Miami Heat Blog – Page 40 – NBA Blog

Heat sign Wayne Ellington, James Johnson, Derrick Williams

The Miami HEAT announced today the signings of free agents Wayne Ellington, James Johnson and Derrick Williams.

Ellington, a 6’4”, 200-pound shooting guard, has appeared in 453 regular season games (112 starts) during a seven-year career and has averaged 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 19.6 minutes while shooting 41.1 percent from the floor, 37.6 percent from three-point range and 84.8 percent from the foul line. He has appeared in two postseason games and averaged 4.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 7.0 minutes. Last season, as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, he appeared in 76 games and averaged 7.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 21.3 minutes while connecting on 38.9 percent from the floor, 35.8 percent from three-point range and 85.7 percent from the line. Additionally, he set single-season career highs in three-point field goals made (96) and attempted (268), steals (48) and starts (41). He has made at least 90 treys each of the past two seasons. In addition to playing for Brooklyn last season, Ellington has also played for Minnesota (2009-12), Cleveland (2012-13), Memphis (2012-13), Dallas (2013-14) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15). A former first-round draft pick of the Timberwolves in 2009 (28th overall), Ellington captured the 2015-16 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award as selected by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA). The honor, named after the NBA’s second commissioner, is presented annually by the PBWA to the player, coach or athletic trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community. Ellington was recognized for his efforts to curb gun violence.

Johnson, a 6’9”, 250-pound power forward, has appeared in 398 regular season games (140 starts) during a seven-year career and has averaged 6.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 18.3 minutes while shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, 26.6 percent from three-point range and 68.8 percent from the foul line. In 19 career postseason games, all off the bench, he has averaged 2.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 8.3 minutes while shooting 39.6 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three-point range and 47.4 percent from the foul line. Last season, as a member of the Toronto Raptors, Johnson appeared in 57 games (32 starts) and averaged 5.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 16.2 minutes while shooting 47.5 percent from the field, 30.3 percent from three-point territory and 57.4 percent from the foul line. A former first-round pick of the Chicago Bulls in 2009 (16th overall), Johnson has shot a combined 54.7 percent from the floor these past two seasons, including a career-high 58.9 percent during the 2014-15 season. During his career, Johnson has played for Chicago (2009-11), Toronto (2010-12 and 2014-16), Sacramento (2012-13) and Memphis (2013-14).

Williams, a 6’8”, 240-pound power forward, has appeared in 376 regular season games (101 starts) during a five-year career and has averaged 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 21.4 minutes while shooting 43.3 percent from the floor, 29.9 percent from three-point range and 71.5 percent from the foul line. The former second overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves has yet to appear in a postseason game. Last season as a member of the New York Knicks, Williams appeared in a career-high 80 games (nine starts) and averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 17.9 minutes while shooting a career-high 45 percent from the floor, 29.3 percent from three-point range and 75.8 percent from the foul line. He also set personal single-season career highs in both field goals made (194) and assists (75). During his career, Williams has played for Minnesota (2011-14), Sacramento (2013-15) and New York (2015-16).

Miami Heat sign Rodney McGruder

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed free agent guard Rodney McGruder.

McGruder appeared in 48 games (44 starts) with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League last season, averaging 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.38 steals and 37.5 minutes, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from three-point range and 73.9 percent from the free throw line. He led the team in points (758), field goals made (290), three-point field goals made (93) and plus-minus (+367), and finished second on the team in steals (66) and third in rebounds (255). Additionally, he scored in double-figures 40 times, including 14 20-point games and two 30-point games, while helping the Skyforce to a D-League record 40 wins. In the playoffs, he appeared in seven games (all starts), averaging 22.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 42.3 minutes, while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range en route to the Skyforce’s first NBA D-League championship in franchise history.

McGruder split time during the 2014-15 season between the Maine Red Claws and Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 23.1 minutes in 29 games (seven starts). He also played for Atomeromu SE Paks of the Hungarian A League in 2013-14, where he averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.59 steals in 27.8 minutes.

McGruder, who played all four seasons at Kansas State, is currently on the HEAT’s summer league team.

Miami Heat re-sign Hassan Whiteside

The Miami HEAT have re-signed center Hassan Whiteside. And the numbers are huge: the deal is reportedly a $98 million dollar contract over four years.

Whiteside, the NBA leading shot blocker, appeared in 73 games (43 starts) with the HEAT last season and averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.68 blocks and 29.1 minutes while shooting 60.6 percent from the field. He blocked an NBA-best 269 shots, 92 more than the next highest player in the league, and the second-most blocks during a single-season in HEAT history. He helped anchor Miami’s defense that averaged a franchise-best 6.48 blocks and team-best 531 rejections this season while giving up just 98.4 points per game to opponents, ranking as the third-least amount of points in the Eastern Conference and the fifth-least in the entire NBA. The HEAT finished in the top six for fewest points allowed for the seventh consecutive season, tying for the fifth-longest streak over the last 40 years. He led Miami in rebounds a team-high 55 times and grabbed double-figure rebounds a team-high 53 times, just three short of tying the single-season team record of 56 held by Rony Seikaly in 1991-92. He averaged 11.8 rebounds per game, the highest single-season rebound average in team history and grabbed his 1,000th rebound as a member of the HEAT on February 22, doing so in his 95th game, becoming the all-time quickest player in team history to reach the 1,000-rebound plateau. He posted a team-best 41 double-doubles, ranking tied for eighth-most in the NBA and a team-high three triple-doubles, ranking tied for sixth-most in the league. He recorded 22 five-plus block games, the second-most during a single-season in HEAT history and began the season blocking multiple shots in 21 consecutive games, the third-longest streak to start a season over the last 30 years, only Mark Eaton (1988-89) and Shaquille O’Neal (1992-93) had longer streaks.

