Poe

You fail to look at it from an objective standpoint, or take note of what elements are being filled to create an all around balanced offensive attack with skillsets that compliment each other well, plus a defense that is both solid in the interior and exterior, plus the means to out-rebound many teams in the league. It goes beyond the elementary "who's better than who".

At least Magloire can rebound and dunk the basketball.

You are correct. It is not real that Pat Riley would accept him with open arms. End of discussion.

Well, the Grizzlies aren't getting Melo, and nobody is messing with Gay's contract unless he proves to be a legitimate #1 scoring option, which if he DOES prove that, the Grizzlies would have no reason to trade him. So in conclusion, the Grizzlies have to stick with what they committed to, which was making this team Gay's team, or at least attempt it. As for everything you talked about with the role guys, the same thing can be done around Gay. They aren't getting a better first option. A big name free agent isn't signing there, and they aren't bad enough to tank either. Also, Mayo can pass pretty well, but that doesn't make him a PG. His best position is at the 2, and I personally feel his best role for this team is off the bench like a Manu Ginobili or Jason Terry. Starting a defensive minded role player would provide more balance for the team, and would serve as a better complimentary wing player with Rudy Gay. Having Allen and Pierce together for the Celtics works because they play differently. Allen works to get open looks off the ball, while Pierce does his work one on one with the ball on the perimeter and in the post. Gay and Mayo both are most affective with the ball in their hands, as well as Gasol and Randolph. That's why the team doesn't generate assists, because the team lacks complimentary pieces. The talent and the size and rebounding is good enough to make the playoffs if they were located in the weaker Eastern Conference, but in order to make the best usage of each player, they need more feeders and ball movers. Put Mayo on the bench and start a guy that can both space the floor and play defense. That will help make Rudy a more affective scorer. Have Mayo come off the bench and not only balance out the second unit, but give him a higher usage offensively where he doesn't have to fight for the ball with Gay and Gasol. When Randolph is likely gone this summer and if Mayo is coming off the bench, that will increase the offensive usage for Gay and Gasol, meaning more touches and better offensive numbers. Mayo would have a better per-minute production with a higher usage off the bench. All three players are capable of increased roles. With the three main offensive options in place, add players that fill the other elements needed for winning basketball. A rebounder at the starting 4, a defender at the starting 2, and a facilitator at the starting 1, which they have in Mike Conley. Say for instance, a team like: Mike Conley Raja Bell Rudy Gay Udonis Haslem Marc Gasol With a bench of: OJ Mayo, Hasheem Thabeet, Darrell Arthur, Kyle Korver, Tony Allen With quality coaching, that team would the playoffs in the West, which is the first goal. Then they can worry about upgrading certain pieces to become contenders.

And why can't Mayo, Gay, and Gasol lead a team with good complimentary pieces and an improved coaching staff?

YES, the Heat can TOTALLY use his post game! As well as his dominant rebounding, incredible athleticism, and not to mention his leadership by example with his tireless work ethic and disciplinary nutritional diet. I'm sure Pat Riley would accept him with open arms!

They need to think about making the playoffs before thinking about putting together a championship team. This is what I meant by complimentary pieces. They need defenders and ball movers, and a better coaching staff to put together a more fluid offense and more disciplined defense. They paid Gay to do that. He's not the best guy for it at this point, but unfortunately for the team, they've already committed to him. Gay is the first option. He has to be, or else the overblown contract is even closer to making 0 percent sense than it did before. Mayo is another player that will become a legit scoring threat who shoots a high percentage from everywhere, and Gasol is becoming a very good physical presence down low that scores efficiently in the post, and is perhaps an underrated passer. The offense can be run through those three. The Grizzlies' main issue is that they have too many initiators and not enough players that differ from the initiators. Basically, too many players who want the ball in their hands, and we've all heard the expression: there is only one basketball. They need a dirty work, ball moving PF to replace Randolph this summer. Zach is an inefficient scorer that takes way too many shots, and doesn't play defense to make up for it. All they need is a player who rebounds, defends, and ideally, shoots the midrange J. They also need a legit sixth man that can balance out the scoring in second unit. I personally believe it would be wise to utilize Mayo as a sixth man and start a shooter/ball mover/defender next to Gay, sort of like a Raja Bell. And again, they need a better all around bench.

The Grizzlies aren't in need of offensive threats. What they need is a stronger bench, complimentary pieces around Mayo, Gay, and Gasol, and overall a more balanced team. They also need a better staff and coaching.

Being that he's 21 years old and he's likely to average somewhere between roughly 16-18 ppg, I don't see a big issue whatsoever. He's a young player trying to find his identity in the NBA. The Heat have helped him learn to break bad defensive habits, and Rambis will help develop Beasley's offensive game. He's only going to get better. Beas is a slow learner, but very highly talented and willing to do what's best for his team. He should start to "get it" as he matures. He's already shown flashes in the past in Miami. I know he'll be a force in the NBA in time.

