Heat News

"Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade is feeling the heat from business partners after a failed restaurant venture. On Friday, the company D Wade's Place filed suit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court against Wade, accusing him of breach of contract. The Palm Beach Gardens company partnered with Wade in August 2007 to open D. Wade's Sports Grill. The co-owners of D Wade's Place, Richard von Houtman and Mark Rodberg, would not comment Monday on the lawsuit. The suit comes after the closing of the sports grill's Fort Lauderdale location on July 12."

"Kenyon Martin had played four years at Cincinnati, working in the weight room, playing for taskmaster coach Bob Huggins. Even with all that preparation, he still needed a couple of months to adjust to life as a high draft choice in the NBA. To the physicality, responsibility, scrutiny. "There's a lot of pressure with it, so you have to be focused, and be prepared," said Martin, selected No. 1 by the New Jersey Nets in 2000. "The criticism comes when you don't show up to play every night." Michael Beasley showed up in South Florida late last month as the No. 2 pick of the 2008 draft. The Heat, rebuilding after a 15-67 debacle, now expects Beasley to serve as a cornerstone of a ..."

"Despite continuing reports linking Carlos Boozer and the Miami Heat when the Jazz's All-Star power forward can become a free agent next off-season, Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor has no concerns whatsoever regarding the possibility of tampering with a player currently under contract. O'Connor made that clear Tuesday, though only after such a scenario was presented to him by a reporter who covers the Jazz. "I have enough respect for the Miami Heat, and for (Heat GM) Randy Pfund, and for (Heat president) Pat Riley, that I really have a great deal of confidence that that's not something that they would do," O'Connor said. "I really do. I really feel that way.""

"As often as Carlos Boozer's name has been mentioned in connection with the Miami Heat, Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said Tuesday he has no interest in asking the NBA to conduct an investigation into possible tampering. O'Connor said he had too much respect for Miami president Pat Riley and general manager Randy Pfund to do so. "I really have a great deal of confidence that that's not something that they would do," O'Connor added. At the same time, O'Connor acknowledged to being irritated by the nonstop speculation that Boozer will opt out of his contract after next season to sign as a free agent with Miami, where he lives in the off-season."

"A day after saying he expected an offer from the Heat pending a physical, free agent Tyronn Lue decided against going through with that physical exam Monday, and the Heat now is looking elsewhere in its search for another point guard. That search could take some time, though, Heat general manager Randy Pfund indicated Monday. ''We're kind of in a wait mode,'' he said. ``We'll watch what happens here for a little while. There's a lot out there that isn't totally in line with what we're thinking.''"

"Consider it the two-year tease. It's a game played with a wink and a grin, one that could prove as compelling as anything on NBA courts over the next two seasons. Sunday, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James were winking and grinning before participating in the Zo's Summer Groove charity game at AmericanAirlines Arena. The punchline? The summer of 2010, when Wade, James and several other top-tier NBA players can become free agents, such as Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh. "We're just going to joke about it for the next two years until that time comes," Wade said."

"The courtship of Tyronn Lue proved fleeting for the Heat, with the free-agent point guard bypassing a scheduled physical with the team. Lue, who had been scheduled for the 5:30 a.m. physical today to answer questions about a calf problem that limited him last season, backed out of the plans shortly after attending the Zo's Summer Groove charity game Sunday. Heat General Manager Randy Pfund said the Heat had no plans to issue an offer to Lue, 31, and indicated the team would wait until later in the offseason to possibly utilize its $1.9 million lower-level exception, its lone remaining salary-cap chip."

"James Jones didn't care how the deal came together, only that it did. So Monday, when the Miami native formally was introduced as the latest member of the Heat, the 3-point specialist out of the University of Miami was all smiles. "Every time I hear my name 'James Jones' and the ' Miami Heat,' it makes me smile a little bit bigger," the five-year veteran said at AmericanAirlines Arena. "So hopefully my face won't tear into pieces with all these smiles that I've been giving out.""

