Miami Heat Blog – Page 37 – NBA Blog

Goran Dragic set to return for Heat

Good news for the Heat as guard Goran Dragic is returning quickly after taking a hard elbow to the face. Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting:

The veteran point guard is back in the mix for the Miami Heat after missing Sunday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers with a right orbital contusion.

“I mean, it’s a little bit blurry, but that’s normal,” Dragic said Wednesday, in advance of facing the New Orleans Pelicans at AmericanAirlines Arena. “Doc said it’s going to take time to clear the fluids, the swelling, but it’s much better.”

Dragic was injured on an inadvertent elbow from Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph in a Saturday victory, before sitting out the loss to the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Dion Waiters has become a fan favorite in Miami

The Heat are only 31-34, which is the 9th best record in the Eastern conference, but after a lousy start to the season the team has been on a winning path. They’re moving on up. And a big reason why has been the play of guard Dion Waiters. Here’s the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporting:

Since the team’s second-half revival, Waiters has taken on the role of fan favorite. He appears in Internet memes, is arguably the most popular player on social-media and even had a song written about him.

While Waiters is flattered by the attention, he says it’s mostly because of the team success.

“I just think of what we did as a team,” Waiters said. “What we’re doing from a team standpoint, just how we fought back and into the position that we’re in now.”

The Waiters phenomenon hit an all-time high when a song based on the theme of “Gilligan’s Island” hit the Internet earlier this week. The lyrics are cleverly based on Waiters’ arrival in Miami, while also sprinkling in mentions of teammates.

The track is titled, “Waiters Island.”

Miami Heat hire Shane Battier as Director of Basketball Development & Analytics

The Miami Heat announced today that they have hired former HEAT player and two-time NBA champion Shane Battier as the Director of Basketball Development & Analytics. His duties will include the development of analytics in evaluating all talent, including college, free agents and current Miami players.

“We believe Shane is an incredible example of our HEAT program, not only for the present, but also for the future,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “He embodies everything that we are looking for in our players and staff. We feel he will help us tremendously with his experience and knowledge of the game. Shane is an out-of-the-box thinker and will bring a fresh expertise that can help us evolve as a franchise.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the front office of the Miami HEAT,” said Shane Battier. “I look forward to working with the Arison family, learning from a Hall of Fame executive in Pat Riley, General Manager Andy Elisburg and of course my old coach, Erik Spoelstra. My goal, as is the entire organizations, is to bring another championship back to Miami.”

Battier, a role player who played three seasons with the HEAT, helped bring back-to-back NBA championships, three Eastern Conference Championships and three division titles to Miami over that span. He appeared in 210 games (86 starts) with the HEAT and averaged 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 22.6 minutes while shooting 39.8 percent from the field. He won the Twyman-Stokes NBA Teammate of the Year award in 2014 and the Magic Johnson Award for excellence on the court with cooperation with media and fans in 2013, both as a member of the HEAT. The 13-year NBA veteran appeared in 977 career NBA games (705 starts) and averaged 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.01 steals and 30.7 minutes while shooting 43.7 percent from the field.

Heat sign Marcus Georges-Hunt to 10-day contract

The Miami Heat yesterday (Wednesday) signed guard Marcus Georges-Hunt to a 10-day contract.

Georges-Hunt, a 2017 NBA Development League All-Star, has appeared in 32 games (27 starts) with the Maine Red Claws this season averaging 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.03 steals and 36.7 minutes while shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 39.7 percent from three-point range and 86.1 percent from the foul line. He leads the NBA D-League in minutes (1,176) and among team leaders he ranks first in assists (133), second in rebounds (184), steals (32) and free throws made (118) and third in points (524) and field goals made (177).

Georges-Hunt was originally signed by the Boston Celtics on August 17 after going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. He appeared in two preseason games with the Celtics totaling six points, two rebounds and an assist while shooting 2-of-3 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from the foul line before being waived on October 20. He played all four seasons at Georgia Tech totaling 129 starts, the most in school history. He finished his collegiate career ranking third in free throws made (468) and 11th in points (1,728) on the school’s all-time lists. Additionally, he became 19th player in school history to record at least 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.

He will wear number 24 and join the team tomorrow and be available for Miami’s game in Brooklyn on Friday.

Taurean Prince, James Johnson fined by NBA

Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince has been fined $25,000 for forcefully pulling down Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside during play and Heat forward James Johnson has been fined $25,000 for escalating the situation in retaliation by throwing a forearm into the chest of Prince, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Prince was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected while Johnson was assessed a Technical Foul and ejected, occurred with 5:53 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Hawks’ 116-93 loss to the Heat on Feb. 1 at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Heat sign Okaro White to second 10-day contract

The Miami Heat re-signed Okaro White to a second 10-day contract today.

