Category: Miami Heat Blog

Name change: Yes, Bill Walker is now Henry Walker

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting on the newest member of the Miami Heat:

Miami Heat forward Henry Walker considered it a sign of maturity.

Last year the player formerly known as “Bill” started going by his middle name. If his Heat debut was any indication, Walker has already grown up a bunch.

He scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers in Monday’s victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. The plan is for Walker to remain in the rotation the duration of his 10-day contract.

“It’s just my middle name,” Walker said. “I’m just trying to mature and just trying to grow up, trying to change the perception about me.”

Miami Heat sign Henry Walker to 10-day contract

The Miami HEAT announced today that they have signed forward Henry Walker to a 10-day contract.

Walker has appeared in 17 games (eight starts) for the HEAT’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, this season averaging 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.00 steals and 27.8 minutes while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from three-point range. He has recorded five 20-point games this season, including a 24-point, six-rebound, four-assist, three-steal game in a, 105-80, win against the Westchester Knicks on January 31.

Walker was originally drafted in the second round (47th overall) by the Washington Wizards in the 2008 NBA Draft. The four-year NBA veteran has appeared in 157 career NBA games (22 starts) and averaged 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 15.2 minutes of action while shooting 47.1 percent from the field.

Walker will wear number 5.

Chris Bosh has been playing hurt

Here’s the Miami Herald reporting on Heat star Chris Bosh, who is averaging 21.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season:

Chris Bosh’s inconsistent offense before the All-Star break was a clear signal that the Heat’s power forward needed a few days off to reset his body.

With his All-Star obligations complete, Bosh now has five days to rest some nagging aches, including a persistent pain in his side. Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard revealed over the weekend that Bosh was playing through an injury before the All-Star break, and although Bosh downplayed the news while in New York, there’s little question something has been affecting his jump shot over the past two weeks.

“Your body will follow your mind, and sometimes it’s good to get away,” Bosh said. “You have to give credit to the commissioner and the players for coming together and actually making it a longer break, but sometimes you just have to reset.

“If things are going well, or if things aren’t going well, you have to let your body rest, you have to take advantage of the time, and when you’re stuck in the brain sometimes you have to step away from the game, and that’s when you get the most ideas.”

Here’s the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporting on the Heat, who have enjoyed the production of center Hassan Whiteside but could use more help on the glass from All-Star Chris Bosh:

Then there is Bosh’s rebounding. He has had three or fewer in three of the past five games.

Part of that has been the vacuum-like rebounding of emerging center Hassan Whiteside. Part of it has been a lack of needed aggression.

“I’ll start doing more on the boards,” he said. “If I have to, I’ll start fighting Hassan for ’em, too, because that’s about two or three a game that I miss now on.

“It’s been a struggle. It’s been a struggle. I’m just making sure I’m keeping my head and move forward no matter what happens.”

Here’s the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporting on the impressive progress made by Heat center Hassan Whiteside:

It has taken Whiteside a short period of time to become a fan favorite. His recent emergence has made him one of the team’s most popular players.

The plan now is to keep him grounded during the success. Teammates have done their best to make sure he stays humble.

Whiteside averaged 12.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks the past five games.

“He’s been playing good basketball,” Bosh said. “But I don’t want him getting a big head. I just want him to keep playing hard.”

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel, reporting on the Miami Heat, who rely on Dwyane Wade and friends more than ever now that LeBron James took his talents back to Cleveland:

A year ago, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade had the luxury of taking breaks whenever he needed.

Now, things are different.

Wade is needed much more with LeBron James no longer around. Last year he probably would sit a few more games until he is fully healed. Instead, he is expected back in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I don’t like missing time, because it takes time to get back to that rhythm again,” Wade said. “Even though the games will come fast, the good thing about [being out] was our team was able to finish off the road trip and get a win.”

Miami Heat sign Tyler Johnson to 10-day contract

The Miami HEAT have signed guard Tyler Johnson to a 10-day contract.

Johnson has appeared in 13 games (as a starter in all of them) for the HEAT’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce this season. In those contests, he averaged 18.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 33.9 minutes while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, 46.3 percent from three-point range and 82.1 percent from the foul line. Johnson recorded six 20-point games, including a season-high 31 points in a, 138-126, win at Texas on December 20. He ranks second on the team in assists (49) and free throws made (55) and third in points (240) and field goals made (83).

Johnson was originally signed by the Miami Heat on August 7, 2014. He appeared in one preseason game with Miami, totaling 17 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists in 36:13 minutes of action before being waived on October 25, 2014.

Johnson will wear number 8 on the Heat.