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Joining Heat was easy decision for Mike Bibby

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports:

As Mike Bibby mulled where he wanted to play, the decision quickly became obvious.

“It was a clean choice,” the Heat’s new point guard said Thursday morning after participating in his first shootaround with Miami. “They’re on TV a lot and you’re just in awe of the way they play. It looks like everybody has the right attitude. You can tell the guys here have a winning mentality. Great chance to win a championship. I feel I could help this team.”

Bibby, who was traded from Atlanta to Washington last week, was asked if friends or family questioned his decision to give up all of his $6.2 million salary for next season as part of buyout terms with the Wizards.

“It’s not their decision to make,” said Bibby, who signed for the rest of the season at a prorated share of the $1.2 million veteran’s minimum. “I make the money. I decide what to do with it. It’s always tough to give up money. [But] this part of my career I want to be happy. This was the best place as far as winning.”

Heat sign Mike Bibby

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent guard Mike Bibby. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We want to welcome Mike Bibby as we continue to move into the direction of our championship dreams,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We feel Mike, with his vast postseason experience, long range game and point guard abilities, will give us a boost in the backcourt.”

Bibby, a 13-year NBA veteran, has appeared in 940 regular season games (934 starts) and averaged 15.4 points, 5.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.21 steals and 34.9 minutes while shooting 43.7 percent from the field, 37.9 percent from three-point range and 80.3 percent from the foul line. He has appeared in 58 games this season, 56 games (all starts) for the Atlanta Hawks and two games for the Washington Wizards, averaging 9.1 points, 3.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 29.3 minutes while shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from three-point range.

Among active NBA players, Bibby ranks fifth in assists (5,382) and ninth in three-point field goals made (1,450). Additionally, among league leaders this season, he ranks tied for eighth in three-point field goal percentage, eighth in three-point field goals made (113), 11th in assists-to-turnover ratio (3.04) and tied for 37th in assists per game.

He has appeared in 80 postseason games (all starts) and averaged 15.3 points, 4.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.23 steals and 36.9 minutes while shooting 42.0 percent from the field, 39.3 percent from three-point range and 82.1 percent from the foul line.

Bibby will wear number 0.

Have a reaction? Discuss it with other NBA fans in this forum topic.

Derrick Rose reveals off-season pitch to LeBron

Every team in the league wanted to sign LeBron James this past summer. Chicago Bulls start Derrick Rose, being sane, wanted King James to join his squad and reportedly reached out to make his feelings known.

ESPNChicago reports:

Amid all the hoopla surrounding teams’ recruiting pitches to the most heralded free agent class in NBA history this summer, the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose took a low-key approach in his wooing of LeBron James.

Rose sent James a text, the contents of which to this point were unknown. In a Sports Illustrated article out this week, Rose remembers the message reading: “I’m just hitting you up to kill all the rumors that I don’t want to play with you. I’d like to play with you. I just want to win.”

LeBron, of course, wound up joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat. And I highly doubt that D-Rose ever thought to himself that having LeBron on the Bulls would in any way wind up being a bad thing.

Heat waive Carlos Arroyo

The Miami Heat announced today that they have requested waivers on guard Carlos Arroyo.

“This was a very difficult decision to make because Carlos has done a great job for this team and this organization,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “He is truly a first class individual and professional. We wish him nothing but the best.”

Arroyo, a 6’2”, 200-pound guard, appeared in 121 games (77 starts) over two seasons with the Heat averaging 5.9 points, 2.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 21.3 minutes while shooting 46.8 percent from the field, 39.3 percent from three-point range and 83.2 percent from the foul line. Arroyo originally signed with Miami as a free agent on October 12, 2009.

InsideHoops.com editor says: It’s kind of wild that Arroyo went from starting 42 out of the 49 games he played for the Heat to being waived. The team is expected to sign point guard Mike Bibby with the available roster spot.

Wizards waive Mike Bibby

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has waived guard Mike Bibby after coming to a mutual agreement on a contract buyout.

“We agreed to terms with Mike on a buyout of his contract, which gives us increased financial flexibility and opens up more opportunities for us to continue to develop and evaluate our younger players,” said Grunfeld.

Bibby was acquired by the Wizards on February 23 along with Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a 2011 first round pick from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. He appeared in two games for the Wizards, totaling two points and eight assists.

Mike Miller cleared to return for Heat

The AP reports:

Miami Heat swingman Mike Miller has been cleared to play after missing four games following several blows to the head.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Miller will be on the roster Sunday night when Miami hosts the New York Knicks.

Miller has not played since Feb. 15. He was involved in jarring collisions in three consecutive games over five days and was checked several times for concussionlike symptoms

Mike Miller still out for Heat

Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports:

Miami Heat forward Mike Miller will not play Thursday against the Chicago Bulls, marking the third straight game he will miss.

Miller did not travel with the team Wednesday. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the decision was based on an ear infection and not Miller’s recent battle with head injuries. He suffered three head-related injuries during collisions in games against the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics.

“He still has a lingering ear infection and he’s not able to fly, so we’re not taking him with us,” Spoelstra said. “It’s not anything that has to do with the concussion. It’s his ear infection. We need to take care of that. He’s feeling better.”

Babymomma of Chris Bosh to be on VH1 Basketball Wives

TMZ reports:

Miami Heat superstar Chris Bosh has a brand new reason to watch VH1 — TMZ has learned his baby mama Allison Mathis will be selected as a cast member on the next season of “Basketball Wives.”

Sources close to the production tell us … Allison completed three rounds of interviews with show execs recently and was so impressive … producers will be offering her a spot on Season 3.

Dwyane Wade hurt in All-Star Game

Michael Wallace of ESPN reports:

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade injured his right ankle in the third quarter of Sunday’s All-Star Game and did not return.

Wade sustained the injury midway through the quarter when he landed awkwardly on guard Deron Williams’ foot. Wade, a starting guard for the Eastern Conference team, had scored 14 points in the game before he limped off the court after East coach Doc Rivers called a timeout with 5:04 left in the quarter. He also had four rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes of the East’s 148-143 loss to the West.

Dexter Pittman out 5-6 weeks after knee surgery

The Miami HEAT announced today that center Dexter Pittman underwent successful right knee debridement surgery. The surgery was performed by HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables. He will begin rehabilitation immediately and is expected to miss five-to-six weeks of action.

Pittman, in his second stint with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League, was medically recalled after injuring his right knee in Saturday night’s contest against the Idaho Stampede on February 12. He was assigned to the HEAT’s D-League affiliate on January 6 and appeared in 14 games (all starts) and averaged 13.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.78 blocks and 1.2 assists while shooting 49.7 percent from the field. He recorded two 20-point games and posted five double-doubles, including a team-high 20 points and a team-high 12 rebounds vs. New Mexico on January 21. He led the team in blocks seven times, rebounds five times and points on four occasions.

Pittman, named to the 2011 NBA Development League All-Star Team, has now appeared in 22 NBA D-League games (all starts) with the Skyforce averaging 14.5 points 8.2 rebounds, 1.73 blocks and 1.2 assists while shooting 53.6 percent from the field.