| Rounding Out The Offseason Authored by Andrew Friedman - September 5, 2005 - 9:07 pm
The summer is over, training camp is right around the corner and most of the roster positions are filled. Miami's offseason is officially winding down. Though there might be a feeling of intense anticipation for the next transaction, it is most likely the remnants of the eagerness from the Michael Finley fiasco. So be forewarned, what comes next won't match up to what has already happened this past summer.
After Miami failed to reach the Finals last season, Team President Pat Riley felt the team was not championship caliber and changes were necessary for success. Drastically, the makeup of the roster was altered in the largest trade in NBA history. Miami dealt co-captain and team veteran Eddie Jones along with Rasual Butler, Qyntel Woods, and the rights to Albert Miralles in exchange for Jason Williams, Antoine Walker, James Posey and Andre Emmett. In essence, the Heat completely changed the framework of the 2004/2005 team.
Eddie Jones represented the unselfishness, professionalism, and sportsmanship that has been a trademark of the Miami Heat, especially since Pat Riley took control of the team a decade ago. Jones has been a major part of the franchise since 2000, when he was traded to Miami from Charlotte in a previous blockbuster deal.
His presence will be missed greatly, bearing in mind he served as the Heat's leader, defensive stopper, and, along with Damon Jones, provided the Heat with some of the league's premier outside shooting. Players with all of the assets Jones can offer are not easy to find and are all but impossible to replace. Jones' contributions to Miami, particularly in more recent years, were extremely underrated and not often recorded on a stat sheet. Losing a leader and mentor like Eddie Jones will be harder to cope with than one might initially think.
Additionally, Jones was Miami's best perimiter defender, and considering perimeter defense was among Miami's weaknesses last year, someone must fill a very important role. Jones' superb contributions to defense were best exhibited when the he held the younger, more agile Richard Hamilton in check for much of the 2005 Eastern Conference Finals, earning him the crowd's respect as they chanted "Ed-die" in the Heat's second-to-last home victory versus Detroit in that series.
Also lost in the trade was Rasual Butler, who was a solid contributor off the bench for most of his Miami Heat career. Neither Qyntel Woods nor Albert Miralles were given significant opportunities, if any at all, to make an impact on the Heat.
With these players gone, Miami has a lot to work on in terms of chemistry and continuity. Walker, Williams, and Posey have each been known to carry some baggage with them wherever they go personality-wise, and given that all are bona fide starters, they will be forced to condone to much smaller roles than they are accustomed to.
In the past, coaches have had trouble controlling Jason Williams' erratic style of play and Antoine Walker's poor shot selection. If Heat Head Coach Stan Van Gundy can somehow manage to control and include these three into a core that already features Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and Alonzo Mourning, then Heat fans have plenty to look forward to.
However, this will be no simple task. Getting each one of these players to coexist and develop chemistry between each other could potentially overwhelm Stan Van Gundy. Fortunately, the trustworthy Pat Riley is overseeing the proceedings and should be able to use his presence to ease the changes he has made to this team.
As for what happens next, Miami still has its entire $5 million midlevel exception to offer to free agents, but options are limited.
Miami needs to add a swingman who can play both shooting guard and small forward, a position Michael Finley would have been a perfect fit for.
In addition, Miami needs a primary backup for Jason Williams at point guard. At least one of these players needs to be able to make long-range shots consistently, as Eddie Jones and Damon Jones did last season. If one is not a proven long-range bomber, then he should at least be able to provide stalwart perimeter defense. Miami could go the "big-name" route and use the remaining money on Latrell Sprewell and Gary Payton. However, both tend to have big egos and are still bitter about missed opportunities from the 1990s. Their attitudes are not worth Miami's time and patience, and a personality explosion in the locker-room that would likely result if the two joined the squad.
A much better option would be to resign Damon Jones and Shandon Anderson. Miami would have a better sense of continuity if two key components from last season return in reserve roles. Jones could provide the outside shooting off the bench, while Anderson would supply the Heat with tough perimeter defense.
Anderson would probably accept a minimum contract as he did last season. Damon Jones, however, may want more money than Miami is offering. Other options for point guard aren't as skilled, but include Miami native Steve Blake, former fan-favorite Eddie House, former Heat starter Travis Best, as well as a multitude of others with similar talent levels. Remaining swingmen include the young, athletic Gerald Wallace, the veteran Lamond Murray, and the versatile Walter McCarty.
Whoever ends up signing, it is obvious whose roles from last season they need to duplicate.
Once the roster is rounded out, the fun, or better yet, the madness (maybe a blend of the two) will begin for Riley, Van Gundy and Co. in terms of meshing at least three new personalities into an already tight-knit core.
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