NBA people are buzzing about the Heat's emerging young players (Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers, Daequan Cook).
They've been absolutely critical, and I don't know if anybody knew what we could expect coming into the season,
coach Erik Spoelstra said Tuesday.
Here's what people are saying:
• Beasley: Though there have been some natural growing pains, opponents' reaction has ranged from amazement (He does things where you just say wow!
Chicago's Ben Gordon said) to predictions: Many preface comments with He's going to be
-- as in a big, big time scorer,
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said; one hell of a player,
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said; a special kid in our league,
Boston's Kevin Garnett said.
Several scouts/executives agreed with the Heat that Beasley is a power forward long-term and not quick enough to guard small forwards. But Houston's Ron Artest said, I don't want to see him at power forward. He can be a dominant small forward because he can shoot.
One NBA scout said Tuesday: Beasley has matured a lot. When I saw him earlier, I thought he was lost. He's not making the same stupid mistakes.
Said Orlando's Stan Van Gundy: I haven't seen anybody who can keep him from getting a shot. In Beasley and Dwyane Wade, they are one of the few teams that has two guys that you don't have to do anything other than give them the ball. He scores so easily, and he can get a good shot easily. He's going to be a perennial 20 and 10 guy.
But Rivers cautioned, He's going to have to learn to move the ball more, play with his teammates more.
And Chicago's Andres Nocioni said, He's not the same guy when he goes to his right. He's more likely to pull up and shoot.
• Chalmers: Going in the second round was mind-boggling to me,
Pacers executive Larry Bird said by phone last week. We tried to get him. Everyone will look back and say he's a special player.
Besides his shooting ability and defense, what struck Kobe Bryant is how ''poised'' he is. ''Very composed for a rookie,'' Derek Fisher said. Smart and long for his size,
Philadelphia's Andre Miller said.
Rivers calls Chalmers crafty, a winner,
and Van Gundy loves the great competitiveness about him. He's one of the few rookies with a true defensive mentality.
Chalmers (2.3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio) ranks seventh in the NBA in steals (1.8 per game).
Here's what impressed Boston's Ray Allen besides the fact he can shoot and penetrate:
Chalmers wants to learn. Last week, there was a play he set a screen, and he asked me if it was legal,
Allen said. 'I said, `yeah, it was.' I said to him, 'as you go through the league you'll start to realize what you can get away with.'
• Cook: LeBron James and others rave about his growth. His stroke seems more fluid,
Allen said. You can feel the confidence he has coming off screens,
Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. Cook has made 99 three-pointers and shot 50.9 percent on threes over the past 18 games (58 for 114). And his solid defense has made it clear he can do more than score,
Gordon said.
CHATTER
• Word is Jacory Harris was very impressive -- showing his keen football knowledge -- when queried by new UM offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. UM people draw comparisons between Harris and Ken Dorsey, especially in how much they work on their craft.
• With signing day Feb. 4, a few UM oral commitments besides Bryce Brown are said to be considering other options, including Fort Pierce defensive tackle Luther Robinson (UF and UCF in the mix, but UM remains optimistic) and Pace High defensive back Kayvon Webster (said he's looking at UM, USF, West Virginia).
Besides getting recent oral commitments from Georgia linebacker ShayonGreen and Delaware right tackle Malcolm Bunche, UM is optimistic about luring Cleveland offensive tackle Marcus Hall and Jacksonville linebacker Sam Barrington.
• The Dolphins last week again asked the Cowboys if they're interested in John Beck (there was no definitive answer) and made clear the third-string quarterback is available.
• Marlins president David Samson said the team's baseball officials ultimately decided not to recommend giving anyone a multiyear contract besides Hanley Ramirez, who signed a six-year, $70 million extension last May. If players are jealous of Hanley, they should play better,
Samson said, speaking in general.
The good news: Dan Uggla (headed to arbitration) and Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco (one-year deals) won't be eligible for free agency until after 2011.
• Hoping to boost attendance, the Marlins will move four mid-summer Sunday home games from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. UM is shifting weeknight home baseball games (except Fridays) from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. so players can leave the ballpark earlier.
