Back to the Beach 2017 banners are flying everywhere at Sandy Bob's Outdoor Pub. Keg beer is available but the open bar on south beach calls more for the fruit drinks served in the shell of pineapples and coconuts. All staff members are feeling pretty loose by the time GM LogPMess walks on to the stage.
Logpmess: Welcome everyone. I see that the open bar is a big success. It's been years since we have held the press conference on the beach with drinks. Last time I believe is when we lost our franchise star Gary Payton, so it only seems appropriate that we hold it here when we lost our next franchise star Lebron James. Please, help yourself to a delicious cocktail and lets get this thing going.
Logpmess: Last year we decided to finally succumb to the tax man. We traded away our players and got under the tax. We got some good pieces back in Greg Monroe and Tobias Harris. Unfortunately, none of our players are premier scorers so we had a difficult time keeping up with other teams in the league. Even worse, we didn't have our pick this past year. Our pick ended with the Utah Jazz who drafted Robert Neeley. He seems like he is going to be a good scorer even in his first year, which we could've used. SO that sucks.
Logpmess: We did have the 15th pick of the draft because of a late season surge by the Cavs to make the playoffs. They subsequently got booted by the number 1 seed in the East: The Atlanta Hawks. Thanks Cleveland.
Logpmess: With that pick, we drafted Keith Pfeffer. With a little development, we think that Keith is the point guard of our future. In the second round, we got Freddy Stambaugh. He is a back up point guard at best.
Logpmess: In Free Agency, we got some good players and filled our needs for scorers. Our outlook for this season is to see if we can grow even more for the future. Everyone is available to get traded. Our starting five is:
C - Greg Monroe
PF - Gary Perez
SF - Tobias Harris
SG - Marcus Thornton
PG - Jimmer Fredette
Logpmess: With that we will open the floor to some questions.
WigNosy wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2017 11:15 am
Who do you feel will be the leaders on the Heat this year?
Greg Monroe has stepped out from the pack to take a leadership role. He mentors the young guys, makes sure practice is held to a high standard, and produces on the court by example.
false9 wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2017 11:57 am
Will Keith "Desmond" Pfeffer see time this season or will he be redshirted?
We really liked his growth during training camp. With the new Rookie scale training, we believe a redshirt will be used here. However if the need arrives, we will call upon him to play some.
Xist2Inspire wrote:Random Reporter: Given that Monroe is 27 and in the final year of his contract, will you look to move him for a younger player or an asset?
We have had sit down conversations with every player on the roster. He knows that if given the opportunity, we will move him for a better future for this franchise. He understands and still plans to be the leader until he is here no longer.
Even though this is a rebuilding phase and preseason is only preseason, how is the team reacting to the 0-6 start? Any differences between the attitudes of the young guys and the vets?
garbageman wrote:Even though this is a rebuilding phase and preseason is only preseason, how is the team reacting to the 0-6 start? Any differences between the attitudes of the young guys and the vets?
We fired out game plan coach after preseason because that lineup was terrible. We have since adjusted and expect better results. The team was a little demoralized, but we reassured them of our plan for the year.
Tobias actually took it the hardest. He saw himself as a failure but we reminded him that he was playing out of position. The rest of the team are following the leadership of Greg Monroe and are optimistic for the season.
TheSyndicate wrote:Last year you very much expected your team to compete. But come on, you're going to be bad this year, right?
Any team with Lebron James at this point in his career should be able to contend. He decision to trade him changed that mind set for us. We are not pretending that we are going to be good this year, but we are going to send our best line up out each night and give the fans of Miami a team they can continue to cheer for.