I was joking about the heat being an 8th seed but I think it's insane to think they are automatic bids in the ECF if they have just shaq and wade. My beef was with what Riley said about the east. The bulls got a lot better, they added another year of experience to a young team and now have the emergence of Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah to the defense. I think you will be seeing a different tune about the magic. Howard hasn't had a guy that can bring the ball to the hole likewise Lewis has never had a dominant big man. The top teams in the east got better while the heat did nothing I guess you can make Wade shoulder the load but the heat needed to find someone who is going to step up and replace posey. They didn't do that and are just praying Wade stays healthy.

 

I didn't say they were automatically in the ECF with just Shaq and Wade, just that if the two of them are healthy, they finish much higher than an 8th seed. And just because they haven't found someone to replace Posey and help Wade yet doesn't mean that they won't. The offseason doesn't end on August 13th. A lot can happen between now and November. Riley certainly didn't sound like he was finished with this roster from his comments today.

I see your point that the offseason isn't over but look around the good role players are gone. However if you still feel the offseason isn't over then how about the heat make some moves for a role player that can play defense, make shots and play a lot of minutes. I just think that if you feel the players are out there then you should be pissed that the heat are wasting time trying to sign guys like Smush Parker and Penny Hardaway.

I was joking about the heat being an 8th seed but I think it's insane to think they are automatic bids in the ECF if they have just shaq and wade. My beef was with what Riley said about the east. The bulls got a lot better, they added another year of experience to a young team and now have the emergence of Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah to the defense. I think you will be seeing a different tune about the magic. Howard hasn't had a guy that can bring the ball to the hole likewise Lewis has never had a dominant big man. The top teams in the east got better while the heat did nothing I guess you can make Wade shoulder the load but the heat needed to find someone who is going to step up and replace posey. They didn't do that and are just praying Wade stays healthy.

 

I didn't say they were automatically in the ECF with just Shaq and Wade, just that if the two of them are healthy, they finish much higher than an 8th seed. And just because they haven't found someone to replace Posey and help Wade yet doesn't mean that they won't. The offseason doesn't end on August 13th. A lot can happen between now and November. Riley certainly didn't sound like he was finished with this roster from his comments today.

I see your point that the offseason isn't over but look around the good role players are gone. However if you still feel the offseason isn't over then how about the heat make some moves for a role player that can play defense, make shots and play a lot of minutes. I just think that if you feel the players are out there then you should be pissed that the heat are wasting time trying to sign guys like Smush Parker and Penny Hardaway.

 

Riley -- whose biggest offseason moves were adding Smush Parker and Penny Hardaway -- indicated he continues to pursue trades.

 

''We have $14-$20 million in one-year contracts if I wanted to add them all up and do something,'' he said. (That would include Jason Williams at $8.9 million and Michael Doleac at $3.13 million, plus several other smaller contracts.)

 

''There are a lot of discussions going on, and it's not just about free agents,'' he said. ``We're not finished by any stretch of the imagination. . .

So Riley taking the Heat to 4 or 5 straight Eastern Conference Finals, only to choke every year makes it ok? Face it guys, Riley was saved by the fact that Dwyane Wade is a superstar. Yea, the same Dwyane Wade that Riley didn't even want to draft.

So Riley taking the Heat to 4 or 5 straight Eastern Conference Finals, only to choke every year makes it ok? Face it guys, Riley was saved by the fact that Dwyane Wade is a superstar. Yea, the same Dwyane Wade that Riley didn't even want to draft.

 

I can't believe that i'm going to respond to this dumb post but here it goes....

 

And the Bulls were saved by the fact that Portland didn't draft Michael Jordan. Besides, there has never been any proof that Riley didn't want to draft Wade...and even if it were true, who cares? He drafted him. This whole argument is ridiculous. Riley has made this team matter. What team, aside from the Spurs, and possibly Lakers, has been as continuously competitive as the Heat for the past decade? You can't ask for anything more than that from a franchise. There are lots of teams that would love to have the type of success the Heat have had. 7 NBA teams have won a title in the past 20 years. The Heat is one of them. That is all Riley.

