Heat Got Issues

More like Unhappy New Year.

The Heat lost to the Bucks last night 103-98. A team that had 2 road wins comes into our house and beats us. Sure, we were shorthanded, but still, we got DWade.

Well, Flash wasn't enough. In fact, it looked like he was going to only play half a game last night, starting the first quarter with 4 points and 3 turnovers. He is just pressing too much and you can tell he doesn't quite trust this team right now.

For example, to close out the first half, Wade passed the ball twice to Ricky Davis who dropped the ball both times - on the same possession! Butterfingers Davis did come through with a great effort, except at that particular moment.

The Heat showed signs of their biggest problem that has plagued them all season - no defense. During the third quarter, the Bucks just kept rattling off points while the Heat couldn't find ways to stop them or score themselves.

The Heat had some bright spots - Quinn and Blount started and put in solid efforts to replace Williams and Shaq. Quinn, I have been saying all season long, needs to be the de facto starter for this squad since he is more of an offensive threat than Williams - I know, did I really just say that? But the numbers don't lie. Quinn doesn't turn the ball over and shoots efficiently with his timid offense, but his confidence is growing and he is taking the ball to the hole and getting scores.

Blount actually helped matters - he dominated the first quarter and was the reason why the Heat jumped out to an early lead and helped the Heat shoot over 50% in the first half. His energy and movement opened up the lane and his jumper helped spread the defense. Yet, he is hardly in position to get rebounds as a result - and he had three in the first quarter but then only 1 rebound the rest of the game. In order to meet that challenge, the Heat have to find someone to rebound at PF since Udonis has been exposed as a limited, although hard working, stiff.

The issues only start there though. Riley's obsession over Luke Jackson is understandable - the kid had a great game in college. Hell, I want him to succeed and was excited at the prospect of his signing. But Kapono he is not, and although he can drive the ball he really shouldn't. His floater in the lane last night looked terrible and he looks like a JV kid trying to play with teh varsity.

What is more puzzling is why Riley won't just get over himself and trust Cook. The kid is an offensive weapon - he can light it up in a hurry. Like he did last night and helped save this anemic offense. If Riley gave the kid 25+ minutes a night, Cook might consistently score 15+ points - and help spread the floor with his shot in the process. But Riley is too smart for that.

Then there is Whaq, Shaq's alter ego/evil twin. Whaq showed up this season to pretend to be Shaq - he plants in the lane, doesn't move on offense, doesn't box out, doesn't play defense. He whines after losses and points the finger, grumbles about the team and its performance - yet never offers to take the team on his back and lead by example. Whaq, of course, doesn't sit with his teammates when he is injured, too. Calling into question just how injured he is and just how much does he really want to win.

As far as I am concerned, Whaq can stay injured. Whenever Shaq returns, who knows if he does, he can come back. Until then, keep the imposter off the floor and even off the bench for all I care.

Riley seemed to address this though, too. He seems to note that players are quitting on this team because of the losses. He wants the players to commit to the future - yet several don't have much future beyond this season: Jason Williams and Ricky Davis, for example. Davis, however, is out there playing and trying. Williams pouts about possibly being traded, and all of a sudden his knees are creaking up again. Riley was a fool, a commendable one though, for gambling the Heat's season on Jason Williams' knees. Jwill should at least take note of that and attempt to repay Riley's faith.

So the Heat have all kinds of issues - lack of trust in teammates, lack of a consistent effort, no leadership, and no vision of the future. This season, as promising as we all thought it to be, is not turning into utter blackness. A trade might not be enough to save this team - but it did work in '96. Then again, playing for the lottery is not a good idea as the Heat, even with a horrible record, are not likely to get one of the top 2 picks in the draft. Look at Boston last season. David Stern would never give Riley that kind of luck.