Dorell Wright: Next Generation Power Forward?

Five straight games with double digit scoring.

Five straight games with 30 minutes or more.

Four of those five straight games he is shooting over 50%.

Sporting his baby mohawk, looking more like a dorsal fin, Dorell Wright is averaging 16 points and 8.3 rebounds on 53% shooting and 100% FTs. He is even 3/4 from three point range over his last two games - which coincides with the arrival of Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

There is no doubt that Dorell Wright's game is expanding. He has a solid handle, he can pass the ball and he is starting to develop a more consistent outside shot. If he can add a three point shot to his arsenal, he might be the most dynamic Heat player since Lamar Odom.

What is interesting to note is how the trade seems to be affecting Wright. One would think that Shawn Marion's arrival would dry up his playing time but instead it has helped to expand it. Some of that has to do with Udonis Haslem being injured, but also because of the injury Miami might actually start thinking about going and doing something more unconventional - and maybe moving Dorell Wright over to power forward.

Wright has been spending time on the floor with Marion and the Heat have been going with Mark Blount at center. Some would contend that Wright is not big enough to play power forward but he is 6'9" and 210lbs while Udonis Haslem is 6'8" and 235lbs. Udonis used to have a weight problem, Dorell Wright is the opposite. Very straw like.

Yet look at a guy like Chris Bosh. He is 6'10" 230 lbs and although only a year older, is putting up pretty good numbers. Dorell Wright is still growing. He shot up a few inches this past year and is still growing into his body - he hasn't reached his full adult growth potential yet. I know, sounds kind of weird, but at 22 the kid is still growing - like his game.

Wright has the wingspan to matchup with players taller than himself, but he also has the athleticism to chase after players much smaller too. He can also handle the ball a bit and Riley has toyed with the idea of using him as a point guard at times in the past. More importantly, Wright seems to be benefiting from playing with Marion and the offense is more suitable now to his style of game and development. When Haslem comes back, which may not be until well after the all star break, there may be a bit of a squeeze for playing time for Wright, but Riley could also deal Haslem. That, of course, would be an indication of the way Riley envisions things from now on.

But let's get back to the idea of Wright at power forward. Currently, he is playing small forward while Marion is at power forward but what difference would it make when Haslem returns? Wright could still slide in at either position to keep getting him playing time. The other thing to consider is, the Heat are high on Alexander Johnson and he could be used as a conventional power forward if the Heat actually did deal Haslem.

What makes the Heat really roll the dice and give them increased flexibility will be determined by Riley's daring in conceiving Wright at PF. If he can do that, then maybe the Heat will not only score more cap space, but they might even be able to increase depth in an area of need they desperately need it - point guard.

Essential Reading:

Wright Finally Settles In

Shawn Marion Promises Bright Future

Ray Bans? Panama Jacks? Blu Blockers?

Look, the future is so bright, I just might grab me a pair. Kim Jong Il has some, much be watching Heat games.

Why has the Heat's future been resurrected from one of a dilapidating old sorry site to a sleek, new, hip one? They traded Shaq away and got Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. And so far, it has paid immediate dividends.

Banks has already started to turn things. He called the Heat slow. Old man Heat need to get young buck quick and they are doing so by getting rid of the old diesel engine for a high-octane variety.

"It feels like we're pacing ourselves for something," Banks said. "If we get out there and just lay it on the line, we can shock a couple of teams and get a different outcome."

But Banks isn't the only one feeling prophetic these days. Shawn Marion believes in the future of this team too.



You heard the man. "I'm happy to be a part of this Heat organization and we're trying to build for the future." We all are.

The Heat got back not only an legit all star at a position they were iffy on, small forward, but they also added a potential starter for another position they are desperately thin at - point guard. Both Marion and Banks will take what they learned in Phoenix and help the Heat overhaul their offense and tweak it up to a faster paced model. The fans here in Miami are talking about it more, and seem to be rejuvenated.

Tonight is just another point in case. The Heat lost, sure, 114-113. But it was to the Denver Nuggets who had to rely on a career night from JR Smith to survive. Smith's 8 three pointers propelled him to 28 points on the night, with which the Heat may have won this game and may have done so convincingly.

