Blog Breakdown: Hawks 92, Heat 87

JACKSONVILLE - So the Heat didn't exactly end the preseason with a bang. Instead, there were a few familiar breakdowns that caught up with Miami in Thursday's 92-87 loss to the Hawks at Veteran's Memorial Arena.

After a 2-5 finish to the preseason, it's now on to the games that actually count in the standings. The Heat is far from a finished product. But there are signs of progress from a few players who could be key in the rotation. Daequan Cook continues to shine, having led the Heat in scoring for the third time this preseason, this time finishing with 20 points.

Carlos Arroyo is getting far more comfortable with the offense. He led the team with six assists in 27 minutes, an effort that helped to offset Mario Chalmers' 1 of 9 shooting night. If there is a significant concern with this team - and there are a few of them - they begin with the Heat's inability to consistently defend the perimeter. The Hawks shot 57.1 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. They benefited from those kind of numbers on the way to eliminating the Heat in seven games during last season's playoffs.

Even though the Heat has started six different lineups in seven preseason games, coach Erik Spoelstra insists he's closing in on an eight or nine-man rotation. He just won't say who's in and who's out because he hasn't told his players about their roles just yet.

But figure on the backcourt of Mario Chalmers and Dwyane Wade, with Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem at the forward spots and Jermaine O'Neal at center. Beyond that, I'm pretty confident that Cook and Joel Anthony are the first two off the bench. That gets you to a seven-man rotation. The final one or two spots are a bit difficult to figure. James Jones seemed to be a lock at one point, but then Quentin Richardson starting getting the starts over the past few games. And then there's Carlos Arroyo, who should be a lock. But that would depend on how much time Wade wants to spend at point guard.

So with five days remaining before Wednesday's opener against New York, the Heat essentially has three guys battling for the final two spots in the primary rotation. How will it shake out? Your guess is as good as mine at this point. It's one area where Spoelstra is truly unpredictable.

D. WADE'S DOINGS: Coming off a 35-point outing Wednesday, Wade had a rather pedestrian 13 points, five assists and three steals in 29 minutes. His shot was off (3 of 11), but this was more about seeing how his legs and conditioning level would be, playing a back-to-back set. As was apparent Wednesday, Wade is in mid-season form. He just has to get one or two more teammates to that level as well. Cook, Beasley and Haslem are there. Two more would be huge for this team.

TURNING POINT: After the Heat pulled to within 63-60, the Hawks responded with a 9-0 run to retake control of the game. Joe Johnson made a few jumpers and that was that. Offseason pickup Jamal Crawford also added to the damage with 12 points and 3 assists off the bench. Keep in mind that Johnson is a free agent at the end of the season, just like Wade. The two spent a considerable amount of time talking to one another outside the locker rooms when the teams arrived at the arena. A potential Wade-Johnson-Beasley 1-2-3 punch wouldn't be a bad combination at all. Not saying. Just saying.

LOSING EDGE: It was an awful shooting night from the start for the Heat, which missed 12 of its first 13 shots and closed the game shooting only 36.8 percent from the field. Miami was only 26.9 from 3-point range. Just when it appeared the Heat was getting its offense in gear, the transmission slipped Thursday.

HEAD SCRATCHER: There were plenty from which to pick. There was the comedy from Wade, who was frustrated with an early non-call from the replacement refs. Wade went to the scorer's table and asked: "Can I get a rule book ... so I can show them." There were also several times when Carlos Arroyo, who arrived last week, had to slow down the offense to show Dorell Wright, who has been here for five years, where to go. Inconsistency is still haunting Wright. Another head scratcher came at the end of the first half, when Mario Chalmers fouled Marvin Williams as he was attempting a half-court shot at the buzzer. Williams went to the line and made all three free throws to put Atlanta ahead 44-31 at the break.

KEY CONTRIBUTION: Daequan Cook continues to do everything he can to earn a solid rotation role this season. He led the Heat in scoring for the third time this preseason. He was 8 of 15 from the field, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range. Cook has been making more plays off the dribble and is no longer simply a spot-up shooter. He had four turnovers Thursday, but you can live with a few aggressive mistakes if he continues to improve at his rate. Cook (pictured right) even joked after the game that he might challenge Jason Terry and Lamar Odom for Sixth Man of the Year honors this season. We'll see. But he's on the right track after two inconsistent seasons in the league.

