DLeaguers Auditioning Strong

In Kasib Powell and Stephane Lasme, the Heat have two strong defenders that can rebound and hustle. In Lasme, they also have one of the best shot blockers in UMass history - even more impressive considering that Marcus Camby is an alumnus.

The Heat aren't going anywhere these days, and with Jason Williams joining the MASH unit as recently as today, it just seems like this team is going to get younger and younger.

Consider it auditions for next season.

What Miami is doing is essentially this, looking for young players that can contribute next season. And they must be able to do so at a fraction of the cost. The Heat are shopping for value - after all they have Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion under contract eating up over $30 million of the $58M in salary cap.

What the Heat are finding out is that Riley hasn't lost his touch in unearthing solid, young contributing talent. Joel Anthony is showing that he can block shots like a Zo, but his game at center is more favorably compared to a Ben Wallace. He is a tenacious defender and his ability to help defend with his shot blocking will help shore up the Heat's perimeter defense as guards will be less apt to slash inside with "Doc" ready to serve them a block party.

In Lasme and Powell, both 10 day contracts, the Heat get two more strong perimeter defenders that could help shore up the defensive lapses as well as help the Heat rebound better.

The departed Bobby Jones was a nice fit for the Heat and should get a summer invite, but Miami may have wanted someone with a bit more athleticism and an ability to make game-altering plays on defense. Lasme had 3 blocks tonight and has 8 in three games with the Heat.

The auditions are starting to work out. It should be an interesting summer.

Devil May Care; Heat Don't

There is something very appalling about losing to a team by 20+ points. Then again, there is something even more sickening about losing to a team by 20+ points when you previously were beating them by 20+ points - in their own building.

And then, there is something just down-right disturbing about a team that goes through that, in the same game, and then doesn't seem to care about it.

Sure, Udonis Haslem, Shawn Marion, and others may care. But the rest of this team seems immune to it. Desensitized. Just another loss on the season - pile it on. Ho hum.

This might be the biggest challenge for Pat Riley to overcome as he pushes forward with the reclamation project.

Heat teams of the past had, what Riley refers to, as a culture of winning. Guys who knew how to win, expected to win, and would settle for nothing less than perfection. The biggest asset in this regard? Alonzo Mourning, who alone has exemplified the Riley era here in Miami. He was lost this season early on to knee injuries. Some suspected he was done, but in all honesty, because of the way he went out, he might actually want to come back.

Count that as a big blessing for Miami if he does. Because this team lacks a leader. Sure, Dwyane Wade is the star, the franchise. He has the commercials and the notability. And he no longer has to live under Shaq's shadow - which is quickly diminishing under the sun out in Phoenix. But Wade has to learn how to lead now. He has to go through the same maturation process most star players, on the verge of becoming great, must do. Kobe is showing you what that transition looks like on the other side coming out of the selfish, self-centered opposite end he once resided on. It split up Shaq and his tenure. Here in Miami, it is a much different circumstance.

Riley, as the architect, has to find a way to surround players that will compliment Wade's game. That process in underway. But another consideration must be to surround him with like-minded players; players who won't back away from a challenge but will fight and rise through it. Marion definitely is one. So is Haslem, although I still question his height. Who else on this roster would fit?

After this latest loss, it is disturbing to contemplate.

Yell at us.

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.

The Debut of Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks

Well, I missed the debut of the two new Heatsters, Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, on ABC today because I was at the game.



And hey, what can I say but WELCOME!

The way this Heat team is shaping up in the rebuild here is actually more exciting than any Heat team since...the 2003-2004 team.

Pat Riley has noted that he did coach a team, if anyone can recall, for 9 years that didn't grind it out from the halfcourt. They were known as the "Showtime" Lakers, and practically refined the run-and-gun offense to an art form. Some might say, it hasn't been duplicated since.

Well, Pat, you have a chance to revisit those days again. And it does start with Marion and Banks.

All Marion did in his debut was drop 15 on the Lakers on 6/13 shooting, grabbed 14 rebounds, had three blocks and 3 steals. Two of those 15 points came on this transaction from Dwyane Wade:



Notice the nice foul Kobe put on Wade. Wow, look at that, another high sticking from the poster child for passive aggressive NBA players.

