MIAMI -- Smush Parker decided to sign with the Miami Heat
because he saw a chance to start for a title contender.
"They won a championship two years ago, and I'm just trying to
be a part of that championship run again," Parker said at a news
conference Monday.
Parker signed Friday with the Heat, his seventh team since
turning pro in 2002. He helped the Los Angeles Lakers to the
playoffs each of the past two seasons, but they were over the
salary cap and didn't try to re-sign him.
"That chapter is done," Parker said. "My decision to come
here was that there was an open point guard position. This is a
great team, a great organization to be a part of."
Miami sought to shore up the position because point guard Jason Williams has been plagued with injuries the past two seasons.
"As of right now, we're battling for the starting position.
Nothing is guaranteed," Parker said. "I am going to come in and
work hard and earn everything they give me here."
Parker played in all 164 games for the Lakers the past two
seasons, averaging 11.3 points and 3.2 assists. He said he also
considered signing with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Boston
Celtics, but was mindful of the Heat's 2006 NBA title.
They fell to the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the
playoffs this past season.
"I feel like this team -- with the right combination of guys --
could get back to winning," Parker said.
The Heat's deal with Parker came after they failed to land
several other point guards, including Mo Williams, Steve Francis
and Steve Blake.
Parker went undrafted in 2002 and was with Cleveland, Atlanta,
Charlotte, Detroit and Phoenix before joining the Lakers.
"I take advantage of opportunities given to me, whether it's
starting or coming off the bench," he said. "I just want to be a
help to any team I play on."