Buyers/Sellers?

[Cleveland's Finest]

With Wade's numbers lowering slightly and the inconsistent help from his teammates he's been getting, do you think the Heat, at 11-11, should be selling in hopes of getting more cap space and build for the future to give D-Wade more incentives? Or should they trade some of their younger talent for a player that they can win now with?

 

If I were the Heat, unless I thought a certain move would make me competitive with the Big 4 in the East, I would just sell and try and work on making a team that would impress Wade for the future and make room for signing a big star. Because at this point, it's a waste of time to do nothing, get eliminated in the 1st round and start off right where you did last season.

 

Of course this is only the start of the season, but I highly doubt they'll make that big of a turnaround, if any. Thoughts?

[Jenneral]

Start building for the future. Sure, they could definitely make the playoffs with the current roster and maybe do some decent damage. However, they won't win it all with this team so is it really worth sacrificing a potentially stronger team for the future? That's the question...

[Flash]

If there's a team willing to make a big name available I think we may be buyers. Jermaine O'Neal has a HUGE contract but I don't thnk it'd be wise to move him. I'd look for guys like James Jones or Daequan Cook to be in any deal we make.

[SRV]

I really want us to make a move now. Wade isn't getting any younger, teams around us are getting better, and we are just waiting patiently for someone to become a star, sad news is there is no Wade type player on our team. Beasley does not have that star power that can lead us to a victory every night, only Wade can. Beasley has potential, but it will take another season or two to see him as a dominant player. We need to trade for SOMEONE who we can trust to score and play defense. If we get eliminated in the 1st round again, I guarantee Wade will have second thoughts.

 

Either that or we better have some behind door discussions with Wade about our targets in FA, cause if I was Wade, I wouldn't be satisfied with getting to the 1st round and getting bounced by a beatable team.

[Flash]

Beasley does not have that star power that can lead us to a victory every night, only Wade can.

 

I'm starting to disagree. There's times where Mike looks a lot better than Dwyane out there because he's playing with heart. I'm really starting to think Wade is dogging it out there. I hope to God that I'm wrong.

[Poe]

I hope to God that I'm wrong.

You are

 

Wade seems less energetic, but he's I really doubt he's dogging it. There's a lot of pressure on his shoulders. It's possible he's held back a bit, looking for his teammates to step up and improve their game. Plus, it is an 82 game season and only a quarter has passed. We can't expect him to go all out and score 50 every single night. It's best to let everyone get involved and find their place on the team, so that when Wade DOES show full aggression, the rest of the team aren't just bystanders like Bryant when he played with Smush and Kwame.

 

To me, this is a very crucial year for the Heat moving forward, and for a number of reasons. One, this is a good year to develop the young guys. Chalmers, Beasley, Wright, and Cook (though he hasn't received minutes yet). I think the Heat are capable of being an elite team, but the reality is that they aren't going to win any championships this year. The Heat are looking for a big time free agent this summer to complete this roster. The best thing to do this year is to put the young guys in position to earn minutes and improve their game, while still remaining in the playoff picture and hopefully gain some playoff experience. Two more reasons it's a crucial year is to prove to Wade that this is truly his house (if he is having any doubts), and that it's home to any vets and studs that are looking for playoff success.

 

I think that's the reason Beasley has been starting over Haslem, why Chalmers has had gifted starter minutes for a good amount of time, and why Wright continues to come off the bench despite deserving a better role. Think about it moving forward. The position the Heat are looking for to complete their roster is a big time SF. Joe Johnson, Rudy Gay, LeBron James. This team is preparing for them. They expect Beasley to be the 2nd or 3rd option, Chalmers to handle the point, Wright to be the versatile sixth man, and hopefully Cook to be the big time shooter and scoring presence off the bench.

 

The Heat are thinking about NOW, while also preparing for the future. Building up to what could be a championship year

 

 

As for moves, none need to be made. Only JJ, and perhaps Cook for a touch more cap space, but I don't see a reason to totally give up on him, yet. The Heat have had some early struggles trying to find a true identity and consistency in each game. However, they're beginning to make a breakthrough.

 

I think Beasley is beginning to realize his importance to this team. His averages have increased from last month to this month. He's going to have a great rest of the year.

 

Wright is discovering his role off the bench, and he's played extremely well for the amount of minutes he's received. Hopefully he can keep it up and not find a way to drop off like he's done in the past.

 

Benching Chalmers was probably the best thing for him. He's probably going to have to re-earn his minutes, and hopefully re-discover his defensive abilities.

 

Haslem has been very solid as usual, but JO still needs to step up on the boards, points, and overall physicality.

 

Arroyo does a good job filling in with those midrange Js and somewhat decent defense, but I really don't like it when he's on the court, personally. He's just sort of there to fill the void. I'd rather see Quinn out there, personally. He's a better offensive compliment to Wade.