HoopsHype.com Rumors

Early in his career, Anthony idolized Andersen and remembers fondly the battles the two players had when Andersen played for Denver. “He’s a great addition to our team, someone that is proven to be a good defender, a good rebounder, a shot blocker, and I see him as someone who did a lot of things that I looked up to when I was coming in,” Anthony said. “So, in terms of us doing a lot of the same things, I think we can find a way to have that work. We’ve done it in the past. Last year, you know, we had Ronny on the team, and it was something that was still able to work.” Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony, Chris Andersen 

Ira Winderman: Joel Anthony (hamstring) is out for Tuesday's Heat opener against the Celtics. Twitter

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony, Injuries 

It's just a hunch, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Heat were angling to find the next Joel Anthony so they could get rid of the current version, who is due $3.8 million in each of the next two seasons. In the Heat's "position-less" small-ball approach, the objective is to have everyone on the floor capable of contributing to the offense, an area where Anthony struggles. For another team, Anthony's defensive value might offset what actually is a reasonable price tag for a contributor. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony 

Miami Heat center player, Joel Anthony, chose to celebrate his 30th birthday with his friends and family in Antigua & Barbuda. On his arrival at VC Bird International Airport last Wednesday, the NBA Champion was greeted by his mother and former teacher, Erene Anthony, who lives in Canada, and his aunt Nurse Florence Anthony of Old Road, the community where he chose to celebrate this major milestone. Caribarena Antigua

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony 

The six-foot nine-inch tall athlete was also greeted at the VIP Lounge by Minister of State within the Ministry of Sports Senator Winston Williams, Director of Sports Evans “Jawakie” Jones and the Director of Tourism in the US, Derede Samuel-Whitlock. Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer also called Anthony to wish him a happy 30th birthday and to welcome him back home. Caribarena Antigua

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony 

They call it Kadooment Day in Barbados, and apparently, the word means “fun and good times.” Miami Heat center Joel Anthony could add a few qualifiers after he experienced first-hand the carnival-like festival in Bridgetown. The world champions Heat's No. 50 — all 6 foot 9 of him — slipped onto the Caribbean island over the weekend. And it seems he got caught up quickly in the atmosphere of Crop Over, the end-of-sugar- cane-harvest festival. Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony 

According to some of the borderline obscene photos that sprung up, bachelor Anthony partook with several bikini-clad women — and the word “grinding” is probably too mild to describe what occurred. No one at the Heat’s front office replied to emails asking the team’s stance on Anthony’s antics. Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony 

The pursuit of more players may not stop there for the Heat, though they won't break up the team to do it. The Heat have no interest in including point guard Norris Cole or center Joel Anthony in any sign-and-trade scenarios, a source said, meaning anyone interested in playing for them (veterans such as shooting guard Raja Bell and center Marcus Camby) will have to settle for the minimum. SI.com

Miami Heat, Trade, Raja Bell, Joel Anthony, Marcus Camby, Norris Cole 

Chris Mannix: Miami not interested in sign and trade scenarios that include Norris Cole or Joel Anthony, sources say. Makes Camby an unlikely fit. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Trade, Joel Anthony, Marcus Camby, Norris Cole 

Free agent center Marcus Camby’s scheduled Saturday visit to South Florida to meet with the Heat was postponed Saturday morning because the Heat no longer has its $3.1 million mid level exception (which is going to Ray Allen) and Camby wants to see if there’s a possibility if the Heat and Houston Rockets can work out a sign-and-trade that would deliver him a salary in that range or higher. The Heat and Rockets have had discussions about a sign-and-trade, according to an NBA source, with Joel Anthony, Norris Cole and a future first-round draft pick among the potential pieces to a deal. Miami Herald

Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Trade, Joel Anthony, Marcus Camby, Norris Cole 

Chris Tomasson: If Heat used Joel Anthony in sign-and-trade for Camby, Camby could get about $4 million. Heat might have to throw in $3M and 1st-round pick Twitter

