Rashard Lewis meeting Miami Heat today

[nba123]

Hey guys, things do not look quite right.


Lewis was excited with the meeting and the possibility to sign with the Miami Heat b/c he understands that's his best option to get his championship ring and has not impediment to play for the vet minimum.

Everything was Cool but things started to melt down when he started to demand a Role with certain Playing Time, (apparently he wants to show off his abilities to pursue for a multiyear contract in a next future) but the Heat didn't guarantee him the amount of PT he was demanded.

Finally, he promised he'd think everything carefully before meet with other teams and they'd be in touch each other.

That's all I was told.
-----------

from the official heat forums

if theres any truth to that then it could make some sense, since he didn't give an answer to the heat and is going to go meet with hawks and knicks but he said he wants to play for a championship contender so he'll be back

His meetings with Hawks and Knicks were already scheduled , even before the Heat meeting.

Ezekiel Baez ‏@EasyBaez
UPDATE: Miami Heat close to signing Rashard Lewis.

Dont know how reliable he is.

[YounG_A]

His meetings with Hawks and Knicks were already scheduled , even before the Heat meeting.

yeah I know...

[Hoops3355]

You know what pisses me off about this. We could have taken Perry Jones III instead of this scrub for around the same money. Sometime Riley infuriates me, he's drafted well, like twice in his career with Butler and Wade.

If Perry Jones III was so sure thing, so many teams wouldn't have passed on him. He would never have fallen to where he fell.

The fact is, the kid is very raw, he is a project. A team like the Thunder has no problem stuffing him on the bench and thinking "Long term project", but a team like the Heat? We are in WIN NOW mode, and we turned the draft pick into an even better draft pick next season, which hopefully someone good can fall to us in the teens when we pick.

Perry Jones was by no stretch a sure thing, but Rashard Lewis hasn't be worth 2 cents since he got caught doping. At least with Jones you've got a prospect whose going to be learning from some of the best players in the game. If you read any scouting report they all the say the same thing amazing talent, questionable motor. What is Miami known for motivating players, and I'm pretty Jones was going to be motivated after being humiliated on Nation television. Anyhow I'd rather take that risk then a pick in a draft which is significantly weaker. We'll see what happens but remember we might be in win now mode but Bosh and Lebron are not 30, so bring in younger talent to complement them in the future is something to consider.

[TrueRain]

You guys will believe anything you read on the internet

[bjb7223]

the fat man has signed for the Heat

[insfo]

what?? who is the fat man?

edit: I can't see the image in the previous post if that is supposed to say who this FM is

[CrossOver]

what?? who is the fat man?

edit: I can't see the image in the previous post if that is supposed to say who this FM is

It's a photo of Lewis and I'm guessing his agent with Riley and Spo.

[CrossOver]

I'm starting to get the feeling that some people are just looking at Lewis' size and thinking he will look good at PF for Miami if he signs here. Do people realize that Mike Miller has better rebounding rates than Lewis? He can no doubt stretch the floor if he returns to his career averages shooting but I'd be weary of what else he could contribute. This is not to say I won't take him on the team because I absolutely would (since he's replacing dead weight at the end of the bench to begin with) but just making sure people won't have this notion that he'd be consider another "big" on this team.

[GreenHat]

You know what pisses me off about this. We could have taken Perry Jones III instead of this scrub for around the same money. Sometime Riley infuriates me, he's drafted well, like twice in his career with Butler and Wade.

If Perry Jones III was so sure thing, so many teams wouldn't have passed on him. He would never have fallen to where he fell.

The fact is, the kid is very raw, he is a project. A team like the Thunder has no problem stuffing him on the bench and thinking "Long term project", but a team like the Heat? We are in WIN NOW mode, and we turned the draft pick into an even better draft pick next season, which hopefully someone good can fall to us in the teens when we pick.

How are the Thunder not in win now mode?

We literally played them in the finals

[CrossOver]

You know what pisses me off about this. We could have taken Perry Jones III instead of this scrub for around the same money. Sometime Riley infuriates me, he's drafted well, like twice in his career with Butler and Wade.

If Perry Jones III was so sure thing, so many teams wouldn't have passed on him. He would never have fallen to where he fell.

The fact is, the kid is very raw, he is a project. A team like the Thunder has no problem stuffing him on the bench and thinking "Long term project", but a team like the Heat? We are in WIN NOW mode, and we turned the draft pick into an even better draft pick next season, which hopefully someone good can fall to us in the teens when we pick.

How are the Thunder not in win now mode?

We literally played them in the finals

The Thunder also have a core that has an average age of like 23. They are going to probably lose Ibaka so they might just be hoping Perry is a risk they can take to replace him since they aren't in a tough financial situation right now, unlike Miami.

