Could Damon Jones Help Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, & Miami Heat?

The Quick AM Take: Damon Jones is publicly lobbying for a return to the Miami Heat. Has hell frozen over? Are pigs flying through the sky like Boeing 747s?

Forgive my sarcasm. I just remember what went down two and a half years ago. In game seven of the 2004-05 Eastern Conference Finals against Detroit, Jones committed a fatal fourth quarter turnover.

The Pistons used his turnover to win the deciding game and went on to play the Spurs in the NBA Finals. Jones’ turnover was the final straw for Miami. South Beach turned their back on him, forcing the gunner to ink a four-year, 18 million dollar contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Words were exchanged through the media. Jones and the Heat were both angry. So is a reunion possible in 2007-08?

Desperate times, desperate measures. Right now, Jones is firmly chained to the Cavaliers’ bench. Over the last few months, he’s openly discussed playing elsewhere.

"Oh, man, that would be the icing on the cake for me," he said. "Especially with the group of guys that they have now, still, some of the key guys that were there when I spent the best year of my career. It would be special." (Palm Beach Post)

Meanwhile, Miami’s off to a disappointing 8-21 start; opposing defenses are crowding Shaquille O’Neal and challenging the Heat’s outside bricklayers to fire away.

These two seem a match. Cleveland wants to cut ties with Jones, while Miami-after losing Jason Kapono and James Posy-needs a shooter.  And believe it or not, the Heat is only five games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Pat Riley, Miami’s GM and oiled-out coach, must decide if the season can be saved. If so, part of the answer could be sitting on Cleveland’s bench. 

Should Riley bring Damon Jones back to Miami? Get at us in the comment box below and click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog.