Is the dream becoming real?

Several years ago, Pat Riley was welcomed here in South Florida among the pomp and circumstance that a befits an NBA coach. Well, one that is a high-profile, Armani suit-wearing, motivational speaker such as Riley. And during his address to the crowd, he proclaimed his dream: a parade for a world champion Miami Heat team running throughout downtown Miami while the ticker tapes fell from the sky in celebration.

Thunder Dan rained threes. Keith Askins played tough defense off the bench. Alonzo Mourning's intensity ignited the crowd and powered the team to win after win. But all came and went. Even Timmy Hardaway's heart wasnt enough to loft the trophy out of Riley's mind.

But he we are again. After a terrific young team climbed its way out of the cellar to the playoffs taking on the world as it went. After the promise of that season, another was made and wrapped in sacrifice. He we are again, on the verge of realizing Riley's dream. The architect, in order to realize his dream, had to make a deal that he couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams.

Armed with Diesel Power in Shaq and a top-flight talent in Dwyane Wade, this new Heat team has the look, the feel of a champion. And they are only getting better. Ask journey man Damon Jones. Or ask Christian Laettner, a former college great that hasnt had the chance to shine - until now. Or ask Eddie Jones - the much maligned team captain that has only begun to rediscover his game while the Heat have discovered winning.

This Heat team plays poised. Never panics. And the media is starting to notice. Mark Jackson made his proclamation in support of the Heat on ESPN. Others are falling in line. But is the dream becoming real? Does this Heat team - with its mix of young talent and heady veterans - have the ability to win it all? Can this be the team Riley dreamed of?

Let's find out...

Perimeter Play Plagues Heat

Wesley Person got the start last night against the Raptors. Butler, who has been terrible of late, got bumped to the bench. It isn't a shock that a change came, just that it came packaged as it did.

The basic debate, at least among the Heat intelligentsia, is why Butler and not Eddie Jones? Butler has a 35.5% while EJ is shooting 34.7% right now. Maybe, we should start calling him Eddie Ones. So, why, coach, Butler instead of EJ?

Here is what Van Gundy said in an article found in the Sun-Sentinel:

"I think two things sort of led to the decision," the Heat coach said. "No. 1, I'm hoping at some level it will help Rasual. I think he's been pressing a little bit. I think we need contributions from him. And the second thing is trying to sort of balance shooting and offensive stuff with defense. Our two best shooters have been Damon and Wes. So you've got one of them in the lineup and one off the bench. And our two best perimeter defenders have been Eddie and Shandon, so you've got one of 'em in the lineup and one of them off the bench."

"The difference there is that Eddie has been, in my opinion, our best perimeter defender," Van Gundy said. "I have a comfort level with him that gives him a little bit longer rope in terms of lack of offensive production."

So, it seems EJ has more 'cred' with the coach at this point. That is fair. We all know EJ is more of a proven commodity than Butler is. At least at this point. Person is a vet, too, and it confirms what we can suspect about Van Gundy - he is looking for some sign of consistency.

It seems though that some of the best play is also coming from a source not familiar to the Heat - Keyon Dooling. He has been putting together some defensive highlights as well as maximizing the minutes he plays. He is pressing for more minutes with every outing.

This begs the question, what is going to happen? Something has to give. The Heat needs a third scoring option. Eddie Jones is there most marketable commodity to net a player of worth in return. But his contract is big and he is struggling right now with his offense. If he wasnt, the Heat would not be in the perdicament they are currently in. And that is the conundrum.

So, with EJ, Butler, Person, Damon Jones, Keyon Dooling, the Heat has to be able to extrapolate some kind of rotation where they can get consistency from their perimeter play. How that happens, is anyone's guess at this point.

This is Dwyane Wade's Team

We saw it again last night - Dwyane Wade hits another game winning shot. And his superstar status grows a little more.

