Miami Heat Blog – Page 132 – NBA Blog

Shaq TV dispute settled

WENN.COM reports:

Executives behind basketball ace-turned-reality TV star Shaquille O’Neal’s hit show SHAQ VS. have reached a settlement with a disgruntled author who alleged they stole his concept for the programme.

Writer Todd Gallagher filed suit against O’Neal’s talent representatives at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in October (09), claiming they had agreed to turn his book, Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan, into a TV series in 2008…

The court case has now been dismissed after the two parties reached a deal. The details of the settlement have not been released to the press but is said to be in the six-figures, according to TMZ.com.

Heat re-sign James Jones

The Miami Heat announced today that they have re-signed forward James Jones. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are happy to bring back James Jones, whose abilities on and off the court epitomize what the Heat organization stands for,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “He is a consummate professional and a proven three-point threat that will help stretch the floor. As our roster fills out, his ability to shoot the ball will be a valuable asset to our team.”

Jones has appeared in 366 career games (65 starts) over seven seasons. During his NBA career, with four different teams, he has averaged 6.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 18.9 minutes, while shooting 39.8 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three-point range, and 86.1 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures on 101 occasions, and has shot at least 82.0 percent from the foul line every season of his career.

During the last two seasons with the Heat, Jones appeared in 76 games (seven starts), averaging 4.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 14.9 minutes, while shooting 36.6 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from three-point range and 83.1 percent from the foul line.

Jones originally signed with the Heat as a free agent on July 9, 2008. He was waived by the club on June 29, 2010.

Heat re-sign Jamaal Magloire

The Miami Heat announced today that they have re-signed center Jamaal Magloire. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Re-signing Jamaal is a testament to his work ethic and his desire to win,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “Over the past two seasons in Miami, he has been an asset to this team, in terms of being a role model for our younger players, with his professionalism and his strong locker room presence.”

Magloire has appeared in 628 career games (313 starts) over 10 seasons. He has averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 0.94 blocks and 22.4 minutes while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 64.5 percent from the foul line. He was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference for the 2004 All-Star game and was a one-time selection as Eastern Conference Player of the Month in April 2004.

During the 2009-10 season, Magloire averaged 2.1 points and 3.4 rebounds, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field in 23 games as a reserve. His 16.2 rebound average per 48 minutes was tops on the Heat.

Magloire was originally signed by the Heat as a free agent on Sept. 2, 2008 and re-signed again on July 22, 2009. The Canadian native was originally drafted in the first round (19th overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.

Heat sign Zydrunas Ilgauskas

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“As we continue to shape our roster, we have filled a key position with the addition of Zydrunas,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “He is a two-time All-Star, a proven rebounder, and a great shot blocker. His place in NBA history is already clear, and we are pleased to be able to add a seasoned veteran of his caliber to our roster.”

Ilgauskas has appeared in 771 career games (673 starts) with the Cleveland Cavaliers over 12 seasons. During his career, all with Cleveland, he has averaged 13.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.65 blocks, 1.2 assists and 28.3 minutes, while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 78.0 percent from the foul line. Ilgauskas is a two-time NBA All-Star (2003 & 2005), and ranked first in Cavaliers history in both offensive rebounds (2,336) and blocks (1,269). His career totals in those same categories rank tied for 42nd place and 44th place in NBA history, respectively.

During the 2009-10 season, Ilgauskas averaged 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 20.9 minutes, while shooting 44.3 percent from the field in 64 games (six starts). He recorded double-figure points on 19 occassions and four double-digit rebound games.

Ilgauskas, who will wear #11 for the Heat, was originally selected with the 20th pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1996 NBA Draft.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Big Z barely looked like he could walk by the end of last season, so I’m not sure how much this signing matters. Of course, even when Ilgauskas was younger and still very good, he tended to move as if his legs and feet were made out of cement. But still, I’m thinking he will provide good minutes off the bench for maybe 7-12 minutes per game.

Heat re-sign Joel Anthony

The Miami Heat announced today that they have re-signed center Joel Anthony. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“This contract with Joel Anthony is a testament to the man who is second to none; who has worked hard and deserved this,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We felt that what he has done over the last couple of years in developing his game, his body and his knowledge warrants this reward. If other NBA non-drafted free agents want a prototype to follow, Joel Anthony is that man”

Anthony has appeared in 169 career games (45 starts) for the Heat. During his three-year NBA career, all with Miami, he has averaged 2.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.38 blocks and 17.0 minutes, while shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 66.8 percent from the foul line. In his 45 career starts, he has averaged 3.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.58 blocks in 22.5 minutes. Anthony currently ranks tied for ninth place on the Heat’s all-time blocked shots list with 233. He has also led the Heat in blocks on 66 occasions.

