Is the dream becoming real?

Several years ago, Pat Riley was welcomed here in South Florida among the pomp and circumstance that a befits an NBA coach. Well, one that is a high-profile, Armani suit-wearing, motivational speaker such as Riley. And during his address to the crowd, he proclaimed his dream: a parade for a world champion Miami Heat team running throughout downtown Miami while the ticker tapes fell from the sky in celebration.

Thunder Dan rained threes. Keith Askins played tough defense off the bench. Alonzo Mourning's intensity ignited the crowd and powered the team to win after win. But all came and went. Even Timmy Hardaway's heart wasnt enough to loft the trophy out of Riley's mind.

But he we are again. After a terrific young team climbed its way out of the cellar to the playoffs taking on the world as it went. After the promise of that season, another was made and wrapped in sacrifice. He we are again, on the verge of realizing Riley's dream. The architect, in order to realize his dream, had to make a deal that he couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams.

Armed with Diesel Power in Shaq and a top-flight talent in Dwyane Wade, this new Heat team has the look, the feel of a champion. And they are only getting better. Ask journey man Damon Jones. Or ask Christian Laettner, a former college great that hasnt had the chance to shine - until now. Or ask Eddie Jones - the much maligned team captain that has only begun to rediscover his game while the Heat have discovered winning.

This Heat team plays poised. Never panics. And the media is starting to notice. Mark Jackson made his proclamation in support of the Heat on ESPN. Others are falling in line. But is the dream becoming real? Does this Heat team - with its mix of young talent and heady veterans - have the ability to win it all? Can this be the team Riley dreamed of?

Let's find out...

Perimeter Play Plagues Heat

Wesley Person got the start last night against the Raptors. Butler, who has been terrible of late, got bumped to the bench. It isn't a shock that a change came, just that it came packaged as it did.

The basic debate, at least among the Heat intelligentsia, is why Butler and not Eddie Jones? Butler has a 35.5% while EJ is shooting 34.7% right now. Maybe, we should start calling him Eddie Ones. So, why, coach, Butler instead of EJ?

Here is what Van Gundy said in an article found in the Sun-Sentinel:

"I think two things sort of led to the decision," the Heat coach said. "No. 1, I'm hoping at some level it will help Rasual. I think he's been pressing a little bit. I think we need contributions from him. And the second thing is trying to sort of balance shooting and offensive stuff with defense. Our two best shooters have been Damon and Wes. So you've got one of them in the lineup and one off the bench. And our two best perimeter defenders have been Eddie and Shandon, so you've got one of 'em in the lineup and one of them off the bench."

"The difference there is that Eddie has been, in my opinion, our best perimeter defender," Van Gundy said. "I have a comfort level with him that gives him a little bit longer rope in terms of lack of offensive production."

So, it seems EJ has more 'cred' with the coach at this point. That is fair. We all know EJ is more of a proven commodity than Butler is. At least at this point. Person is a vet, too, and it confirms what we can suspect about Van Gundy - he is looking for some sign of consistency.

It seems though that some of the best play is also coming from a source not familiar to the Heat - Keyon Dooling. He has been putting together some defensive highlights as well as maximizing the minutes he plays. He is pressing for more minutes with every outing.

This begs the question, what is going to happen? Something has to give. The Heat needs a third scoring option. Eddie Jones is there most marketable commodity to net a player of worth in return. But his contract is big and he is struggling right now with his offense. If he wasnt, the Heat would not be in the perdicament they are currently in. And that is the conundrum.

So, with EJ, Butler, Person, Damon Jones, Keyon Dooling, the Heat has to be able to extrapolate some kind of rotation where they can get consistency from their perimeter play. How that happens, is anyone's guess at this point.