For the MLE: a Center or PG?

[Hoops23]

Its known to many that Heat's most pressing need is a PG and a center. Some may argue that the MLE should be split for those two positions but if you want a quality talent, its ideal to use majority of the MLE or maybe full/entire.

Which is which? A center or a PG?

[CB4MiamiHeat]

I say we need Center more, because we can always get creative and go with a backcourt of Wade/Cook, or Wade/Ricky Davis for some time and i'd feel pretty comfortable. Haslem at Center doesnt make me comfortable..i know he played some last year, but even Cook played PG, so it doesnt mean much.

[Flix360]

6you beat me to it, i rather have an mle at center and banks at pg rather than blount at center and mle at pg, no blount pls.

[torres213]

No doubt about it. C is the more pressing concern for the immediate future. I really think we'll all be surprised with the efficiency that Banks and Chalmers will give us on the defensive end, and Quinn getting more time to run the offense, that is if he is given time doing so...which he should after last year. Not sure of the available C's out there, but if the Heat find a Diop, Lorenzen Wright, Jeff Foster, basically anyone either long, athletic, and energetic on the blocks and boards (maybe resign Dolac), that'll be a big step towards title contention in the next coming seasons.

Speaking of long, athletic bigs...what ever happened to Marcus Slaughter? I thought his energtic game was perfect for this kind of system now.

Defense:
PG-Chalmers/Banks
SG-Wade
SF-Marion
PF-Haslem/Beasley (Haslem gets the nod here cuz experience)
C-Mourning/Diop??/Anthony

Offense:
PG-Quinn/J-will (even though there's a good chance he leaves)
SG-Wade/Cook
SF-Beasley/Marion
PF-Beasley
C-Haslem/ Foster??(use MLE on him just to keep some sort of offensive rebounding presence)

[SonicYouth34]

A front court of Diop, Marion, Beasley is talented offensively and defensively.

[FlashTheKilla]

We absolutely need a Center.

Between Wade, Cook, Davis, Chalmers, Banks, and Quinn our backcourt is much much better off than our front court right now. You have to think that one of them will rise to the occasion.

I think people will be surprised at how quickly Chalmers develops too. Think Boobie Gibson but with better defense. Mario really won't be asked to do much, and he'll be able to focus on what he needs to do, plus having Wade in the backcourt along side him really takes a lot of pressure off of him (in a similar fashion that LeBron took pressure off of Gibson).

Granted, Chalmers hasn't played a second in the NBA, but I'm convinced he is a perfect fit.

Center, Center, Center!!

[BFRESH44]

Thread title should basically be changed to "Diop or Udrih".

Because those are the only two options worth commiting the majority of the MLE too.

[Hoops23]

I agree to most of you that center should be the position to fill for the MLE and use the LLE for a PG.

Riley once said, the PG position is for Banks to lose. Its like a hint that Banks could be our PG. I think with Banks, Chalmers and probably signing back Quinn gives the depth at PG although I question the quality we're getting at that position but there is only one MLE to use. Likewise, aside from those 3 PG, Wade can play that position too.

Looking at Heat's present center, Blount and the undersized & lack of experience Anthony is our only centers. Zo even if he comes back, I doubt he can play a lot of minutes because of his age and is coming from a major injury.

Magloire, Kwame, Doleac and Elson are the options at center. Diop is believe to go back to Dallas.

Check this nice article from the Miami Herlad

The Heat would be comfortable splitting the $5.8 million exception to fill two needs among point guard, center and a wing player to upgrade over Ricky Davis. At least one should be addressed via trade. But with Miami and others eyeing cap space in a year or two, Riley said, ``A lot of short [term] money will have to be accepted by these guys . . . We've got to protect our backside in 2010.''

The Heat privately expects the Nets' DeSagana Diop -- the top available center -- to return to Dallas and believes point guard Beno Udrih will get a multiyear deal in Sacramento or elsewhere. A friend said coveted Warriors restricted free agent point guard Monta Ellis would love to play here, but that requires a sign-and-trade, and the Warriors prefer to keep him.

• Riley said he still might trade for

a point guard, with Memphis ( Kyle Lowry, among others) considered in play. Otherwise, the Heat believes it can find a stopgap starter from a free agent group including Chris Duhon, Carlos Arroyo, Keyon Dooling, Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Jannero Pargo and Anthony Carter. And the Heat likes restricted free agent Sebastian Telfair, though Minnesota can match any offer.

Plus, ''I can't wait to see what Mario Chalmers can do,'' Riley said. But ``I'm not expecting miracles from a young kid.''

• Riley pointed to the potential to lure a player from ''teams that have three or four unrestricted free agents.'' Keep an eye on Orlando ( Arroyo, Dooling, Maurice Evans) and Golden State, where Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes (who appealed to Miami before) and restricted Kelenna Azubuike join unrestricted free agents Evans, Devean George and James Jones as potential options to replace Davis.

• The Heat knows Alonzo Mourning might not be ready by the opener, and Riley wants a defensively skilled center. It expects to find one cheaply among Kwame Brown-types.

[BlaZeN27]

I was wondering why no one mentions Magloire, he sucks but is better then a Kwame Brown.

[unowen85]

Just throwing this out there. What about bringing home Malik Allen next season for the minimum? I trust Malik's jumper more than Blount's.

