Spoelstra talks defense, effort

Despite having a record of 15 and 6 and currently being 2nd in the Eastern Conference behind the Knicks, the play of the Miami Heat has been a bit stagnant.  Recently head coach Erik Spoelstra addressed what he thought was afflicting the defending NBA Champions.

“We have 10 or so possessions where we’re not playing the way we’re capable of,” Spoelstra said. “Either it’s an effort issue or a concentration issue or guys not on the same page or one man checking out and breaking down mentally, and this is something that is correctable....Even things offensively....Things have been going very well for us offensively, and we’ve had some slippage there in terms of our ball movement, in terms of creating an opportunity and finding a great shot....[In the] beginning of the year, the ball was moving to a good shot to a better shot to the best shot, and we were really taking advantage of those opportunities.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/16/3144201/spoelstra-defense-hasnt-been-only.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/16/3144201/spoelstra-defense-hasnt-been-only.html#storylink=cpy

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House talks return, Heat Championship

Eddie House, 34, can still play in the NBA but he's been a free agent since being cut by the Miami Heat during the 2010 season.  During a phone interview earlier this week, House gave the Miami Sun-Sentinel an update on his free agent status.  

"I'm still working out. I'm waiting to get a call....If I get one, I get one. I'll be ready. But if I don't, just trying to open up other doors. Hopefully something good happens...It just seems like they're not calling, for whatever reason," he said. "I'm healthy right now, in good shape, feel good."

On the Heat winning the 2012 NBA Championship

"I called everybody," he said. "Everybody who I didn't call, I left a text message, congratulating them and telling them how proud I was to see them doing that, because I knew how much hard work they put in to everything they've done. From top to bottom, I hit up the coaches, trainers, strength coach, even like the films guys. I hit everybody up to show my respect for what they did."

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LeBron James Gets Fitted For His Championship Ring "Video"

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Dwyane Wade Championship Ring Sizing "Video"

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Heat to play faster

For years the Miami Heat were accused of playing boring basketball, slow halfcourt sets that were often predictable and in previous years left the Heat ranked in the bottom half of the league "21st" in offensive productivity.  Last season there was a slight improvement as the Heat were ranked 14th overall in offense.  Yesterday Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra indicated in a radio interview that the Heat will play at an even faster pace this upcoming season and also addressed the addition of Ray Allen.

"I hope to play faster," he said. "We turned it up a gear last year and I think we have the personnel to hopefully go even faster. And I think with a normal training camp and a full season, we can build that habit a little bit more."

And speaking of Ray Allen

"He's a Hall of Fame-type catch-and-shoot player," Spoelstra said. "We haven't had that element before in our offense. So it's been a lot of fun, trying to X-and-O and come up with new ways to get him open. I don't want to overthink it. I don't want to totally change what we do, but that's a great element to have, that type of weapon."

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Erik Spoelstra Interview "Video"

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LeBron James on ‘Late Show With David Letterman’ "VIDEO"

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Heat championship DVD preview released "Video"

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ESPN's Sunday Conversation: LeBron James "Video"

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Cleveland Weatherman Angered By the Miami Heat’s Championship "VIDEO"

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Miami Heat Celebrate 2012 Championship at LIV Nightclub "VIDEO"

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Heat's Jones may retire

Miami Heat guard/forward James Jones may decide to walk away from the NBA sooner than most.  Jones is 31 years old but is seemingly worn down by his years as a player and also as a player representative for the NBPA.  Jones currently serves as the treasurer for the NBPA and spent the majority of last off season negotiating.

"Mentally and physically, it's taken a toll on not just on me, but for my family," Jones said. "At some point, you know the game comes to an end. You see the writing on the wall. You try to prolong it as long as possible. Like anything I've ever done, I want to walk away from my challenges rather than my challenges push me aside.....I know once it's [the season] over and done with, I don't know how the competitor in me will feel," Jones said. "I don't know what kind of emotions I'll experience, but more importantly I don't know which direction the team will go. You know championship teams try to get better. All I can control is me. This is a great place to play. They have a real opportunity to win championships. From a personnel standpoint, you just never know."

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