Miami Heat Blog – Page 130 – NBA Blog

Fan poll results: Six East locks to make playoffs

An InsideHoops.com front page poll asking fans to predict the eight Eastern conference teams that will qualify for the 2010-11 NBA playoffs had the following results:

Celtics     2,046 votes
Heat    2,045 votes
Magic    2,011 votes
Bulls    1,985 votes
Hawks    1,886 vote
Bucks    1,658 votes
Bobcats    1,011 votes
Knicks    1,074 votes
Wizards    637 votes
Sixers    481 votes
Pistons    336 votes
Nets    333 votes
Cavaliers 333 votes
Pacers    229 votes
Raptors    173 votes

Fans felt that the six teams — the Magic, Celtics, Heat, Bulls, Hawks and Bucks — are strong locks to make the playoffs.

After those teams, the Bobcats and Knicks came in next, with the 7th and 8th highest votes.

InsideHoops.com editor says: These are some pretty fantastic results. Look at the top eight teams, in order. That’s pretty close to what an East power ranking list should look like.

Missing the playoffs but getting good support were the Wizards, receiving the 9th highest votes.

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (12) is congratulated by teammates Rashard Lewis (L), Jameer Nelson (14) and Vince Carter (15) during overtime in Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff series against the Boston Celtics in Boston, Massachusetts May 24, 2010. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Heat will not sign Erick Dampier

Michael Wallace of the Miami Herald reports:

With four centers already on the roster under guaranteed contracts, the Heat decided Friday to pass on the Erick Dampier experiment.

Dampier, a 14-year veteran free agent, had workouts this week with the Heat and the Houston Rockets after he was released by Charlotte.

Heat president Pat Riley spoke highly Thursday of the type of presence Dampier could add, specifically as a low-post defender and rebounder. But by passing on Dampier, the Heat essentially sent a message that it is comfortable with the front-court players on the roster.

Apr. 25, 2010 - San Antonio, TEXAS, UNITED STATES - epa02131923 Dallas Mavericks player Erick Dampier (R) knocks San Antonio Spurs player Manu Ginobili (L) down in the first half of their Western Conference first round playoff game at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, USA, 25 April 2010.

Marijuana charges against Udonis Haslem are dropped

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports:

Udonis Haslem will not face marijuana charges over his August traffic stop on the Gratigny Parkway in Miami-Dade County.

“Udonis Haslem has been vindicated,” Attorney Eric Schwartzreich told the Sun Sentinel after receiving word Thursday that the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s office had ruled the case a no-action.

According to the no-action memo from Assistant State Attorney Errol Portman all five counts against Haslem were dropped by reason of “cannot prove possession.”

The summary of the no-action memo reads, “while there was probable cause for the arrest of Udonis Haslem . . . the State could not prove Udonis Haslem’s knowledge or possession of the cannabis beyond a reasonable doubt.”

April 12, 2010: Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) going up for the shot past Philadelphia 76ers forward Jason Kapono (72) and Philadelphia 76ers guard Lou Williams (23) during the NBA game between the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Heat beat the 76ers, 107-105.

Rockets offer Erick Dampier a contract

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports:

Seeking additional center depth with Yao Ming on a strict playing time limit, the Rockets have offered free agent center Erick Dampier a two-year, $4 million contract, a person with knowledge of the offer said on Wednesday.

Dampier, who was waived by the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday, is also expected to consider a minimum contract offer from the Miami Heat and an offer from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Former employee suing Shaq

QMI Agency reports:

Shaquille O’Neal is being sued by a former employee who accuses the NBA superstar of trying to plant child pornography on his computer.

Shawn Darling, who worked for O’Neal as an IT consultant from 2007-09, is taking the Celtics big man to court in Florida for “intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and civil R.I.C.O (a racketeering charge).”

According to the lawsuit, Darling was ordered to delete information from a computer and email account that would have exposed multiple affairs O’Neal was having while he was still married. After the information was deleted, Shaq allegedly tried to plant child pornography on Darling’s computer to frame the employee and keep him from releasing any of the incriminating evidence.

