Mke Miller offered 5 year- 27 million by the Heat

[PosImpos]

Four Fearsome Lineups

(1) Chalmers + Wade + Bron + Bosh + J.Anthony
(2) Wade + Bron + Miller + Bosh + J.Anthony
(3) Chalmers + Wade + Miller + Bron + Bosh
(4) Wade + FA Signing (eg Raja Bell) + Miller + Bron + Bosh

The ability to go to any of those highly effective lineups and either create or eliminate matchup advantages against opponents is extremely valuable. That lineup flexibility is a huge plus in Miami's favour.

I'd substitute Shaq or Big Z for Joel Anthony, but yeah.

[Who]

Four Fearsome Lineups

(1) Chalmers + Wade + Bron + Bosh + J.Anthony
(2) Wade + Bron + Miller + Bosh + J.Anthony
(3) Chalmers + Wade + Miller + Bron + Bosh
(4) Wade + FA Signing (eg Raja Bell) + Miller + Bron + Bosh

The ability to go to any of those highly effective lineups and either create or eliminate matchup advantages against opponents is extremely valuable. That lineup flexibility is a huge plus in Miami's favour.

I'd substitute Shaq or Big Z for Joel Anthony, but yeah.

Don't underestimate the value of Joel Anthony here.

Joel Anthony is a good all-round defender. He defends very well in transition and in pick and roll situations. He has good anticipation and makes quality defensive rotations. He also provides solid shot blocking around the rim. Is a solid man-to-man defender.

Then add in his athleticism which is a great fit for the Heat. He has the size to defend centers (undersized but big enough to compete) but also the quickness to defend many power forwards around the league. That flexibility allows Miami to put Bosh on either big man depending on how they want to use Bosh defensively (which is a plus because Bosh normally doesn't do well against physical players and his help defense at the center position is good to very good). Bosh is best off defensively alongside an interchangeable big man, someone who can cover either big man position, which Anthony can.

Finally, offensively, Anthony does not need the ball so it'll be easier for Miami to manage touches between their star players. His value offensively will be as a screen setter (on and off the ball) and as a weakside offensive rebounder. Anthony will not clog up the paint so it'll be wide open for slashers like Wade and Bron as well as Bosh's driving game. Furthermore, Anthony is very quick for a center and he'll be another weapon in Miami's transition game.

I don't think much of Joel Anthony as an individual player but the fit here is very good for him. He'll be a nice role player ... a guy who helps the other four players play better.

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Miami should avoid a center like Shaquille O'Neal or Zydrunas Ilgaukas.

They will make their starting lineup weaker. Their lack of quickness, Shaq's need for the ball and clogging of the paint, their vulnerability defensively.

Miami are better off with a player like Anthony who can supply above average defense + will stay in the background offensively + will facilitate a running game.

If Miami signs a player like Shaq, they should use him as a bench player. He can make a positive contribution there.

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Final Note -- Miami went 13-3 and in the 16 games that Joel Anthony started while Jermaine O'Neal was out injured last season.

Anthony is a good glue guy if you can surround him with enough offense and rebounding ... which Miami clearly can with Bosh, Wade and LeBron.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Except that only lineup #4 worries me. Chalmers and Anthony would very likely be the league's worst starting point guard and center from day one.

But then I expect Wade will be Miami's starting point guard and I agree with PosImpos that the Heat will find their starting center for the minimum.

(And Anthony is a player I've always rooted for and love off the bench in short stints. But he's a 6'9" center, a shot blocker who fouls at a high rate, and struggles on the other end of the floor.

While Chalmers is still overrated on the strength of his play at Kansas and production as a second round pick. Arroyo was more often than not the Heat's best point guard.)