But Marion provides that spring, that electricity that until now only Wade could provide. And what makes Marion such a God-send is that he can actually play defense, can help defend and - get THIS - can rebound! When was the last time Shaq had 14 rebounds? Heck, when was the last time he had three blocks? How about putting those numbers together in a game!

Now, the Heat will miss Shaq's interior presence on the offensive side of the ball, but considering that this team does not have shooters (yet, I still contend that Cook will be an assassin from outside...), adding Marion's unorthodox shot and defense will help in two areas of weakness for Miami.

Even more interesting is to watch Dorell Wright. He seemed to be playing more power forward today, and really pushing the matchup in the Heat's favor. His length and ability to move with the ball in his hands are tangible assets, but his money will be made once he can figure out how to consistently stick that outside jumper and get a little more physical defensively. He is progressing and watching him today work with Marion and Wade can make for a potentially exciting game to watch.

The defense has gotten so bad in Miami over the course of this season, that when the PA yells for the fans to scream DE-FENSE, even the fans have forgotten how. Today, however, against a tough Lakers team, the Heat did not looked outmatched on either end of the floor. Well, except for forgetting about Sasha Vujacic. Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks both looked comfortable pushing the offense into a higher gear and playing strong, man defense.

Banks, by the way, had 7 points on 3/6 shooting and 4 assists in 14 minutes. I expect we'll see those minutes increase as he gains familiarity with Riley's (new?) system. Banks' long arms, by the way, give him more upside defensively as he is strong enough to guard taller players on the wings as well.

The Heat looked better today and seemed to have fresh legs. I still don't know why Riley is averse to playing Cook, Daequan cannot be any worse than Ricky Davis and in playing him now, he gets valuable experience.

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".

15 Straight Losses

Nothing could be more illustrative of the Heat's season than tonight's loss.

The thing lost in this losing streak is that for the most part, the Heat have been competitive and in every game. Sure, there were a few blowouts, but for a team battling with injuries and just an overall bad fit of personnel, this team has not backed down and has not quit.

Losing to the Spurs tonight 90-89, the Heat grabbed another loss. Sure, it is 15 straight now (not including that Atlanta loss?) but the numbers really don't matter in a season that is just looking to end. Yet, this loss tonight was a perfect illustration of the Heat's season.

There was a moment during the game where everything was going Miami's way. They were shooting the ball very well (in the 50% range) and were playing defense (no, really - they were!). Yet it all slipped away in the end: Udonis Haslem and Dorell Wright, battling for a rebound, accidentally tipped the ball into their own basket. Bruce Bowen, who had shot the ball, missed but got credit for the "made" shot. The sad thing is, there was virtually no Spur around to challenge for the rebound.

It just slipped out of the Heat's hands. And that was the difference in the game.

Of course, there is also the snapshot of Wade, at the end of the game, losing the ball as it was stripped from him by Bruce Bowen who gambled and poked the ball away.

Or there was the Heat missing almost half of their free throws (they shot .569 13-23).

Or the calls Ginobili was getting while seemingly hitching a bus from Old Cutler Road to Biscayne for a few possessions. That's ok, the officials weren't charging him for the rides and a few key baskets were awarded to the desperate Spurs who, boo hoo, had to travel til 5am just for tonight's game. At 8pm.

Sorry, professional millionaire athletes. The rest of the world will not shed a tear for you getting on a plane and flying somewhere only to have to work for about 2.5 hours about 15 hours AFTER you arrive.

There is something different about tonight's loss for the Heat though. In a way, they seem to be able to hold their heads high tonight. They fought hard against the champs of last season, even if they themselves are the champs of two seasons ago. The fact that Shaq is out again and the Heat found a way to compete is admirable.

Here's to the Heat getting lucky like the Spurs did when their Admiral was not able to lead them but instead the proud franchise hit rock bottom. They ended up with the #1 pick in the draft. The pick was used on a guy named Tim Duncan. The rest is history.

