Miami Heat players: Arrest in Trayvon Martin case brings some closure - MiamiHerald.com

CHICAGO -- Heat players were part of the movement three weeks ago to shed light on the circumstances involving the death of Trayvon Martin. On Thursday, they hoped the recent development in the case helped bring closure to the family.

Martin’s shooter, George Zimmerman, was charged with second-degree murder Wednesday. Martin, who was killed by Zimmerman in a gated community in Sanford while wearing a hooded sweatshirt, was a fan of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and the Heat.

Heat players, who later posed for a team photograph in hooded Heat sweatshirts as a show of support for Martin’s family, said Martin’s death affected them because many of the players have sons.

“For us, we hope the family is getting more closure and they’re feeling better as the days go on,” James said. “We all know it was a tragic incident that happened with Trayvon and I’m happy I was in position to shed some light on the situation. We were in support of his family and the kid.”

A long-time advocate against gun violence, Wade on Thursday visited his cousin who recently was shot in a gang-related incident.

“To see him is great, he looked very good,” Wade said. “He’s in great spirits. It’s good for our family and for him to have a good new outlook on life.”

“There’s so many different families that go through [it] and that’s why I try to do the things I do in the community â€" to try to make a difference in the community.”

Change of heart

Wade told reporters Wednesday that players should be compensated for playing in the Olympics. He changed direction Thursday, issuing a statement after a public backlash,

“I do not want to be paid to go to the Olympics,” the statement said.

Playing in the Olympics is viewed as one of the highest honors for an athlete. But the Olympics falls during the NBA’s offseason, which doesn’t allow for much rest for players selected to the Olympic team.

“We play the whole summer,” Wade said Wednesday. “I do think guys should be compensated. Just like I think college players should be compensated as well. Unfortunately, it’s not there. But I think it should be something, you know, there for it.”

Wade suggested that players receive a cut of the Olympic jersey sales. Nike, which pays Wade millions, is the sole apparel supplier to the U.S. Olympic basketball team.

Working on the rotation

The Heat is close to solidifying its rotation for the playoffs, according to Udonis Haslem, but there are still a few things to “figure out” â€" namely, the center position.

Haslem started at center Thursday for Ronny Turiaf. It was his second start of the season. The Heat has started three different centers in its past seven games.

“We’ve got veteran guys, so we’ll figure it out, the rotation being a little different depending on who we’re playing and the match ups,” Haslem said. “Right now I think [coach Erik Spoelstra] is simplifying the rotation. I think everyone knows what’s expected of them and what minutes they’re going to play and when they’re going to be in the game and going down the stretch I think that can only help us.”

Thursday was the Heat’s first game of a grueling stretch, featuring eight games in 11 nights. Spoelstra said he will lean on is bench to get through the next two weeks.