Dime 38This morning’s Miami Herald has an interview with Miami Heat owner Micky Arison about the state of his franchise (and by “state” we mean 7-17, $7 million above the luxury tax with little salary relief in sight). To his credit, Arison speaks pretty candidly about Shaq, Dwyane Wade and many of the personnel moves his team made (or didn’t make) this offseason:
The Heat’s 7-17 record isn’t what owner Micky Arison expected 18 months removed from an NBA title and with a payroll $7 million above the luxury-tax threshold. Arison this week spoke candidly and explained several scrutinized decisions.
”Disappointing,” Arison said. “If our players play to their capability, we could be a very good team, and we haven’t done that. I knew with Dwyane [ Wade] coming back off two surgeries, it would take a while, but it’s been tougher than I expected. You look at the players we’ve got on the floor [in losses to Washington and Indiana last week] and you felt like you had the better team. We’ve been struggling at home, and it’s baffling.
“You and I know he’s not the Dwyane Wade of pre-injury. He’ll get better. . . . We need our best players to play well, and we haven’t gotten that consistently. I’m sure Shaquille [ O’Neal] is not happy with [the season]. He had a leg injury early. . . and personal issues [divorce]. I can’t imagine one year of age makes that much of a difference.”
Giving O’Neal, 35, a five-year deal (he’s in year 3 at $20 million per) ”was a stretch, but it was a fair stretch to get the players around him to win a championship, and it worked,” Arison said. “Remember, he opted out of a $32 million year so we could get better. He was rewarded with a longer-term deal at a lower salary. And the demands he was making on Jerry Buss were much, much bigger than what he made on us.”
Arison defended Miami’s approach with James Posey: ”We offered the same [money] as other teams” (though his agent said Boston offered two years, Miami one). “But it’s tough psychologically when the team you’re on asks you to take market value and that’s half of the [$6.4 million] you were making.
“I was very happy for Jason Kapono — he got an incredible contract [four years, $24 million from Toronto], but we thought it was a little over the top.”
Arison would consider taking on a large multiyear contract to acquire a key piece ”but nothing like that has crossed my path. I’m hopeful we can get back into this.” And if the Heat misses postseason? “It would be annoying.”
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December 19th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
“I can’t imagine one year of age makes that much of a difference.”
He’s been declining for the past couple (maybe even FEW) years! Cats have just been in denial…
December 19th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
kowtz says:
Boston will win this year’s chip… much like the HEAT… they traded the future for one CHIP…
December 19th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Gee ... Next time Imma call names says:
Bust Jlaze that is real.
@ 7-17 I would call out the whole team stars and all. Shaq is saying he wants more touches, so provided he gets them we will see what happens.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
kowtz says:
LA’s first chip SHAQ = Dwight Howard 2008 + Amare 2005
LA’s second chip SHAQ = Dwight Howard 2008
LA’s third chip SHAQ = Dwight Howard 2007
LA 2003 SHAQ = TD
LA 2004 SHAQ = Injured TD minus the defense
NOW SHAQ = Arvydas Sabonis with Arthritis…
December 19th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
girlybballluver says:
Sabonis? That’s a bit harsh…
December 19th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
william says:
trading the future for one chip seems to be a good idea.
After all no one remembers the Portland Trailblazers, the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, Knicks when they’re all consistently good in the 90s.
The pistons how will be remembered even if they won’t win another
However winning one championship gives a good buzz that lasts.
There’s no way Miami could predict that Shaq, Antoine would decline faster than Wade’s rise
Plus there’s the crazy coach that would probably “retire” this year looking at how the losses are compiling.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
control says:
The Heat are just getting what they deserve. I have no sympathy for the person paying that scrub Smush Parker. I hope they finish 2nd last in the NBA for keeping that idiot in the league.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
laballer says:
keep talkin that nonsense on shaq..dude still outplayed “dwight howard 2008″ and yao in his prime..outplayed amare in that win they had..keep talkin..any team in the nba that DOESNT trade the future for a chip now is dumber than dog shit..the future doesnt guarantee a chip..it just guarantees a possibly good team that still cant win it i.e. mavs, suns, etc..the heat did what they had to and they got their first championship in their history..i highly doubt they regret it..and im sure the other nba teams wouldnt mind an extra ring as well if they had the chance..plus im not too sure what future ur talking about..they traded brian grant’s 80 year old woman with one toe body, caron before he showed signs of being this..although u can blame the lakers for doing the same damn thing..and for odom who has yet to prove he is a champ or an all star..im a die hard laker fan..but ill always give shaq his props..he won the chips for us in la..and he helped get the heat to their ring too..keep talkin ur nonsense..the hate will eat u alive boys..