[pramis123]

My friends, after much research and soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that our #1 target to sign as a free agent to fill the Center position is:

Andris Biedrins - Golden State

Look at his age, his background, his development, and his averages. He is almost a double double guy who can block shots and is a very efficient scorer who would fit the best with our talent. Golden State has alot of people to sign, so there is a chance that if we make a strong offer that he will be ours. Very young and talented up and coming center that we can build with. Don't take my word, do the research yourself and compare to the other candidates.

[MartyConlonJr]

My friends, after much research and soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that our #1 target to sign as a free agent to fill the Center position is:

Andris Biedrins - Golden State

Look at his age, his background, his development, and his averages. He is almost a double double guy who can block shots and is a very efficient scorer who would fit the best with our talent. Golden State has alot of people to sign, so there is a chance that if we make a strong offer that he will be ours. Very young and talented up and coming center that we can build with. Don't take my word, do the research yourself and compare to the other candidates.

We just flat out don't have the money. Marion for Louis Williams (sign at trade at 5 mill per) and then we have cap space for Beidrins (he'll be getting 8 mill+). Pretty good team, but nigh on impossible of getting the transactions to happen.

C - Andres Biedrins / Alonzo Mourning
PF - Udonis Haslem / Joel Anthony
SF - Michael Beasley / Dorell Wright
SG - Dwyane Wade / Daequan Cook
PG - Louis Williams / Mario Chalmers

[Hoops23]

My friends, after much research and soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that our #1 target to sign as a free agent to fill the Center position is:

Andris Biedrins - Golden State

Riley already said about signing or adding a player for a short term deal because of the cap space for 2010. Then why would Biedrins accept a two year deal who is due for his 1st big pay day in the league? It doesn't make sense.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/bask ... 4312.story

[Lane1974]

yep, don't expect any activity from us early on in the free agency process, unless its some minor names

[HeatSince88]

Pramis, I think he'd be a great addition too, but no way Biedrins can be had for MLE money.

[BFRESH44]

A name to look out for: Sebastian Telfair. He's officially unrestricted and could come at a moderate price tag.

He's still young(w/ upside), energetic, and has the open court playmaking ability that will cater to our transistion style (Wade, Marion, Beasley, Cook, Wright, Haslem etc etc). He actually had a pretty decent year with the Wolves.


Riley adores the kid, and it was no secret that the staff tried to trade up for in the 04 draft but came up lame. So I could see a 2 year 6 million dollar(3 per) offer happening there.

[HeatSince88]

A name to look out for: Sebastian Telfair. He's officially unrestricted and could come at a moderate price tag.

He's still young(w/ upside), energetic, and has the open court playmaking ability that will cater to our transistion style (Wade, Marion, Beasley, Cook, Wright, Haslem etc etc). He actually had a pretty decent year with the Wolves.


Riley adores the kid, and it was no secret that the staff tried to trade up for in the 04 draft but came up lame. So I could see a 2 year 6 million dollar(3 per) offer happening there.

Interesting. You're sure the Wolves didn't tender him?

I personally think he's a bad fit, as we need someone who can defend and knock down long jumpers ( he does neither). But you're right, I could see Riley making a play for a guy like him.

[BFRESH44]

Yea, the Wolves did not tender him(3.5 million qualifying offer). Ira confirmed, and the Star Tribune comfirmed as well.

And I don't think he's a bad fit at all.

I know the peception based of what's been most sucessuful with us is that best PG that fits aside Wade is one whom is effecitve without the basketball, defend, knock open shots etc. True, but Wade apparently wants more from a point guard at this stage of his career now.



Wade (and this has been confiremd by people in the know that I know), DOES NOT want to be THE primary ball handler. Hell I mean it's been made pretty obious. Wade has made it no secret that he wanted back-court help. Talked up Rose, and even talked up Mayo down later down the line.

If Miami had the number 1 pick ,Derrick Rose would've been drafted no doubt (thankfully though we got number 2, because down the line I believe it will be clear as day who's the better player).


Though I don't agree with this, as I too believe he's most effective with ball in his hands. But He wants to play off the ball alot more this upcomming year, make hard cuts to the basket(cathcing lobs), utilize a post game, bet set up for open mid ragne J's, be a trailor on the break/in transistion etc etc.

Telfair is effective at setting up guys, and is cat quick in the open court. And again the key here: Young, and could come cheap.

[Lane1974]

he's worth taking a cheap flier on, I can't see too many people offering Sea-Bass a large or long contract

[HeatSince88]

So because we liked Derrick Rose (a consensus Top 2 pick) we should ignore that ...

- Telfair shoots in the 30%'s on FGs and 20%'s on 3PT FGS
- And that he's short and a defensive liability?
- And that his only "strength" -- which is distributing -- is no better than a broken down J-Will?
- And that Telfair-Wade-Marion would be the worst shooting PG/SG/SF perhaps ever?
- And that every Heat PG last year blew Telfair away in PER?

I gotta disagree. We are serious about adding defense, shooting, and efficiency to the PG position, which is why we gave Minnesota $2 million and 2 draft picks for Chalmers. Defense, shooting, and efficiency are all the things Telfair is not.

I do agree with you that this is the type of gamble Riley might make, but I'd strongly disgaree with it just as I did with the Smush signing last year.