James Jones News

Forty-eight hours after getting beaten like the end of a ketchup bottle, the Miami Heat are in a must-win situation in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Chicago Bulls.

LeBron James spoke with Heat president Pat Riley on Wednesday, but James' decision on staying in Miami or leaving is still an unknown.

Nov 27, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Ray Allen during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena.

Something irregular occurred Monday, and it wasn't the Miami Heat agreeing to terms with two players who have had playoff confrontations with the superstar they are still trying to keep.

Today Miami Heat star James Jones embraces local Florida student Adrienna Sotomayor's as she presents Dream Chasers Benefit.

Q: If Mike Miller were still on the roster, regardless of the NBA Finals outcome to this just-completed season, would we still be in wait mode with LeBron James ? Is this mainly about that decision to amnesty a player he obviously wanted to keep? -- John.

LeBron James reportedly wants a deal that pays about $22 million next season, meaning Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade must take big pay cuts for the Big 3 to stay together.

A source close to LeBron James confirmed Tuesday to the Sun Sentinel that the forward has informed the Heat he has opted out of the final two years on the free-agent contract he signed with the team in July 2010.

May 15, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat dribbles as Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi defends during the first half in game six of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center.

Every offseason, the Miami Heat star and his family return to their home in Akron, Ohio, to spend the summer.

What's next: Allen played as a young 38, among the most reliable Heat players off the bench.

Q: Ira, with all the talk about Dwyane Wade having to "reinvent" himself, what about Chris Bosh ? If Wade cannot put up big numbers every night or be that "1A" option, I think it's time Bosh concentrated on getting back in the paint and scoring more.

Q: I thought Pat Riley 's tone Thursday was kind of paternal, like a father defending his children, but also challenging them and not being one iota scared of what they might have to say about it.

Dec 10, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James talks to center Chris Bosh and guard Dwayne Wade during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

And so it begins. Chris "Birdman" Andersen won't exercise his player's option next season and will enter free agency instead.

Roster and contract decisions await, but LeBron James says the bottom line is the Heat must improve to the level of the champion Spurs.

Q: Same strategy; same results. Even you have to admit this series was not a good one for Erik Spoelstra .

After winning the last two in South Beach in convincing fashion, the Spurs return to San Antonio up 3-1, playing their best basketball of the season and looking to eliminate the Miami Heat in front of their home crowd.

Put aside, for a moment, any specific name, any speculation. There will be plenty of time for that when these NBA Finals are over .

Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/1hSiRJq 2013-14 statistics: 98.5 points per game , 99.5 points allowed per game , 705 steals .