dunkside

Pat Riley is probably one of the most underestimated GM’s in the NBA. He promised to bring a title to Miami when he moved there. He did some mistakes at first (giving large contracts to Eddie Jones and Brian Grant, for example). He was hit by back luck when his star player and the heart and soul of the team, Zo, was diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis. But he learned from his mistakes and rebuild the team around Wade and finally delivered the title he promised.

When he realized his team was rapidly breaking down, that Shaq had lost all his motivation and that there was no chance to contend again, he broke the team and set to rebuild it. He even managed to find a fool (thank you, Steve Kerr) to take Shaq’s seemingly untradeable contract. And now the Heat seem to be in a great position again to make some moves that would take them back into the elite of the league.

If they get Odom for the MLE, that would be a steal, an even bigger one than getting Haslem for the MLE (one of the few MLE signings that actually worked well; for failed MLE’s see: James, Jerome and Jeffries, Jared).

And there are rumors about the Heat looking to get Boozer. Getting Boozer would be done in two ways, and they’d both put the Heat into position to grab one of the major FA of 2010. Since the 2 major FA’s are Lebron and Bosh, and the Heat would already have 2 really good PF’s in Odom and Boozer, the target would obviously be Lebron. And while everyone has their eyes on the Knicks or the Nets as probable targets for Lebron, he might end up playing with his friend, Wade, in Miami.

The 2 ways to get Boozer would be:

1. Include JO’s contract. That would give the Jazz 23 mil in expiring salary, but they’d want the Heat to either send them some talent back, or take a bad salary off their hands (and their payroll). Does Kirilenko’s nearly 18 mil for 2010-2011 sound bad enough ?

JO + Haslem for Boozer + Kirilenko works under the rules and makes sense, too. The Jazz get rid of a huge salary and get a huge expiring + a good role player PF to back-up Millsap. The Heat get Boozer and a contract that becomes an 18 mil expiring in 2010, when they could package it in a S&T for a FA (where FA = Lebron).

2. Not include JO’s contract. That can be done if the Heat send Haslem + Blount or Blount + Wright for Boozer. The Jazz could use Haslem and Blount would be just an expiring. The Heat might send a pick and/or some cash, too. This would mean the Heat would still have JO’s expiring to offer around the trade deadline. And if by that time Lebron decides he wants to play with the Heat, he might tell the Cavs to trade them there, and they’d have to do it or risk losing him for nothing in the summer. JO + Beasley (again, with some picks and/or cash) works for Lebron + Z or, even better for the Cavs, for Lebron + Varejao + Gibson.

Actually these 2 scenarios can work with or without Odom, and in some cases having him would create a glut at PF, but having a trio of Wade, Odom and Boozer would surely make the Heat much more appealing to Lebron. And a team with Wade, Lebron, Odom, Boozer would be an instant contender and a possible dynasty.

With or without Lebron, Riley seems to be on his way to building a new team around Wade, and doing it with solid picks and trying to get talented players without breaking the bank and putting his team in salary cap hell, while also retaining flexibility so he can make a move for a superstar if the possibility arises. With Riles continuing to make such moves Miami will probably be back in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2-3 years, if not even in the Finals.

Team analysis Carlos Boozer, Dwyane Wade, Lamar Odom, Lebron James, Miami Heat, Pat Riley

In news that surprised absolutely no one, Allen Iverson will NOT opt-out from him fat contract with the Nuggets. I suppose all those GMs who read the lists possible FA for this summer and were waiting to sign Iverson for the MLE will just have to wait.

Well, maybe they can settle for Marion instead. What’s that ? Marion isn’t opting out either ? That’s such a shame. BSPN almost had me believe that everyone and their grandmother will be opting out this summer.

Speaking of Marion, Pat Riley seems to be playing it smart. He is unwilling to give him a 39 million 3 years contract and is offering a 30 million 3 year contract. Otis Smith, are you taking notes ? You’re supposed to offer less than the player/agent is asking for, not more.

There are plenty of reasons for not giving Marion a big bunch of money. Marion is 30, his game is based a lot on his athleticism which might soon leave him, he has a lot of mileage already, his stats have diminished over the last 2 years so he looks to be on the decline and he was never able to lead a team despite putting up impressive stats even when Nash wasn’t there. To boot, Marion is kind of a whiner, he wasn’t happy in Phoenix playing with Nash so he could soon become sour in Miami and demand a trade. Taking all these into account, a 31 year old declining Marion at 10 million per season would be much more tradeable than at 13 million per season. All these are not to say that Marion isn’t a very good player. He is, and it would be great to have more players with his athleticism, durability and selfless play. But he apparently is mentally weak and he craves more recognition (and money) than he deserves.

Looks like Riles, despite making some mistakes as GM earlier in his career, has learned his lesson. He has been pretty good in the draft and I have to consider him an elite GM at the moment. We’ll see how he does in this draft, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he somehow managed to land Lebron or Bosh in 2010 and had the Heat contending for a title by 2011.

I told you so Allen Iverson, Pat Riley, Shawn Marion

Apparently Shaq took part in his first practice with the Suns. Nothing special about that. It’s his job to practice with his team and from time to time, when he runs out of fake injuries, to actually play in a game. Speaking of fake injuries, ESPN says that:

“Shaquille O’Neal went through his first practice with the Phoenix Suns on Monday, showing no sign of the hip injury that has sidelined him since Jan. 21.“

Steve Nash may be half of Shaq’s size but he has twice more MVP trophies

Yeah, that’s right. Shaq shows no sign of injury. That’s probably why he passed his physical last week. He’s all but admitting he’s been faking an injury cause he had no interest of playing for a team sinking quicker than the Titanic. Now that he’s with the Suns and has another chance at a title, Shaq has miraculously healed.

If you don’t think the reason for Wade’s 9 TO against the Lakers on Sunday is that he’s been out drinking champagne with Riley on Saturday night, you’re crazy. They’ve been partying like crazy, celebrating the trade, cause I’m pretty sure they were both sick of Shaq’s “winning personality” and his fake injuries. But at least they’re trying to keep to themselves the joy of getting rid of the Big Contract .

Because with the Big Egomaniac, it’s only a matter of time before he goes out saying something bad about his former employer. After moving to Miami he took a shot at Phil Jackson by claiming Pat Riley was the best coach he ever played for and, of course, he said Micky Arison was a real owner, unlike Dr Buss. It’s only a matter of time before he professes his love for Robert Sarver and calls him the best owner ever, the irony of which could only be topped if anyone called Donald Sterling a generous man. But his first target will probably be Pat Riley. As soon as Shaq has a good game (a good game for him these days is a decent game for other good players) he will no doubt be in a hurry to remind Pat Riley what he lost. From Riley’s perspective though, he only lost a lot of dead weight.

Player analysis Miami Heat, Pat Riley, Phoenix Suns, Robert Sarver, Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Nash