During the 2009-10 season, Anthony appeared in 80 games (16 starts) and averaged 2.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.36 blocks and 16.5 minutes, while shooting 47.8 percent from the field and 71.7 percent from the foul line. He ranked tied for 15th place in the NBA in total blocks (109) and 18th in blocks per game. He also recorded season-highs in games played, minutes played (1,322), points (218), field goals made (76) and attempted (159), free throws made (66) and attempted (92), offensive rebounds (123), defensive rebounds (126), total rebounds (249) and blocks, and led the Heat in blocks on 30 occasions.

Anthony originally signed with the Heat as a free agent on July 3, 2007, then re-signed with the club on July 20, 2009.

Heat sign second round rookie Dexter Pittman

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed second round draft selection Dexter Pittman. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“One of our priorities in the draft was to make sure that we could augment the depleted center position with the loss of Jermaine O’Neal,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “Dexter has the size and agility to be a very productive player for us in the long run, and there is no better place for him to improve than in the Miami Heat system.”

Pittman, a 6’10”, 290-pound center, played all four seasons at the University of Texas appearing in 134 games (59 starts) and averaged 6.6 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 62.3 percent from the field and 60.1 percent from the foul line. He finished his senior season leading the team in both field goal percentage (.654) and blocks (63) while earning the team’s Most Improved Player honor as both a freshman and junior.

Pittman was selected by the Heat with the 32nd pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Heat sign Mike Miller

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

“From the first moment that we met Mike on July 1, it seemed like it would be a match made in heaven,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “We consider him to be the finest perimeter shooter in the NBA. But also he is a multi-faceted player who can rebound, handle the ball and make plays. We expect big things from him.”

Miller has appeared in 692 career games (528 starts) with four teams over 10 seasons. During his career, he has averaged 13.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 32.4 minutes while shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three-point range. He was selected as the NBA’s Rookie of the Year following the 2000-01 season, and was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year following the 2005-06 season.

During the 2009-10 season, Miller averaged 10.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists, while shooting 50.1 percent from the field in 54 games (50 starts) for the Washington Wizards. He led the Wizards in three-pointers made with 82, and his 48.0 percent shooting from three-point range ranked second in the NBA.

Miller, who will wear #13 for the Heat, was originally drafted with the fifth pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2002-03 season, and then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves prior to the 2008-09 season. He was then acquired by the Washington Wizards prior to the start of the 2009-10 season, and spent one season playing for the Wizards before signing as a free agent with the Heat.

Wade still shocked Heat landed LeBron

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports:

“I hit up LeBron [on Tuesday] night and I told him I’m looking at ESPN and I see his name scroll on the bottom and it says ‘Miami Heat forward LeBron James.’

“I just said, ‘Man, it’s crazy.’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I just saw the same thing.’ ”

Behind his cool countenance, Wade feels every bit as exhilarated as the most fanatical of Heat fans. And he’s intoxicated by the possibilities of what this threesome can achieve.

“It’s beyond exciting,” he said. “I don’t think we even really know how excited we’re going to be.”

Celtics sign Jermaine O’Neal

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed center/forward Jermaine O’Neal. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Jermaine provides veteran leadership and experience,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge. “His talents are an excellent complement to our core roster.”

O’Neal, a 6’11” center/forward, has appeared in six all-star games and has been named to three All-NBA teams. The product of Eau Claire High School in South Carolina has posted career averages of 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds to go along with 1.9 blocks over his 14 year career with Portland, Indiana, Toronto and Miami. He posted a career-high field goal percentage of 52.9% last season with Miami.

“When the opportunity arose for me to join an organization like the Celtics, I could not refuse,” said O’Neal. “I cannot wait to get to Boston and start to practice with the rest of the team in pursuit of a championship.”

Magic sign Quentin Richardson

The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard/forward Quentin Richardson, General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

“Quentin (Richardson) is a solid perimeter defender and brings an element of toughness,” said Smith. “At the same time, he also is a tremendous shooter from long range, which fits our style of play very well. We’re excited to add him to our team.”

Richardson (#5, 6’6”, 228, 4/13/80) played in 76 games (75 starts) last season with Miami, averaging 8.9 ppg., 4.9 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 27.4 minpg. He also appeared in five postseason contests, averaging 9.8 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.60 stlpg. in 29.8 minpg. Richardson shot a team-best .397 (142-358) from three-point range, which tied for 21st in the NBA. He scored in double figures 28 times and had seven 20-point outings, including a season-high 25 points on Mar. 4 vs. the L.A. Lakers. Richardson led (or tied) the team in scoring once, in rebounding 12 times and in assists once.

Originally selected in the first round (18th overall) by the L.A. Clippers in the 2000 NBA Draft, Richardson has appeared in 677 career NBA regular season games with the L.A. Clippers, Phoenix, New York and Miami, averaging 11.2 ppg., 5.0 rpg. and 1.6 apg. in 28.0 minpg. He has shot .359 (1,082-3,017) from three-point range during his career. Richardson has also played in 20 career playoff outings, averaging 11.4 ppg., 4.8 rpg., 1.6 apg. and 1.35 stlpg. in 35.6 minpg., while shooting .394 (41-104) from three-point range.