Heat center Jermaine O'Neal exploded in his first game, posting 22 points and 12 rebounds against the Knicks on Wednesday night.
"I'm not going to say by any means that I've arrived because it's only one game," O'Neal told the Miami Herald. "[But] I felt good."
He averaged 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds last season.
"What I averaged last year wasn't respectable to me. Respectable, to me, is dominating. It's not about being in an All-Star game and a contract. It's looking across from opponents and seeing they're fearful," O'Neal added.
He turned 31 last month and acknowledged that he can't get by solely on athleticism anymore.
"I'm not going to be able to jump as high as I was jumping at 23. But I'm pretty sure anybody else drafted in my class [1996] is not jumping or running as fast," O'Neal added. "Mentally, I'm a lot better overall player than I was in Indiana because I know how to play the game better."
Via Miami Herald
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Oct 29, 2009 11:15 AM EST
Dwyane Wade was coy when asked about his impending free agency by the New York media before Wednesday's game.
"I'm not even thinking about it," said Wade. "I'll answer it different every time."
Wade smiled when asked if he was even aware that the Knicks will be under the cap next summer.
"I think the whole world is aware of that," Wade said. "You're not a basketball fan if you're not aware of the fact the Knicks are under the cap, setting themselves up for the summer of 2010."
Via New York Daily News
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Erik Spoelstra defended his decision to start Michael Beasley over incumbent veteran Udonis Haslem.
"Before you make a move like this, you have to have someone with absolute strength of character," Spoelstra said of Haslem.
"Where we want to go -- if we want to make a [competitive] jump -- there is going to have to be difficult and uncomfortable decisions. This was difficult."
Via Miami Herald
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Heat Oct 2009 Archive
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ESPN | Oct 28, 2009
The Heat are moving forward Michael Beasley into the starting lineup, while shifting Udonis Haslem to the bench.
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South Florida Sun-Sentinel | Oct 27, 2009
A veteran NBA agent believes that Dwyane Wade will be the hardest of next summer's free agents to retain.
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ESPN | Oct 26, 2009
The Heat will honor Tim Hardaway by retiring his jersey on Wednesday night against the Knicks.
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Miami Herald | Oct 25, 2009
Heat forward Udonis Haslem is looking to contribute more on the offensive end this season.
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ESPN | Oct 24, 2009
Heat forward Michael Beasley is involved in another controversy involving internet photos.
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Press Release | Oct 23, 2009
The Miami Heat announced today that they have waived guard John Lucas.
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Press Release | Oct 20, 2009
The Miami Heat announced today that they have waived forward Anthony Tolliver.
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Press Release | Oct 20, 2009
Michael Beasley and Daequan Cook will be under contract for the 10-11 season.
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Miami Herald | Oct 14, 2009
Pat Riley hopes to find a way below the luxury tax by the end of February.
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Miami Herald | Oct 14, 2009
Heat president Pat Riley is still focused on reducing the team's luxury tax bill prior to February's trade deadline.
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South Florida Sun-Sentinel | Oct 14, 2009
Carlos Arroyo's arrival in Miami will finally provide the second-year point guard Mario Chalmers with some competition at the position.
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Press Release | Oct 12, 2009
The Miami Heat announced today that they have signed free agent guard Carlos Arroyo.
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Miami Herald | Oct 11, 2009
The Heat are only going to add another point guard to their roster if they feel the move is absolutely necessary.
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ESPN | Oct 10, 2009
Heat guard Dwyane Wade is expected to miss Sunday's preseason game against the Spurs.
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Press Release | Oct 8, 2009
Jamaal Magloire welcomed Jonas Jerebko to the NBA in rude fashion.
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South Florida Sun-Sentinel | Oct 8, 2009
Jermaine O'Neal missed Miami's preseason loss to Orlando on Wednesday night with an injured left foot.
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Miami Herald | Oct 7, 2009
Jamaal Tinsley continues to workout in Las Vegas and remains a possibility for the Miami Heat.
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MLive.com | Oct 6, 2009
Pistons rookie Jonas Jerebko didn't back down from a fight with Heat center Jamaal Magloire on Monday night.
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ESPN | Oct 6, 2009
Dwyane Wade isn't sure if he wants to play for the United States next summer at the World Championships.
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Miami Herald | Oct 5, 2009
Miami's Michael Beasley is expected to start at small forward this season.
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Miami Herald | Oct 3, 2009
Dwyane Wade wants to limit his preseason minutes.
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Miami Herald | Oct 1, 2009
Heat forward Michael Beasley has shifted gears and decided to retain the services of agent Jeff Schwartz.