White, who was signed to a 10-day contract on January 17, appeared in four games with the HEAT and averaged 3.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.00 blocks and 16.4 minutes while shooting 50 percent (5-of-10) from the field, 40 percent (2-of-5) from three-point range and a perfect 3-of-3 from the foul line.

Earlier this season, White appeared in 23 games (all starts) for the HEAT’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, and averaged 18.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.09 steals and 33.0 minutes while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 86 percent from the foul line. He helped the Skyforce to a division best 16-5 record while ranking second on the team in points (424), rebounds (201), field goals made (144), three-point field goals made (38) and free throws made (98).

White, who was originally signed by the HEAT on July 15, 2016, previously appeared in six preseason games with Miami and averaged 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 9.5 minutes. Additionally, he appeared in five games with Miami’s Summer League team in Las Vegas this past summer and averaged 8.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.00 steals.

Rodney McGruder a key defender for Heat

The Heat are just 12-30 this season, which through Tuesday’s games is the second worst record in the Eastern conference. Guard Rodney McGruder isn’t putting up big stats but he has been making his mark on the defensive side of the floor. Here’s the Palm Beach Post reporting:

Rodney McGruder didn’t expect to start this many games in his rookie season with the Heat.

And he definitely didn’t expect to be Miami’s go-to defender against the NBA’s top scorers.

But 42 games into the season, those expectations have changed. McGruder ranks sixth among rookies in starts with 25 and he’s already been asked to defend future Hall of Famers like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant.

“At this point, I think this is the world that Rodney knows,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s either going against MVPs, former MVPs, future MVPs, definite All-Stars every single night. Whoever that big-ticket player is, Rodney you got him. Make him work. He’s absolutely stepped up to that challenge.

“Does that mean he’s winning battles? No. But he makes you earn everything and fight for every inch that you get.”

Miami Heat sign Okaro White to 10-day contract

The Miami Heat today signed forward Okaro White to a 10-day contract.

White has appeared in 23 games (all starts) for the HEAT’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, this season averaging 18.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.09 steals and 33.0 minutes while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 86 percent from the foul line. He has helped the Skyforce to a division best 16-5 record while ranking second on the team in points (424), rebounds (201), field goals made (144), three-point field goals made (38) and free throws made (98).

White, who was originally signed by the HEAT on July 15, 2016, previously appeared in six preseason games with Miami earlier this season and averaged 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 9.5 minutes. Additionally, he appeared in five games with Miami’s Summer League team in Las Vegas this past summer and averaged 8.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.00 steals.

White spent last season with Aris B.C. of the Greek Basketball League appearing in 35 games (32 starts) and averaged 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.57 steals and 26.8 minutes while shooting 49.1 percent from the field. He was selected as the Greek Basketball Player of the Year and named to the All-Greek A1 League First Team, All-Defensive Team and All-Imports Team. He spent the 2014-15 season in Italy with Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna averaging 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.00 blocks in 33 games (32 starts).

White played all four seasons at Florida State University appearing in 139 career games (94 starts). He set the school record for games played and finished fifth in free throws made (401), seventh in free throw percentage (.800), 10th in games started, 10th in blocks (107), 14th in rebounds (704), 16th in points (1,402) and 25th in field goals made (466). As a senior, he was named to the All-ACC Defensive Team and was presented with the Chairman of the Boards award, the Most Outstanding Offensive Player award, the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award and the award for the team’s top field goal percentage shooter at the Seminole’s annual Honors Banquet. Additionally, he earned the 2014 Golden Nole award in men’s basketball for significant contributions on the court, in the classroom and in the community.

Josh Richardson not returning yet for Heat

It does not appear that Josh Richardson will be returning anytime soon.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra today acknowledged it “would be safe” to say Richardson is week-to-week instead of day-to-day. Miami’s second year guard has missed the last three games after an X-ray and MRI revealed he had a sprained left foot.

“It is still only a sprain, he is getting better but he still is in a boot,” Spoelstra said following the Heat practice today.

Miami (11-30) starts a four-game home stand Tuesday against the Rockets.

— Palm Beach Post

Hassan Whiteside not closely monitoring All-Star votes

Here’s the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporting on Heat center Hassan Whiteside and 2017 All-Star voting:

Whiteside isn’t getting his hopes up when it comes to fan voting for the Feb. 19 All-Star Game, even as he puts up All-Star numbers, including his 28 points and 20 rebounds Tuesday against the Warriors.

After ranking ninth among Eastern Conference frontcourt players in last week’s initial release, Whiteside said he won’t be monitoring the weekly returns.

“It’s just a popularity contest at this point,” he said. “Our record was better than the 76ers [at the last balloting release] and Joel Embiid was fourth.”

Whiteside said that the All-Star selections should not turn into a referendum on a team’s place in the standings, with the Heat 11-29 going into Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center, which will mark the midpoint of their season.

“I don’t really feel like All-Stars should even be a record thing,” he said. “It’s the individual thing. That’s why they don’t bring the whole team; they bring a player.”