MIAMI (AP) -- The Miami Heat signed center Wang Zhizhi to a multiyear contract Monday and waived forward Tyrone Hill. Terms of Zhizhi's contract were not released. Zhizhi had been waived Nov. 21 by the Los Angeles Clippers. The 7-foot-1, 284-pound native of China appeared in 43 games in parts of two seasons with the Clippers, averaging 4.3 points. He had four points and one block in two games this season while playing behind Predrag Drobnjak and rookie Chris Kaman. Zhizhi became the first NBA player from China when he signed with Dallas in April 2001. Hill signed with the Heat on Nov. 7. He appeared in five games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds.
Yea but his post says: MIAMI (AP) -- The Miami Heat signed center Wang Zhizhi to a multiyear contract Monday and waived forward Tyrone Hill. Terms of Zhizhi's contract were not released.
Wang as a better chance of succeeding in the East versus the West. Good move on Miami's part. A chance worth taking.
Riley tried to sign Wang when he was an free agent, before he decided on the Clippers. So, its no suprise the Heat picks him up now.
I think Tyrone hill is definitely a better player, but the heat can't score, so maybe this will end up working out for them.
hahaha, and Wang is an inside presence. I don't know what's up with Hill, but there have to be better options than this. Wang is horrrible.
A quote from the Movie "Hollywood Knights" after someone pissed in the punch......"It does have a little WANG to it, but it's still good".
Heat place tall order for a Chinese center By Harvey Fialkov Staff Writer Posted December 2 2003 MIAMI -- In his never-ending search to provide help for undersized center Brian Grant, Heat President Pat Riley signed 7-foot-1, free agent Wang Zhizhi to a two-year deal Monday. To make room for Wang (pronounced "wong"), the Heat waived veteran forward Tyrone Hill, who after signing on Nov. 7 appeared in five games, averaging 1.8 points and 1.6 rebounds. Hill, 35, hadn't played since running into a pick by Suns center Jahidi White on Nov. 22, in which he suffered neck and shoulder injuries. Coach Stan Van Gundy said the Heat nearly signed Wang two summers ago, but instead the left-handed gunner chose the Clippers' three-year, $6.3 million deal. "He gives us two things we're in need of -- size, obviously No. 1, and shooting," said Van Gundy after practice at AmericanAirlines Arena. "When you can address two major needs in one guy, then he's something we needed to take a look at." Despite Wang's size, the 284-pounder prefers to roam the perimeter, where he has shot 38.8 percent from 3-point range over four seasons, including 41.4 percent his second year in Dallas. "I want to play for the Miami Heat," Wang said. "The coach gave me the opportunity, and I want to help the team win games." Among Heat shooters, only Eddie Jones has been steady from long distance, shooting 37.1 percent. After beginning the season hitting 5 of his first 25 Lamar Odom has made 12 of 26 from 3-point range. "A lot of people don't realize how well he shoots the ball, especially from three," said Odom, a teammate of Wang's on the Clippers last year. "He could help us stretch some defenses out." Wang, 26, who prefers to be called Da Zhi (pronounced "da-zoo") or Big Zhi, was one-third of the "Walking Great Wall" when he played on the Chinese National team with Rockets 7-5 center Yao Ming and Raptors' 6-11 big man Mengke Bateer. Three years before Yao was taken No. 1 in the 2002 Draft, Wang, a former lieutenant in the People's Liberation Army, was chosen by the Mavericks with their 36th pick. However, it took nearly two years of international haggling before the Chinese Basketball Association and Chinese government would allow Wang to play for the Mavericks and become the first player from China in the NBA. Wang didn't have to play much defense in Don Nelson's run-and-gun offense, averaging 5.6 points and 2.0 rebounds his second season. After the Mavericks chose not to re-sign Wang following the 2002 season, he returned to China to play on the national team, then opted to play in the Los Angeles Summer League in hopes of landing another NBA job. While he did catch on with the Clippers, his refusal to return home created a huge rift. It's unlikely that he will join Yao on the national team for the 2004 Olympics. After a nondescript season with the Clippers, he was released on Nov. 21 to make room for journeyman point guard Doug Overton. Wang played in just two of the first eight games. Van Gundy said Wang is not in basketball shape, so he'll work him into games gradually.
