Category: Miami Heat Blog

Here’s the San Antonio Express-News with a look into the further development of already-great LeBron James:

It speaks to the greatness of LeBron James that, in a season Kevin Durant would otherwise be the runaway candidate for MVP, he’s still worth discussing.

Indeed, after a month in which James averaged 30.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.7 steals, punctuated by a career-high 61 points on just 33 shots against Charlotte, the award might not be quite the mortal lock it appeared even a few weeks ago.

A strong likelihood? For sure; Durant has been nothing short of brilliant. But with James enjoying historic efficiency, and the Heat lurking just behind Indiana for the league’s best record entering tonight’s game against the Spurs, it’s no longer a foregone conclusion.

The raw numbers — 27.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists — are right in line with what James has been putting up for the last decade. But for Durant, he’d be on pace to lead the league in Player Efficiency Rating (30.2) for a seventh straight season, and win shares (12.2) for a sixth. (Only Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain have been as prolific in those categories.)

LeBron James will comply with the NBA’s request to ditch his black mask for a clearer version to protect his broken nose for the Miami Heat’s game Saturday against the Orlando Magic.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Saturday morning that the team has been in contact with the NBA and that James will select from a variety of league-approved masks to wear for the next several weeks. Spoelstra would not indicate the specific style or color of the new masks James will consider.

“We’ve had numerous ones made, so he will have his pick and will choose one that is authorized also by the league,” Spoelstra told ESPN.com after the Heat’s shootaround. “We did talk to the league (Friday). So stay tuned for what mask you’ll see tonight.”

James had worn a black carbon-fiber mask during Thursday’s win against the New York Knicks, and the design quickly drew comparisons on social media to masks worn by superhero characters from Batman to dramatic villains such as Hannibal Lecter.

— ESPN Miami

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting on Heat superstar LeBron James, who still has a perfectly good shot at winning another MVP award even as Kevin Durant continues to amaze:

James can say all he wants about how this isn’t about him, how personal accolades are secondary. His teammates, those closest to him, know the deal. And the truth is the reason James put together one of the most impressive months in NBA history is because he wants more.

More MVPs.

“Same thing happened around this time last year,” forward Rashard Lewis said. “It’s that time for him to turn it up … He wants the MVP. The MVP trophy is his and you have to come take it from him.”

At the adjacent locker, teammate Chris Andersen chimed in, “Yea, come get it.” Later across the room, guard Mario Chalmers said, “Of course, he’s going for the MVP.”

Just last month Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant was all but anointed as the replacement for James, who has won the award four times in five years. Durant owned January, putting up video game-like numbers. The attention shifted. James even played along, saying he followed Durant’s performances on a nightly basis.

On the outside, it was fun. On the inside, it was fire. Motivation for a player who has been the game’s best since 2009.

The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed guard DeAndre Liggins to a 10-day contract from their NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “The move by the Heat comes a week after felony domestic violence charges were dropped in Oklahoma against Liggins, who had charged with two counts of kidnapping, two counts of domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, three counts of domestic abuse in the presence of a minor and one count of violating a protective order after an Aug. 31 arrest, when his girlfriend told police he attacked her in front of their 2-year-old son. Because misdemeanor charges still could be filed, the Heat said neither the team nor Liggins would comment on the incident.”

Liggins has appeared in 35 games (34 starts) with the Skyforce this season averaging 14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.54 steals and 40.3 minutes while shooting 39.8 percent from the field. The 2014 NBA D-League All-Star has appeared in 54 career D-League games (53 starts) and averaged 13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.26 steals and 38.2 minutes while shooting 41.4 percent from the field.

The University of Kentucky product has also appeared in 56 career NBA games (one start) and averaged 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 7.2 minutes of action while shooting 45.8 percent from the field. He appeared in eight postseason NBA games with Oklahoma City last season totaling eight points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in 68 minutes.

Liggins was originally drafted in the second round (53rd overall) in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.

He will wear number 14.

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel with a glimpse into the mindset of Heat point guard Mario Chalmers.

Mario Chalmers is never one to pass on the opportunity of patting himself on the back.

Never has his brash or confidence been an issue. So leave it to Chalmers to say his comfort level with the Miami Heat is at an all-time high.

Where is he at on a scale of 1 to 10?

“It’s at 1,000,” Chalmers said. “Just being around these guys three or four years, it’s really helped me a lot. I just know where to put the ball where they need it.”

Chalmers continued his recent stretch of strong play in Sunday’s victory against the Chicago Bulls, finishing with 12 points and nine assists. The effort was even more appreciated with forward LeBron James was out of the lineup.

Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel on colorful Heat big-man Chris Andersen, who in his supporting role is stepping up these days:

There has been a spring in his step recently, which could particularly come in handy this spring.

Much as he was during last season’s postseason run to the franchise’s second NBA championship, center Chris Andersen again has turned into somewhat of a can’t-miss proposition for the Miami Heat.

Since missing three games with a bruised right knee, the player nicknamed Birdman has shot 40 of 56 over his last 14 appearances. There also have been six games with multiple blocked shots over that span, including Sunday’s victory against the Chicago Bulls at AmericanAirlines Arena.

“I’m still young. I’m definitely two years younger, meaning my body is two years younger than what my age actually is at,” the animated 35-year-old said, having been forced out of the league for two seasons due to the NBA’s substance-abuse policy. “So I’ve got basically three, four years.”

Here’s the Associated Press (via the Washington Times) reporting on Miami Heat star LeBron James, who says his future is probably with his current squad. He kind-of has to say that sort of thing, though. It doesn’t make sense for him to say anything different between now and the end of the playoffs. Still, read on:

LeBron James cannot currently envision a scenario where he leaves the Miami Heat this summer, though he still plans to assess his needs and his future at the end of the season.

James made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBA TV. The Heat star can choose to become a free agent after this season by exercising an option in the contract he signed when he arrived in Miami during the summer of 2010.

Asked by interviewer Steve Smith if he can picture himself being anywhere else, James did not seem to hesitate before answering.

“At this point, I can’t,” James said. “At this point, I can’t. We don’t know what can happen from now to July, so what I’ve been able to do this whole season to this point is just worry about what’s at hand and that’s winning another championship. And hopefully at the end of this year I can put myself in a position where I can hold that Larry O’Brien Trophy up once again and then I will assess what I have to do with my future after that.”