So...about our Center situation

[RexBoyWonder]

Current Centers :

Bosh - just not phisical enough, he's much better in the PF position.

Haslem - doing his best but WAY undersized for C, cant finish around the rim.

The Pittman - still too raw, still needs to get in better shape.

Joel - no need to elaborate.

Curry - Im losing hope, he has shown no indication he can contribute. none.

Gladness - irrelevant.

Potential reinforcements:

Chris Kaman - he's a long shot. im praying NO won't be able to trade him by the trade deadline, then they might want to buy him out, then pray again he'll want to come to South Beach.

If this miracle happes, he'll be a great fit and just what we need. a big rebounder that can block and has a jump shot.

Chris "The Birdman" Andersen : his name is on the trading block, Denver are looking to trade him for a rotation player. we should offer James Jones, we all like JJ but a Center is a much higher priority.

If we can get him - he's not great but he's a much better rebounder than Joel, better finisher around the rim and taller. even in age (almost 34) i believe he will be an upgrade over Joel.

Kyrylo Fesenko - he's a free agent coming back from a injured left knee. the guy is no stud but he is physically huge. im not sure about his skills but there is a chance he's better than Joel.

Joel Przybilla - the guy fell of the map lately, im guessing he's having physical issues. he might be considering retirement. he is a big body but i think he won't be able to withstand our pace anway.

In the playoffs when the pace slows down, a big that rebound and take up space is highly needed. a decent C might be the difference between a championship and a disappointment. it's our only glaring weakness. any ideas how we get this done?

[Altered_Beast]

any one of those centers would be better than pittman/curry/gladness. i still say that although very limited, anthony plays his role here well. his defensive hustle and energy can never be questioned. i actually think he played dwight fairly decent yesterday and on some occasions heat players were bringing in help defenders when it want necessary

kaman would be a dream pickup for us.

[Heat3]

we just whooped the team with the best center in the league. I don't think there is much we need to worry about. Curry is a project for next year. Don't expect anything now.

[HeatFanSince87]

I'm concerned with matching up Joel vs Chandler if we meet in the playoffs... Chandler was a big difference maker for the Mavs last season against us.

Anyone else concerned about this? Or am I just paranoid?

[Kerosene]

I'm concerned with matching up Joel vs Chandler if we meet in the playoffs... Chandler was a big difference maker for the Mavs last season against us.

Anyone else concerned about this? Or am I just paranoid?

Not paranoid; he's definitely a formidable C, but you have to take into account the Mavericks defense as a whole, unless the Knicks have a major player and staff overhaul I can't see them locking our stars down in the same fashion.

[diablerouge]

i like that spo is not playing centers just because a 5 needs to be on the floor at all times like last year. a team should always play to its strenghts. we don't have a center that is good enough to play 30 minutes a game so i'd rather play bosh and haslem there with joel chipping in 15-20 mins. and i have to stay that joel is doing a better job this year of not getting bullied by big centers. i say, unless kaman or birdman shake loose, we should keep going with what we have. we have a nice, steady 9-man rotation right now. guys know when they're subbing in for the first time, roles are clearly defined.

[TRG]

I'm concerned with matching up Joel vs Chandler if we meet in the playoffs... Chandler was a big difference maker for the Mavs last season against us.

Anyone else concerned about this? Or am I just paranoid?

Not paranoid; he's definitely a formidable C, but you have to take into account the Mavericks defense as a whole, unless the Knicks have a major player and staff overhaul I can't see them locking our stars down in the same fashion.

HeatFan's concern is legit. We shouldn't be concerned about our stars getting "locked down," we should be concerned with our rebounding, which is where Chandler really demolished us last year in the playoffs.

As much as we all hate NY, we have to realize that they are a much, much better team than last year, especially if everything Lin has been doing is for real. During the playoffs when the pace slows down, our weakness at the center position will be exposed like it was in the Finals. A decent center would make all the difference on this team.

[SweetTouch]

Heat will once again try to win with the worst center rotation of the elite teams

[HeatFanSince87]

TRG..

I agree. My buddies locally have been telling me for last two weeks Ive been parnoid, that the Knicks are "trash" etc. I don't mean to get of topic, but I am just as concerned playing them now as the Bulls.. IF..IF everything clicks with them. I think Chandler will demolish our center spot if we meet.

