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Michael Wallace is in his second season covering the Miami Heat and the NBA for the Miami Herald. Wallace, a Washington, D.C. native, attended Grambling State (La.) University and has previously covered the NFL, college football and college basketball for newspapers in Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi.
Submitted by Pete from Lebanon, PA
Q: Hey Mike, How much do you think we can expect of Alonzo next season? Any chance he could give us 30-35 mpg assuming he comes back healthy as he left? (which w/ Zo's work-ethic would not suprise me a bit)
Answered 04/23/08 08:53:45 by Michael Wallace
A: I don't think Zo can log anywhere near that many minutes next season. I don't think he'd even want to. But if he can give you 18-22 minutes off the bench, assuming he's in good health, that would work for this team from a defensive standpoint. My best guess is that Zo, who stays in shape all year anyway, will reevaluate his situation sometime in November or December and make a decision. I think he'd like to see how this team comes together first before he commits to anything.Submitted by Marc from Phoenix,AZ
Q: What's the rule as far as the clock stops on a made basket sometimes & doesn't others?Speaking of Shaq,he should've retired a Laker!They're pretty happy with him here so far.It's sad 2 see what's happened 2 the Heat in JUST 2 years!They've been my favorite Eastern Conference franchise since they were created.Lastly,if they get the #1 pick,who do they go after?
Answered 04/23/08 08:51:08 by Michael Wallace
A: Yes, it has been a steep and fast fall from grace for the Heat. As far as who Miami would pick, all signs point to Derrick Rose at this point, the point guard from Memphis.Submitted by roy s. sears from richmond,ca
Q: Hey Mike! You see what occur when you play mindgames with not only D. Wright, but the entire team? I have a lot of respect for P. Riley. But he has to go. I'm a big of D. Wright. If the organization would have develop him you could have a superstar. I promise if Stan V would have been coaching you would not have had a season like this. What they should do is draft a scoring point guard. Move Marion back to the power forward position. And trust me on this play Wright when he is healthy. After he misses a shot don't pull him out the game. If they trade him they would be making a big mistake.
Answered 04/23/08 08:49:21 by Michael Wallace
A: It's been four years now and Wright hasn't really turned that corner many expected, based on his talent and athletic ability. He's had the past two seasons to really make his move. Because he is a restricted free agent this summer, he will likely get one more shot to do it in Miami. If not now, it will never happen. At least not here. But I think he has a chance to really shine this year in what should be a more open, up-tempo style of play with Marion, Wade, Haslem and Rose, if the Heat could get him.Submitted by Brian Morales from North Miami Beach, FL
Q: When will the miami heat get a break ? I don't understand why everybody keeps pointing out that the heat are the worst team in the league i think everybody already knows that but its if their just their to remind us. When we won the championship everybody talked about how dwade got away with alot of calls from the officials, how we didn't deserve the championship and even had mark cuban talking bad about dwade and the team. Regardless wether we win one or ten championships the miami heat is always going to get bashed by everybody. In other words they insult our team and make our team feel unvalued, the sad part is hearing what the commentators from espn say about the miami heat as if they don't remember that last season the boston celtics were the worst team in the nba but yet now they praise them as if they were the best team for 10 years. The reporter from FOXSports that writes the power rankings has killed us with his words that the heat shouldn't even play and automatically consider every game a loss. The heat has done bad this season no doubt but those it really make a difference if we win ? Will we get the praise that perhaps the celtics get or pistons, who knows but i hope we do and hope someday these reporters start critiquing us instead of bashing us. So my question is do you think the heat will ever get a chance to be a basketball team or always be criticized for what it doesn't have or how sorry they play ?
