Poe Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 Apparently, the future is now for the Heat at power forward. Michael Beasley, the No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft, is in. Udonis Haslem, a starter the past five seasons and a defensive stalwart on Miami's 2006 championship team, is out. That's the lineup shake-up that could be in store if coach Erik Spoelstra carries the latest public display into the Heat's season opener against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. Haslem confirmed Tuesday that he will be asked to come off the bench and play behind Beasley at power forward, a transition in which the Heat clearly has the future in mind. ``I didn't make that call, so that's nothing I'm going to worry about'' said Haslem, a Miami native who has started all but two games since his rookie season. ``I've been the ultimate team player. I made the ultimate sacrifice throughout my career. This is just another situation where I've been asked to do it again.'' Haslem, 29, is entering the final season of his contract and will be a free agent next summer. ``He has proven his worth as one of those guys teams have to have to win championships,'' said agent Henry Thomas, whose clients include Haslem and Dwyane Wade. ``He will approach his job this season the same way he has always approached it. . . . I think this year Udonis will be put in a position where even more of his skills and leadership will shine through to go along with that tenacity and toughness that he has shown over his first six years. He will continue to be the heart and soul out there."Beasley is entering his second season and, apparently wasn't the type of convincing fit at small forward the team expected. Beasley, who primarily played power forward last season and in his lone college season at Kansas State, worked throughout the offseason and preseason at small forward. He is still expected to play some small forward. LINK This is interesting. Beasley averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds in the games he started last year. He's definitely going to be there offensively and on the boards, but he has nowhere near the same defensive intensity as Haslem. I guess we'll have to wait and see how this will work out. I have doubts the line up will remain exactly the same throughout the season. Also, Q-Rich looks to be the most likely to start at SF. He'll bring 3 shooting, defense, and some posting up if he ever gets any sort of mismatches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted October 28, 2009 Owner Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 Richardson has never, ever, ever been a good defensive player. Even in his prime in Los Angeles, he was pathetic, and it's the main reason he was tossed around like a rag doll this offseason. Beasley at the four would work, though. He needs to start at one of the forward positions. Why isn't Wright starting at the three? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Check my Stats Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 Beasley will never be a good defender, he is undersized at PF or he will be playing away from that hoop a lot. I think he will be a solid defender at both, or is at least capable. Starting Beasley is absolutely necessary this year though, he is the Heat's second best player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren2ThaG Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 (edited) Why is QRich starting over Dorrell Wright? Edited October 28, 2009 by Warren2ThaG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 This tells me that Beasley doesn't have the perimeter skills to play the 3 spot. Haslem was their 2nd best player last season and obviously Beasley's star potential is something to consider benching Haslem for him means he can't play the three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poe Posted October 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 Why is QRich starting over Dorrell Wright?Because of 3 point shooting ability. I think they are trying to surround D Wade with shooters to space the floor to give him room to drive and dish. Jones and Q-Rich are the Heat's best 3 shooters that can play the SF position, and Beasley will be able to stretch the floor beyond Haslem's mid range limit. Q-Rich has started games in preseason, although I don't like to base a whole lot off of that, it sounds like he might take the position against New York today. I consider Dorell to be a good all around player, but he's still not confident enough from behind the ark for defenders to truly respect his shot, although his midrange is deadly at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
platoon793 Posted October 28, 2009 Report Share Posted October 28, 2009 I don't like this at all. I rather have Haslem at PF and Beasley at SF. I think that would work better than Q-Rich at SF and Beasley. If they want to move Beasley to the PF position, then put in Jones at SF. He can defend and can shoot threes. Q-Rich probably can just knock down some threes, but he definitely can't defend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poe Posted October 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2009 I think it might actually be beneficial to have Haslem come off the bench. He has always been an energy guy, and I think his intensity can pick things up and bring some spark off the bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
platoon793 Posted October 29, 2009 Report Share Posted October 29, 2009 True, I was thinking of that as well, but I wonder what his mentality is now. I know he said he's fine with it, but who knows. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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