Marion to Dallas or Toronto?

The idea that Miami would send Shawn Marion to Toronto before the Feb. 19 trading deadline is a natural on multiple levels and, according to one insider, has been "circulating for awhile." But ongoing discussions toward a possible Marion-for-Jermaine O'Neal trade, according to NBA front-office sources, are not the only talks Pat Riley is having these days. Source: ESPN.com

Plugged-in sources say that Riley wants to see how O'Neal, who only returned to the Raptors' lineup Friday, holds up physically in a handful of games before taking the discussions any further. And as stated above, sources indicate that there are other teams in contention for Marion, most notably Dallas in a trade that would feature Josh Howard going to Miami for Marion. Source: ESPN.com


Howard obviously isn't a center, but the 28-year-old would appear to fit better alongside Wade and rookie Michael Beasley than Marion, since he wouldn't cut into Beasley's minutes at power forward like Marion sometimes does. Howard also has a contract that fits into Miami's long-range plans, with a salary of $10.4 million this season, $11.4 million next season and a team option for 2010-11 at $12.3 million. Acquiring Howard now would give the Heat almost a season and a half to gauge how he functions as a Wade sidekick, with no obligation to slice into their future salary-cap space if they don't like how it looks. Because its original three-way deal with Charlotte and Oklahoma City featuring Raymond Felton unraveled last week, Dallas still has Jerry Stackhouse's virtual expiring contract ($7 million this season, only $2 million guaranteed next season) to facilitate such a swap. A package of Howard and Stackhouse works for Marion cap-wise. Source: ESPN.com

O'Neal, according to sources and various Internet reports, has told friends and acquaintances that he expects to be dealt to Miami. League sources tell the Star that nothing is expected to happen in the next 24 or 48 hours and it could be more than a week before any deal is finalized. The Raptors have a home game against Phoenix today and start a three-game road trip in Atlanta tomorrow; the Heat played last night and today and begin a four-game homestand on Wednesday. One thing is certain, and that is the Raptors are shopping the 30-year-old O'Neal, who played Friday night for the first time in 10 games in Toronto's loss to the Indiana Pacers after missing nine games with a knee injury. Source: Toronto Star


The irony is this: The Heat will have wound up trading Shaquille O'Neal for Jermaine O'Neal, who actually earns more money over the same span as Shaq. Right now, Shaq is better. While the inside word is the Heat wants to make sure Jermaine is healthy, one can't help but wonder if Marion's recent play also isn't creating some second-guessing. Saturday was his third consecutive double-double. One thing to know: Udonis Haslem said he is beyond the acrimony that had festered for years between himself and Jermaine. He said he now views O'Neal as someone making an honest effort to prolong his career. Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"The Matrix" going to Cleveland?

The Cavaliers have had ongoing discussions with the Miami Heat about an Anderson Varejao and Wally Szczerbiak for Shawn Marion trade, a league executive familiar with the discussions said. Miami has had discussions with several teams lately on Marion, including the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings, sources say, but Cleveland could deliver the most intriguing proposition.

For the Heat, Szczerbiak has a $13 million expiring contract, and Varejao has a player’s option on $6.2 million. He’ll likely opt out. This leaves Miami with a chance to negotiate a new contract with Varejao, or let him lapse and allow the Heat even more cap space for the summer.. Still, Cleveland is 20-4 and hesitant to mess with the chemistry. Nevertheless, the Cavs are trying desperately to win a championship with James prior to 2010 free agency.

Brown loves to play big lineups with Varejao on the floor, but Marion could give the Cavs the versatility on defense that he did the Suns. In the same series, Marion could cover Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Against the Celtics, Marion could spend time on Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett. For the Cavs, it’s something to consider as the days and weeks churn toward the Feb. 17 trade deadline.

- Source: Yahoo! Sports

Trade Shawn Marion for Emeka Okafor?

It's no secret that restricted free agent, center-forward Emeka Okafor is not happy with the Charlotte Bobcats. Okafor wants to be traded to another team. Sources say Okafor is ready to move on and if the Bobcats want the best value from him, they should arrange a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat and get Marion. Marion's uptempo style and tight defense will help the Bobcats in many ways. They will be smaller but faster and more athletic. The Heat should consider this trade because they are in desperate need of a center. It's a win-win for both teams.

Pat Stepping Down

Just heard some news that Pat Riley is stepping down as the head coach. An official announcement today at 4pm ET. Who will be the next head coach? Some are saying Erik Spoelstra (currently the assistant coach).

May 20th NBA Draft Lottery '08

Mark your calenders Heat fans. May 20th is the day if your team is lucky or not to get the number 1 pick. The top 2 players getting the most buzz right now is Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley. The Miami Heat has a 25% chance for the No.1 Pick, 21% chance for the No.2 Pick, and 17% for the No.3 Pick. You can even try to roll your dice by yourself. Go to this link ESPN Mock Draft Generator and try it. Out of the ten times I try, I got 4 times No.1 Pick, 2 times No.2, 2 times No.3, and 2 No.4 pick.

The last 3 years, the worst teams in the league "DID NOT" get the No.1 pick with the most ping-pong balls. It actually sucks! It only happen 2 times since 2000, Cleveland in 2003 and Orlando in 2004. Here's the Year-by-Year Lottery Probabilities provided by ESPN Year-By-Year Lottery Probabilities. To view more on previous results Click Here.

Wade Still A Superstar?

There's been a lot of questions floating around about Dwayne Wade still a superstar? My answer is "YES." Ok, I admit that I'm a big fan of Dwayne Wade but let's put that aside and be realistic here. Dwayne had TWO surgeries last season and do you really think that after the surgeries, you expect him to be fully recovered in matters of less 6 months? Heck NO! You would need at least 10+ months. I mean he missed some games beginning of the 2007-2008 season but that is still not enough time. Of course he's going to be less explosive; even if it's Michael Jordan I would say the same thing. There's no way you can judge him at a 60% health. The only way that this question should come up again is after 2 years and when he's 100% fully recovered. Otherwise, it's dumb for anyone to ask that.

Heat Finally Waive Parker

Hey, let's all say "It's about damn time!" When the Heat first signed him, we all knew it was a desperation move. We were lacking in PG because Quinn lacks experience, J-Will was unsure about his health, and GP was retiring. But they should have sign Earl Boykins. I know he's a small guy but he's quick and he can shoot; or let's put it this way, anything is better than Parker.

Anyway, we finally got rid of this loser. We don't have to pay a guy that sits his ass at home and taking up roster space.

Wade Done For The Year

Just got some breaking news, Dwayne Wade done for the year. He is having surgery on his knee but believe to be able to come back in 30 days but doubts he will. Please come back as this story develops.

Riley to scout college players

If the Heat finish last in the NBA this season which Pat Riley is planning on doing, the Heat can not fall below the 4th pick. But the chances of getting the 1st pick is not high either. Pat is probably going to watch Michael Beasley & Derrick Rose play for sure. But what happens if we fall below the 2nd pick? Who will be our 3rd or 4th option? I've been hearing Jerryd Bayless (from Arizona), Eric Gordon (from Indiana), DJ Augustin (from Texas), Roy Hibbert (from Georgetown), and DeAndre Jordan (from Texas A&M); those are some of top players in this draft. So do we need a PG more than a C? Marcus Banks is doing a pretty good job at the PG position right now. If we lose Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley, we should definitely draft Jerryd Bayless and trade Marcus Banks/Blount for Zach Randolph since Banks has been showing some good trade values. What kinda lineup do you guys see next season?

No plans to leave Miami, says Wade

"Wade's unhappy...Wade's going to opt-out and go to Chicago, Wade stressed about Heat's future" and so on...I want to say this, "Wade is happy in Miami" at least for now. When he was asked about his future in Miami, he simply says this "Why would I want to leave and let someone else come in and get the glory for taking Miami back?" He definitely doesn't care about what the critics, reporters and writers. Some said he will be out of Miami as soon as he has the option to opt-out. But all are "SPECULATIONS."

I would have to agree with Wade; it's just the business of the game. When the time comes and his contract is up, then we'll talk. But for now, he has at least 2 more years left and the only thing he wants to do now is concentrate on fully recover from his surgeries, win games & silence the critics next year.