By: Pedro Heizer

According to yahoo sports, the defending NBA champs are working out ex-Nugget big man, Chris Andersen.

The Birdman arrived in Miami on Monday for a physical and workouts over the next two days.

With Miami desperately needing front court help off the bench, Andersen, given his track record, would the perfect man for the job.

Earlier today Miami announced that they have waived center Josh Harrellson.

At his best, Andersen, who is 6-foot-10, was one of the NBA’s most active and relentless bench contributors. His array of tattoos and “bad boy” attitude helped make him one of the league’s most popular players.

Andersen played 32 games for the Nuggets last season, averaging 5.3 points per game, and 4.6 rebounds per game coming off the bench before being waived in July.

He’s played 10 seasons in the Association with Denver, and New Orleans/Oklahoma City averaging 5.4 points per game, and 5.2 rebounds per game during his career.

Andersen had a terrific second act in the NBA after being banned from 2006-2008 for abusing the league’s drug policy. Andersen was a key reserve on the Denver Nuggets teams led by Carmelo Anthony.

While many are skeptical about the signing of a player like Andersen, they should keep in mind that he does what Miami needs, grab rebounds. The Birdman will not be a scoring threat, he’s never been that.

If Andersen does decide to join the NBA Champs, expect him to be in uniform during the 6-game road trip.

Do you think Miami will sign The Birdman? Let us know your thoughts!

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By: Matt Pineda

The Miami HEAT have requested waivers on G Terrel Harris. This comes 5 days prior to Harris’ contract becoming guaranteed.

This has become the norm for Miami the past few seasons. Last year they did the same with Gladness, as they signed him to a few 10 day contracts. Miami can do this with Harris as well, able to sign him to two separate 10 day contracts if they chose. Harris had a big game last season against the Hawks, grabbing 14 rebounds in a 2 OT win without James or Wade. But this season, he hasn’t done anything remotely noticeable.

The move comes a day after the HEAT were beat on the boards by 20 to the Chicago Bulls. Could Miami be positioning itself to sign a big to help on the boards? If so, it would be odd that they didn’t make a move on Josh Harrellson who has seen limited time and been confused while out there.

Notable free agents could be Kenyon Martin and Chris Anderson. But if the HEAT elect to sign someone else, they may wait until other veterans that could receive buyouts later in the season. Expect the HEAT to take it slow in their effort to fill this roster spot.

The HEAT also have Dexter Pittman available to recall from the NBDL.

The post HEAT Waive Harris, Open Roster Spot appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

By: Matt Pineda

The first wave of All-Star fan voting results are in!  Remember, this year, fans vote for two guards, and 3 front court players.  The top vote getters are your starters for the All-Star game.  Here are the results:

EAST:

Frontcourt: LeBron James (Mia) 641,348; Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 573,112; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 218,246; Chris Bosh (Mia) 210,724; Tyson Chandler (NYK) 151,744; Paul Pierce (Bos) 114,735; Joakim Noah (Chi) 73,366; Josh Smith (Atl) 69,344; Andrew Bynum (Phi) 68,596; Amar’e Stoudemire (NYK) 64,266; Shane Battier (Mia) 59,419; Anderson Varejao (Cle) 57,336; Luol Deng (Chi) 48,450; Brook Lopez (BKN) 47,940; Jeff Green (Bos) 36,080.

Backcourt: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 430,925; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 382,613; Deron Williams (BKN) 211,426; Kyrie Irving (Cle) 155,989; Ray Allen (Mia) 130,016; Monta Ellis (Mil) 47,650; Raymond Felton (NYK) 37,974; Jason Terry (Bos) 36,147; Brandon Jennings (Mil) 35,610; Jrue Holiday (Phi) 35,193.

