Looking at what Miami has and how to fill 7 open spots

[Apollo]

Let us begin with what Miami has because these are facts rather than opinion or speculation.
(I understand this is a long post. People who don't want to read through the transitions: bolding and underlines weren't for you...)

First, let's take a look at Miami's strengths:
PF Bosh/Haslem - One is a star and Haslem is an energy guy who is good for at least 8/8 each night he plays significant minutes. There are no weak minutes or minutes that need to be filled here.
SF Lebron/MM - Despite criticism Lebron helped carry this team to the finals and is a top 3 talent in the league who has years of prime basketball left. He will play most of the Heat's minutes at SF and could potentially play "point guard" if the Heat want to go big. A healthy Mike Miller is akin to the addition of a new $3-4 mil type player on top of what we had this past season. When healthy Miller is a serious three point threat, a hustle player, and one of the top rebounding wing players. Miami also can bring back James Jones as a player to guarantee they have an available shooting specialist at the 2/3 each night.
SG Wade - Although Wade is the oldest of the big three and has no concrete back-up he is still a finals MVP caliber player and knows how to play to his strengths. Dwyane has multiple years of great basketball left and will use most of the team's SG minutes.
A Smart Front Office with Money - Any organization that has Pat Riley at their head with Arison type money at his disposal can feel safe that their team will be doing its best to field a winning team. Pat Riley is one of the most charismatic, intelligent, and strategic GM's there are. He has the Heat's young coach Spoelstra's ear and will spend a significant time this summer analyzing how to improve the Heat's offensive efficiency.

Now we can take a look at where the Heat are weakest:
C No starter - Joel Anthony proved he can be very useful against team's that lack a 7' threat. However, while no team should be ashamed of playing Joel up to 25 minutes a game, he should be doing it off the bench. The center by committee experiment was no success and it is time to spend any available money (allowed by the CBA) on a starting quality center that can battle 7' opponents and limit opponent offensive rebounds and hopefully increase the Heat's OR numbers by 1-3 a game.
PG Young Starter and No Back-up - Chalmers showed he has potential to be the Heat's starting point guard for years to come. After a bit of a recession Chalmers had a resurgence that showed if he continues to gain experience, watch film, and continue working on his shot then the job is his. The Heat have Lebron and Wade who can fill in some gaps when facilitating becomes an issue, but the team needs a reliable back-up who can keep up with some of the quicker guards in the league. Mike Bibby may be able to find himself back on this team, but will need to mesh quickly and better with the (new-revised over the summer) system. Even with an improved Bibby as a reserve the Heat need a back-up and potentially a young future back-up PG.

With clear weaknesses at the Starting C and Back-up PG spot the Heat should look for a few more pieces to help insure continued success. Here is a list of what the Heat need to fill their roster with. (note- I refer to the player who will sub and play minutes at a position as a back-up and a player who will only see occasional or spot up minutes a reserve)
1) Starting Center able to compete with 7' starters.
2) Back-Up PG with the ability to play more than spot minutes at the 1. Ideally a shooter who keeps their turn-overs down and can deliver the ball to where it needs to go.
3) Back-Up SG that can help keep Wade's minutes around 32-36 avg for the regular season and provide some type of scoring option off the bench.
4) A young PG who has the opportunity to grow into a back-up for Chalmers.

[The Heat have a potential future Center with Pittman and can test his progress this coming season.]

The Heat have 8 players under contract for the next season:
1-LBJ
2-Wade
3-Bosh
4-Haslem
5-Miller
6-Pittman
7-Anthony
8-House (player option)
All of these players who are not named Eddie House have a role in the Heat's future which is good news because Riley does not need to worry about how to open spots up for new players. This leaves 8 spots open to be filled during this summer. Although, a few of these spots should be automatically filled: (With no order of preference, these need to happen)

1-Chalmers (RFA) (You won't find a better young PG for less money)
2- James Jones (Sacrificed for the team last season and is a proven shooter who can fill in the reserve role at the SF position)
3- #31 pick (The Heat don't have the best track record with the draft, but this will be a cheap contract and should have Reggie Jackson or another option or two available as a potential future PG)
4- Starting Center - Dalembert seems to be the the favorite candidate for this position. The Heat may be competing with teams who have the ability to over pay for a center, but there are a few other players going into FA who could get picked up before Sammy. He has a history with Miami and wants to be on a winning team.

