So Lue Thinks He's Too Good For Miami

Following up on yesterday's post about Tyronn Lue scheduled to come to Miami for a physical on Monday - it turns out he never showed up. Lue stood us up. If he weren't so insignificant and inconsequential a player, I'd feel somewhat sad, possibly offended. But Lue's spurning of the Heat is a blessing (not even a "blessing in disguise") - Lue is no upgrade over the Chalmers-Banks-Quinn trio the Heat already have at point guard. If you're going to use up the midlevel exception, you should use it for an upgrade. I'm glad he came to his senses before we did. Now let's find some center depth!

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 Ink James Jones, Mario Chalmers

The official numbers haven't been released, but the Heat have come to terms with James Jones. The expected figures? 5 years, $22 million.

While that seems like a fairly hefty investment, I'm a big fan of this move. The Heat desperately need a better 3-point game, and that's exactly what Jones gives you. Much like Kapono two years ago, expect Jones to be the recipient of several Wade dish-outs. If he can knock 40% of them down, he's an excellent acquisition.

The Heat have also signed Mario Chalmers. Chalmers has been sensational in the summer league. In fact, he's now the favorite to start at PG. I've been in love with his game since his Kansas days...great draft choice, great move.

Things are looking up at the triple-A.

Chalmers Continues Strong Summer League As Heat Lose

I think the question deserves to be asked, albeit at this extremely early stage of their NBA careers - was Mario Chalmers, not Michael Beasley, the real gem of the 2008 Draft?

The reason I ask is because, in Wednesday's loss to Indiana in the Orlando Pro Summer League, the Heat's Chalmers showed why he is a legitimate contender for the team's starting point guard job. He did have 7 turnovers, but this was a vast departure from his comparatively error-free Monday and Tuesday efforts. Super Mario finished with 23 points and 6 assist in the 95-84 loss to the Pacers. What has impressed (and surprised) is Chalmers emerging point guard talent - he drives to the basket hard (he finished 17 of 17 from the foul line in yesterday's game), he creates opportunities for other people (averaging 7 assists a game in summer league is pretty remarkable for someone who wasn't considered a true point guard coming out of college), and he's a shut-down defender. His stat line for the tournament reads thus far: 17.7 points, 7 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. He already outplayed Rose (and it wasn't even close). Thursday, he gets the chance to face fourth overall pick Russell Westbrook as the Heat take on Oklahoma City.

For Beasley's part, he posted 17 points and 8 rebounds, but hardly made a significant dent in the game. This is a positive development if we're looking at silver linings - when you score 17 points and grab 8 boards in an "off" night, you're probably an exceedingly special talent. Beasley was virtuoso on Monday, and quite pedestrian on Tuesday and Wednesday. Chalmers has been masterful in many different ways in all three games. Advantage Chalmers for now, advantage Heat in the long run for nabbing two players with such glaring promise.

Heat Close To Signing James Jones; Beasley Human After All

The Heat will likely sign former UM standout James Jones to a 5-year deal this morning. Jones played for Portland last season, where he posted the NBA's third best 3-point shooting percentage (44.4%). The Heat has needed a 3-point specialist since Jason Kapono, the league's best downtown sharpshooter, departed. Jones, a 6-foot-8 forward and a hometown kid throughout (he played for Miami's American High before playing for the Hurricanes), is also a solid defensive player and shot-blocker. Many are speculating that the Jones signing could spell the end of the Dorrell Wright experiment, which has taken far longer than Pat Riley hoped for. The Heat now absolutely must shift their focus to shoring up the point guard and center positions through trade and the midlevel exception.

In summer league news, Michael Beasley turned in a wretched performance Tuesday, going 1 for 13 and finishing with 9 points and 7 rebounds, as the Heat again cruised 90-81 against the New Jersey Nets. Of more concern to Beasley and the Heat is that Beasley left the game early in the 3rd period with a bruised left shin, which could limit his effectiveness the rest of the week.