Shawn Marion did poor in another productive night with 23 points and 18 rebounds. Dwyane Wade, all of a sudden, is looking more like the play maker he was in the 2006 playoffs - having 10 assists and only 2 turnovers.

Not to mention the Heat, averaging around 77 shots a game, put up 100 shots tonight.

In fact, after a dunk from Marion, who was on the receiving end of a bounce pass from Marcus Banks, took a 42-28 lead at home against the Nuggets.

Overall, the team is performing better. Blount had 18 points, Wright dropped 19 and is showing himself to be not just an athlete that can score, but that can contribute with rebounds (8) and in other ways (4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block).

Remember, Udonis Haslem and Alonzo Mourning are currently injured and in street clothes. They were both at the game cheering on the team and getting very excited. Could this mean Zo might lean towards returning? Regardless, the excitement was visible and could be a barometer of what is going on within the organization.

This team may or may not win a lot of games to close out the year, but the future is actually going to be brighter as a result. They not only will have salary cap space to play around with (expect another trade before the deadline so the Heat can get a player they want without having to play the numbers game - possibly Mike Miller) but with their continued losing efforts they are actually stepping closer to getting one of the top picks in this year's draft.

So Enter the Matrix and watch as the Heat, with their true architect Pat Riley, turn this thing around very quickly.

Finally, a Win

And it is over, folks.

Ding dong the streak is dead. And so is the Heat's attempt at making history in its 20th season as an NBA franchise - which would have been bad history, of course. In it's inaugural season, the Heat had started their NBA lives with a 17 game losing streak. Just ask Ron Rothstein, he could tell you all about it.

Not sure he wanted to revisit that memory. And now, he won't have to relive it again as a coach for the Heat.

With a close win over the bruised and tattered Indiana Pacers, who were without Jamal Tinsley and Jermaine O'neal, the Heat ended their 15 game losing streak by erasing 11 point deficits and overcoming their own inability to consistently defend.

Can't say there wasn't any scares.

There were moments were the Heat looked like the old, championship Heat. Jason Williams had a couple of steals - a career high 6 in the game - and was able to toss a few exciting ally's to players for emphatic dunks. Dwyane Wade zipped down the middle of the paint for one of his signature exclamation mark dunks.

Everyone was getting into it and the Heat made plays to end the game rather than to end the game.

Dorell Wright acted like it was the final game of the 2005-2006 season:

"To tell you the truth, it felt like we really won the championship again,'' Wright said. "It's been a long time. It was a good feeling, and I'm happy it's over.''

He even launched the final rebound into the air a la Wade from the championship series against Dallas.

Relief? Yeah, you could say that. It might even pave the way for a new streak to begin. But don't bother the '72 Dolphins, they are a little preoccupied with something else right now. They have someone moving into their "neighborhood".

Pookie Not Enough

There is no reason why Wade should be in Barkley's fave five these days (thanks, TMobile, I expect that credit on my cell phone bill!) and certainly not with the way the Heat are playing. The Jordan comparisons, for now, can stop. Wade is not the one man wrecking crew he turned out to be in '05-'06. He isn't healthy and the only man to not realize this is Riley himself.

"I'm sick and tired of being asked if we have any other offensive options other than Dwyane (Wade)," the author of the book "The Winner Within" said Saturday night. "I say, "No, we don't.'"

Sure you do, Pat. You just choose not to see it.

And no, I don't mean Whaq, the 20M blackhole. Might as well be a statue of Shaq that we purchased because the real Diesel hasn't been around since after we won that championship. And even then there were weak parts to his diminishing game.

No, I am talking about Daequan Cook, Dorell Wright, and even Alexander Johnson. I am also talking about Mark Blount - yes, Mark Blount - and Earl Barron.

I am certainly not talking about Ricky Davis who all of a sudden has lost his shot. Maybe he should start yelling "fore" when shooting. Not "nachoooooo" like Gilbert "Crazy Eyes" Arenas does. Heck, at least people would be warned and there would be less injury to the spectators.

Cook, however, has shown flashes of being a star in this league. Curiously, everyone except Riley sees it. I mean, I know you drafted Jason Smith, but you did trade for Cook for a reason. You had a thought in there that was correct - get me more offense. Cook's brash young attitude may not mesh with Riley, but Smush he certainly is not. Whom we could use, by the way, but Riley doesn't believe in cornrows. The exception being Udonis and Ricky Davis - whom he had traded a few years back for precisely the same stupid rationale.

