Miami Heat: Voshon Lenard B/R Interview, Talks Charity, Heat and Miracle Shots

Today, I was fortunate enough to be granted an interview with former Miami Heat sharp shooter Voshon Lenard.

The opportunity arose when a representative from Captain Morgan contacted me to discuss their partnership with Lenard and what they were doing for the Miami community. They are in the middle of a deal that is set to award the Tim Hardaway foundation, a Miami based charity, $2,500 with Lenard leading the forefront.

Voshon currently lives in Miami and played his first five seasons with the Heat. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 19th pick in the second round of the 1994 draft and was waived prior to the start of his rookie season. He signed with the Heat in December and played a minimal role off the bench, averaging only six points per game and shooting 36 percent from deep.

Lenard would get his big break next season when he played in 73 games and started in 47. Lenard would average nearly three-pointers per game on 42 percent shooting and would average 12 points and three rebounds per game. He would help the Heat advance to the Conference Finals after a solid postseason run, where he averaged 11 points and three rebounds.

He would continue to play with Miami before being traded to the Denver Nuggets during the 2000 offseason. Voshon averaged over 14 points per game for two consecutive seasons with the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets before his untimely retirement in 2006 at the age of 32.

During my interview, Voshon and I discussed what he type of work he was doing with Captain Morgan and the Tim Hardaway foundation, his outlook on the Miami Heat and views on other subjects such as his retirement and the shooting struggles of other sharp shooters.

On His Charity...

Vincent Laforet/Getty Images

3 May 1998: Voshon Lenard #21 of the Miami Heat shoots over John Starks #3 of the New York Knicks during game five, of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida. The Knicks defeated the Heat 98-81. Mandatory

JF: I heard you recently did some work with Captain Morgan. Can you describe the work you've done with them and the Tim Hardaway foundation as well?

VL: "Well John, we got Captain Morgans Iced tea summer event going on this weekend for Memorial Day. It should be pretty exciting."

JF: Do you know if Captain Morgan will pursue any work with the foundation after this?

VL: "I'm sure they are. They're a good company, and a lot of people associated with them are bright. I feel like we got a bright future."

JF: Are there any links or numbers an individual can go to donate?

VL: "You can probably get in contact with the people that are running it to get some more information."

On the Heat's Run...

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

18 Oct 1999: Voshon Lenard #21 of the Miami Heat makes a jump shot as he is covered by Jim Jackson #22 of the Atlanta Hawks at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida. The Heat defeated the Hawks 116-110.

JF: I'm sure you've been on top of the progress of the Heat. Can you explain how this team can recover from that dismal 9-8 start to now only being one win away from the championship?

VL: "I think it comes with these guys who just got together, and sometimes, you need half a season to recognize what the other guys like to do, what positions other guys like to be in. It took awhile, but I think they've done well and now they're only one game away from the championship."

JF: Even with all the success, there's still criticism surrouding the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. One of the biggest criticisms has been whose team this belongs to. Do you think it really matters whose team this really is?

VL: "I don't think it matters whose team it is. As long as they're winning and that's what they've been doing and if they win the championship, all the critics will be pretty much set in their place."

JF: Do you believe that this Heat team can be a dynasty if they stick together and stay the course?

VL: "If they stay focused and strain on the main goal, and that's the trophy, they should see success for years to come."

On the Heat's Run (cont.)...

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

24 May 1997: Guard Voshon Lenard of the Miami Heat runs down the court during a playoff game againt the Chicago Bulls at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida. The Bulls won the game 98-74. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport

JF: Do you think that the team today has fully formed chemistry?

VL: "The way that they're playing, they've done a good job thus far. They show, like I said they're one game away from a championship, and they can only get better."

JF: You were on some of the best teams in Heat franchise history. Can you draw any comparisons between your teams and the teams today?

VL: "I think that the team that I was on we were a little bit older. This Miami Heat team, they're young, as the NBA is, sometimes it takes four or five years to understand how to win in this league. They're getting it done this year, though, so hopefully, they get that championship this year and prove that you can win when you're young."

JF: In your time with Miami and every other team for that matter, you were one of the league's most effective shooters, especially from beyond the arc. I'm sure you're aware of the struggles of Mike Miller this season. He looks tentative  with the ball in his hands, and it appears he's lost his confidence. As a shooter, do you believe his struggles are because of his persistent injuries, or do you believe that this has become a mental issue dealing with his confidence?

VL: "I think Mike Miller's still having problems with his thumbs, and that's one of the main fingers you need to be a good shooter in the NBA. You have to be healthy, and hopefully, Miller comes along and gets his confidence back, get his thumbs back from injury, and I think he can help the Heat. They're going to need an outside shooter."

On Himself and One Hell of a Shot...

JF: How about yourself, Voshon? Are you still getting in any basketball?

VL: "I try to stay in a little bit of shape."

JF: Voshon, you're only 38 years old and you retired at 32. Have you ever thought of a possible comeback?

VL: "No, not really. I enjoyed my time in the NBA, and I thought my time was up. Now I'm just trying to sit back and enjoy life with my family."

JF: Answer me this, Voshon. I'm still puzzled as to how you made that double clutch, game winner against Cleveland back in 1996. I watch it today and it baffles me; how did you possibly do it?

VL: "It comes with a lot of court awareness and a little bit of luck. I still remember the shot; it's surprising you brought it up, because it was one of the favorite shots of my career."