| Wade says Heat decision to sign Hardaway is a win-win scenario |
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| Written by Admin |
| Friday, 10 August 2007 11:00 |
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MIAMI (AP) -Dwyane Wade is excited about seeing Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway together again. And if it improves the Miami Heat, even better. ``What's there to lose? It's simple,'' Wade said Friday. ``I think both sides win.'' The Heat truly have nothing to lose because the deal for the career 15.4-point scorer doesn't include any guaranteed money. It just gives the 36-year-old who hasn't played in the NBA since November 2005 because of knee problems an opportunity to compete in training camp for minutes with the team. And since Miami is at the luxury-cap threshold already for next season, getting Hardaway on the Heat without any financial commitment before the season may eventually make the move a steal. ``I know I still have a lot of work ahead of me,'' Hardaway told Houston television station KRIV on Friday. ``It feels great to play with a team that is a contender for a championship. This is an opportunity to prove myself all over again.'' And since O'Neal gave the Heat his blessing when they asked how he felt about the prospects of reuniting with his former Orlando Magic teammate - they were together there in the mid-1990s - Wade is in approval as well. ``He resides here in Miami and I heard last year he was working out and wanted to come back,'' Wade said. ``You hear it a lot. But I hear he's in shape, he's looking good and they're giving him an opportunity.'' Devin Green - who, ironically, said Hardaway was his favorite player growing up - is getting that opportunity from the Heat as well. The 6-foot-7 guard who played at Hampton signed Friday with Miami. Green was in training camp last year with the Los Angeles Lakers, started the regular season in the NBA Development League and finished the season in Germany. He made 27 NBA regular-season appearances with the Lakers two seasons ago, averaging about 1 point and 1 rebound in 5 minutes per game. Green's signing means the Heat currently have 17 players under contract, not including backup center Earl Barron, a restricted free agent to whom the team has made a qualifying offer for the coming season. |
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