MVN - Most Valuable Network

‘In The Grasp’: Can The New Miami Heat Work Old Magic?

Most NBA insiders felt that the Miami Heat had the best draft of any team in the league. With months to go until the regular season, we take a look at what could be.

The Miami Heat landed what was arguably two of the best talents in this years NBA Draft.

In Michael Beasley you have easily the most talented athlete from an overall standpoint, and in ’Super’ Mario Chalmers, you have a prototypical Pat Riley player who is in some ways above average offensively, but more importantly, knows how to excel strongly from a defensive standpoint. 

It’s pretty hard to tell exactly what the Miami Heat’s starting roster will look like when the season kicks off but when you look around at the youth and athleticism, it can’t be anything less than inspiring.

Pat Riley has made it clear….Anything less than a postseason run will be disappointing. And exactly what does he plan to do to help turn things around? Well, according to various team insiders, use the free agent market to land the last of a few final pieces to the puzzle and make this team an instant contender.

The Marion-for-Odom trade is still being discussed, as well as a few others. No one quite knows which deal Riley will pull the trigger on but he has made it abundantly clear that it’ll be something that makes the team instantly better.

With no such deal on the table as of yet, we briefly look at the impact of those we know will be on the roster:

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And With The #2 Pick, The Miami Heat Select……

With less than 24 hours until this years NBA Draft, speculations, questions, and all in between will be answered as the Miami Heat prepare to make what could be the biggest franchise move since the acquisition of Dwyane Wade.

Listening to the supposed experts, there are a number of different scenario’s that could ultimately play out, but rather than analyze potential trade options, today we’ll analyze the ‘Key 3′ that Miami will eventually have to choose from to keep on their team roster when all the smoke finally clears.

Considering that no one truly knows who the Chicago Bulls will select, we’ll analyze Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, and O.J. Mayo to see which has the best chance of actually sticking to the team roster.

Derrick Rose:

To me personally, the jury is still out on Derrick Rose. Everyone has been pretty quick to ordain him as the second coming of Jason Kidd, but personally, I have a partial reservation in selecting a guy who was just another face in the crowd during the regular season, but happened to step up big in the postseason. Granted, it does say alot that he was able to elevate his game on the biggest stage he encountered, but it also tells me that he could be an overly methodical player which may cause a steep learning curve on the NBA level. His court vision is beautiful, his ability to get teammates involved is grand, but as it relates to the Miami Heat, how does his ability translate on the court with a Dwyane Wade and company? Does Wade need a great distributor who isn’t an offensive threat? Or is he better suited with a great distributor who can also divert attention away from him based on a keen ability to hit jumpers and score at critical points in the clutch? The one major upside to him is that being so young, the Miami Heat could actually use players like him and Wade to serve as the true ‘core’ to build around for years to come. (Of course that has alot to do with what Wade decides at the end of his expiring contract which is only a few years away). Overall, he’s a great talent, and I do see a certain maturity in him that I like, but I think Wade would be better suited with someone who is more of an offensive threat around him. No matter how good Rose distributes the rock, when there’s only 3 seconds on the clock and the small forward inbounds the ball, if everyone knows Wade is gonna get it, we’re still in the same predicament we’ve been in in the past as far as I’m concerned. We need someone to divert attention based on better than average scoring ability. That’s my biggest concern with Rose.

Michael Beasley: 

Of the three potentials in this draft for the Miami Heat, hands down, this guy is the most talented. Many teams typically use the “best man available” approach, regardless of team needs. If that philosophical approach was adopted within the Miami Heat organization, this would be the man selected. As it appears, he very well may be, but not with intent to keep, which is a bit skeptical in my book. Watching this guy in college from the beginning of the season to the bitter end, his play was far more consistent than that of the other two. Beasley has shown an ability to beat defenders on the inside, from the outside, and anywhere in between. Aside from his ability to score and potentially distract defenders from loading up on Dwyane Wade, he also has the type of length, infused with athleticism that the team could use. In Beasley I think Miami gets what they desired from a young and unfortunately still developing Dorrell Wright. Standing at 6′ 7″, Beasley would be important on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Miami style defense would take time for him to develop, but he’s instant offense, and most important, he’s the kind of player that every opposing coach would have to gameplan for night in and night out. That’s a major plus considering that his potential teammate (D-Wade) is already on the minds of the same coaches. Can’t double team both guys which thickens the plot immensely, but hey, that’s that other coaches problem! Overall, I think Beasley is the best talent to get. Off court issues and maturity have become an issue, but they said the same thing about Caron Butler, and if you know like me, I wish we had that guy back!

