Category: Miami Heat Blog

In Australia, Heat second-round acquisition James Ennis, the swingman out of Long Beach State, was introduced as the newest member of the Perth Wildcats…

Both Ennis and Perth coach Trevor Gleeson downplayed the opt-out in Ennis’ Wildcats contract that would allow him to return to the Heat at any point if summoned this season.

“When I got drafted at 50 in second round, they didn’t have a lot of roster spots, so they gave me a decision to go D-League or overseas and I picked overseas,” Ennis said. “I would like to stay for 12 months and help the Wildcats get a championship. That’s my main goal.”

It also is his coach’s preference.

“Here he’s going to play a substantial role on our team, and develop him on the court, off the court, professionally, at life skills, living away from America for the first time,” Gleeson said. “I think he’s going to be well-rounded and then go back a seasoned veteran.

Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

It looks like wedding bells will be ringing for Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem.

The former college standout for the Florida Gators applied for a marriage license Monday, according to Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts records.

He’s marrying his college sweetheart, Faith Rein, a track and field star at UF.

Reported by Joey Flechas of the Miami Herald

If Jarvis Varnado is going to leave the Miami Heat to play overseas it will be a case of later rather than sooner.

Despite a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport that the shot-blocking center was close to a deal in Italy, Boca Raton-based agent Mitch Frankel said Sunday his client remains under contract to the Heat and is planning to be at training camp, which opens Oct. 1.

Varnado has a non-guaranteed contract that becomes partially guaranteed on opening night of the regular season, Oct. 29 against the Chicago Bulls at AmericanAirlines Arena. He began his career in Italy in 2010 after being selected in the second round of the NBA Draft that year by the Heat. He joined the Heat last January, spitting the remainder of the season between the Heat and the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce, securing a championship ring despite his inactive status in the playoffs.

Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Determined to show his critics he’s still at the top of his game and feeling stronger physically after electric shock treatment to his knees, Heat guard Dwyane Wade was the portrait of optimism on several fronts Friday:

He said he has no reason to believe that any of the Big Three will sign elsewhere after next season, when he, LeBron James and Chris Bosh can exercise opt-out clauses.

He said he has no intention of abandoning the attacking style that has been a hallmark of his game, an element that became far more difficult as he dealt with knee pain during this past season’s playoffs.

He said he does not believe the knees – which were problematic the past two postseasons – will be a lingering issue for the remainder of his career. And he feels no need to curtail his minutes with the hope that will keep him healthy for May and June.

“I don’t worry about it because I’ve dealt with so many different injuries since I was young and I’ve always bounced back and found a way to be the player you guys have seen,” he said Friday morning at the Westin Diplomat before overseeing his fantasy basketball camp. “I’ve seen it work with my body before. I’m confident it will. My skills haven’t diminished. I’m not done yet.”

Reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald

LeBron James, after weighing a run for president of the National Basketball Players Association, decided against making a bid for the job, multiple media outlets reported Monday.

The union is looking for a new president after Derek Fisher’s term ended this summer. The NBPA is also attempting to overcome a recent scandal involving the alleged misuse of union funds by then-executive director Billy Hunter.

ESPN.com reported that James may back his Miami Heat teammate, NBPA secretary-treasurer James Jones, for the presidency.

Reported by the Sports Xchange

LeBron James can opt of his contract with the Miami Heat in July 2014. It will be yearlong story, and James said he understands that.

But the four-time NBA MVP and back-to-back champion isn’t quite ready to go there yet.

“It’s too early (to talk about),” James told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “I will get to a point where I have to cross that, but I haven’t really thought about it.”

James, 28, averaged 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists in leading the Heat to a Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs in seven games this past season.

His ability to opt out and become a free agent at the end of next season could become an even bigger story.

Reported by Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio

The night was already memorable for the students at St. Vincent-St.Mary’s High School.

On Saturday, they were the lucky recipients of new athletic uniforms for all sporting teams donated by the school’s most famous alum.

Still, LeBron James wanted to make it even more special.

And that he did.

James surprised the student body by participating in the runaway fashion show that debuted the new threads. Just as they were about to announce the presentation was over, Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” began to play over the loud speakers at the football field.

That is when James surfaced through a cloud of smoke wearing the all-black football uniform. He sported a No. 9 jersey, the same he wore in high school before giving up football after his junior season to focus on basketball. Students realized it was James when he made it to the end of the runaway, mobbing him before he removed his helmet.

Reported by Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

MORE: Here’s a photo of the event.

Oden, 25, will fly to Miami at 6 a.m. Monday and immediately begin on-court work with the Heat, plus agility drills and more.

“My knee’s good,” he said. “I’m able to walk, jump, run. … It’s been a while. It’s been a long road. … I got an old body. My body is not going to be what it was when I was 18. When I was 18, I was able to run all day and jump over people. I can’t do that now. It’s just not going to happen. But I’m going to play as hard as I can and I’m going to try to jump over people and I’m going to try to run all day. If my body lets me, I’ll do it.”

He added: “My body is going to do what it can. If somehow it says no, then it says no. But I’m not even worried about that. I’m just going to go play and not even think about it…. I’m beyond excited. It’s been such a long road…. I know it’s going to be a long process.”

Reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald

Lots of people gave up on always-injured center Greg Oden. But after all his struggles, nobody knows what his future will be like. Perhaps he’ll finally stay healthy and have a solid career. It could happen. And if it does, it’ll begin in probably the best place possible, on the roster of the NBA champion Miami Heat.

“My body’s just getting used to playing again,” Oden said. “My knees do feel good. I’m able to walk. I’m running, jumping. I’m doing everything.

“It’s going to maintenance for the rest of my life. I’ve got to warm up to warm up and then play. I understand that now.”

So, why Miami? San Antonio, Cleveland, Dallas, New Orleans, Sacramento and Atlanta all showed interest. That smile reappeared, frustration and disappointment a distant memory, before Oden answered.

“My friends told me, ‘If you take out the possibility of getting hurt again, what other choice is there?'” Oden said. “If I take out the possibility of getting hurt, why would I not play with the champs?

“If LeBron decides to get another ring, I get one too, now.”

Reported by the Associated Press

The Oden story will be something to watch in 2013-14.