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NBA Loud - by Travis

Player News Miami Heat - NBA Loud

The 2008 NBA Draft

July 1st 2008 03:49

I’d like to post about the previously finished NBA Draft. A lot of trades were completed/proposed making this years draft exciting and noteworthy. In this first post I will be going through the top five picks and thereafter with updates and all you need to know up to the minute stats and transactions.

Let’s get this post draft analysis going with the first overall pick for the Chicago Bulls DERRICK ROSE. Rose out of Memphis has a solid NBA body and can take the punishment as a player in the paint. He will mold himself into whatever type of player his team needs him to be as evident by the video below. He is one of the most ready-type players to enter the league. A truly solid addition to any team, kind of makes me think of the miss of Jay Williams. In which whom the Bulls took as the savior type PG years ago before he had his motorcycle accident stifling his promising career. With this pick Chicago puts themselves back into contention for a playoff spot in the East.

This video shows how Rose can affect the game as he will become a solid NBA-PG.

# 2

Undoubtedly the Miami Heat selected MICHAEL BEASLEY out of Kansas State. This PF needs no introduction to basketball fans as his huge wingspan makes up for any negativity about his height at the four spot. One of the perfect teams for Beasley to go to, I think his character issues would only become apparent if he were to have to battle with a solid proven veteran for his starting spot. He will be going in battling Udonis Haslem who has seen his stock drop as he needs to create more of his own offence. The heat I am sure are not finished in tweaking their team for the 08/09 season. Marion though will alleviate any concerns of the rookie being overmatched down-low as he is almost like an extra PF out there sometimes with his rebounding efforts and hustle in trying to make the right plays.

# 3

Minnesota at the third spot went with OJ MAYO, who I have seen and been hearing about for a good number of years. Mayo will be a solid two as at 6’4” 200lbs he is limited in selected positions, but this guy is just a born scorer and if he ends up in Grizz-town, look for him to team up with Rudy Gay as Mike Miller was moved with Memphis making the choice to let him go after he admittedly carried the Grizzlies last season at times. In return Minnesota looks to get #5 Kevin Love. I am in love with this deal as the T-Wolves send Antoine Walker also to MEM. Minnesota gets the scoring they desperately need and character guys, to build around. I know what fans may be thinking and no this isn’t the second coming of Wally World, Mike Miller is a gamer playing all three spots from 1-3 for the Grizz and did whatever was asked, as he became a versatile and proven scorer, unlike streaky Szczerbiak.

# 4

Russell Westbrook a surprise at number four as the top three had virtually been decided weeks beforehand. Westbrook though an unexpected pick is an explosive guard that will do well in this league especially when Seattle gets all the parts and can continuously run up and down with Durant and Green. The Sonics clearly want a guard that can break down the D and get up and down the court at breakneck speeds. They have found that guy with Westbrook. People want to compare him to NBA champion Rajon Rondo and maybe Monta Ellis, he is long and skinny and extremely athletic, time will tell if he can make the right passes for a long career with Durant by his side.

# 5

Care of NBADraft.net

Memphis picks Kevin Love at the number five spot and in turn will be sending him to Minnesota in the deal outlined in the third pick paragraph. Love is solid, not an athlete like the Grizz love at the four spot, but the T-Wolves just need ballers in which Kevin is for sure. Down-low he will be helped by Al Jefferson for sure on defense. Also he will have a great passer in Mike Miller to get the ball to him in good spots. I like Kevin Love on a solid team a rebuilding team he may flourish or sink as he’ll need to create his own offence and may struggle with the speed of the NBA at first.

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Shaq is Single-Handedly Saving the U.S. From Recession!

January 26th 2008 11:16

America is heading into recession! Yeah right, not if Shaquille O’Neal has anything to do with it.

The much maligned legal system does occasionally provide entertainment. Well, disregarding

Shaq is probably pondering what to spend his cash on next. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

the whole “justice” aspect of the courts because who really cares about that? We all just want celebrity dirt, and court documents provide a plethora of sordid information about the famous.

As part of his current divorce proceedings, Shaq had to divulge to the courts his financial expenditures, and what we have learnt is that not only is the Daddy a massive guy, but he is a giant with a huge appetite as well!

In court documents revealed today, O’Neal earns $US1.8 million a month, but blows more than half of it living the lifestyle fit for Superman. Well, Bizzaro Superman who robs banks, whilst turning everyday into a par-tay.

Here is a breakdown of what the Diesel spends in an average month:

$110, 505 on monthly holidays.

$60, 417 on gifts (Hey, Shaq, can we be pals?).

$23, 950 on clothes, dry cleaning and laundry.

$46, 500 on child care.

$24, 300 on oil for his rides (Wow, what about the carbon footprint?).

$468, 345 on three home mortgages.

$12, 775 on food (foie gras, caviar and truffles, sprinkled with gold dust must feature prominently on his menu).

The clincher is the Daddy pays nearly $500, 000 a month in income taxes. So, the grand total of Shaq’s monthly cash outlay: An estimated, $875, 000 in expenses every four weeks!

