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| Tuesday, August 22 Updated: August 24, 3:59 PM ET Some say the new Heat can go all the way ESPN.com |
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After suffering through one disappointing playoff loss to the Knicks after another, Pat Riley made some changes. And fans of the Miami Heat have noticed. Based on our Team Offseason Spotlight on the Heat and the offseason moves Riley has made, ESPN.com users had a lot to say about this team. Here are some of the better comments you had to say about the Heat. Enjoy, and check out our spotlight index page to see when your favorite team will be broken down.
Eddie Jones is a great player, during the season. However, he has faded in the playoffs every year he has been in the league. The last thing Miami needs is another postseason fade. Chris Rhine West Hills, Calif.
I can't believe that the Heat are gonna try and do it again with Tim Hardaway. I mean, the guy was -- that is the key word -- a great point guard. But come on. Am I the only one that saw him go out there and miss shot after shot against the Knicks in the playoffs. I mean it is time for him to call it quits. I am saying it right now, the Heat will never get farther than the Eastern Conference semifinals with Hardaway at point guard. And that is pretty sad considering how weak the East should look this year compared to the West. Alejandro Reyes Barstow, Calif.
I'm a New Yorker, but I must concede the East title to Miami in a wide open '01 season. If they can bring back Tim Hardaway with a likely one-year deal, they are well-stocked for postseason play. With Anthony Mason, Alonzo Mourning and likely Brian Grant, Miami's frontline is the league's most imposing. While the bench boasts only Dan Majerle, Bruce Bowen, Anthony Carter and Ricky Davis, Riley has never had a productive bench on paper but has always made it work. With New York playing rotisserie ball, Indiana retooling and Orlando in a transition year, Riles should make it back to the Finals. Gabe Toro Tappan, N.Y.
What has happened to the Heat bench? With all the trades, I think the Heat has lost much of its depth. I cannot think of a backup center there. No Strickland, No Spoon, No Gatling. Who's going to step up when the starters are on the bench? If you look at it, the bench has seriously shrunk with only the likes of Carter, Majerle and Bowen. I think that by trading Weatherspoon and Gatling, Riley sold out the last pillars behind Mourning. So, to say that the Heat have the Eastern Conference, or even the Atlantic Division in their pocket, is to speak too soon. New York and Indiana are still much deeper in their respective benches. Mohamed Keita New York, N.Y.
First of all, if Miami doesn't get into the Finals this upcoming year, it would be a tremendous blow to the self-esteem of the players and the organization. I mean, how many big losses can an organization take without losing their minds? But I expect Miami to be the team to beat in the East. They have a great scorer and shotblocker in Alonzo Mourning, and now, a great scorer and good defender in Eddie Jones. With Jones, I think this team can finally surpass the Knicks. Jones should do a better defensive job on either Latrell Sprewell or Allan Houston, the two players who've killed the Heat the past three years. I also think they made a wise choice in drafting Eddie House, who played at Hayward High school, five minutes away from mine. This guy can light it up. Miami should make it to the Finals this upcoming year, and their chances would even be greater if they can land Brian Grant. Jeff Huang San Francisco
I think, with the addition of Brian Grant, the Heat will be able to take the Knicks and the East very easily. They could even be on par with the Lakers and Blazers. They have the talent to beat the best teams in the West. I won't be surprised if the Heat win it all this year. They have the ability to be a defensive-minded team as well as be a flashy run-and-gun type of team. They should definitely be one of the favorites to win the title. Jack Domp Chicago
The Heat have no heart. I only see one player leaving everything on the court, and that is Alonzo Mourning. What they need to do is get some motivation, get by the Knicks and stop acting like whiners after losses. Stop blaming the officials. I have one more thing to say: They either get to the Finals with this highly paid team or start packing and Riley will just think of more game plans at home. Kenny St. Paul, Minn.
In comes Eddie Jones, out goes Jamal Mashburn. In comes Anthony Mason, out goes P.J. Brown. The cards are all in place. With the possible addition of Brian Grant, the Heat should make it to the division finals, ultimately losing to the Orlando Magic. Mourning is playing smarter ball, committing a career low in turnovers last season. He is the centerpiece in a very impressive starting five. However, they lack a point guard. Tim Hardaway is the Chris Chandler of the NBA, missing almost half the season with nagging injuries. Anthony Carter is not what I would consider to be a starter. He averaged six points per game and was a mediocre shooter. Other than point guard, the team is nearly flawless. Oh yeah, I forgot one other thing: The Magic will win the division despite every pick up the Heat or the Knicks make. Rod Alipour Danville, Calif.