Maybe Miami can have a change of fortune like that. After all, without that draft pick, the Spurs are not hailed as a dynasty. Maybe Miami can get such an opportunity.

Heat Loss to Magic Painful

8-22 now. 14 games below .500. The Heat are facing a predicament they have not faced in almost 5 years - irrelevancy.

Ever since they landed Dwyane Wade with the 5th pick in the draft, the Heat have mattered. Yet this season the Heat haven't mattered too much at all.

"It's a little demoralizing to play my most complete game yet and to really have a feeling that we were going to win this ballgame," Wade said after the game. "To lose it in overtime, it hurts."

Pain. That is what is most real to the Heat these days. Just ask Zo as his final game, possibly, in a Heat uniform was spent writhing in it. Ask Jason Williams who keeps hearing his name swirling in trade rumors but tries to push through his share with two creaky knees. Ask Shaquille O'neal whose hips and knees are bothering him and his ego is suffering from shock as well.

The only pain Wade seems to be feeling these days is the pain of losing game after game. Since dealing with shoulder and knee problems, Wade has rushed back from rehab only to guide his team as close to winning as possible only to see his efforts go unrewarded.

But this is a team. And it takes a team to win, and a team to lose.

This latest loss shouldn't be surprising. After all, it had one of the key elements of all games this season from the Heat - a valiant last ditch effort only left to be undermined by bad defense and a double digit run by the opposing team at the end of the game.

Cook bailed out the Heat with a three to send it to overtime, but the Heat had nothing in the tank. Pain.

And now, the Heat have to pick it back up and head off to Washington to try and squeeze out a win on the road.

Heat Might Make Change Soon

Smush Parker has been invited back to Miami to rejoin the Heat. Coming out of exile, the question is, will it be to actually play for the Heat or to have an audition for a future trade? We'll know tomorrow night what the case may be but considering Jason Williams creaky knees, even with negative MRIs, and a gimpy Chris Quinn, Parker's services may be needed more so than Riley would care to admit.

Then there is the possibility of a trade with anyone on the roster - save Wade and Shaq. The team is falling apart. Some have noticed that there is frustration running so deep that even a rift between players like Wade and Udonis Haslem is noticeable.

Something is brewing. The Heat need a stable answer at PG, and they need to find another scoring option. This may be hard to do, but with Riley's ability to pull off trades seemingly overnight, who knows what tomorrow holds. But it could come sooner rather than later.

Heat In Need of Makeover

It could be cosmetic or even a bit more serious, but Miami is in need of change these days. Riley knows it, Wade knows it, and even Shaq now realizes it.

Right now, this team is confused. Jason Williams was cleared by Riley to get back to his "White Chocolate" style of playing, but has admitted it is something he is struggling to do. Why all of a sudden was Williams unleashed?

Shaq, frustrated over not getting enough touches, has now realized he has done a terrible job this season and vowed to change. Yet, recent comments have shown Shaq to have lowered his expectations.

What is going on? Miami has no identity - and Riley is not helping matters.

This team doesn't shoot particularly well, it doesn't play strong defense, doesn't have high energy, doesn't dominate the paint. It is a jack of all trades but a master of none. Their record, 13 games below .500, indicates that as well.

Also, there is a particular pattern you could almost bank on each game for the Heat. They come out sluggish, with no energy, and fall behind by double digits. Then the Heat pick it up and either tie it up or take the lead. When the 4th quarter rolls around, however, Miami slacks off defensively and gives up a double digit run. A loss at the end of the buzzer and Miami shakes its defiant and proud head.

So, even though there is no definite identity for the Heat and their players, their losses follow a particular pattern. What has Riley done to adjust? Too much.

Miami has to make changes, but they need to be changes that address the problems they are facing. Not enough energy to start games? Start the younger players like Cook and Wright. Bad defensive stretches at the ends of games? Play more active defenders - Shaq is not an option for two reasons now at the end of games, his horrible free throw shooting and his lack of defensive intensity.

