Miami Heat 2033-2034 Preseason Press Conference

[logpmess]

Welcome. It feels good to be back after a few years hiatus. This league has changed a bit since the last time I was here. I feel good going forward after a refresher.

I couldn't really tell you how last year went. We got the 2nd pick in the draft. We didn't see anyone that really stood out that would drastically improve our team considering we rejoined with less than 2 hours to make the selection. We liked what Miguel Thomas could bring to our PF position. We see him as a center piece for years to come. We see Felix Ireland as a solid backup that can play right away as well as be as force in the future. Long standing Heat player Chris Guyer is only going to benefit from having those two on the team. We also managed to get a future first out of the deal.

In RFA, we wanted to throw out some offers that would still allow us a slot to offer one max in UFA. After all of the dust settled from RFA, we ended up adding Frederic Hughes. He will slot in at SF and we will have a three headed monster in our frontcourt.

In UFA, we needed to address guard play. We had our sights on Odell Rasberry like the rest of the league. We unfortunately struck out in round one. In round 2, we got a good assortment of players that will contribute to our team immediately. All of the players are on 1+ contracts so we have no commitment to them in years to come.

We are currently 19.5 million under the cap, so we see ourselves as having assets that can be moved for further pieces to develop our team going forward. As far as the future goes, we have just under $50 million committed in guaranteed money next year. We have all of our future firsts and we have an additional first.

Here is what we are looking at as far as lineup goes:
C - Chris Guyer
PF - Miguel Thomas
SF - Frederick Hughes
SG - Paul McWhite
PG - Ronald Small

We will have Ronald Jackson/James Gebhert backing up the guard positions. Felix Ireland/Kerry Powell will back up in the post.

With that, I'd like to open the floor for some questions.

[AngryBanana]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Two questions.

1. What has been your favorite part of coming back so far? Any changes that you feel have made the league better?

2. Are there any teams/ rivals you look forward to playing again this year after being off?


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[false9]

You're basically starting from scratch. Do you have a timeframe for your team to be a contender again?

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Since you've been on hiatus for a few seasons, what's the most surprising thing that you've seen upon returning?

[NOLa.]

You have a pretty decent young roster since taking back over the team this offseason. What do you think of the tank for the top pick in this draft with competition like the Pistons, Jazz, and Bucks trying to be the worst?

[Keepit100]

You have an interesting mix of prospects in the frontcourt, veterans in the backcourt, and Fred Hughes as the glue holding it all together should you decide to go one way or another in the next couple of seasons so where do you see Michael Morley fitting into the big scheme?

[logpmess]

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News: Two questions.

1. What has been your favorite part of coming back so far? Any changes that you feel have made the league better?

2. Are there any teams/ rivals you look forward to playing again this year after being off?


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I always enjoy Free Agency. It's the most chance a team has to turn around in one year and become competitive again. I think it is all still too fresh to determine if anything is better just yet.

Well, I have had a long standing rival with that half of a man in height and character out in Phoenix. But looking at his roster, I'm not too excited to play him this year. I'm just looking forward to seeing him blow it in the playoffs.

[logpmess]

You're basically starting from scratch. Do you have a timeframe for your team to be a contender again?

Realistically, its probably about 7 years. But my goal is for 3-4 years. I want some of my players to develop and become a destination again that free agents want to play at. We are about 2 years of player development and two big name player signings away from really being a force again.

[logpmess]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Since you've been on hiatus for a few seasons, what's the most surprising thing that you've seen upon returning?

The Suns seem like they are built for a long run at the top in this league. I don't think they will win this year, but every year after they are going to be something to deal with. Apparently there was a contraction draft while I was gone. Boy did that help them.

[logpmess]

You have a pretty decent young roster since taking back over the team this offseason. What do you think of the tank for the top pick in this draft with competition like the Pistons, Jazz, and Bucks trying to be the worst?

Part of why people like me in this league is that I always play to win as many games as possible. Which means I don't tank. The reason some GMs like that is because it means that they are going to be more successful with tanking. So I won't be tanking.

Those particular teams are interesting. I feel like the Jazz have a good team. The Pistons should flip some players if they want to tank. And aren't the Bucks tanking every 3 out of 5 years? Some things never seem to change.

[logpmess]

You have an interesting mix of prospects in the frontcourt, veterans in the backcourt, and Fred Hughes as the glue holding it all together should you decide to go one way or another in the next couple of seasons so where do you see Michael Morley fitting into the big scheme?

We are disappointed with Mike's effort in training camp this year. He needs to really commit to the association before the association will commit to him. He will be an end of the bench guy. He has great offensive potential. With some one on one sessions on his defense, we see that he could become a good defender. But for this season, don't expect much.

[78#]

Chris Guyer was signed with the Rockets in RFA and you guys decided to match. What made you want to match?

[logpmess]

Chris Guyer was signed with the Rockets in RFA and you guys decided to match. What made you want to match?

Ultimately it was a numbers thing. We liked Guyers abilities, but we were crowded down low. When the Mass matched Geoff Rickly, we had the cap room to bring Guyer back on a team friendly deal.


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