Answered 04/23/08 08:45:53 by Michael Wallace
A: The Heat had been filled with a lot of guys people loved rooting against. Shaq, Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, Jason Williams. But most of those guys are gone now. I think the fact that Miami failed so badly this year proved to some people (at least in their own minds) that the title run was somehow luck or whatever. I disagree. Sure, Dallas tanked midway through that 2006 series, but the Heat made the plays to win. It's hard to say how quickly Miami will get back to contender status. We've heard two seasons worth of excuses and there have been a bad run of injuries. Healthy, this team is a playoff squad. But as we've seen, it doesn't have any margin for error.Submitted by chris
Q: Some more questions. 1) Besides Rose and Beasley, is there realistically any ideal players for the Heat to draft if they don't receive the top 2 picks? I sort of inclined to say if they dont receive the top 2 picks, they need to trade!2) If the Heat choose Beasley, is it me or the PG FA list look weak? Duhon and Arroyo top that list, enough said. 3) The talk of selecting Rose over Beasley to me indicates they havent given up on Brand yet. Or am i seeing that wrong? 4) Last but not least, the "rumors" of Haslem being traded to the Magic; anything truth in that? I can't see what they'd have to offer us for Haslem to be honest. Some fan in a forum said JJ reddick; which to me is pointless because we have Cook as a perimeter shooter. I'd rather cross my fingers for McClinton in the 2009 Draft.
Answered 04/23/08 08:40:38 by Michael Wallace
A: All good questions. I'll try to tackle them in the order in which they were asked. 1. Everything points to the Heat at least attempting to trade that pick (or draft a player with a trade deal agreement already in place with another team) if it's not one of the top two picks. There are a couple of good prospects beyond Rose and Beasley. Among them are Brook Lopez, O.J. Mayo, Jerryd Bayless and Eric Gordon. 2. The PG list, as it stands now, looks a little weak. But should Baron Davis opt out, T.J. Ford/Jose Calderon or Beno Udrih become available, it'll add some spice to the field. 3. If the Heat selects Rose over Beasley, they'd just be going with the player who is the best fit for the team as it stands now, meaning with Udonis Haslem set at power forward for at least another year. 4. We heard those same rumblings about Haslem and the Magic. The only way that would have made sense is if it involved a third team in some way because they Magic wouldn't part with anything the Heat needs (worth letting go of Haslem) to make that deal straight up.Submitted by M.Rubin from North Miami Beach, Fl
Q: Shaq might have helped to bring us a championship, but he was not a gentleman about his prior employment which gave him great wealth. Since all of us brought #32 shirts which I am sure added to his wallet, we should shred the shirts and send them to his current bosses.
Answered 04/08/08 11:23:48 by Michael Wallace
A: I may be in the dwindling minority here, but I'm not in the Hate-On-Shaq business. Sure, it ended ugly, but the guy was a big reason the Heat won a title. He brought a lot of attention and money to the organization as well. It's a shame it had to go down like that at the end, but Riley hasn't exactly left places on good terms either. So the two sort of deserved each other in a way. It was a productive union followed by a painful, nasty breakup. Both Shaq and the Heat are better off at this point without one another.Submitted by JoeyJr from Palmetto Bay, FL
Q: Just going thru some ideas in my head and I just happen to find something glaring that I don't think I have ever heard mentioned. Miami is obviously needing to get younger and add some talent around D-Wade. If we end up with the number 1 pick, it's a lock that we take Michael Beasley. Considering Beasley is similar to Shawn Marion and there are still mintues needed for Udonis, wouldn't it be in the teams best interest to do a sign and trade with Shawn Marion? He'll be 30 next year so we can get good value for him before he starts to decline. If we can land a shooter or defender at SF in the trade as well as a pick in the 10-12 range, we could go ahead and nab Ty Lawson as well. I mean going into next season with Michael Beasley, Ty Lawson, Dwyane Wade is a solid core of young players to build a franchise around. Not to mention we would have added a shooter, and we already have some ok role pieces on Marcus Banks, Dorell Wright and Udonis Haslem. And the money saved by dealing Marion could go into signing another solid big man. Does this not make some sense? If we are going to go young and rebuild, why not do it on the fly and revamp with one big trade of Marion to get you the means to add tons of pieces to the youth movement?
