Category: Miami Heat Blog

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.

There is no limp, no outward sign of the surgery on his right knee three weeks ago.

Whether Udonis Haslem makes it back for the Oct. 1 start of Miami Heat training camp has yet to be determined, but the veteran power forward said Thursday that last month’s procedure provided both physical and mental relief.

“I’m three weeks in now. I feel pretty good, actually,” he said during a promotional appearance at the Microsoft specialty store at Town Center. “It wasn’t as bad as we thought it was. I was fortunate. It was mostly just a cleaning, a lot of scar tissue, a couple of loose pieces in there, cleaning out the MCL.”

Haslem, 33, played during the second half of the regular season and then the playoffs with what was thought to be a torn right meniscus.

Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Alonzo Mourning spent Thursday morning at the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program in New Jersey talking to prospects about “the journey that they’re about to take.”

But it is a journey that is about to unfold in South Florida that has the former Miami Heat center and current Heat executive intrigued.

With the Heat a day earlier announcing the signing of free-agent center Greg Oden to a two-year contract, Mourning found himself captivated by the possibilities of the 25-year-old injury-plagued center.

“Extremely excited, extremely excited,” he said by phone, “because I understand the potential that he has.”

Mourning confirmed that he was among those in the organization who helped recruit Oden in recent months.

“I had some words with him, yes,” he said. “We were able to spend some time together.”

Reported by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

His September wedding in San Diego is the stuff of TMZ and People Magazine. His free agency next summer could eclipse the attention of when he previously entered the market in 2010.

But, for now, LeBron James is asking for a little space.

Please.

At least that’s the message from his Facebook and Twitter posts overnight.

On his Facebook page, as Sunday turned to Monday, the Heat forward posted:

“Man it’s hard to go out and have a good time these days! It’s cool though, it’s part of my life. Wouldn’t change anything(just saying). Been in the spotlight since I was 15. Sometimes u just wanna STOP!! But I refuse cause I have a commitment to the youth to inspire them!! That will keep me pushing forward and focused alone.”

Reported by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel