibility to become free agents in 2010.

“I want to make sure that we stay competitive and we have an opportunity to win championships, like I’ve done before,” Wade said. “I don’t want to be content with winning games. I don’t want to win games. I want to win championships. That’s what I’m all about.”

Already this summer, the Heat have seen plenty of teams in the East make big moves. Shaquille O’Neal(notes)—Wade’s former superstar teammate—was traded to Cleveland to play alongside James. Orlando landed Vince Carter(notes), Boston reportedly agreed with Rasheed Wallace(notes), Detroit picked up Ben Gordon(notes) and Toronto seems poised to sign Hedo Turkoglu(notes).

The Heat have yet to make a splashy move, hoping young players like Michael Beasley(notes), Mario Chalmers(notes), Daequan Cook(notes) and Dorell Wright(notes) can help Miami made more strides this season.

“D-Wade wants what’s best for the Miami Heat, period,” former Heat center Alonzo Mourning(notes) said last week. “Obviously, he wants more help for the Heat to get to that next level again. He feels like we’ve got good pieces around us. We just need a little bit more.”

Wade sees it the same way.

“My talents can help a team compete for a championship,” Wade said. “I’ve proven that.” Source: Yahoo! Sports

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade unclear about future

Dwyane Wade isn't sold on a South Florida future yet, and with less than a week remaining before he is eligible to sign an extension, the Miami Heat guard appreciates the anxiety that is creating.

"It's going to be a touchy time," Wade acknowledged Monday.

So touchy, that even as he promotes his charitable work during the week's worth of events that culminate with Sunday's Summer Groove all-star game at AmericanAirlines Arena, the subject continually returns to whether he will extend this summer or become a free agent next July.

"This is where I want to be," he said during a radio interview on WQAM. "But I'm a winner and I want to make sure the future of me and of where I play, we're going to win."

While last season's NBA scoring leader cannot sign an extension until Sunday, which is the three-year anniversary of his previous extension, the negotiating window already is open, and has been for a while. Wade, however, did not make it sound as if substantive talks are under way with Heat President Pat Riley.

"I have to look at it from a business decision and see what's best for myself and see what's best for the future," he said. "We're talking. I'm sure Coach Riley will call us one minute after the time he can and we'll go from there."

Making the media rounds the past few days, Wade, on 790-The Ticket, addressed personnel gains made by the Heat's Eastern Conference competitors, such as the Orlando Magic adding Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors adding Hedo Turkoglu.

"Well there is a lot going on and there are a lot of teams that are shaking a lot of things up, and these are teams that feel that they need to do it now," he said. "Some teams feel that they need to win championships now, and you have to respect what they're doing."

Wade indicated he has not pushed Riley to make moves.

"He just said what he wanted and I said what I wanted," Wade said. "And you can respect that from both sides. I want to win, and he wants to win. And he wants me to be here to win."

Wade said he retains faith that Riley will position him for success.

"One thing I've come to realize is that Miami can never count out Pat Riley," he said. "You never know what he can cook up in the lab. So we're going to be patient and I'm not going to worry about it. I'm going to let him do his job."

Wade, though, did acknowledge that it has been difficult being on a team that so far has been a free-agency bystander.

"I'm patient at certain times," he said, "and at certain times I'm not."

For Wade, victory in the personnel game can come either by recruiting players this summer, or by convincing them to wait until the 2010 offseason, when the Heat has the salary-cap space to commit to both Wade and an overhaul.

"I understand that Coach Riley does have a hard job," he said. "But I have job, as well, to go out there and try to sell people to come down here and maybe take a little less or wait." Source: SunSentinel.com

NBA Free Agent Tracker

The NBA Free Agent Tracker is available at www.NBA.com

Find out who's available for your team.

Allen Iverson a later-rather-than-now issue for Heat

To a degree, an Allen Iverson-Heat marriage makes sense. For years, Pat Riley has run a last-chance saloon.

But it's not going to happen the first week of free-agent negotiations. It's not going to happen at the July 8 start of the free-agent signing period. And it's not going to happen until after the July 12 window opens for Dwyane Wade to be eligible to sign an extension.

Allen Iverson Iverson makes sense because Iverson may not have many other options. But until the Knicks spend their mid-level exception, until Larry Brown gets an official rejection from Bobcats management, and until the remaining precious little cap space around the league is spent, Iverson doesn't have to move to Plan B.

With the Heat already into the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax, anything paid to Iverson will be doubled on the books next season. So even with a $2 million contract, is he worth $4 million at this stage?

Then there is the matter of the Heat being guided by a coach entering his second year. Has Erik Spoelstra done anything to deserve this?

With the Heat, an Iverson contract would be for one year. Is that what Iverson wants or needs at this stage? And is that what you want to add alongside the impressionable youth of Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers and Daequan Cook?

Oh, Iverson could help. But as a reserve. Finding backcourt offense with Wade on the bench has been an ongoing concern. Yet this is the same Iverson who said coming off the bench was intolerable last season in Detroit. Considering how much Wade wants and needs the ball in his hands, an Iverson-Wade backcourt could involve plenty of drama.

So why are we talking about Iverson? Because, as a league source said, there aren't many options out there for Iverson.

Yes, he might come cheap. But perhaps that says plenty about where Iverson stands at this point in his career. Source: SunSentinel.com

Artest To Lakers? Iverson To Grizzlies? No Luck For Heat?

Ron Artest has told Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that he will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I'm definitely going to L.A. -- to sign, yeah," Artest said in a phone interview. "Lakers, Lakers, Lakers. I'm in L.A. right now."

Artest said he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss Thursday and previously had spoken with Lakers coach Phil Jackson. He was en route to his financial manager's office, where he planned to huddle on the phone with his agent, David Bauman, to finalize details.

The parameters of the deal still need to be agreed upon, however.

"I don't really care about the money," Artest said. "I'll play there for nothing. ... L.A. was very interested in me, and they got me." Source: Source: CBSSports.com



Iverson Interested In Joining Grizzlies

Allen Iverson has made it known through his representatives that he is interested in signing with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple sources.

