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The Miami HEAT announced today that they have requested waivers on center David Padgett and guard Jason Richards. Both were initially signed as free agents by the HEAT on July 2, 2008.
Padgett appeared in three games in the preseason and averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game.
Richards tore his left ACL and had it surgically repaired on September 2. He did not appear in any preseason games for the HEAT.
Once known as a versatile forward who could play multiple positions, nail three-pointers and shimmy around a lot to celebrate a good play, Antoine Walker, now with the Memphis Grizzlies, will sit around on the bench doing a lot of nothing. The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Ronald Tillery) reports:
Walker has been told that he won’t play, a decision designed by circumstance more than anything. The Griz are on a full-blown youth movement and the only position where Walker can still be mildly effective is power forward. However, it’s the same spot on the floor the Griz want to give ample time to Darko Milicic, Hakim Warrick and rookie Darrell Arthur for their development. “He understands,” Griz coach Marc Iavaroni said, revealing that he has communicated with Walker about this issue throughout training camp. Walker, entering his 13th season, still is disappointed. “I would have liked the opportunity to play but I understand the state that they’re in. They want to play the young guys,” Walker said. “I still feel like I’ve got a lot of basketball left in me and I can contribute to a team in the NBA. It’s unfortunate that it’s not working out here. But you have to respect the decision. This team has some good young talent.”
It seems like just yesterday Insidehoops readers were celebrating the famous Antoine Walker shimmy but it’s now a distant memory.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Ira Winderman) reports: Marcus Banks, who has spent his career previous career stops with the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns almost exclusively at point guard, exited the Heat’s preseason schedule as a frontrunner to back up starting shooting guard Dwyane Wade, even with his uneven effort in Friday’s 96-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. “He’s a combo guard, in my mind,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of the 6-foot-2 sixth-year veteran. “I just look at him as a player. He’s a very good high-pick-and-roll player. He can create, get in the paint for us. “But he also can play some point guard for us.” … By moving Banks to shooting guard, it somewhat reduces the team’s need for second-year Daequan Cook.
The AP reports: Mario Chalmers made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Miami Heat a 96-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams… Michael Beasley scored 19 points for Miami (2-5). Udonis Haslem added 18 on 8-of-10 shooting, and Daequan Cook had 17 points. Chalmers, 4-for-4 overall and 3-for-3 from 3-point range, had 11 points. Tony Parker led San Antonio (3-4) with 16 points.
The Palm Beach Post (Chris Perkins) reports on the Miami Heat: Right now it appears the rotation for Wednesday’s season opener at New York will surely include the seven-man group of point guard Chris Quinn, shooting guard Dwyane Wade, small forward Shawn Marion, power forward Michael Beasley, power forward/center Udonis Haslem, center Mark Blount and point guard/shooting guard Marcus Banks. The other spots (it’s unknown whether the Heat will regularly use an eight- or nine-man rotation) could be comprised of rookie point guard Mario Chalmers, small forward Yakhouba Diawara, small forward Dorell Wright and point guard Shaun Livingston.
The AP reports: David West scored 22 points, Peja Stojakovic added 14 and the New Orleans Hornets were 9-of-16 from 3-point range in their 100-80 exhibition victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday at the University of South Alabama… New Orleans point guard Chris Paul had 13 assists and six points, Morris Peterson and Devin Brown each scored 12 points, and Rasual Butler added 11. Rookie Michael Beasley led the Heat with 14 points, Shawn Marion added 12, and Dwyane Wade had 11.
The AP reports: Dwyane Wade scored 25 points, Michael Beasley scored nine of his 19 in the fourth quarter and the Miami Heat beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-85 Tuesday night for their first preseason win in nearly two years… Udonis Haslem had 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Shawn Marion added 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists for Miami (1-4), which had dropped 12 straight exhibitions since beating Orlando on Oct. 24, 2006… O.J. Mayo scored 28 points for Memphis on 12-for-19 shooting, with five rebounds and five assists. Darko Milicic scored 12 for the Grizzlies (2-5), who allowed 11 points off turnovers in the final 12 minutes.
The Miami HEAT announced that forward James Jones underwent successful surgery on Saturday, October 18th to repair a ruptured extensor tendon in his right wrist. The surgery was performed by Dr. Ann Ouellette and consulted by HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables. Jones is expected to be out three months.
Jones was signed by the HEAT as a free agent on July 9.
The AP reports: Dwight Howard scored 26 points, and the Orlando Magic used a second-quarter run to build a big lead Saturday night before holding off the Miami Heat, 100-92 for their fourth consecutive preseason victory. Howard also had 16 rebounds but was just 6-of-13 from the free throw line… Dwyane Wade, who finished with 29 points, had back-to-back baskets off steals midway through the third period, cutting it to 65-56.
The Miami HEAT announced today that forward James Jones will undergo surgery on Saturday, Oct. 18 to repair a ruptured extensor tendon in his right wrist. The rupture occurred during practice on Oct. 15. After consulting with HEAT team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick, the surgery will be performed by Dr. Ann Ouellette. Following surgery, Jones will have his wrist placed in a cast and he is expected to be out for three months.
Jones was signed by the HEAT as a free agent on July 9.