OffSeason Free Agent Thread...Let's build a DYNASTY! 3.0

twozeroMM · Post #1321 » by **twozeroMM** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 8:36 pm

OFFICIAL: The HEAT have signed Mickell Gladness and Jarvis Varnado.

Can't wait to see what Jarvis can do with the playing time I hope he gets.

radikalBaller · Post #1322 » by **radikalBaller** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 8:40 pm

I don't get the Gladness signing, we previously let him go over Eddy Curry...

OtW · Post #1323 » by **OtW** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 8:41 pm

The ****? Gladness again? Hope that does not mean we struck out on Harrellson or Birdman.

radikalBaller · Post #1324 » by **radikalBaller** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 8:41 pm

Does this mean no Terrell Harris and no Josh Harrellson ?

Mars · Post #1325 » by **Mars** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 8:50 pm

radikalBaller wrote:Does this mean no Terrell Harris and no Josh Harrellson ?

Teams can bring a maximum of 20 players into training camp.

radikalBaller · Post #1326 » by **radikalBaller** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 8:53 pm

So now we have the NCAA's all-time career blocks leader...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNoAwyoRMNE[/youtube]

And the NCAA's all-time single game blocking king

http://www.mickellgladness.com/#!video

Slot Machine · Post #1327 » by **Slot Machine** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 9:09 pm

Don't see anything in Gladness.

Time4War · Post #1328 » by **Time4War** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 10:03 pm

Varnado on the fast break 8-)

Pimpwerx · Post #1329 » by **Pimpwerx** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 10:26 pm

I assume they're both on non-guaranteed contracts, kinda like what we gave Beverly and Butler two year ago. I don't think it guarantees them a roster spot. PEACE.

Time4War · Post #1330 » by **Time4War** » Fri Sep 7, 2012 10:47 pm

Terrell harris will be getting the same contract. It's basically a training camp invite.

narmerguy · Post #1331 » by **narmerguy** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 1:50 am

Gladness, definitely don't get that one. I understand it's not necessarily a "real" spot, but jeesh why even waste the time? We know what this kid can do.

Slot Machine · Post #1332 » by **Slot Machine** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 2:30 am

Agree completely. Does nothing well, not a physical specimen, shows no signs of improving. Not like we're locked in to him, but like you said there doesn't even seem to be a point of trying him out.

This IsMy House · Post #1333 » by **This IsMy House** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 3:05 am

Really dont understand the Gladness thing at all. I kinda feel bad for him too, stuck it around most of the year and then they let him go and then they win a championship and he doesnt get a ring. And now they bring him back hahaha. Just missed it.

SmushedPennies · Post #1334 » by **SmushedPennies** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 5:41 am

That does suck balls.

I understand bringing in Gladness. He may be long for our roster, and the league in general, but he pretty much outplayed Pitt, and definitely Varnado, in SL. I know that's not saying much, but I think the front office wants to keep a player around who is relatively familiar with the system and can keep the heat on our young bigs trying to earn a spot. Perhaps they're also envisioning the off-chance he actually does show enough improvement to warrant a real contract.

Its more of a waste of his time than ours, to be honest. After we sign Dozier, the final 3 spots will go to guys we probably haven't even heard of.

It occurred to me the other day, that while we probably are thickest at PF (or rather, players who can play PF), we really have one pure PF in my opinion in UD (who may actually solely play C). I think Shard only plays there now, but he still plays both ends like a 3 who guards 4s. Bosh is pretty much only going to play C for us now. So, it wouldn't be unreasonable for our two pure PFs to play almost all their minutes at C. Dozier is a combo-F, so he ain't exactly pure either. However, even though he can easily play defense on the perimeter, when he plays PF he appears to play it like a pure PF (height, length, athleticism, rebounding, defense, post play, rolling to the rim, etc.). Aside from Bosh, I don't see anyone who can do that for us besides UD, but we'll be using both heavily at C.

He's not the floor-spreading combo-F we'll be coveting for the remainder of LeBron's time here, but I think I'd feel a little better having him around as the 15th man if UD or Bosh go down to play more of a pure-PF, combo role. When he's on the floor with LeBron, James would more on the perimeter and less in the post, while getting to rest on the lesser offensive threat at forward.

SmushedPennies · Post #1335 » by **SmushedPennies** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 6:15 am

Occurred to me that LeBron is a 3rd guy who can pretty much play like a pure PF when he wants to.

Basically what I'm saying is I'd like our last two spots to go to Harrellson and Dozier, while cutting James Jones (love you JJ!) and signing Terrel instead.

Chalmers / Cole
Wade / Allen / Harris
James / Miller
Lewis / Battier / Dozier
Bosh / UD / Joel / Harrellson / Pittman

The depth chart looks all out of whack, but that's a product of positionless-ball and the fact that many guys can be slotted in multiple spots. The center rotation looks fat with UD and a new guy (Jorts in this scenario). Maybe Pitt goes bye-bye instead of JJ?

In this scenario, Lewis would probably be one of those nominal starters you see start games and not play much afterwards. Allen, Battier, and probably UD would round out the main 8-man rotation, with Miller and Cole sprinkling in their magic on the outskirts. Joel would be situational as well. All would be fairly regular regular season contributors.

Man I'm excited for this season. Really looking forward to Cole and Chalmers' improvement, as well as how Ray will fit in, and finally seeing the answer to the Shard mystery. Then there's the Wade story, how will he look post-surgery? Will Bosh start to become the second banana?

Most importantly, there's nothing better than being able to say you watched the prime of one of the GOATs. We're going into next season as champs with a frickin' 27-year-old 3x MVP who is clearly better than anyone on the planet. That alone is a reason to be excited.

I'm over the championship, let's get another!

orangeparka · Post #1336 » by **orangeparka** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 7:36 am

Varnado should be interesting. Not expecting much from him or Gladness though.

Would've preferred Harrellson or Birdman.

OtW · Post #1337 » by **OtW** » Sat Sep 8, 2012 4:26 pm