Welcome to a (somewhat) weekly grab bag of thoughts and observations from the past few days in the world of Miami Heat basketball and the NBA.
The return of John Lucas III
Hey! Remember this?
See that guy underneath LeBron James? Yeah, he just signed a non-guaranteed contract to join the Miami Heat’s training camp team. (Sneak peak to next week’s headline: “Miami Heat Add Rasual Butler for Training Camp.”)
Lucas was a thorn in the side of the Heat during the 2012 playoffs, and now he’s just fighting for a spot in the NBA. The dude played in China last season, before eventually landing in Detroit. So, to recap, since Chicago, Lucas has played in Canada, Utah, China and Detroit. How the mini have fallen.
No, but seriously. Lucas III is a solid addition to training camp. He’s a career 34.5 percent 3-point shooter, but in the two years that he’s attempted more than 100 3’s in a season, he averaged 39.3 percent and 37.7 percent. So, let it fly Lucas! Just don’t let anything fly over you.
Gerald Green WaaaAAAAAY Up
Have you ever wanted to see Gerald Green jump really high in slow motion?
The Heat have been posting a lot of slow-mo videos on Instagram this summer. Someone clearly just discovered the slow-mo setting on their iPhone. I don’t understand why this being in slow motion makes it so cool, but Green jumping that high is pretty darn impressive. I mean, John Lucas III probably shat his pants when he saw this.
Jan 16, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra on the sideline during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Congrats: A Letter to Erik Spoelstra
Hey Erik,
Congratulations on your recent engagement! You and that Heat dancer–what was her name again? Nikki Sapp?–make an adorable couple. I’m sure you’ll have beautiful mixed babies who will equally love what happens on the basketball court during both regulation and halftime.
I can’t wait for the wedding at the Fountainebleau! I’m already practicing for the dance floor at the ceremony. I think I’ll be good at twerking and whipping my hair to and fro. By the way, is your wedding song going to be “Hot In Here” or “Apple Bottom Jeans”? I need to know so I can tell my date is she needs to ware a belly-cut T-shirt or yoga pants with Uggs.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing your invitation in the mail!
Safe Travels: A Letter to Joshua Smith
Hey Joshua,
Safe travels on your way to playing with the Houston Rockets. And yes, I think Dwight Howard paying you in candy is a great deal.