Summer League Notes

[Smitty731]

Hi all!

Not sure if you hit up any of the other boards or not, but I've been at Orlando Summer League all week. I've had the chance to talk to a ton of front office guys, scouts, coaches, players and fellow media members.

Below are some of the things I learned/got told this week. Not all of it may be overly newsworthy, but all of it felt worthy of sharing.

If you have any questions, please quote me so that I'll be sure to see the question.

1. The Wade situation kind of hung over the entire week here for Miami until yesterday. The prevailing feeling was that he wouldn't leave and the guys I talked to were pretty shocked when he did leave.

2. The word today was that many of the team related folks feel like "he was just finally fed up. We pushed it too far with him. You mess with a man's money for too long and it will cause issues."

3. They are excited about Whiteside, but there is some nervousness of what he'll be like now that he's gotten paid. The quote was "Once a knucklehead, always a knucklehead right? And this guy isn't 20 years old anymore. We hope he's figured it out, but you never know."

4. Josh Richardson is terrific. He can play 1-3 and even switch on the occasional smaller 4. Once his shot gets a little more consistent, he'll be excellent. Miami found another guy on the cheap and he's a keeper.

5. Very mixed feelings on matching Tyler Johnson. The main worry is the giant cap hits in years 3 and 4. Many are also not convinced he's worth even the average value. They like him, but one guy told me "What did he do to get $50 million? Man, I was born about 20 years too soon!"

6. Justise Winslow is a consistent jumper away from being Miami's version of Draymond Green. They plan to play him at PF in small lineups a lot this year.

7. Briante Weber probably has a spot on the team now that they don't necessarily need the cap space. They love his toughness and leadership.

8. Rodney McGruder really impressed in practices prior to Summer League and he's been pretty solid in Orlando. They are in process of signing him to a partially guaranteed deal.

9. Chris Bosh...The entire organization is still divided. Some don't want him to play out of very real concern for his health. Some don't want him to play because they want that money wiped from the cap. And others, more than 50% that I talked to, want him back on the court.

10. Related to Wade somewhat is that several good sources told me: "Dwyane was pissed off for years. First it was money. Then it was using the amnesty on Mike Miller. Then they pushed LeBron out. Then they wouldn't let Bosh play when he could have helped them get to the conference finals. And then they picked Whiteside over him." The part that stood out to me was the Bosh portion.

11. They feel if Bosh had been healthy that they could have pushed, if not beaten, Cleveland. They feel like they were at least as good at Toronto and probably better if they had Bosh.

12. After a year or so, expect to see Udonis Haslem back in the organization in some capacity. He still wants to play, but the Heat aren't interested.

13. They don't really have a clear strategy for using the new found cap space. The FA market has kind of dried up a bit and Miami expected to have Wade. More than a few people told me they might throw offers at Allen Crabbe or Moe Harkless from Portland. But they also fully expect the Blazers to match.

14. They feel like this year could be a step back, but overall they think they are set up great for the future. If Bosh does medically retire, they'll have only Whiteside and Dragic making big money. And Miami is still a huge destination.

15. Some think that Dragic could contend for the scoring title. They think he'll have a monster year. And they intend to really push pace this year.

I think that is about it. Some other stuff will probably come to me as I go back through my other notes.

And a popular question is: Who is "they"? That generally means folks from the front office or coaching staff. Occasionally it means players. I'm being a bit vague on purpose, because I have intention of outing anyone. I hope you understand.

I want to close with sharing that I'm sorry for you guys about Wade. I felt the same way when the Celtics traded Pierce. He was my guy. And he followed a couple other of my guys in my life as a Celtics fan. To have THE guy in the franchise go has to be rough. I feel for you guys, but hang in there. You're still a top notch organization and better days are ahead!

[Prince Ali]

Hi all!

first off, thanks for the report.

15. That's a mistype right? maybe "leading the team" scoring title?

12. Very surprising. I thought UD could still help out in a limited role, the team flat out not being interested in bringing him back? wow.

10. Yea, end of the day it's a business. Miller couldn't stay healthy, and I dont think "they" pushed LeBron anywhere, he had his mind set on leaving year 3.

[Smitty731]

Hi all!

first off, thanks for the report.

15. That's a mistype right? maybe "leading the team" scoring title?

12. Very surprising. I thought UD could still help out in a limited role, the team flat out not being interested in bringing him back? wow.

10. Yea, end of the day it's a business. Miller couldn't stay healthy, and I dont think "they" pushed LeBron anywhere, he had his mind set on leaving year 3.

15. Hahaha. Nope. They really do feel like he could win the scoring title. They plan to play at a very fast pace and he's by far the best scorer on the roster right now.

12. Yeah no real interest in bringing Haslem back. Not with the roster shaping up the way it is. They'd rather let him go to a contender if he wants to play.

10. Just reporting what I was told. I'm not touching that one!

[DayofMourning]

Thanks for the report Smitty!

[Prince Ali]

Hi all!

first off, thanks for the report.

15. That's a mistype right? maybe "leading the team" scoring title?

12. Very surprising. I thought UD could still help out in a limited role, the team flat out not being interested in bringing him back? wow.

10. Yea, end of the day it's a business. Miller couldn't stay healthy, and I dont think "they" pushed LeBron anywhere, he had his mind set on leaving year 3.

15. Hahaha. Nope. They really do feel like he could win the scoring title. They plan to play at a very fast pace and he's by far the best scorer on the roster right now.

12. Yeah no real interest in bringing Haslem back. Not with the roster shaping up the way it is. They'd rather let him go to a contender if he wants to play.

10. Just reporting what I was told. I'm not touching that one!

thanks again

I'd love to make a run at Crabbe

[Prince Ali]

Nevermind, thanks Bk

[SCHeat]

Thanks for passing along

Man I really wish we could've seen that Heat/Cavs ECF. Would've been fun.

[Slot Machine]

Appreciate the insight.

Glad to see we'll be playing run & gun.

[cyclix]

This is a great class to tank for (2017). Miami is going nowhere and getting a young legit scorer in the draft with Miamis young core can entice FAs to come to Miami.

[QUIZ]

Thanks for the post Smitty. I'm not gonna lie I would love to see Goran compete for the scoring title. I don't think its possible at all but man if he did that his value would fly through the roof. We'd get way more back for him than the 2 picks we gave up.

[RexBoyWonder]

Good stuff.

[HIF]

Thanks so much for the insight;

So we're going to base the team on Goran - I think I'm worried. As a third/fourth wheel okay but I didn't see signs of leadership from him last season. Still were going to find out. Let's go Goran!

Thing that stood out most to me is the Bosh thing. Seems Wade and others including Bosh thought he could play in the playoffs. I agree that we'd have beaten Toronto and possibly Cleveland too if he had. I can understand Wade being annoyed at this - imagine how Bosh must be feeling! This would say to me that the Heat are NOT going to allow him to play and that is a crusher for our team. Perhaps Riley thinks that McRoberts can actually start and play the whole season at PF.

UD sent a tweet a while ago pointing out other players who got gametime. I really don't see why they wouldn't give him some with Bosh out. Again he's been Heat since day 1 and Miami all his life. Personally don't understand the Heat but family is outta here.

No bosh, McRoberts starting at PF and Goran to be the featured player. This could be a long season.

[Bishop45]

Def gon' take wit' a grain of salt because of unconfirmed sources...

But why would Wade be mad about Bosh?.. I always thought Bosh was far too rational to risk his life over a game/series, this would confirm my suspicions

But for why?

Riles makin' movies.

"Power Moves"



Is/Was Bosh healthy?

Find out on the next episode