The Grizzlies front office is said to be internally weighing the pros and cons of possibly adding Iverson to the team's youth movement. Source: Commercial Appeal

Miami Heat has contacted Iverson and Artest

Miami Heat has contacted Iverson and Artest, insiders say
Heat president Pat Riley has contacted veterans Allen Iverson and Ron Artest for exploratory discussions after saying he didn't plan any major moves this summer.

Amid a cost-conscious approach to improving the roster this summer, the Miami Heat's attempts to upgrade through free agency apparently aren't being discounted.

Allen Iverson and Ron Artest are among a group of free agents who have been contacted by Heat president Pat Riley in the opening days of free-agency negotiations, league sources said Thursday.

Although the discussions are said to be exploratory, it signals a far more aggressive approach to free agency by the Heat than the team suggested in recent weeks.

Riley entered the start of the free agency negotiating period Wednesday saying he would be reluctant to spend the $5.5 million mid-level exception because the Heat already was past the league's anticipated dollar-for-dollar luxury tax on excessive payrolls.

Riley also had been unwilling to add contracts that extend beyond next summer, when the Heat will have spending flexibility to re-sign Dwyane Wade and another top-tier free agent to maximum contracts.

The team's stance had been that a significant roster overhaul would only take place this summer if there were an earlier commitment from Wade, who is eligible to sign a three-year contract extension July 12.

But the Heat appears to be covering both bases. Miami is taking the due diligence approach of lining up potential bargain options now if Wade doesn't extend his contract, while also keeping tabs on potential blockbuster trades in the event Wade does extend.

PROVEN OFFENSIVE THREAT

Iverson, a former league MVP who has averaged 27.1 points over 13 seasons, might be willing to accept an offer of one or two seasons in what is expected to be a tight market. He turned 34 last month and is coming off a rocky season in Detroit that ended with complaints about his role. He left the team before the playoffs to treat a back injury.

Although discussions with agent Leon Rose are believed to be in the initial stages, the Heat likely would be interested only if Iverson is willing to accept less than the full mid-level amount. Miami could also offer the $2 million veteran's exception.

Iverson has maintained a low profile since he left the Pistons. But he could address his future by next week in advance of his annual kids camp in Virginia.

A TOUGHER SELL

A much larger transaction would be required to land Artest, who is coming off a productive season in which he helped lead Houston to the second round of the playoffs, where it pushed the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers to seven games.

But injury concerns with center Yao Ming, who might miss all of next season with a foot injury, could force the Rockets into a rebuilding stage. That could make Artest, a free agent, available in sign-and-trade offers.

Agent David Bauman said Thursday that Artest wouldn't be interested in a one-year deal from the Heat or any suitor, which might also include Houston.

''We've talked to a handful of teams, and there's some mutual interest,'' Bauman said Thursday. ``But it would be inappropriate for me to mention everyone we're looking at.''

Artest, 29, has averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 10 seasons. He is considered one of the NBA's best two-way players at small forward because of his rugged, lock-down perimeter defense.

The Heat has long had interest in both Iverson and Artest. Miami was among the teams that inquired about Iverson when he was traded from Philadelphia to Denver three years ago, and from the Nuggets to Detroit at the start of last season.

Artest has been a Heat target at least since his time in Sacramento, where he spent three seasons before he was traded to the Rockets last year.

Whereas Artest appears to have numerous suitors, including Cleveland, Houston and Orlando, Iverson's options are reportedly more limited. Charlotte, coached by Larry Brown, has been the only other team mentioned in connection with Iverson. Brown coached Iverson in Philadelphia, where the two led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals.

PERIMETER SHOOTING WANTED

The Heat would like to get more perimeter scoring around Wade, who had the best statistical season of his career last season. He led the league in scoring at 30.2 points per game and was third in MVP voting.

But Miami was eliminated by Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs after Wade didn't get enough help from a roster that relied heavily on young players Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers and Daequan Cook.

Immediately after the season, Riley talked about addressing the team's lack of offensive punch in the playoffs. But he also cautioned that improvements might have to come from within because of the team's luxury-tax situation and desire to ''protect our [salary] room'' for 2010. Source: The Miami Herald

Is Riles burning up the 602 area code?

Stoudemire is just the kind of low-post terror that could convince a fella with options -- say, an all-world guard who was born and raised in Chicago, which will be a major player in 2010, and who will himself be a free agent in 2010 -- to stay on South Beach. A package of Michael Beasley -- whom Miami's management does not, to put it charitably, seem enamored with -- Mark Blount ($7.9 million expiring deal) and James Jones (partial guarantees in each of his three remaining seasons after this upcoming one, which would seem to be music to Suns owner Robert Sarver's ears), could get Stoudemire to Miami in time for happy hour at The Clevelander. Plus, Phoenix would get him out of the Western Conference instead of having him dunk on its collective bean in Warriors gear three or four times a year. Source: NBA.com

Did the Heat offer Beasley for No. 2?

In the wake of the NBA Draft, you start to hear rumors about what teams supposedly were attempting to do. Such after-the-fact stuff generally has little shelf life, either because the speculation is inaccurate or, by that point, meaningless.

And yet, it was not easy to simply dismiss a report in Saturday's Memphis Commercial Appeal that said the Heat, on draft night, offered Michael Beasley for the No. 2 overall selection. We generally tend to believe reports connected, even if somewhat obtusely, to Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace (pictured below), the former Heat personnel executive.

Chris Wallace But, just to make sure, we took time to get the opposing view. And here's the latest: The Heat on Saturday said it was the Grizzlies that contacted it and tried to trade the No. 2 pick for Michael Beasley, not the other way around. A Heat spokesman confirmed that it was the Grizzlies who made the overtures.

In addition, that same report in the Commercial Appeal said that the Heat offered starting point guard Mario Chalmers for the No. 27 pick. Again, a Heat spokesman quickly corrected that it was Memphis that attempted to peddle No. 27 pick for Chalmers.

That part of the corrected equation makes plenty of sense. Chalmers, according to numerous insiders, has been the star of the Heat's offseason workouts.

Still, what we know now is that the Grizzlies have interest in Beasley, that there, indeed, is a market for the forward. What we've always known is the pervading sense that Heat President Pat Riley has never been totally comfortable with Beasley, seemingly cornered into selecting him at No. 2 in 2008. Recall, in advance of that selection last June, all the posturing when it came to O.J. Mayo and even Brook Lopez. And, make no mistake, the choice would have been Derrick Rose if the point guard had not gone at No. 1 to the Bulls.