Riley has always had the ability to find gems in the CBA and bring out the very best in his players. This has resulted in teams that have greatly overachieved (Knicks and Heat) without having a considerable amount of talent. Riley hasn't had the type of talent that Portland now boasts, since he was with the Lakers. Nevertheless, he always makes his team contenders by having them overachieve. With regards to the Heat, Riley got them to overachieve during the regular season, but limited talent was too much to overcome in the playoffs. Now Riley has pulled off some great roster changes and one has to like (or fear) what they see. Riley now has a team with considerable talent and his great coaching will take the Heat all the way to the NBA Finals! Should the Heat win it all I would encourage the NBA to include him in the Hall of Fame while he was still coaching. Steve C. Yu Washington, D.C.
I think if they get Grant then they will win the East and may even win the title. Without Grant they will still make the East finals and may get through. Mourning and Jones are another Shaq and Kobe and with a better PG (Hardaway) and PF (Grant) than the Lakers, surely they will be in a good position to win the title. How do you rebound against a front line of Mourning, Grant and Mason? Dean Talbot Melbourne, Australia
Being a Heat fan for the past few years, I've witnessed both success and failures for the team and unfortunately, the failures outweigh the success. Being witness to the Heat's troubles against the Knicks make me even more disappointed. But this offseason has made me more hopeful on the team's chances. Adding Eddie Jones and Brian Grant will certainly aid in Zo's quest to lead the team to a championship. The difference between this year and last year? The Heat now don't have any excuse this time. David Hansel Manila, Philippines
It's about time that Pat Riley finally felt the "Heat" to upgrade his roster. Getting players like Eddie Jones, Anthony Mason and Brian Grant should push Miami past the Knicks and hopefully into the Finals. But if it doesn't happen, I think Riley will get the pink slip. All the pressure is on him this coming season to make it happen. Richard Long Beach, Calif.
Baron Davis wasn't the only Davis with a great first year in Charlotte. Ricky Davis seems like Tim Thomas all over again, (lanky, athletic swingman with a workable jumpshot and super hops) and playing him at the three spot with Mason and 'Zo behind him will give him the confidence on D to be aggressive. Bring Thunder Dan off the bench if they start dropping down on 'Zo, but put Davis in the starting lineup. The Heat should be a lock in the East. K. Anderson Venice, Calif.
The biggest challenge for the Heat is to have everyone learn Riley's system and be on the same page. The core of the Heat is there, for the most part, and Eddie Jones will make a good addition. However, trading P.J. Brown for Mason is questionable in terms of attitude. Mason has a tendency to allow trouble to knock on his door no matter where he goes.
The Heat look great, on paper, but will that translate on the court? Mourning has been playing very well, but in the playoffs, teams focus on slowing him and the rest of the team falls apart. Hardaway is becoming inconsistent due to injury and the youth movement of point guards in the NBA. Miami will probably make the playoffs, but suffer yet another first-round exit. Their bench is not deep enough at this point in time.
The Heat made some good personnel changes and statistically look like the second-best team in the East behind Indiana. But that's the same way they looked before the start of last season. If they acquire Brian Grant they will win the Atlantic Division again. But Riley better pray they don't meet up with the Knicks again because then it's curtains for the Heat. Anthony Mason cannot guard Sprewell and they have no point guard. Better hope there's money left in the bank when C. Webber becomes a free agent. A.M. New York
It's about time Pat Riley made some changes; it was obvious the previous team with P.J Brown and Jamal Mashburn wasn't going to get it done. Miami still has some holes to fill at the power forward and point guard spots, but they should still get their 50 wins in the East. One key thing for them is they need to stay healthy; they have been hurt by injuries and it takes a toll on them during the playoffs. But with Jones and Mason in the fold, there's no reason not to believe the Heat shouldn't get to the Eastern Conference finals, especially if they stay healthy. Robert Taylor Brooklyn, New York
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