 

Plus, you never answered my original question. If not Riley, then who?? If you are going to say he has to go, then at least explain who would be better and why.

What team, aside from the Spurs, and possibly Lakers, has been as continuously competitive as the Heat for the past decade? You can't ask for anything more than that from a franchise.

Possibly the Lakers? They won 3 in a row in the last decade, they certainly qualify.

 

Add the Pistons to that list for sure.

I never said Riley didn't make this team, because he did. And by the way, Randy Pfund has said several times that he had to talk Riley into drafting Wade.

 

Yes, we're two years removed from a championship, but you guys can honestly tell me you like the direction the team is going? There is no chance in hell the starting five that Riley said will be starting yesterday will make it to the finals this year. We needed major help this offseason and what do we have to show for it? Smush Parker and Penny Hardaway???? And then Riley has the balls to say yesterday that Walker will be much better this year. Yea, we're all waiting for that one, as well as the supposed blockbuster he's working on.

 

As far as coaching goes, I think we need someone who isn't a part of the Riley system. I love Riley's belief of playing hard-nosed defense, but his obsession with NBA vets is killing me.

I never said Riley didn't make this team, because he did. And by the way, Randy Pfund has said several times that he had to talk Riley into drafting Wade.

 

Yes, we're two years removed from a championship, but you guys can honestly tell me you like the direction the team is going? There is no chance in hell the starting five that Riley said will be starting yesterday will make it to the finals this year. We needed major help this offseason and what do we have to show for it? Smush Parker and Penny Hardaway???? And then Riley has the balls to say yesterday that Walker will be much better this year. Yea, we're all waiting for that one, as well as the supposed blockbuster he's working on.

 

As far as coaching goes, I think we need someone who isn't a part of the Riley system. I love Riley's belief of playing hard-nosed defense, but his obsession with NBA vets is killing me.

you need to come to the reality that Miami is now a BIG MARKET TEAM...in the NBA right now, we are the yankees, the red sox, the cubs, etc. we get the exposure, the national publicity and so on and so forth...that is because of Pat Riley first of all...and his ability to attract marquee players in this era of free agency...you also have to realize that winning titles is contagious...once you win one, you want more and more and more and more...and rookies dont win alot of titles...

What team, aside from the Spurs, and possibly Lakers, has been as continuously competitive as the Heat for the past decade? You can't ask for anything more than that from a franchise.

Possibly the Lakers? They won 3 in a row in the last decade, they certainly qualify.

 

Add the Pistons to that list for sure.

 

Yeah, I should have taken out that possibly...Pistons belong there too. But my point is that it is a very short list.

I never said Riley didn't make this team, because he did. And by the way, Randy Pfund has said several times that he had to talk Riley into drafting Wade.

 

Yes, we're two years removed from a championship, but you guys can honestly tell me you like the direction the team is going? There is no chance in hell the starting five that Riley said will be starting yesterday will make it to the finals this year. We needed major help this offseason and what do we have to show for it? Smush Parker and Penny Hardaway???? And then Riley has the balls to say yesterday that Walker will be much better this year. Yea, we're all waiting for that one, as well as the supposed blockbuster he's working on.

 

As far as coaching goes, I think we need someone who isn't a part of the Riley system. I love Riley's belief of playing hard-nosed defense, but his obsession with NBA vets is killing me.

 

I don't buy the whole "direction of the team" argument. One of Riley's trademarks here has been his ability to change the "direction of the team" very quickly. He takes over a team led by Glen Rice, Kevin Willis, Billy Owens, etc. and the immediately does a complete makeover bringing in Zo, Hardaway, PJ Brown, and Mashburn. A few seasons later, the Zo, Hardaway, Mashburn, Brown core wasn't working...two trades later, he brings in Jones, Mason, and Brian Grant. Zo goes down with illness, two years later he has entirely different team with Wade, Butler, and Odom. Shaq becomes available, he reshapes the roster again. It falls short, he swings a 5 team deal for Walker, Posey, and Williams and wins a championship. He has never been hesitant to change the direction of the team and do it very quickly. Do you think he is really going to let this team become a perennial lottery team? He never has before.

you need to come to the reality that Miami is now a BIG MARKET TEAM...in the NBA right now, we are the yankees, the red sox, the cubs, etc. we get the exposure, the national publicity and so on and so forth...that is because of Pat Riley first of all...and his ability to attract marquee players in this era of free agency...you also have to realize that winning titles is contagious...once you win one, you want more and more and more and more...and rookies dont win alot of titles...