The fallout? Apparently Riley can have No. 2 pick Hasheem Thabeet for Beasley. Riley, in a conversation a week ago, did stress how he was, is and will remain a center guy. Remember, Riley's first rebuilding project with the Heat came behind the shot blocking and rebounding of Alonzo Mourning.

Beasley for Thabeet? Nah, wouldn't do it. Somehow, it's nice to have players who also can score the ball.

And so goes another day of NBA rumors and surprisingly swift Heat reaction. Source: Sun-Sentinel.com

Shaq Trade: How it helps Cavs - and motivates Heat

What's Shaq now, The Big Mistake By The Lake?

Funny, the guy who once couldn't wait to leave Orlando for a big market has now barked his way to Cleveland.

Still, Cleveland's completed trade for Shaq on Wednesday night is a good, final attempt to bring a title next year and keep LeBron James around after it. Shaq, at 37, isn't what he was in winning a title with the Heat three years ago with three years ago, when he wasn't the player he was with the Lakers.

But he still occupies space, still puts up decent numbers (17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds last year) and still will be a good counterbalance to James.

Most important: He'll be on his mock-good behavior, unlike at the end with the Heat (and Lakers and Suns and Magic). It'll be interesting to see if the national image of O'Neal starts to sink as he trashes (as he will) another franchise he left or his championship rings and good sense of humor will again carry him through.

Two parsels of good news for the Heat in this:

1. This is a short-term solution, not a long-term one, for James. If it works for a year, that's all Cleveland can hope. So it's not like the Cavs went out and got Chris Bosh to set up a run for years.

2. It begs the Heat to make a move to answer. Pat Riley was surely going to do something to shake up the roster this off-season. But having a turncoat like Shaq back in the East demands it. He won't burn a year to watch Shaq make a run at a title

Question is: What's the best move now?

Source: SunSentinel.com

Pat Riley: Miami Heat's immediate future rests on Dwyane Wade's decision

Source: SunSentinel.com

MIAMI - Miami Heat President Pat Riley said Thursday his team may still attempt to buy a first-round pick in next week's NBA Draft, but that any potential roster overhaul would not come until the team gets a sharper read on Dwyane Wade's future.

Wade is eligible to sign an extension starting July 12, or the team's star shooting guard otherwise could become a free agent on July 1, 2010.

"I'm going to do the best sales job I can do," Riley said. "When the time comes, we're going to make him an offer.

"What we do going forward is going to be predicated on that."

Riley said the Heat otherwise would wait until a year from now for any major overhaul, when it could have the salary-cap space to sign multiple star players.

"I don't know if I want to change this team that much," he said. "Keeping the team together might be the thing until we can make the move in '10."

As for moving up from the team's lone selections at Nos. 43 and 60 in the second round of next week's draft, Riley said, "On draft day, money talks. The possibility is there. It depends on who is on the board."

Teams may offer a maximum of $3 million in any NBA transaction.

Riley said teams mostly have been angling for future first-round picks in return for a first-round pick next week, but he said that is not a course he prefers.

"They want future picks," he said, "and I don't want to give up future picks. There may not be much activity in the draft for us."

The Heat's first-round pick is in the hands of the Timberwolves as a result of the 2007 acquisition of guard Ricky Davis.

"Was it a horrible trade?" Riley said. "Yes, it was a horrible trade."

While the draft is loaded with prospects at point guard, and while the Heat is lacking at that position, Riley said he might bypass the draft in favor free agency when it comes to support for 2008 second-round pick Mario Chalmers.

"You probably don't want to have another rookie," he said.

On other personnel moves, Riley said the Heat would extend qualifying offers to forward Jamario Moon and center Joel Anthony, allowing the team to match outside offers for the restricted free agents at the July 1 start of free agency.

Still, with the team within $300,000 of the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax on excessive payrolls, Riley said the Heat might be limited to carrying only 13 players next season, as opposed to the maximum of 15.

He said unless the Wade extension is resolved, the team also would not offer free-agent contracts that extend beyond the end of next season.

Riley also downplayed forward Michael Beasley preferring to play at a weight lighter than typical power forwards.

"He is a three-four," Riley said, offering comparisons to the Orlando Magic's Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. "Michael has the same skills."

As for his own status, Riley brushed aside recent reports linking him to coaching opportunities elsewhere.

"No, I'm not interested in coaching again," he said. "I really think it'd be too much to pick up and move. I've had enough."

Bosh Interested in Miami

The Heat's interest in Chris Bosh apparently is mutual. A friend of the Toronto power forward said Bosh has interest in playing for Miami, which would love to add him via trade this summer or free agency in 2010.

Bosh assuredly will dismiss any report linking him to another team because he doesn't want to upset the Raptors and doesn't need to decide his future for 13 months. But the friend said playing in Miami appeals to him.

With Bosh announcing he will test free agency in 2010, a competing executive who spoke to Raptors president Bryan Colangelo said Toronto appears open to considering offers for Bosh and likely would consider a package that includes Michael Beasley -- if the Heat overcomes reluctance to trade Beasley.

There are good reasons not to trade Beasley. For starters, Miami has a good chance to lure Bosh in 2010 free agency. And with the salary cap expected to drop in 2010, the Heat -- if it can sign Bosh and Dwyane Wade next summer -- would not have money left to sign a third player as skilled as Beasley. The risk is that if Bosh is traded to a team other than Miami, there's a chance he might want to stay there long-term.

The 2010 maximum-contract caliber free agents (Wade, LeBron James, Bosh, Amare Stoudemire) can make about $30 million more in their next contract by re-signing with their teams. So Bosh could ask for a sign-and-trade next summer. For now, it's hard to envision Toronto accepting a Heat offer that does not include Beasley, though there are packages involving Udonis Haslem that would fit salary-cap rules.

• A friend of Wade's said he indicated privately that he wants to stay with Miami long-term. But is Wade impatient for the team to be built into a championship contender, even though it might not happen until 2010?

