Submitted by cedric from miami,fl

Q: hi mike,do you notice a certain jealousy or i should say animosity from wade towards beasley?

Answered 11/05/09 13:19:16 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: No. I don't. What I do sense is an attitude from Wade in which he is waiting on some of his teammates to step up consistently and prove that they are capable of helping the team win every night. Truth is, the only player on the team that has any real history of performance with Wade is Udonis Haslem. They won a title together and that carries a lot of weight. No one else on this roster has even won a playoff series while with the Heat. Beasley is special talent. The better he becomes as a player, the better it is long-term for Wade and the Heat. So I don't sense animosity. I do sense that Wade is waiting for Beasley to live up to expectations.

Submitted by Pablo Chiste from Los Angeles, CA

Q: But we didn't get the lead last night with that starting line-up. We got it with Haslem and Wade on the floor together. Did Spolestra tell you why he chose his line-up? I guess this might be like the Van Gundy seasons where it takes him a few weeks to get a starting line-up that all the fans see as obvious.

Answered 10/29/09 13:40:43 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: But that's the thing. Spoelstra believes in the starting lineup he put on the court Wednesday. You are correct, things didn't really take off for the Heat until Haslem came in and played with Beasley, O'Neal, Wade and Chalmers. I don't see why that's not the starting five. But Spoelstra gets paid to make this decisions under Pat Riley's watchful eye. It worked last night, so I don't have a problem. Quentin started a the three and spent part of his time guarding Al Harrington, who was 5 of 14. So that move paid off as well. Again, we'll see how this thing plays out. Beasley responded. What a lot of people don't seem to understand is that this shouldn't be about Beasley v. Haslem. The two can co-exist on the court.

Submitted by Adrian from Miami

Q: Hey Mike! If Jermaine Oneal stays healthy and plays like he did last night, all season, any chance he resigns with Miami after the season?

Answered 10/29/09 13:17:49 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: If he plays like he did last night, I think it would be a strong possibility. Jermaine has been challenged by the front office to deliver all-star numbers this season. If so, he could be looking at a new deal after the season. Of course, keeping up last night's pace will be easier said than done. Jermaine has performed in peaks and valleys since he arrived in the trade. Injuries have been a factor, but now he says he's the healthiest he's been in years. He's truly the X factor on this team in terms of how dangerous it can be this season.

Submitted by Pablo Chiste from Los Angeles, CA

Q: I still see Haslem as our second most complete player. Why shouldn't he be starting over Richardson? It's not like Beasley is a monster on the boards or that Haslem will be taking Beasley's shots.

Answered 10/29/09 13:15:20 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: Pablo, I agree with your take. But it's hard to argue after last night's results against New York. Yes, it was only the lowly Knicks, but the Heat showed an offensive spark that hadn't existed for much of the preseason. Udonis is a valuable player on this team. This changeup is working for now. We'll see how things continue to go.

Submitted by roy s. sears from richmond,ca

Q: Hey Mike! You and all the heat expert's say that this is it for D. Wright. You say he will be given one last try to prove his self. You and me know's the writing is on the wall. He is projected 9th or 10th in the rotation. What type of chance is that. How come the heat just want go ahead and cut him or release him. This kid can play. Get him the right coaching. He could be something. Look at Trevor A. All it took was the right organization and a coach that does'nt play mindgames. That's all Wright need's. I just don't think he has confidence right now

Answered 10/22/09 13:21:08 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: Welcome to this week's Heat chat. Let's get right to the questions. Dorell is in the final year of his contract so it's understandable that this is a make or break season for him. The former first round pick has been hampered by injuries, roster shakeups and inconsistent play since he arrived in 2004. While the talent is there, the time is now to finally show it at a consistent level.

Submitted by Banel from Lake Worth Fl

Q: Hi Michael, Im Banel Paulinis and I go to Park Vista High School. Im an intern right now for CBS Maxpreps, I want to be a sports reporter and I was just wondering if you could give me some advice and tell me about a sports reporter.

Answered 10/15/09 13:39:36 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: I'll be glad to share anything I can. Contact me at mwallace@miamiherald.com.

Submitted by yanni christon from staten island ny

Q: Mike, I respect your basketball intelligence and agree with most of your opinions ranging from D.Wade truly wanting to stay in Miami to M. Beasley's high ceiling and potential. I however feel that unless Beasley can make major strides this year in supporting Wade and becoming a legit number two option, the Heat will struggle to make the playoffs. I look at Atlanta ,Toronto, Washington , Chicago and even Detroit ( along with the big three... Cleveland, Boston & Orlando)as potential playoff teams. I think many of these teams have made changes in the off season to improve their talent. I know you feel that the Heat can fall in to the six to eight slot.. however, I'm not that confident. Mike, by the Feb. trading deadline, if the Heat find themselves in a dog fight for one of the final play off spots, do you think that Riley would pull a deal off to solidify making the play offs but perhaps jeopardize their 2010 cap space in doing so. ( by taking back non expiring contracts ) ?

Answered 10/15/09 13:37:17 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: Absolutely not. Riley would in no way jeopardize the grand 2010 plan to make a subtle playoff push. The focus will always be on 2010's free agency.

Submitted by Jose Otero from Bradenton,Fl

Q: Hello Michael: I am really dissappionted that with all the offseason work, our point guards are terrible. I really think John Lucas is our best point guard. Chalmers and Quinn are a joke. Can't we try to trade for Rafer Alston? We have a surplus at small forward..What do you think? Also, dont you think Jones is our best small forward right now..He looks to be getting into his old form..Thanks for your thoughts Michael.

