You know what? Screw this season!

[HEATVols865]

Hear me out...this new team is fun and we will make it to the playoffs and bounce.

But next season...this team will be sick and yes we can compete for the East my friends...

21. Whiteside / 11. Andersen
1. Bosh / 4. McRoberts / 40. Haslem
9. Deng / 30. Beasley / 32. Ennis / 5. Walker
3. Wade / 15. Chalmers / 12. Z. Dragic
7. G. Dragic / 8. T. Johnson / 13. S. Napier

That's a really good roster mixing youth and experience. The only position I think it needs to get better depth wise is the 3 if Beasley doesn't get his ish together.

Our starting 5 is awesome and I'm sure Riley can dangle that solid team to FAs looking for a deal and a shot at competing.

The core of Wade, Bosh, Dragic and Whiteside will make us very happy for years and years to come!


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[Heat3]

All but one team gets bounced in the playoffs every year. Most teams have never not been bounced. Leave next year for next year, and enjoy what we have this year to it is no more.

[cyclix]

Who knows what can happen next season. What matters most is right now

[Dupas]

Do we have cap space to aquire someone next season? Like..affalo? Wade will be a year older , birdman wont play more than 5 10m next season..nappier is being a bust the same as ennis..maybe we can shop chalmers for someone decent.

[HIF]

needed a new thread?

[gom]

Do we have cap space to aquire someone next season? Like..affalo? Wade will be a year older , birdman wont play more than 5 10m next season..nappier is being a bust the same as ennis..maybe we can shop chalmers for someone decent.

We likely won't have cap space. We have the MLE and minimum exceptions. We also have a second round draft pick that doesn't count against cap and will likely be in the mid 40s.

What is most difficult is to find where the roster space will come from.

PG: Goran Dragic (if he resigns)
SG: Wade
SF: Deng (if he resigns)
PF: Bosh
C: Whiteside (signed through June 30, 2016, if the Heat take the team option)

Players who will not be traded:

C: Chris Andersen (on a two year deal ending June 30, 2016)
G: Mario Chalmers (on a two year deal ending June 30, 2016)
F: Udonis Haslem (on a two year deal - room exception - ending June 30, 2016)

Players who are unlikely to be traded:

F: Josh McRoberts (on a four year MLE deal ending in 2018).
G: Tyler Johnson (on a two year deal ending June 30, 2016, with a team option for next year) We will have bird rights at the end of his contract. I think he's done enough to resign him for next year.

Expiring contracts who are likely to be resigned.

PF: Michael Beasley - On a two year deal ending June 30, 2016. We'll have a team option next year. If Michael keeps working hard, he is a lock to be resigned.

Expiring contracts who are iffy.

SF: Henry Walker - On a two year deal ending June 30, 2016. We'll have a team option next year. Henry has to show more consistent shooting.

The others are all development projects:

SF: James Ennis - Signed using part of the cap space so we can keep him until 2017. We will have Bird rights at the end of the contract. Ennis has to improve too. 50% of next year is guaranteed on Aug 1. 50% on Dec 1, 2015. For 2016, Aug 1 is the date where 100% is guaranteed. I had a lot of hope for Ennis before, but I think he will need to improve over the summer to guarantee that contract.

SG: Zoran Dragic - On a cheap ($1.5M) deal until 2016. We will have bird rights. We have to see what this player can do for us over the summer. Zoran is a restricted free agent in 2016. From the D-League vids now, we see that he has a good transition game.

PG: Shabazz Napier - On a rookie deal until 2018. 2016 & 2017 are team options. I expect Napier not to be traded, but it will depend on how he progresses.

We will likely see Ennis, Dragic, and Napier all in the summer league, probably with Johnson too.

