Rafer Alston’s absence from the Miami Heat took another turn Wednesday, with the team denying that the embattled point guard was told shortly before his sudden departure he would no longer get playing time.

On Wednesday, Spoelstra — who, like the rest of the Heat organization, said he still has not heard from Alston since a text-message exchange last week — denied Alston was told that his minutes were gone, saying only that the 11th-year guard was informed before Miami’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday that Carlos Arroyo was taking over the starting job.

“Actually, he probably still would have been in the rotation,” Spoelstra said. “Probably not with the minutes he would have liked, and I also told him that the way the year’s been going, that it’s still up for grabs. I’ve had those conversations with everybody in the locker room. It’s about production right now.”

The Heat hosted the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Alston remains listed on the roster, but his image did not appear in the team’s pregame introductory video.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Of the 119 players on the NBA’s 3-point accuracy chart this season, the Indiana Pacers might be surprised to learn who ranked next-to-last.


Dwyane Wade might not stay there much longer.

Only a 27 percent shooter from long range, Wade made his first four attempts from beyond the arc — including one that counted after goaltending, of all things — and scored a game-high 32 points as the Heat easily beat the Pacers 113-83 on Tuesday night.

“I’ve been feeling good about my shot lately,” said Wade, who topped the 11,000-point mark for his career on a second-quarter layup. “I think my first shot was a 3, which I normally try not to do. But I was in rhythm, shot it, hit it and after that the confidence was up.”

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

The experiment was put on hold Sunday. Michael Beasley was back at power forward for the Miami Heat, back at the spot where he built his lottery reputation at Kansas State, back where he earned first-team All-Rookie last season.


The move certainly wasn’t a definitive switch. Nothing can be definitive when Dwyane Wade, Jermaine O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili all are held out of the same game, which was the case with the 95-93 exhibition loss to the San Antonio Spurs at AmericanAirlines Arena.

But by playing Udonis Haslem off the bench, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra gave himself the chance to look at Plan B, which many considered Plan A when Beasley was taken with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft — a starting role at power forward.

After averaging 10 points and four rebounds as the starting small forward in the first two preseason games, Beasley finished with 16 and six in 27 minutes Sunday. His quickness edge against power players was apparent from the outset.


Click here to read the full article – By Ira Winderman of South Florida Sun Sentinel

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Michael Beasley told his personal manager several days ago that he was working out in Houston because it brought “a change of scenery” from Miami and Washington. What happened next is a mystery, even to those who know Beasley best.

The Miami Heat forward checked into a Houston rehabilitation facility for treatment last week, two people briefed on the situation told The Associated Press on Monday. Each spoke on condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns; one said part of Beasley’s treatment revolved around some stress-related issues, and both declined to say if Beasley was receiving drug or alcohol counseling.

Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com

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The Miami Heat and Lamar Odom have discussed a deal that would approach the $9 million salary the free-agent forward nearly agreed to last week with the Los Angeles Lakers before talks broke down, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has reported.

The Heat, who traded Odom to the Lakers five years ago in the trade that brought Shaquille O’Neal to South Florida, have made Odom a firm offer to return, according to The Associated Press. The offer is believed to be a five-year package worth around $35 million, the AP reported.

Pat Riley, addressing Heat season-ticket holders in a two-day session Wednesday and Thursday that was closed to media, said the Heat were also monitoring Carlos Boozer’s status with the Utah Jazz but had not entered discussions on acquiring the forward.

Riley said the team could add Odom, Boozer or both without sacrificing its goals toward 2010’s free-agent class, the Sun-Sentinel reported, citing people in attendance at the private sit-ins and sources involved in the Heat’s dealings.

Click here to read the full article – By ESPN.com

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NBA scoring champion Dwyane Wade is changing shoes, making the switch from Converse to Nike’s Jordan Brand.

Nike announced Friday that the star Miami Heat guard will now be representing the Jumpman label, joining the likes of Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Derek Jeter. Wade had three years remaining on his deal with Converse, which had him as the centerpiece of its attempt to reinvigorate the company’s once-thriving basketball business.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

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Mourning announced Friday that he soon will begin a new job as Miami’s vice president of player development, with a wide range of responsibilities, many of them off the court and in community relations areas.

He’ll also spend some time mentoring young players, a role he took on in the latter portions of his playing career.

“My on-court contributions are retiring, but I still feel like I can contribute to the game,” Mourning said. “I’m very knowledgeable, a student of the game, and I think my experiences can help the team and the players.”

Click here to read the full article – From the Associated Press

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Thursday night’s NBA draft marked the first time since 1993 a Chicago product wasn’t taken in the first round.

In fact, it started to look like Chicago might be shut out entirely. Patrick Beverley, a former Marshall High School star, had to be patient. But in the second round, with the 42nd overall pick, his wait ended when the Los Angeles Lakers selected him. Later, the 6-foot-1 combo guard was traded to the Miami Heat. “Oh, man,” said Beverley on Friday morning. “I can’t describe it. It was a dream come true. You talk about as a child you want to be an NBA player, and to be in the position to have your name called is unbelievable.”

Article By Scott Powers For ESPNChicago.com on June 26, 2009
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