The Heat's roster should now be up to 12. It is important to remember that at this point the team has NO ability to pay above minimum (MLE spent on new starting C) which means there will be better free agents than what we sign here. Do not assume a player who could make $5 mil will take minimum just to have a chance to win. However, players that could make marginally above minimum else where should be available (no income tax and championship potential help in this category of player). Now back to the remaining needs of the team:

5- Back-up PG -Miami may have a chance at Ronnie Price and TJ Ford who have both played in the league and can do some of the things Miami needs at this position pretty well. They should be in Miami's price range looking at some of the other FA guards.
6- Back-up SG- Miami can take a chance and sign Michael Redd if he is healthy and available for minimum. He played on the redeem team with the Big Three and could be the offense bench player they need. It is also entirely possible his game went out with his knee. He is a high reward, low risk player who isn't a head case or simply far too past his prime.
7- Additional Reserve PF/C (young?)- The Heat may want to find a younger reserve PF/C who could practice with the team and potentially be used as a back-up in the future. Dante Cunningham may be available albeit small, vet PF/C, but most likely a player who won't see too many minutes.
**Edit: I would support bringing in Varnado for this role.

At this point the Heat should be ready to get back to work and implement some improved offensive schemes to increase their efficiency. NBA teams usually play a 8-10 player rotation so it is not crucial every player signed can play huge minutes on the team. The signees only need to do what they were signed for.
This leaves the Heat with a depth chart as follows with minutes:
PG: Chalmers (28) / Price (~20) / Reserves [#31/House]
SG: Wade (34) / Redd (14) / Reserves [Use MM or JJ]
SF: Lebron (36) / Mike Miller (12) / Reserves [James Jones]
PF: Bosh (32) / Haslem (16) / Reserves [15th man may also play C]
C: Dalembert (28) / JA (20) / Reserves [Pittman (who I'd like to see minutes)]
*This line-up assumes that Lebron or Wade could take over facilitating duties which would reduce Price's minutes in any certain game and increase their's or open more minutes at their positions (for Redd or MM)
*Also assumes Haslem could slide to fill in minutes at 5 or play Bosh at the 5 in crunch time
*These are my preferred signings if all the players involved are healthy (especially Redd and may need to sign someone else by necessity if MM needs extra time to get healthy)

These signings should allow us to play the type of basketball that favors this team's composition. It should include enough shooting to open up the floor for the Big Three and bust zones. It also allows us to have 2 PG who should be able to run the system that Riley and Spo feel addresses some of the team's issues. Here are a few mock line-ups that could be useful.
Go Big For Boards----/----Small for Speed----/----Shooting to Bust Zones
PG----------Lebron-----/------Chalmers-----------/-----Chalmers
SG----------Wade-------/--------Wade-------------/-----Redd
SF ----------MM---------/--------MM---------------/-------MM
PF----------Bosh--------/------Lebron------------/-----Lebron
C-------Dalembert----/--------Bosh--------------/------Bosh

* None of these are potentially the Crunch time unit, but they display some of the strengths the updated roster brings about.



So, what signings do you agree with? Which do you not? What holes are left? Are some overkill?
What else do you see or believe this team can do?

[BBallFreak]

Miami should also have the LLE for a free agent.

Your signings don't bother me. I don't however think Price signs here to be a reserve. I would love to see Earl Watson in that role. I would also use JJ as Bron's primary reserve, MM as Wade's backup, and I'd look for a defensive specialist who could play both spots situationally...

[Apollo]

Miami should also have the LLE for a free agent.

Your signings don't bother me. I don't however think Price signs here to be a reserve. I would love to see Earl Watson in that role. I would also use JJ as Bron's primary reserve, MM as Wade's backup, and I'd look for a defensive specialist who could play both spots situationally...

I did have Earl written down as one of the targets I saw so I don't have an issue with that change (although, I haven't watched any of those players to a great extent). I do like MM and JJ as being potentially used at the 2/3. I've looked at the list of free agents however and didn't see anyone that could fill the defensive back-up spot (but I could have missed a lesser known specialist). I think if Redd is able to come back 75-90% he may be an offensive spark that could bring value.

Riley has some work cut out for him because there are really only about 4-5 spots open that may or may not impact the team. Finding a gem that plays above expectations and lifts the team in slow stretches could mean a #1 seed and a championship. Signing players as reserves that we like and finding out they cannot cut it if an injury or foul trouble occurs could also cost this teams a few wins. Finally, no matter who you sign the team is still ridiculously top heavy so it may have little to no effect.

In the end it will come down to implementing a more efficient system and then filling the major hole at C and getting a back-up PG. Any signings on top of that have the opportunity to put the team over the edge or be nothing more than a lateral move.

[Apollo]

A bit of clarification. The above is not to diminish the importance of signing the correct players during the off season, but I don't believe it will make us a 73 win team or break us to a .500 team. That being said the real thing that will make this team a power house is consistency and a more efficient system like I've said. Signing the right players will not make or break this new system, but could aid in making it be truly consistent and run at full capacity rather than spurts of greatness and times where the personnel is lacking.

[StrawberryShake]

-MLE
dalembert/ (if god intervenes and does something to nene, then nene)

-LLE
michael redd/vince carter (mike miller is a backup sg not sf, he can play it but hes better playing sg. redd and carter can both come in and lead the second unit playing 16-18 minutes for lebron)

-bring back JJ

-bring in varnado as our 3rd PF. he said he wants to be here next year

-hopefully reggie jackson as our 31st pick to be our backup pg (chalmers came in and played as a rookie this guy is in the same mold. smart defender, not the most athletic but big and strong and can knock down the 3s)

-magloire or howard will be back as our 4rd string center

-bring back bibby or maybe even pat beverley

7 players right there which leaves us with

pg- chalmers/ jackson/ bibby(beverley)
sg- wade/miller
sf- james/carter(redd)/ jones
pf- bosh/haslem/varnado
C- dalembert(nene)/anthony/pittman/magloire(howard)


good riddance dampier, house and ilgauskas

[We-Are-Lasers]

Keep Big Cat as the vet center. Rest of the centers not named Pitt or Anthony can go.

[Apollo]

-MLE
dalembert/ (if god intervenes and does something to nene, then nene)

-LLE
michael redd/vince carter (mike miller is a backup sg not sf, he can play it but hes better playing sg. redd and carter can both come in and lead the second unit playing 16-18 minutes for lebron)

-bring back JJ

-bring in varnado as our 3rd PF. he said he wants to be here next year

-hopefully reggie jackson as our 31st pick to be our backup pg (chalmers came in and played as a rookie this guy is in the same mold. smart defender, not the most athletic but big and strong and can knock down the 3s)

-magloire or howard will be back as our 4rd string center

-bring back bibby or maybe even pat beverley

7 players right there which leaves us with

pg- chalmers/ jackson/ bibby(beverley)
sg- wade/miller
sf- james/carter(redd)/ jones
pf- bosh/haslem/varnado
C- dalembert(nene)/anthony/pittman/magloire(howard)


good riddance dampier, house and ilgauskas

Mike is 6' 8" and can get you up to 10 rebounds a game. So he can definitely play SF, but could play SG if you think you couldn't defend the SF in the game at that time. Although, I don't know who would guard the SF if MM couldn't and Lebron was sitting considering that MM is a good rebounder and will attempt to box out.

Varnado could fill that 15th position to become the young PF/C. Any guy that has potential to be home grown and play future minutes I really like to see.

A huge NO to Vince Carter for the LLE because he has shown he simply cannot do it anymore in Orlando AND Phoenix, I'd rather take a gamble that Redd might have a game left over Carter. He looked defeated and over the hill in Phoenix.

Jackson and Beverley might be able to play next year, but the scouting on Jackson is that his body and skillset have great potential, but his vision and selection aren't there yet (less than Chalmers 1st year). That being said I'd really like to have Jackson at least (maybe Bev) get drafted and stay on the team.

[Apollo]

Keep Big Cat as the vet center. Rest of the centers not named Pitt or Anthony can go.