----

Here is one plan:

If Walker dramatically improves, he keep him. If not, we don't sign him and instead use the MLE to get help at the SF position or a backup center. There are a lot of tantalizing possibilities and a lot have been discussed here among active players. Among players who are inactive for one reason or another that we can consider are Emeka Okafor and Larry Sanders. If healthy, either of them could really help our power rotation, especially if 2015-16 is Birdman's last year. Unlike some of you have suggested, I don't really think we need to concentrate on a backup guard at the moment. At SF, it would be great to find someone at the MLE to play behind Deng, because Ennis is not up to snuff yet, Beasley isn't really a SF, and we don't know about Zoran's ability to play there. I didn't really see anyone I liked for MLE rates ($5M or so).

Our second round draft pick should be an overseas player that we can wait on, because we already have a lot of project players, unless of course someone we absolutely crave plays domestically.

If we do opt for a foreign based pick, one option is a young center prospect. Here are four to consider:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mou ... iteh-6366/

I think in the tank thread I pointed out that if you were really intent on tanking the target should be Thon Maker, who will probably only emerge in 2016 or 2017. I was really impressed with Jaithe's work against him here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExU-_QL9uW0

Here is another scouting video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSQu5jczer4

Guillermo (Willy) Hernan-Gomez

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Gui ... omez-7204/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOlfQl3oAaE <= Shaky video from 2012 that shows rebounding, boxing out, and post play - he's been in the league a while

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ilimane-Diop-6427/

This guy is from Senegal and plays in Spain. He speaks some English as well as Spanish and French.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QAxx1S3ViM

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/And ... iks-65023/

His name is actually Anzejs (the Latvian version). He reminds me of Kristaps Porzingis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WOEG1k2eCw) who is probably a lottery pick. Anzejs is younger but has the same length, but nail thin. He's very raw but seems to have a lot of talent as well as an ability to shoot from outside:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xc5DOCVejQ

There are two other overseas players who may be available at that level though and offer interesting possibilities:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tim ... awu-68219/

Luwawu is a shooting guard prospect who is only 19 years old.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76WEueT70Nk <= long scouting report (boring but complete)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRWGUJhnYg0 <= buzzer beater

I see a player who has great potential but needs a lot of work, especially his handles and shooting (fast forward to 8:10 to see the glaring weaknesses). A lot of this can be fixed with good coaching. One thing I like is his defense.

Finally, we have the one that I would most like to have developing for us:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Cedi-Osman-7133/

Osman looks to be a very good wing player. 6'8" who can play either guard position or starting forward. Osman would be the player I think most intriguing because of his potential and versatility.

He is the teenager who plays the most minutes in the euro league. A substitute off the bench for A. Efes, he is improving dramatically this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6UTVqzvTsw <= cool video.

I think we must consider developing players overseas like other teams are doing. We can use draft picks to acquire their rights, cast a wide net, and move them to our team when we can fit them into our rotation. It allows us to maximize our assets and turns 2nd round picks into potential high level players, essentially giving us a minor league war chest. 2nd round picks can be purchased so they are fluid assets.

One possibility is to actually have a Heat team in the Euro league where we can develop players. The idea is a filial branch in another league. Two unique entities with an understanding that the team in Europe can have NBA coaching and build towards developing players for the NBA.

Thoughts?

[gom]

Do we have cap space to aquire someone next season? Like..affalo? Wade will be a year older , birdman wont play more than 5 10m next season..nappier is being a bust the same as ennis..maybe we can shop chalmers for someone decent.

We likely won't have cap space. We have the MLE and minimum exceptions. We also have a second round draft pick that doesn't count against cap and will likely be in the mid 40s.

What is most difficult is to find where the roster space will come from.

PG: Goran Dragic (if he resigns)
SG: Wade
SF: Deng (if he resigns)
PF: Bosh
C: Whiteside (signed through June 30, 2016, if the Heat take the team option)

Players who will not be traded:

C: Chris Andersen (on a two year deal ending June 30, 2016)
G: Mario Chalmers (on a two year deal ending June 30, 2016)
F: Udonis Haslem (on a two year deal - room exception - ending June 30, 2016)

Players who are unlikely to be traded:

F: Josh McRoberts (on a four year MLE deal ending in 2018).
G: Tyler Johnson (on a two year deal ending June 30, 2016, with a team option for next year) We will have bird rights at the end of his contract. I think he's done enough to resign him for next year.