Riley couldn't close anyone this summer besides Penny Hardaway. I haven't seen Riley sign a marquee player in a couple of year unless you count smush parker as marquee. If the heat were the yankees they would have as many titles as the Celtics and Lakers do. All the teams you named have a rich history with a lot of titles but the heat only have one in a short history. If you want to win a lot of titles you have to keep reloading your players and get better each year.The heat built a champion in 05' and then won in 06' but instead of adding players for the next season they held onto what they had and the players just one year older. They didn't get any better while the rest of the East did.The way they are being managed i don't see them making a run at a title for a while.

Thank you JJ.

 

And fauowls, I totally agree with you about how Riley has been able to swing trades in his favor, but the Heat have nothing to offer for the trade market with this team. Sure, a team might bite on JWill because of his expiring contract, but there is no chance that a team will take on Walker and his big contract. Shaq, Dwyane and Zo are off the list, so who else do we have to offer?

Man, Bobby. You should stop posting in this thread. You've gotten owned like 6 or 7 times.

Riley couldn't close anyone this summer besides Penny Hardaway. I haven't seen Riley sign a marquee player in a couple of year unless you count smush parker as marquee.

 

That's what happens when you already have 2 marquee players and you can't spend any money. Do you freaking expect him to go out and sign big name player after big name player every offseason? Right.

 

If the heat were the yankees they would have as many titles as the Celtics and Lakers do. All the teams you named have a rich history with a lot of titles but the heat only have one in a short history.

 

kthxbai.

 

If you want to win a lot of titles you have to keep reloading your players and get better each year.The heat built a champion in 05' and then won in 06' but instead of adding players for the next season they held onto what they had and the players just one year older. They didn't get any better while the rest of the East did.The way they are being managed i don't see them making a run at a title for a while.

 

OMG we got a whole year older guys! WHAT WERE WE THINKING?! Stupid Riley. Ever heard of the phrase "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"? Last year we had the same exact team we had before except Jones replaced Anderson. Our 9 man rotation played a total of 23 minutes together under Pat Riley until the play-offs. 23 minutes. Do you think that maybe that had anything to do with getting our asses handed to us by the Bulls?

 

You. Are. Ridiculous.

Thank you JJ.

 

And fauowls, I totally agree with you about how Riley has been able to swing trades in his favor, but the Heat have nothing to offer for the trade market with this team. Sure, a team might bite on JWill because of his expiring contract, but there is no chance that a team will take on Walker and his big contract. Shaq, Dwyane and Zo are off the list, so who else do we have to offer?

 

Nobody will likely take Walkers contract this year, but next year he is an expiring contract as well. So you have Jwill and Doleac coming off the books for the 08-09 season. You have Walker coming off in 09-10. Then you have Shaq coming off the books in 10-11. You have Dorell Wright, Simien, and D. Cook. You have Haslem with a reasonable deal. You have a 1st and 2nd rounder next year, and a 1st and 2 2nds in 2009. There are pieces to move if the right deal comes along.

I might shoot myself if I have to see Walker's ass in a Heat uniform for another two years. I'm praying to God that Dorell Wright can put it together this year, so that Walker may never see the floor again.

If the heat were the yankees they would have as many titles as the Celtics and Lakers do. All the teams you named have a rich history with a lot of titles but the heat only have one in a short history.

 

kthxbai.

Umm yeah basically you prove my point, someone said earlier that the heat are like the yankees of basketball. If you have only been in the league for 12 years then your not the equivalent of a dynasty comparing the heat 1 championship to a team with 27 is just retarded.