NEXT UP: Season Opener - Heat vs. New York Knicks, 7: 30 Wednesday (AmericanAirlines Arena)

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Comments

[Badimo]

KEY CONTRIBUTION:Haslem continues to prove why he should be left alone as the starting power forward. He turned in another effective, efficient performance, with 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting. He HASLEM_UDONISalso grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and handed out three assists. You can pretty much count on Haslem to give you this type of effort every night. He vows to be more aggressive on offense this season, which is where the nine FGAs came from. He'll continue to play within the team concept. But keep in mind, it's a contract year for UD, too. Beasley and Haslem should be able to co-exist at the forward spots. Beasley is versatile enough to play small forward and Haslem is too reliable to move out of the starting lineup at power forward right now.
========================
Was what you said yesterday. How did Haslem look against a real team?

[JPEJEFF]

Careful, word diets can make you fat.

[pmartin]

Wallace you are not making sense...
Wade, Johnson, and Beasley would make a nice 1,2,3 punch ???
Yet, the past few weeks you have stated that Udonis Haslem should start over Beasley at the 4 spot.
And, Beasley's best spot is the 4;
Beasley could play the 4 spot like David West of the Hornets at the 3 he will stay in foul trouble guarding quicker forwards and he will be out of position for rebounding.
Beasley if given 40 minutes a game at the 4 spot would be a 20 and 10 guy.
At the 3 spot Beasley will be in foul trouble most nights and away from the basket standing out past the foul line;
While role player Udonis Haslem and One legged J.O. will scare NO ONE on OFFENSE and cause Wade to be double and triple teamed.

[lequeenLames]

how come this tool dont talk about haslem's 4 rebounds and his -16 +/-?Haslem faced a real team and gets exposed

[lequeenLames]

this should be the line up

arroyo/chalmers
wade/cook
richardson/jones
beasley/haslem
jo/joel

that way we have a deeper bench since haslem at this point is better than richardson.

[rockstarjc]

we got to make trades...

trade proposal:

D.WRIGTH, JAMES JONES, QUINN & DIAWARA

TO PORTLAND...

*BAYLESS, OUTLAW, WEBSTER

IT'S A FAIR DEAL TO BOTH TEAMS RIGTH???

THOUGTHS???

[Greg Gembe]

I watched the World Champions Lakers play last night, and I don't think Phil had his rotation of players set in stone either. Subs getting more minutes than they will next week, and starters sitting more than they will next week.

Sometimes coaches change the 'normal' rotation based on the situation of a particular game. Foul trouble comes into play as well as injuries. I think poo-pooing on Spo because he won't show the other 30 teams what his rotation will be is ridiculous. Players need to be professional and play whenever asked to - in whatever rotation is needed. It's the coaches job to determine the best fit at any given moment, not just a pre-determined rotation. I think the importance of the set rotation is overrated. Each player has a pretty good idea of what minutes they will get, and when, but they should all be ready to go (mentally, not physically) the distance when asked.

[Posstman305]

i like that trade

[Posstman305]

i think there still maybe some better trades avaiable because the raptors are not goin to let bosh go to free agency for nothing and the same goes for amare and maybe even boozer so keep your eyes open for those guys to be avaiable right before the trade deadline

[UD's biggest fan]

See if it's about Haslem playing the 4 then we may as well have swung the deal for Boozer when he was available.

No ONE can debate that Boozer is better than Haslem at the 4.

According to PER and expert analysis Beasley(Rookie) = Boozer.

Just do the math. We'll be better off starting Beasley at the 4 and Haslem coming off the bench. It makes too much sense for Spo though.

[black the trucker]

you know, i thought of a trade that makes sense, to me anyway... when you look at the draft where beasley was chosen we would have loved to have chosen rose but he went #1, now the bulls already had a point in hinrich,,, are you catching on yet.. hinrich could be had for the right deal this year, where the rest could be made in the offseason... something like cook,beasley, 2nd rounder for hinrich... now before you go crazy think about it in the long term, will that power forward be available and will he come here... keep in mind,o'neil is also in his final year and trying to see that he is back is important too. with a heathy o'neil a solid 4 multiple 3's and now you have a backcourt...

[UD's biggest fan]

We were not going to pick Rose. Look at their body of work in college and Beasley is the clear pick.

Rose also plays in the backcourt and would be rendered useless in our system of play that only demands that the PG give the ball to Wade after crossing the line.

There is no way we would have picked Rose. It is the same reason why we did not pick Mayo.

[black the trucker]

or, how does this sound, cook, jones, quinn, 2nd rounder for hinrich.. then beasley, daiwara, for j. howard..

[UD's biggest fan]

Beasley is better than JHoward! Be serious.
Cook is also better than Hinrich for us. Cook is our 3rd offensive option and leader off the bench.

Why are we keeping the least talented players - Chalmers and Haslem - and trading away the more talented players in Cook and Beasley?

Chalmers, Jones, Quinn for Hinrich. Yes.
Haslem, Diawara for J. Howard. Yes.

Hinrich
Wade
Howard
Beasley
JO

Can play great basketball, but we will still have the problem of the incompetent coach.

[black the trucker]

look, i like beasley just as much as anyone else but trying to build a contender might mean making some changes, and when a player is as good and talented as beasley he is valued al across the league... and also you must look at this as a long term gaol and when do you start changing things up..why not now,.why risk injury,.why risk future titles,.why risk a potential team that can run the table and compete year in and year out...

[UD's biggest fan]

Melo,Durant,Beasley,Griffin(Sophomore).

Ask yourself what all these kids have in common.
They were all dominant forwards in college in their 1 main year.

The only problem is that Beasley was unfortunate to have been drafted by the Heat and handed to Spo.

On any other team and we will all be salivating about trading our trash for Beasley the phenom.

Replace Beasley with Melo, Durant and Griffin as PFs and they will all be playing behind our grit champion simply because we are the Heat and naturally are anti-talent.

[UD's biggest fan]

J.Howard for Beasley doesn't make this team better in the long run. Beasley is younger, better, cheaper and more versatile. I simply don't get it.

If we are serious about contending for the long run we'll put the kid at PF and allow him to develop a lot there this year. Really go for broke with him there and see what he can produce as the unchallenged starter at the 4. We did it for Chalmers, why not for Beasley?

We can sign Rudy Gay, Joe Johnson or trade for even Josh Howard at the 3 next season.

Wade/Gay/Beasley >>>>>> Wade/Howard/UD.
You are also forgetting that both Wade and Howard are injury prone. One thing happens to either of them and we can all watch Haslem fail to deliver his much ballyhooed 20/10 prowess.

[UD's biggest fan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/BDL-s-2009-10-NBA-Preview-Miami-Heat;_ylt=AtbR_mEjgYfro18soG9Iam.8vLYF?urn=nba,197755

"Michael Beasley is a power forward who is wasting his time away at small forward on a team that doesn't run any plays for him."
-------------
Notice how our coaching incompetence is making news around the league?

[Greg Gembe]

"Can play great basketball, but we will still have the problem of the incompetent coach."

The incompetent coach who watches and analysis's 30 times more NBA ball than you do. Someone in this equation is incompetent, probably NOT the NBA coach. What did he improve the team's record in his first year, like 25 games? Not bad, for somebody who is incompetent.

"On any other team and we will all be salivating about trading our trash for Beasley the phenom."

Oh really? He wouldn't even start on the lowly Wizards. Who's spot would he take, Butler or Jamison?

And why wasn't this phenom picked to practice against the Olympic squad? Certainly all the other coaches would bow to his draft position, regardless of how he performed his rookie year, right?

Melo plays the three and would start for the Heat. You can have Durant. Griffin is going to be a beast in the league, not because of his #1 draft status, but because he understands the aspects of team ball, and you can look at his body and know he works hard to be physically ready to play. (quick enough to guard 3's, and strong enough/determined to fight in the post vs 4's). See the difference between them and supercoolbeas?

"Can I get a rule book ... so I can show them."....so now Wade made a funny. I guess beas doesn't have the corner on that market now either.

[UD's biggest fan]

Spo did not improve this team's winning. It was all Wade being healthy. Don't believe me? How many games did we win where we didn't need Wade's heroics in the last quarter?

Spo can watch all the game tape he wants it still doesn't make him a good coach. His lack of playcalling, besides give the ball to Wade and get the f out of his way, is legendary. His inability to settle on a lineup is also the stuff of legends.