''I'm a Heat player under contract,'' Wade said this offseason, adding there's no choice ''but to be patient. I know everyone wants to fast-track this team, and that's what makes me excited about the future. We're taking the right steps.'' Wade has said he will not sign with New York because of the weather. Source: The Miami Herald

Heat Team Report

By: Yahoo! Sports
Getting Inside

By all accounts it was a great season for the Heat. It went from 15 wins to 43 wins, the seventh-best increase in NBA history, before earning the fifth seed in the playoffs and taking Atlanta to seven games in a first-round playoff series.

“The expectation of our team this year was to make the playoffs,” rookie coach Erik Spoelstra said.

The Heat did that. And guard Dwyane Wade(notes) turned in the best single-season performance in franchise history. He led the league in scoring and finished second in steals, eighth in assists and third in the MVP voting.

Now Miami looks to the offseason, where one of the big goals is taking a look at converting Michael Beasley(notes) from power forward to small forward.

“It’s going to be one of the major areas of focus,” Spoelstra said.

The 20-year-old Beasley came off the bench for most of the season behind forward Udonis Haslem(notes), who is a veteran team captain and a more polished player. The hope is Beasley can start at small forward alongside center Jermaine O’Neal(notes) and Haslem.

“I think he’s best at (power forward),” Spoelstra said.

But Miami needs Beasley’s offense to support Wade.

So, Beasley, who struggled mightily defensively, will work this summer on defending quicker players on the perimeter. The trick is that you can’t use your hands on the perimeter defending small forwards the way you would down low defending power forwards.

Beasley, who only played one year of college basketball at Kansas State, at least has better defensive grounding now. That’s a big change from when he entered training camp as a 19-year-old rookie in October.

“It really was like getting a junior high level defensive player,” Spoelstra said. He quickly added that’s not a knock on Beasley but rather a reflection on how his offense allowed him to get by without learning defense.

Beasley said he feels comfortable at that end of the court now.

“Toward the end of the season, it started to become second nature,” Beasley said.

If Beasley can make the switch, the Heat has a strong starting lineup of guard Mario Chalmers(notes) and Wade in the backcourt and Beasley, Haslem and O’Neal in the frontcourt. The first players off the bench could be guard Daequan Cook(notes) and forward James Jones(notes). That’s a good start.

If Beasley can’t make the switch, however, Miami has two problems: finding a quality starting small forward who is a consistent scorer, and a second consecutive season of bringing Beasley, the No. 2 pick of the draft, off the bench.

“We have four or five months to give him a look at (small forward),” Spoelstra said.

Season Highlight: G Dwyane Wade provided the best moments of the season and one of the best seasons in NBA history. There was the game at Chicago before the All-Star break when he recorded a steal in the final seconds. That set up F Shawn Marion’s(notes) game-winning dunk with 1.5 seconds left. Wade victimized Chicago again at Miami when he stole the ball in the closing seconds of double overtime and then hit a running 3-pointer to win the game as time expired. There was also the game against New York at Miami in which Wade finished with 42 points, 24 in the fourth quarter. And then there was the triple-overtime victory against Utah in which Wade recorded 50 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and two blocks, the first time in NBA history a player reached those minimums. There was also the career-best 55-point game against New York. You get the idea.

Turning Point: The trade that brought C Jermaine O’Neal and F Jamario Moon(notes) to the Heat from Toronto in exchange for F Shawn Marion and G Marcus Banks(notes) helped and hurt. The trade, made during the All-Star break, landed Miami two starters and gave it financial flexibility for the future via O’Neal’s $23 million expiring contract. However, Miami never had a quality defender at small forward after Marion’s departure, and that proved hurtful. Still, it was a good trade.

Notes, Quotes

• G Dwyane Wade could negotiate a contract extension during the offseason, something the Heat would love. Or Wade could negotiate after next season, when he has an opt-out clause, joining the star-studded free agent class of 2010. Or Wade could wait until his contract expires after the 2011 season, something that almost assuredly won’t happen. Either way the Heat clearly wants Wade to return.

“He’s our franchise player,” Heat president Pat Riley said. “We’ve spent (six) years together. We won a world championship with him. We love him to death. The fans love him. He’s irreplaceable … but we also understand he has the right to wait (to re-negotiate).”

Wade said he’s thinking about negotiating an extension this summer, something that would allow the Heat to immediately select a path for future trades and free agent spending. But he didn’t commit.

“The first thing I want to do (in the offseason) is go watch my son play baseball,” Wade said.

• Rumors will fly with the Heat, from draft night all the way until the February trade deadline. F Udonis Haslem is in the final year of his $7.1 million deal, C Mark Blount(notes) is in the final year of his $7.9 million deal and C Jermaine O’Neal is in the final year of his $23 million deal.

Coach Erik Spoelstra expects his current group to return intact. “With that being said, always expect the unexpected with (president) Pat (Riley),” Spoelstra added.

The big prize out there could be Toronto F Chris Bosh(notes). His contract expires at season’s end and there’s speculation he doesn’t want to return to the Raptors. Going a step beyond that, some suspect the Raptors might want to deal Bosh before the trade deadline so they can get something in return rather than allowing him to leave for nothing via free agency.

G Dwyane Wade said he’s confident the Heat will do the right thing, whatever that entails.

“We have one of the best presidents in the game at going out and finding the right guys,” Wade said.

Quote To Note: “Don’t get me wrong. Everybody wants to be The Man, quote, unquote … The 30 points (per game), is that something I want to so every year? Not really.” —G Dwyane Wade on getting offensive help for next season.

Roster Report

Most Valuable Player: G Dwyane Wade did it all. He had the best season of his spectacular six-year career by leading the league in scoring, finishing second in blocks and eighth in assists. And Wade, who missed 31 games each of the previous two season, only missed one game due to injury. Wade ended up playing 79 games because he sat out the last two as a healthy scratch to rest for the playoffs.

Most Disappointing Player: It’s not a player, it’s a position—small forward. After the trade that sent F Shawn Marion to Toronto the Heat never had the presence it had previously. Among Jamario Moon, James Jones, Daequan Cook and Yakhouba Diawara(notes) the Heat never re-gained its edge at that spot. That’s why Michael Beasley gets a shot during the off-season.