Basketball and only basketball. Not college, either. Just NBA and WNBA. I find all other sports very boring to watch. I'm an impatient guy that likes fast paced, continuous action with lots of scoring without having it's players restricted to specific assignments. Basketball is the only sport I know of with all four of those elements. I can hardly even sit through a full Super Bowl game. I actually wish basketball had less foul calls and time outs. I hate any stoppage of action. For the NBA, I primarily follow the Heat obviously. Been a fan for about 6 years. This year I will also be following the Warriors because of Dorell Wright. I've been rooting for him to get playing time and have a true opportunity to showcase his ability for about 6/7 years now, and I've been constantly laughed at for calling him a future all star (which I have never backed away from). He's finally getting his chance, and he's not disappointing averaging 19 PPG so far. For the WNBA, I follow the Phoenix Mercury. Watching Diana Taurasi got me into the WNBA much like T-Mac got me into the NBA when I was a little kid. Coincidentally, they both have very similar play-styles, and both are very exciting to watch. Candice Dupree and DeWanna Bonner (both on the Mercury team) have also grown to be a couple more of my favorite basketball players. BTW, I edited this post like 5 times. I need to learn to use Full Editor.

The team is filled with almost nothing but players picked top 15 in their respective drafts. Micheal Beasley - Round 1, Pick 2 (2008) Kevin Love - Round 1, Pick 5 (2008) Jonny Flynn - Round 1, Pick 6 (2009) Wesley Johnson - Round 1, Pick 4 (2010) Darko Milicic - Round 1, Pick 2 (2003) Luke Ridnour - Round 1, Pick 14 (2003) Corey Brewer - Round 1, Pick 7 (2007) Martell Webster - Round 1, Pick 6 (2005) Sebastian Telfair - Round 1, Pick 13 (2004) and Lazar Hayward - Round 1, Pick 30 (2010) Wayne Ellington - Round 1, Pick 28 (2009) Kosta Koufos - Round 1, Pick 23 (2008) Maurice Ager - Round 1, Pick 28 (2006) Nikla Pekovic - Round 2, Pick 1 (2008) Anthony Tolliver - Undrafted (2009) That's nine players picked top 15, seven of them picked top 7. All of which are rotation players except Telfair, who will likely either be traded, benched, or waived when Flynn is healthy again. The Wolves are clearly in the heart of a rebuilding process. Their main focus this year is almost strictly to develop their talent, and to figure out who fits the team and who doesn't. Once the management makes a final decision about who stays in their longterm plans, I think we can expect a number of trades to occur. By next year, as the make up of the team changes, they will use their inevitable top 4 pick this summer to bring in another high talent. They will look to bring in veterans to balance the team and mentor the younger players, and by then, if everything goes according to plan, they should look to make a strong playoff push.

Keep Gasol and make him a higher option on offense and the primary post threat. Replace Randolph with a player who does the dirty work and the "little things".

One Nation under Kobe, unguardable, With Wheaties and Tacos for all.

I'll 1 up you. I was drafted by the Pistons and requested a trade. The Heat had traded Shavlik Randolph, who didn't even make it past training camp in real life.

My My Player is a PG for the Heat. The first game I played for them, Wade got injured with a Broken Ankle. And then, I think it was my fourth game, LeBron got hurt with a Lower Back Strain. Wade is out 4-6 weeks and Bron is out 1-2 weeks. F my MY Player life.

And JVG is right. Once the Heat develops full chemistry and fully understands Spo's system like second nature, they will be unguardable. I don't distinctly remember him saying the Heat are unguardable myself, but I'll take RD's word for it. And again, he's completely right. If anyone disagrees... well... at least you are finding a way to stay hopeful. Edit: BTW, I don't think I can agree with the Rockets being better than the Lakers. Houston doesn't have the means to matchup with Gasol.

There were a number of listed predictions shown on the screen answered by him and Mark Jackson during one of the time outs I believe, including basic things like "who will be ROY?". I don't remember his other answers, but I do remember him having Rockets vs Heat as his NBA Finals matchup prediction. It was clearly a serious answer.

I'll vote for ECN, then I'll quickly move out to live in France. JK

Yes, they are a goof of a team.

Why does there have to be a "next AI"?

34% shooting for the Nets... isn't it weird how every team the Heat faces can't make their open looks? I mean, it obviously has NOTHING to do with the Heat's defense.

Cool story.

And he wasn't playing defense (allowed his man to score 29). Nice shot in the clip though.

Awesome idea. This is the one thing I like about David Stern. I can't wait for Europe to be a part of the NBA.

I'm still working on WNBA teams BTW. So far I've made the Mercury, Storm, Liberty, Dream, Fever, and the Silver Stars. I'll be putting up a download later today My first uploaded roster currently has 393 downloads and it has the 19th most downloads on 2K Share. My second upload has 810 downloads and it has the 10th most downloads on 2K Share. Hopefully the next one will climb the ladder a bit higher.