Season 08-09 (October 29th to December 12th)

Well here it is the start of my NBA campaign with Miami heat.

And what a tough start it was losing the first four games to the knicks, kings, bobcats and 76ers. I was getting badly out rebounded with the likes of blount, Haslem and maglore unable to collectively cover the Centre position.

I played strongly in the next two games with good wins over the spurs and hornets. Chris Paul had a shocker against me and i am forever thankful. However i continued to struggle despite the night in night out stand out performances of Dwayne wade. Beasley and Marion, particularly Marion were struggling to work together and i wasn't getting the most out of them. Chalmers went down with injury and i decided to opt for a trade to hopefully boost my pg position.

TRADE

Miami Cleavland

Chris Quinn Daniel Gibson

Alonzo Mourning

Good old serviceable mourning was still a great bargaining chip despite the fact he planned to retire at the end of the season. i knew it would cut me even slimmer in th centre position but maglore was starting to show glimpses of hustle that had helped the team and i decided to get a genuine young 3pt pg in Gibson. To me and probably mostly many, Cleavland asking for Quinn as well was no loss to me.

Gibson played a best on ground performance on debut against Portland and continued to hold the pg position for the rest of November and December before i added to my pg position by acquiring Shaun Livingston from the la clippers.

TRADE

Miami Los Angeles Clippers

Diawara Shaun Livingston

2nd rnd pick 09

Shaun Livingston is a 6'7 pg who was pick #4 in the 2004 draft. At only the age of 23, Shaun is graded A in potential and has explosive drive and point scoring ability.

The combination of these two players has most certainly revived my pg position. 

Finally the big trade and most likely last of the year is the acquisition of Dwight Howard.

TRADE

Miami Orlando

Shaun Marion Dwight Howard

1st rnd pick 10

2nd rnd pick 10

I managed to finally get Howard without giving up my current 1st round pick which i was very happy with. Dwight completed my team with a debut win over Toronto, Dwight scored 24,6,3 and 1 block.

After the loss of Marion, Beasley started to shine. becoming the perfect finisher and standout mid range shooter with the capability of putting down the threes as well.

Things started to click and Miami went on a 5 game winning streak beating Washington, Toronto, Indiana, Houston and Portland for the second time. Beasley won the east rookie of the month for November '08

I'm currently 11-11 sitting equal 3rd on the table.

Bobcats 14-9

Magic 12-11

Heat 11-11

Hawks 11-11

Wizards  9-11

PTS Leading Rebounders are Howard, Beasley, Haslem

Dwayne Wade 23.6 Leading Assists are Wade, Beasley, Chalmers

Michael Beasley 16.8 Leading Steals are Wade, Beasley, Livingston 

Dwight Howard 16.5 Leading Blocks are Howard, Beasley, Blount

Shaun Livingston   6.3        Leading FG% are Magloire, Blount, Cook

Daniel Gibson   6.2        Leading 3pt% are Haslem, Cook, Gibson

       Leading ft% are Wright, Jones, Wade

Looking ahead

i have two very winnable games against Memphis and New Jersey but will have my work cut out with the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks who are traveling quite nicely.

Player To Watch

Even though i eventually overcame the Utah Jazz, Deron Williams is not a player to be messed with, he scored a lazy 43 against me and i could not stop him.

Team To Beat

From the teams i have played, Phoenix Suns look the goods, smashed me 101-71 after trailing 42-34 at the half. Nash was 31 and 11 and they scored 12 three pointers against me which hurt.

Lastly your most improved

Udonis haslem has been bloody angry with me not giving him enough game time and with the departure of marion he is now my standout PF starter. I have giving him around 16-22 minutes a game which is way up on his 13 minute per game avg. Haslem has recently managed an average of 5pts,5rb,5ast in the past 6 games.