Look, I love Riley. The man is a great coach and a great tactician but frankly, when you are only focusing on one player and neglecting to explore other options simply because they are young is just plain dumb. Sun Tzu wouldn't do that. Nor would anyone else - especially the man who built the team. Might as well not sign anyone this past offseason and rolled with 8 players.

When the Heat actually played well during this 13 game losing streak, it was without its two best players - Whaq and DWade. And it was on the road against the Mavericks.

Why? The Heat played as a team and Riley coached a TEAM and not a player surrounded by supporting cast. This isn't a stiff action film where the cast is cardboard and formulaic just to support the notion of a script. This is a film that requires a bit more from its supporting cast and a bit less from its star lead. If Riley only let the team play and shifted his focus off of Wade so much it would achieve two things:

1) A team concept
2) Allow Wade to put out less effort, gain his health back and work within a team concept

In other words, Riley would have to coach and just possibly, this team might start winning again. Pookie ain't enough. Whaq's return certainly isn't going to help our defense and will in all likelihood clog up the lane as a statue with one arm frozen in the air calling for the ball.

Pookie ain't enough. And if Riley is sick enough of saying that, maybe he could go for the obvious and start playing his younger players and let them develop. Heck, this is all about next year.

Training Camp 2007: It All Starts Here

The offseason hasn't been kind to the Miami Heat - in fact, it seems like they put the "off" in offseason.

From the misses on Mo Williams, Mickael Pietrus, Juan Carlos Navarro - even Charlie Bell - Miami was unable to add a marquee name to its roster. Heck, even a somewhat vague name would have helped.

There is hope though. After years of stacking up with veteran help signing to the bare minimum, Riley FINALLY shifted gears a bit and stocked up on young talent - signing them to the bare minimum.

There is a noted difference in camp with the younger crowd. The team seems a bit more hungry and energetic - things they definitely were not last season.

The buzz? Keep an eye on Jeremy Richardson. We have been pretty high on this guy's athletic ability and his skills offensively. He was kind of labeled a project with some upside, but he has matured physically and with the Heat's system, they may be able to fine tune him enough to get into the rotation. Riley has commented that Richardson reminds him of a young Glen Rice, which would obviously be a good thing for the Heat since they will need to find an offensive shooting presence off the bench to replace Jason Kapono.

Another young guy to keep an eye on is Alexander Johnson. If he can show his promise and deliver consistent performances, he could squeeze into the backup PF role that was envisioned for Wayne Simien. Johnson, however, has more skill, more size, more explosiveness. If both he and Richardson can show they belong, the role for Antoine Walker, the Heat's most controversial and most inefficient player, becomes diminished.

At point guard there seems to be some excitement over Jason Williams' quickness returning. He has said that he feels the best he has in about 5 years, and that his lateral quickness is back and he can actually penetrate into the paint. Everyone has been raving about J-Dub's ability to pass the ball and how his energy level is up. Shedding 15 pounds and resting some surgically repaired knees will help.

Which brings us to Williams' backup, Smush Parker. It seems an ankle injury that never healed is bugging him, keeping him limited in practice for now. Rest assured, that the Heat have a capable backup PG that could keep pushing the tempo once Williams' is resting on the bench. Riley, of course, realizes he cannot push Jason Williams as much, but if healthy, it would be more prudent to keep him minutes limited so he can endure the regular season for the post season.

Yet, if Parker is not able to practice, there is an interesting battle for the 3rd spot heating up between Chris Quinn and Brian Chase. Chase was recently signed by the Heat after Shaq recommended him to Riley. The ex Utah Jazz point guard displays great quickness and agility and proves to be a tough defensive assignment at only 5'9". He is also pushing pressure on Chris Quinn to make the final roster.

As for other tidbits from the start of camp, there is Penny Hardaway's future with the Heat, which seems to be that of veteran presence off the bench much like Shandon Anderson was or even Eddie Jones was of last season. Also, Daequan Cook continues to show promise - the good news is he is playing with confidence and he is in shape. If he can continue to develop his game, he might get some solid minutes in the regular season.