Free Agent Focus: Miami needs a backup point guard, a backup center and a starting small forward. But it has very little cash. It has about $69 million committed for next season and the projected luxury tax is $69.5 million. In other words, F Ron Artest(notes) is out of the picture. Look more for low-key players such as G Jannero Pargo(notes), who could return from overseas.

Player Notes:

• F Udonis Haslem has a $7.1 million expiring contract, and he knows the Heat wants to develop F Michael Beasley, his backup. But Haslem, one of president Pat Riley’s favorites, said he wouldn’t allow trade talk to dominate his off-season or season.

“I just won’t read the paper at all,” he said. “I don’t watch the news. I don’t get on Twitter. I don’t do any of those things at all.”

• F Michael Beasley said his rookie season was a good one.

“I learned so much, day-to-day,” he said. “Every day you learn something new. I haven’t really though about it much. But I can be a better playmaker. I can just play harder and do the little stuff.”

Beasley will stay in Miami to work on his game.

“I’m going to be around for a while, working out,” he said. “I don’t really have any plans or schedule. Whenever I leave, I’ll leave.”

• G Daequan Cook had an up-and-down season. He won the Three-Point contest during the All-Star break but didn’t do much afterward.

“After the All-Star break the competition went up another level,” coach Erik Spoelstra said.

The Heat is hoping Cook can correct that during the offseason. Cook, F Michael Beasley, G Mario Chalmers and F Dorrell Wright will stay in town (the Heat isn’t participating in a Summer League) to work on their games. President Pat Riley has jokingly dubbed it “Heat Academy.”

Medical Watch:

• The Heat enters the offseason healthy.

Give Beasley more minutes? Not happening

Now that Dwyane Wade is clearly slowed by his right hip/groin injury there’s chatter about giving rookie forward Michael Beasley more minutes so he can score more points. Don’t count that on that happening.

Remember who coaches this team. Erik Spoelstra, a proud graduate of the Pat Riley, defense-first school.

Spoelstra will tell you (as he’s told me the past few weeks) offense isn’t the problem with this team. Defense is the problem.

Beasley, a truly gifted scorer, won’t help the defense, either as an individual or in the team concept.

Yes, Beasley had 21 points in the overtime loss at Boston when Wade didn’t play. And, yes, Beasley had 13 first-half points in the 96-88 loss at New Jersey and then only played three minutes in the third quarter. He ended the game with 17 points. But he played 25 minutes, which is right around his season average.

Beasley wouldn’t have slowed Jarvis Hayes (18 points), Chris Douglas-Roberts (18 points), Vince Carter (17 points) or Brook Lopez (15 points).

Unless Beasley improves his defense, or Spoelstra changes his philosophy, don’t expect Beasley’s minutes to increase.

With the Heat, it’s always defense above all else. Source: Palm Beach Post

What a finish! Wade’s clutch 3-pointers lift Heat

MIAMI (AP)—More than three hours after tip-off, Dwyane Wade ran across the floor, hopped onto a courtside table and threw his arms in the air.

Exhausted yet exhilarated, Wade pulled off a Miami miracle.

He scored 48 points, the last coming on a running 3-pointer to beat the buzzer in double overtime, and the Heat pulled out a wild 130-127 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

“Mr. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr., if he’s not legitimately considered for an MVP candidate, I don’t know what he needs to do,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

He couldn’t have done much more against the Bulls.

Wade—who shot 15-for-21 and added 12 assists—made a desperation 3-pointer from near midcourt at the end of the first half, then forced overtime with another 3 with 11.5 seconds left in regulation.

By 11:01 p.m., those were almost long forgotten.

Miami’s MVP candidate stole the ball from John Salmons with 3 seconds left, dribbled downcourt and swished the runner as time expired.

“Always wanted to do that,” Wade said of his postgame table-hop.

Michael Beasley had 18 points, Mario Chalmers added 17 and Jamario Moon scored 13 for the Heat, who stayed within 1 1/2 games of Atlanta for the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

Ben Gordon scored a season-high 43 points for the Bulls, including eight 3-pointers. Salmons scored 29 and Derrick Rose added 23 for Chicago, 0-3 against Miami this season.

The Bulls used only seven players Monday night. Rose played 55 minutes; Salmons played nearly 54; Gordon nearly played 50. And Chicago was right there, until Wade said enough was enough.

“Basically, that’s how the game was going to end—who had the ball last,” Gordon said. “Whoever made the last best play was going to win the game and D-Wade made a spectacular play. He willed his team to win.”

They needed every bit of Wade’s will at the end.

The game was tied three times in the second overtime, the last coming when Salmons answered a basket by Wade with 37.9 seconds left.

Chicago went to Salmons again on its final possession, and the former University of Miami standout drove into the lane against Heat forward Udonis Haslem. Wade came from the back side, tapped the ball free, then swished the runner at the buzzer.

“I made a move and he came out of nowhere,” Salmons said.

Dribbling downcourt, Wade said he was thinking about something Spoelstra said in the game’s final stoppage, telling players they had one more timeout left.

“I was about to call it,” Wade said. “And then I said, ‘Nah.”’

It was the 78th straight game where Wade scored in double figures, matching his franchise record. He’s also scored at least 20 points in 19 straight games, putting him one away from matching the Heat record in that department—which he also owns.

But that seemed irrelevant in the end.

“Right now, man,” Moon said in the locker room, pointing to Wade’s stall, “there ain’t nobody in the league playing better than him.” Yahoo! Sports

Agent: Head chooses Miami

Luther Head, the combo guard who was recently bought out by the Houston Rockets, will sign with the Miami Heat, according to his agent.

Head will sign once he clears waivers Wednesday morning. He was courted by Dallas, New Jersey, Charlotte, Milwaukee and San Antonio but chose Miami because of the chance for playing time, the opportunity to make a nice playoff run and the possibility of staying with the Heat over the long haul.

Head averaged 4.8 points and 1.6 assists in 22 games with the Rockets this season.

Chris Broussard is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. ESPN.com

Heat inquired about Luther Head

Agent Mark Bartelstein confirmed that the Heat is one "of about a dozen" teams that has inquired about guard Luther Head, who received a buyout over the weekend from the Rockets and now is playoff-eligible for another team as a free agent.