Miami Heat, Trade, Joel Anthony, Marcus Camby 

Chris Tomasson: Joel Anthony will be first native of Canada to win an NBA title since Rick Fox in 2002. Twitter

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony 

Ethan J. Skolnick: Asked Joel Anthony if he'd held a press conference b/c he's in Canada. "I don't say anything." Then reporters queried him for 15 minutes. Twitter

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony 

To put in perspective how different this current universe stands, consider that in exhibitions this past week against Brazil and Puerto Rico, Anthony attempted seven and six shots. Then consider that in his 75 appearances this past season, he did not attempt more than five in any game. "It’s definitely helped me," he said of receiving freedom to further his game, "because, realistically, it’s not something I’ll be able to do with Miami in the NBA, just because of the talent we have. To be able to get that and develop more as a player, I think it’s really important. "Pretty much the biggest thing is to try to bring some of those aspects to Miami from my international play. That’s one of the biggest things that I’m trying to focus on, so I can help my team a lot more when I get back to Miami." Montreal Gazette

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony 

And then he’s looking forward to the end of the lockout and the opportunity to compete for the starting job he seized during the middle of last season’s playoff run. "Obviously, after the Finals I looked toward this summer to improve a lot more because I feel there’s a lot I have to do to be able to help this team," he said of the Heat. "I have to improve as a player. That’s really my biggest focus right now; that’s what I’m trying to lock in on." Montreal Gazette

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony 

This is Joel Anthony's alternate reality, where he is his team's star, is allowed to shoot the ball, feels the weight of the moment. For the Miami Heat center, it also is somewhat of an audition, to prove he is up to such moments, to show that the Heat may already have their starting center for 2011-12, that Pat Riley may not need to pursue the likes of a Samuel Dalembert on the free-agent market. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony, Canada 

As he spoke from Foz de Igaucu, Brazil, where his Canadian national team was wrapping up a warm-up tournament in advance of Wednesday's start of Olympic qualifying in Argentina, the shot-blocking defensive specialist mentioned how he feels a world away from his day job, as a supporting player to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The 29-year-old native of Montreal is coming off an appearance as a starting center in the NBA Finals, which far trumps the pedigree of Canada's only other NBA players, seldom-used New York Knicks guard Andy Rautins and San Antonio Spurs first-round pick Cory Joseph, the guard out of Texas. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony, Canada 

To put in perspective how different this current universe stands, consider that in exhibitions this past week against Brazil and Puerto Rico, Anthony attempted seven and six shots. Then consider that in his 75 appearances this past season, he did not attempt more than five in any game. "It's definitely helped me," he said of receiving freedom to further his game, "because, realistically, it's not something I'll be able to do with Miami in the NBA, just because of the talent we have. To be able to get that and develop more as a player, I think it's really important. "Pretty much the biggest thing is to try to bring some of those aspects to Miami from my international play. That's one of the biggest things that I'm trying to focus on, so I can help my team a lot more when I get back to Miami." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Joel Anthony, Canada 

Keith Askins deserves to win Coach of the Year (Decade?) for the job he’s done with Joel Anthony. — Luke. A: This is one of the perks of conducting a forum such as this, that there are those out there who, unsolicited, can offer appreciation for some of the work done behind the scenes. Say what you want about where Joel stands, but he would not even be this far along without the patience shown and work put in by Keith, who deserves the notice and credit. The fact that he has gotten Joel to catch the ball could leave him with a potential job moonlighting as a fielding coach during the lockout. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Coaching, Joel Anthony, Keith Askins 

Q: What happens to Joel Anthony? Despite his faults, he was a big part of our success last season, but I just don’t see how he finds minutes in a rotation that’ll include Bosh, Haslem, Pittman and probably a new starting center. — David. A: I’m not as sold on the Heat landing a replacement starting center, based on what is available in free agency. I could see Joel returning as a nominal starter, with Bosh getting significant minutes in the middle and the Heat often playing small, which is the way the league is headed, anyway. Also, do not overstate Pittman. He does not have any guaranteed money remaining on his deal. He will not be gifted playing time. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Joel Anthony