Miami Heat Preseason Presser

[logpmess]

Welcome Everyone.

To recap last year, we got second in our division and fifth in the East. We battled the Bulls successfully through a 7 game series to win the first round. We unsuccessfully battled the Hawks to a 7 game series in the second round. A few of those games were one possession games that could've gone either way, but again, we lose to the Hawks. The Hawks went on to win the NBA championship last season, so there are worse teams to be eliminated by in the playoffs.

Thanks to one hell of a March Madness Bracket, we were able to pay off our luxury tax this past offseason. In the draft, we traded down a few different times and ended up with Justin Holiday. We put a bid on Gary Neal in RFA. He ended up choosing a bid for less than $1 million more than our bid, so we matched to keep him on for the next few years. In UFA, we put in some bids but were ultimately unsuccessful. Training camp saw some hits and some increases. Our biggest asset is Brandon Jennings, who continues to take massive jumps in TC.

Unfortunately for the organization, we came to terms with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which saw the end of our time with Al Jefferson. He is a true leader and we wish him continued success throughout his NBA career.

At this time, our starting lineup will look as follows:
C - Gustavo Ayon
PF - Serge Ibaka
SF - Lebron James
SG - OJ Mayo
PG - Brandon Jennings
Ike Diogu will be our 6th man this year.

With that, I will open the floor to questions.

[MESSI_2.0]

How will you pay the tax man this upcoming year?

[logpmess]

How will you pay the tax man this upcoming year?

We will accumulate as many points as possible throughout this season and pay the luxury tax at the end of the season.

[garbageman]

It seems like the Heat, in current form, are a step back from last year's form, but with players like LeBron, Mayo, and Jennings, you'll still be a playoff team this year, and a potential division leader. With your tax situation, do you plan to blow it up for a younger, cheaper rebuild during the season, or do you run it again and try to win the Atlantic?

[logpmess]

It seems like the Heat, in current form, are a step back from last year's form, but with players like LeBron, Mayo, and Jennings, you'll still be a playoff team this year, and a potential division leader. With your tax situation, do you plan to blow it up for a younger, cheaper rebuild during the season, or do you run it again and try to win the Atlantic?

I've put out an abundance of feelers for potential trades for any and all of my players. Outside of some completely ludicrous offers, I have had no real traction for legitimate trades for my players. I am willing to let go of my talent for the appropriate trade. Otherwise, I will run it back and maintain my core players and just work with the luxury tax when we get to that situation.

[ballsohard]

Any regrets on how this team was constructed and being reluctant to let go of lesser talent for the greater good ?

[logpmess]

Any regrets on how this team was constructed and being reluctant to let go of lesser talent for the greater good ?

What would there be to regret? I have had a top team for multiple years. I was a missed buzzer beater in game 7 away from a championship. Since I am capped out from competing in UFA, I had to find a way to hold on to valuable backups through the years.

[Xist2Inspire]

Would you say that all the trade and lux tax talk has proven to be a legitimate distraction for the team rather than just idle chatter? Surely the players must be wondering if they're the next to follow Jefferson out of Miami.

[ballsohard]

Any regrets on how this team was constructed and being reluctant to let go of lesser talent for the greater good ?

What would there be to regret? I have had a top team for multiple years. I was a missed buzzer beater in game 7 away from a championship. Since I am capped out from competing in UFA, I had to find a way to hold on to valuable backups through the years.

I'd just say regret after not winning a ring and pretty much having no shot at winning one in the near future as we all slowly watch your team fade into the abyss of nothingness.

[logpmess]

Would you say that all the trade and lux tax talk has proven to be a legitimate distraction for the team rather than just idle chatter? Surely the players must be wondering if they're the next to follow Jefferson out of Miami.

We've been open with our players. They all know that everyone is available. We haven't had anyone legitimately untouchable since the years of Gary Payton. When we drafted Lebron, we took him to a room and laid out the groundworks that we plan to build around him, but if it doesn't produce results, we are going to do what is best for this franchise. We will see how this team produces this year. If they don't produce as expected, we will be shown just how much of a distraction it really is.

[Inner_GI]

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