Posted September 22, 200519 yr As if the Miami Heat wasn't already loaded with recognizable, veteran names, the team is about to add one more. To fill a void at point guard, the Heat will sign 15-year veteran Gary Payton to a one-year contract today, according to his agent, Aaron Goodwin. Payton flew into Miami late Wednesday and will take a physical and sign the minimum $1.1 million deal today. For the second time in his career, Payton will join a Shaquille O'Neal-led team in hopes of winning his first title. The last time the two joined forces was in the 2003-04 season with the Lakers, when Los Angeles lost to the Pistons in five games in the NBA Finals. Payton will join a similar team in Miami, with Dwyane Wade, Jason Williams and Payton's former Celtic teammate Antoine Walker also in place for a title run http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...ll/12707351.htm
September 22, 200519 yr We'll still have our full MLE and will have filled that void at backup PG for the minimum. Sounds good to me. Gary Payton is about as veteran as it gets but I don't think it will be a huge issue durabilty-wise since he's coming off the bench. This is gonna be one hell of a team to watch this upcoming season, so many different personalities on one team. Should be really fun.
September 22, 200519 yr This team is going to be very very good, but geez talk about a traveling circus, it's gonna be wild.
September 22, 200519 yr I don't know if they'll win, but they sure will entertain...and that's what it's all about, in the end.
September 22, 200519 yr 2004 Lakers Part II The Remix! Totally agree. Pat Riley is just setting this team up for a major disappointment.
September 22, 200519 yr 2004 Lakers Part II The Remix! Still a finals team. Plus you have to subtract the selfish headcase Kobe and add the team oriented Wade. But I do agree. The pressure is on these guys.
September 22, 200519 yr 2004 Lakers Part II The Remix! Totally agree. Pat Riley is just setting this team up for a major disappointment. Yes, having a lot of good players is always such a bad thing. I'm tired of these 2004 Lakers comparisons. First of all...why is that such a negative thing? That team didn't lose to the Pistons because it had too much talent. It went to the finals and was derailed by injuries and a selfish shooting guard. And second, this Heat team is a lot deeper than that Lakers team.
September 22, 200519 yr Payton, Jones, Wade, and Shaq certainly sounds like a finals capable team. Just remember...there's only one ball and Payton, Antoine, J-Will and Shaq all will be "sharing" it....This smells like a long season.
September 22, 200519 yr I don't think it will be a big issue or maybe that's just what I'm hoping, haha.
September 22, 200519 yr I dont know how I feel about the Payton move. I guess hes not bad to have as a backup actually. But he is 87 years old, though.
September 22, 200519 yr good if it is only as a backup and the expectation is set with him, bad if he is expecting significant PT
September 22, 200519 yr well if theres only one ball, we know dwade isn't selfish so maybe he'll have a ton of assists this year....i'd love to see some more tripledoubles
September 22, 200519 yr this move (included with them still have a full MLE) makes the heat very deep in all aspects. defensive team, size team, speed team. im looking forward to the season
September 22, 200519 yr I really like this move, but it doesn't matter, no one can hang with the Spurs this year if Duncan and co. stay healthy.
September 22, 200519 yr Payton, Jones, Wade, and Shaq certainly sounds like a finals capable team. Just remember...there's only one ball and Payton, Antoine, J-Will and Shaq all will be "sharing" it....This smells like a long season. Shaq is not gonna let any ball hogging happen, if anyone cries about it he will set them straight quickly......
September 22, 200519 yr Payton, Jones, Wade, and Shaq certainly sounds like a finals capable team. Just remember...there's only one ball and Payton, Antoine, J-Will and Shaq all will be "sharing" it....This smells like a long season. Shaq is not gonna let any ball hogging happen, if anyone cries about it he will set them straight quickly...... When did Shaq become god? Gary,Atoine,J-willl share the ball NOW! Didn't work in LA, won't work here. It's rediculous to think everything chemistry wise and ball wise will be fine because the Heat have the all mighty Shaq!
September 23, 200519 yr Yeah, the Lakers thing is so dumb. I guess because they've got Shaq and Payton, it makes a little sense...but this s*** started before they got Payton. Since when is signing a capable back-up PG a bad thing. Payton knows where he is in his career. Shaq wanted him here. I think Shaq knows what's up, and knows that Payton won't be any kind of problem. I'm just happy we didn't sign Steve Blake
September 23, 200519 yr It said somewhere that Riley might save the MLE in case a good player becomes available during the season, I'm wondering if he's thinking of anyone in particular. I would probably feel more secure though if we added some more depth before the season than to wait but I guess if no one too desirable and realistic is available, it would make sense.
September 23, 200519 yr It said somewhere that Riley might save the MLE in case a good player becomes available during the season, I'm wondering if he's thinking of anyone in particular. I would probably feel more secure though if we added some more depth before the season than to wait but I guess if no one too desirable and realistic is available, it would make sense. Is it possible to use the MLE in a trade to get someone we otherwise wouldn't be able to? I feel like I've seen MLE's dealt before.
September 23, 200519 yr It said somewhere that Riley might save the MLE in case a good player becomes available during the season, I'm wondering if he's thinking of anyone in particular. I would probably feel more secure though if we added some more depth before the season than to wait but I guess if no one too desirable and realistic is available, it would make sense. Is it possible to use the MLE in a trade to get someone we otherwise wouldn't be able to? I feel like I've seen MLE's dealt before. No. You can't trade your MLE in any scenario. The Heat do have a trade exception though (we acquired it from Charlottle in the Malik Allen deal), to be used in a sign-and-trade or just to even out salaries in a trade. Problem is, even though it is supposedly worth $1.8 million, it is cut in half every time it's traded. So basically, the team we'd be trading it to would have a $900,000 exception instead of a $1.8 million exception, so it's tougher to trade it.
September 23, 200519 yr It said somewhere that Riley might save the MLE in case a good player becomes available during the season, I'm wondering if he's thinking of anyone in particular. I would probably feel more secure though if we added some more depth before the season than to wait but I guess if no one too desirable and realistic is available, it would make sense. Is it possible to use the MLE in a trade to get someone we otherwise wouldn't be able to? I feel like I've seen MLE's dealt before. No. You can't trade your MLE in any scenario. The Heat do have a trade exception though (we acquired it from Charlottle in the Malik Allen deal), to be used in a sign-and-trade or just to even out salaries in a trade. Problem is, even though it is supposedly worth $1.8 million, it is cut in half every time it's traded. So basically, the team we'd be trading it to would have a $900,000 exception instead of a $1.8 million exception, so it's tougher to trade it. OK, thanks for the info. It does beg another question, though. Why do you know all this?
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