The magic of Fil-Am head coach Erik Spoelstra is up in the air this early in the 2009-10 NBA season. So far, his Miami Heat had posted a 4-1 win-loss slate to lead the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The Heat started the new season with impressive wins over the New York Knicks (115-93), Indiana Pacers (96-83), Chicago Bulls (95-87) and Washington Wizards (93-89). Their only loss came at the hands of the visiting Phoenix Suns (104-96). It seems defense is the team’s passport for possibly going deep in the playoffs come April next year. Minus the losing game against the Suns, they held their opponents to below the century mark in four victorious games.
Spoelstra has also done a good job in revitalizing sophomore forward Michael Beasly, who had a trouble-filled summer. Beasly is currently averaging 13.0 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Resident superstar Dwyane Wade continues to lead the offensive game of the Heat with 25.2 ppg and 4.8 apg. Also worth mentioning are the current forms of comebacking center Jermaine O’Neal, who missed 55 games last season due to various injuries, and utility man Udonis Haslem. So far O’Neal had submitted norms of 14.0 ppg and 8.0 rpg while Spoelstra is all praises for Haslem, the youthful mentor taken by the selflessness of the veteran power forward. Spoelstra speaks highly of the hardworking 6-8 hometown native of Miami:
"There's probably a lot of coaches and organizations out there that would like to take a starter and put him on the bench, for various reasons, to help with the rotation, to help solidify the second unit. There's few players that actually can do that or would be willing to do that, or would be willing to sacrifice for the better of the teams.
A lot of players will say that and it's an empty statement. They'll say, 'I'll do whatever it takes to win.' You say, 'OK, what are your conditions?' And you find out pretty quickly what somebody's conditions are. It really shows the kind of character that Udonis is, that he backs up what he's saying, that he is about the team. There is a purity about him."
It looks like the Heat is ready to pose serious challenge to their state-rivals Orlando Magic as the flagship squad in the Sunny State of Florida and maybe, just maybe, a stumbling block in the Eastern Conference for the retooled Boston Celtics in their quest to reclaim the NBA diadem next June.
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Herewith are the completed transactions covering the period October 26 to November 5, 2009:
Thursday, November 5
Memphis waived forward Trey Gilder.
Sacramento waived forward Desmond Mason.
Minnesota named Darrick Martin assistant director of player development.
Wednesday, November 4
Sacramento signed forward Ime Udoka.
Monday, November 2
Minnesota exercised the contract option on forward Corey Brewer and center Kevin Love through 2010-11.
Saturday, October 31
Indiana exercised the contract options on guard Brandon Rush and center Roy Hibbert through 2010-11.
Denver signed forward Renaldo Balkman to a contract extension and exercised the contract option on guard Arron Afflalo through 2010-11.
Friday, October 30
Houston exercised the contract option on guard Aaron Brooks through 2010-11.
Utah exercised the contract options on center Kosta Koufos through 2010-11.
Washington exercised the contract options on guard Nick Young and center JaVale McGee through 2010-11.
Thursday, October 29
New Jersey exercised the contract options on guard Courtney Lee, forward Yi Jianlian and center Brook Lopez through 2010-11.
Toronto exercised the contract option on guard Marco Belinelli through 2010-11.
Memphis exercised the contract options on guards Mike Conley and OJ Mayo and forward Darrell Arthur through 2010-11.
Charlotte exercised the contract option on center Alexis Ajinca through 2010-11.
Wednesday, October 28
Phoenix exercised the contract options on forward Jared Dudley and center Robin Lopez through 2010-11.
Orlando waived forward Linton Johnson.
Chicago waived forward Derrick Byars.
San Antonio exercised the contract option on guard George Hill through 2010-11.
Oklahoma City signed guard Thabo Sefolosha to a contract extension.
Tuesday, October 27
Orlando exercised the contract option on forward Ryan Anderson through 2010-11.
Monday, October 26
Chicago exercised the contract options on guard Derrick Rose and forward Joakim Noah through 2010-11.
Cleveland exercised the contract option on forward JJ Hickson through 2010-11.
New Orleans exercised the contract option on forward Julian Wright through 2010-11.
Phoenix signed center Jarron Collins.
Detroit waived forward Deron Washington.
Milwaukee waived forward Walter Sharpe.
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