Answered 04/08/08 11:18:56 by Michael Wallace
A: You raise some interesting points. But it will be interesting to see how things play out with Marion. The biggest reason the Heat traded for him was to unlead O'Neal's contract. I'm still not convinced the Heat sees Marion as a long-term sidekick for Wade. There will be a power play in the coming months between the Heat and Marion. Someone's bluff has got to be called because he has that opt out clause and would go into next season with an expiring deal. As far as the draft, it would almost be better if the Heat ends up with the NO. 2 pick, with Beasley being off the board. That would take away a lot of the tough decision-making that would have to go on otherwise. In that case, you just take Rose, if he comes out, plan on having Marion back for next season and move forward with Wade, Haslem, Dorell Wright and add a shot-blocking, rebounding center through free-agency. If the Heat picks No. 1 or Nos. 3 through whatever, then you have to break up the team in a major way.Submitted by Chris
Q: Few questions. First would be, why are fans asking for Beasley AND BRAND to play with Marion and Haslem? 2 sf's and 2 pf's? Unless Marion opts out and Haslem is dealt elsewhere? Second would be, i feel the PG position is definitely the Heat's biggest need. They trying to incorporate an uptempo offense without a TRUE PG. Any hope of gettin Andre Miller? I know Baron Davis is unlikely to come here so i wont ask. Other question is, what center is really out there that could be an impact OFFENSIVELY and DEFENSIVELY? Hibbert wouldnt fit both. Curry from the Knicks? I hope there is some IMMEDIATE changes to the roster if the Heat expect fans to show up to games next year.
Answered 04/08/08 11:12:06 by Michael Wallace
A: All good questions. Let me first say it would be nearly impossible for the Heat to add Beasley and Brand in addition to keeping Marion and Haslem. Won't happen. All four play the same position. Plus, there are salary issues. Second, I think PG and C are equal in terms of Heat needs. Both are of the highest priority. I would almost lean toward a versatile post presence as the bigger need. Wade, even with his turnovers, is capable of dominating the ball. But the Heat's biggest problem this season is that it didn't have a shot-blocking, rebounding, lane-clogging center. Teams score at will on this team. Are there any in the draft? There are some projects. I like Thabeet from UCONN and Lopez from Stanford ahead of Hibbert at this point, for obvious reasons. The Heat might have to look to free agency to cover this need. One guy who would be a solid addition for mid-level money would be D. Diop, the former Mavs center and current Nets pending free agent.Submitted by Pete from Lebanon, PA
Q: Watching the Heat play LA on Sunday I couldn't help but notice Riley's near-constant smile. It looked like he had it sprayed on w/ permacream. I wonder if he was reminiscing back to his Showtime days. I must say, right away I was upset about the trade, because of how I feel about Shaq, the person, but, no question, this improves the team & I love the up-tempo style, especially in the first quarter. It kind of trailed off, probably because they aren't used to it, but I think w/ time, this may be a step in the right direction. We need a center, Hibbert would be nice & a settled PG, get Haslem back healthy & this could be fun. The right FA moves too in the next couple years are important also. Showtime East redux. Whatcha think Mike?
Answered 03/25/08 12:29:59 by Michael Wallace
A: This is going to be a three-phase project. Getting Marion and Banks and trading O'Neal was step one. The draft, likely a top-two pick at this point, is step two. And using the midlevel and veterans exemptions in free agency is step three. The Heat needs a point guard and shot-blocking center. I'm a Georgetown fan, so I do have a soft spot for Hibbert. But I'm not sure he has the fire defensively to get it done with the Heat in the two-year time frame in place (with Marion set a free agent next season and Wade able to opt out in 2010). It's going to be a busy and eventful summer.Submitted by Dale A from Miami, FL
Q: Seeing as the Heat is going to be in the lottery and the pick they are due to send Minnesota is lottery protected, it would seem the pick will be ours this year. My question is whether we can trade that pick to another team during the off season, or are we obliged to keep it because of the deal with Minnesota? i ask this because if Miami ends up out of the top 2 or 3, their really isn't an immediate impact player available and maybe they could send it in a deal for Brand?