"See Dwyane run. See Dwyane jump. See Dwyane tease. The news, such as it was Sunday night in the Zo's Summer Groove basketball game at AmericanAirlines Arena, is that the Miami Heat's once-dynamic Mr. Wade looked fine. And perhaps he'll be dynamic again.. Not that he actually was tested in this exercise, because, well, that's the nature of these friendly get-togethers during which nobody even pretends to play defense. The result, of course, is that everybody gets to run and jump without much of a problem. Wade, for example, dunked just 28 seconds into the game."

"We like to see passion in our athletes, especially if it's angry passion. Passion shown joyfully too often gets called ''showboating,'' ''unsportsmanlike'' or ''unprofessional,'' but angry passion almost always goes over well. Heat center Alonzo Mourning has been the face of angry passion in the NBA for 16 years. Mourning's scowls, roars and flexes gave the idea he would be having a great time out there if not for the continuous annoyance of those fools in the other uniforms having the audacity to try scoring on his hoop."

"On a Sunday evening in July, during a free-flowing exhibition game, Heat fans witnessed two pleasing sights: a healthy Dwyane Wade, and Wade and Michael Beasley on the floor as teammates for the first time. Alonzo Mourning's annual charity game, which added Wade as a partner this year, carried a bit more intrigue not only because it marked the AmericanAirlines Arena playing debut of Heat rookies Beasley and Mario Chalmers, but also the return of Wade, who hadn't played in front of a crowd since ending his season March 8 to receive treatment on his knee."

"Veteran point guard Tyronn Lue said Sunday that he has a physical examination scheduled with the Heat at 5 a.m. Monday and that he expects to receive an offer from the team if there are no red flags. Lue, who was slowed by a strained calf last season, said he then would decide among the Heat, Phoenix and Boston but wasn't sure which he would choose. But a Heat spokesman cautioned Sunday that no offer to Lue is imminent."

"Veteran NBA point guard Tyronn Lue said Sunday he is scheduled to take a physical with the Heat this morning and is hopeful of receiving a contract offer from the team shortly thereafter. In South Florida for Zo's Summer Groove, Lue said before the charity game that he has narrowed his free-agent choices to the Heat, Celtics and Suns. Lue said the decision would be difficult because of his friendship with Boston's Kevin Garnett and Phoenix's Shaquille O'Neal, his former Lakers championship teammate. However, Lue also gushed about the possibility of playing alongside Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion."

"Consider it the two-year tease. It's a game played with a wink and a grin, one that could prove as compelling as anything on NBA courts over the next two seasons. Sunday, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James were winking and grinning before participating in the Zo's Summer Groove charity game at AmericanAirlines Arena. The punchline? The summer of 2010, when Wade, James and several other top-tier NBA players can become free agents, such as Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh. "We're just going to joke about it for the next two years until that time comes," Wade said. "So, it's going to be an exciting year for the NBA, but it's two years away." For fans, it could be two years ..."

"With Shawn Marion and the Heat expected to resume contract talks shortly, several teams -- including the Clippers and Golden State -- have expressed an interest in acquiring him. The issue, though, will be whether any offers will be more appealing than keeping Marion long-term or allowing his deal to expire next summer to sign Utah's Carlos Boozer. Although Pat Riley said he wants to keep Marion, Miami's first offer wasn't close to Marion's wishes. The Warriors like Marion, 30, and likely would deal Al Harrington (who is due $9.2 million and $10.2 million over the next two seasons), but appear reluctant to include restricted free agent center Andris Biedrins in a sign-and-trade."

"One NBA scout believes Michael Beasley showed the talent and toughness it takes to be one of the league's most productive forwards next season. Another team executive with Hall of Fame credentials said point guard Mario Chalmers' performance underscored why many evaluators think the second-round pick will prove to be the steal of the draft. Based on the early results, Beasley and Chalmers met expectations in their first NBA tests."

