Ford, Gaines, Blake get looks- Miami Herald

[Tammo29@xxxxxxx]

Gene, looks like your prayers have been answered. 


Posted on Thu, Jun. 12, 2003            
    
Heat works out three point guards
Ford, Gaines, Blake get looks
BY STEPHEN F. HOLDER

Make no mistake. It's clear where the Heat needs the most help, a fact 
evidenced by a draft workout lineup of three point guards Wednesday, headlined by 
T.J. Ford of the University of Texas.

Wednesday's trio of floor generals was the first group to work privately for 
the Heat, with the June 26 draft two weeks away.

Ford, projected as a possibility for the Heat's No. 5 pick, continued his 
quest to convince teams he is worth a high pick, despite his 5-11 height and 
erratic shooting. The sophomore left Texas after winning the Naismith and Wooden 
awards, college basketball's most coveted player of the year honors.

Also hoping to make an impression on coach Pat Riley and general manager 
Randy Pfund were Louisville's Reece Gaines and Maryland's Steve Blake, a Miami 
Lakes native and four-year starter with the Terrapins.

Workouts continue through the middle of next week, although the Heat is not 
disclosing the identities of players it plans to court.

With Miami's unstable point-guard situation, the need for additions is 
pressing. Last season's starter, Travis Best, is not expected to be offered a 
contract and likely will be lost in free agency.

The Heat also has Mike James, combo guard Eddie House and Anthony Carter, but 
only Carter is under contract for next season.

Ford acknowledged the Heat's concerns about him likely center on his height, 
but he has heard it before.

''People have their own opinions,'' said Ford, who averaged 15 points and 7.7 
assists last season. ``If someone feels that I'm not capable of playing 
because of my height, I know what I'm capable of doing. I don't worry about what 
people say.''

Ford's 40.1 percent field-goal percentage also has caused some trepidation, 
but Ford has been working with a shooting coach in hopes of improving his 
accuracy.

''My form was just off and I had to get in the gym and correct it,'' he said.

Ford plans to make visits to Houston and Milwaukee before the end of the 
week, he said.

Gaines, one of the nation's most offensively gifted point guards, hopes his 
series of strong workouts propel him into the lottery. For now, Gaines is 
projected as a mid- to late-first-round selection, though his value is rising.

''I started out with people not knowing what my [draft] range was,'' Gaines 
said. ``But now I see I've been moving up.''

Gaines' best assets are his body (6-6, 205 pounds) and ability to play either 
guard spot, something he did last season.

For Blake, the predraft workouts are priceless.

The 6-3, 172-pounder is considered by many to be a long shot to be drafted. 
He likely was brought in as a targeted rookie free agent signing.

''I'm a pure point guard and I've always won,'' Blake said when asked about 
his best qualities. ``Everywhere I've been, I've won games -- from high school 
right to college.''

**Blake's workout was his fifth, and he is scheduled to work out for New 
Jersey, Orlando, Washington, Houston and Boston before the draft.**

JUST TWO PICKS

The Dallas Mavericks have chosen to hold on to their No. 58 pick in the 
draft, meaning the Heat will have only the Nos. 5 and 33 picks.

The Heat has the No. 53 pick but that now goes to Chicago to complete the 
deal for Sean Lampley in October 2001.

The Heat is now guaranteed Dallas' second-round pick in next year's draft.

Herald sports writer Israel Gutierrez contributed to this report. 

Related story:
<A HREF="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-heatspec12jun12,0,4313041.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat";>
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-heatspec12jun12,0,4313041.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat</A>