People can talk all they want about Shaq, but the Big Hamstring has not been himself to this point. Sure, he has played admirably, learning a new system and settling in with new teammates, but he has not been the Big Dominator that we expected. Not yet.

Until then, this is Wade's team. Shaq certainly can't deny that - since his view was the same as pretty much everyone else's at the AAA last night. From his seat. The refs made sure of that.

But Wade has the confidence rare in players at this level. Not just confidence, but a different kind of confidence. Some call it 'it'. It seems he may have 'it'. Is it a coincedence that he hails from the same city Jordan had served his professional career in? (And no, the Wizard years do not count!)

Wade had 39 points last night on 12-22 shooting. But four of those points were clutch. He killed the Jazz's chances twice last night - by hitting two free throws awarded by the refs on a touch foul from Kirilenko and by rolling the ball around the rim at the end of the first OT. That last shot was almost indicative of the Heat's game last night - nothing would fall in and you would almost have to will it in to get it to go. Wade willed it in not allowing his team, despite its' poor shooting performance from the line and being outrebounded, to lose. Dwyane Wade took over this team for good. And it doesnt look like he is giving it back anytime soon.

Heat need to get defensive

You can hear it. It is a faint whisper, but a growing noise nonetheless. With every roar of the crowd and every squeak of sneaker rubbing hardwood floor, it gets louder. That is the sound of the Heat's championship dreams becoming a reality.

But the dream has been taking a hit over these past 4 games. A blowout loss to Dallas. A close loss to San Antonio. A miracle win over Milwaukee. Another loss to Minnesota.

Each of the losses had featured some great individual performances - Nowitzki's 41 point outburst. KG's 25pts, 21 boards, and 8 assists tonight. Damn near "messed around and got a triple-double".

The losses are not that troubling though, as the Heat sports a 5-3 record and is among one of the top 5 scoring teams in the league up to tonight's game. But it is the defense that is noticeable - or lack thereof.

Defense is effort based. It is coachable. The Heat have the players with the desire and ability to play great team defense. Riley preaches it. Van Gundy will shout it from the pulpit. But it will not be until Shaq gets the hang of defending the pick and roll that this team will start to make strides. Not until the Heat stop double-teaming the forward on the perimeter and leaving the 3 point assasin time to get his feet square and leave him wide open. Not until the Heat find an answer to stop perimeter scorers from slashing to the basket and drawing fouls.

The finger has to be pointed somewhere. It just cant be fixed off in the distance towards the championship path. And if you focus on the finger, you lose seeing the way. So the Heat have to look a little closer to home, and focus on what it takes to march down that path. Triumphantly. That will begin with better defense.

And it will really begin with great defense.

The Heat is On

Here we go - another NBA season in South Florida. But this one is far different than any other that has come before. Far different than pretty much any other pro sports season in South Florida history. The closest thing in recent memory being the debut of Ricky Williams in a Dolphins jersey. Tonight, we get something bigger, greater, and not as likely to disappear under a cloud of smoke. Tonight, we get Shaq in Blaq - or at least home whites for now.

Of course the debut is suffering from too much hype and not enough substance. Being of course that Shaq even plays tonight. Otherwise, it could be the Zo-less Nets versus the Shaqled Heat. Reports are that Shaq will play in some capacity, but his sore hammy has kept him out of full-court practice and drills since last Wednesday. So, who knows how he will fare tonight when he does play.

But you can be assured of this. The Heat will win. They will win and they will win big. Shaq gurantees it. And you can also bet on Shaq not playing every game this year. The fact remains though, that when he does play this team is instantly elite. All the Heat need to do is get to the playoffs with a healthy Shaq. Once there, let the Big Daddy take over and ride him all the way. Kobe is going to find out just how much he did that. Heat fans will, too. But all of us are in for a Big Treat this year.

So, come tipoff, mark where you are - for this is an historical moment. The Heat begin their biggest season ever as a franchise and also mark South Florida's seemingly impossible transition from football town to basketball hot bed. Ok, maybe that last part is a little too far fetched.