And then there is the biggest question mark of all, Dorell Wright. If he can finally live up to the promise of being the Heat's only high school draft pick ever, it would be a boon for the Heat. He has grown, he has filled out some, and he seems to be taking a much more mature and professional approach this summer as he takes on probably his more pivotal point of his career. If he can show defensive skill while at the same time controlling the ball and hitting his jumper consistently, Riley may have found his starting small forward. If not, the Heat may be pressed to make a move.

All's Quiet on the Offseason Front

We shouldn't mistake the relative quiet from the Heat for inactivity. Rest assured that options are being explored but don't bet on anything happening at this point.

I know we all but gave Mickael Pietrus a Heat jersey, but it is looking like the Heat are retracting their interest. Maybe it is a ploy to drive up Dorell Wright's value - or maybe they really are that interested in Wright after all. One thing is for certain, Riley needs to play him and give him a shot and the only thing that seemed to keep him shackled on the bench was his inconsistent shot. Statistically, you might be surprised to learn that Wright fared pretty well against his peers at his position. He demonstrated himself to be fairly efficient, but he excelled at rebounding and that is something the Heat need more of, especially on the offensive side.

That and the fact that the Heat "leaked" information that Wright is now being listed at 6'10" make him an even more intriguing prospect that even last season. Perhaps some time at PF in addition to SF? We'll see. But it is also one of the reasons why Riley is going to stand "pat" with the roster at this point.

Also, there is the Penny factor. He has been getting rave reviews from other players who have seen him in private workouts, and also he has been doing a pretty good job working with some of the young players like Daequan Cook and Jeremy Richardson - a sleeper at the SF spot that might even get some significant PT if he makes this team.

So, although the Heat haven't made that big splash, and it is uncertain if they will or not, there is reason for hope here as some of the key young players have room for growth and with Kapono and Posey almost entirely out of the way, there is certainly an X factor that could see the Heat's identity change and grow. That is, if Riley is open to it. Which may be illustrated by a trade - if he makes one, he needs to make it. If not, he might be satisfied with his talent already.

Hardaway Signing Shows Riley to Be Cheap and Lazy

Riley the GM has failed to give Riley the coach any assets to do battle with this season. At least, any significant upgrades for this upcoming season - but it really wasn't Riley the GM's fault, his hands were tied by his penny-pinching owner.

So much so that everyone is trying to figure out how much a penny is worth because the Heat just picked up a Penny.

The Hardaway signing is validation of the Heat's modus operandi - that they will rely on Riley's old, tired, and stubborn method of coaching as well as continue to waist the resource they have in Shaq and even in DWade. Instead of unleashing hell this offseason, the Heat pinned it up and went home before everyone started unfurling their tents.

If the Heat were just cheap, that would be one thing. There are other, better options on the table still: Ruben Patterson, Jumaine Jones, Dahntay Jones, Jalen Rose, Ime Udoka, James Singleton, James White even Josh Powell. All have been active NBA players over the last two seasons - which is something that cannot be said for Penny. But the Heat are lazy, too and it is evident because of this fact - there are better options available but the Heat just went for the retread, the known name.

Make no mistake, Penny will be used much more heavily than perhaps he should be. It isn't about his age or about how he torched NBA camp veteran Ron Hale, it is about Riley's mind being stuck somewhat around 1998. I mean really, why let Eddie Jones go if you were just going to sign a guy in the same age bracket with a similar skill set but is not really as good of a defender?

What this means is now Daequan Cook and Dorell Wright will not get off the bench a whole lot and that this move only retards their growth. If Riley the coach didn't want these talents on his team, he should have had a conversation with Riley the GM. I mean, they have the same agent at least, right? Penny Hardaway, who looks nothing like his puppet I might add, is going to have to fight for his spot in the rotation but he will have less to prove since he is more of a known quantity to Riley.

Yet, does this really improve the Heat? Smush Parker is an upgrade over Payton since he is young, has a pulse, and can tie his own shoes. Payton only had two out of three of those qualities. But Penny, who is he replacing?

If he is replacing Eddie Jones, then fine. But if he is replacing James Posey, we are in a world of sh*%. As nice as a story as Penny Hardaway could be, he is far from proven at this point and is only cashing in on his past accomplishments.

