The Heat from a youthful perspective
By Byler E. Henry
The Miami heat had to make a tough decision by waiving Mike Miller. Miller has agreed to play for the Memphis Grizzlies.
During the Heat’s two championship runs, Miller played a key role but didn’t play much in the regular season because of injuries. Even though the Heat are losing Miller, they still have Ray Allen, Shane Battier and Rashard Lewis to knock down three pointers. James Jones will now see increased minutes.
I don’t like seeing him go; if he can stay healthy this will be a good pickup for the Grizzlies. The Heat are now competing with other teams to sign Greg Oden; the Spurs are one of those teams.
Greg Oden is a first round pick from the 2007 NBA Draft out of Ohio State. I hope the Heat sign him because they’re in need of a big man to compete with other teams in the East the Pacers, Knicks, Nets, Bulls, etc.
This could be a high risk-high reward signing. Greg Oden was waived by the Trailblazers because of knee injuries he has suffered. However, he is 7’0, 285 lbs. and with limited minutes he could get back to being one of the top big men in the game.
Many considered him a bust because his injuries kept him out of the NBA for about three years. The Heat is one of the few teams to watch him workout. The Spurs, Mavericks, Hawks, Kings, and Pelicans are also interested. He should pick a team soon.
According to ESPN he is most interested in the Heat and Pelicans, and he looks to be in good shaper very impressive.
In 82 total games in his two years Oden has made 290 field goals of 503 attempts for about 57 percent; he has made 193 free throws on 290 attempts for about 66 percent, a total of 602 rebounds, 50 assists, 33 steals, 117 blocks, and 773 points scored.
In Miami he won’t score as many points because most of the scoring load will be handled by the Big three (Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James); however his defensive numbers and other stats could increase (Blocks, Rebounds, Assists,).
I believe the Heat could sign Greg because of a former great NBA coach and current Heat President Pat Riley. He lured Bosh and LeBron to Miami, so he could lure Greg to the Heat.
Pat is the ultimate salesmen; he could sell water to a whale. So my gut feeling is that Greg comes to the Heat.
