Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Five former Heat stars in Top 75
Wade, James, Shaq, Allen, Payton picked among NBA’s best
MIAMI — The first two nights of name dropping for the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team merely were a preamble for the Miami Heat, the team without a single former player on the initial reveal of the first 50 selections.
Thursday night, however, was painted in various Heat hues, with the final 26 selections announced (because of a tie, 76 players were selected).
For the Heat, it meant Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, two of the anchors of the Big Three championship teams in 2012 and ‘13, got their place alongside the icons of the game.
It also was a moment for a center of attention from the Heat’s 2006 championship team, with Shaquille O’Neal a selection from the committee of media, former players, coaches, general managers and executives. O’Neal also was a member of the 50-player NBA 50th Anniversary team.
From there, former Heat guard Ray Allen, with his historical 3-point shooting, was recognized, as was former guard Gary Payton, in large part for his “Glove” defensive talents. Allen was on the Heat’s 2013 championship team, Payton on the 2006 title team.
Added to the list after not making the 50 Anniversary team was former Heat assistant coach Bob McAdoo, who now serves as a scout for the Heat.
Left off the list were Chris Bosh and Alonzo Mourning, Hall of Famers selected to the shrine largely for their work with the Heat, but players whose careers were short by illness.
Among those who instead made it were Dennis Rodman, Dominique Wilkins, Dave Bing, Dave DeBusschere, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Reggie Miller.
“I don’t want to cool and act like this doesn’t mean anything,” an emotional Wade said on TNT’s pregame show. “It’s surreal. It doesn’t even feel real.
“I’m only on this list because I’ve been around greatness, and greatness has lifted me up.”
He then thanked O’Neal, who was seated alongside Thursday, for helping him during the early stages of his Heat career.
“Everything had to go as planned, according to plan,” Wade said, adding, “I had to get drafted by Miami, because of Pat Riley. I needed these coaches. I needed these Stan Van Gundys, Erik Spoelstras and all these great coaches to push me.”
The league will culminate its celebration of its 75th season during All-Star Weekend in Cleveland in February.
Waiting game
The next step for the Exhibit 10 players cut by the Heat last week to reach the NBA roster limit will begin Monday, with the start of G League training camp.
That is when undrafted prospects Micah Potter, Dru Smith, Devonte Smart and DJ Stewart are expected to begin working with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. All four are eligible to be signed by any NBA team at any time.
Ahead of camp, the Skyforce roster will further be supplemented by Saturday’s G League draft, with Sioux Falls holding the No. 6 pick in the 28-team draft, as well as the No. 13 picks in the second and third rounds.
Because the Skyforce did not compete in the pandemic-shortened G League schedule last season, their lone returning-rights player is Trey Mourning, son of former Heat center and current team executive Alonzo Mourning.
G League rosters must be set by Nov. 4, with play opening Nov. 5.
Heat two-way players Marcus Garrett and Caleb Martin also are eligible for time in the G League, as is offseason addition Omer Yurtseven and 2019 second-round pick KZ Okpala.
Bucks lite
While Victor Oladipo was the only player on the Heat’s injury list for Thursday night’s season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks at FTX Arena, out as he recovers from May quadriceps surgery, the Bucks had six players sidelined.
Added to those missing Thursday’s game for Milwaukee were guard Jrue Holiday, who suffered a heel injury in Tuesday’s season opening victory over the Brooklyn Nets, and center Brook Lopez, who was listed out at midday due to back soreness.
The Bucks also have opened the season without guard Donte DiVincenzo, who is recovering from the ankle injury sustained in last season’s playoff series against the Heat, as well as forwards Bobby Portis (hamstring), Rodney Hood (foot) and Semi Ojeleye (calf ).