This Heat team needed less history and more ceiling. Riley, as the coach, is not interested in ceiling and growth but instead in what he can grasp and quantify as proof. Penny's past, for Riley, demonstrates what he can do - even if it data about 10 years outdated.

There are better options for Miami - even a potential Mickael Pietrus deal which would have made a huge splash and turned around the Heat's dreadful offseason - but Riley has been unable to pull the trigger. Again, I hope it is due to the other team's demands and not to Riley's lack of vision. I sincerely hope this is not a point in which Riley shows himself an outdated dinosaur incapable of growth himself.

But in signing Penny Hardaway, it only shows the Heat to be cheap, lazy and unimaginative.

Wade Defends Heat's Offseason: Welcome to Plan B

Wade's defense of the Heat's offseason was unnecessary. We all know that the Heat had limited financial tools to get anything done this offseason - in fact, that is kind of the point.

The Heat are limited in that they can only use their MLE, bi-annual exception and a veteran minimum exception to entice anyone to play in Miami (again, why MLB has it right - they don't handcuff teams willing to spend to win). But the Heat are being cheap because Mickey Arison, only worth a few billion himself, doesn't want to pay the luxury tax for players he adds to this team.

Hey Mickey, you only get one shot at this. You have Shaq on your roster, arguably one of the greatest forces that ever played in the NBA. And you want to limit your chances at turning your franchise from an average one into one of the premier franchises in the NBA because of a few million dollars?

It's like Michelangelo turning down the Sistine Chapel because he didn't want to lay on his back while painting.

Sometimes to do something monumental you have to commit to it just a little more than everyone else. After all, that is how it becomes a great achievement.

And here stands one of the best young talents in the NBA, with truly a shot at being one of the all time greats, Dwyane Wade, and he is talking about how the Heat tried but couldn't get the talent they needed. Isn't that ironic?

Pat Riley, as usual, disappears when something like this goes down. He wants to wash his hands of it and not get involved. Yet if something positive happens, he's right there to take his lion's share of the credit.

Sure, the Heat tried, but in truth they didn't really try. They didn't want to overpay - like they did with Anthony Carter, Eddie Jones, Brian Grant. They wanted to prove themselves shrewd and smart and savy, stating that they knew the market and what they needed.

Then they should have just stated up front that they were targeting Smush Parker and that is it. Because they proved themselves to be damning to their own cause: like pumping up Mo Williams' value by bringing him in for a recruiting trip. If not for that, the Heat may have landed Williams at a steal.

The Heat had an option to add one of the best talents in Europe with Barcelona PG Juan Carlos Navarro, but the Wizards were asking too much. The Heat chose not to up their offer from a draft pick and thus the Grizzlies nabbed him - for their draft pick.

So what does this mean? That Miami is still a good destination for NBA players, just they don't have the money to spend. But Riley has to realize that because of this limitation, he cannot bail himself out with a big ticketed acquisition. This calls for Plan B or "Riley Has to Coach the Damned Thing".

Dwyane Wade addressed the media from his basketball camp in Davie, and defended the Heat's offseason by stating that they just didn't have the financial space available to make a move. Yet, he also pushed Dorell Wright out there when he said it could present an opportunity for him to play.

And Wade's right. But Riley has to show he can grow as a coach and not be stubborn about playing a talent like Wright, who simply needs experience and a chance to utilize his skills; he certainly will get the chance in training camp.

Because of the Heat's limited financial situation, Riley is going to have to do his best job as a coach since as a GM he couldn't help much. Yet, this season will call for a challenge to Riley's definition of himself as a coach - he will have to be more flexible in who he is willing to play.

Since the Heat could not go out and get a big ticket item, they are going to have to turn to developing players like Wright, Jeremy Richardson, Trey Johnson, Daequan Cook and even Smush Parker to round out their roster.

Could the Heat Trade for Jermaine O'neal?

Apparently, Jermaine O'neal wants out of Indy and a trip to LA. That's nice. But since we are speculating here, why not see if Miami could be a suitable option for the other O'neal?

The rumor is that the Lakers have been pushing for JLo, as I like to call him due to his incessant on-court whining, but have been only offering Andrew Bynum and Kwame Brown as integral parts of the deal. The Pacers want Odom, but the Lakers want to keep Lamar to integrate further into their triangle which is the crux of Phil Jackson's "genius" label, eventhough it comes from Tex Winters.