"How taxing is it to rebuild from the NBA's cellar? Heat President Pat Riley might soon find out. Despite a goal of avoiding the NBA's luxury-tax threshold of $71.2 million in 2008-09 payroll, the Heat, just four days into the offseason signing period, already is at $68 million. That figure includes the contracts of Joel Anthony, Marcus Banks, Michael Beasley, Mark Blount, Mario Chalmers, Daequan Cook, Udonis Haslem, James Jones, Stephane Lasme, Shawn Marion, Dwyane Wade and the qualifying offer in place to Dorell Wright, as well as the $1.7 million payoff to released guard Smush Parker."

"With a bulky ice pack attached to a different body part after each game, Heat rookie Michael Beasley apparently is chilling in his transition to pro basketball. The physical demands of the NBA -- even at a watered-down summer level -- are growing on Beasley, the second pick in last month's draft. ''Everybody wants to beat up on the rookie -- I mean everybody,'' Beasley said. ``It's a rough game. I think I've got more bruises and cuts these few games than in my whole basketball career. I got [ice packs] lined up in my [hotel] refrigerator, ready to go. [But] I'm always going to bang. I can always take a hit.''"

"It has become practically a ritual after each Heat game at the Orlando Pro Summer League. Mario Chalmers is approached and asked about "the shot." The rookie guard smiles, recounts his 3-pointer that sent the NCAA title game against Memphis into overtime, and then politely excuses himself without making much fuss about Kansas' national championship. No one bothers to ask Jason Richards, the Heat's other rookie point guard, about his shot."

"Although Alonzo Mourning still hopes to return from last season's serious knee injury, the Heat center required an additional procedure recently amid his comeback bid. Three sources familiar with Mourning's rehabilitation confirmed the procedure but said the center still could be able to make it back to the court by midseason. Mourning ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee and also tore the quadriceps tendon in that leg in a Dec. 19 game in Atlanta. After spending a month in a hard cast and another month in a brace, Mourning was told the injury would require at least six additional months of rehabilitation."

"Their hopes of retaining combo guard Keyon Dooling all but over after agreeing to a $25 million contract with Mickael Pietrus, the Orlando Magic now have turned their focus to point guard Jason Williams. But even that transaction might cost the Magic another guard from their roster. In order to add Williams, the former University of Florida star and Miami Heat point guard, the Magic might have to unload either power forward Brian Cook or shooting guards Keith Bogans or J.J. Redick."

"James Jones, who played a key role on and off the court with the Trail Blazers last season, signed a five-year, $22 million contract with Miami on Wednesday. In June, Jones elected to become a free agent by not exercising the player-in option in his contract with the Blazers. He would have made $3.1 million had he stayed in Portland. "He got an offer he couldn't refuse," Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said."

"Hours after signing his rookie contact, second-round pick Mario Chalmers showed why the Heat invested in his services. Chalmers added a third consecutive impressive game to his week of work at the Orlando Pro Summer League, leading the Heat with 23 points and six assists in a 95-84 loss to Indiana. Playing through an off shooting night, seven turnovers and foul problems, Chalmers made up for his struggles by attacking the basket and converting all 17 of his free-throw attempts. Second overall pick Michael Beasley bounced back from a poor game Tuesday to finish with 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks."

"During his first five NBA seasons, former University of Miami standout James Jones has done his best work from long distance. He plans to spend the next few years making his mark closer to home. Jones, a 6-8 swingman and Miami native, came off the free agency market Wednesday to sign a contract with his hometown Miami Heat. The Heat did not disclose terms of the contract, but Jones is set to receive about $4 million in the first year of a potential five-year deal worth up to $23.2 million."

"How much respect has Mario Chalmers earned in his first week with the Miami Heat? Enough to merit a three-year contract. Despite being eligible to receive as little as the rookie minimum of $442,114 for a single season, Chalmers instead will be rewarded with a package worth around $2.3 million. After spending two future second-round picks and $2 million in a draft-night trade with Minnesota to acquire the No. 34 pick in last month's NBA Draft, the Heat opted to lock up the point guard out of Kansas long enough to retain the eventual right to match any future outside offer."