Expiring contracts who are likely to be resigned.

PF: Michael Beasley - On a two year deal ending June 30, 2016. We'll have a team option next year. If Michael keeps working hard, he is a lock to be resigned.

Expiring contracts who are iffy.

SF: Henry Walker - On a two year deal ending June 30, 2016. We'll have a team option next year. Henry has to show more consistent shooting.

The others are all development projects:

SF: James Ennis - Signed using part of the cap space so we can keep him until 2017. We will have Bird rights at the end of the contract. Ennis has to improve too. 50% of next year is guaranteed on Aug 1. 50% on Dec 1, 2015. For 2016, Aug 1 is the date where 100% is guaranteed. I had a lot of hope for Ennis before, but I think he will need to improve over the summer to guarantee that contract.

SG: Zoran Dragic - On a cheap ($1.5M) deal until 2016. We will have bird rights. We have to see what this player can do for us over the summer. Zoran is a restricted free agent in 2016. From the D-League vids now, we see that he has a good transition game.

PG: Shabazz Napier - On a rookie deal until 2018. 2016 & 2017 are team options. I expect Napier not to be traded, but it will depend on how he progresses.

We will likely see Ennis, Dragic, and Napier all in the summer league, probably with Johnson too.

----

Here is one plan:

If Walker dramatically improves, he keep him. If not, we will not sign him and instead use the MLE to get help at the SF position or a backup center. There are a lot of tantalizing possibilities and a lot have been discussed here among active players. Among players who are inactive for one reason or another that we can consider are Emeka Okafor and Larry Sanders. If healthy, either of them could really help our power rotation, especially if 2015-16 is Birdman's last year. Unlike some of you have suggested, I don't really think we need to concentrate on a backup guard at the moment. At SF, it would be great to find someone at the MLE to play behind Deng, because Ennis is not up to snuff yet, Beasley isn't really a SF, and we don't know about Zoran's ability to play there. I didn't really see anyone I liked for MLE rates ($5M or so).

Our second round draft pick should be an overseas player that we can wait on, because we already have a lot of project players, unless of course someone we absolutely crave plays domestically.

If we do opt for a foreign based pick, one option is a young center prospect. Here are four to consider:

Mouhamadou Jaiteh

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mou ... iteh-6366/

I think in the tank thread I pointed out that if you were really intent on tanking the target should be Thon Maker, who will probably only emerge in 2016 or 2017. I was really impressed with Jaithe's work against him here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExU-_QL9uW0

Here is another scouting video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSQu5jczer4

Guillermo (Willy) Hernan-Gomez

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Gui ... omez-7204/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOlfQl3oAaE <= Shaky video from 2012 that shows rebounding, boxing out, and post play - he's been in the league a while

Ilimane Diop

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ilimane-Diop-6427/

This guy is from Senegal and plays in Spain. He speaks some English as well as Spanish and French.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QAxx1S3ViM

Anzejs Pasecniks

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/And ... iks-65023/

His name is actually Anzejs (the Latvian version). He reminds me of Kristaps Porzingis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WOEG1k2eCw) who is probably a lottery pick. Anzejs is younger but has the same length, but nail thin. He's very raw but seems to have a lot of talent as well as an ability to shoot from outside:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xc5DOCVejQ

There are two other overseas players who may be available at that level though and offer interesting possibilities:

Timothe Luwawu

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tim ... awu-68219/

Luwawu is a shooting guard prospect who is only 19 years old.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76WEueT70Nk <= long scouting report (boring but complete)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRWGUJhnYg0 <= buzzer beater

I see a player who has great potential but needs a lot of work, especially his handles and shooting (fast forward to 8:10 to see the glaring weaknesses). A lot of this can be fixed with good coaching. One thing I like is his defense.