[mopper8]

Well, he's not worse than Battier. So at the stretch 4 spot, that's not really a big change. He's not as good a defender, but when he's in form, he's a clearly superior offensive player, and can physically handle defending 4s for a full season. Those are all big pluses.

But yeah, any plan of Miami playing small ball is gonna require Bosh and Lebron to step up their rebounding.

Physically handle 4s for a full season??? This guy is a statue on defense. Not only that, but is 230 frame will get absolutely punished by physical fours.

I really dont know why you said that....

Shards only real asset to a team is shooting. However, the last 3 seasons, his shooting has gotten worse and his defense to point of non-existence.

Honestly, Shard is only worth the minimum at this point in his career.

This post is hilarious on multiple levels.

1) Physically handle 4s for a full season: he's played the 4 for full seasons multiple years, in Orlando.
2) Shard was injured last season. Prior season he shot 37% from 3. That's fantastic for a 3/4.
3) Because he was bought out, Shard is unavailable for S&T. Miami has nothing BUT the vet min. What do you think people are talking about here OTHER than signing him for the minimum? Bizarre.

[mopper8]

I'm starting to get the feeling that some people are just looking at Lewis' size and thinking he will look good at PF for Miami if he signs here. Do people realize that Mike Miller has better rebounding rates than Lewis? He can no doubt stretch the floor if he returns to his career averages shooting but I'd be weary of what else he could contribute. This is not to say I won't take him on the team because I absolutely would (since he's replacing dead weight at the end of the bench to begin with) but just making sure people won't have this notion that he'd be consider another "big" on this team.

The whole point of Shard is playing "small" at the 4. Everyone is aware of that. We started Shane Battier at the "4" in the playoffs, remember? Shard, if they can revive his game, gives us another player who can do that, but more offensive-minded. How do we know? He's done it before - just a couple years ago! In Orlando! How are you guys unaware of this?

Getting a guy like Shard is important because Battier is old, and Shard is far more suited to playing that combo F role next to Lebron than Miller or Jones are.

[RoadWarriorZ]

I'm starting to get the feeling that some people are just looking at Lewis' size and thinking he will look good at PF for Miami if he signs here. Do people realize that Mike Miller has better rebounding rates than Lewis? He can no doubt stretch the floor if he returns to his career averages shooting but I'd be weary of what else he could contribute. This is not to say I won't take him on the team because I absolutely would (since he's replacing dead weight at the end of the bench to begin with) but just making sure people won't have this notion that he'd be consider another "big" on this team.

The whole point of Shard is playing "small" at the 4. Everyone is aware of that. We started Shane Battier at the "4" in the playoffs, remember? Shard, if they can revive his game, gives us another player who can do that, but more offensive-minded. How do we know? He's done it before - just a couple years ago! In Orlando! How are you guys unaware of this?

Getting a guy like Shard is important because Battier is old, and Shard is far more suited to playing that combo F role next to Lebron than Miller or Jones are.

Although Shane is a far more experienced defender.

[CrossOver]

I'm starting to get the feeling that some people are just looking at Lewis' size and thinking he will look good at PF for Miami if he signs here. Do people realize that Mike Miller has better rebounding rates than Lewis? He can no doubt stretch the floor if he returns to his career averages shooting but I'd be weary of what else he could contribute. This is not to say I won't take him on the team because I absolutely would (since he's replacing dead weight at the end of the bench to begin with) but just making sure people won't have this notion that he'd be consider another "big" on this team.

The whole point of Shard is playing "small" at the 4. Everyone is aware of that. We started Shane Battier at the "4" in the playoffs, remember? Shard, if they can revive his game, gives us another player who can do that, but more offensive-minded. How do we know? He's done it before - just a couple years ago! In Orlando! How are you guys unaware of this?

Getting a guy like Shard is important because Battier is old, and Shard is far more suited to playing that combo F role next to Lebron than Miller or Jones are.

I'm well aware of that but I see some on here think Shard is going to be someone that can work as another big, which isn't the case.

[lolcat]

shard will be useful because he can create a lot of mismatches.. if he still has his 3pt stroke going

[GreenHat]

If Perry Jones III was so sure thing, so many teams wouldn't have passed on him. He would never have fallen to where he fell.

The fact is, the kid is very raw, he is a project. A team like the Thunder has no problem stuffing him on the bench and thinking "Long term project", but a team like the Heat? We are in WIN NOW mode, and we turned the draft pick into an even better draft pick next season, which hopefully someone good can fall to us in the teens when we pick.

How are the Thunder not in win now mode?

We literally played them in the finals

The Thunder also have a core that has an average age of like 23. They are going to probably lose Ibaka so they might just be hoping Perry is a risk they can take to replace him since they aren't in a tough financial situation right now, unlike Miami.