Can the Heat trump that deal? Possibly.

Jermaine O'neal is scheduled to make 19.7M, 21.3M and 22.9M over the next three years. That is pretty sizeable.

The Heat could counter with Jason Williams (8.9M) and Antoine Walker (8.5M) for a total of 17.4M.

This leaves the Heat about 2.3M short in the financial aspect of the deal. So, throw in Udonis Haslem (6.0M) and the Heat are roughly up 3.7M. The Pacers could counter with Jamaal Tinsley, who makes 6.3M this upcoming season: Heat would be -2.6M.

Now the Heat could counter with offering Dorell Wright (1.7M) or they could take one of the aforementioned players off the board (Udonis Haslem, or even Jason Williams or Antoine Walker) and instead use James Posey as a sign-and-trade to make the numbers stick.

The question remains, is this a more attractive offer for the Pacers than Bynum and Brown? It could be because they would be getting O'neal's contract off the books and getting solid value in return. Jason Williams would come off their books and free the Pacers up to spend roughly 8M more next season. They could also get Walker off the books via a buyout or ride it out one more season and get him off the books in 2008-2009. The Pacers would also get rid of Jamaal Tinsley's risky contract - he has 4 more years left (6.3M, 6.7M, 7.2M, and 7.5M) and with injury concerns.

For the Heat, it would be an interesting move that would generate some more buzz to counter the Boston trade for Kevin Garnett. The Heat would gain that legit third star they need to take pressure off of Shaq and Dwade and it might be enough to vault them back into championship contention immediately. The Heat would also gain a floor leader whose skill set would complement Wade and Shaq's much better - a strong defender who can handle the ball and move the offense. With Jermaine O'neal, the Heat wouldn't require Tinsley to score but he could stick the open shot when needed.

Ultimately, the Heat would give up:
Jason Williams
Antoine Walker
Udonis Haslem
Dorell Wright
and/or James Posey

and recieve from the Pacers in return:
Jermaine O'neal
Jamaal Tinsley

Of course, that is 4 or possibly 3 players that the Pacers would recieve in exchange for two and roster moves would have to be made to make room.

The real question is, why couldn't the Heat get involved in trade talks with the Pacers? Couldn't they offer just as much if not more than the Lakers? Would they be willing to do so? Would it cost the Heat too much down the road? The answer to that last question is not really. Sure, they would have three players with around a combined 55M payroll, but the contracts would last until Shaq's final season 2009-2010. Both O'neals would come off the books and Wade would have a player option in place should he choose to invoke it.

It's too much of a risk to not try and make that move. Especially as how much better the East has gotten this past offseason.

Free Agent Watch: Best Options for Miami Heat

With all the talk about landing big name free agents circulating in relation to the Miami Heat, I wanted to take a second and remind everyone that the likelihood of it happening is very very small.

The Heat have virtually no wiggle room due to big ticket items like Dwyane Wade (12.5M) and Shaq (20M) and are forced into finding more cost effective alternatives due to their financial constraints.

The Heat have a payroll for the upcoming season that is estimated to cost $64M for 9 players - the most attractive assets are Jason Williams and his 8.9M expiring deal and possibly James Posey's sign-and-trade potential as the Heat can offer him a better deal than his new team could and there is expected to be competition for his services. The Heat, realistically, cannot match offers from other teams to keep Posey (yet, as this article will show they really shouldn't anyway).

The rest:

Antoine Walker has 2 years at 8.5M with a team option in 2009-2010
Udonis Haslem has 3 more years at 6M rising to 7M in 2009-2010
Micheal Doleac is in his final year at 3.1M
Zo is in his final year at 2.7M but it is only speculated that he is returning
Dorell Wright is in his final year at 1.7M but Heat can match offers next season
Wayne Simien will make 997K with a team option for 1.8M next season

Now, owner Mickey Arison has stated he will pay luxury tax dollars for a player that is worth it - so that is the main reason for public speculation about the Heat acquiring another big name. Yet the reality is, there are teams with slightly more to offer and the chances for the Heat are not as good as some in the media might dare to portray.