Finally, we have the one that I would most like to have developing for us:

Cedi Osman

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Cedi-Osman-7133/

Osman looks to be a very good wing player. 6'8" who can play either guard position or starting forward. Osman would be the player I think most intriguing because of his potential and versatility.

He is the teenager who plays the most minutes in the euro league. A substitute off the bench for A. Efes, he is improving dramatically this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6UTVqzvTsw <= cool video.

I think we must consider developing players overseas like other teams are doing. We can use draft picks to acquire their rights, cast a wide net, and move them to our team when we can fit them into our rotation. It allows us to maximize our assets and turns 2nd round picks into potential high level players, essentially giving us a minor league war chest. 2nd round picks can be purchased so they are fluid assets.

One possibility is to actually have a Heat team in the Euro league where we can develop players. The idea is a filial branch in another league. Two unique entities with an understanding that the team in Europe can have NBA coaching and build towards developing players for the NBA.

Thoughts?

[IggieCC]

kaboom!

Spoiler:

Do we have cap space to aquire someone next season? Like..affalo? Wade will be a year older , birdman wont play more than 5 10m next season..nappier is being a bust the same as ennis..maybe we can shop chalmers for someone decent.

We likely won't have cap space. We have the MLE and minimum exceptions. We also have a second round draft pick that doesn't count against cap and will likely be in the mid 40s.

What is most difficult is to find where the roster space will come from.

PG: Goran Dragic (if he resigns)
SG: Wade
SF: Deng (if he resigns)
PF: Bosh
C: Whiteside (signed through June 30, 2016, if the Heat take the team option)

Players who will not be traded:

C: Chris Andersen (on a two year deal ending June 30, 2016)
G: Mario Chalmers (on a two year deal ending June 30, 2016)
F: Udonis Haslem (on a two year deal - room exception - ending June 30, 2016)

Players who are unlikely to be traded:

F: Josh McRoberts (on a four year MLE deal ending in 2018).
G: Tyler Johnson (on a two year deal ending June 30, 2016, with a team option for next year) We will have bird rights at the end of his contract. I think he's done enough to resign him for next year.

Expiring contracts who are likely to be resigned.

PF: Michael Beasley - On a two year deal ending June 30, 2016. We'll have a team option next year. If Michael keeps working hard, he is a lock to be resigned.

Expiring contracts who are iffy.

SF: Henry Walker - On a two year deal ending June 30, 2016. We'll have a team option next year. Henry has to show more consistent shooting.

The others are all development projects:

SF: James Ennis - Signed using part of the cap space so we can keep him until 2017. We will have Bird rights at the end of the contract. Ennis has to improve too. 50% of next year is guaranteed on Aug 1. 50% on Dec 1, 2015. For 2016, Aug 1 is the date where 100% is guaranteed. I had a lot of hope for Ennis before, but I think he will need to improve over the summer to guarantee that contract.

SG: Zoran Dragic - On a cheap ($1.5M) deal until 2016. We will have bird rights. We have to see what this player can do for us over the summer. Zoran is a restricted free agent in 2016. From the D-League vids now, we see that he has a good transition game.

PG: Shabazz Napier - On a rookie deal until 2018. 2016 & 2017 are team options. I expect Napier not to be traded, but it will depend on how he progresses.

We will likely see Ennis, Dragic, and Napier all in the summer league, probably with Johnson too.

----

Here is one plan:

If Walker dramatically improves, he keep him. If not, we will not sign him and instead use the MLE to get help at the SF position or a backup center. There are a lot of tantalizing possibilities and a lot have been discussed here among active players. Among players who are inactive for one reason or another that we can consider are Emeka Okafor and Larry Sanders. If healthy, either of them could really help our power rotation, especially if 2015-16 is Birdman's last year. Unlike some of you have suggested, I don't really think we need to concentrate on a backup guard at the moment. At SF, it would be great to find someone at the MLE to play behind Deng, because Ennis is not up to snuff yet, Beasley isn't really a SF, and we don't know about Zoran's ability to play there. I didn't really see anyone I liked for MLE rates ($5M or so).

