mentioning Grant, Jones, and even Butler

 

Team right where Riley expected it

 

By Ira Winderman

Staff Writer

Posted December 24 2003

 

MIAMI -- From where Heat President Pat Riley sits, which no longer is on the bench, his team is making the strides he anticipated when he stepped down as coach on the eve of the season.

 

"After the 0-7 start, I think this team is probably performing right at the level that we expected it -- to contending for a .500 record, contending maybe for a playoff spot," he said in the Heat's executive offices just before the start of Tuesday's game against the Washington Wizards.

 

"I think once the shock of the schedule and my exit or whatever wore off and they sort of gathered themselves, I think the team is playing extremely well."

 

But that does not mean all the pieces are in place. Several general managers have confirmed talks with the Heat in recent weeks, with Caron Butler, Eddie Jones and Brian Grant among the names discussed.

 

"If there's going to be anything, it's got to be the right one," Riley said of a potential deal. "It can't be just, `Let's make this and hope that it works.' We've got to know that it's going to fit."

 

Around the league, the thought is with Dwyane Wade and Lamar Odom emerging as the team's core, the Heat could look to unload the contracts of Jones or Grant as a means of clearing salary-cap space.

 

"That's not the major priority," Riley said. "I'm not thinking in terms of that.

 

"Brian and Eddie get blamed for making too much money. The only reason their names always come up is because they make too much money. To me, it's a discredit to what I think they've done for the franchise."

 

Riley also insisted better days are ahead for the struggling Butler, who Tuesday put together one of his most promising efforts of the season.

 

"We're very anxious to see Caron come back," he said of the forward's recovery from preseason arthroscopic knee surgery. "I know he's very disappointed, like we are, because of the injury and the setback, but he's going to find his way back. We know he hasn't forgotten how to play."

 

Riley acknowledged not all has been deciphered. He said the team continues to take measure of whether Wade's future is at point guard or shooting guard.

 

"We're doing a stat on how he's performing at the point guard and at the two-guard spot," Riley said. "We're trying to figure out where he's the best suited. I think he can play either one. I think his development in playing the point guard position is going to help him play both spots."

 

For now, Riley said the goal is to augment.

 

"There is going to be a flurry of activity," he said of league-wide action before the Feb. 19 trading deadline. "I just have a feeling. Everybody out there is really antsy, all these contenders. You just get a feeling if you stay in it, something might happen that you feel will complement your young guys, really complement them perfectly."

 

But when it comes to staying out, Riley said he is content in the front office, after 21 years as an NBA head coach.

 

"I can't honestly say I miss it," he said. "I'm a little bit surprised by that. I just don't."

 

Copyright ? 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

They better not trade Caron..

then you might not like this other article i found, the trade seems dead though but they talked about it.(and i would thank God because i believe Wagner has been a bust so far in Cleveland)

 

NOT OVERWHELMED

 

While several teams have expressed interest in recent-released Rockets forward Eddie Griffin, Heat President Pat Riley offered only a tepid response. "We're investigative, like everyone else, because he's a raw talent," Riley said of the former first-round pick who has had legal, domestic and team issues. ...

 

Riley was not pleased that the Cavaliers released details of trade talks last week with Cleveland that apparently involved Caron Butler and Cavaliers guard Dajuan Wagner. "What if I said we talked to Cleveland about LeBron James? That's not the way we do business," he said. "We've talked to a lot of people. Besides, I don't think it was a good deal for us, anyhow." ...

 

The Heat was without forwards John Wallace and Malik Allen, who remained at home because of the flu. Wallace's absence opened the door for Rasual Butler.

 

Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman@sun-sentinel.com.? ?

?

Copyright ? 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketb...fla-sports-heat

trade eddie jones NOW

 

he has got to go

we need a point guard so we can move wade over to his natural position at 2 guard

we traded mash and pj for mason and jones and eddie has been worthless to the heat. he shoots under 40% every night. you can live with iverson doing that because he goes to the hoop and plays physical every night. eddie just stands out on the 3 line all night and clanks more than half his shots. he takes so many shots he should be around 26 a game. instead he barely makes it to 20.

he sucks so bad i'd take any guard who can direct the offense and let wade show his stuff at 2 guard.

I know that this is very unlikely to happen but if the Heat would trade Caron, wow no words would be able to explain my anger.

 

They'd be pretty damn stupid to give up a player who has a such a bright future just because he's coming off an injury and not performing 100% right away.

 

I know this won't happen though, Riley likes this kid too much.

i dont think they'd trade caron right now. as for eddie, i think you have to wait til february til there is a desperate team who wants to make a serious run and is willing to take his contract. Grant is gonna be REALLY had to trade. I think we might have to keep him here.

Trade Caron now when his value might be still high if the right deal is in place.Wagner for Caron would have been a good trade for the Heat.

no way in hell

 

I swear, everyone was sweating Caron like crazy last year just like with Wade this year. The kid gets an injury, isn't coming back back fast enough for you, and you wanna give up on him. I won't. I mean if you ever mentioned Caron and the word trade in the same sentence last year, people would go crazy. And now people are thinking it's a possibility :nono

 

Wade should be careful before he gets injured and gets in the trade talks too

no way in hell

 

I swear, everyone was sweating Caron like crazy last year just like with Wade this year. The kid gets an injury, isn't coming back back fast enough for you, and you wanna give up on him.? I won't. I mean if you ever mentioned Caron and the word trade in the same sentence last year, people would go crazy. And now people are thinking it's a possibility? :nono

 

Wade should be careful before he gets injured and gets in the trade talks too?

no way in hell

 

I swear, everyone was sweating Caron like crazy last year just like with Wade this year. The kid gets an injury, isn't coming back back fast enough for you, and you wanna give up on him. I won't. I mean if you ever mentioned Caron and the word trade in the same sentence last year, people would go crazy. And now people are thinking it's a possibility :nono

 

Wade should be careful before he gets injured and gets in the trade talks too

I wasn't directing it at you in particular. Not even really anyone on this message board, I was just saying in general.

 

And yes, here I go again.

 

And you liking Rasual better than Caron, well that's your opinion. And me not wanting to trade Caron, well that's my opinion.

no way in hell

 

I swear, everyone was sweating Caron like crazy last year just like with Wade this year. The kid gets an injury, isn't coming back back fast enough for you, and you wanna give up on him.? I won't. I mean if you ever mentioned Caron and the word trade in the same sentence last year, people would go crazy. And now people are thinking it's a possibility? :nono

 

Wade should be careful before he gets injured and gets in the trade talks too?

Why has Caron's PPG gone down so much this year? Is it just the emergence of Odom? Last year he was 15+ and now he's not even averaging 5 PPG.

I know that this is very unlikely to happen but if the Heat would trade Caron, wow no words would be able to explain my anger.

 

They'd be pretty damn stupid to give up a player who has a such a bright future just because he's coming off an injury and not performing 100% right away.

 

I know this won't happen though, Riley likes this kid too much.

i think caron has gotten to muscular,he needs to lose some muscle.