I agree that Mag is the only guy I wouldn't mind being afforded a spot, but that would be the 15th which I'd rather go to a younger guy like Varnado who was mentioned. If Mag is signed he'd be the 4th C who likely wouldn't see time. A PF/C could be the security player for the 4 spot too.

*I know Riley likes vets and signing young players only makes sense if they are reserves. Pittman proves he wants to have some future security, but we all know he doesn't like to leave a rookie in charge of rotation minutes on a championship contending team (using #31 as THE back-up PG)

[truthiness]

the scrubs that miami gets to fill in the roster won't make much of a difference.
it's more important how the best players are used.
that's why i say:
sign Rick Adelman to the MLE

[Hoops23]

Keep Dampier, who has the body to bang with Dwight Howard. Check out how the Hawks won against the Magic. They put at least there different centers with Howard.... Heat needs at least three center to bang Dwight Howard.

[LEIF]

keep in mind that Jarvis Varnardo can come over and fill an end of the bench roster spot and also we dont necessarily have to run with 15 players.

[Apollo]

I'd pencil in Varnado to the 15th spot. And about Dwight we would have Dalembert, JA, Haslem, Pittman(if he's played) which aren't slouches on defense. Damp did nothing for us this year and Dalembert is a decent upgrade.

I noted that you only play 8-10 guys on a given night. The 12-15 spots are usually project players (#31, maybe Pitt still, Varnado, Bev if they feel inclined) and back-ups if there is an injury/foul trouble. However, we have about 3 rotation spots open (C, SG, and PG back-ups) and a few situational players we could sign that would hopefully fit well in a more efficient offensive scheme.

[DefenseWins]

the scrubs that miami gets to fill in the roster won't make much of a difference.
it's more important how the best players are used.
that's why i say:
sign Rick Adelman to the MLE

This. A lot of people look past this. Looking back, a LOT of players were misused. Even the veterans. I'm so sick of Spo shelving players for no reason for a long time, then brings them back in the biggest game of their lives and expects them to work wonders. Just does not make sense. You can tell the players at times don't even know their roles when they are just out there at the perimeter standing. Screening needs to be taught better too.

I know the best options off the best were injured, but hey Juwan and Big Z can hit something. Dampier would take a lob sometimes. Using the role players to give the ball to one of the Big 3 maybe? Goodness I hope they work on offense this season. The perimeter defense stunk too.

[Apollo]

the scrubs that miami gets to fill in the roster won't make much of a difference.
it's more important how the best players are used.
that's why i say:
sign Rick Adelman to the MLE

This. A lot of people look past this. Looking back, a LOT of players were misused. Even the veterans. I'm so sick of Spo shelving players for no reason for a long time, then brings them back in the biggest game of their lives and expects them to work wonders. Just does not make sense. You can tell the players at times don't even know their roles when they are just out there at the perimeter standing. Screening needs to be taught better too.

I know the best options off the best were injured, but hey Juwan and Big Z can hit something. Dampier would take a lob sometimes. Using the role players to give the ball to one of the Big 3 maybe? Goodness I hope they work on offense this season. The perimeter defense stunk too.

I'd be upset and shocked if we went into next season without a more defined rotation (after some initial trial and error with new players) and no new offense. Riley and Spo have ALL summer and maybe more time with a lock-out to watch film. Not only will they break down what worked, but what didn't and what players they bring in are good at etc. This year they allowed talent to carry them a lot of the way, but obviously it needs to be applied better if they want to win securely. Spo was a video coord and assistant coach so he knows what needs to be done and Riley won't make him do it alone.

[DefenseWins]

Riley said there won't be any major changes. There will probably be a tweak to the roster, like adding a veteran who will actually freakin' play.

Miller and Haslem's injuries really did hurt the team this season. I believe the Heat would have gotten 1st seed if they weren't hurt.

The bench will be much better no doubt. I don't know if Heat will keep any of their draft picks. If they do I hope they come off the bench, then end with that 5 man rotation like they did this year with Miller, Haslem and Big 3. That could work actually. More depth.

