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!

The post Heat working out Chris “Birdman” Andersen appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

By: Matt Pineda

According to FOX Sports’ Chris Tomasson, Greg Oden has reversed his decision to sit out the entire 2012-13 NBA season and is open to playing this year.  Oden is still recovering from yet another knee surgery, and is said to not choose a playing destination until later in the fall.

Oden was a High School stand out at Lawrence North High School on the east side of Indianapolis, IN.  After dominating there, he played one season at the Ohio State University where he led the Buckeyes to the National Championship game alongside fellow Lawrence North teammate Mike Conley, and Daequan Jones.  Oden was the first selection of the 2007 NBA Draft with Kevin Durant following him.

But Oden’s NBA career has been repeatedly put on hold as he hasn’t stayed healthy.  Oden, when healthy, is a dominating presence on the inside on defense and rebounding, and capable of being an effective low post scorer.  Many have written off Oden’s career already and he seems to be one of the biggest #1 pick busts ever.

But, Oden is only 24 years old, and could still make his way to recovery.  With the HEAT having made Eddy Curry a project this year, don’t doubt their interests in Oden.  Mike Conley Sr, Oden’s agent, has said the HEAT have not been in contact with him or his agent, but has said that Oden would indeed be interested in playing for Miami if the situation arises when he’s ready to return.

All this is just talk as of now.  As we know, Miami is only able to offer minimum salary if Oden is ready, unless Miller retires to injury then they would have a $2.9 million space available.  The problem is, Oden would have to make a huge sacrifice.  He hasn’t made the $100+ million like Ray and Rashard have in their careers.  And there will be plenty of other suiters willing to give Oden a shot when he’s ready.  It will be difficult, but are you really going to not give Pat Riley a chance to steal him?

What would a healthy Greg Oden offer the HEAT?

A healthy Greg Oden offers Miami nearly everything they want for a center.  He is smart, tall, athletic, has good hands, can rebound and defend.  The only thing that would lack would be the lateral movement required within Miami’s current defensive scheme.  But Oden makes up for so many mistakes by others.  Many of you haven’t seen or don’t remember the real Greg Oden – he is a monster.  He changes the game defensively as much or more than Anthony Randolph did for Kentucky.

Oden wouldn’t be someone they relied on for heavy minutes.  With the signings of Allen and Lewis, Spoelstra is aiming to go postion-less.  He just wants basketball players.  Bosh is willing to own the middle while Haslem, LeBron and now Lewis take the four.  Oden would offer help to the likes of Dwight Howard, Roy Hibbert, Tyson Chandler, and maybe reaching the Finals against a Steve Nash led Lakers team with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.  Oden would be a welcomed addition, and would offer much more than what you saw any HEAT center offer this year.

The Risk

The risk remains that he will never be healthy and it will become a wasted roster spot, and just eat up your medical expenses.  But, with Miami’s roster at 13 solid players, the have a little room to play with, and would be worth the risk.

Can Pat Riley interest Oden into leaving millions on the table to join Wade, LeBron and Bosh in South Beach?  We won’t know that answer for several months at the least, but it’s worth thinking about.

The post Oden Possibly Returning, Interested in HEAT appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

By: Matt Pineda

The Orlando Magic used their amnesty clause on guard Gilbert Arenas.  It was a very successful choice as Arenas was due $19.2, $20.8, and $22.3 million through 2014.  Arenas seemingly was not worth the money to Orlando, although they will have to pay him those contracts, it won’t count against their salary cap.

Arenas has struggled through injuries and suspensions.  In 2007-08, Arenas only played 13 games, and just two games the following season.  In 2009-10, he managed to only play 32 games.  That’s 45 games in 3 seasons (Greg Oden anyone?).  Last season, he did play 70 games, but averaged a mere 10.8 ppg.

It’s clear Arenas has struggled the last several seasons.  He’s been injured, had the whole gun incident in Washington, and hasn’t been the Agent Zero we know.  Before he was hurt, Arenas was a premier scorer.  In 2005-06, Arenas was 4th in scoring just ahead of Dwyane Wade.  Arenas has had the skills to be an elite player.

But those days are behind him, we think.  Arenas didn’t fit in with Orlando like they liked, and now he’s searching for a new home.  He claimed his interests were Miami, New York, L.A. Lakers, or any team that traded for Dwight Howard.  With New York signing Baron Davis and Mike Bibby, it’s extremely doubtful they fill their back court with Arenas as well.  And it doesn’t seem likely Howard will be traded anytime soon.  So, L.A., Miami, anyone interested?

It’s no secret L.A. could use some additional scoring with Odom gone and also Shannon Brown, so that is a realistic option.  Arenas was also born in L.A.  But let’s look at the possibility of Arenas with Miami.

