Ray Allen Makes It Official With The Miami Heat (Photo of The Day)

Miami Heat Announce The Signing of Ray Allen (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

It definitely just got real in South Beach. Ray Allen made it offical, he’s now a member of the Miami Heat. One thing is for sure and that’s those Miami-Boston games next season just took on another reason for it to be must-see tv.

Miami Adds Another Shooter, Rashard Lewis

Rashard Lewis reportedly will sign with the Miami Heat.

 Various reports have Lewis heading to Miami to sign for the veterans minimum of $1.35 million next season. This would make sense only because Lewis has already cashed out thanks to the New Orleans Hornets when they bought out his contract for $13.7 million right after trading to get him from the Washington Wizards. It’s not about the money, Lewis is going to South Beach to chase a championship.

 He’ll also get to reunite with his teammate from his Seattle Sonics days, Ray Allen. (click here)

That’s just another shooter to help spread the floor for Miami. The rich get richer. Good pickup by the Heat.

NBA Free Agency: Fireworks In July (News & Notes)

It was a very busy week in the NBA that saw many of the pieces begin to fall into place for teams looking to improve through trades and free agency. It’s fitting that many of this happened during the Fourth of July week because there were some explosive moves made that rocked the league.

Here is a overview of the key moves that were set in motion:

• Brooklyn Nets and Deron Williams Reach Agreement On New Deal

 This was by far the biggest move of the offseason and clearly had the biggest impact. Williams gets a  five-year, $98 million deal and instantly becomes the face of the Nets as they begin a new chapter in Brooklyn. The Nets get their star point guard, the top free agent on the market, and instant credibility. It was beginning to look like Williams was leaning towards his hometown team the Dallas Mavericks, however the Nets have been ultra aggressive this offseason and it was enough to convince Williams to stay on the east coast.

Celtics Bringing Back Kevin Garnett, Is Ray Allen Next?

 ~ The Celtics apparently have no plans of rebuilding anytime soon based on their recent moves. Kevin Garnett has no plans on retiring anytime soon either.

 According to the Boston Herald:

The 36-year-old considered retirement, but ultimately decided to return for an 18th NBA season — and more.

According to an NBA source and a source close to Garnett, the sides are working out the details of a deal that will be for at least two years and could possibly include a third.

“The decision came down to whether KG wanted to keep playing,” said one source. “And once he decided that he did, it was going to be Boston. He wasn’t going to leave Doc (River) and those guys and play anywhere else.”

 Garnett played very well in the playoffs and posted strong enough numbers to see where it would be a bit of a surprise if he decided to retire. What’s clear hear is that he didn’t want to play for any other team at this point in his career. It’s a plus for the Celtics because what better mentor for their rookies Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo to learn from than Garnett?

 With Garnett back in the mix with Boston, could Ray Allen be next to return? When the season ended it sure didn’t look that way, however a couple weeks away from the court apparently can change minds. Doc Rivers wants to keep his band together for as long as he can and it’s hard to debate against that when it comes to Boston because of how good the chemistry has been on that team for so many years. The Celtics have found a way to keep their core together while adding younger pieces along the way. Miami Heat are expected to make a run at Allen and the Clippers are rumored to be in the mix as well. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to me at this point if Allen does decide to go back their instead of going somewhere else.

NBA Draft Class of 1996 (Throwback Thursday)

The NBA Draft is tonight and is expected to produce one of the deeper classes to come into the NBA in years.  Time will tell if it’s as deep or as good as this one was in 1996 that featured Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, and someone noticeably missing from this picture … Allen Iverson.