Miami
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
It's not against the Lakers but Shaquille O'Neal will be playing in the Staples Center tonight. The Heat play the last game of their road trip tonight against the Clippers. In the meantime, the Heat continue to be mentioned as suitors for nearly every available veteran, from Alonzo Mourning to Karl Malone and now to Latrell Sprewell. The only one of those three that the Heat have real serious interest in is probably Malone, who is edging closer and closer to a decision.
The Heat are definitely in a win-now sort of situation so that's why they are looking for veteran help. Their back court of Damon Jones and Dwyane Wade actually plays pretty good together and their starting center is the most dominant player in the league. It's at the two forward spots, and possibly the backup center position, where they run into depth problems. Michael Doleac and Christian Laettner are good backups but they're not the bruising rebounders that they need. Mourning would fit that requirement to a T. Malone would provide defense, fast breaks, and interior passing probably off the bench behind Udonis Haslem, who is a terrific rebounder. That leaves only the small forward spot, currently occupied by committee by Eddie Jones, Shandon Anderson, Wesley Person, and Rasual Butler.
Sprewell would not necessarily be a good fit for this team. He can shoot and he can pass but he is primarily a slasher. With the combo of Shaq and Wade either posting up or penetrating into the paint, another slasher would likely clog up the paint too much. They need three-point shooters and lock-down defenders. Someone like Bruce Bowen would be a good fit. Perhaps Miami should have gone after Doug Christie before Orlando snatched him up?
Worst case the team makes no changes, and that ain't not bad. They do, after all, still have the best record in the East.
NEXT GAME
The Heat (28-10, first in the Southeast) play their last game of their current road trip tonight as they re-visit the Staples Center to take on the LA Clippers (17-17, fourth in the Pacific). The game starts at 10:30pm Eastern and will be broadcast on Sun Sports (formerly the Sunshine Network) and NBA League Pass.
TEAM NOTES
Heat Fans, pleasemark your calendars: On Sunday, January 23, the Heat will play the New Orleans Hornets at the AmericanAirlines Arena at 6:00 pm. The Heat will be on the road on Monday, January 24, taking on the 76ers at 7:00 pm in Philadelphia.
INJURY UPDATE
Malik Allen(back),Dorell Wright(abdominal), andJerome Beasley(back) are parked on the injured list.
Ira Winderman ofThe South Florida Sun-Sentinelwrites: A report of Heat trade talks involving guard Eddie Jones and Timberwolves guard Latrell Sprewell quickly was shot down Thursday night by a member of the organization.The report, by TNT correspondent David Aldridge during the network's NBA coverage, had the Heat and 'Wolves discussing a four-team trade that would result in the swap of the guards. Besides the Heat winding up with Sprewell, the deal had the Timberwolves landing Jones and Donyell Marshall, the Knicks receiving Jalen Rose and the Raptors getting Penny Hardaway.
Ira Winderman ofThe South Florida Sun-Sentinelwrites: Even when O'Neal played in previous seasons as a Lakers visitor against the Clippers on their shared home court, he felt like Staples Center was home. ``People know I built that arena,'' he said.``And they'll always know it. Everybody else now is just playing there. I built it.'' When O'Neal visited in December, he was limited by a bruised left calf. This time, he enters with a cut in his right eye.
Ira Winderman ofThe South Florida Sun-Sentinelwrites: This is the Heat's second visit to Staples Center.It defeated the Lakers there 104-102 in overtime on Christmas Day. Shaquille O'Neal's six consecutive games of 25 points or more tie the franchise record set by Glen Rice late in the 1994-95 season. Guard Damon Jones recorded a season-high 10 assists in Wednesday's 98-91 victory over Golden State, becoming the only Heat player other than Dwyane Wade to reach double figures this season. Udonis Haslem's 22 points and 11 field goals in the victory over Golden State both were career highs. Wade (back, ribs) will be a game-time decision, after sitting out the Warriors game. Guard Dorell Wright (abdomen) and forwards Malik Allen (back) and Jerome Beasley (back) are on the injured list.
The San Bernardino County Sunwrites: Shaquille O'Neal has been treated like a king in South Florida since joining the Miami Heat, so it's no surprise he has been named the grand marshal of the the 34th annual Three Kings Day Parade and Festival.The event, which will be held Sunday and draws tens of thousands of people to Little Havana, is part of the Cuban-American celebration of the day the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem to honor the newborn Jesus.
Mike Bresnahan ofThe LA Timeswrites: Karl Malone continues to vacillate between retiring and returning for a 20th season — with the San Antonio Spurs, not the Lakers — although time is becoming a factor. Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said he wants to make any significant addition to the team by the All-Star game Feb. 20... The Spurs remain the front-runners if Malone decides to return, although the Miami Heat has also demonstrated an interest in Malone, with General Manager Pat Riley hoping to set up a meeting with Malone's agent, Dwight Manley.