Heatflashes: Jackson Replacing Kapono, Heat Beat LA

So the Heat are going to land Luke Jackson, but is he the replacement the Heat were looking for when Kapono left quickly with fists full of cash? Yeah, he is.

Let's face it, Kapono had a great shot and happened to be 6'7" and could move, somewhat, better than a much shorter and more brash talent in Damon Jones. That was his job. Can Jackson do that? You bet. He is more athletic than Kapono, with a pretty good shot to boot. Even if he is not graded as highly as Kapono, which Toronto seems to think, he is a much more affordable risk to take in regards to acquiring some consistent outside shooting. Kap'n is getting $6M per season, while Jackson won't be making anything close to that. Toronto, who had Jackson on their roster last season and in camp this season, thought Kapono was a much better option and paid for it. The Heat, however, developed Kapono where none had previously seen an asset of any kind.

So bet on Riley & Co. getting Jackson in camp and at least squeezing some threes out of him from time to time. Yet, also remember another Kapono isn't necessarily needed - Ricky Davis is already providing some deft shooting while Daequan Cook looks to be the real deal, too. Getting some time on the floor with Shaq will definitely make Jackson a viable shooting option.

The only question is, who is going to be waived to make room? I don't want to see Anthony go, and I don't want to see Anfernee go, so that leaves a guy who has long been a project and doesn't have anything resembling an "Anthony" in his name, Earl Barron. The Red Barron is a nice power forward, but Riley already has Udonis and Alexander Johnson in his way. And if you want to play Barron at C, you don't get the shot blocking skill you value with your defense which Joel Anthony has a'plenty (and a great rebounder, too). Not to mention Shaq and Zo are in the way.

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The Heat are 5-15. Finally got that fifth win. I didn't catch the game last night because I was driving back from the West coast - of Florida. Still, to come home and see us win a game, with a diminished Shaq in the process, makes me happy and curious. What is Riley doing with Shaq? Is he trying to break him down some after that explosion in practice? Because frankly, Shaq should shut up and listen to what Riley wants - he controls Shaq's fate. Whether he likes it or not, Riley could be so bold as to dwindle his minutes down to garbage time and even to none at all. Riley controls Shaq's contract as he is also the Prez of the Heat, too. Besides, it isn't like the Heat are winning anyway with Shaq out there...and if they can win without him, that doesn't bode well for the big Aristotle. He needs to focus on rebounding anyway and stop whining about his offensive touches.

That said, Miami's best offense has been when Shaq has controlled the game and the flow of the offense goes through him. So, you have to wonder what is the lesson here?