[xmuscularghandix]

Okay, here's Miami's best case cap scenario, if their "big three" take max deals:

Lebron: $16.6 million
Bosh:  $16.6 million
Wade:  $16.6 million
Beasley: $5 million
Chalmers: $0.85 million

Cap Hold (x8) = $3.8 million

Joel Anthony: renounced (could re-sign for minimum deal)

With all of the above, the Heat are actually over the cap, at $59.45 million.  That means that to sign Miller, each of the free agents would have to take less, and Beasley would have to be included in a sign-and-trade.

So, this scenario works:

Beasley traded straight up for Miller
Miller signs for $5 million
"Big three" sign for $16 million each

That would bring the Heat to $57.65 million, or very slightly below the cap.

...and still without a point guard to distribute the ball.

Lebron will be the distributor on this team, his points will drop but assists will jump. They should sign a PG who is basically a spot up shooter... that way he can camp out and shoot when Team USA gets double teamed.

[LarBrd33]

in the last 5 minutes I just talked myself into the Miami era.  That team is going to be incredible to watch.  Wade, Bron and on a smaller level Bosh can all pass the ball.   Bron is going to be more like Magic Johnson on that squad... I saw a couple clips of them playing together on team USA winging the ball back and forth to each other and now I'm actually kinda excited to see what this team looks like playing together.

[BostonArizona]

Four Fearsome Lineups

(1) Chalmers + Wade + Bron + Bosh + J.Anthony
(2) Wade + Bron + Miller + Bosh + J.Anthony
(3) Chalmers + Wade + Miller + Bron + Bosh
(4) Wade + FA Signing (eg Raja Bell) + Miller + Bron + Bosh

The ability to go to any of those highly effective lineups and either create or eliminate matchup advantages against opponents is extremely valuable. That lineup flexibility is a huge plus in Miami's favour.

I'd substitute Shaq or Big Z for Joel Anthony, but yeah.

Miami should avoid a center like Shaquille O'Neal or Zydrunas Ilgaukas.

They will make their starting lineup weaker. Their lack of quickness, Shaq's need for the ball and clogging of the paint, their vulnerability defensively.

Miami are better off with a player like Anthony who can supply above average defense + will stay in the background offensively + will facilitate a running game.

If Miami signs a player like Shaq, they should use him as a bench player. He can make a positive contribution there.

-----------------------------------------------

Final Note -- Miami went 13-3 and in the 16 games that Joel Anthony started while Jermaine O'Neal was out injured last season.

Anthony is a good glue guy if you can surround him with enough offense and rebounding ... which Miami clearly can with Bosh, Wade and LeBron.

Agree completely with this. As soon as the scenario for the "new big 3" to sign together arose, I though Joel Anthony was a good choice to bring in just for size/defense.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Anthony will not clog up the paint so it'll be wide open for slashers like Wade and Bron as well as Bosh's driving game.

Well phrased vision of how Anthony might work defensively next to Bosh. But on offense I have to argue that Joel's not spreading the floor. He took exactly one shot last season from out behind the free throw line and even closer in has a .36 FG% on attempts that weren't right at the rim, where he lives. And he's just as bad at putting the ball on the floor - meaning opposing centers can patrol the paint with impunity.

He does run the floor hard. (Don't they all. I imagine Lebron's fans will enjoy finally seeing James in a great transition offense.)

Final Note -- Miami went 13-3 and in the 16 games that Joel Anthony started while Jermaine O'Neal was out injured last season.

I was never going to trot this particular stat out because I suspect it's more a knock on our newest Celtic than it is an argument in favor of Anthony.

[Who]

Anthony will not clog up the paint so it'll be wide open for slashers like Wade and Bron as well as Bosh's driving game.

Well phrased vision of how Anthony might work defensively next to Bosh. But on offense I have to argue that Joel's not spreading the floor. He took exactly one shot last season from out behind the free throw line and even closer in has a .36 FG% on attempts that weren't right at the rim, where he lives. And he's just as bad at putting the ball on the floor - meaning opposing centers can patrol the paint with impunity.

He does run the floor hard. (Don't they all. I imagine Lebron's fans will enjoy finally seeing James in a great transition offense.)

