Off Season Interviews: Miami Heat
Jul 22, 2022 11:23:31 GMT -5
Golden State Warriors (Caleb), Grizzlies GM (Royce), and 5 more like this
Post by The Athletic on Jul 22, 2022 11:23:31 GMT -5
SANJULLLL Thanks for taking some time to sit down and talk some hoops with me bro. Let’s jump in
How’s it going Caleb. Excited and thankful for the opportunity to be here and be interviewed by the commissioner.
What are your thoughts on how last year’s season went for yall?
To be honest with you, everyone top to bottom in the organization realizes last year was a disaster. There were a few freak things going on with some of our players, but we are not in the excuses business. We believe this team has the resources and talent to be a top 4 seed in the east and at the worst make it a tough push to make it to the ECF. Anything below that will always be seen as a failure and last year was such.
So this team is way too good to tank, but it’s also probably not winning a ship. What are the goals and expectations for the squad as you enter this year?
As I mentioned earlier, I we expect a top 4 seed out east and to make it to the 2nd round at minimum. I know a lot of the Eastern competitors out there aren't really worrying about the Miami Heat right now but I think a lot of teams are in for a surprise on that front. Outside of the Bucks and Magic teams I think the East is wide open and its going to be one hell of a battle royal for the rest of the 6 spots. I think this squad will beat out expectations and I am quite confident on that note.
Let’s talk some of the youngins man. Obi Toppin, Jericho Sims, and Santi Aldama. What are you looking for from them individually as you head into this year and beyond?
Sims and Santi should be seen as a revolving door to the G-League as they'll be down there getting plenty of playtime to improve their game throughout the year. If an injury happens I have no doubts those guys can fill in and be net positives on the roster and any contribution from them would be something we see as a plus. For Obi, I know a lot has been said about where he was drafted and who was drafted after him but we have no doubts about the skillset and the talent that is Obi Toppin. Some situations obviously need to change but unfortunately that is out of our control but we have no plan to stop backing the talent that is there. Obi will be a great asset soon and I am excited to call out the haters when he is.
You traded up to grab Mark Williams. What are your long term expectations for the kid?
That trade up for Mark was definitely quite ambitious. We essentially moved on from Hunter and Duarte, kids we still believe in, to grabbing up Mark Williams and Santi Aldama. Only time will tell how that move fairs out but I am just excited to see Mark Williams develop and learn to use that massive size down low. Expectations are silly for rookies, especially one that is so raw but I think he will be the starter at times this year and I am excited to just watch him play. I will say after seeing how the draft went, I am glad I traded up to get him instead of waiting to grab later prospects.
There’s been a ton of rumors swirling around both Ayton and Turner in real life.. Are you able to speak on what both of their statuses are in here? Can we expect them both to be in Miami when we tip this thing off in October?
As you know this is a business league. Ayton was amongst one of the first pieces to our rebuild and he has faired a lot in his time with the organization and stuck with us. We want him around but if he requests a trade during the season we want to be receptive to that and reward him for sticking with us through the tough times and grant him a trade. I personally LOVE big Ayt and would love to see him in Miami for life but that will be up to him. We gave him the max this offseason and plan to support him as the big superstar on the team.
Turner is interesting, he has done everything we have asked of him and I am definitely happy to have him. For now I don't believe people realize how good he will be so unless we are blown away by an offer I don't see Turner moving this offseason.
Tim Hardaway is coming off a gnarly little injury but you signed him to a pretty team friendly deal this off-season. What role is he expected to play for you guys?
What an injury it was, but Tim is a hard worker and he has been out there day and night rehabbing to be ready by the start of the season and we fully expect that to happen. In terms of production I think he will be a pleasant surprise to most people and there is quite an opportunity out there for him to put up some good games. I think consistency will be the big issue and keeping his minutes down early will help but during the playoffs I expect good things.
You’ve backed Knunn the whole time he was hurt. What would he have to contribute this year for you to call it a successful season for him?
By now everyone knows the KNunn trade that we made a few years ago and I don't think we will really stop hearing about that anytime soon. Last year was tough, being told by the team doctors that they couldn't figure out why the ankle was swelling up so often is hard to take. We love Kendrick and he has been loyal to the team. In terms of success for this season 24 FPPG is what we would need to be happy. I know he knows that as we have been good in communicating that to him and his agent. He knows what kind of player he can be when he's on the court, we just hope last year is behind him.
If you could eliminate one team in the playoffs this year who would it be and why?
There is no doubt who that team should be for any East competitor. I would love to get some revenge on the Milwaukee Bucks. Jake has built a juggernaut over there and we can talk all day about what it took to get that team but the point is that team is defending back to back championships. Outside of that I am coming after my boy JSood. I love that man but there is definitely a friendly rivalry there that gets both of us excited. He also has the Miami 1st overall pick in Lebron and that's going to set up some nice storyline if we matchup in the playoffs. Lebron is a Miami OG and taking him out 1st round would be quite sweet.
