Post by pistons521 - MIA on Feb 2, 2009 6:33:14 GMT
The sun is shining bright in Miami, even during these dark winter days. Although not as many people dot the beaches right now as during the rest of the year, the future is looking bright for the newly staffed organization.
After a lackluster season and rumors circling around that the previous General Manager of the Heat was engaging in gambling on Heat games, the owner, Mickey Arison, fired him. Arison, set on building a winning, successful, professional organization, took months during the offseason browsing potential managers and taking applications. Eventually Arison became obsessed with then retired manager, James Hunter who, in three seasons total of managing, has seen his team in three NBA finals with one NBA championship. Formally dubbed the greatest young GM of this generation[1], Hunter cut his managing career short because "it is really wearing me down mentally, and I need to focus elsewhere." This led Hunter to be featured as number 34 on "The Best Damn Sports Show Period: The 50 Best Sports Talents Who Cut Their Careers Short."
Arison first met Hunter at a political rally event in Illinois back in 2006, where Hunter was piecing together what would soon become President Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign. Arison tried to make Hunter the GM then, but he shot him down quickly. Although they remained in touch, Hunter never expressed interest in returning to "the game." However, when the spot was once again vacant, Arison gave Hunter a call, and he expressed interest in possibly returning to basketball, what he often calls his "first love." Arison reportedly sent Hunter cars, planes, and even bought him his own chain of islands off the coast of South America to try to bribe Hunter to manage his Heat. After weeks of negotiating, Hunter agreed to take on the role of President of Operations for the Heat franchise.
Sitting at a small, round, wooden table with a single manila folder with the words "HEAT" written in black marker across the front, Hunter set to work on what he believes will become the best Miami team this city has ever seen - but he knew he couldn't do it alone. In an unprecedented wave of events, Hunter signed his brother, Matthew, to be his Vice President of Operations, then his long-time friends Michael Blue and Brian Byrd to be his NBA Scout Analyzer and Financial Adviser respectively. Never before has a league seen so many people collaborating collectively for a common goal with one team and one focus.
A rally held outside the American Airlines Arena in Miami where Financial Adviser Brian Byrd is introducing the new staff of the Miami Heat.
Combining the talents and minds of these hard working men will pay off, and soon Miami will see the tides turning. Surely, the sun shines down upon this city today.
After a lackluster season and rumors circling around that the previous General Manager of the Heat was engaging in gambling on Heat games, the owner, Mickey Arison, fired him. Arison, set on building a winning, successful, professional organization, took months during the offseason browsing potential managers and taking applications. Eventually Arison became obsessed with then retired manager, James Hunter who, in three seasons total of managing, has seen his team in three NBA finals with one NBA championship. Formally dubbed the greatest young GM of this generation[1], Hunter cut his managing career short because "it is really wearing me down mentally, and I need to focus elsewhere." This led Hunter to be featured as number 34 on "The Best Damn Sports Show Period: The 50 Best Sports Talents Who Cut Their Careers Short."
Arison first met Hunter at a political rally event in Illinois back in 2006, where Hunter was piecing together what would soon become President Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign. Arison tried to make Hunter the GM then, but he shot him down quickly. Although they remained in touch, Hunter never expressed interest in returning to "the game." However, when the spot was once again vacant, Arison gave Hunter a call, and he expressed interest in possibly returning to basketball, what he often calls his "first love." Arison reportedly sent Hunter cars, planes, and even bought him his own chain of islands off the coast of South America to try to bribe Hunter to manage his Heat. After weeks of negotiating, Hunter agreed to take on the role of President of Operations for the Heat franchise.
Sitting at a small, round, wooden table with a single manila folder with the words "HEAT" written in black marker across the front, Hunter set to work on what he believes will become the best Miami team this city has ever seen - but he knew he couldn't do it alone. In an unprecedented wave of events, Hunter signed his brother, Matthew, to be his Vice President of Operations, then his long-time friends Michael Blue and Brian Byrd to be his NBA Scout Analyzer and Financial Adviser respectively. Never before has a league seen so many people collaborating collectively for a common goal with one team and one focus.
A rally held outside the American Airlines Arena in Miami where Financial Adviser Brian Byrd is introducing the new staff of the Miami Heat.
Combining the talents and minds of these hard working men will pay off, and soon Miami will see the tides turning. Surely, the sun shines down upon this city today.