Zo A Big Question Mark

We've been a bit generous in our expectations for Zo. Maybe it's because Mourning has always been such a warrior (remember his insistence on walking off the court, unassisted?). I've mentioned him as part of the starting lineup several times, and it really isn't fair.

According to the latest reports, Mourning is probably out until December. What he chooses to do from there will be determined, but it's safe to say the Heat shouldn't plan around him. He could be a wonderful addition if the Wade-Beasley Heat show promise, but I doubt he comes back to a losing squad.

As is so often the case in the NBA, winning brings winners. The Heat now have that added incentive to get off to a strong start.

Is Lue To Heat the Right Move?

According to the Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel, free agent point guard Tyronn Lue is scheduled for a physical today with the Heat, and could be extended a contract offer following the physical. Lue is a 10 year NBA veteran, and is 31 years of age. Last year, he averaged 5.8 points and 1.5 assists per game playing for the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks.

This is about the best that the Heat could do in this uninspiring free agent point guard class of 2008. Their other options are Keyon Dooling, Carlos Arroyo, Anthony Johnson, and Sebastian Telfair, and they only have $1.9 million in midlevel exception money to spend.

I must say, I'm spectacularly unimpressed with Lue and the other available free agent point guards the Heat have shown interest in. I think I'm content to just retain Mario Chalmers, Marcus Banks, and Chris Quinn, and call it a day. With Chalmers' impressive performance in the Orlando summer league, the more pressing need for the Heat seems to be center, where you have a not-even-certain-to-be-healthy Alonzo Mourning and Mark Blount as the only options.

Heat Trade Thoughts, Possibilities, Rumors, Speculation

I've stated in previous posts how I want the Heat to keep the 2nd overall pick and take the remainder of Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. That still applies, except for one slight alteration: if the Heat can package Marion with the pick for a legitimate superstar, then it's something to consider. There are also some offers too good to pass up.

Current rumors:

1. Dwyane Wade to the Bulls for the #1 pick and possibly Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, Thebo Sefalosha. That's complete garbage, it's not happening, and I hope we never hear of it again.

2. The Grizzlies may want to deal Mike Conley and the 5th pick for the 2nd pick, as they're known to covet Beasley. This falls into the "too good to pass up category." Imagine having Conley-Wade-5th pick-Marion-Haslem. That's not only a good team, but a young one with considerable upside.

3. Shawn Marion/? for Elton Brand. I'm a big fan of this deal, but the Clippers probably won't go for it.

4. Shawn Marion/? for Lamar Odom/?. This could really happen, with the Heat likely getting something extra (Jordan Farmar maybe?). As much as I enjoyed Odom's 2004 season in Miami, I wouldn't make this move unless Odom comes coupled with something else.

Now take #3 and #4 and combine it with #2. How about this team?

Odom Trade:
PG Mike Conley/Jordan Farmar
SG Dwyane Wade
F Udonis Haslem
F Lamar Odom
C Alonzo Mourning

Brand Trade:
PG Mike Conley
SG Dwyane Wade
F Udonis Haslem
F Elton Brand
C Alonzo Mourning

Then add the 5th overall pick and improved versions of Dorell Wright and Daequan Cook. That's some talented athleticism right there.

And now for my own speculation. This is completely of my own design, based on no real evidence. Everyone got that?

Shawn Marion and the pick for Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith. The Nuggets want to break things up, 'Melo could use a new start, and Dwyane Wade would have a truly dominant scorer to tag-team with him. The Nuggets would then get Michael Beasley and an all-star (known for rebounding) in Shawn Marion to put with Allen Iverson, Marcus Camby, and Nene. Am I crazy, or does that make sense?

"I Hope The Bulls Pick Me," Says Rose

You heard it from the Memphis point guard himself. He and his brother say they will not visit Miami before the Draft. There is no need. Their minds are made up already. Rose has hired former Bulls guard B.J. Armstrong as his agent. I can't say that I'm stunned. Derrick Rose is from Chicago. The prestige of being the #1 overall selection would be quite alluring to anyone. And the Bulls, like it or not, are closer to a championship than the Heat.

That said, the future is still bright for Miami if they decide to select Kansas State forward Michael Beasley and be done with it. Remember that for most of the college basketball season, this guy was it. It isn't his fault that the fickle winds of sports opinion have swung wildly in favor of Rose recently. Beasley's amazing talents have not faded in recent months. He has not suffered serious injury. He is still universally projected to be an NBA all star by all reputable draft experts.