Yet, there is plenty of hope left for the Heat to re-tool their lineup. In fact, the options that are out there can be much more enticing.

I am going to outline a couple of unrestricted free agent options that could immediately help this team get better and deepen its talent pool in the areas it needs help. What are those areas? Good question, and a great place to start.

Let's play GM:

Point Guard.

The Heat need point guard depth as Gary Payton is retiring (not official yet...but 99% chance he does not return with the Heat), Jason Williams has question marks over each knee and Chris Quinn is solid, but not proven enough to build with.

Options.

- Steve Blake. He is a hometown kid with a pass first mentality and his motor runs but never blows a gasket out there. He knows his limits and plays safe, smart basketball. He has pretty good handles, can penetrate and can stick the open three. Not going to offer too much defensively, but for the price would be a much more valuable alternative to Jason Williams. As such, would free up the Heat to deal Williams and his expiring contract.

- Jason Hart. Despite being 31, has a lot of minutes still in him, but just needs a place to play. A very good defender for his position, not a huge scorer but a solid passer and can shoot the open three - the only question is can he knock it down consistently? Can run an offense and do what is asked and for the price, could be another valuable alternative to Gary Payton - may only take the veteran minimum depending on the market.

- Brevin Knight. Probably the best defender at his position on the market, but concerns about his durability is what got him on the open market in the first place. Basically, he's fragile, but when he is healthy he is one of the better floor generals and playmakers at his position. Great assist man and offers low turnovers. Can't shoot to save his life, but can get to the rim and create. Not a scorer, but has his nights. Could be had for the veteran minimum and could start on the Heat because Wade will do most of the heavy lifting on offense and Knight could hold it down defensively.

- Jannero Pargo. Another rangy guard that has great quickness and athleticism, but needs a place to play. He can shoot the three and can run an offense; defensively he can get busy while bouncing in and out of lanes and has the physical tools to guard his man. May cost a little bit more because he has a perceived potential that could result in a higher ceiling of the guards available. Like Blake, may be looking for the entire MLE (mid-level exception worth about $5.6M).

Small Foward.

The Heat have another hole forming at small forward due to the free agent status of James Posey and the now-departed Jason Kapono. The Heat at least have Dorell Wright, a building piece in that spot, and can play Antoine Walker at the small forward position (where he started, incidentally, for the championship team in 2006) although it isn't recommended.

Options.

- Ime Udoka. Very good perimeter defender as well as solid shooter: he can hit the three, he can hit his free throws and he won't try to do too much on offense. An excellent candidate to replace James Posey and he will do so at a much cheaper price (made 744K last season). Starter caliber SF with excellent defense and spot up shooting as well as tough and physical and will battle for loose balls and rebounds. His age (turning 30) could price him down which makes him a bargain for the cash-strapped Heat. Only 3 years as a pro in the NBA which means, like Hart, has a lot of game left in his legs at this point.

- Jumaine Jones. Another tough perimeter defender that could lock down the SF position but has a little more experience scoring the ball with other teams. Actually younger than Udoka, but has more experience in the NBA. Just a very good and solid all around game, he also can replace Posey at a fraction of the cost - only made 744K last season as well.

- Devean George. This guy always seems like he has more potential, extremely gifted athlete and can defend at SF, PF and even SG. Has a nice shooting touch and can score the ball from time to time and will have his break out games as well. Has experience and has played with Shaq back in his Laker days. Might cost a bit more than Udoka and Jones, however, as he has had a more consistent NBA career. Opted out of a guaranteed $2M contract for next season, so not as much value especially considering his disappointing performance last season with the Mavs.

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Not only would these options answer questions for the Heat and address needs, they would also offer a strong package of complementary pieces that could build around Wade and Shaq for the next three years. Each player listed should be signed using the MLE and the only ones looking to use the entire MLE are Blake and possibly Pargo.

Signing these players also frees the Heat up to move other pieces and contracts that are on the books. For example, finding a replacement for Jason Williams allows the Heat to deal Williams; finding a replacement for James Posey allows the Heat to deal Pose. What this means is the Heat could sign-and-trade Posey, coupled with Williams' expiring contract, and get back a bigger piece to obtain that third scoring option they so badly need. This does not require the Heat to deal Udonis Haslem or Antoine Walker, which they also cold do provided they get back a PF in the deal to account for Haslem's loss - such a PF does not have to be an all-world talent, instead he just has to rebound and help spread the floor. It is debatable at this time if Simien could do this himself, although it remains a very good possibility.