"We've talked to the Heat a little bit," said Bartelstein, whose client will clear waivers Wednesday. "There are about four or five teams that we feel might be a good fit." Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Wade sparks huge Heat rally against Knicks

MIAMI (AP)—The New York Knicks made Dwyane Wade bleed.

So he made them pay.

Telling the packed arena more than once that “this is my house,” Wade scored 46 points, 15 of them coming in a dramatic 19-0 spurt that erased a huge deficit in the final nine minutes and carried the Miami Heat to a 120-115 win over the Knicks on Saturday night.

And think that Knicks-Heat rivalry from years ago is over? Think again.

“When I’m angry, I attack,” said Wade, who tied a franchise record with 24 points in the fourth quarter. “That’s what I did.”

Miami trailed 103-88 after Wade received a bloody lip that needed three stitches after the game and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra earned a technical for arguing why no foul was called. Wade was popped by New York’s Danilo Galinari with an elbow, which the officiating crew saw as the Heat star taking a dive.

Big mistake.

“He had that look in his eye that we hadn’t seen since Dallas,” Spoelstra said.

No, this wasn’t the 2006 NBA finals. But it was just as dramatic in many respects.

“It was a simple game plan in the fourth quarter: Just get them to take a shot at Dwyane and make him bleed,” Spoelstra said. “At that point, it (ticked) him off and it (ticked) off the rest of the team. Our intensity level went through the roof.”

Wade scored the game’s next six points, and the comeback was on. The Knicks missed eight straight shots, eventually battled back into a tie at 114, but Wade gave the Heat the lead for good by hitting a jumper with 1:04 left.

“A punch in the stomach,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Just gut wrenching.”

Wade also had 10 assists, Jermaine O’Neal scored 18 points and Jamario Moon added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat.

Nate Robinson led the Knicks with 29 points off the bench, but missed the 3-pointer that would have tied it in the final seconds. Larry Hughes and Chris Duhon each scored 19 and David Lee had an 18-point, 13-rebound night for New York.

“D-Wade is D-Wade,” Robinson said. “You see what he can do.”

If they didn’t before, the Knicks surely do now.

It got testy plenty of times, including with 5:40 left when Robinson said something to O’Neal, the new Heat center took a step toward him, and double-technicals were called.

By then, Wade was in take-over mode anyway.

He was 7-for-11 from the floor in the fourth, 8-for-8 from the line, even doing so without his now-infamous Band-Wade on his cheek.

He might need one for his lip now.

“It doesn’t go right on the lip,” Wade said afterward, talking slowly and with his lip puffed to double its normal size.

Simply put, the Heat were reeling until the final minutes. Robinson and Duhon were scoring at will, the Heat looked tired and on the brink of their second loss in as many nights.
New york Knicks center David Lee (42) is fouled by Miami Heat Udonis Haslem, right, in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game in Miami Saturday Feb. 28, 2009. The Heat won 120-115.
New york Knicks center David L…
AP - Feb 28, 11:00 pm EST

Then Wade got going, adding another chapter to his already-storied Heat legacy.

“It was just something that happened,” Gallinari said of the elbow. “The problem is that after that he turned it up quite a bit.”

The Knicks hit triple-figures in scoring for the 20th consecutive game, and it was obvious early they were going to get there. Duhon got it started, going 5-for-5 from the field—4-for-4 from 3-point range—in the first 8 minutes, as the Knicks sprinted to a quick 22-14 lead.

When Robinson checked in, the Heat had absolutely no answer.

He hit 3-pointers, set up teammates, even outjumped people a foot taller than him. By halftime, in only 16 minutes, Robinson had 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting.

New York led by as many as 15 in the opening half, and Robinson’s 15-footer with 1.7 seconds left gave the Knicks a 67-59 edge at intermission. Miami got within 76-73 after the first five minutes of the third quarter, getting consistent stops for the first time and attacking the Knicks in the paint.
New york Knicks forward Al Harrington, center, loses control of the ball as Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal, left, defends in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game in Miami Saturday Feb. 28, 2009. The Heat won 120-115.
New york Knicks forward Al Har…
AP - Feb 28, 10:56 pm EST

Then Robinson returned—and the game turned quickly back in New York’s favor.

The Knicks closed the third on a 22-10 run, taking a 98-83 lead into the final 12 minutes. Hughes made a trio of 3-pointers in the final 4 1/2 minutes of the third, giving New York more separation.

Then Wade took a shot in the mouth, Spoelstra let the emotions show, and everything changed.

“A very, very good win,” said Heat captain Udonis Haslem, who had a bandage protecting a cut wrist he suffered during another in-game scrum. “We found out a lot about ourselves tonight.”

Notes

Miami allowed more than 100 points for the 20th time this season, and is 5-15 in those contests. It was only the fifth time the Heat have given up triple figures in their last 22 games. … The Knicks are 22-7 when leading after three quarters, 1-27 when trailing. … New York has gotten at least 39 points from its bench in 13 of its last 18 games. … O’Neal had to take off his hard plastic knee brace midway through the second quarter after the Knicks complained the hinges were too sharp. He put it back on, with a different wrap, for the second half. Yahoo! Sports

Cook now a marked man

For Daequan Cook, the acclaim that comes with being the All-Star three-point shooting champion also is a drawback. The secret is out, so every team the Heat faces is focusing on this second-year guard.

Coming out of the All-Star break, Cook struggled and it appeared he had left his winning stroke in Phoenix. But Cook broke out of his minislump in a victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.

Aware that Cook, 21, has never experienced this kind of attention from opponents, the Heat has been reminding Cook that he can be effective without scoring.

'You have to let him know, `Dae-Dae, you're a good rebounder for us, you're an excellent defender for us, and just you being on the court is helping us,' '' Dwyane Wade said.

' `If you're not getting shots, that means the defense is leaving a guy on you and that's opening the court for other guys.' ''

This season, Cook is averaging nearly six three-point attempts a game. In the past four games, he is averaging about four a game.

He has become such an integral part of the offense that when he had no field-goal attempts in Saturday's victory over Philadelphia, it was a topic of conversation.

The team told Cook not to get frustrated.

''Hopefully going forward he continues to understand that he's not getting shots because we don't want him to get them, but other teams are taking them away from him,'' Wade said.