A coach who thinks our PG rotation will be good when Quinn is healthy, or thinks James Jones is good defensively isn't an NBA coach that knows what he's talking about.

Yes Melo and Durant play the 3, but if Haslem played the 3 they both won't be starting on the Heat. We have a track record of either wasting picks or wasting talent.

The only reason Wade developed was because he had a good coach in SVG - proof is in his leading the Magic to stellar records and the NBA finals.

Griffin can be as big as he wants he was nowhere when Beasley was doing all that in college and they were both rookies together. Beasley plays team ball. His not starting has nothing to do with that. Far inferior players than him are starting in the NBA. His only reason for not starting was because of our love affair with Haslem and Haslem's inability to play C. There was absolutely no reason to bench Beasley last season.

Ever notice how Haslem hardly plays when Wade is out? There is a reason for that. It's called lack of talent to survive on his own.

[hotleo20]

greg gembe, team basketball? tell that to d wade. you know how we beat dallas for the title? by having d wade do iso's all day, beasley offense is not the problem you give him the ball in positions to succeed, which the incompetent coach fails to do time in time again. for example beasley can be used a zone buster like the role he played in the phoenix game in the regular season at the AAA. the team spotted bease just below the free throw line and he killed phoenix with 28 points. why didn't we see that play when teams went zone on us late in the season? because spo is to busy coaching defense when his offense flat out sucks!!!!!

[UD's biggest fan]

"And why wasn't this phenom picked to practice against the Olympic squad? Certainly all the other coaches would bow to his draft position, regardless of how he performed his rookie year, right?"
--------------
You mean the same coaches that made him first team all rookie?

His not being picked had a lot more to do with his substance abuse punishment than basketball abilities.

[UD's biggest fan]

because spo is to busy coaching defense when his offense flat out sucks!!!!!

Posted by: hotleo20 | October 23, 2009 at 12:57 PM
---------------------
Our defense sucks anyway. I don't think Spo can coach for lick.

He's good at video editing, apparently. I think he should stick to it.

[hotleo20]

btw, i would like to add that coach spo was key in developing d wade's fundamental skills but shaq is the guy that taught wade how to win. shaq's confidence and swagger wore off on d wade and helped him become what we have today. before shaq came here wade was a developing raw talent that had a knack of being clutch.

[Greg Gembe]

"shaq is the guy that taught wade how to win. shaq's confidence and swagger wore off on d wade and helped him..."

How did Shaq's swagger help him out in Phoenix? Playoff games last year...Zero.

Coach killer....check, he played for three, I believe, in less than two years in Phoenix.

Miami's not the only team to run iso's. Did you see the Cav v Magic series last year? Spo's forgotten more basketball than most of the posters here will EVER know.

[UD's biggest fan]

It doesn't make Spo a good coach. A lot of basketball coaches have forgotten more basketball than most of the posters here will EVER know. They are still not good coaches.

[Greg Gembe]

Do you think he could bluff his basketball knowledge past Pat Riley?

Wouldn't he have to do that to get the job?

Do you think SPO was the only option Riles looked at?

How many wins should the Heat have gotten with another (available) coach last year?

At some point the players have to be held responsible. No one drove past SPO on the perimeter last year. SPO didn't miss one FG attempt last year. SPO had zero turnovers.

back to supercoolbeatch:

Do you think his attitude would play in Boston? Think Garnett wants to play beside a work-in-progress?

[black the trucker]

ok, looks like everyone has gotten into midseason form,.look, this team has some holes, but can be fixed.. i would like to ad, defense wins, so don't get on coach for that.. and putting beasley at the 3 would take away from other players just to start one.. and that just doesn't make sense.. now that rudy gay could be a better fit.. but darrel author would and could be a good part of a trade like that.. i mean why not.. oj mayo, micheal beasley you have two players who be your teams one/two punch for a number of years.. depending on your tke on who your main players are here and trying to bring in players that compliment each others games, i mean, well, uhm.. let this run first..

[hotleo20]

again the coaches design roles on the team if beasley plays too much on the perimeter it's by design.

shaq has 4 rings wade has 1, shaq has 3 finals mvps wade has 1, stop being bitter about the past without shaq's swag we wade would not have grown up so quick, which is why shaq used the reference wonder boy.

[hotleo20]

which team looks different from the others

shaq in orlando

shaq in LA

shaq in Miami

Shaq in Phoenix

[hotleo20]

why would the grizzles want michael beasley when they have zach randolph, think people

[JPEJEFF]

You give Shaq to much credit.Zo and Payton was on that team and actually did something in the finals.Orlando is not looking to good so far.I know its only pre season but there looking like all the other teams Shaq joined since 06.

[hotleo20]

was zo and payton on 05 team that went to the eastern conference finals and lost in game 7?

[JPEJEFF]

corection cleveland not lookin 2 good

[hotleo20]

cleveland doesn't look good because they taking the pre season easy.

[JPEJEFF]

Was Shaq on the 04 team that almost upset Indian.

[UD's biggest fan]

A work in progress? Every body was a work in progress at some point.

McGrady left because he didn't want to play with D12. Look at him now. D12 reached the finals and Grady has still not been beyond the first round.

Beasley as a work in progress is better than Haslem. He should start at the 4.

[JPEJEFF]

Wade was on his way long b4 Shaq.SHAQ JUST WENT 4 THE RIDE.

[UD's biggest fan]

The team that beat Indiana only did well because Stan is the man. Had Spo been the head coach we can all be sure that Wade won't have seen a lot of playing time because he had no defense, considering the veterans we had.

[UD's biggest fan]

and putting beasley at the 3 would take away from other players just to start one.. and that just doesn't make sense
-----------------
Beasley is at the 3 only because Spo can't put Haslem on the bench as he should be. We shouldn't worsen it by trading away our second best player for players that aren't anywhere near as talented or as young.

Our trades should start with Quinn, Chalmers, Haslem, Wright and Spo.

Wade, Beasley and Cook should be kept on this team.

[hotleo20]

Was Shaq on the 04 team that almost upset Indian.
Posted by: JPEJEFF | October 23, 2009 at 02:34 PM

you call winning 2 games an almost upset, lets be for real. wade wasn't the best player on that team.

eddie jones and lamar odom was, wade had talent and a knack for being clutch but shaq gave him a winning swag that only champions have.

[Greg Gembe]

I, like the rest of the posters, am just excited for the season to begin. Hopefully SPO's grown into his position, Wade stays healthy, Chalmers continues his progression, Beas finds his niche (3 or 4), JO stays healthy, Haslem plays up to his potential on both ends, and our bench brings energy. No, we aren't scaring other teams with our talent (1 thru 12), but we should at least be looking to play in the second round of the playoffs.

Until OCT 28, we are just spitting ideas around. After that, everybody is under a microscope, and we can (and will) put our pedestrian analysis to work.

[JPEJEFF]

Neither of the teams got the job done so lets focus on 06. I remember Wade's contribution,I remember Zo's,Hell I even remember Walker. Can't say i remember Shaq doin anything in that championship series. Sort of like the following 2 years,Can't seem 2 remember any contribution other than laziness and injuries.

[UD's biggest fan]

We don't win our championship without Shaq. That is a fact as true as blood is red.

What have we done since Shaq left? 15 wins. Where was Haslem then?

[pugtv]

Why is it surprising we don't have a set rotation? Spo couldn't set one last year (even when our players were healthy enough to play) and I don't see him being able to set one again this year.

I don't care if he sticks around this year. But if he still sucks by the end of this year, the Heat should demote him. We need a coach with championship potential for next year.

[hotleo20]

We don't win our championship without Shaq. That is a fact as true as blood is red.

What have we done since Shaq left? 15 wins. Where was Haslem then?

Posted by: UD's biggest fan | October 23, 2009 at 03:03 PM

thank you sir, his none existence self has more rings then walker, wade, and zo put together. and

the heat, cavs, magics, and suns franchise put together.

[JPEJEFF]

we dont win without the greatest individual performance in the history of the finals.

[UD's biggest fan]

And we don't win without Walker.
We can go on. To diminish Shaq's impact in the series is to pretend history never happened.

[JPEJEFF]

Shaq had a impact,but he didnt bring a swagger to wade game.that was already there.you cant coach that,u cant teach that.wade has god giving talent and swag.

[Greg Gembe]

The Championship year motto was '15 strong', right? Riles, J-Will, Glove, Zo, Shaq, Walker, Posey, were ALL part of that team. Zo's couple of minutes in the second quarter were amazing, but Wade made the biggest difference.

Shaq played like poop his last half year in Miami, undeniable. He didn't help Phoenix out much. I don't think he takes his conditioning very seriously.

UD's biggest fan -- I'm going to change my name to supercoolbeas' biggest fan, because I respect Beas' game as much as you do UD's.

[UD's biggest fan]

I don't care what you change your name to. I also don't care what respect you don't have for Beasley's game.

Fact is that Beasley is a possible allstar and UD will never be an allstar. UD is the best backup for Beasley at the 4 and I want us to keep him here for that job. Our coach, however, can't seem to grow the brain to do this.

He first tried him at the 5. He was a failure there. Now he's moving Beasley to the 3 to keep Haslem's 10 points and 8 rebounds at the 4.

It is clear to see that Haslem is limited and should make way for Beasley. All we're doing is posturing and beating around the bush. It is an inevitability that Haslem will be supplanted by Beasley at the 4.

[UD's biggest fan]

I think you are overstating what Wade did in the championship just a bit.

Coming in Shaq had the reputation of delivering in NBA finals. The Mavs had to basically pick their poision - either let Shaq dominate you and lose or double him and hope the rest of the team can't do anything. They made their choice, chocked and Wade delivered. Even Wade didn't know he had that in him. He said so himself. There was no way for the Mavs to have either seen or prepared for that.

We all saw an even greater Wade during the regular season last year. It ended in misery during the playoffs.

[pmartin]

Has the wedding date been set yet; for Michael Wallace and Udonis Haslem?

[UD's biggest fan]

Has the wedding date been set yet; for Michael Wallace and Udonis Haslem?

Posted by: pmartin | October 23, 2009 at 03:57 PM
----------------------
Spo is jealous. He wanted to propose to Haslem.

[Greg Gembe]

Haslem, like Brian Grant, got put into the 5 spot out of necessity, not because anybody had illusions about them being a center. If it's Haslem or Mark Blount at the 5, well, even our 'brainless coach' (as you call him) would make the right choice there.

Both players, Haslem and Beas, have their limitations, right. Even you can admit that Beas has room to grow, right? He hopefully will be better in 5 years than he is now. At best, it's a toss up, unlike the clear cut decision that you contend it is. And, just maybe, coach sees more of their practices, games, preparation, attitude, than you do, so he might be in a better place to analysis the talent. Now I know you are going to call SPO names, and talk down to me, but that will all subside when you are done ovulating.

[UD's biggest fan]

Beasley vs Haslem isn't a toss up. Are you kidding me? Ask any of the NBA experts who they will pick over the other to start on their teams and Beasley will win 100 times out of 100.

Coach can see practice, we all see the games. Haslem was no where to be found whenever Wade was out injured. He is a backup and should back the better player in Beasley up.

[Greg Gembe]

Would Beas start for the lowly Wizards? Yes or no?

[UD's biggest fan]

Yes. Will Haslem start for the lowly Wizards? Yes or no?

[Greg Gembe]

Who comes out of the line-up Butler or Jamison?

[UD's biggest fan]

Either one. They will trade to make room for the hometown boy if they have to. Chicago did it for Rose. DC will do it for both Beasley and Durant.

Remember they won 20 or so games last season with both of those guys starting.

Now answer my question. Will Haslem start for the lowly Wizards? Yes or no?

[Greg Gembe]

First off, Beas doesn't start in front of Butler for the next 5-7 years. And let's face it, Beas isn't 6-9, probably more like 6-7, which is undersized for a PF with his body. So I don't agree with him being a natural 4 spot. He is a slower, scoring SF. He wouldn't start in front of Jamison for those reasons.

As far as Haslem, he is a PF, so playing him in front of Butler doesn't come into play. With the Wizards only having Haywood as any kind of defensive presence at center, there are some coaches who would play Haslem in front of Jamison for some interior defense. Coaches who focus more on offense would undoubtedly use Jamison first, being a more polished offensive player. It's not a slam dunk either way, I'll give you 50-50 on this one.

