| 30 Teams, 30 Days: Miami Draft Preview (20th) Authored by Andrew Perna - June 21, 2007 - 1:58 pm
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Draft Pick: 20th, 39th
What they do well
They’re a solid club, having won the Southeast Division despite losing Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal for extended periods of time. They’re arguably a deeper team than they were when they won the title in 2006, and they have the opportunity to further fortify their bench this summer. As with any two-superstar team, if Shaq and D-Wade are healthy, they’ll be a legitimate force.
Where do they need improvement?
The Heat have the luxury of being able to draft the best talent available when Commissioner Stern calls upon them midway through the 2007 NBA Draft. However, if they choose to, they can look to upgrade their bench at a specific position.
Rumors that the Heat are looking to acquire Rashard Lewis from the Sonics might make some assume that they’re looking to grab a scoring option at the three. Assuming Miami allows Eddie Jones and James Posey walk, they’ll need someone to help spell Antoine Walker in the post and on the wing. They’d be smart to grab someone for this role in the draft, in the event they aren’t able to get their hands on Lewis.
Who they should target?
Randy Pfund will have to decide what the team needs to order to contend for the title while Shaq is still able to put on an NBA jersey without loading up on Bengay and Extra Strength Tylenol (which might be sooner than we think). Does Pfund look to fill holes in the roster, like the one at small forward, or does he draft the best player available in order to make an immediate impact in the weak Eastern Conference?
- Aaron Gray, Pittsburgh:
Gray might not be such a bad idea if Miami wants to have someone to bang in the post to complement Dwyane Wade for years to come. He’s also has experience, having played four years at Pittsburgh. What he lacks is the physicality that the Heat have grown accustomed to in recent seasons.
- Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech:
Some would say he’s a reach here, while others would be shocked if he was still left on the draft board when the Heat pick at number 20. He has the skill and size to play either forward positions, but his defensive has turned some people off of his game. In my opinion, his upside is worth a late-round pick.
Picks over the past five years
They changed the face of their franchise when they nabbed Wade with the fifth pick in what might go down as the best draft in the history of the game (2003). Since then I’d consider their picks a disappointment, but Wade hasn’t been the only bright spot in the last five years – they saw a star in Caron Butler as well.
2006
No picks
2005
Wayne Simien, 29th
2004
Dorell Wright, 19th
Pape Sow, 47th
Matt Frejie, 53rd
2003
Dwyane Wade, 5th
Jerome Beasley, 33rd
2002
Caron Butler, 10th
Rasual Butler, 53rd |