Cook acknowledged that being a marked man will force him to expand his offensive repertoire. It also is requiring him to be more patient.

Said Wade: ``The main thing with Dae-Dae is to keep his head up.

''There's going to come a time when he's going to help us win,'' he said.

It's happening already, and it could continue without Cook even shooting. Read more at The Miami Herald

Other Related News

The Heat spoke with Portland about Jerryd Bayless and Channing Frye, but the Blazers wanted more than Marion.

Stephon Marbury, who had been linked to the Heat, has committed to join the Celtics, the Boston Globe reported. Miami has shown no interest in Jason Williams, who wants to end his retirement. The Miami Herald

Phoenix approached the Heat

• Some post NBA trade deadline nuggets: Before the Shawn Marion trade, Phoenix approached the Heat about the idea of dealing Shaquille O'Neal back to Miami, according to an official directly involved. (The Suns considered moving Shaq because of his $20 million 2009-10 salary.) The Suns discussed taking back what they traded for Shaq -- Shawn Marion (who could have been rerouted by Phoenix to another team) and Marcus Banks. Miami had no interest in reacquiring Shaq. . . .The Miami Herald

Two immediate needs: Daequan Cook, rebounds

Heat opponents took note of Daequan Cook winning the three-point contest at All-Star weekend. They stick to him like glue. He’s 4-for-14 from the field in the three games since the All-Star break. He’s 2-for-9 on three-pointers. The days of open shots are gone for now.

Coach Erik Spoelstra thinks Cook needs to focus on his overall game and his three-point shooting will follow.

“He’s going to have to work harder to make an impact on the game, and it doesn’t have to be shooting,” Spoelstra said. “He can make an impact without scoring. He’s been consistently one of our better defenders and he needs to get back to making an impact right away with his energy. If you do that using the karma of the game you’ll find open spots to make shots, or make a play, or make an extra pass for somebody else.”

As for the rebounding problems, the Heat ranks 28th in the 30-team league at 39 rebounds per game. Miami was out-rebounded by Minnesota, 49-24, and by Orlando, 53-28. Jermaine O’Neal should help. Losing Shawn Marion (8.7 rebounds per game) hurts.

The bigger issue, however, is the Heat gets very little rebounding off the bench aside from Michael Beasley’s 5.1 per game.

“The rebounding is definitely a concern,” Spoelstra said. The Palm Beach Post

Jason Williams Anyone?

*Updated 2/20/08*

Jason Williams, L.A. Clippers: Technically retired, word is that he filed for reinstatement with the league today. If so, the Clippers would likely reach a buyout agreement with him that could allow him to return to the Miami Heat, who are in search of a veteran backup point guard to help out Mario Chalmers. Source: ESPN.com




Jason Williams, the once-flashy veteran point guard, has filed a letter with the NBA to seek immediate reinstatement into the league, an internal NBA memo revealed on Thursday.

If the NBA’s Board of Governors approves his petition, which was sent to the league’s 30 teams on Wednesday, Williams could become a productive free agent for contenders needing point guard depth. League executives immediately speculated that Williams could return to the Miami Heat, who he helped win the 2006 NBA championship, or the defending champion Boston Celtics.

Even so, the Los Angeles Clippers would have exclusive rights to Williams, but it’s doubtful in their losing and cost-cutting state they would want to do anything but negotiate a buyout with him.

Williams signed with the Clippers last summer, but retired before the start of training camp. After filing retirement papers in the preseason, he sent a letter to the league office on Feb. 6 and asked to be removed from the voluntary retirement list.

Williams needs a unanimous vote of the Board of Governors to waive a one-year mandatory waiting period to return from the voluntary retired list. Teams have until Feb. 27 to cast a vote, the memo said.

Williams played 10 years in the NBA, including stops in Sacramento, Memphis and Miami. He’s averaged 11. 4 points and 6.3 assists for his career. Source: Yahoo! Sports

No deal for Miami Heat at NBA trading deadline

By Ira Winderman | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

MIAMI - The Miami Heat made its move last Friday. It spent today's NBA trading deadline more concerned with making its pieces fit.

Six days after acquiring center Jermaine O'Neal and forward Jamario Moon from the Toronto Raptors, the Heat spent today's deadline as a spectator, without making a move.

"We think it's enough," coach Erik Spoelstra said after practice at AmericanAirlines Arena of a roster that was revamped last week, at the cost of forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks. "We have a lot of flexibility with guys who can play multiple positions."

Thursday, though, Spoelstra's flexibility was limited.

Guard Dwyane Wade arrived prepared for practice, but then was sent home with the flu once he began vomiting. Forward James Jones missed the session to have his right hand examined, after it was bruised in the third quarter of Wednesday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. As soon as practice was over, O'Neal left without comment to have his right eye examined, after taking an elbow from Mike Miller in the loss to the Timberwolves.

The Heat's next game is Saturday against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.

Heat President Pat Riley said in the days leading to the deadline that he would attempt to add an additional point guard to replace Banks.

Spoelstra, however, said he is comfortable with the tandem of starter Mario Chalmers and backup Chris Quinn at point guard, with Wade also taking minutes at the position.

"If you're looking to get something off the waiver wire now, at the 11th hour, I don't know if you're going to get somebody that's going to replace either one of our guys there," Spoelstra said.

That doesn't mean the Heat is necessarily finished at point guard. Players waived by March 1 remain eligible for another team's playoff roster. Among those who could become available at point guard are Stephon Marbury, Sam Cassell, Jamaal Tinsley and even former Heat guard Jason Williams. Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Wade sues estranged wife, attorneys

By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer

MIAMI (AP)—Dwyane Wade sued his estranged wife and two of her lawyers Wednesday over accusations the Miami Heat star contracted a sexually transmitted disease through an extramarital affair.

In the lawsuit, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, Wade is seeking at least $50,000 in damages from each defendant.

Siohvaughn Wade said last month the player infected her with an unspecified disease in 2007. Weeks later, she withdrew the claim from the court hearing the divorce case for unknown reasons.

That wasn’t enough to satisfy the 2006 NBA finals MVP, who said her allegations not only defamed him, but caused “embarrassment” and “humiliation” along with damaging future earning potential.

