James Posey

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James Posey

Position	Guard-Forward
Height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight	217 lb (99 kg)
Team	Miami Heat
Nationality	United States
Born	January 13, 1977 (age 30) Cleveland, Ohio
College	Xavier
Draft	18th overall, 1999 Denver Nuggets
Pro career	1999–present
Former teams	Denver Nuggets (1999–2002) Houston Rockets (2002–2003) Memphis Grizzlies (2003–2005)
Awards	1999-00 NBA All-Rookie Second Team

James Mikely Mantell Posey, Jr. (born January 13, 1977 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American professional basketball player, currently playing small forward for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. Posey attended and played basketball at Chamberlin High School in Twinsburg, Ohio. Posey was selected out of Xavier University by the Denver Nuggets with the 18th pick of the 1999 NBA Draft. He played a little over three seasons with the team before being sent to the Houston Rockets in a three-team deal also involving the Philadelphia 76ers on December 18, 2002.

After finishing the season with the Rockets, he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as a free agent in the 2003 off season.

He was considered by some to be the team's most valuable player in the 2003-04 season, but struggled with injury and weight problems in 2004-05.

On August 2, 2005, Posey was involved in NBA history's largest trade ever, which involved 13 players, and five different teams. Through this trade, the Miami Heat acquired point guard Jason Williams, forward Antoine Walker, shooting guard Andre Emmett, and the draft rights to Roberto Duenas. The Memphis Grizzlies received shooting guard Eddie Jones, and point guard Raul Lopez. Boston, who dealt Walker to the Heat, received a package that included Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Albert Miralles, two second-round draft picks, and cash. The Boston Celtics also picked up Curtis Borchardt. Utah was able to acquire Greg Ostertag, and the New Orleans Hornets acquired small forward Rasual Butler and shooting guard Kirk Snyder. With the Heat, Posey won the first NBA championship of his career.

Posey averaged 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 2005-06. He is notable for his three point shooting ability.

Posey had a somewhat disappointing regular season with Miami, but in the playoffs did more than expected. Now being switched to the Heat's sixth man, Posey was able to average 11.8 points per game on 48.8 shooting in Miami's first round opponent, the Chicago Bulls. Against Miami's second round opponent, the New Jersey Nets, Posey was forced to play defense, particularly guarding Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson. Although Posey's scoring dropped, his defense was said to have been the key to the Heat's advancement into the conference finals.

Posey again had to focus on defense against Miami's third-round opponent, the Detroit Pistons, particularly guarding Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and even sometimes Chauncey Billups or Rasheed Wallace. Posey was put to guard these players because other Miami perimeter defenders have other priorities. Dwyane Wade, for example, focuses on offense more than defense, and that is a huge reason why he averaged the most points for his team. Other perimeter players such as Jason Williams or Antoine Walker are labeled poor defensive players and would get taken advantage of have they been challenged defensively.

Against the Dallas Mavericks, James Posey was a key factor on both ends of the court. Defensively, he, along with Udonis Haslem, provided tough defense on the Mavericks All-Star, Dirk Nowitzki; and he also has put to guard Josh Howard, who causes problems for Miami when Anotine Walker was guarding him. On the offensive end, Posey played a huge role in knocking down shots because Miami's All-Star's, Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal were often double teamed and needed to pass the ball. In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Posey hit a huge shot to give Miami an 87-81 advantage with four minutes remaining. In Game 4 of the Finals, Posey was very impressive in Miami's blowout, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Head coach Pat Riley said he likes the switch to put Posey come off the bench (for most of the regular season, Riley would have Posey start and Walker come off the bench). However, it seems that both of the players benefited from the change.

On July 1, 2006, Posey opted to exercise his $6.4 million contract, opting not to become a free agent [1].

Since joining the Miami Heat, Posey has been involved in several controversial incidents with the Chicago Bulls.

Contents 1 Chicago Bulls v.s Miami Heat (2006 NBA Playoff First Round Match) 2 Chicago Bulls v.s Miami Heat (2006-2007 NBA Season Opener) 3 Chicago Bulls v.s Miami Heat (December 27th @ United Center) 4 External link

[edit] Chicago Bulls v.s Miami Heat (2006 NBA Playoff First Round Match)

In Game 3 of the Bulls-Heat first round match Kirk Hinrich was moving down the court when Posey hit Hinrich with a hard shoulder block knocking Hinrich down to the floor, was called for a Flagrant-2 Foul, and was ejected from the game. When asked about the shot to Hinrich, Posey responded, "I was just trying to get back on defense and cut the ball off." "He didn't see me and that's how collisons happen. That's all it was." When asked if he thought Posey was looking for trouble, Hinrich said, "I don't know. Maybe he was. I guess he just wanted to make a hard foul. Sometimes that's part of the game." The shot would also lead to Posey getting suspended for 1 Game.^[1] Video of this incident is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxU3YXcRwV0

[edit] Chicago Bulls v.s Miami Heat (2006-2007 NBA Season Opener)

In the Season Opener of the 2006-2007 NBA Season. James Posey was involved with another incident with Bulls rookie Tyrus Thomas, who was going for the rebound, was hit in the face by Posey which lead to Thomas having his nose broken and missing a few games, and having to wear a protective mask for a few games when he returned.^[2]

[edit] Chicago Bulls v.s Miami Heat (December 27th @ United Center)

In this, his third incident with the Bulls, James Posey was ejected from the game with 7:16 remaining in the fourth quarter. Luol Deng , who was going for a lay up was clothseslined by Posey in mid air, Posey was called for a flagrant foul. Posey was suspended for 1 game as a result of his infraction.^[3]

[edit] External link

• NBA.com Profile - James Posey