Monday, July 12, 2010

Agent: Ringo joins the Heat

It's not news. It's not done. Though it's all but.

Mike Miller committed to the Boyz last week. Today, in the wake of Beasley's official departure and Miami's official reclamation of more cap -- Arn Tellem, Miller's agent, confirms Miller's imminent arrival ... a la Ringo.

Tellem:
One of my earliest basketball clients, B.J. Armstrong, was the Ringo [Starr] of his era. B.J. helped make the Chicago Bulls fab during the early 1990s. He was the point guard who kept the back beat, if not the backcourt beat. Of course, he got by with a little help from his friends: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant. Together, the quartet won three NBA titles -- and you know they don't come easy.
Today, another client of mine, Mike Miller, announces his intention to sign a five year free-agent contract with the Miami Heat. Mike welcomes the chance to be the Ringo in a hot combo that already includes LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Providentially, this week the original Ringo and his All Starr Band have a gig just up I-95 in Hollywood, Florida.
For the last week, Mike's future has hinged on LeBron's. We talked to the Bulls, the New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Knicks showed tremendous interest: Coach Mike D'Antoni is clearly crazy about Mike's ability. Had the Cavaliers kept LeBron, Mike would have been a great fit for them, too. And, yes, the Clippers were a credible option. But LeBron was always the elephant in the room, just as Mike is now the octopus in the garden (so to speak).
With all the aces played in the free-agency deck, the Heat needed to fill out its hand with someone who could hold the insanely-talented vortex together. The Heat needed a Ringo, a shooting guard who would maintain the tempo and never miss a beat. Mike is that guy.

Dan dawgs man, MAN dawgs Dan

Q du jour from Jason Jackson:


@TheJaxShow Wish Commish Stern could fine Cavs owner Dan Gilbert another $100,000 for being a fake Ohioan






And in the case of Dan dawgs man, MAN dawgs Dan...

Stern says Miami's Big 3 acted within rights; Fines Cavs owner $100,000 for "Extreme" Remarks

NBA commissioner David Stern congratulated LeBron James on his decision. He just wishes it came without ``The Decision.'' Stern said Monday he would have advised James to tell the Cleveland Cavaliers of his choice to leave for the Miami Heat earlier than he did, and that the two-time MVP's public announcement shouldn't have come in a made-for-television special that attracted nearly 10 million viewers.
The commissioner said James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh violated no league rules in discussing free agency among themselves, and that the league isn't investigating how the Heat managed to land all three. That doesn't mean Stern didn't take issue with certain elements of free agency, particularly James' decision to say he was leaving Cleveland on ESPN.
[Otherwise], Stern also took action against Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert, fining him $100,000 for words that the commissioner described as ``a little bit extreme.'' Gilbert released a sharp-tongued statement shortly after James' announcement last Thursday, calling it ``narcissistic'' and ``cowardly behavior.'' Later, Gilbert told The Associated Press in a phone interview that he felt James quit on the Cavs during the playoffs the past two years.
James, Wade and Bosh all decided last week to play together in Miami, working out six-year deals after talking with each other at times throughout the free-agent process. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Sunday he wanted the NBA to examine how all three joined the same team. But in the Monday meeting of the league's Board of Governors, no formal complaints were levied, Stern said.
``Our players, having negotiated for the right to be free agents at some point in their career, are totally within their rights to seek employment with any other team,'' Stern said. ``That's something we agreed to. That's something we embrace. That's our system.'' Further, Stern said James was ``entitled'' to make his move to South Florida. He also congratulated Miami for its free-agent approach.`` Miami did a pretty good job of clearing out cap space and putting together a plan,'' Stern said.

UD U Win

One more man for BoyzIIHeat.

Heat tweet:
CONFIRMED: Your @MiamiHEAT have re-signed Udonis Haslem! Welcome back U!!!!
Heat press release.





Herald:
In the end, forward Udonis Haslem chose the chance to be part of a dynasty over the opportunity to make more dollars. Two leagues sources confirmed Monday afternoon that Haslem has turned down more lucrative mid-level offers from Denver and Dallas to re-sign with his hometown Heat. 
Both Denver and Dallas had offered Haslem five-year deals with a starting salary of about $6 million. Haslem also had a similar offer from New Jersey. Although details of the Heat's offer to Haslem were not immediately known, his likely salary will be about $4 million in Miami.

Sun-Sentinel:
Udonis Haslem will be back with the Miami Heat next season. The veteran power forward confirmed his return Monday afternoon to the Sun Sentinel in a text message that read: "Turned down full mid level from Dallas and Denver. See u next season."

"It's good to be back," Haslem later said by phone. "It was a combination of having a great opportunity to win, which is why we play this game, an opportunity to stay close with my family, and an opportunity to be part of something special," the Miami native and Southwest Ranches resident said. "I've never been a person that's been driven by money.

"I would be changing my DNA if I was leaving just for money."

3K at ZSG?

14TH ANNUAL SUMMER GROOVE HOSTED BY ZO & D. WADE

NBA Champions Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade have joined forces to host the largest event of the summer – THE SUMMER GROOVE. Held in Miami, Florida, July 14-18, 2010, The Groove is a five-day weekend fundraising event that has something for everyone: golf, comedy, concert, benefit dinner, youth summit, youth basketball clinic and sports conference, a free block party, an all-star basketball game and numerous exclusive functions. Now in its 14th year, The Groove has raised more than $7 million for local South Florida programs and initiatives supported by Alonzo Mourning Charities and Wade’s World Foundation.
On behalf of Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade, the Host Commitee, staff, volunteers and benefiting programs, we look forward to seeing you!

VSL: Heat 77-72

Recap by NBA.com :
Jon Scheyer connected on a 3-point shot with 39 seconds to seal the 77-72 Heat victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Sunday's final game in the Las Vegas Summer League.
(video uploaded by taheati)

Trailing by seven heading into the fourth quarter, the Heat went on a 7-0 run pulling within one (63-62) holding the Hornets scoreless for nearly four minutes in the period. The Heat came within one point of the Hornets (69-68) with 1:08 left on the clock and regained the lead with Scheyer's shot for the first time since leading 50-52 late in the third quarter.
The Heat had three players in double-digits including a game high 24 points by Kenny Hasbrouck, 18 points for NBA veteran Shavlik Randolph and 11 points for Jon Scheyer. The Hornets also had three players in double-figures, Marcus Thornton leading the way with 14 points, Craig Brackins adding 12 and Aubrey Colman with 11.
(video provided by Miami Heat)
"I think our mind set was just to work hard, that was the biggest thing," Hasbrouck said of the game. "We had a real hard week of practice against each other, and once we got to go against someone else it was just fun to compete and work our hardest against them. And, I think that's what ultimately won us the game - just grinding it out."
The first half was a hotly contested battle featuring 10 lead changes and two ties. The Hornets led by as many as five in the half while the Heat never led by more than four. Miami's first-half attack was led by Kenny Hasbrouck and Shavlik Randolph who combined for 23 of the team's 40 points, Hasbrouck scoring 13 while Randolph added 10. The Hornets had a more balanced attack with Quincy Pondexter scoring seven points in the opening half and Marcus Thornton and Aubrey Coleman adding six apiece.
The Heat will look to continue their Vegas luck on Tuesday as they take on Golden State while the Hornets will look to bounce back against Portland Tuesday.