Appreciate the time you took out for this interview sir, and I wish your team a good upcoming season. Can't wait for basketball again, I think its going to be a fun one.
How’s it going Caleb. Excited and thankful for the opportunity to be here and be interviewed by the commissioner.
What are your thoughts on how last year’s season went for yall?
To be honest with you, everyone top to bottom in the organization realizes last year was a disaster. There were a few freak things going on with some of our players, but we are not in the excuses business. We believe this team has the resources and talent to be a top 4 seed in the east and at the worst make it a tough push to make it to the ECF. Anything below that will always be seen as a failure and last year was such.
So this team is way too good to tank, but it’s also probably not winning a ship. What are the goals and expectations for the squad as you enter this year?
As I mentioned earlier, I we expect a top 4 seed out east and to make it to the 2nd round at minimum. I know a lot of the Eastern competitors out there aren't really worrying about the Miami Heat right now but I think a lot of teams are in for a surprise on that front. Outside of the Bucks and Magic teams I think the East is wide open and its going to be one hell of a battle royal for the rest of the 6 spots. I think this squad will beat out expectations and I am quite confident on that note.
Let’s talk some of the youngins man. Obi Toppin, Jericho Sims, and Santi Aldama. What are you looking for from them individually as you head into this year and beyond?
Sims and Santi should be seen as a revolving door to the G-League as they'll be down there getting plenty of playtime to improve their game throughout the year. If an injury happens I have no doubts those guys can fill in and be net positives on the roster and any contribution from them would be something we see as a plus. For Obi, I know a lot has been said about where he was drafted and who was drafted after him but we have no doubts about the skillset and the talent that is Obi Toppin. Some situations obviously need to change but unfortunately that is out of our control but we have no plan to stop backing the talent that is there. Obi will be a great asset soon and I am excited to call out the haters when he is.
You traded up to grab Mark Williams. What are your long term expectations for the kid?
That trade up for Mark was definitely quite ambitious. We essentially moved on from Hunter and Duarte, kids we still believe in, to grabbing up Mark Williams and Santi Aldama. Only time will tell how that move fairs out but I am just excited to see Mark Williams develop and learn to use that massive size down low. Expectations are silly for rookies, especially one that is so raw but I think he will be the starter at times this year and I am excited to just watch him play. I will say after seeing how the draft went, I am glad I traded up to get him instead of waiting to grab later prospects.
There’s been a ton of rumors swirling around both Ayton and Turner in real life.. Are you able to speak on what both of their statuses are in here? Can we expect them both to be in Miami when we tip this thing off in October?
As you know this is a business league. Ayton was amongst one of the first pieces to our rebuild and he has faired a lot in his time with the organization and stuck with us. We want him around but if he requests a trade during the season we want to be receptive to that and reward him for sticking with us through the tough times and grant him a trade. I personally LOVE big Ayt and would love to see him in Miami for life but that will be up to him. We gave him the max this offseason and plan to support him as the big superstar on the team.
Turner is interesting, he has done everything we have asked of him and I am definitely happy to have him. For now I don't believe people realize how good he will be so unless we are blown away by an offer I don't see Turner moving this offseason.
Tim Hardaway is coming off a gnarly little injury but you signed him to a pretty team friendly deal this off-season. What role is he expected to play for you guys?
What an injury it was, but Tim is a hard worker and he has been out there day and night rehabbing to be ready by the start of the season and we fully expect that to happen. In terms of production I think he will be a pleasant surprise to most people and there is quite an opportunity out there for him to put up some good games. I think consistency will be the big issue and keeping his minutes down early will help but during the playoffs I expect good things.
You’ve backed Knunn the whole time he was hurt. What would he have to contribute this year for you to call it a successful season for him?
By now everyone knows the KNunn trade that we made a few years ago and I don't think we will really stop hearing about that anytime soon. Last year was tough, being told by the team doctors that they couldn't figure out why the ankle was swelling up so often is hard to take. We love Kendrick and he has been loyal to the team. In terms of success for this season 24 FPPG is what we would need to be happy. I know he knows that as we have been good in communicating that to him and his agent. He knows what kind of player he can be when he's on the court, we just hope last year is behind him.
If you could eliminate one team in the playoffs this year who would it be and why?
There is no doubt who that team should be for any East competitor. I would love to get some revenge on the Milwaukee Bucks. Jake has built a juggernaut over there and we can talk all day about what it took to get that team but the point is that team is defending back to back championships. Outside of that I am coming after my boy JSood. I love that man but there is definitely a friendly rivalry there that gets both of us excited. He also has the Miami 1st overall pick in Lebron and that's going to set up some nice storyline if we matchup in the playoffs. Lebron is a Miami OG and taking him out 1st round would be quite sweet.
Appreciate the time you took out for this interview sir, and I wish your team a good upcoming season. Can't wait for basketball again, I think its going to be a fun one.