They just need to stop collapsing in the damn 4th. I thought after the 5 game losing streak it was over because they didn't do it for a looooong time and started to do it again at the wrong time. They'll learn, they have to. But Spo isn't going to change offensively. He is going to think... oh damn they got too many 3's, the perimeter defense has to be better, WHICH IS TRUE and I hope that it gets fixed. It was revealed the Heat went straight into the paint and Dallas, who would be good shooters, would spot up. The Heat did that against Chicago (who's defense is similar) and Game 5 said it all with those 3's. But I don't know if Spo's stubborness would kick in there, where he thinks it was bad luck and "oh gee Dallas was just seeing the basket bigger because they were on fire". Well he did say how Dallas was seeing the basket bigger. Lol really? There have been times where the Heat were defeated because of big time shots and gave up leads. NY and Orlando come to mind. Three point shooters. This year's weakness was that and fast PG's.

Regarding truthiness's comment, I mean even LeBron was used badly. Same with Wade at times. I know that sounds weird, but isn't having them in the corner doing nothing, weird? Sure it's spreading the floor but... they aren't doing anything. They aren't strong 3 point shooters, smart teams know that (I'm aware they can hit a 3 but they aren't like a healthy Mike Miller). Having a real sharp shooters out there, okay having them out in the perimeter is logical. But a guy who lives in the paint?

[heat in italy]

Our team should be :

________ - Chalmers

Wade - Mike Miller

Lebron - James Jones

Chris Bosh - Udonis Haslem

Dalembert - Joel Anthony


I dont know who to put at starting PG, but Chalmers is backup who can play the 2 if we need. Since our coach sucks, we need an intelligent PG that runs the offense. My pipe dream is Steve Nash.

[dolphinatik]

I would just like to see us play some young talent extensively

Chalmers is decent and would have been better if we gave him more time. a couple of those finals games he had good moments where he set teammates up well. Lets be honest its all about the shot when we remember how our pg's do. When Chalmers shot is on we love him and when its off or he doesnt attempt we hate him.

I am pro Pat Bev but I dont know if he gets a shot on this team; its just not in our culture to let the new guys in. Patrick is a better defender than Chalmers and a better scorer but not as good of a shooter. What hurt Pat Bev and most rookies in our system (including Chalmers) is they become way too passive with the vets on the floor. If they are not aggressive and go for their shots then they will look useless as is usually the case.

Im all for bringing in Varnado. Like the Warden but can finish around the rim.

I fully believe we need to draft a Center and PG. Someone that makes sense. our draft picks always seem to be out of left field or for someone else. Talent is usually there when we pick but we fall in love with practice squad guys. As far as free agents Im not big on anyone including Dalembert. I would take Vince at the minimum, Redd at the minimum.


I will give last years bench some credit.. they could play and you saw it at times but we never gave them that opportunity. (minus House )

[heat shadow]

I liked Varnado in Summer League last year. He seemed to be fairly high energy and looked great blocking shots. His numbers on the Italian team he played for this year looked pretty good,especially his bock totals. http://www.eurobasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=ITA&PlayerID=115505

I just wonder if he would even get a spot at the end of the bench since he is almost like a Joel clone (with better hands). A little redundant. But, those two in the game together would be a bad@ss defensive combo for certain lock-down situations.

[LikeABosh]

Our team should be :

________ - Chalmers

Wade - Mike Miller

Lebron - James Jones

Chris Bosh - Udonis Haslem

Dalembert - Joel Anthony


I dont know who to put at starting PG, but Chalmers is backup who can play the 2 if we need. Since our coach sucks, we need an intelligent PG that runs the offense. My pipe dream is Steve Nash.

This.

Mike Miller and James Jones are our only true shooters on the team so we definitely need to give them minutes. Jones doesn't have great defense, but at the very least give him 10 minutes and he'll knock down some 3's. Spoelstra was insane not to include James Jones in the Finals. We needed an outside shooter out there.

I'd consider Chalmers as a starter, our 31st pick (hopefully Jackson) as a back-up, and if we can get a vet point guard that'd be cool, but we don't really need one.

The center position is a must. Like the OP said, we need a center who can compete with 7' centers. Pittman might be able to, but he's nowhere ready to be a starter and play 30-35 mins. Anthony is a great defender, but I don't want him as a starter either. Dalembert seems like the most realistic option at this point.

[LEIF]

Big Z is exercising his option to return next year. so add him as probably the last center on the roster.