I know Riley's hands are tied regarding the position this season.. but if we can somehow land Kaman, I'd be thrilled. Not likely obviously..

[boogydown]

Heat can win without adding a new Center. It all boils down to the Big 3 in clutch moments. Of course Kaman would be nice, but knowing Stern, he may end up losing more money and brownie points with the small market GM's so he may just wait this thing out without buying out Kaman.

As for Joel Przybilla, it seems teams have moved away from him as I read he still isn't 100%.

[Moggs24]

I think people are getting a little carried away worrying about this knick team. Yes they are better, but let's wait a little before anointing them championship contenders. The Heat are a much more complete team even though Chandler will be a mismatch for us. You have to remember they have no ability to guard any of the big three or anyone for that matter so they have many more concerns than we do.

[DefenseWins]

About the Center position : It sucks, we have Centers but they are either not ready or too fat :|

About Chandler and last year : I honestly think if Bosh steps up in rebounding, we will be fine against Chandler. It was his job to secure rebounds last year against Chandler and he didn't do it. Even Wade came out and said he thought Chandler was getting too many rebounds and told Bosh to get some rebounds.

Bosh, who still is a bit soft in that department, seems to be really getting rebounds lately.

Thing is, we didn't lose primarily because of Chandler, we lost because of Game 2, not making shots, giving up 3's late because of the flawed system, couldn't figure out the SIMPLE ZONE (Spo at his finest) and putting up stupid 3's instead of taking it to the hole, bench could not compete with Dallas's bench (Miller injured, UD injured, Bibby contributing nothing) and most importantly, LeBron disappearing. We all know if LeBron plays his usual game, we win. But he scored 8 points in a game that was decided by 3 points or so. We did not play like we did against Boston or Chicago, we didn't play our game. They tried to switch it up with LeBron being more of a passer or something, it failed. Especially when you're expecting a banged up Miller to shoot his 3's, UD no lift, Bibby bricking...

Also we couldn't keep Barea in front... lol... we had BIBBY'S CORPSE OUT THERE and because he sucked so bad defensively, Heat had to help him and that just opened up the lanes even more. Might I add, Spo got outcoached as well. When Barea was put in the starting line up, we lost every game ever since, and Bibby once again, started. It was too late to start Chalmers.

The Knicks aren't going to play zone, even if they did, it wouldn't be so foreign to this team.

Also might I add, Chandler is EXTREMELY foul prone and we have two slashers on this team. Get Chandler in foul trouble, and it won't be that bad.

Also, UD had no lift last year in the playoffs, I think he will do a better job now that he is healthier. We aren't too bad when it comes to rebounding this year actually, even with no Center.

LeBron also has improved and is really going up for rebs. Also seeing LeBron wrestle with Dwight was hilarious, he might even try to wrestle with Chandler.

Also the Knicks offense is like, 90% pick and roll. We're one of the best pick and roll defenses IMO.

They also suck in the half court if they aren't hitting 3's, atleast we do run plays time to time. Like the catch and shoots and playing off screens.

Anyways, I'm more concerned about Wade vs Chicago then Heat vs the Knicks. Wade destroys all the Kncisk guards, even if they have JR Smith now. Landry is still starting and he sucks guarding Wade LOL.

[Kerosene]

We'd still beat the Knicks, despite the lack of a center that can bang down low with Chandler, however, our perimeter defense would absolutely need to be on point. Our guys know how costly it is to take possessions off in the playoffs, they'd also need to respect those 3 pt shooters; sagging off shooters and over-helping is a recipe fro disaster against teams like the Knicks.

[DefenseWins]

lol... keys to beating Knicks - convert points off TO's, guard 3 point line, k done.

I really want to see Lin try to drive against Wade, LeBron and Mario... all who pick peoples pockets lol.

[Miamis3rdRing]

In terms of actual skill at this point in their career's -

1. Kaman
2a. Birdman
2b. Fesenko
3. Przybilla

In terms of being "easy" to acquire -
1. Fesenko - Sign him outright. May have to outbid other teams going for him.
2. Birdman - Trade for him.
3. Kaman - Hope for a buyout. It's possible though out of our control.

Przybilla I have no idea about but I'm off his bandwagon. He's taken way too long which leads me to believe he is done for.

I say sign Fesenko and then hope for Kaman to be bought out. Better to grab one guy than play the waiting game.