Tag Archive for: Juwan Howard

The Jimmy Butler trade is now a Juwan-like mess

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There’s this perception that things comes easy for the Miami Heat, because of the historic coup of 2010.

That’s not really true, though.

Alonzo Mourning’s kidney disease, right as Pat Riley had given him an enhanced supporting cast.

Chris Bosh’s blood clots, on the very day Riley traded for Goran Dragic for pick-and-pop perfection.

And, of course, way back when, the time Riley said he had to go to a proctologist to get the 10-foot pole taken out of his rear, when David Stern took Juwan Howard away because of a salary cap technicality. The Heat did rebound well by scooping up Dan Majerle, and making some contending runs.

So here we are once more.

We thought Jimmy Butler was being sign-and-traded to the Heat, and he still might be, but there’s now a major snap. The Dallas Mavericks, the third team in the deal, weren’t on the same page as Miami. And reporters in Dallas say, because of it, the Mavericks’ current critical role in executing the overall deal is over.

At first, it appeared Goran Dragic was going to Dallas, though Dragic’s agent had not been informed.

But then…

And so…

This from the resident cap expert who focuses on the Heat:

 

More from other reporters, including the national guy who is most connected in Dallas:

But this is already so far down the road…

We will continue to update.

But the Heat appear to be stuck. They simply cannot allow the trade to be called off. Too much damage will be done to the fan base, but also to the players.

How do you bring your guys back now?

What do you tell Miami?

We, um, messed up?

Official: Juwan Howard takes Michigan job

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To no one’s surprise — if you were following Miami Heat Beat and Five Reasons sports — Juwan Howard is leaving the Miami Heat to take the head coaching job at his alma mater, the University of Michigan.

(And we put out an emergency podcast with Greg Sylvander of Miami Heat Beat about it. Click THIS.)

 

It’s a bigger story there than here (you should see my phone with all the calls from Ann Arbor) but it is still a significant loss to the Heat staff. As noted in various articles on this site, Howard assumed the role of chief player-coach communicator following the departure of David Fizdale.

The Heat have a quality staff still, but no one with Howard’s playing pedigree and personal touch with top players. Howard was also working closely with the Heat’s bigs, including Bam Adebayo, who needs to take a major step for the Heat to get out of the NBA’s dead middle.

We will have more later — but for now, some of the top tweets.

And what’s next?

This is what we’ve heard.

The Heat’s Big 3 stars want Juwan Howard at Michigan

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By now, you’ve probably seen the Miami Heat Beat/Five Reasons Sports Network report that Juwan Howard is expected to be offered, and accept, the head coaching job at the University of Michigan.

If not, here it is.

While some in the media and Twittersphere are discrediting it, two people who are not?

His former Big 3 teammates, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Wade saw the aggregation of our report on Bleacher Report, and James saw Wade’s tweet.

And not surprisingly, both are in favor — as would be Chris Bosh, who was very close to Howard when they played together with the Heat, their families spending a lot of time together. The Heat continued to call Howard “17” even after he was playing — sparingly, like Udonis Haslem now — into his 19th season. It’s like he never aged. Also, both James and Wade have been big proponents of black coaching prospects getting more opportunities, and backed former Heat assistant Fizdale, who filled the communicator role on the Heat staff prior to Howard.

Now we see when it’s confirmed.

And then LeBron…

It makes you wonder if James wanted Howard to coach the Lakers rather than Frank Vogel.

 

Miami Heat Beat report: Juwan Howard expected to coach Michigan

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It’s no secret that Juwan Howard has been looking for a head coaching job, in the NBA or in college.

Now it appears that Erik Spoelstra’s top assistant will land the perfect one.

The former member of the Fab Five is expected to take the gig at the University of Michigan, according to Five Reasons Sports affiliate Miami Heat Beat, which has been out front of recent news related to Howard.

If Howard goes, it leaves a huge hole on the Heat staff. Howard is the primary communicator with the players among the assistants, filling the role that current New York Knicks coach David Fizdale did with the Big 3 when Howard was a playing member of those teams. Howard is respected in the locker room for what he’s done in a variety of capacities, especially by the big men.

It’s also notable that, other than Anthony Carter — who is still learning the ropes — the Heat do not have a prominent African-American assistant, which is striking considering how progressive the franchise has been in many areas.

Now we have more on the possible candidates.

Some interesting names — and I’m personally hearing that Posey could emerge as the favorite.

The Big 3 guys, starting with LeBron and Wade, are in favor of the move.

Big time.

The Heat’s Big 3 stars want Juwan Howard at Michigan

 

 

Here is more on Irv Roland, who has an excellent reputation:

 

Is Juwan Howard the only man willing to coach the Lakers?

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It appeared the Miami Heat had escaped a bit of a crisis.

Short on assistant coaches with real playing experience who connect in that way with their current players, the Heat appeared to be keeping Juwan Howard through at least this offseason. About a month ago, our Greg Sylvander wrote this piece about Howard’s importance in the locker room and on the practice court, and why the Heat could not afford to lose him now.

Then, amid the rumors of the Los Angeles Lakers’ interest in Howard, Monty Williams and Tyronn Lue (LeBron James’ former coach) emerged as primary candidates.

Now both have turned down what was once among the prized jobs in sports.

Jason Kidd remains somewhere in the picture.

But here we are…

This makes sense for a lot of reasons, foremost among them James’ respect for Howard — and also Howard’s lack of head coaching experience, which may make it easier for James to get his way. James has played better for coaches with some experience than those without any (David Blatt, Luke Walton).

And it’s not like elite proven candidates are clamoring for the job.

If you want a full list of Lakers coaching candidates, look here.

Or here…

 

What’s not clear is what the Heat will do if Howard leaves. Dan Craig is still around, as is Chris Quinn, but the reality is that it helps to have a strong black voice on a staff in the NBA, and the Heat don’t have one. Anthony Carter is a relative newbie, and didn’t have Howard’s playing chops.