"It wasn't a case of James Jones offering his services at a hometown discount. It was more a matter of returning to his roots — and a team he considered his own dating to his youth in Miami Lakes and tenure at the University of Miami. "For me, it's like coming full circle," the 3-point specialist said Wednesday after signing with the Heat. "I'm from the city. I spent all my time here, and when the Heat hurt, even though I'm away on another team as an opponent, I still feel that pain." After a five-year NBA journey that took him to stops in Indiana, Phoenix and Portland, the pride of American High is home again."

"Mario Chalmers grins as the question is asked, because he knows the answer hardly will contribute to any sort of legend. "It doesn't really get that cold," the Heat rookie point guard says. Fine. But basketball life in the subarctic certainly featured monumental challenges, perhaps bush planes, ferries, a dog sled or at least snowshoes? "Most of the teams we played were right there in Anchorage," Chalmers said. "We took the bus." Alas, Mario Chalmers' Alaska is not quite the "Tougher in Alaska" featured these days on the History Channel, but rather a mundane upbringing in a city of 360,000 that hosts 40 percent of the state's total population."

"No news came from the Pistons on Wednesday, the first day NBA free agents could sign contracts, but one player mentioned as a potential target for Detroit headed elsewhere. Six-foot-8 small forward James Jones signed a five-year contract with the Miami Heat that will pay him $4 million next season and potentially more than $23 million by the end of the deal. The Associated Press reported the Pistons had offered Jones, formerly of Portland, a deal as well."

"Like he had never experienced a harder day of work in his life. That is the look Michael Beasley had on his face throughout his second day of pro-like basketball Tuesday. Sure, there were a few of his signature grins mixed in, but those were more like the incredulous smiles you offer a police officer when he writes you up a triple-figure ticket for going 45 mph in a 35 zone. B-Easy, they call him. Nothing easy this day. Even getting dressed was arduous. Beasley started the game with a mattress-size pad under his jersey protecting a cracked sternum. ''I couldn't move,'' he said. ``I felt like Iron Man.''"

"The Miami Heat has reached an agreement on a potential five-year deal with free agent swingman James Jones, two league sources confirmed late Tuesday night. Jones is expected to earn a starting salary of $4 million a season, as part of the Heat's midlevel exception. Jones could be signing the deal as soon as Wednesday, and it would be worth a total of about $22 million."

"It didn't take Miami Heat rookie Michael Beasley long to experience the ups and downs that come with being a marked man in the NBA. He discovered those markings Tuesday, when the Heat's players and coaches entered the Orlando Magic's practice facility for a summer-league game against New Jersey and inadvertently wandered into the Nets' locker room. A day after watching Beasley dominate the Bulls with 28 points and nine rebounds in his summer-league debut, the Nets' primary objective was to prevent an encore."

"The smile still was in place, as was the upbeat attitude. But this time there also was ice around the left shin and a box score that reminded that Michael Beasley is a 19-year-old rookie with a huge learning curve. A night after acing his pro debut, the agile Heat forward turned in something close to his basketball worst Tuesday at the Orlando Pro Summer League. The No. 2 draft choice out of Kansas State finished the 90-81 victory over a similar Nets team of rookies, free agents and young players with nine points on 1-of-13 shooting, seven fouls and five turnovers, in addition to seven rebounds in 27 minutes."

"Following through on his vow to bolster his team's depth, Heat President Pat Riley was poised early this morning to sign former University of Miami 3-point specialist James Jones to a free-agent contract. With the free-agent signing period commencing today at midnight, Riley prepared a five-year deal to Jones starting at $4 million for next season. The final three years of the contract would be conditional to protect the Heat for the 2010 free-agency period. In addition to making its move on Jones, the Heat also stood poised to use part of its salary cap exception money to sign second-round pick Mario Chalmers."

