Trick - No Treat

Heat open up season with disappointment

So, we get our rings, everyone is laughing and giggling and showing off their hard fought bling and then they all went home for the night.

Maybe it was because it was Halloween. Maybe the real Heat players did go home after the ring ceremony and let imposters take the court - fans dressed up as their favorite Heatians - to take on the Bulls. The Bulls were only looking for treats and pulling tricks.

Riley had moaned and groaned about concerns about a lack of focus and intensity. Nothing big, but just enough to make the papers. I just chalked it up to coach speak.

And listen, let's not go crazy here, it is one game. But there is something alarming to take note of - this Heat team looks old and lifeless.

It isn't just Shaq, but Gary Payton looks slower and confused. Walker looks like a barrel dropped off a moving truck. Posey didn't get enough playing time. Zo looked like he was off a little.

Riley didn't make the right moves quick enough - this new NBA is built on perimeter games with lithe, quick guards who can get away with murder as long as they don't travel. And that really means, not taking more than three steps...

The Bulls got a big boost with 17 free throw attempts in the 1st quarter. Short of some sort of conspiracy, needless to say it didn't help the Heat. But they didn't exactly help themselves - the 2nd quarter on the Heat burned out. Quicker than it began.

And the Heat 'faithful' was all but gone by the 3rd quarter, emptying out quicker than if the AAA was on fire. It certainly wasn't the Heat that was lighting the place afire, but the Bulls' shooting.

On this night, it looked like the rings went to the wrong team. But it is just one game. One game, in fact, that will end up landing Jalen Rose on this roster. It isn't official, yet, but it is hard not to believe Riley is on the phone with Rose's agent finalizing this deal before Shaq gets out of the shower.

We'll see. The Heat looked lifeless, except for Wade who provided his usual big stunning, larger-than-life plays. But he can't do it alone and if he is forced to, this team's repeat will be over before it can really begin.