How the Glove will fit

The preseason is over - at least, the scrimmages between other teams are. The Heat are pretty much done with their evaluations and the coaching staff and front office are left to figure out how they want to configure the talent on this team and mesh it with their gameplan. The sole focus remains a championship. Given the well-documented trade and the upgrade in depth that the Heat have found, the challenge of getting all these pieces to fit remains the ultimate hurdle for this franchise - and for quieting the doubters as well.

Yet, lurking in the background is one prominent question: where does this leave Gary Payton? How is Gary Payton going to figure into the Heat's plans? I think the immediate answer is backup PG, but I also think we may see GP in a role we have seen him in only rarely - backup SG, too.

The Heat really have no favorable options for the backup SG position behind Dwyane Wade. You could send Dorrell Wright or Matt Walsh out there and hope they grow into the role, but that is a risk that Stan Van Gundy may not be willing to take. You also have the option of putting Jason Kapono at the two with the second unit, but his lack of defense makes it a liability as well. Shandon Anderson is another option, but he should be looked to primarily as a SF defensive presence.

But what about the Glove? Can he play 2 guard? He is only listed at 6'3" - but Dwyane Wade is not towering over him, all of 6'4" himself. What Gary Payton does bring, in addition to his mental toughness and veteran experience, is his ability to create off the dribble and penetrate as well as shoot the 3 point shot.

Of course, the downside is, Jason Williams would have to be in there when Payton is wearing his backup SG hat. But this also means, potentially, that SVG has the option of keeping all three stars happy in terms of minutes and involvement. You could see a three headed beast with the likes of Williams, Wade and Payton all being rotated in and out to offer periods of rest or insurance against foul trouble for each player.

Not to mention, as a shooting guard, a player needs to move well and score without the ball. Gary Payton, playing alongside JWill this preseason, has demonstrated that on the occasion that Van Gundy has demanded it. This could also be a tip of the cap towards what the Heat head coach is thinking in terms of mixing up his personnel.

However this season shakes out, Gary Payton will most undoubtedly have a part in its success. What role that is exactly has yet to be revealed. An untraditional role maybe just the perfect part to help this veteran and future hall-of-famer find that elusive ring.