Heat Tidbits in Luke-warm Times

With the Olympics approaching in a couple of weeks, tonight's exhibition between the USA and Canadian men's basketball teams serves as an intriguing appetizer for Heat fans.

On display will be Heat guard Dwyane Wade, who will be playing in his first sort-of-meaningful game since he was shut down in March to address knee problems. With LeBron James expected to be held out of tonight's exhibition, Wade could see significant action - perhaps even as a starter.

Also on display will be Heat center Joel Anthony, who is expected to be in the starting lineup for Canada. With Sam Dalembert's recent dismissal from the team, Anthony is expected to have a more prominent role for Canada. The Heat's decision to allow Anthony to participate in Canada's Olympic bid was a smart one. And the team's decision this month to guarantee his contract for next season was an even smarter one, considering Miami's low numbers at the center spot.

In Wade's case, this is an opportunity to showcase his return to health. He certainly looks a lot less bulky than he did much of last season. Or maybe it's just that new bald dome he's sporting. Either way, his participation is sure to have Heat fans crossing their fingers and hoping for sustained health.

In Anthony's case, the hope is that he continues to develop along this rapid pace. A year ago, it was fair to question if he even belonged on the Heat's summer league team. His hands were bad, his timing worse and his offense non-existent. A year later, he's posting double-doubles for Canada and has followed up on a strong finish to the season - one that included an impressive late-season outing against Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

I asked Joel, whose most developed NBA talent is his shot-blocking ability, earlier this summer how he would respond defensively if Canada were to face Team USA and if Wade were to drive at him in the lane. Anthony's response? "It'll be just like at practice when we're out there. He'd do what he does best, and I'd try to do what I do (best) and stop him. It'll be a great opportunity."

This and That ...

... The Heat announced another pickup from its summer league roster. The team named Chad Kammerer as an assistant coach on Friday, continuing an offseason staff makeover that began with Pat Riley leaving the bench to work in his role exclusively as team president. Kammerer, the son of Heat VP of player development Chet Kammerer, had worked in the Heat's scouting department. He also spent the past few seasons as an assistant on the team's summer league entry. Erik Spoelstra took over for Riley in April and the Heat hired David Fizdale from the Hawks as an assistant.

... While No. 1 draft pick Derrick Rose has reached an agreement on a shoe endorsement deal with Adidas, Heat forward and second overall pick Michael Beasley continues to negotiate with companies for his own deal. Adidas had been one of at least three shoe companies Beasley has been in talks with on a deal. But several industry analysts believe this year's draft class lacks some of the endorsement appeal of previous classes and might struggle to land the same lucrative deals handed out in recent years. 

Comments

[Phil]

First let me say that i am happy that Wade and Joel will be playing competitive organized basketball for the summer which I believe will make them better for the regular season. I think that keeping Joel as a back-up will be great for the team. A young raw tallent that can be developed into something very good.

I just wanted to touch on the movement of key players to the european leagues. I think that can be a very bad thing for the NBA two or three years down the line. I believe that the new tactic is that in order to force a team to give a big contract to a player the agents try to get the player to play overseas so that the NBA gets scared and give them those crazy contracts like the one that Blunt has that s killing the Heat or the one that Walker has that use to hurt the Heat because they could not afford to get quality help for the Heat or any other team. This is a serious problem that all NBA teams needs to be conserned about. Josh Childress is gone. Jason Kid said he might do the same thing. the lakers has the same problem now, now I hear Delonte West is talking abut doing the same thing. Soon I will hear that Wade, Kobe, Labron, Chris Paul are all leaving to go play over seas. We need to be very carefull. Remember Kobe use to live in Italy. He might be the next to leavenext year and their goes the competition and the NBA.

[Manny Fresco]

Phil, I wouldn't worry about it. The fact is, the best players in the world play for the NBA. I don't think any of those players you mentioned, Kobe included, would leave the NBA to play overseas. Josh Childress left because that was the best deal his agent could get for him. He is a mediocre talent in this league. He'll probably dominate more there than here because of the talent level. And quite frankly, who cares?

Back to the topic...
I'm glad the Heat cleared Anthony to play in the Olympics. He'll get some quality time and work which will only help him this upcoming season.

I'm excited about Miami basketball fellaz.

But... Dear Michael Wallace and Sara Rothschild, I realize there isn't much going on with the Heat right now, but I think we need some better topic discussions and more periodically. Maybe one of you guys can snooze around and find out what's going on at the center position. Why would Emeka Okafor be a good/bad fit on this team? What moves do think Riley should make? What players on this team are expendible? You guys need to stir up the pot a litte more. Don't get me wrong; you guys do a great job. We just need (and crave) more!

[Josh]

I'm still interested to see if Riley brings in Brian Skinner. I watched him carry the load for the Suns in the paint last year until he was benched for the "Shaq Project", which Suns fans still fume about. Solid pick-up for the vet minimum in my opinion.

[Kromewheelsguy]

Manny,

Good ol' Manny how are you doing? Ready for another year of fantasy basketball?

Hey trust me, any kind of NBA news is good. I just got done with a deployment on a ship to the gulf.

[Phil]

Did anybody watch the U.S.A Basketball team beat-up Canada. I loved the game, Wade was spectacular. I think that by the end of the Olympics he will be a lot better unless he gets injured(knock on wood). I was happy to see Joel Anthony playing pretty agressive as well for Canada. I think he will be a very good back-up for Miami untill Zo gets back. I can not wait to see what we look like by game one of the regular season. I am so happy. I will have the Olympics to watch doing the month of August and the first week of september.