WEST:

Frontcourt: Kevin Durant (OKC) 605,965; Dwight Howard (LAL) 434,168; Blake Griffin (LAC) 307,855; Tim Duncan (SA) 189,577; Pau Gasol (LAL) 139,868; Kevin Love (Min) 112,922; Omer Asik (Hou) 88,178; Rudy Gay (Mem) 85,279; Serge Ibaka (OKC) 68,285; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 66,290; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 63,056; Marc Gasol (Mem) 61,716; Zach Randolph (Mem) 59,916; Metta World Peace (LAL) 59,167; Anthony Davis (NO) 53,779.

Backcourt: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 639,419; Chris Paul (LAC) 353,603; Jeremy Lin (Hou) 298,319; James Harden (Hou) 196,108; Russell Westbrook (OKC) 143,437; Steve Nash (LAL) 118,073; Tony Parker (SA) 69,983; Ricky Rubio (Min) 54,744; Manu Ginobili (SA) 47,800; O.J. Mayo (Dal) 36,495.

Analysis:

LeBron James is the top vote getter overall, no surprise.  And without a healthy Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade is the overall leader in East Guards.  They should be and will be locks to start the game.  What’s interesting? Chris Bosh is merely 8,000 votes behind Boston’s Kevin Garnett for the starting job.  Miami fans need to find a way to help close that gap.  Ray Allen is fifth among East guards.

Voting will end on January 14. Click HERE to vote your Miami HEAT into the All-Star game!

The post First All-Star Results Returned appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

The NBA is expected to make a rule or fine against flopping, what would that mean for the HEAT?

By: Matt Pineda

As reported, the NBA is expected to generate a new rule that would likely fine players for flopping, exaggerating contact to get a foul call.  This could be the smartest thing the league can do, or could end up being one of the dumbest changes it has decided upon.

At first, most fans will realize that flopping is a dark spot in the league.  Games are changed and the integrity of the game is challenged when players willfully fall to the ground on the slightest of contact.  With instant replay, it’s a shame to see some of the things players will do for a foul call.  An entire website has been dedicated to calling the league to take action against the flop.  But there still remains some problems here.

The NBA plans to make a post-game financial penalty for those who are deemed with a flop.  It will have no consequence on or during the game, but rather just a financial penalty.  There is no indication what that penalty will be yet, nor if it will increase or eventually result in suspensions for repeat offenders.  So, this is just a small step in the direction of fixing this problem.

But, we haven’t seen the MLB take a stance against catchers who move their mitts after the pitch has landed to make it appear a strike.  We haven’t seen the NFL take action against receivers who appear to catch the ball when they really haven’t.  So why is the NBA taking a stance?  Has it gotten this bad?

There are other concerns I have against the flop as well.  Many times players will exaggerate contact that is a foul to ensure that the official sees it.  If they are fouled on a small scale, and exaggerate that contact to ensure the foul call, is that penalized?  Will there be a penalty for the so called flop on the block/charge problem?  The only way to get a charge called in the NBA is if you fall to the ground after contact, but as we all know, LeBron James isn’t going to be knocked to the floor when Darren Collison drives the lane.  Can he still take his stance, but not allowed to fall?

There are lots of questions, and likely those answers will come when the league officially approves and announces their flopping penalty.

So what does it mean for the HEAT?

There are several players on the roster who enable their acting skills to get some calls.  Shane Battier comes to mind first, but he doesn’t flop on the offensive end, just taking those charges.  LeBron has been caught a few times exaggerating contact, as well as Dwyane.  Udonis Haslem may have some difficulty taking those charges as well.

Where it would really hurt them the most is their ability to exaggerate the smallest of details – the small shove or extended arm. But we aren’t sure if those will be deemed flops.  It’s speculative right now.

But could it actually help Miami more than hurt them?

Could this halt the games of Paul Pierce and even Rajon Rondo a bit?  Would other players who rely heavily on the flop benefit Miami? If players are forced to change their games outside of the HEAT, would this enable a team more talented and athletic, like Miami, to have things go their way more often?

It’s hard to tell because it’s only a fine.  Maybe the fine is worth the call in many cases.  The NBA will have some tough decisions to make.

Only time will tell.

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