Rookie camp; summer league news. Padgett, Richards sign

[Lane1974]

Summer stock
General Manager Randy Pfund said the Heat already has lined up commitments for its summer program. Among those expected to assemble next week at AmericanAirlines Arena for camp and then possibly advance to summer league the following week at Orlando are Davidson guard Jason Richards, Louisville center David Padgett, St. Joseph's guard Pat Calathes, Xavier forward Josh Duncan and former Pittsburgh guard Antonio Graves. Those players would join Beasley, Chalmers and holdovers Kasib Powell and Stephane Lasme, among others, in camp.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/bask ... 2022.story

[unowen85]

There was only one center in college last year that passed the ball better than Hibbert, and it was Padgett. Padgett also had the highest points per possession, and I think the highest field goal percentage for his position. His best case scenario is Christian Laettner, with the plantar fasciitis.

[BlaZeN27]

Wow, awesome.


I love Richards and Pags.

[GameTime_3]

Pagett is a PF not a center, but the real question is how good is he on defense. Jason Richards is Chris Quinn 2.0, Pat Calathes is a D-Leaguer,Josh duncan is decent prospect, i like his energy,but we have to many SF's. Overall, Padgett is the only one with a real shot at making the team(Even then its slim)

[Flix360]

no gary forbes?

[pramis123]

I really like Pat Calathes and Jason Richards and think they have a shot at making the team. Calathes is a very efficient player who not only can score, but makes other around him better. Has great height, but his weakness is defense. As for Richards, he was one of my favorite college PG’s this past season, who led the nation in assists and reminds me a little of John Stockton (both physically and with his passing). He needs to improve his shot and defense. One name that I wished would have been included was that of Gary Forbes (SG/SF – Mass.).

[Lane1974]

I asked Jon G about these guys, he said Padgett had the worst injury rating for this draft, I guess the NBA grades the players on a scale of 1-5 on their physical, and he got a 5 (the worst). Jon said his knees are cardboard. Jon likes Calathes and Duncan the best, both can really shoot he says. He said Calathes is versatile and he says he likes him a lot.

[CaliHeat]

Yea Calathes and Josh Duncan are both pretty good players. I could see one of these guys pushing Kasib Powell for that last SF spot.

If Padgett can stay healthy (BIG IF) he has a chance to make the team because he possesses so much skill. Hes a great passer and finisher around the rim.

I love the pick up of Jason RIchards, this guy is a pure PG. I doubt he makes the team though unless we let Quinn go.

Overall, that is some quality talent the Heat brought in as undrafted players.

[pramis123]

Guys, as a follow up to my post on Jason Richards, apparently, he was not just an invitation to our summer team, but we actually signed him to a free agent contract. If you have seen a couple of my prior posts, I have been raving about this guy for a while. By the Heat actually signing him to a contract, they obvioulsy think he has a chance to make the team as the last PG and can develop. As I have mentioned, he reminds me a great deal of a young John Stockton, who needs to develop his shot and defense to compliment his incredible passing skills. I thought he was the top floor general in college basketball last year as far as running a team. Substitute Curry (his muched hipped running mate at Davidson who will be a probable lotto pick next draft) with DWade and you can see how he would fit in.

Copy of the article from the Charlotte Observer:

Ex-Davidson guard Richards

signs with Miami Heat

Former Davidson point guard Jason Richards has signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat and is expected to join the club's summer league team, the Observer has learned.

Richards led the nation in assists during his senior season, averaging eight a game. He helped the Wildcats finish 29-7 and reach the Elite Eight.

Richards worked out with several NBA teams before the draft, including Miami, the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Bobcats, but was not drafted Thursday night. He'll join a Miami roster that includes point guards Jason Williams, Marcus Banks and Chris Quinn. Williams is an unrestricted free agent and Quinn is a restricted free agent. The Heat also acquired Kansas guard Mario Chalmers – a second-round pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves – Thursday night.

