[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

The Heat won game 1 last night.  In my pre-game insights I said that Dallas should hold the Big Three to 65-70 points a night with LeBron around 24 and Bosh under 20.  Well, they actually did that.  And Marion played well.  I thought that the Mavs needed to win the bench scoring battle big time, but they ended up losing it by 10 points.  … they ended up losing the game by 8 so bench scoring was the main factor.  Then, I thought that Mavs needed to do well on the boards and they didn’t do that either with Miami winning that battle by 10.  … then I thought Dirk would have to score around 30 and probably higher to win.  He scored 27.  But, the bench won the game for Miami just as the Heat bench came through against the Bulls. 

With money being tight for the Heat, they need to maximize their draft picks then pick up some bargain-basement veterans to round out their roster.  LeBron and Wade are playing great, which isn’t a surprise.  The big surprise is that Chris Bosh has been one of the top power players in this playoffs (along with Z Bo).  Haslem is coming through as is Mike Miller.  Chalmers has showed some good things and really stepped up last night.  Joel Anthony is blocking shots and giving the Heat productive minutes.  Yeah, everyone says the Heat need an upgrade at point guard, but they are winning even with Mike Bibby starting.  So, at worst, they bring him back next year along with an improving Mario Chalmers.  They COULD use a good point guard in the draft but they don’t NEED one.  If they do upgrade here, I think they should instead go after a veteran point guard who can do a decent job of handling the ball and hitting open jumpers.  

They could use an upgrade at center with Anthony not being a big scorer.  But they do have Dexter Pittman and they can probably resign one of their veteran big men.  So if the Heat get a big man then they should take the best one available, and not settle on a guy just because he plays center.  Jon Leuer would be nice and would help immediately, but they don’t necessarily need to draft him if they can get a guy with more upside.

I think the Heat should draft they guy with the most upside who will fit in with their team.  Then if they can live with a guy’s downside (what is his basement? if he doesn’t work out can we get a D League guy to fill his spot) they should take a risk, since their will be some decent undrafted rookies like Alex Tyus, Ben Hansbrough, Matt Howard, Josh Harrelson, and Kalin Lucas.  If they just need a guy to play 5 or 6 minutes at point guard or center then they should just get one of these guys and use their second round pick on a guy with upside who might not fill a need right away (Chandler Parsons).  If I were them I would get the best player available at 31 then pick up two undrafted rookies to fill out the roster and put them in the D League then call them up for the stretch run if they are ready.  If they draft a point guard then they should bring a couple of big men.  If they draft big, then they should bring in a couple of guards. 

I think they should look at Shelvin Mack (like people have said here), Keith Benson has good upside and great length, obviously Jeremy Tyler if he is still on the board, then Isaiah Thomas (great speed/athleticism), some of those Euro guys who they can bring over in a year or two.  Nolan Smith is solid but he has limited upside.  He would fill a need if those other guys are already gone.  Andrew Goudelock can shoot and score.  He may be undersized for a two guard but the Heat will need great shooters who can also create their own offense coming off the bench going forward.  If he can do a decent job of handling the ball (with Wade and LeBron on the team this qualification might just mean to have ability to walk and chew gum at the same time) then that will be an added bonus.  Jordan Williams might fall.  He is a big body who will have fouls to give.  He could be insurance if the big body with fouls to give that they drafted last year (Dexter Pittman) doesn’t pan out.  Chandler Parsons is a good all-around player who could be their replacement for Mike Miller in a couple of years.  Jamie Skeen has less upside but he fills a need (3 point shooting) and he can rebound some.  Good role player who can play the 3 or 4.  Jon Leuer can come in and be a good backup center.  He has good size, good fundamentals, and he can shoot open jumpers and spread the floor.

Those are some of the guys that the Heat should look at.  But they shouldn’t take their 4th or 5th rated point guard (projected at that spot) just because they need a point guard.  With the decent amount of undrafted guys who will be available then I think the Heat can afford to role the dice here.  Another thing, the Heat really need to put away the rest of the league if they want to build a dynasty.  They will do that by picking the best guy on the board.  With LeBron, Wade and Bosh on the team they can figure out how to play with ANYBODY.

The Heat can take their top 7 guys, bring them back next year along with Juwan Howard and 4 D League guys and win the title in 2012.  So they might as well go for a guy with great upside since they have an awesome team to fall back on and can take a look at some undrafted rookies if they need to.

My top 5 guys for the Heat in terms of talent (in no particular order)?  Shelvin Mack, Jeremy Tyler, Keith Benson, Chandler Parsons, and Josh Selby.

My second tier group (in no real order): Nolan Smith, Jon Leuer, Andrew Goudelock, Jordan Williams, Isaiah Thomas. 

Those are my top guys.  After that I have Jamie Skeen, Vernon Macklin (good power forward, but this is Miami’s deepest position), and maybe Jacob Pullen (solid four year guy).

After that I would look at some of those European guys. 

My last option would be to get LeBron, Wade, and Bosh in the room and ask them who they want.  Pick that guy and then hedge with some undrafted free agent rookies like Ben Hansbrough, Randy Culpepper, Josh Harrelson, Matt Howard, Alex Tyus, and Josh Harrleson.

 

[Stojakovicfor3Participant]

That’s a lot of damn words

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

I think a pure PG like Demitri McCamey would be perfect in the late 1st round for the Heat. He is also a capable 3 point shooter at +40%. I think with Wade and LeBron’s workethic, it will be good for McCamey to learn how to train in shape like a pro, and get the best out of his ability.

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

 Norris Cole, kid is a straight shooter. Tell me why they need a pure PG, LeBron handles the ball most of the time anyway

[royk927Participant]

Lebron handles the ball a lot so basically it can be a guy that can shoot. I still like Gouldlock but if selby doesnt go in the first round then i would also like him at this pick. What better way to humble a guy than to have arguebly two of the bnest players (Lebron and Wade) he can really shine.

[natedogggParticipant]

if they could pick up Nolan Smith thatd be great.

Hes pro ready and would fit nicely.

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