Our second round draft pick should be an overseas player that we can wait on, because we already have a lot of project players, unless of course someone we absolutely crave plays domestically.

If we do opt for a foreign based pick, one option is a young center prospect. Here are four to consider:

Mouhamadou Jaiteh

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mou ... iteh-6366/

I think in the tank thread I pointed out that if you were really intent on tanking the target should be Thon Maker, who will probably only emerge in 2016 or 2017. I was really impressed with Jaithe's work against him here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExU-_QL9uW0

Here is another scouting video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSQu5jczer4

Guillermo (Willy) Hernan-Gomez

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Gui ... omez-7204/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOlfQl3oAaE <= Shaky video from 2012 that shows rebounding, boxing out, and post play - he's been in the league a while

Ilimane Diop

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ilimane-Diop-6427/

This guy is from Senegal and plays in Spain. He speaks some English as well as Spanish and French.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QAxx1S3ViM

Anzejs Pasecniks

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/And ... iks-65023/

His name is actually Anzejs (the Latvian version). He reminds me of Kristaps Porzingis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WOEG1k2eCw) who is probably a lottery pick. Anzejs is younger but has the same length, but nail thin. He's very raw but seems to have a lot of talent as well as an ability to shoot from outside:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xc5DOCVejQ

There are two other overseas players who may be available at that level though and offer interesting possibilities:

Timothe Luwawu

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tim ... awu-68219/

Luwawu is a shooting guard prospect who is only 19 years old.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76WEueT70Nk <= long scouting report (boring but complete)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRWGUJhnYg0 <= buzzer beater

I see a player who has great potential but needs a lot of work, especially his handles and shooting (fast forward to 8:10 to see the glaring weaknesses). A lot of this can be fixed with good coaching. One thing I like is his defense.

Finally, we have the one that I would most like to have developing for us:

Cedi Osman

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Cedi-Osman-7133/

Osman looks to be a very good wing player. 6'8" who can play either guard position or starting forward. Osman would be the player I think most intriguing because of his potential and versatility.

He is the teenager who plays the most minutes in the euro league. A substitute off the bench for A. Efes, he is improving dramatically this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6UTVqzvTsw <= cool video.

I think we must consider developing players overseas like other teams are doing. We can use draft picks to acquire their rights, cast a wide net, and move them to our team when we can fit them into our rotation. It allows us to maximize our assets and turns 2nd round picks into potential high level players, essentially giving us a minor league war chest. 2nd round picks can be purchased so they are fluid assets.

One possibility is to actually have a Heat team in the Euro league where we can develop players. The idea is a filial branch in another league. Two unique entities with an understanding that the team in Europe can have NBA coaching and build towards developing players for the NBA.

Thoughts?

get back to work gom lol

i think you are trying to land us the most difficult name to pronounce in the upcoming draft?

let's get Anzejs Pasecniks and concur the world gom. we'll call him AP.

[IggieCC]

Oh wait how did I miss this, Timothe Luwawu is clearly better gom.

We'll call him Timoy!! Lolwakawaka!!

[dancing2thabeet]

As I said in some other thread, I think we need a sniper at backup SG and a solid defender or scorer at SF who isn't a hole on the opposing side of the court.

I hope we could fix that problem from within because we have defenders in Zoran, Ennis and to some extent Walker. All of them could also become very good shooters, along with TJ and Napier. Rio could then be traded for a big, so we have insurance if either Whiteside or Birdman get injured.

That is assuming TJ can improve his PG skills in the offseason, which I think shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise, he is the backup SG and we have an even bigger logjam at wings.

Also, gom, why do you think Rio won't be traded? Loyalty, his play, his contract or something else?

[gom]

Did I really post that twice? How dumb!

As I said in some other thread, I think we need a sniper at backup SG and a solid defender or scorer at SF who isn't a hole on the opposing side of the court.

