http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=heatperson&prov=st&type=lgns MIAMI (Ticker) - Free agent guard Wesley Person, whose long-range shooting should be a perfect fit with Shaquille O'Neal, signed with the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed, although the Miami Herald reported Person will accept a $1.6 million salary cap exception from the Heat, who are over the salary cap. Person made $7 million last season, which he split among Memphis, Portland and Atlanta. Person, 33, averaged a career-low 5.8 points in 58 games last season, his 10th in the NBA. He played 16 games for the Grizzlies before being traded to the Trail Blazers for Bonzi Wells. He played 33 games in Portland before being sent to the Hawks in the Rasheed Wallace deal. Despite his drop-off, the 6-6 Person still is considered one of the best long-range shooters in the NBA. He has a career mark of 41.6 percent on 3-pointers and was second to Peja Stojakovic in the Shootout at All-Star Weekend in both 2002 and 2003. "Wesley Person has proven throughout his career that he is one of the best and most reliable shooters in this league," Miami coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We feel shooting is at a premium for us and today we signed one of the best shooters in the league." In 692 games with Phoenix, Cleveland, Memphis, Portland and Atlanta, Person has averaged 11.5 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting nearly 46 percent from the field. Person likely will back up Eddie Jones at shooting guard. He could thrive alongside O'Neal, who demands double-teams that leave open perimeter players. Since acquiring O'Neal and his $29 million salary from the Los Angeles Lakers in July, the Heat have tried to fill in around him with lower-priced players. In addition to Person, they have signed guards Keyon Dooling and Damon Jones and center Michael Doleac.
Good signing for the Heat. He can play the 2 and the 3 position and is a good shooter. Just the kind of person you want to surround Shaq with.
Yes a good signing, and a great offseason for Miami. I really like Person and Damon Jones for that team. Not thrilled with the Doleac and Dooling signings--but considering how cheap Dooling was and how much other Cs went for they are not bad. If Karl Malone decides to play for the Heat I would put them co-favorites in the East if not favorites over the defending champions. That team would have as much talent as the Lakers, get a immensly motivated Shaq and a committed team all on the same page and they are big trouble.
I've always liked Person. Great shooter, good size, plays some D. I'm surprised he hasn't accomplished more in the NBA.
I've always liked Person as well. Thinking about how great of a shooter he is, it makes me wish we had signed him instead of Ward or Sura. I'm happy with what we have (even though I'd be happier with Deke) and won't complain, but if he signed for that cheap it makes me wonder why there was no talk about him signing here. Pugs
I would have prefered Sura and Person to Sura and Ward. Sura could focus on just the point along with Lue and Gains. Person could back up TMac. It was not to be.
Another shooter bites the dust. The Heat were in the same market we were, surrounding a center and scorer with shooters. Imo, they did better and cheaper. Damon Jones 2 yr/5 mill and Wes Person (Vet min) >>> Charlie Ward 3yrs and Bob Sura 4yrs
Their line-up with Malone: Oneal Doleac Malone Haslem Allen E. Jones R. Butler Wade Person D Jones Dooling Compare with Lakers last year starters: C even (Shaq) PF even (Malone) SF big edge Mia SG edge LAL (Wade is not Kobe yet, but a hell of a talent) PG edge LAL (though DJ did run his team better and played much more efficiently than Payton honestly) bench: overall big edge Mia, and even or better at every position but PG Mia may not equal last year Lakers in talent (with Malone of course), but it is pretty close. Again if Shaq feels more than ever he has something to prove and the team is all on the same page, they will be better than the Lakers were last year. Of course w/o Malone Mia has a serious drop off at the 4 and is closer to the talent Lakers squad that lost to the Spurs last year.
Anyone besides me want to see Miami crush the Lakers on Christmas Day? I like Kobe's game but I hate his attitude. I'm not too fond of Shaq's power game but I like his goofy ass sense of humor. But now that the 2 are split. I'm siding with the big man. Even a scrub like me knows how important a big man is.
Oh, you were talking about LAST year's Lakers. I couldn't disagree more ... I think this year's Miami team is way inferior.
Y'all would honestly go for our guard pair over Miami's at their respective prices?? I think if you go for D, you go all the way. Eric Williams or Bruce Bowen went for less than Sura.
Wesley Person was a great signing for the heat... With wade, and person, shaq will have a ball... dont be suprised if he gets a triple double this season... pts, rbs, and ast... what the hell he might get three...
