Miami Herald: Fascinating Heat Off-Season Takes Another Turn (Author - scoops)
Miami Herald: Fascinating Heat Off-Season Takes Another Turn (Author - scoops)
Miami Herald
October 18, 1997
- Barry Jackson -
On the eve of the Miami Heat's 1997 pre-season opener, second-year GM Scoops made his biggest move yet. The Heat swung a deal with the Toronto Raptors, acquiring Toni Kukoc and Craig Ehlo in exchange for the Heat's 2003 first round pick, their 1998 second round pick, their most recent MLE signing Stevin Smith, veteran PG Brian Shaw, and 250 RP.
The craziest part of the trade: A well-placed source confirmed Scoops completed the deal from the Miami Dade emergency room, hospitalized after apparently gashing his hand open on a broken mirror like an idiot. The incident led some to question whether Scoops lost his temper after learning Shaquille O'Neal was already maxed out on blocks and Doug Christie above the 85 point threshold for steals coming into this TC.
As for the basketball side of things, Kukoc will fill the Heat's biggest void last year - small forward. While LaPhonso Ellis was elite as the Heat sixth man last season (often playing SF and PF), there remained questions about his ability to start. Those questions have been answered as Kukoc will slide into the starting role and Ellis can remain as the vaunted sixth man.
Kukoc averaged 15 points and nearly 8 rebounds on 44% shooting from the field last year for Toronto. When reached for comment, Kukoc stated, "I can't wait to get to South Beach. I'm going to LIV and E11even the first night and then my entire focus is on redemption for the Heat against Michael Jordan and the Knicks."
As many will famously recall Jordan and then-teammate Scottie Pippen made it their mission at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics to turn Kukoc's night into a nightmare. Both players later went on record with ESPN talking heavy shit for no reason on their fellow member of the Bulls "Big 4."
Now Kukoc gets a chance to face both players eight times this season and potentially in the playoffs.
The Heat's lineup also immediately gets deeper with the addition of Kukoc but creates questions about George McCloud. McCloud was solid last year for the Heat, averaging 10.6 PPG and 4.5 RPG on 46% shooting from the field in addition to shooting a team-high 44% from three-point territory. Rumors are abound Scoops plans to place McCloud on the trade block this week but a rival GM speculated the Heat keep McCloud, only deepening their depth as they try to win a title in Shaq's prime.
The Kukoc trade was the latest in a wonky week for Miami. On opening night of free agency, the Heat puzzlingly did not offer the MLE to backup center and fan favorite Zan Tabak. Many Heat fans were surprised at the lack of an offer.
Some fans even took to AOL Instant Messenger to voice their displeasure with several stating they saw Scoops out day drinking all day and believe he simply forgot to submit Tabak's MLE. The Herald could not confirm the veracity of these AIMs.
The move for Kukoc should silence the haters, however, as the Big Aristotle gets another gem in his Thanos glove while the Heat in essence parted with a first round pick that will be spent on someone currently in 7th grade. The odds are low that that draft will have many players better than Kukoc but that question won't be answered for another six years.
For now, the Croatian Sensation heads to South Beach, eager to team up with Shaq.
October 18, 1997
- Barry Jackson -
On the eve of the Miami Heat's 1997 pre-season opener, second-year GM Scoops made his biggest move yet. The Heat swung a deal with the Toronto Raptors, acquiring Toni Kukoc and Craig Ehlo in exchange for the Heat's 2003 first round pick, their 1998 second round pick, their most recent MLE signing Stevin Smith, veteran PG Brian Shaw, and 250 RP.
The craziest part of the trade: A well-placed source confirmed Scoops completed the deal from the Miami Dade emergency room, hospitalized after apparently gashing his hand open on a broken mirror like an idiot. The incident led some to question whether Scoops lost his temper after learning Shaquille O'Neal was already maxed out on blocks and Doug Christie above the 85 point threshold for steals coming into this TC.
As for the basketball side of things, Kukoc will fill the Heat's biggest void last year - small forward. While LaPhonso Ellis was elite as the Heat sixth man last season (often playing SF and PF), there remained questions about his ability to start. Those questions have been answered as Kukoc will slide into the starting role and Ellis can remain as the vaunted sixth man.
Kukoc averaged 15 points and nearly 8 rebounds on 44% shooting from the field last year for Toronto. When reached for comment, Kukoc stated, "I can't wait to get to South Beach. I'm going to LIV and E11even the first night and then my entire focus is on redemption for the Heat against Michael Jordan and the Knicks."
As many will famously recall Jordan and then-teammate Scottie Pippen made it their mission at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics to turn Kukoc's night into a nightmare. Both players later went on record with ESPN talking heavy shit for no reason on their fellow member of the Bulls "Big 4."
Now Kukoc gets a chance to face both players eight times this season and potentially in the playoffs.
The Heat's lineup also immediately gets deeper with the addition of Kukoc but creates questions about George McCloud. McCloud was solid last year for the Heat, averaging 10.6 PPG and 4.5 RPG on 46% shooting from the field in addition to shooting a team-high 44% from three-point territory. Rumors are abound Scoops plans to place McCloud on the trade block this week but a rival GM speculated the Heat keep McCloud, only deepening their depth as they try to win a title in Shaq's prime.
The Kukoc trade was the latest in a wonky week for Miami. On opening night of free agency, the Heat puzzlingly did not offer the MLE to backup center and fan favorite Zan Tabak. Many Heat fans were surprised at the lack of an offer.
Some fans even took to AOL Instant Messenger to voice their displeasure with several stating they saw Scoops out day drinking all day and believe he simply forgot to submit Tabak's MLE. The Herald could not confirm the veracity of these AIMs.
The move for Kukoc should silence the haters, however, as the Big Aristotle gets another gem in his Thanos glove while the Heat in essence parted with a first round pick that will be spent on someone currently in 7th grade. The odds are low that that draft will have many players better than Kukoc but that question won't be answered for another six years.
For now, the Croatian Sensation heads to South Beach, eager to team up with Shaq.
Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play
And we ride on dem thangs like ev-ery day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangstahs roamin'
And parties don't stop 'til eight in the Monin
And we ride on dem thangs like ev-ery day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangstahs roamin'
And parties don't stop 'til eight in the Monin
Miami Herald: Fascinating Heat Off-Season Takes Another Turn (Author - scoops)
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Oct 18, 2022 at 1:59am scoops likes thisQuotelikePost OptionsPost by ashes on Oct 18, 2022 at 1:59am
I like the Heat squad
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Nov 1, 2022 at 11:29am via mobile QuotelikePost OptionsPost by Joe on Nov 1, 2022 at 11:29am
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Oct 18, 2022 at 1:59am scoops likes thisQuotelikePost OptionsPost by ashes on Oct 18, 2022 at 1:59am
I like the Heat squad
Joe
Small Council
*****
Joe Avatar
Posts: 3,557
Member is Online
Nov 1, 2022 at 11:29am via mobile QuotelikePost OptionsPost by Joe on Nov 1, 2022 at 11:29am
Grade: 304 x 1.5 = 450 RP
Welcome to Atlanta where the playas play
And we ride on dem thangs like ev-ery day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangstahs roamin'
And parties don't stop 'til eight in the Monin
And we ride on dem thangs like ev-ery day
Big beats, hit streets, see gangstahs roamin'
And parties don't stop 'til eight in the Monin
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