Lessons Learned

When the Heat lost to the Sonics Sunday night, for the second time this season, a lot of Heat 'fans' started doing what we in South Florida do best - finger point. The bandwagoners started jumping off the bandwagon like it was on fire.

Relax, people. This team is built for the long haul. At 27-9, we are not even half way through the season. We will win more games and guess what, we will lose more too. Maybe a loss to the Hawks or Bobcats is on the horizon. Doesn't mean this team is all of a sudden a pretender.

And losing to teams in the West does not a pretender make, either. The only time our record against the West will matter is in the Finals. So, let's make it there first - until then, do like Riley suggested the other night during the Sonics/Heat half time interview - enjoy this team. Embrace them, enjoy the ride. Because this is a very special team.

That said, it is time to test this team's resolve. Another Western power in Phoenix lays in waiting. The question for the Heat is, how will they respond? It will be an interesting answer to see unfold.

Tonight, let's see if the lessons learned play out. What we do know about the Heat is that they have problems with defending the pick and roll and high screens. Big men that do nothing but shoot threes can get hot and hurt us in such a situation. See Radmanovic's line against us - and you will be challenged to see him put up numbers like that again all season long.

But what I do want to see is the Heat make adjustments. I want to see the Heat not only defend the perimeter better, but to include Shaq more in this game. The Heat shot 5 three pointers to close down the 4th quarter of that Sonics game. Shaq was guarded well, but the Heat know that if there is a path to the Finals, it lays with Shaq and runs through his position in the paint.

So, will the Heat be able to defend Steve Nash, probably the best point guard (sorry, Marbury) in the NBA as far as running an offense is concerned? Will the Heat be able to control Stoudamire and Marion around the basket? If the Heat learned their lessons from the Sonics loss, they will. Shaq will have to be the focus for this final exam. He will have to not only control the paint on defense, but on offense he is not only needed, but expected, to dominate this game. 28 points is nice, but wont cut it. This is showtime, diesel time. That is how we can assess this team at this point.