Highlights from Spoelstra's Press Conference

Courtesy of Ira Winderman 

He said Juwan Howard would not be part of the Heat's training-camp roster, but did not close the door on the veteran power forward possibly rejoining the team. Howard has been working out regularly at AmericanAirlines Arena

He said guard Dwyane Wade, coming off July arthroscopic knee surgery, would be brought along slowly at the start of camp, with the expectation that Wade would be ready for the Oct. 30 regular-season opener against the visiting Boston Celtics. "He's not 100 percent," Spoelstra said, "so we're going to be very vigilant on how we progress with him."

He also said Allen is progressing well from July ankle surgery.  "He's not 100 percent, but I wouldn't notice it," Spoelstra said.
 

As for veteran forward Mike Miller, Spoelstra said the oft-injured veteran swingman is healthy enough to participate in all camp drills, but would be held back at times as a precaution.

Spoelstra said the only sidelined player heading into camp is rookie power forward Jarvis Varnado, who strained his hamstring three weeks ago. Spoelstra said guard Norris Cole is beyond the groin issue that had limited him in recent days.

Of James coming in only weeks after winning Olympic gold in London, Spoelstra said, "This isn't a path that hasn't been walked before . . . He's done it, in 2008. And other guys have done it as well. That walk has been walked by the greatest."
 

Of having so much veteran talent and a limited amount of minutes, Spoelstra said, "Everyone knows when they signed up here that one of our major core values is to sacrifice.
 

He said Cole has had a strong summer, following through on the team's goal of improved playmaking and shooting.

He said center Dexter Pittman is coming off a strong month. "This will be definitely the best condition he's brought into training camp," Spoelstra said of the third-year veteran.