UPDATE: The Boston Herald reports:

In a lengthy statement released by his representatives yesterday, O’Neal called Darling “an ex-con” with a lengthy record. He portrayed the suit as a brazen cash-grab by a man who previously tried to extort him for $12 million by threatening to expose O’Neal’s personal communications and e-mails.

“Mr. O’Neal has made it crystal clear that he will never respond to these outrageous tactics,” Shaq’s representatives said in a statement. “As a result, Darling filed a lawsuit which seeks only to embarrass, harass and extract money from Mr. O’Neal.”

Charlotte Bobcats waive Erick Dampier

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has waived center Erick Dampier.

“We explored several trade possibilities involving Erick, but ultimately we have been unable to find a viable option that we felt made our team better,” Higgins said. “Out of respect to Erick, we have decided to release him at this time so he may pursue opportunities with other teams prior to training camp.”

The Bobcats acquired Dampier, along with guard Matt Carroll and forward Eduardo Najera, on July 13, 2010, in exchange for centers Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca.

In 14 NBA seasons, Dampier has played in 921 games for Indiana, Golden State and Dallas, with career averages of 7.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. In 55 games with Dallas last season, Dampier averaged 6.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

The Charlotte Bobcats, who became the NBA’s 30th team when they joined the league in 2004-05, finished the 2009-10 season with a franchise-best 44-38 overall record (31-10 at home) and first-ever playoff appearance.

Miami Heat dancer Nancy Lopez-Ruiz killed in auto accident

Carol Rosenberg of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports:

A Miami Heat dancer on a motorcycle was killed Friday night in a collision with a Mercedes in Fort Lauderdale and police on Saturday were appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Nancy Lopez-Ruiz, 22, of Plantation was riding her 2003 Suzuki GSX R in the westbound right-hand lane of East Sunrise Boulevard when the 9:30 p.m. crash occurred.

Mario Careaga, of Fort Lauderdale, had been driving his 2009 Mercedes behind Lopez-Ruiz. The Mercedes hit the median at the curve of North Federal Highway, then struck the motorcycle, knocking the young woman off her bike. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

See a photo of Nancy here.

Heat sign second-round rookie Da’Sean Butler

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed second-round draft selection Da’Sean Butler. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Butler, a 6’7”, 230-pound forward, played all four seasons at West Virginia University appearing in 146 games (110 starts) and averaged 14.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.06 steals while shooting 44.8 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from three-point range and 73.3 percent from the foul line. He finished his collegiate career as the winningest player in school history having totaled 107 wins while also scoring 2,095 points, the third most in school history, behind only Jerry West and Rod Hundley. Butler also ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in double-figure scoring games (1st, 108), field goals made (3rd, 741), three-point field goals made (4th, 205), free throws made (5th, 408), rebounds (11th, 800) and steals (12th, 154).

Butler was selected by the Heat with the 42nd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Chris Bosh gets engaged

The New York Post reports:

Miami Heat superstar Chris Bosh is set to marry girlfriend Adrienne Williams. The giant $100M NBA player proposed to petite Williams in Miami on Friday, after dating her for a year. A source told Page Six: “Chris proposed to Adrienne outside their new home in Miami at sunset. They then went out and celebrated with friends at Liv Nightclub, where Adrienne was seen showing off a huge diamond ring. They are both really happy.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: Heck of a good summer for Bosh. He gets to play with a few decent teammates in Miami, gets engaged, runs around partaking in more fun events than ever. The guy probably has a permanent smile on his face lately.

Talk with other fans on the world famous InsideHoops basketball forum.

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh poses for photographers on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, July 28, 2010. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL BUSINESS)

NBA suspends Brandon Rush, Kenny Hasbrouck and Tyreke Evans

Brandon Rush of the Indiana Pacers, Kenny Hasbrouck of the Miami Heat and Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings have each been suspended for their actions in separate incidents, the NBA announced today.

Rush has been suspended without pay for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Hasbrouck has been suspended without pay for two games for pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated, in violation of the law of the State of New York.

Evans has been suspended without pay for one game for pleading no contest to reckless driving, in violation of the law of the State of California.

Each players’ suspension will begin with the first game of the NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.