Drafting Beasley means the Heat will have a superfluity of power forwards. One of them needs to be let go to make room for the man-child. The Heat still need a point guard - badly. The Bulls now could use a power forward. If I were Riles, I'd propose a Udonis Haslem for Kirk Hinrich trade (maybe throw in a little Marcus Banks for them, since he's useless). We could have Hinrich and Chris Quinn at point guard (yes, I know Shaq would disagree with me here, but Quinn proved very suitable in last year's NBDL lineup we fielded). I'm not too unhappy with a starting lineup of Hinrich, Wade, Marion, Beasley, and Zo.

Who Your Favorite Athletes Are Voting For - Does It Matter To You?

The Herald has an excellent article this morning about political activism among local professional athletes. Usually, athletes will stay away from the subject because (a) they don't want to spark any sort of clubhouse antipathy with different-minded teammates, (b) they don't particularly follow politics or current events all too much, and/or (c) they fear losing endorsements or fans with their public pronouncements about political issues.

A handful of South Florida professional athletes, however, have been willing to come out with their 2008 presidential preferences. On the Obama side, we have Heat players Alonzo Mourning (who has previously donated $25,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) and Shawn Marion. For McCain, we have Dolphins kicker Jay Feely, Marlins outfielder Luis Gonzalez (who has actually stumped for the Arizona Senator), and pitcher Andrew Miller.

So I ask South Florida sports nation, knowing this information about some of your beloved athletes - does it matter to you? Do you think any more or less of Zo or Gonzo because of their professed political leanings?

Many will say, as with entertainers of any stripe like actors or musicians, that these people should simply "shut up and act/sing/play". These types will actually acquire vitriol for the entertainer who doesn't pledge allegiance to their vision of America, and may even launch boycotts against said entertainers. I probably fall on the milder side of this response. I strongly believe in freedom of speech, and definitely applaud any athlete who deigns to speak out on any matter of national/world consequence. But I will say, "I still love Athlete X, I just wish he wasn't a rabid member of Party Y." I will still attend his games, still cheer my heart out for him, still purchase his jersey. But there's that little bit of "Aw, shucks" in the back of my mind when I get to thinking about how "wrong" he may be politically.

What say you?

Zo Wants To Come Back

With all of this talk about the Heat's young and exciting NBA Draft possibilities, I figured I'd spend some time talking about news made by ol' Mr. Heat himself, Alonzo Mourning. On Monday, at Jason Taylor's celebrity golf tournament in Davie, Zo said, "I want to come back and play another year." This does not necessarily mean that you will see the 38 year old Mourning in a Heat uniform this year. He is recovering from knee surgery which has kept him off the basketball court since Dec. 19, 2007. Better stated, the news is that if Zo's health cooperates, he will likely be back with Miami for the 2008-2009 season.

I, for one, am crossing my fingers hoping that his rehab goes well and we see opponent's shots swatted into the fifth row this upcoming season. When both Zo and Shaq were playing in the early months of last season, I found myself appreciating Zo's game a little more. His defensive and shot-blocking presence was almost as pronounced as when he was at the prime of his career. Unlike O'Neal, Zo was hustling EVERY SINGLE PLAY. Not only do I feel a sentimental tug towards Zo as the very embodiment of Heat basketball, but I feel that on a very practical level he can contribute on a rebuilding Heat roster, who, by the way, needs center depth baaaadly (try winning a playoff series with Mark Blount as your only semi-viable option).

Zo has gone through so much for this franchise. In my very humble opinion the Heat should retire his number before the end of his career. He deserves to go out on a better note than 15-67, and hopefully the health gods will once again cooperate and give us the chance, nay the privilege, of watching what "heart" looks like if it took human form and played basketball.

Should the Heat Go For Elton Brand?

We've talked about the possibilities for Heat trades. They have a very moveable big-salaried chip in Shawn Marion, along with the trusty #2 pick. Elton Brand's name is being thrown around in a number of places, so I'm curious to know what you all think.

Is Brand over the hill, or can he be the dominant inside punch to another Wade-led championship team? If the Heat could get him without dealing the pick and also manage to bring in Ron Artest, wouldn't this be exciting?

PG Derrick Rose
SG Dwyane Wade
SF Ron Artest
PF Udonis Haslem
PF/C Elton Brand/Zo/FA

That would be a whole lot of athleticism on the floor. Possible? Good?