If the heat were the yankees they would have as many titles as the Celtics and Lakers do. All the teams you named have a rich history with a lot of titles but the heat only have one in a short history.

 

kthxbai.

Umm yeah basically you prove my point, someone said earlier that the heat are like the yankees of basketball. If you have only been in the league for 12 years then your not the equivalent of a dynasty comparing the heat 1 championship to a team with 27 is just retarded.

you need to come to the reality that Miami is now a BIG MARKET TEAM...in the NBA right now, we are the yankees, the red sox, the cubs, etc. we get the exposure, the national publicity and so on and so forth.

 

 

Go ahead and tell me where he said anything about championships.

If the heat were the yankees they would have as many titles as the Celtics and Lakers do. All the teams you named have a rich history with a lot of titles but the heat only have one in a short history.

 

kthxbai.

Umm yeah basically you prove my point, someone said earlier that the heat are like the yankees of basketball. If you have only been in the league for 12 years then your not the equivalent of a dynasty comparing the heat 1 championship to a team with 27 is just retarded.

you need to come to the reality that Miami is now a BIG MARKET TEAM...in the NBA right now, we are the yankees, the red sox, the cubs, etc. we get the exposure, the national publicity and so on and so forth.

 

 

Go ahead and tell me where he said anything about championships.

Your right there is no mention of titles but its awesome to see that being a big market TV team is something of importance when your team has done nothing this offseason. "Hey we didn't sign anyone good this year but at least we'll be on SportsCenter 10 minutes more than the other teams. If you can't win games might as well be on espn right. I'll trade being on national tv for a championships. By the way the heat should never be mentioned in the same breath as the yankees.

what a joke

By the way the heat should never be mentioned in the same breath as the yankees.

 

yeah, cuz the yankees are uber gay.

The Heat are apparently interested in...PJ Brown. Pat Riley continues to party like it were 1995.

If the heat were the yankees they would have as many titles as the Celtics and Lakers do. All the teams you named have a rich history with a lot of titles but the heat only have one in a short history.

 

kthxbai.

Umm yeah basically you prove my point, someone said earlier that the heat are like the yankees of basketball. If you have only been in the league for 12 years then your not the equivalent of a dynasty comparing the heat 1 championship to a team with 27 is just retarded.

i made the comparison to the yankees attention wise...the heat have the max capacity of national tv games with like 32...and im sure the yanks and sox and cubbies all get the max number of times they can be nationally televised(if there is even a rule in mlb)...im def comparing titles won...good god...the only thing the heat franchise would have over the stanks on that is titles won this millenium

If the heat were the yankees they would have as many titles as the Celtics and Lakers do. All the teams you named have a rich history with a lot of titles but the heat only have one in a short history.

 

kthxbai.

Umm yeah basically you prove my point, someone said earlier that the heat are like the yankees of basketball. If you have only been in the league for 12 years then your not the equivalent of a dynasty comparing the heat 1 championship to a team with 27 is just retarded.

you need to come to the reality that Miami is now a BIG MARKET TEAM...in the NBA right now, we are the yankees, the red sox, the cubs, etc. we get the exposure, the national publicity and so on and so forth.

 

 

Go ahead and tell me where he said anything about championships.

Your right there is no mention of titles but its awesome to see that being a big market TV team is something of importance when your team has done nothing this offseason. "Hey we didn't sign anyone good this year but at least we'll be on SportsCenter 10 minutes more than the other teams. If you can't win games might as well be on espn right. I'll trade being on national tv for a championships. By the way the heat should never be mentioned in the same breath as the yankees.

i live in massachusetts...i get excited to see my miami teams when they are on tv as i am stuck in hell with a bunch of a**hole pats, celtics, and red sawwwwwwwwwx fans...that was my point...national exposure is still a very nice thing to me so i dont have to spend the whole basketball season listening to tommy heinson screaming about how biased the refs have been against the celtics since they became a franchise or curt "the mouth" schilling telling me to go vote for bush...its nice to have a little miami spice up here in ignoranceville