O.J. Mayo:

Rose is viewed as the frontrunner, Beasley is viewed by many as the most talented, but Mayo is clearly the ‘dark horse’ in this race and this is one wildcard I think Riley has had in his back pocket for quite some time. The intriguing thing about Mayo is that despite the fact that he’s not as talented as Beasley, or as proficient at certain things as Rose, I think he has enough of each quality to make him the best man for the job. He can score the ball, he can pass the ball, he has height, and he spent more time at the collegiate level so his fundamentals are somewhat better. Questions about his actions off the court have also come into play, but hey, the last guy to leave U.S.C. who was tied to this same type of drama (the N.F.L.’s Reggie Bush) panned out just fine! Different sport, same mentality in the players. That mentality is one built on hardwork, and dedication to the betterment of themselves and those around them. Mayo, in my estimation, displays the most maturity of them all on and off the court. Demeanor seems very business like, and another key element here is that he’s been in the public light since he was in high school, so the big stage isn’t quite as overwhelming to a guy like him who’s been there and done that. His fundamental training and maturity I think is what ultimately makes him the selection that will actually stick for the Miami Heat. Whether they trade up for him, or whatever the case may be, this is the guy that I think will actually stick.

Final Analysis: 

When it’s all said and done, I think the Miami Heat will draft Michael Beasley and find a way to package him in a deal that will land them O.J. Mayo and some other key component. Acquiring Mayo allows them to keep Marion to accompany Wade and a new stud PG which should make for an interesting season under Erik Spoelstra who will run a totally different style of offense than what we saw under Riley. More free-flowing, more open, more explosive. With O.J. McDuffie retired and O.J. Simpson behind wires, tonight, Mayo becomes the new official O.J. of Miami.

Miami Heat, NBA Finals Random Thoughts….

Random Miami Heat Talk…

How desperate can any member of the media be to start the pathetic rumors about a possible D-Wade trade?

Of all the players in the sport, this guy is more coveted than any.

It would take a prime Michael Jordan to rip Wade away from the jaws of Miami and trust me, it ain’t happenin’.

Who we end up snatching in the draft to play alongside him remains to be seen, but one thing for sure, barring any unfortunate happenings, D-Wade will suit up in a Miami uniform next year.

With all the draft talk and after finally getting a chance to review extended footage of alot of these guys in the mix, I’m beginning to warm up to the thought of Miami snatching O.J. Mayo if Rose is gone at #2.

No knocks on Beasley because of the three, he’s probably the best overall, but if you’re looking for some backcourt help to join Wade, he’s the man if Rose isn’t there.

Despite a few question marks, I think Mayo’s maturity and disposition may not be far off the Riley mark either.

He’s spent time in college and has polished his game with the fundamentals that Beasley doesn’t quite have and Rose may still be in the process of finding.

Should be interesting but with Zo looking to return, considering the rest of the lineup expected, I think he would be a good addition if it came down to it.

Beasley, Rose, or Mayo….Not an easy decision to make, but not a bad problem to have either. 

Random NBA Finals Thoughts….

Where was Pao Gasol the other night? Well, he was in the back pocket of KG who owned him the other night.

The Lakers’ team in general just didn’t seem to be themselves.

Coming into the game it was stated by many in the media that they (L.A.) would need a game or so to adjust before they go back to what has become vintage Lakers B-ball.

Laker fans can only hope that was the truth because after watching them fail to gain a consistent flow, many have began to wonder if the run leading up to the Finals was a hoax.

I don’t think you can really expect Kobe and the rest of the team to play that way for a complete 7 game series.

I expect Kobe to come out shooting sharp, and I expect the rest of the team to follow suit.

The real question is whether Boston can carry this momentum on the road to the West Coast, even if they can take both games in Bean-town.

Remember people, this is the same squad that failed to beat Atlanta on the road and was forced into a 7 game series with the worst team in the playoffs.

Should be interesting but if they can’t steal a game or two on the road, that could spell trouble because I’m more than sure that Kobe and his crew can win in Boston.

Only time will tell.

A Game of ‘Deuce’: Miami Heat Secure #2 Pick In NBA Draft

The guessing game is all over, and now the true guessing game officially begins.

The Miami Heat managed to squeeze into the #2 slot for the upcoming NBA draft and either way it goes, the two main front-runners are more than adequate for the plans in Miami.

With a front court that’s already pretty loaded, the Chicago Bulls may look to add backcourt help by acquiring PG Derrick Rose. Then again, they’re sort of loaded in the backcourt as well, so they could use this opportunity to trade a player or two to make room in the front court for Beasley.

It’s still pretty early to really get a gauge on what the Miami Heat will do but it’s all predicated on what the Bulls do at the #1 spot.

I think the obvious fit for Miami would be Rose because it would address the teams biggest need.

If the Bulls do grab him first, the Point Guard position for Miami would still have major question marks and the log jam at PF becomes a concern with what would be Beasley, Haslem, and Marion on the roster, among others.

I’d hate to see the team part ways with Udonis but if they think Marion will opt to stay longer than his current contract stipulates, the team could trade Haslem for a decent PG and another piece possibly.

The flipside is that they could also trade Marion, keep Haslem, and get a couple pieces, including a noteworthy PG. 

The only certainty here is that with many questions answered, a ton more were raised. Usually that isn’t a great thing, but personally, I’m part of that growing majority that feels this isn’t quite a bad position to be in after all!