March 2002 Miami Heat Wiretap

Backsliding into old ways

Dec 31, 2002 11:00 AM

Michael Lee of the AJC writes that so much appeared to be changing in the short regime of coach Terry Stotts. The Hawks took good care of the ball, their defensive intensity was high and so was the morale.

But in Stotts' third game, they looked like the same old Hawks. They reverted to old form Monday night, leaving the Miami Heat with easy lanes to the basket, wide open perimeter jumpers and a tasty assortment of turnovers. It all amounted to a 93-84 loss, the Hawks' 10th in a row on the road.

Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, NBA

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Riley warns against optimism

Dec 27, 2002 8:28 AM

Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel reports that Heat coach Pat Riley is warning against being too optimistic after a 3-1 road trip. He wonders if his young roster will produce another "go to" guy to help push the 9-19 Heat into the playoffs.

They have Eddie Jones who has taken the leadership role on the club. They have Brian Grant averaging almost a double-double and playing tough interior defense. Occasionally a third player steps up and produces. "In order for us to win, it's got to be done together. Otherwise, we're not going to get there," Riley said after Thursday?s practice.

The lack of dominant teams in the East give the Heat a hope of possibly making the playoffs, but games like Monday?s loss to the Cavaliers make Riley doubt his team. "This whole thing in trying to do the best that I could, that's good for your children to say. `Daddy, I'm trying to do the best that I could do,'" Riley said. "In the pros, that isn't it. I don't want to hear that.

"`Daddy, I am doing what is necessary to succeed.' That's what I want, and sometimes that takes more than just doing your best.''

Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, NBA

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Lebron James at the top of everyone's wishlist

Dec 19, 2002 11:03 AM

Drew Litton of the Rocky Mountain News has a cartoon for the holiday season.

The Rocky Mountain News

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, NBA

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Knicks made offer for Zo

Dec 13, 2002 6:47 AM

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that the league is lining up to make offers for Alonzo Mourning. According to Heat coach Pat Riley, everyone, including the Knicks, wants Mourning because he is in the last year of his contract.

Even though Mourning is likely out for the year recovering from a kidney illness, Riley won?t trade him. They can purge his $20.6 million dollar salary from their cap next summer when his contract expires. Riley indicated that a trade with the Knicks wouldn?t work because virtually all their players have long-term deals.

"The most valuable thing out there is trying to get space, getting contracts with no years left on it," said Riley, whose Heat host the Knicks tonight. "They're caught a little bit but I know Scott will keep working at it. I know he's on the phone all the time. He's really working at it trying to make something happen, but everybody's saying no right now."

The only way a Knicks deal for Mourning could work is if either Latrell Sprewell or Allan Houston is included. Sprewell has three years and $41M left on his pact. Houston has five years and $87M left. Teams aren't willing to take on their long-term salaries.

"You can't believe some of the offers that we get," Riley added. "You take on 180 million dollars over the next three years, we've been through that. There's really [been a] change in the philosophy in taking on long-term money," Riley said. "You just have to do it the old-fashioned way of waiting or getting lucky."

Tags: Miami Heat, New York Knicks, NBA

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Lewis benched for run-in with Best

Dec 10, 2002 7:47 AM

Percy Allen of the Seattle Times reports that Rashard Lewis wis suspended for one game after his run-in with Travis Best in Saturday?s win by the Sonics over the Heat. "The league informed me this afternoon that Rashard was suspended for the punch," said Sonics General Manager Rick Sund. "I was stunned."

Sonics coach Nate McMillan was also stunned. He was upset that the game officials warned him that an altercation might take place during the final minutes of the game at KeyArena. "The official warned me," McMillan said yesterday. "He said tell your guys to keep their heads, but protect themselves.

"Evidently, he heard something in (the Miami) huddle that alarmed him that we should be careful on the floor because (Heat Coach) Pat (Riley) had told his team something. I couldn't get my team together in time. Two possessions later they get the flagrant foul on Rashard."

On the play, Lewis attempted to score on a breakaway but was prevented by Best who grabbed him and drew a flagrant foul. As Best walked away, Lewis confronted him and they went chest to chest. Replays showed Lewis fist near Bests? face, but Lewis denies throwing a punch.

Best was not punished by the league for his part in the altercation.

The incident capped a game that was littered with altercations. One instance involved Desmond Mason and Vladimir Stepania. Replays appeared to show a punch thrown by Mason that didn?t connect. Stepania was later ejected for tangling with Reggie Evans.

"What we have to do is move on," McMillan said. "Everyone else has to step up and be ready to play. Mase will be in the lineup at Rashard's spot. We're going to need guys from the bench to step up and play."

Tags: Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA

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Kings sign Jimmy Jackson

Dec 1, 2002 7:52 PM

The Associated Press reports that the Sacramento Kings have signed Jimmy Jackson to help fill their depleted roster.

With Hjedo Turkoglu being added to the injured list with a sprained wrist, the Kings had only eight healthy players for Friday?s win over the Clippers. Peja Stojakovic has missed four games with inflamed tissue in his heel, while point guard Mike Bibby is still two weeks away from returning. Reserves Scot Pollard and Mateen Cleaves also are hurt, leaving the Kings without enough healthy players to scrimmage in practice.

Jackson joins his ninth team in his eleventh season in the NBA. He had been out of the league since playing with Miami last season. He averaged 10.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game with the Heat.

Tags: Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, NBA

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Cartwright losing patience with prospects

Dec 1, 2002 8:40 AM

Percy Allen of the Seattle Times reports that Chicago coach Bill Cartwright may shake things up with the Bulls. If his young players continue to struggle, he is considering using more experienced veterans in the starting lineup and relegating his youngsters to bench duty.

Jay Williams, Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry are the youngsters in question and Cartwright may replace one, two or maybe all three.

The player most likely to go to the bench would be Chandler, who would be replaced by Donyell Marshall, the team's top rebounder and second-leading scorer.

The Bulls like the play of shooting guard Trenton Hassell, who starts as a defensive stopper and is the team's best on-ball defender. Jalen Rose would remain at small forward, Marshall would become the starting power forward and Chandler would return to last season's role of providing fire off the bench.

In his Eastern Conference Notebook, Allen also discusses Shaq?s words to Alonzo Mourning, and the returns of Dejuan Wagner and Vince Carter.

Tags: Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, NBA

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