I hope we could fix that problem from within because we have defenders in Zoran, Ennis and to some extent Walker. All of them could also become very good shooters, along with TJ and Napier. Rio could then be traded for a big, so we have insurance if either Whiteside or Birdman get injured.

That is assuming TJ can improve his PG skills in the offseason, which I think shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise, he is the backup SG and we have an even bigger logjam at wings.

Also, gom, why do you think Rio won't be traded? Loyalty, his play, his contract or something else?

Loyalty is always a big factor on our team. I also think his contract for next year is very much a good deal since he is essentially our best backup for two positions. His play... Well, he is very inconsistent, but he does seem to show up when we most need it (Mario) or when we least need it (Wario). Chalmers is ours for a long time I think. He is a team player. When you see Wade go nuts with Spo (remember that?), it was Chalmers who calmed him. I am probably the most begrudging fan of his game, but I have been pulled into admiration for him kicking and screaming all the way. He is the very definition of this team - willing to make sacrifices when asked and full of defects that need to be surmounted with effort.

Plus, who could you get for him? He is only valuable to the Heat.

As for the sniper backup SG, I'd like that too, but I don't see a lot of space on our roster. I'd prefer for Ennis and Zoran to develop their shots. Maybe we could get Ray Allen as a coach.

[dancing2thabeet]

I don't think I'd feel comfortable for a deep playoff run with Rio as our main guard backup. As you said, Mario giveth and Wario taketh. Last year, he never really gave, he just took. A lot.

[deb]

Yeah, Euro affiliate is a pipe dream imo. Better Euroleague teams are established brands in Europe and would probably benefit very little from the Heat. They wouldn't be playoff material in the NBA but they could win a couple games and probably manage this years Knicks/Lakers record. It would be like trying to affiliate 76ers imo.
To start from scratch and try to create a Euroleague team from nothing on the other hand would be a very long, expensive and convoluted process.

Data is hard to come by, but to the best of my knowledge average Euroleague team budget is around 15 million €/year. Euroleague is also a very competitive league, there is no tanking, if you're bad you're out, it would be difficult to concentrate on producing players for the Heat and being competitive at the same time.

Also, NBA coaching is not much of a boon for European teams... Not one of the current Euroleague headcoaches is American, In fact I can only remember two American coaches with successful European careers, D'Antoni and Blatt, but I would actually consider both to be more Euro coaches though, as they came over as players and then started their coaching careers in Europe.

[gom]

I don't think I'd feel comfortable for a deep playoff run with Rio as our main guard backup. As you said, Mario giveth and Wario taketh. Last year, he never really gave, he just took. A lot.

Really it was just in the NBA finals that he was terrible. He really stepped up too when Wade was down. That's a big deal for me.

[gom]

Yeah, Euro affiliate is a pipe dream imo. Better Euroleague teams are established brands in Europe and would probably benefit very little from the Heat. They wouldn't be playoff material in the NBA but they could win a couple games and probably manage this years Knicks/Lakers record. It would be like trying to affiliate 76ers imo.
To start from scratch and try to create a Euroleague team from nothing on the other hand would be a very long, expensive and convoluted process.

Data is hard to come by, but to the best of my knowledge average Euroleague team budget is around 15 million €/year. Euroleague is also a very competitive league, there is no tanking, if you're bad you're out, it would be difficult to concentrate on producing players for the Heat and being competitive at the same time.

Also, NBA coaching is not much of a boon for European teams... Not one of the current Euroleague headcoaches is American, In fact I can only remember two American coaches with successful European careers, D'Antoni and Blatt, but I would actually consider both to be more Euro coaches though, as they came over as players and then started their coaching careers in Europe.

You may be right.

To clarify though I didn't mean to use the Heat's money to fund the team. The owners buy a team as an independent filial. In general we could use their infrastructure but add coaches to teach NBA techniques and strategy. It's not an original idea. In football (soccer) we call them feeder clubs.