Richards' father, Tom Richards, said he expected his son to join Miami's summer league team next week. Kevin Cary


Now all I want is for us to also sign Pat Calathes and I will say that we got the best two undrafted rookies to go along with our incredible draft.

[girlygirl]

I am assuming that Jason Williams is gone for sure? Has there have been rumors that the Heat want to re-sign him?

If he is definitely gone, that leaves Banks, Chalmers and Quinn. I know they tendered Quinn, but what is the level of interest they have in bringing him back?

Because I think Jason Richards would be be a great addition to the club. He was the best pure PG I saw in college last year. He's not a great athlete or defender, but he is a pretty good shooter and really knows how to run an offense and possesses nice creativity as a playmaker.

I also am a BIG fan of Pat Calathes. He played PG for much of his life until undergoing a late growth spurt, so he's one of the best ballhandlers/playmakers among the non-guards in this draft. He's also a really good shooter. He's very thin and he may struggle defensively because his lateral movement isn' the best, but he has a lot of potential as a 9th-10th man type.

Are the Heat still looking at trading for a vet starting PG, or are they comfortable oing into the season with Chalmers/Banks/whoever (Quinn or Richards)?

[CB4MiamiHeat]

im not comfortable with the PG rotation at all....all our guys are backups .....we still need a starting PG, and Riley hinted at that.

Im curious with Chalmers 3pt shot his rookie season.......he was a great 3pt shooter in college (46%) .....but i wonder how good he will be shooting an NBA 3 since its a couple step back? Paul was not a very good 3pt shooter his 1st year..and he also shot 46% on college.

[MiamiHeatFan2004]

I think Chalmers can be like Gibson is next to Lebron, but more athletic, sounds like a nice fit to me.

He was a very good 3Pt shooter from HS and college range. Here is a video of him knocking down 3s in the Mcdonalds 3Pt shootout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrnsQCkuMLU

[girlygirl]

Chalmers shouldn't have a lot of trouble adjusting to the NBA 3-point line...he made a LOT of deep 3's in college, easily from NBA distance.

[Hoops23]

Looks like Miami will have a formidable starting lineup:

PG = Chalmers
SG = Cook
SF = Powell
PF = Beasley
C = Anthony (?)

When will the Orlando summer league starts?

[Lane1974]

starts next week, Keith Askins is coaching

[Hoops23]

thanks Lane!

[Lane1974]

correction next week they have their own rookie camp, then the following week are the actual games in the summer league

[Heat_team02]

2008 NBA Draft: Top 5 Lists

http://www.nbadraft.net/node/1259

Passers:

1. Jason Richards

2. DJ Augustine

3. Drew Lavender

4. Kevin Love

5. Reggie Williams


Jason Richards wears #2 in this team highlight reel.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NWD8CQ8Sehs

[magicfan4life05]

I asked Jon G about these guys, he said Padgett had the worst injury rating for this draft, I guess the NBA grades the players on a scale of 1-5 on their physical, and he got a 5 (the worst). Jon said his knees are cardboard. Jon likes Calathes and Duncan the best, both can really shoot he says. He said Calathes is versatile and he says he likes him a lot.

I'm very familiar with Calathes going back to him in HS, this guy was expected to go in the middle of the second round, but obviously went undrafted.

I think he will surprise you guys with his shooting and passing. He's very skilled for a bigman with his height. He was underrated when he got to St. Joe's (right after jameer nelson left) and his underrated now, he's a 6'10 player who can shoot and handle the ball like a pg, he used to play that position before he had a growth spurt.

Most mock drafts had him early to mid 2nd round, if he gets in the right system, I think he'll be very nice role player in the league.

I think his bro will be a better prospect than him, but pat's skills are so unique for his size and what he can do.


If you guys wanna see an interview with him in the Pre Draft Camp in Orlando:

http://www.truveo.com/NBA-PreDraft-Camp ... /523870551

[CRHeel94]

I'm intrigued by Calathes. I also like Padgett and Richards, though I think Quinn being here complicated the situation for Richards.