Answered 10/15/09 13:27:33 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: Lucas is a great story and an even better kid but he may be caught in a numbers crunch with Arroyo in the picture. The Heat is likely to exit the preseason with Mario Chalmers, Arroyo and Chris Quinn at point guard. Chalmers and Quinn are already on guaranteed contracts.

Submitted by Cameron Ader from miami florida

Q: do you think that carlos arollo will be the back up point guard?

Answered 10/15/09 13:19:27 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: Yes. Arroyo has the scoring and playmaking skills to help the Heat. He also has the rust right now from his time out of the league. Once he works out the kinks, the Heat will have a decent 1-2 punch at the point.

Submitted by surin,Tony from 1745 NW 122st Miami ,fl 33167

Q: Now is clear that pat Riley is right on the money but for this move will help a lot better.If i was him ,i would get stephen jackson from golden states to help this team to find his true spot against all the elite eastern team.The truth is why will you wait to get him latter at the date line that's equal to lamar odom or even better rightnow for this team. wright,quin,diawara and one of this dratf can make this possible to jackson.After we will be a solid team as everyone else.peace out...!

Answered 10/15/09 13:12:08 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: Welcome to this week's Heat live chat. Let's get right to the questions. First off, Golden State will likely want Michael Beasley in any deal involving Stephen Jackson. I don't think Pat Riley is willing to do that just yet but the longer this ordeal plays out with Jackson, the more you have to wonder if the Heat may gain interest. Jackson's scoring ability would fit well at small forward alongside Dwyane Wade.

Submitted by renzo from miami

Q: mike i know this has nothing to do with the heat but can you take a cam recorder to the american airlines arena?

Answered 10/08/09 13:18:16 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: Not sure about that one. I'm sure folks have used their phones and digital devices to record limited video. But I don't think recording an entire game is allowed. Especially if your plan is to put in on the black market and make bootleg billions. Not sure there's much of a market for that. But it's Miami. You never know.

Submitted by Yanni Christon from staten island ny

Q: Looking at the Heats roster,and the fact that many teams in the east have improved their talent , its a fair bet to say the Heat are not playoff bound. With the potential for a deep and talented 2010 draft, do you think the Heat should be looking forward to a top lottery pick (D.Favors, J.Wall, E.Davis, G.Monroe...)? Along with adding a top tier free agent and retaining Wade , the Heat could be a contender next year.

Answered 10/08/09 13:16:35 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: The Heat will never look to the draft for a savior unless it truly hits rock bottom during the season. That was the case two years ago when Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal went down and the season was tanked before the All-Star break. This is a playoff team as it currently stands. It may be a sixth or seventh seed. But when there's a Dwyane Wade (healthy), there's a way. The Heat is stockpiling draft picks right now as "chips" as Pat Riley likes to call them. I don't think he sees immediate help in next year's draft. He does see it in next year's free-agency crop and with potential trade partners.

Submitted by timmytim15 from east lansing mi

Q: why is Erik Spoelstra wanting Chris Quinn to be the backup when Lucas is a better player. to me. Chris Quinn gets beat off the dribble and he cant give you any offense. why why why ??????.It's mind boggling to me but, I'm not the coach. The game I saw on tv Lucas played well. Mario isn't doing that good of a job either. Mario and Quinn combining to shoot 2 of 13 from the field with four turnovers that's not good. Do you think Lucas will be there at the start of the season. I'm have not deemed as the saver of the Heat.

Answered 10/08/09 13:14:06 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: Thanks for joining this week's edition of the Heat live chat. The preseason is underway. I'll get right to your questions. While Lucas has looked good in spurts, with his change of pace and energy off the bench, keep in mind that it has come late in games against fellow training camp fodder trying to make a roster. That said, Lucas has been given a look with the first and second team offense in practice. He may earn a bit of playing time earlier in games as the preseason progresses. The word from the Heat is that Chalmers and Quinn are simply having a rough start that goes against everything they've done behind closed doors in practice. Take that for what it's worth. What matters most is what happens in games.

Submitted by Pedro from San German, P.R. (former Miami resident)

Q: Michael: Why cann't the Miami Heat sign up Carlos Arrollo, as a back up point guard? He has NBA, olympic & world experience, He's available, will come cheap in accordance with NBA standards & he will bring more fans to the court, just like he did in Orlando. He's not that old either. Thanks! Pedro

Answered 10/01/09 13:41:38 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: Good question. I do know the Heat has had several opportunities to make a move for Carlos, yet the team either bypassed or Carlos held himself in higher regard than the Heat did. But I like Carlos and think he would be a great fit for this roster, especially if he's willing to come off the bench. But the Heat seems willing to bide it's time with the point guard situation.

Submitted by hoping from aventura

Q: Whats wrong with the miai heat? I want to believe that they will one day be good but it might take losing d wade in a block buster trade, I don't want that to happen I am a d wade fanatic tell me what you think

Answered 10/01/09 13:11:46 by Miami Heat Beat Reporter

A: I think the Heat is a team that is putting one season's worth of faith in its current roster in hopes that it will be enough to get back to the playoffs, perhaps even secure a top-4 seed. I do not think Dwyane Wade will walk away from Miami after the season, when he becomes a free agent. AS long as Pat Riley is in place and the Heat shows Wade at either the Feb. trade deadline or next summer that it will bring in championship-level talent, Wade will almost certainly stay.