They can keep Ibaka.

And what risk? Perry was a late first round pick. That's hardly any risk.

When they re-sign Ibaka and Harden they'll be in a tough financial situation too. And being in a tough financial situation wouldn't getting a guy on a rookie contract be helpful?

The Thunder are in win now mode too

[mopper8]

GreenHat and I are on totally the same wavelength about free agency.

[GreenHat]

GreenHat and I are on totally the same wavelength about free agency.

Shhh don't let HIF see that. You were his champion against me lol.

But yeah its going to happen when we value players similarly, look at the same stat sites and look for approximately the same things in players.

I believe I was somewhat higher on Camby though. I just feel like getting a center is way harder than getting a player at any other position at our price level so we should have pounced on our opportunity despite the age/injury concerns.

We both also like the small ball lineup (which is why I agree with you on Lewis) but I just wish we had Camby to throw out there if we were getting killed on the boards or inside against a specific team. Also seeing how Lewis worked best next to a big center, I think he would have done well in a front court with Camby and Lebron.

Assuming we get Lewis we have all kinds of small ball lineups with Bosh at center and two of Lewis, Lebron, Battier. To me the problem is that our best "big" lineup is still small at center.

Not a huge issue and one we can obviously overcome. I just think Camby was our most realistic option at a big (mainly long) center and I can't see a better option presenting itself anytime soon.

That's why I thought it was crazy for people not wanting to give up Cole in a trade for him. Just sign John Lucas or as you said earlier Dooling to replace him as a backup pg who barely plays because we have an excess of better wings and just added another guard.

[Grumpy Heat Fan]

Well, I wanted Camby for the MMLE and not Ray Allen, if you remember my posting. Simply because there's a lot of G/F available and they are not hard to sign for cheap. All they have to do is be able to shoot the open 3 ball and play some D.

But once we got Ray Allen, we were out of the Camby running and committed to small ball. We can't trade away our guys for him. I know you don't like Norris Cole, but he played well for us in the playoffs for a rookie. He also had the confidence to take, and hit, some big shots in the Finals. Our PG position is solved for a long time at both the starting and backup roles.... not to mention giving up Anthony PLUS a pick ?

Basically, if Camby got hurt (he's 38 yrs old), no Camby, no Joel Anthony, what would we have left? Pittman? Maybe Riley brings in a guy like Krylylo Fesenko? and our backup PG is some old scrub veteran, back to signing Mike Bibby's ? I heard someone suggest Dooling.... Cole > Dooling

Plus the 1st round pick is going to be in the teens. We may be able to get a decent player for us next year in the draft. It could be a Center.

It's just too much to give up for a 38 yr old Camby, and that's coming from someone who was saying forget Ray Allen, give the MMLE to Camby.

[beau]

Well, he's not worse than Battier. So at the stretch 4 spot, that's not really a big change. He's not as good a defender, but when he's in form, he's a clearly superior offensive player, and can physically handle defending 4s for a full season. Those are all big pluses.

But yeah, any plan of Miami playing small ball is gonna require Bosh and Lebron to step up their rebounding.

Physically handle 4s for a full season??? This guy is a statue on defense. Not only that, but is 230 frame will get absolutely punished by physical fours.

I really dont know why you said that....

Shards only real asset to a team is shooting. However, the last 3 seasons, his shooting has gotten worse and his defense to point of non-existence.

Honestly, Shard is only worth the minimum at this point in his career.

This post is hilarious on multiple levels.

1) Physically handle 4s for a full season: he's played the 4 for full seasons multiple years, in Orlando.
2) Shard was injured last season. Prior season he shot 37% from 3. That's fantastic for a 3/4.
3) Because he was bought out, Shard is unavailable for S&T. Miami has nothing BUT the vet min. What do you think people are talking about here OTHER than signing him for the minimum? Bizarre.

So are you trying to argue that Shard doesnt get abused on defense? Are you trying to argue that Shard doesnt get absolutely punished by the 4s he defends? If you werent trying to argue such things, then please tell me what you meant when you stated, "[Rashard]can physically handle defending 4s for a full season." Please elaborate....

Again, I will state his only asset to a team is shooting the ball, but he is such a defensive liability that you really have to think about taking him on any team, regardless of how cheap he comes.

In regards to your comment about contract amount, I know Miami can only offer the vet min. However, several people think Shard would be such a great deal for the minimum, that its too good to pass up. Well, hes not such a great deal at the minimum. His defense is atrocious.

In regards to your other comment on Shard playing hurt... .Well, he played over 40 percent of the games last year and averaged 26 minutes per game. Isnt that a large enough sample size for you? If not what are requirements for sample size?

Let me know if you continue to think my posts are hilarious. I will try harder not to be a comedian next time.