Tag Archive for: Miami Heat

Miami Heat: Trae Young too much for Miami in Heat loss

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It was a tough first game back for the Miami Heat following the All Star break. Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks were able to defeat the Heat by a 129-124 score.

This was a classic trap game for the Miami Heat. It had all of the signs of a trap game: The first game back from the All-Star break against a Hawks team that has had their struggles this season. Ordinarily, this game would be no problem.

For a Miami Heat team that was looking to set the tone following the break, it was the Atlanta Hawks who made their presence known. Young showed exactly why he is one of the game’s top players. He didn’t have the most efficient night, but he was able to make things happen when he had the basketball in his hands.  He single-handedly led the Hawks to victory.

Miami Heat had trouble containing Young

Young was a pest all night. In 40 minutes of play, he scored 50 points. He was inefficient from the field, going 12-of-25. He made his money both from behind the arc and at the free-throw line. Young shot eight-of-15 from beyond the arc and 18-of-19 at the free-throw line. Getting to the line was his most effective way of scoring.

He showed on Thursday what a multi-faceted scorer he is. This was frustrating to watch for Miami fans. The amount of times he got to the line was noticeable. Even still, he was able to lead the Hawks to victory in multiple ways. It seemed like any time he got a little space or was able to get some room to move, he made something happen with the basketball. At the end of the day, Miami had no answer for him defensively. It seemed like he just would not go away.

This was the first 50-point game of  Young’s career. Perhaps the most scary part of the loss on Thursday was the realization that he is only 21 years old. He is only going to get better from here on out.

Next up for Miami is the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday at 8:00 PM. They need to rebound and get back on track to keep pace with the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Airplane Turbulence: Derrick Jones Jr. Dunk Contest Debate Rages

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He promised all 50s, no matter how many it took.

And while Derrick Jones Jr. didn’t deliver that, he did give the Heat their first Slam Dunk championship since Harold Minor in 1995, beating Aaron Gordon in the final round.

 

 

Even so, it’s clear many don’t want to give him the proper respect.

Including Gordon.

Nearly 24 hours after the completion of the contest, the dunk contest — and Jones Jr’s win — was still a top trending topic on Twitter, with many pointing to former teammate Dwyane Wade’s ruling as a judge as the reason Jones reigned. And many are saying Gordon nearly taking off the head of Celtics 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall warranted more than a 47 out of 50. Wade gave Gordon a 9 for it.

Still, Jones Jr. isn’t giving the trophy back, or giving an inch.

Here are some of the tweets that tell the story:

Whatever the NBA world thinks, Miami won 2 of the 3 titles on All-Star Saturday night, with Jones’ buddy Bam Adebayo capturing the Skills Competition.

As we’ve said, it’s safe to hate the Heat again.

They appear to enjoy it….

Still, the Magic fans who can’t jump over a coach’s resignation letter are sending slander to Jones on social media, calling him a “fraud” and a “bum.”

Maybe this is the reason for that…

Bam Adebayo’s Breakout Weekend Continues with Skills Win

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He’s not our big little secret anymore.

Bam Adebayo, the subject of a glowing profile by ESPN’s Zach Lowe this week, has been one of the breakout stars of All-Star weekend, as media members gravitate toward his story and his sunny personality.

And now, he’s about to become even more well known.’

Adebayo was the underdog (as much as +1200) among eight participants in the Skills Challenge — because many bettors aren’t familiar with his unusual versatility. But really, the only question was whether he could make the three-pointer at the end. The dribbling? The layup? The passing? Those are easy for him.

Well, now the world knows how gifted he is.

Adebayo beat Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie, Toronto’s Pascal Siakam and Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis, converting all 3 of the passes on the first try, which gave him a sprinter’s start into the final leg. And yes, he made 3-of-6 three-pointers.

Highlights from a remarkable performance…

First, Dinwiddie…

Next, Siakam…

Finally, Sabonis…

Then he let the world know how happy he was, and how wrong they were…

With a smile, of course…

Remember that bet where Jimmy Butler has to give Bam money for threes made?…

 

Jimmy Butler takes his new Heat culture to Chicago

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The media were waiting for Jimmy Butler in Chicago.

Butler, after all, make his name here — rising from 30th overall pick to Most Improved Player, All-Star, and maximum salary candidate player, even though he would have to go elsewhere to get that last reward.

Now Butler is back, as a member of the Miami Heat and of team Giannis in the 2020 All-Star Game.

He was a few minutes late getting to the podium Saturday for his scheduled availability but, once he did, he did not disappoint.

Here are a few of Butler’s more illuminating and/or amusing thoughts on his transition to the Heat and more.

First, the arrival….

Next, the deep thoughts on the changes to the All-Star Game.

He’s been, um, racking his brain about this one…

Then, on the Heat’s plan after the break…

His assimilation to the Miami culture…

What he has learned about Miami Heat president Pat Riley…

More on the Heat as they chase a home court seed…

How he feels about being a villain….

More praise for his All-Star and Heat teammate, Bam Adebayo…

And of course, the continued taunting of Philadelphia 76er fans..

Chris Bosh NOT a finalist for Hall of Fame

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This felt like a given.

Chris Bosh made 11 All-Star teams.

He won two championships.

He represented the game well.

He basically invented — or at minimum, perfected — photo bombing.

He was Tall Justise.

And he would have done more if not for his career ending prematurely due to multiple bouts with blood clots, blood clots that resurfaced during this weekend four years ago in Toronto.

But Bosh was always disrespected during his career, and it continued again Friday in Chicago, when he was not named a finalist for the Hall of Fame. Eight others were, including three obviously deserving players — the late Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan.

Bosh was not in the same stratosphere as Bryant, Garnett and Duncan, all of whom won MVPs as well as championships. But he has better credentials than some who have been inducted on the first try — or at the very least, been finalists. But the Hall did change some rules, limiting some international and female candidates to put a spotlight on the superstars of this class. And no player other than the three above were named finalists.

Bosh figures to get in eventually, as Alonzo Mourning, whose career was also short-circuited by an ailment, did. That is more than we can say about Tim Hardaway, who was a finalist a couple of times but now seems forever on the back burner.

Still, Heat fans aren’t taking it well.

And South Florida sports fans already have a persecution complex because Zach Thomas should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame already… and isn’t.

Miami Heat: Tyler Herro, after scare, expects to return soon

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The Miami  Heat rookie could be on his way back relatively soon.

As All-Star Weekend is set to begin, we are finally getting an update on the injury status of Miami Heat rookie Tyler Herro. The rookie will have his boot coming off his leg on Wednesday. He was initially told that he could be out until the playoffs. The injury in question is an ankle injury, not a foot injury.

The Kentucky product is having a great season. He is averaging 13.1 points per contest in just over 27 minutes of play. He is also proving to be a marksman from the field, shooting 41.4%.  He has not seen action since February 3 against the Philadelphia 76ers. In that contest, he scored two points in 10 minutes on the floor.

He gave more of an update on his injury when he spoke to the media Friday.

Miami Heat: Recap From Pat Riley Media Conference Call

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Miami Heat President Pat Riley held a conference call Friday with local media. 

Ethan Skolnick of Five Reasons Sports was on the call, here are some of his takeaways along with others from local outlets.

 

Riley spoke about Andre Iguodala and the organization’s reset:

 

 

 

On Waiters, JJ, and Winslow:

 

Riley about the one that got away (for now).

 

Subscribe to the 5 on the Floor podcast here for more exclusive Miami Heat content.

Miami Heat: Tracking the biggest news from NBA trade deadline

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The Miami Heat enter Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline in an interesting position. They have already made moves for a veteran in Andre Iguodala at the time this was written. It will be interesting to see how they handle the rest of the deadline. Many teams have made moves in an effort to get better, and the Miami Heat can certainly be included in the bunch.

Here are some of the best tweets from what has been a busy deadline period.

 

Miami Heat: Dion Waiters headed to Memphis as deadline nears

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The Miami Heat continue to make several moves ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, and Thursday saw more fireworks. The Heat  traded Dion Waiters to Memphis according to a report from Shams Charania.

Waiters is part of the trade that has seen veteran Andre Iguodala head to Miami.

Waiters had interesting tenure with Miami Heat

Dion Waiters has a complicated tenure in Miami. He came to the team in the 2016-17 season. He had a tremendous first year in Miami, playing in 43 games and averaging 15.8 points. 2017-18 saw him play in 30 games, starting all of them. He averaged 14.3 points of that year. Although there was a bit of a downturn in production in terms of points, he still remained a solid player for Miami. He provided them that secondary scoring option.

This season in particular had been filled with off-the-court issues. The issues, combined with the emergence of young stars, has led to minimal playing time. Waiters is in the third-year of a four-year $52 million contract. He is set to be paid 12.6 million next season. He will then become an unrestricted free agent in 2021.

His best game for Miami this season came on January 24 against the Los Angeles Clippers. He went five-of-12 from the field and four-of-nine from beyond the arc. Scoring 14 points in total, that would be his highest output of the season to this point.

We are now beginning to see more pieces of Wednesday night’s trade come to fruition. The Miami Heat have been linked to several other names as the deadline approaches. It will be interesting to see who they pull the trigger on. One thing is clear: Pat Riley truly believes that this team can be a contender.

These moves should help Miami stay in the thick of what is an extremely crowded Eastern Conference.

Miami Heat: Andre Iguodala headed to South Beach

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The Miami Heat have made a move prior to the trade deadline. According to multiple media reports, they have acquired Andre Iguodala in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Justise Winslow is headed to Memphis as part of the deal.

Per ESPN Miami is signing Iguodala to a two-year, $30 million extension. Iguodala has a team-option for 2021-2022. He is allowing Miami to have salary cap flexibility. If Miami does not manage to recruit an elite player, the team would give Iguodala his $15 million for ’21-22.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers were also interested in his services according to a report from of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.  The veteran has an interesting story. He was traded to Memphis in the offseason from Golden State. He did not play for Memphis, staying away from the team until an agreement could be made for a landing spot.

What can he bring to Miami Heat?

This gives the Heat a veteran on the roster who has playoff experience. Aside from what he can bring on the basketball court, Iguodala has been a part of championship teams. He knows what it takes to win. He, along with Jimmy Butler, will undoubtedly serve the role of veterans on a young Heat team.

In his prime, he was a tremendous scorer. Lately, he has been serving the role of bench player. He appeared in 68 games for Golden State in the 2018-19 season. Starting 13 of them, he averaged 5.7 points per contest.

Iguodala is not going to put up MVP-type numbers. He will however offer a steady veteran presence that can score points when needed. Often times, you will see teams acquire a veteran at the trade deadline as they make a playoff or championship push. This is exactly that type of move.

This transaction also rids the Miami Heat of Winslow. The oft-injured Winslow never could get on the court consistently this season. Now, both parties can move forward. Winslow took to social media, seeming very excited to end up in Memphis.

It will be interesting to see exactly what type of role Iguodala fills for Miami. This was a low-risk high-reward move as the team looks continue their assent in the Eastern Conference.