Why Arenas would want to play for Miami:

As a ten-year veteran in the league, like most guys, he’s ready to win.  Gilbert is only 29, turning 30 in January, so he’s not and old, old guy in this league.  Miami certainly offers him a place to win.  It also gives him a place to play.  It’s no secret Miami’s point guard spot has been a shaky spot.  Chalmers seems to be the guy with the money they gave him, but if Arenas is able to play at some level of what he used to be, he could contribute off the bench with scoring.

He would find himself in the national spot-light as the HEAT are in all the time.  Arenas likes that.  He would be able to contribute on a championship team.  There’s not much a guy can ask for who has been through the things he has gone through.  Arenas, if able to return to Agent Zero could even be able to start in Miami if Chalmers doesn’t play to his potential.  However, I do believe Chalmers is the starter if he plays to his potential.

Miami offers what Arenas is looking for in a team.

Why Miami would want Arenas:

Why would the HEAT want Arenas?   That’s a great question.  The biggest issue here is the development of Norris Cole.  Coaches, Riley, and teammates have raved about his ability.  If the HEAT were to sign Arenas, it certainly would put a halt in what Cole will be able to do for the HEAT.

But it’s also no secret that Riley loves vets over rookies.  Arenas knows his way around this league.  Miami would want him because he is able to offer scoring off the bench that they desperately needed last year.  They need someone who can score, drive and distribute.  Arenas can do those things when he’s healthy.  But it’s such a big ‘if.’

Miami should bring him in for a workout and see how he looks and check his attitude.

Conclusion:

The fact that Arenas has cleared waivers and ben a free agent for a while doesn’t speak well of his chances coming to Miami.  Miami also has a few roster hopefuls on it’s training camp roster.  If the HEAT were truly interested they would have been interested a while back.  But you never know.  Miami may be saving that roster spot for a big guy to come free with teams.

Arenas could work here in Miami if his attitude is right, his skill is adequate, and the HEAT are willing to let Norris Cole to sit for a year.  We’re not so sure the risk of Arenas is worth sitting Cole.  But Arenas could help.

Like this article?  Follow me on Twitter @pinedaNBA_HEAT

The post Arenas to Miami? appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

By: Matt Pineda

Chauncey Billups was waived by the New York Knicks to clear cap space for them to sign free agent Center, Tyson Chandler.  Billups, who was very upset about the amnesty clause on him, has warned any teams of picking him up.  Chauncey does not want to go to a team that is not playing for it all.

Billups’ agent has voiced the same thing, claiming that any team who claims him off the amnesty waiver wire will regret it.  Chauncey wants to choose his destination.

Billups has spent the last year with the Knicks and Nuggets as he was a part of the Carmelo Anthony deal.  Before that, he was with the Detroit Pistons, and lead them to the 2004 NBA Championship and was Finals MVP.

The NBA included the Amnesty clause in the new Labor Agreement, and allowed teams under the cap (about a dozen) to bid on amnestied players for their team.  This was supposed to prevent these amnestied players from flocking to large market teams, but it hasn’t worked that way so far.

With Billups threatening retirement for any team who picks him, they would lose over $1 million in salary for picking up Billups.  Gilbert Arenas was the first player to be amnestied and he cleared the waivers, no one took a bid on him.  So now Arenas is able to choose his destination if teams are willing.

Could the same be true for Chauncey?  Or will some team try to snag him?  Chances are likely that someone may take him, even just to spite the HEAT from grabbing him, say Dan Gilbert?  There are other teams who may need Chauncey, the Rockets or Denver who are both under the cap.

What if he clears waivers?  The HEAT may be a preferred choice for Billups, but it’s not a closed case.  Billups would have a lot of options.  If Boston moves Rondo, he may fit there, or maybe the Lakers take a chance at him.  Who’s to say Dallas wouldn’t try with Barea now gone?  There may be a lot of teams interested in Billups.

Even the HEAT situation is interesting.  Mario Chalmers was just given a 3 year, $12 million contract.  In other words, that’s starter’s money.  But Chalmers has lost his job to Arroyo and Bibby in the past.  Would the HEAT be willing to allow Mario to start and have Billups come off the bench?  Would Chauncey be willing to do that?  Are they willing to allow rookie Norris Cole to ride the bench for a year with Chauncey chasing a ring?

There’s a lot of questions that would have to be answered.  But here’s two things we know:

1. The HEAT have one open roster spot.

2. We will find out if Chauncey Billups clears waivers at 6 PM tonight.

Like this article?  Follow me on Twitter @pinedaNBA_HEAT

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