Speaking of Shaq, he really is better suited to coming off the bench to maintain leads. He slows the game down and can control the pace of a game. He also is playing less minutes these days do to his age and wear-and-tear. Can you convince a massive ego like Shaq to come off the bench? You have to. Statistically, Shaq is not doing anything wrong. Yet chemically, in fitting in with the fabric of the team, he is not helping by becoming a statue on the offensive side of the ball, too.

The reason Zo's injury is such a big loss is because he can change a game with his defensive play - one ferocious blocked shot would result in a Heat fast break opportunity. Shaq does not have that ability - or at least, doesn't demonstrate that desire to do so.

Miami must begin games faster and with more energy. Insert Cook, Wright and Wade. Put Barron at PF and plug in Joel Anthony, a shot blocking defensive dynamo, at center to start. Hey, we are 13 games under .500, why not try something completely different? All these players will defer to Wade who will manage the ball anyway. Cook provides vitality and a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor. Wright gives the Heat rebounding intensity and an athletic presence on the wing that works well with Wade. Barron can spread the floor with his jumper, but also provides a bit of a downside in regards to rebounding - but Haslem has peaked himself and it doesn't seem like the Heat lose too much with him off the court to start games. Anthony can provide a shot blocking presence that will force teams to think twice about playing in the low block.

This allows the Heat to substitute immediately Shaq at center, if they want to hold the lead or even build on one, and Haslem can come off the bench to provide a further calming influence on the game. You could even slide Barron back and forth between center and power forward.

The Heat have to make a commitment. Based on the patterns in their losses, the Heat are looking at some tough changes or their season will be lost.

First Win for Heat Looks Vintage

Funny how just earlier today I was commenting on how the Heat are a Dwyane Wade away from starting their winning streaks. The Heat are right there and showing improvement each night out - tonight, they were able to get over the hump and preserve the win.

In hostile territory, but not against a real hostile team.

The Knicks are going to be up and down this season, too, as they have still to figure out that Marbury is overrated and they have no real consistent scoring threat from anyone. So a win today should be looked at with relief more than anything else.

Still, its a start.

Miami showed improvement, although still maintaining sloppy play. Lots of turnovers down the stretch let the Knicks back in the game, but their ability to persevere started to show.

And Wade watched and cheered from the sidelines.

It wasn't a pretty game, 16 turnovers a .438 FG% (.240 from 3 point range). The free throws were plentiful - for the Knicks (17 FTAs to only 9 FTAs for the Heat). Nevertheless, the Heat were able to overcome adversity and steal this win back.

Haslem had a huge double double (16 and 16) which offset fellow Gator alumnus David Lee's double double (14 and 14). Shaq is showing signs of durability and consistency, dropping another 16 points and 9 rebounds in 36 minutes of solid production.

Penny Hardaway continues to put is solid minutes. His scoring is not there, but he contributes in other ways - stealing minutes from Dorell Wright, of course.

All in all, a vintage looking win for the Heat as they overtake their once proud rivals in a game that harkened back to a mid-90's contest with the low scoring.

Opening Night in Miami

Some reactions on Opening Night in Miami for the Heat's 20th NBA season.

Has it really been 20 years? I was 10 when the Heat came to town...funny how time flies. Especially when you want a second championship.

Ricky Davis looked ok in his debut. He has to learn the intricacies of Riley's offense, but basically when this team is hoping to play in the 80s, there is a longer learning curve. But does anyone else feel that this team looks a lot more athletic with Dorell, Davis and Smush on the floor?

Detroit just has our number. Even Smush couldn't finish a dunk tonight, the Heat were just off. I mean Tayshaun Prince had 33 points tonight. In fact, he is typing this blog for me from the AAA on my computer and I live in Aventura. Just saying, the guy has freakishly long arms. Arms like stilts.

Zo looked majestic. Too bad this is his "last" season in the NBA, he still looks like a full time starter out ther eon the floor - manning the paint and contesting every shot.

Dorell Wright is intent on being the best kept secret in the NBA. Or at least Riley is intent on keeping it that way.

We had an Alexander Johnson sighting. I expect big things from him. Really.

But I also expect better from this Miami team. No Wade, no win, but we got Indy up next.