"With free agent signings set to begin at midnight Tuesday, the Heat is out of the hunt for Golden State swingman Mickael Pietrus, and Miami forward Dorell Wright has a new agent. Pietrus, a Heat target the past year, is close to reaching a deal with another team, according to his agent, Bill McCandless. The Heat's failure to land Pietrus, an unrestricted free agent, could be indicative of what's to come as the front office tries to add depth in a cost-effective manner. Miami has little salary cap space and president Pat Riley has said the team wants players who would accept short-term deals and not force the Heat to exceed the salary cap threshold, which will be announced when free ..."

"The Heat has expressed interest in several free agents: center Kwame Brown and guards Jannero Pargo and Roger Mason. Agent Mark Bartelstein said Tuesday afternoon he has had discussions about his three clients with the Heat, but ''nothing is happening imminently'' regarding contract offers. However, he said Mason visited the Heat last week. Free agents can sign at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday."

"Before he rebuilds his starting lineup, Heat President Pat Riley plans to restore his team's depth. With the league's personnel moratorium to end at midnight, Riley said addressing his bench would be a priority. "We have to build our depth right now, first," he said at halftime of Monday's 94-70 summer-league victory over the Bulls. "I think that's the first priority, before you make a big move." Riley hinted that the Heat's biggest offseason moves would come on the trade market, saying it is unlikely he would spend the entire $6 million mid-level exception on a single player."

"When was Miami Heat basketball this much fun? Probably the last time the Heat actually tried to win a game. While Monday's summer-league matchup between the Heat and Bulls was supposed to be about the meeting of top-two draft picks Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley, it turned into something far different... This 94-70 Heat victory at the Orlando Magic's practice facility was about the unbridled joy that allowed Michael Beasley to let the world know he's not in Kansas anymore."

"Rookie forward Michael Beasley survived the first blow to his injured chest, early foul trouble and a first-half benching. Yet he still had enough left to score 28 points, grab nine rebounds and sing his favorite song in the process to lead the Miami Heat to a 94-70 victory against the Chicago Bulls at the Orlando Pro Summer League. Indeed, things came rather easy for Beasley, the second overall pick in last month's NBA draft. He bounced back from a sluggish start to out-produce No. 1 overall Derrick Rose and was dominant against Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah, two regulars in the Bulls' season rotation."

"Sour notes were about the only thing the Bulls hit during Derrick Rose's summer-league debut Monday, a 94-70 loss to the Miami Heat. That was in stark contrast to Michael Beasley, who was selected second behind Rose in the draft last month. Beasley led the Heat with 28 points and nine rebounds in just under 23 minutes. Beasley was as loose as the Bulls' defense, which he shredded for 9-of-21 shooting from the field and 9-of-12 from the free-throw line. ''Once, they told me to stop singing,'' Beasley said of Joakim Noah's reaction after the rookie forward was fouled. ''I was just singing a happy song.''"

"The scoreboard read Heat 94, Bulls 70. The box score showed a game-high five turnovers, 10 points and four assists. And the offense ran about as smoothly as a used Yugo. That's why a nervous giggle prefaced Derrick Rose's answer to a question asking him to grade himself Monday night as the Bulls began summer-league play at the RDV Sportsplex. "You don't want to know about that," Rose said. "We didn't win, so I think I played horrible. But tomorrow's a new day." NBA careers have to start somewhere, and summer-league play is forgotten as easily as yesterday's newspaper."

"Summer league or not, the hype machine has started for Monday's matchup in Orlando between Derrick Rose's Bulls and Michael Beasley's Heat. But there's one small problem: The top two picks in the NBA draft aren't cooperating. "I swear I didn't even know we were playing the Heat until a reporter asked me about it," Rose said Sunday before leaving for Orlando. "I'm just focused on what I have to do. And I know I won't be sticking him, so it won't be anything like that." Beasley, who vowed to play despite fracturing his sternum last week in practice, threw an even colder bucket of water on the proceedings."

"Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley will be forever linked. That's an inevitability for players who get chosen No. 1 and No. 2 in an NBA draft. So on some level, it's fitting their first pro game -- one that won't have fans, won't count in standings and likely will be long forgotten in a few days -- will pit them against one another. Rose's Bulls face Beasley's Miami Heat today, one of three games that will open the Orlando Pro Summer League's weeklong schedule."

"Summer league or not, the hype machine has started for Monday's matchup in Orlando between Derrick Rose's Bulls and Michael Beasley's Heat. But there's one small problem: The top two picks in the NBA draft aren't cooperating. "I swear I didn't even know we were playing the Heat until a reporter asked me about it," Rose said Sunday before leaving for Orlando. "I'm just focused on what I have to do. And I know I won't be sticking him, so it won't be anything like that." Beasley, who vowed to play despite fracturing his sternum last week in practice, threw an even colder bucket of water on the proceedings."

"Mario Chalmers just might be at his best when sneaking up on everyone and taking command of the spotlight. It's a skill that trumps his suffocating defense and clutch three-point shooting, according to those closest to the Miami Heat's rookie guard. Chalmers built that reputation long before he somehow slipped to the second round of last month's draft. It was part of his makeup before he hit perhaps the biggest shot in last season's NCAA Tournament to force overtime and lift Kansas to a national championship."

"Three days after fracturing his sternum, Miami Heat rookie forward Michael Beasley was cleared to practice without restriction during the second of two summer-camp sessions held today at AmericanAirlines Arena. After being limited to non-contact work during the morning session, Beasley received the green light to participate during the early-evening session that included intrasquad scrimmaging."

"Everywhere Mario Chalmers goes these days, someone asks about The Shot. You know the one. Down by three, 2.1 seconds left, NCAA title game, Kansas vs. Memphis. Chalmers gets the ball near the top of the key, lets fly over the outstretched arm of Memphis guard Derrick Rose and waits for the crowd to roar. They did, the Jayhawks head to overtime and minutes later, they’re the national champions and Chalmers is the hero of the Sunflower State. “The biggest shot in Kansas history,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “It’ll never be forgotten.”"

"The chest injury that knocked Michael Beasley out of his first practice with the Miami Heat could also sideline him for Monday's anticipated summer league debut. In his latest blog entry posted on ESPN.com, Beasley wrote he sustained a ''very, very slight fracture of the sternum'' and seemed unsure if he would be allowed to play in Monday's summer league opener against the Chicago Bulls and No. 1 overall draft pick Derrick Rose."

"Injuries are once again disrupting the Miami Heat. Derailed by a rash of injuries last season, the Heat begins its summer preparation with its past two first-round draft picks banged up. Shooting guard Daequan Cook will miss this week's summer league in Orlando, and could be out as up to four weeks with a slightly separated left shoulder, the team said Friday. Cook, a first-round pick in 2007, sustained the injury during Thursday night's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena."

"Dwyane Wade is willing to share the load when it comes to the Heat's search for answers at point guard. But he insists he is not the solution. Despite starting his NBA career as a point guard, Wade reiterated he has no desire to return to the position. "Do I want to set up the offense every time? No, I don't want to do that," he said, as his basketball camp wound down at Florida International University. "I would love to get somebody else in that can handle the ball, as well, at times, and make plays.""

"The Miami Heat's summer camp is exacting a far greater toll than could have been anticipated from such offseason workouts. The team not only confirmed today that Michael Beasley, the No. 2 overall pick in last week's NBA Draft, has a "slight crack" of his sternum, but also revealed that 2007 Heat first-round pick Daequan Cook will be sidelined for two to four weeks with a slight separation of his left shoulder. While Cook will now miss next week's summer league in Orlando, the Heat is hopeful that Beasley nonetheless can compete in the week of games at the Orlando Magic's practice facility."