Umm ... describing what I mean offensively is a bit tricky

Joel Anthony is not a floor spacer in the idea that he is a shooter. He is a floor spacer in the way that you can place him away from the action and leave the paint open.

For example, you have your three perimeter players out on the floor and Bosh at the right elbow on the strong side (ball side) of the court. Joel Anthony is then placed on the baseline on the weak side. If his defender tries to help, he cuts along the baseline for a layup. When a shot goes up, he attacks the backboards. But his involvement in the offense other than that is minimal. He is kept away from the action as often as humanly possible.

In contrast, a player like Shaquille will step up and try to establish post position. So instead of being directly along the baseline (0-20 degree angle) and 10-15 feet away from the basket ... Shaq is on the low block 5-8 feet from the rim and at a 45 degree angle to the hoop (5 feet off the baseline).

That makes a huge difference to a player like Chris Bosh who catches it at 14-18 feet and looks to use his quick first step to drive because the help defender gets there earlier and limits his scoring.

For evidence of this, check out Bosh's play alongside Jermaine O'Neal last season. His scoring was considerably lower with Jermaine on the floor than off the court (when Jermaine was subbed out, Bosh became a more explosive scorer, check the different lineups on popcorn machine for the first month of that season and you can see the difference in his numbers).

It also makes cutting off the ball (from top of the key or weakside wing) more difficult because it does a better job of keeping the middle of lane wide open. The Raptors were more effective offensively with someone like Kris Humphries in the role I am describing (along the baseline, weakside garbage man) alongside Bosh.

I'm not sure how well I explained the above ... but that is the difference in spacing that Anthony can provide versus more of a one-on-one low post threat. Obviously, it's not ideal spacing (like a Udonis Haslem), but it is an improvement over what a player like Shaquille O'Neal or Jermaine O'Neal brings to the table.

[Who]

Final Note -- Miami went 13-3 and in the 16 games that Joel Anthony started while Jermaine O'Neal was out injured last season.

I was never going to trot this particular stat out because I suspect it's more a knock on our newest Celtic than it is an argument in favor of Anthony.

Two birds one stone

Definitely both -- praise for J.Anthony + a knock on Jermaine

[TheTruth34]

Miller has agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract with Miami, the KSFY TV in Sioux Falls, SD reports.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Mike-Miller-joining-Heat;_ylt=AuVQ9T_zztRl86vNjhBajW1wPKB4?urn=nba,254822

[Jon]

Miller has agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract with Miami, the KSFY TV in Sioux Falls, SD reports.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Mike-Miller-joining-Heat;_ylt=AuVQ9T_zztRl86vNjhBajW1wPKB4?urn=nba,254822

That's bad if it's true. 

[Roy Hobbs]

Miller's agent confirmed that he has agreed to terms on a five year deal. 

C: J. Anthony
PF: Bosh
SF: Lebron
SG: Miller
PG: Wade

Bench:  Haslem, Chalmers, various rookies

[Eddie20]

Miller's agent confirmed that he has agreed to terms on a five year deal. 

C: J. Anthony
PF: Bosh
SF: Lebron
SG: Miller
PG: Wade

Bench:  Haslem, Chalmers, various rookies

I would expect to see Chalmers in the starting 5, with Miller coming off the bench to provide scoring.

[Change]

Miller's agent confirmed that he has agreed to terms on a five year deal. 

C: J. Anthony
PF: Bosh
SF: Lebron
SG: Miller
PG: Wade

Bench:  Haslem, Chalmers, various rookies

Very close. I think Heat will go with a Power Center who can do the dirty work inside (ala Perk). Unless if they can bring one via FA. I think they'll go with their rookie 2nd round pick Dexter Pittman. Same body type as Perk but not as strong. He does however have more explosiveness than Perk, and possess great hand. A big guy who'll protect the precious (New Big3).

[vinnie]

When does the talk start about the Heat breaking the season record for wins? Sign a decent center and the Heat are going to be nearly unbeatable.