[3ballbomber]

Do we have cap space to aquire someone next season? Like..affalo? Wade will be a year older , birdman wont play more than 5 10m next season..nappier is being a bust the same as ennis..maybe we can shop chalmers for someone decent.

though this is factual....people has got to stop saying that as if he is going to fall off the face of the basketball world. People also thought Wade would have nothing this season and look hat he is achieving. Stay positive and things will be ok.

Saying that i think we all agree the back up SG spot needs to be addressed. I'm sure Riley & crew will do their best to address these issues.

[gom]

Arron Afflalo will be 30 in October. He's been in the league a while too.

[3ballbomber]

Hear me out...this new team is fun and we will make it to the playoffs and bounce.

But next season...this team will be sick and yes we can compete for the East my friends...

21. Whiteside / 11. Andersen
1. Bosh / 4. McRoberts / 40. Haslem
9. Deng / 30. Beasley / 32. Ennis / 5. Walker
3. Wade / 15. Chalmers / 12. Z. Dragic
7. G. Dragic / 8. T. Johnson / 13. S. Napier

That's a really good roster mixing youth and experience. The only position I think it needs to get better depth wise is the 3 if Beasley doesn't get his ish together.

Our starting 5 is awesome and I'm sure Riley can dangle that solid team to FAs looking for a deal and a shot at competing.

The core of Wade, Bosh, Dragic and Whiteside will make us very happy for years and years to come!


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

no, not screw this season.....have you not seen what Wade is trying to do out there? have you not been watching the man beast for a playoff surge? yes it is our focus to make playoffs. We need to get Whiteside's feet wet, we need to experience the playoffs as a team in order to achieve better chemistry together. We need the experience under our belts for those who lack playoffs experience. This to me is vital moving forward to next season that you ar excited about. You do not want our young and new players to be like deers in headlights out there come post season.

[deb]

Spoiler:

Yeah, Euro affiliate is a pipe dream imo. Better Euroleague teams are established brands in Europe and would probably benefit very little from the Heat. They wouldn't be playoff material in the NBA but they could win a couple games and probably manage this years Knicks/Lakers record. It would be like trying to affiliate 76ers imo.
To start from scratch and try to create a Euroleague team from nothing on the other hand would be a very long, expensive and convoluted process.

Data is hard to come by, but to the best of my knowledge average Euroleague team budget is around 15 million €/year. Euroleague is also a very competitive league, there is no tanking, if you're bad you're out, it would be difficult to concentrate on producing players for the Heat and being competitive at the same time.

Also, NBA coaching is not much of a boon for European teams... Not one of the current Euroleague headcoaches is American, In fact I can only remember two American coaches with successful European careers, D'Antoni and Blatt, but I would actually consider both to be more Euro coaches though, as they came over as players and then started their coaching careers in Europe.

You may be right.

To clarify though I didn't mean to use the Heat's money to fund the team. The owners buy a team as an independent filial. In general we could use their infrastructure but add coaches to teach NBA techniques and strategy. It's not an original idea. In football (soccer) we call them feeder clubs.

Yes, but feeder clubs in soccer are rather rare and generally ineffective, imo. Feeder clubs are also generally a lot worse than parent clubs, while better Euroleague clubs aren't that far behind NBA teams. It would be like a Premiership team trying to affiliate a team from lets say Brazilian Serie A or Argentine Primera División.
American coaches are also not really wanted by Euroleague teams. In this article Kobe even claims European approach to youth player development is superior to American: http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/stor ... blames-aau. So the only reason a Euroleague club would benefit from an NBA team (or it's owner) is money. And lots of it, considering Euroleague budgets are supposed to be 1/4 of NBA budgets ...

[dancing2thabeet]

I don't think I'd feel comfortable for a deep playoff run with Rio as our main guard backup. As you said, Mario giveth and Wario taketh. Last year, he never really gave, he just took. A lot.

Really it was just in the NBA finals that he was terrible. He really stepped up too when Wade was down. That's a big deal for me.

He was bad pretty much all off last year's playoffs.