Notes
Coach Pat Riley is returning, but forward James Posey is gone to Boston and his absence leaves a huge void at small forward, where Miami earlier lost Jason Kapono to Milwaukee.
The Heat signed veteran guard-forward Penny Hardaway is an effort to help at the position, but considering Hardaway has been slowed considerably by knee injuries and age, he isn't considered by anyone to be the one who pushes Miami to the top.
Riley's return — a three-year commitment as head coach — is the big news that has everyone in South Florida feeling a little bit better about the coming season. Riley, who announced his intentions in mid-August, said it took so long to come to a decision because he was debating whether he wanted to coach the entire duration of his contract with the Heat.
"There were a lot of dynamics," he said. "I wasn't just messing around and playing games. I put a lot of thought into it."
Told his contract expires (June 2010) at the same time center Shaquille O'Neal's contract expires and the same season guard Dwyane Wade has a player option, Riley said that wasn't planned.
"It's purely coincidental," he said. "I never tied my contract to theirs."
Riley went on to say that when O'Neal's contract is over, "that may be the run of life of this particular team."
Posey's loss was expected, but that doesn't help fill the void. Miami will be scrambling at small forward. Posey, Kapono and Dorell Wright shared the starter's role last season. Wright is expected to take over, but quality depth is a concern at small forward as well as shooting guard.
NOTES, QUOTES
—For all those who think Miami's offseason was disappointing, coach Pat Riley has a different outlook. "I think we're still a very, very good team despite what other teams have done in the conference," he said, adding later, "I'm happy right now to go to camp with what I have."
—The Heat signed former Florida State F Alexander Johnson, who played in 59 games with Memphis last season as a rookie. Johnson was a second-round pick by Indiana and was traded to Portland and then Memphis.
—Coach Pat Riley said the starting point guard job is up for grabs between incumbent Jason Williams and newcomer Smush Parker. Williams has missed at least 20 games in both of his previous seasons with the Heat because of injuries, and Riley wants his starter to play at least 70 games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "That could have been a mistake." — Coach Pat Riley on waiting out G Maurice Williams, who re-signed with Milwaukee for $20 million more than the Heat could offer.
ROSTER REPORT
DRAFT PICK: Daequan Cook, 6-5, 210, guard, Ohio State (acquired in trade with Philadelphia) — The Heat took Colorado State C Jason Cook, then dealt him to the 76ers, who took Daequan Cook with the next pick. The Heat also got a 2009 second-round pick and cash in the transaction.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Heat appears to have done all of its offseason work, although coach Pat Riley hinted the team is interested in F P.J. Brown, a former Heat standout who is contemplating retirement after playing for Chicago last season.
Small forward is a concern, but Riley seems set on either fourth-year F Dorell Wright or veteran Antoine Walker filling that role for now, and both are good options.
But Walker is also slated to be the backup power forward behind Udonis Haslem unless third-year F Wayne Simien makes a move. Simien missed most of last season battling salmonella.
The darkhorse could be veteran swingman Penny Hardaway, signed to a non-guaranteed contract, because if Hardaway is healthy he could be the backup at shooting guard and small forward. But considering Hardaway hasn't played in a game since November 2005, the expectations have to be lowered.
PLAYER NOTES:
—G Eddie Jones signed a two-year deal with Dallas, leaving a gap in the Heat's veteran depth from a year ago. Coach Pat Riley said he wanted Jones to return. "I told Eddie I wanted him back at our (postseason) exit meeting," Riley said.
—Talks are believed to have cooled significantly between the Heat and Golden State about swingman Mickael Pietrus, a restricted free agent. "The only way it's going to happen is with a sign-and-trade," coach Pat Riley said.
—G Gary Payton hasn't officially announced his retirement. Coach Pat Riley said he called Payton during the summer but hadn't heard back from him.
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