I used to be a tremendous Heat fan b/c Zo was one of my favorite players but once he got ill and Marjerle, Hardaway, P.J. Brown, Mashburn were traded/retired I lost hope because it brought an end to the team that broke my heart year after year with last second loses to napoleon's Knicks (JVG). I didn't particularly care for Brian Grant and E. Jones and without Zo, I stopped routing for them. Now that Zo is back and it is clearly NOT his team anymore I guess I can't really complain but I'm kinda frustrated that napoleon's bro won't let Zo play at all. Why did they sign him the? (Charity I guess). I look at the box score most nights and see that Laetner and Doleac get about 14-15 minutes apiece each night at backup PF and C. They combine for 10 points, 5 boards and less than 1 block and aren't intimidating at all. I know they have won 50 games with this rotation and probably don't wanna mess up a good thing but I KNOW Zo can put up those numbers (even better) and be more of a defensive and offensive presence then those two COMBINED. Most of these games on their current 10 game win streak have been blow-outs by the time the 4th Qtr starts yet Stan won't let him play but 4-5 minutes in garbage time (What is up with that???). My gripe is why did they sign him if they weren't planning on using him? Give him meaningful minutes to get acclamated and in game shape so when playoff time comes around he won't have to adjust. Hopefully Stan won't be as stubborn as his bro and allow Zo to play 15-20 minutes now that they have clintched. Anyways, just alittle frustration to get off my chest. Peace out.
My guess is he's probably not in good playing form right now. He may be in shape, but it's been a while since he's played in the real thing. Not exactly the guy you want out their in a close game such as tonight (what a shot by Wade, btw). I think Doleac has played pretty well for them too. And the reason they signed him I think is really just to give him a chance at a ring...the Heat were still a pretty good team when he first had the kidney problems. They probably thought he deserved to be part of it if this is their year. Btw, be careful what you say about JVG around here...the guy might be reaching legendary status pretty soon.
Zo may not be in shape to play 20-25 minutes but he can help in spot minutes much like Deke does for us. Zo played 9 minutes the other night and had 8 points and 4 boards (not bad if you ask me), the Rox sure could use that now that J. Howard is out. I love the Rockets as much as anyone on here but JVG really soured me last season with his extreme negativity and many other things I hate to get into b/c it has been debated to death. I give him credit for finally changing his mind and compromising his ego and system to let his star players PLAY instead of shackling them as he did last season and earlier this season when we were 6-11. Much props for all the trades but I don't have to like the guy. There are enough Rox (T-Mac, Yao, Jon B, Deke...) for me to like. Peace.