Whiteside, who was selected to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team, became just the second player in NBA history to block at least 250 shots and shoot over 60 percent (.606) from the field, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who accomplished the feat during the 1979-80 season and he also became just the third player over the last 20 years to post at least 1,000 points (1,040) and block at least 250 shots, joining Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo. Additionally, his 9.7 block percentage was the highest in the NBA, no other player had a percentage higher than 6.1.

Hassan Whiteside will re-sign with Heat

Center Hassan Whiteside played just 29.1 minutes per game for the Heat last season, yet averaged an extremely impressive 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per outing, with 60.6% shooting. His free throw shooting is a struggle, but Whiteside was clearly in line for a big payday this summer. And he’s receiving it and will stick with Miami. Here’s the Palm Beach Post blog reporting:

Free-agent center Hassan Whiteside is re-signing with the Heat. The 27-year-old posted this message early Friday morning on The Players’ Tribune website.

There was considerable speculation that the 7-footer might be interested in leaving Miami to join the Dallas Mavericks or Los Angeles Lakers, and he met with both teams early Friday morning. But a source told the Associated Press that Whiteside will sign a four-year maximum deal worth approximately $98 million to remain with the Heat.

Juwan Howard will coach Heat summer league team

Summer league is approaching. It’s a time for rookies and young players to show some of what they can do. And it’s often a chance for assistant coaches to do the same. Here’s the Palm Beach Post blog reporting:

With Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra preparing to walk down the aisle and become a married man next month, assistant coach Juwan Howard will slide over into the big chair on bench.

The Heat confirmed to The Post that Howard will coach the Heat’s summer league teams in Orlando and Las Vegas while Spoelstra gets married and honeymoons.

Lakers want Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside is one of the most intriguing young centers in the league. At worst, he’s an excellent defensive addition to any team. And at best — well, we don’t know yet because he’s still developing. Here’s ESPN.com reporting the latest on Whiteside’s free agency situation:

The Los Angeles Lakers plan to aggressively pursue Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside when NBA free agency starts, according to league sources.

With rim protection and perimeter shooting ranking as the Lakers’ foremost areas of concern heading into the open market, sources told ESPN.com that Whiteside has emerged a priority target for L.A.

The Lakers, like the Heat, are still hopeful of securing a face-to-face recruiting meeting with Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant once free agency season commences at 12:01 a.m. on July 1. But the Lakers, sources say, are highly intrigued by Whiteside and what he could bring them as a double-double presence inside.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra buys new house

Here’s the Miami Herald with some off-court reporting:

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who’s getting married to a former Heat dancer in July, has already upgraded his living quarters from his bachelor’s condo.

Spo, 45, just plunked down $2.6 million for a historic house in Coconut Grove, according to property records. He is set to get hitched to former cheerleader Nikki Sapp July 1…

Unlike his players, who often pay cash for their houses, Spoelstra got a mortgage just like the rest of us shleppers. Naples-based Florida Community Bank gave Spo a $1.95 million mortgage.

Grizzlies interested in Keith Smart for assistant coaching job

New Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Fizdale needs some assistants, and Keith Smart is reportedly in the running. Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting:

The Miami Heat have granted permission to the Memphis Grizzlies to interview assistant coach Keith Smart for a position on the staff of former Heat assistant David Fizdale.

The Heat confirmed Thursday they have been contacted by Memphis since Fizdale took over as coach last week regarding Smart, who was added to Erik Spoelstra’s staff in 2014 on the recommendation of Fizdale. Fizdale and Smart previously had coached together with the Golden State Warriors.

Fizdale was denied permission to interview Heat assistant coach Dan Craig, who is expected to take an elevated position on Spoelstra’s staff next season after this past season coaching the Heat’s minor-league affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, to the NBA Development League championship. Craig previously had served as a Heat assistant coach before the D-League assignment.

For a rookie, Justise Winslow playing big role for Heat

Game 7 of the Heat-Raptors series is Sunday afternoon. Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting on a key Heat coaching decision from the series:

Justise Winslow figures the last time he played center was in high school. Maybe even earlier.

But there he was on Friday night, during an elimination game in the Eastern Conference semifinals taking the opening jump for the Heat as they tried to keep their season alive against the Raptors.

And as he has throughout the season, the rookie showed the kind of moxie that has earned him praise from teammates and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who said he and Winslow shared a laugh after the coach opted not to play the former Duke standout in Game 3 of the series, a game Toronto won 95-91.

Since that decision, Winslow has responded with a 9-point, 4-rebound performance in Game 4, an 8-point, 7-rebound performance in Game 5, and then a 12-point, 3-rebound performance in Game 6, his first career postseason start and a game the Heat won 103-91 to force Sunday’s deciding Game 7.

Raptors win Game 3 vs Heat

Kyle Lowry got his game back at the perfect time for the Toronto Raptors.

And the Miami Heat are in all kinds of trouble.

Shaking off epic playoff struggles, Lowry scored 33 points – including five straight to break a late tie – in a duel with Dwyane Wade to lift the Raptors to a 95-91 victory over the Heat on Saturday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The Raptors lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is in Miami on Monday night.

“I felt like it was just a matter of time,” Lowry said.

He was a career 34 percent playoff shooter coming into Saturday, and was shooting 31 percent in these playoffs. But he connected on 11 of 19 shots, 5 of 8 from 3-point range.

— AP