Answered 03/25/08 12:25:41 by Michael Wallace
A: I agree that the Heat would pursue trade options with the pick if they don't get No. 1 or No. 2 overall. The deal with Minnesota does complicate matters a bit. Because league rules prohibit teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive seasons, the Heat would almost certainly make a pick and then trade the player, similar to what Boston did last year. And yes, Brand would be among the targets if things play out this way.Submitted by Newsunsfan from Riverside, CA
Q: Not a question, just a comment. I want you to know how much I have enjoyed your intelligent coverage of the Heat. I am a former Lakers fan who defected to the Heat when Shaq was traded, and now I am defecting to the Suns. Even though he isn't what he once was (who is?) Shaq is still the reason I watch and enjoy basketball. I will check in from time to time on the Heat, because I think things are going to get a lot more fun in Miami now (and Dwyane Wade is also just a joy to watch). But my heart is with Shaq, and Shaq is in Phoenix. (Maybe it's a female thing. I can't help it.) You know, I used to think being a sportswriter would be a dream job, but I can't imagine how hard it must be to cover a losing team. I hope that scenario will change for you soon. In the meantime, congratulations on handling your difficult task with grace. It's been a pleasure reading you.
Answered 03/25/08 12:23:00 by Michael Wallace
A: Thanks so much for the kind words of support. It's certainly been an interesting season to cover. Always something going on. But I appreciate and love my job.Submitted by Anonymous from Carmichael, CA
Q: Why do you think that neither Jason Williams or Ricky Davis did not get traded? As a J-Will fan I was hoping that he would get moved to a team that has a chance to do something. My other question is whether or not you feel the Heat would actually try to resign either J-Will or Ricky?
Answered 03/25/08 12:20:29 by Michael Wallace
A: The Heat either didn't get the trade they wanted or other teams didn't value Williams or Davis - who each has an expiring contract - high enough to execute a deal. I do think the Heat will explore sign-and-trade deals this summer with both. If I had to guess which of the two would be back, I'd say Davis. He has been durable and could be an effective sixth man behind Wade and Marion next season - if his price isn't too high.Submitted by steven from miami. florida
Q: im not a miami heat fan but just was interested in their uniforms. they had a cool team name "heat" but uniforms kinda suck! the alt red is alright, but the home white & road black is very simple. what do you think of the uniforms?? and who can i contact if i wanted them to wear the red jeresy with black shorts?
Answered 03/25/08 12:14:16 by Michael Wallace
A: The Heat has had one of the more basic uniform designs for some time now. I don't have a problem with the black ones. But funny how these things are noticed when the team is struggling. It's not the uniforms. It's the players in them - or not in them because of injuries.Submitted by Anthony from Hialeah, Florida
Q: What do you think about the Heat's chances of getting Michael Beasley as their 1st 2008 NBA Draft pick out of Kansas State University?
Answered 03/25/08 12:11:46 by Michael Wallace
A: Well, considering most teams that finish with the worst record don't get the No. 1 pick in the lottery, I'd say the chances are 50-50 at best (even though they are technically 25 percent, with the worst record). I do think the Heat will get the first or second pick. I think there's a lot less pressure picking second. Then, they can go for need and get Derrick Rose at point guard, if he declares. If they have the top pick, you have to go with Beasley - even though you have two power forwards (Marion and Haslem) already on the roster. Marion can move to small forward, but he's clearly more comfortable in the Heat's offense at the four.Submitted by Monte Schisler from Lewes, DE
Q: The Heat sign Blake Ahearn to a 10-day contract - with all the injuries - do they keep him the rest of the year ? The kids is a shooter and of course a legend from Missouri State.
Answered 03/25/08 12:08:49 by Michael Wallace
A: I think Blake needs to show a little bit more to stick around through the summer program and for training camp. He truly has NBA range on his shot, but he struggles at this level to create space to get that shot off. His handle is also questionable when he's pressured fullcourt. But the Heat liked him enough to bring him in, so there is some confidence in his ability.
