Otro articulillo, este partcularmente bonitillo, sobre el impacto del Carlillos:
Heat's Carlos Arroyo grateful for another chance in the NBA
By McClatchy Newspapers
MIAMI -- This time a week ago, Carlos Arroyo was patiently -- if not reluctantly -- mastering two different games.
There was the waiting game. Arroyo played it for weeks as he held out for a chance to jump back into the NBA. He had abandoned the league for a season in pursuit of more money, respect and playing time overseas.Then there were the pickup games. Those were the ones Arroyo bounced around Miami day and night playing to stay in shape and in the loop, just in case he ran into a scout or player who had contacts with NBA teams.
Arroyo, the former Florida International University standout, used pickup games to kill time while he played the waiting game.
"We had heard a week ago that he was playing in every city league in Miami," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I probably shouldn't say this, but he was also playing pickup games in the parks. He's an absolute basketball fanatic. He was always looking for a place to play."
That was until this time a week ago. But since then, Arroyo has spent the past week trying to make an NBA home of his adopted hometown. Arroyo has played in two games since he signed a nonguaranteed contract with the Heat and joined the team last week. After a rough start to the preseason, Miami has split its two exhibitions since Arroyo arrived as the backup point guard.
His experience, passing ability and quickness already have stood out. After being out of the NBA for a year, having a spot on a preseason roster is something Arroyo hasn't taken for granted.
Especially not here. And certainly not now.
Every moment since the phone rang at Arroyo's Pinecrest home two Sundays ago has been spent trying to take advantage of his shot. And the vibe from that conversation with agent Leon Rose still resonates.
"He said, 'Miami is offering you an opportunity,"' said Arroyo, recalling the conversation. "I didn't know what to say. So I said, 'You must be joking.' I've wanted to get here since college. I was waiting for this chance a long time, and it's presented itself."
It took Chris Quinn's sprained right ankle to deliver Arroyo's long-awaited twist of fate. The injury left the Heat with a critical shortage of depth at point guard behind starter Mario Chalmers. And the opportunity left Arroyo, a seven-year NBA veteran, with a chance to resurrect his career.
Only a few miles separates the home Arroyo has owned the past few years from AmericanAirlines Arena. But he has taken a long and not-so-scenic route at times -- detouring through five NBA cities, four countries and three continents -- to finally get to wear a Heat uniform.
After leaving FIU as only the second player to score 1,600 points and owning school records for assists and steals, Arroyo signed as an undrafted free agent with Toronto and soon ended up in Denver. But he didn't make his mark in the league until he got to the Utah Jazz at the end of John Stockton's Hall of Fame career.
Arroyo, 30, backed up Stockton and Mark Jackson, who rank first and second among the NBA's all-time leaders in assists. Arroyo became the starter after Stockton retired and averaged a career-high 12.6 points and five assists in 71 starts during the 2003-04 season. His sometimes wild and often inconsistent play didn't always sit well within coach Jerry Sloan's structure.
AN OLYMPIC STANDOUT
But Arroyo was best known for his play with Puerto Rico's national team, where he was free to freelance as he led his team to a bronze medal in a 2003 Olympic qualifying tournament. Puerto Rico finished sixth in the 2004 Athens Games, which included his 25-point effort in a blowout win over a U.S. team that included Heat star Dwyane Wade.
"I've seen what he can do for a while, and he's one of the best playmakers when he's on his game," Wade said of Arroyo. "He's also been on some really good teams that have won in the playoffs, so he can help a lot."
But a reputation for clashing with his NBA coaches followed Arroyo to Detroit and Orlando, where he last played in the NBA under former Heat coach Stan Van Gundy during the 2007-08 season. Seeking a lucrative deal while the Magic sought to develop first-round draft pick Jameer Nelson, Arroyo opted to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.
The chance to be a starter again -- and a star -- never materialized in the NBA but was available overseas. Arroyo led his team to a league title and was MVP. But he reportedly agreed to opt out of the remainder of his $7.5 million deal.
"I wanted to play more minutes. I wanted to have a little more responsibility and to develop," Arroyo said of his time in Israel. "That was the right opportunity at that time to be a leader of a team. I experienced it and wanted to get back here. I was ready to get back."
The Clippers, Celtics and Bulls reportedly showed interest but nothing materialized. Then the Heat and Arroyo finalized a merger that was convenient for both sides. There were no guarantees. Not in the make-good contract Arroyo signed for the league's veteran minimum of $1.1 million. He's not even certain to be on the roster for the Oct. 28 season opener against New York. Arroyo has to earn his way.
"I want to see what he can do for us as quickly as I can, so I plan on playing him a lot," Spoelstra said of Arroyo's Heat acclimation. "The guys notice what he's been able to do just in this short time. He fits into our system well, and he gets guys open shots. There's plenty of value in a player who can do that for you."
SKILLS ARE EVIDENT
There's obvious evidence of Arroyo's initial Heat impact. In his first scrimmage last week, Arroyo set up forward James Jones for many of his seven three-pointers. Guard Daequan Cook, who struggled in the Heat's preseason opener and then missed the next game with a thumb injury, has led Miami in scoring in two of the past three games while running with Arroyo's second-team unit.
"They kept saying that I was messing up Carlos' assists," Cook said of the ribbing from Heat teammates. "I had to get it going."
Arroyo's presence also has had the intended affect on Chalmers, who responded with his two best preseason games last week after a rocky start. Chalmers said Monday he didn't have any reaction to Arroyo's signing, and that it wouldn't affect him in practices or games.
After a week of competitive practices and games, Chalmers said he could "learn a lot" from Arroyo and that he improves the team.
Arroyo said he still is adjusting to the NBA pace again. He was scoreless with four fouls in seven minutes in Wednesday's loss to Oklahoma City. His highlight moment was a behind-the-back pass to set up a Michael Beasley jumper off a pick-and-roll set. The next night, Arroyo had six points, three assists and a steal in 18 minutes to help beat New Orleans.
There is still quite a bit of flash in Arroyo's game. Just not as much unnecessary flamboyance. Spoelstra doesn't want to harness creativity, but he has told Arroyo to "keep it simple."
"You're coming to a team that's already been through training camp and a couple of exhibitions, so it's a process," Arroyo said of trying to find his niche. "You can't think too much. You have to play the game. So those instincts are going to be there. That's how you play. My job is the most important on the court. And that's to be a vocal voice out there and run the team."
Spoelstra has been satisfied with the initial results. But Arroyo still has plenty of work ahead before anything is settled.
"This move strengthens our rotation," Spoelstra said. "He's not only good as a backup, although he's accepted that role. But we can start him if there are any kind of injuries."
Arroyo has generated a legitimate buzz among Heat fans because of his basketball skills and his cultural background. Spanish-speaking media surrounded him after a practice last week.
"I've been waiting for this for 21 years," said Jose Paneda, longtime announcer for the Heat's Spanish-radio broadcasts. "This is a big deal."
Arroyo is picking up the offense about as rapidly as he has had to pick up the phone the past few days. A week ago, it barely rang until the Heat called. Now that he's in position to be the team's first native Spanish-speaking player, it hardly stops.
"When I left my car Monday to come to practice, I had no messages on my phone," Arroyo said of the quiet that existed before word spread that he was finally with the hometown Heat. "As soon as I got back to my car after practice, I had like 40 text messages and 15 voice messages.
"I hope it's not like that for tickets."
Link: http://www.standard.net/topics...l-another-chance-nba
En resumen, apuesto mis pantaletas rosadas Fruit-Of-The-Loom a que Carlillos se queda el a