Mario Chalmers starred in the victory, finishing with 19 points and 9 assists. Kasib Powell (17 points) and former Georgia Tech shooting guard Anthony Morrow (19 points) were also impressive in the Heat's second summer league game.

Round 1 Goes to Beasley AND Chalmers

Michael Beasley had 28 points and 9 rebounds, while Mario Chalmers finished with 11 points, 6 assists (to just 1 turnover), and 6 steals in comparison to Derrick Rose's 10 points, 5 assists, and 5 turnover, as the Miami Heat steamrolled past the Chicago Bulls 94-70 on the first day of the Orlando summer league. The Heat's 2008 draft dazzled, and schooled the Bulls' last 3 drafts. Not only did Chalmers outplay Rose, but Beasley looked dominant against NBA regulars Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas. He was driving aggressively to the basket, hitting baseline jumpers, and even connected on a 3 pointer. Chalmers, meanwhile, showed stifling defensive acumen, suffocating Bulls guards including Rose.

It is just one game. It is a summer league game. But against NBA competition (Noah, Thomas, and Rose), both Beasley and Chalmers dazzled. As far as the Beasley vs. Rose comparison, there was none - in the end, they both played to their college numbers, and that is a winning proposition for the Heat every time. So smile, Miami - the Heat aren't back, but they're closer than ever with these two competitors waiting in the wings.

Beasley to Face Rose on Monday

Can't wait to see Michael Beasley in a Heat uniform? Can't wait to see Beasley prove who got the better of the deal between Miami and Chicago on draft night? Well, truth is, you don't have to wait. The Heat open summer league play on Monday in Orlando against the most anticipated of rivals - Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. Beasley is on record as saying that one of his goals as a professional is to go down in history as the best player to emerge from the 2008 Draft. The first step of that ambitious journey takes place on Monday.

The Heat, who will be coached this summer by assistant and Heat legend Keith Askins (Erik Spoelstra used to have this role, but he has bigger fish to fry now), will feature a lineup including second round pick Mario Chalmers, returning players Daequan Cook, Stephane Lasme, and Kasib Powell, as well as undrafted free agents Pat Calathes (the St. Joseph's forward whose brother, Nick, plays for the Florida Gators), Louisville center David Padgett, and Davidson point guard Jason Richards.

For those that suffer from post-football, post-basketball July funk, this is always an exciting time. I count August in that annual ennui as well, but this year we have the Beijing Olympics to relish! September rolls around and college football is in full swing again. In the dog days of summer, it's always nice to have some highlights to look forward to.

One final note: Greg Cote argued for the Heat to hotly pursue Clippers star Elton Brand in yesterday's Herald. While I would love for this to happen, it seems incredibly unlikely - Brand has expressed a strong desire to remain a Clipper, and L.A.'s probable signing of Baron Davis will likely reinforce Brand's preference to build a contender in the city of angels.

What's Next for the Heat

If you have been a Heat fan long enough, or have followed Pat Riley long enough, you would know that Pat Riley does not like to go through re-building phases. Miami is just not the place to spend seasons rebuilding (ask the Florida Marlins and their fluctuating attendance rates). That is why there was all this trade talk surrounding Michael Beasley. He wanted to plug all the holes in the Heat lineup instead of just one, as well as open up some cap room. This guy knows what he’s doing. Can anyone remember the last time the Miami Heat kept a 2nd round pick around? Not me. So giving away two 2nd round picks for Mario Chalmers was gold, as Chalmers was projected to go mid-first round. Mario Chalmers was a huge addition at the point guard position, but with Jason Williams hitting the free agency and Marcus Banks never proving to be a legitimate contributor off the bench, expect Riley back in the office the morning after the draft.

As far as the amount of all-stars and absolute studs available in this year’s Free Agency, 2008 is awful, but there are some helpful additions out there. There has been speculation surrounding Beno Udrih, starting point guard for the Sacramento Kings. Problem with that is that Riley has never been a fan of international players. Raymond Felton’s name is starting to surface as the Charlotte Bobcats drafted D.J. Augustin in the top 10, maybe indicating future plans to move Felton. Kirk Hinrich is also in the mix as the Chicago Bulls now have Derrick Rose, but a deal with them might have to be much bigger then Riley would hope for.

