Miami Heat 2036-2037 Preseason Presser

[logpmess]

Welcome everybody. After a few years off of these press conferences, we are going to make this short and sweet.

When starting back up in this league, I had a quick turnaround of either the number 2 pick try to get some trades. I turned that trade into multiple players and picks, which ended up in some good pieces. After that we really focused on getting young talent. People questioned our trading of a number 1 pick, but eventually, we turned all of those situations into the team we had last year.

Last year we knew we needed a point guard. We were able to get David Leiker along with James Barton. I felt that we had key pieces at other spots to be able to compete. We have never been a big destination for Free Agents to choose, so we are aware of how we have to build. I was happy with our make up before the season to really make a push this season.

During the season, we had lots of success. We allowed our coaching staff to really control the players this season. Entering the playoffs, we matched up with that team in Arizona that we don't associate with. In absolute disregard to any concern of them, we decided to let the players just play. No coaching or leadership at all. In the second round, we ended up getting matched up with the Pelicans. After a quick series dominated by David Leiker, we matched up with the Bulls. The Bulls were the best team in the conference for much of this past season, and we just did not have the experience or team to match up.

Heading into the offseason, we had one goal. Maintain this team for another run. We brought on Burt Lathrop and David Stevens in the draft. I'd expect Stevens to see more playing time than Lathrop. We had to pay quite a bit of money to maintain our players. We, also, have a few players coming off of big contracts at the end of this season.

We are pushing for a title with our team growth. We were happy with our playoffs last year, but we are significantly over the cap, but this is our time to push for the championship.

With that, I will open up the forum to questions.

[JNR]

GWR: Since you have your eyes set on contending, what teams in the conference do you see as your biggest challengers?

[logpmess]

GWR: Since you have your eyes set on contending, what teams in the conference do you see as your biggest challengers?

The biggest challengers starts with the defending champion Bulls. They reloaded and are ready for another season of dominance. There are a solid 4 other teams in my division alone that can easily put up a challenge.

[drkavarga]

Is your mentality win now because of your cap issues that will hinder your progress if not paid off or because of the talent on your team?

[false9]

With four players that can play the wings but only 48 minutes each at the SG and SF spots, how do you plan on balancing minutes to keep everyone happy?

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With Morley, Leonard, Barton, and Leiker all getting paid this offseason, you didn't have much room to add new talent to the squad. Was there ever any thought of parting ways with Leonard or Morley, given the high contract offers they got in RFA?

[logpmess]

Is your mentality win now because of your cap issues that will hinder your progress if not paid off or because of the talent on your team?

It's a combination. I feel I have a talented player at every position as well as some back ups that can play multiple positions. I know that I went to cap hell already, which only means I have to compete in order to pay off some of the taxes. Without a real push, I will need to unload these really good players sooner than later.

[logpmess]

With four players that can play the wings but only 48 minutes each at the SG and SF spots, how do you plan on balancing minutes to keep everyone happy?

What makes people happiest is winning. I hope. But Leiker, Barton, and Leonard are the starters with most of the minutes. Morley and Harrison are going to be splitting time between the backups for three positions. Even though they will be backups, the minutes per game should be above 20 for each of those backups.

[logpmess]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: With Morley, Leonard, Barton, and Leiker all getting paid this offseason, you didn't have much room to add new talent to the squad. Was there ever any thought of parting ways with Leonard or Morley, given the high contract offers they got in RFA?

I am really high on Morley. I feel like he and Harrison are going to make a very high end back court together. Leonard was most likely to be let go, but after such a successful season last year, I wanted to run it back in order to try for another run. But Leonard will be a good SF over the next season while he is on the roster.

[greepleairport]

Are you going to hold on to Hughes now that your backcourt is stacked?

[logpmess]

Are you going to hold on to Hughes now that your backcourt is stacked?

We like Hughes a lot. He was the catalyst for our turn around as a franchise. The biggest issue with him is that he may leave in free agency for nothing. So we are going to evaluate offers and make decisions from there.


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