The Heat don't have to rebuild, just reload. They can do this affordably given the options on the market but it would be advisable that they move quickly as teams are looking to make that quick deal in the beginning of the free agent period so that teams don't have a chance to sign-and-trade with their own free agents.

Dorrel Wright Should Start

This is a plea for sanity. Pat Riley, you paying attention?

Look, it isn't that I don't love what you have done with the place, but it is time to tweak things just a bit more. The funny thing is, you don't really have a choice.

Dwyane Wade is out. He will rehab and I sense he will only come back to the Heat if he thinks it is really worth it. Sounds like an audition? Well, it is.

Jason Kapono, in the midst of a huge slump, twists his ankle and is going to be out for the meantime. It might be 5 games, it might be more. Strangely, I don't feel that bad about it because it seems Wade made Kapono the player he is more so than Shaq was going to. Just look at Kapono's recent games: in his last 6 games, he has only scored double digits twice (17 against Cleveland, 24 against the Knicks). Before that, you would have to go back 1 month to catch a game where the Kap'n didn't drop double digits on a team.

So, here Riley sits behind his desk, the shades drawn close to keep the light from entering. Dark, dank, Riley, hands on his forehead supporting his head over his desk while he stares at his roster. Now what? Now who? What will work?

The Heat are 3.5 games in back of Washington for the division lead. The Heat are in sole possession of the 6th spot in the standings and only 7.5 in back of Detroit for the #1 spot. Things couldn't be better considering.

Yet, the Heat are going to have to rely on an older team to get them into the playoffs. Shaq, drawing rave reviews around the league, is the Shaq of old, and at 35 that seems like no minor accomplishment. Yet, let's not forget that the Diesel has only played in 19 games this season.

This is precisely the reason now is the right time for Dorell Wright. The Heat have a veteran heavy team, and although two of them -- Shaq and Eddie Jones -- have seen lighter action, the rest of them have not.

Dorell Wright is a better solution for a starter over Walker and Posey. Why? Well, Walker is just horribly inconsistent - some nights he's on, some nights he never gets out of his warmups. Or at least he shouldn't.

As for Posey, he is the energy guy in this lineup. He seems more comfortable coming off the bench and giving the Heat a boost when they need it. He is the Red Bull of this team, just pop him open and let him go.

Wright presents an interesting possibility to the Heat's starting lineup. For starters, he can play the 2 guard or small forward, but considering Riley is starting EJ for Wade, it seems Wright would be mostly at SF.

Wright has long arms, and can defend smaller or bigger players. He is an excellent rebounder - bringing a dimension that Kapono doesn't. He can also handle the ball and bring it up over the half court - if Riley wanted to cut JWill loose for a moment. Wright can score inside or outside - his shot is coming along and maturing. Plus, Wright has shown more poise on the court and understands what to do at certain times offensively.

If this kid is going to develop and be a part of this franchise, Riley has to let him go loose out there. Now is his chance. The crazy thing is, Riley doesn't have much choice.

To roll Walker out as the starting SF would be to kill the bench's potential for scoring - which has scored 30+ points in the last two contests. And with the premium on scoring with this team already, you might not want to mess with the rhythm.

Sure, Wright doesn't have the range that Kapono has or even Posey, but that isn't the thing the first unit needs as much. EJ is serving Shaq the ball in the post, which was helping keep team defenses honest from doubling Shaq. Yet, EJ's stroke isn't quite there yet, but he can make that three off of a Shaq re-post or kick -- Kapono wasn't being given that chance by Riley anyway. So, Wright would replace Kapono and that dynamic suffers nothing.

The other thing to consider is Wright can create with his dribble. If Shaq is having a hard time in the post, kick it out and around to Wright who could penetrate and create - something Payton is not having much success doing.

Wright adds another dimension of athleticism, of speed, heck, of youth to this team. If this team is going to get deeper into the playoffs, they might as well have everyone sharpened and ready to go.

It's the Wright time for Wright.