At of pure speculation, keep an eye on what Joe Dumars does with Chauncey Billups. It is clear Dumars wants to shake up with the team with the repeated results they’ve been getting in the playoffs with the same team, except older each year. There was talk of a Baron Davis trade with Chauncey Billups that also involved Rasheed Wallace, but Dumars is just getting started. Billups name has come up before with the Heat and don’t be surprised if his name comes up in a trade rumor soon.

Baron Davis also looks like he’s on the trading block. Jannero Pargo and Chris Duhon are both unrestricted free agents that could split time with Chalmers easily at the point. Jarvis Hayes, Mickael Pietrus, or Maurice Evans are currently free agents who would also be nice additions coming off the bench.

Once Riley can free up some cap space, watch the master at his best. Easier said then done however (Thanks Mark Blount). Riley wants to be in the playoffs next year. There will be new players coming in, and they will make sense, maybe not immediately, but eventually (Antoine Walker during the regular season, and then in the playoffs during the championship run. Tag Gary Payton in that sentence too.)

Heat Draft an A+

Yes, the Heat's performance in last night's draft merited an A+ from TSFF favorite/non-favorite Chad Ford. He pretty much fluctuates in our esteem.

Here were his words:

"I hate to break it to what looked like a very sober, perhaps disappointed Pat Riley, but the Heat won this draft. They walked away with arguably the best player in the draft and then got a second-round steal at point guard, a position at which Miami really needed help.

Beasley has a chance to be a superstar. With him and Dwyane Wade, the Heat have a terrific future. On top of that, Miami got a player at No. 34 who I had ranked as a potential mid-first-round pick. Chalmers is perfect for Riley: He is tough, plays defense, can shoot the lights out and is a winner. Once the Heat find a way to trade Shawn Marion, they'll be in great shape to make a big run at a young free agent next summer.

And according to John Hollinger's statistical formula, Jackson is one the biggest sleepers in the draft."

Right on, Chad Ford! I completely agree with him. I am THRILLED with this draft. I never imagined getting Mario Chalmers, and if Darnell Jackson materializes into something, watch out. The Heat should be a playoff team next year, and I personally can't wait to watch them in action.

Rousing Draft Success For Heat

After the many seemingly endless weeks of speculation about what Pat Riley would do in the 2008 NBA Draft, he made the biggest possible splash he could by just playing it safe. The Heat is now a viable contender to be a high playoff seed next season, if it remains healthy. A nucleus of Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley, and Sean Marion is a force to be reckoned with. Flash is the tried-and-tested superstar, Marion is a tried-and-tested double-double machine and all around energetic pogo stick, and Beasley outshone Kevin Durant's Big XII numbers as a freshman in every way last season and there's no reason not to think he'll make every bit the impact or more as Durant made in his first NBA Rookie of the Year season.

But as many people suspected that the Heat would go with Beasley as that they would not. What WAS surprising was Riley's masterful 2nd Round moves. The Heat traded for the rights to Kansas national championship legend Mario Chalmers, the Most Outstanding Player of the 2008 Final Four. Chalmers was deeply impressive the past couple of seasons at Kansas. He is as smooth a shooter as they come, and we know that he won't shrink from clutch situations - you will remember that he was the ice-vein who hit the 3-pointer that sent the national championship game against Derrick Rose's Memphis Tigers into overtime with time expiring. The Heat weren't done, deciding to pick another Kansas player, Darnell Jackson, but then trading him to Cleveland for their second round pick in 2009.

In the end, Riley, master psychologist, played us all. The talk about Beasley being an immature prankster and about Miami's overwhelming infatuation with O.J. Mayo was all a smokescreen. Riley said, "I don't think there was any question on our part. We love Michael." New coach Erik Spoelstra described the rampant speculation the last few weeks as "a little humorous." You can play me like a fiddle anytime you want Pat, if you can deliver studs like Beasley and Chalmers.