But our situation in Miami is: JO is not a defensive presence in the lane, and D is not Beas' strong suit, either. So if we played them long minutes at the 4 and 5, are defense is pretty weak (considering our propensity to get beat off the dribble on the perimeter). There's room for Beas and UD on the court together, when we need more D use Q-Rich (or Diawara), and Big Cat (Anthony)at the 3 and 5. When you need offense, use Beas/JO/ and just about any of our 3's.

Hey, partner, I'm out for the day. Have a great weekend!

[UD's biggest fan]

First off, Beas doesn't start in front of Butler for the next 5-7 years.
=================================
I stopped reading after that.

Have a great weekend!

[hotleo20]

first off when does size have to do with basketball skills? is d wade the tallest person for his position? is haslem the tallest power forward in the game? is shaq the tallest center ever to play in the nba? the game of basketball is about skills and beasley has the skills that haslem wish he had. haslem went undrafted for a reason all the heart in the world cant make you an all star. haslem is a great player and i will always root for him because he's a great guy but that's like saying trick daddy is the greatest artist in the world because he comes from Miami. the real problem with this team is d wade's attitude and until he changes his playing style to incorporate his teammates more on offense we will continue complaining that he has no teammates like t mac complained, and allen iverson. just cause you think you don't have the talent doesn't mean you abandon the right way to play and install confidence in your young core. shaq knew if he was going to win a title in miami he would have to teach wade winning basketball. like keeping his composure during times when the team was down 13 points with 6 minutes left in the finals. shaq's team have a great track record of fighting adversity see L.A., until wade realize the best way of cementing his legacy with the likes of shaq, ducan, and jordan he needs to play more of a team game and install confidence in his young core cook, chalmers, and beasley. like the vets did for him.

[JDOGTHEDOG]

Greg Gamble you talk nonsense! Clearly Beasley is the better player with a huge upside! Jamison!?!?! are you kidding me?? The reason the Wizards don't win is because he is their Power Forward! Now here is a question. If Jamison was in the Heat do you think they will bench Haslem for him? No they will not! Haslem here in Miami is as untouchable as Wade is, if it were any different Beasley would have that starting spot a year ago. Nobody is going to tell Haslem he has to give up his captain position. I say what i see and Haslem would be a solid bench player and beasley can learn tons of thing from the veteran but the kid has to play. I said this before i said this again "Haslem needs Shaq to be effective because he has no offensive game" END OF STORY!

[curmudgeon]

all this static against spoelstra is nonsense. the man does with what riley gets him, and riley has failed, miserably, to get him a real team. no trades this year, waiting for the impossible to happen. but maybe that's better than going out and getting another ricky davis deal! the real problem is riley, who has become so shortsighted he cannot see what he has done to the team. as it looks now, the heat can plan to watch the second round of the playoffs on tv, cuz there is not a chance that they will do better. matter of fact, with washington improved there is reason to worry about getting to the first round of the playoffs -- not to speak of what would happen if wade were to have just a "normal" season, and fall below the level of greatness he showed last year.

[black the trucker]

now, i took a couple of days off from reading the posts but after reading what you'll are saying i would have to say you have got to be crazy to think that d-wade is not trying his best to keep this team winning or at very least mentioned... also i would like to answer that why trade beasley question, the only way you get back a good player that would fit in better is by trade one who is also good that didn't.. to me, the magic have the most complete team in league at this point.. look at the team thay put together and think or try to think of what changes the heat could make that would make this a contender... listen, it is just a better feeling when the heat have a winning team and when they don't it sucks, i mean sucks... so if gearing up to make bigger moves in the offseason why not making little moves now that add or fill other needs.. now one player that makes you look twice is rudy gay, this guy is capable, and would be a better fit at the three... also kirk hinrich is also a good fit at the point who would give charlmers a good example .. i would still keep those picks i think bringing in young talent is always a good thing but using it not to just to play here but to improve this teams in other ways...

[black the trucker]

another thing that makes you say why not now is, what players will be available this offseason and will it complete this roster. and if not thats still a problem.. so trying to fill a need now only helps speed up the process.. look at this roster; wade,bosh,gay,hinrich,o'neil,haslem,charlmers,wright,camby,qrich,ed davis, edgar sosa...

[black the trucker]

here, try this trade; beasley to memphis, cook,jones,diawara,quinn to chicago, gay,arthur,hinrich to miami...