“It has been difficult to see false allegations, rumors and gossip repeatedly discussed in public about my personal life,” Dwyane Wade said in a statement released to the AP. “I had no other choice but to file this action in order to clear my name.”

Wade declined further comment.

The All-Star guard also lists attorneys Michael Berger and Dorene Marcus as defendants, along with their firms, contending they wronged him in the same manner as his estranged wife. The suit was filed in Chicago, where the divorce proceedings have gone on for nearly a year.

“Mr. Wade has been the victim of a reckless campaign by Siohvaughn Wade and her lawyers to publicly humiliate him and damage his reputation,” Joe Power, an attorney representing the Heat player, said in a statement to the AP. “To clear the public record from these false and malicious allegations, we have filed a defamation suit in court … and will seek appropriate compensation for damages.”

Siohvaughn Wade’s claim made “by and through her attorneys, and disseminated by various print and online media throughout the world placed plaintiff Dwyane Wade in a false light,” according to the lawsuit.

“We believe there’s absolutely no merit to it,” Berger said. “I believe that the lawsuit will get dismissed. It seems interesting to me Wade would file a lawsuit like this when he supposedly wants to keep a low profile. This lawsuit will put his entire private and social life in full view of the public.”

Berger added that even though the original claim by Siohvaughn Wade was withdrawn, “Mrs. Wade has stood behind her allegations.”

In the allegations filed in January, along with the claims of affairs and being infected with an STD, Siohvaughn Wade said her husband abandoned their children and goes weeks at a time without speaking to them. She added that the paternal relationship was so severed that her younger son cries uncontrollably when he’s around and he does not recognize Dwyane Wade as his father.

Siohvaughn Wade’s withdrawal of the claim wouldn’t prevent her from resubmitting it to court at a later date. The divorce proceedings are not expected to end anytime soon.

Dwyane Wade’s private life has been tabloid fodder for several months, a span that largely coincides with his split from his high school sweetheart.

A recent story in The Palm Beach Post, based on comments made by a former business partner of Dwyane Wade—a person who’s filed suit against him, alleging breach of contract in a failed restaurant deal—said Wade used a rented Miami apartment for sex parties and smoked marijuana.

Wade’s representatives denied that story, dismissing it as lies from someone seeking a payoff from the NBA star.

Dwyane and Siohvaughn Wade began dating as teens and continued their relationship through college. He starred at Marquette, leading his team to the Final Four before being drafted with the No. 5 overall pick in 2003 by Miami.

The couple married in 2002 and have two children, the older of whom was born three months before the wedding. Their second son was born in 2007.

Through the tumult, Wade has been having the best season of his career in many statistical areas. He entered play Wednesday as the NBA’s second-leading scorer.

“He’s done a tremendous job just focusing on the team and the game when he’s in this building,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “In many ways, this can be a sanctuary, not just a place of work, but a place of escape and he’s got a great way of compartmentalizing things in his life.” Source: Yahoo! Sports

Jermaine O'Neal, Jamario Moon call swap to the Miami Heat 'a perfect fit'

O'Neal & Moon Press Conference Video

BY SARAH ROTHSCHILD
srothschild@MiamiHerald.com

One player is motivated to prove he still can be an elite center despite injures. The other is in the final year of his contract and finds himself not only auditioning to stay beyond the season, but for a starting job now.

Together, center Jermaine O'Neal and small forward Jamario Moon share a goal: Help the Heat's playoff push.

''It's almost a perfect fit, as far as the style of play and the things they like to do,'' O'Neal said at Tuesday's introductory news conference after his first Heat practice. ``We have a really good chance to do something special.''

After being traded from Toronto last week, O'Neal and Moon are expected to be immediate contributors. Neither might start Wednesday against Minnesota, but both are expected to play. James Jones likely will start at small forward and Joel Anthony or Jamaal Magloire could start at center.

Although one practice is hardly an indicator, Dwyane Wade said it already is apparent the players swapped for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks will strengthen the Heat.

''We feel what this trade has done is put us in position to be more than just a get-in-the-playoffs team,'' Wade said. ``We feel we can be respected in the Eastern Conference with the Jermaine O'Neal-Jamario Moon deal. They can help us out tremendously.''

The Heat's goal had been to just make the playoffs. Now Wade said it is realistic to contend for the fourth seed.

''We want home-court advantage as well,'' Wade said. ``We want to look up, we don't want to look behind us.''

O'Neal and Moon said they prided themselves on being solid defenders. The biggest question is whether O'Neal can stay healthy.

O'Neal has played in 41 games this season but missed 14. He has played no more than 51 games in three of the past four seasons.

He said his knees are ready to withstand the Heat's 30-game stretch run to close the season.

''Absolutely,'' the six-time All-Star said.

'People say, `Thirty -- he's getting old.' Is 30 old? I thought 30 was actually peaking,'' O'Neal said. ``I'm really looking forward to this challenge. If I felt I couldn't make this transition I would have told my agent just to let me stay [in Toronto], to tell Mr. Riley and Mr. Arison I can't do it.

``I don't want to put these guys in a bad position.''

O'Neal is fifth in the NBA in blocks per game going into Tuesday's games, and Moon leads the league in steals to turnover ratio. O'Neal said he can score against almost any player and defensively believes he's ''one of the best in the league.'' Moon said he believes that playing for 15 teams in his young career should make this transition ``a piece of cake.''

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the staff will try to ''fast-track'' O'Neal and Moon, but he expects both to gel with the rest of the team easily. As an assistant under Stan Van Gundy and Pat Riley-coached teams featuring Shaquille O'Neal, Spoelstra said he has plenty of plays to incorporate for Jermaine O'Neal. But Spoelstra said the Heat does not plan drastically alter its style of play.

O'Neal said before the trade he had been closely following the Heat, knowing it would be a possibility. He said he recorded 10 to 12 games at his home.

Off the court, O'Neal said he already is house hunting. He owned a home here a few years ago but sold it. Moon said he planned to move his wife and daughter here.

Both sounded thrilled about the Heat's playoff push after coming from a Toronto team that was 21-33.

''Obviously, when you come into a situation where they're playing for something, it gives you added motivation to play harder,'' O'Neal said. Source: The Miami Herald