[Disrespect_MeParticipant]

Dwyane Wade told an Orlando-based reporter last week that he would love to play with Magic center Dwight Howard someday, but Wade downplayed the comment, and the Heat isn’t concerned because of the context of the question.

Wade was asked by RealGM.com about what player he would pick if he was starting a team.

“If I could pick one player in the league to play with — and most people think I’d say LeBron James — I would pick Dwight Howard,” Wade was quoted as saying. “I’d love for that to happen at some point. Dwight is already close right here, in Orlando. People who say it couldn’t happen, they don’t know. . . . In this league, anything is possible.”

POST POWER

Wade also was quoted as saying: “I’ve played with a dominant center before, and there’s nothing like it. It changes the whole game. That’s why I’d like to play with Dwight.”

Wade also said: “I said from Day One that I wanted to be in Miami, that maybe I could get certain players to come to Miami but, at the same time, this is my only chance at free agency. There are a lot of possibilities out there.”

Although Wade is eligible for free agency next summer, the notion of them playing together next season is unlikely. Orlando will not have cap space next summer and could offer only its $5.5 million midlevel exception.

If Wade left, the Heat would try to use his cap space to sign another marquee free agent. Howard has an opt-out clause after the 2011-12 season.

RIVERS ON HEAT

Celtics coach Doc Rivers, on a few Heat players:

• On Wade’s recent shooting struggles: “There’s no way to guard Dwyane. The bottom line with great players is you hope they miss shots. . . . He and LeBron are the most difficult players to keep out of the paint at the guard position.”

• On Jermaine O’Neal: “He and Quentin Richardson are in great shape. Erik Spoelstra has done an amazing job with veteran players, convincing them at this point in their careers they have to be in great shape. .”

• On Michael Beasley: “He’s a pain in the butt to guard because he’s like a [small forward] playing the [power forward] position. He always has the quickness advantage.”

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/basketball/miami-heat/story/1357455.html?storylink=mirelated

[Author]

Posts