Well, the man’s appetites, matches his size that’s for sure.

Today’s video is of the Daddy showing why he spends so much on food a month.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Miami Heat, Shaquille O'neal

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Alonzo Mourning did it his way.

December 22nd 2007 11:26

In the last week we may have seen the demise of a true basketball warrior with the season ending injury befalling, Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat. It was almost too painful to watch ‘Zo writhing in pain, clutching his knees as his tendons gave way.

(Photo by Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Mourning’s hurt is felt more acutely because of what he has gone through.

‘Zo has pretty much stated that he wouldn’t be coming back next season, so when his knee gave way on Wednesday, we felt that it was the end. Even though, Mourning was in so much pain, he still left the court on his own terms, refusing to be carried out but rather walking off on his own accord. A warrior to the end.

For those who are unfamiliar with Mourning should know that this man is a real man. When we talk about cojones on a player, ‘Zo would be on top of everyone’s list. Mourning suffered a rare kidney disease that threatened his life, but four years ago his cousin made the selfless act of donating his – setting in motion one of the most inspired comebacks in sports history.

Before being diagnosed with focal segmental glomerular sclerosis, Mourning was respected, but not loved. He was a fierce competitor that looked like he would microwave kittens to win a basketball game. However, after his transplant we saw another shade to the man as he was reborn.

After being told that he would never play NBA basketball again, he proved the naysayers wrong. Not only did he prove them wrong, but he excelled, winning a championship along the way. The man that seemed hard to love became a man that inspired. Kids and adults alike who have had kidney transplants, all of the sudden believed that anything was possible, and that dreams could be achieved.

Alonzo Mourning became the NBA version of Lance Armstrong.

So, if this is the end of ‘Zo let us shed a tear for an old school baller. A seven-time All-Star and two-time defensive player of the year. You will be missed big fella.

Today’s video is of ‘Zo. Be inspired.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Miami Heat

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Breaking News: MC Hammer is Cool Again. Shaq and Penny Reunite in a Miami Lovefest!

August 10th 2007 08:27

And the comebacks just keep on coming. The NBA is going through a

Call the Doc and Marty McFly cos it's the 90s with the return of Penny. (AP Photo/Ted Mathias)

bout of 90s nostalgia with Reggie Miller potentially heading back into the league and the reunification of the most badass combo in the mid-90s – Shaq and Penny!

When O’Neal and Hardaway formed a young nucleus back in Orlando both were seen to be the future of the NBA. The Diesel/Penny twosome shone in neon lights before a Shaq/Kobe, or Shaq/D-Wade partnership. Hell, Shaq and Penny fit so well together that it was like a vegemite/mashed potato combo (don’t knock it before you try it).

Imagine a Shaq, Wade and Hardaway trio running the game in the M-I-A. If anyone can bring back Dennis Rodman, John Stockton, Charles Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon we can turn back the clock before Dubya messed up the world with his Presidency, and where Billy Clinton was getting down and dirty with an intern wearing a stained blue dress.

Unfortunately, for all of us involved this isn’t 1995 and we can’t escape the reality that the world is under a Dick Cheney-ship.

Anfernee Hardaway is 36, hasn’t played basketball since 2005 and has arthritic knees. Is he going to improve the bad Heat? Er, no, but it’ll be funny to watch!

Still, the pedigree is there because he is a four-time All-Star, and was once seen as a potential all-time great. The Machiavellian coach of the Heat, Pat Riley, is even deluding himself that Hardaway is seen as a prospective fix to Miami’s woes: “Penny is a player who has been an All-Star and has enjoyed an illustrious career…We have been impressed at his hard work and dedication this summer to get back in shape and return to the NBA. He is a skilled

With friends like Hardaway hacking away at Shaq. Who needs enemies? (AP Photo/Ed Betz,file)

player who can help us in multiple positions.”(Stein, ESPN.com, 2007)

Hmm, I somehow don’t think doggie, reverse cowgirl, and missionary are the positions that Riles has in mind when talking about the return of Hardaway.

Although, the Shaq/Penny tandem will be highly entertaining to say the least, because after Kobe, Hardaway, would have been the second-to-last player you’d imagine O’Neal wanted to team up with again.

Yes, they did make a stunning Finals run, and, yes, they did make the movie Blue Chips together, but as with most relationships involving Batman with a Robin, the little guy got bounced by the big fella.

The relationship like the Kobe/Shaq one was combustible with petty jealousies from both players about who was the man, more popular, had a better game, and more prettier. Even so, like the Laker years, Hardaway and O’Neal were a force to be feared averaging a combined 48 points per game between the two. Mightily impressive stuff.

If the momentum keeps on keeping on, like it has been recently, expect Kurt Cobain and Tupac to come back from the dead. Furthermore colourful baggy pants will be a fashion statement once again, and since these are the pre-internet days, blogs such as this one will cease to exist!

Today’s video is a reminder at how good Anfernee Hardaway really was.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Player News, Miami Heat, Shaquille O'neal

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