Miami (#20) - Heat selects Sean Williams

[The Syndicate]

Next up is Miami at #20.

Feel free to discuss potential players to be selected, team needs or any other topics related to this pick in this thread.

Once you know who you think they should pick, post your selection in this thread in bold red type. Only vote once per thread.

At 2 pm, whichever player has the most votes will be Miami's pick in our mock draft.

Players selected so far: http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9551

Best available players: http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9601

[Glenn]

Current players under contract for 2007-08
Shaquille O'Neal
Dwyane Wade
Jason Williams
Antoine Walker
Udonis Haslem
Alonzo Mourning
Dorell Wright
Wayne Simien
Chris Quinn

Player option
Michael Doleac ($3.1m)

Free agents
James Posey (UFA)
Jason Kapono (UFA)
Earl Barron (RFA)
Eddie Jones (UFA)
Gary Payton (UFA)

Picks in this draft
#20
#39

[Glenn]

Another team that really needs help at PG.

Problem is, with the top 4 PGs already off the board here, they'd be better off waiting until #39 to try and address that area.

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Hmmmm...Well, I'm going to assume they resign Jason Kapono, and possibly count on The Glove coming back for his finale. They definetly need a big, IMO, Shaq can't be counted on to play a full season, and Zo only has so much gas left in the kidney tank, and although Doleac will likely exercise his Player Option, he may play in only 10 games. That being said I say they draft SEAN WILLIAMS out of Boston College, despite his off the court issues, his stock seems to have considerably risen like mad since his workouts, if he didn't get suspended BC would've been stacked with him and Dudely up front

[WTFchris]

I think they definately go big. Wade can run the point, so you really only need 1 other PG on the team. Shaq can't stay healthy and Zo will retire.

Will they go Williams, or will they convince Zo to play another year OR sign a guy like Dale Davis, and go with Splitter knowing they'll have him next year for sure?

[WTFchris]

I'm leaning towards Splitter since Williams is more of a defensive player, and Haslem doesn't do much offensively. I also think they can buy another year behind Shaq with either Zo or another vet like I mentioned.

[Glenn]

That being said I say they draft SEAN WILLIAMS out of Boston College, despite his off the court issues, his stock seems to have considerably risen like mad since his workouts

Actually there are some teams that have so completely soured on him that they will not draft him at all.

Apparently, his refusal to work out and answer questions about his off-court issues has broken some kind of "code". I saw where one GM said something like "Sean Williams should not be drafted anywhere in the first round of this draft on principle, based on his unprofessionalism".

Sounds like they are trying to blackball the guy.

edit: found the passage that I was talking about...

Some in the league are wondering about the message that is being sent, when a player who has barely been seen by top-decision makers and has such a troubling track record is given a free pass on being scrutinized and drafted in the first round regardless, solely off his athletic ability. “It’s an absolute joke,” one executive lamented to us privately this week. “For the sake of our profession, and the NBA in general, Sean Williams should not go in the first round,” the executive said. “What kind of message does that send? He has done absolutely nothing to show that he’s a pro, starting with the decisions he’s made, picking marijuana over the obligations he had to his team, and now not being bothered to travel to NBA cities and explain himself. It’s not even a matter of weed…it’s a responsibility issue. Life doesn’t get easier once you reach the NBA.”

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

LOL I told this kid I knew that Chris Quinn was Brady Quinns brother, and he believed it.

[Wilfredo Ledezma]

Interesting on Splitter, Miami doesn't have much of the International Flavor...plus he's more of a finesse player isn't he?

[Glenn]

Riley doesn't coach for the future.

And Shaq and Zo would be mighty pissed if they used their only #1 pick on a guy that can't even play this year.

That's a wasted year of their dwindling careers.

I can't see Splitter here.