Basketball Digest: Atlantic 7: Miami Heat

2002-03 Record: 25-57/Seventh in Atlantic Division * 2003-04 Projection: 28-54 * Coach: Pat Riley

WHERE THEY LEFT OFF: The Heat were stunned as if walloped by a two-by-four. For a perennial playoff franchise run by a surefire Hall-of-Famer, 25-57 was nothing short of a vast whup to the cranium.

NEW FACES: First and foremost the controversial Lamar Odom who will either be a) the floor genius who draws double teams with his skills or b) a curse. The gloriously gifted rookie guard Dwyane Wade, who's pointed toward the point by coach Pat Riley, is not far behind in importance.

The other newbies--rooks Udonis Haslem and Jerome Beasley and questionable (as in "why sign them?") vets Samaki Walker, Loren Woods, and John Wallace--are uninspiring filler.

ON THE COURT: Miami has not only been bad but also boring--an inexcusable exacta. It plays at the pace of a sick pachyderm (next-to-last in scoring in the NBA at 85.6 ppg in 2002-03 and last in field goal percentage at .412) an insult they make up for with injurious passing (dead last in assists) and nary a blocked shot (4.0 bpg, 23rd in the league.

Now Riley, naturally, is hailing a new day--not to mention a new, much more wide open, style--with "a big, athletic, talented back three" in Wade, Eddie Jones, and last year's rookie sensation Caron Buffer (15.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg. "The one thing you know is those three guys will play defense," he says.

Yes, they will. But Wade is a learning-on-the-job point, hence the importance of Odom, who sees the floor like a surgeon in those moments when he sees straight. And the starting center is still 6'9" Brian Grant who, just a couple of years back, was listed at "6'5".

Riley doesn't profess to worry that he's tabbing the rookie Wade to lead his team: "We don't care. He's a big 6'4", he's very athletic, and he knows how to run a team. I don't care what you call him, he was the guy who ran things at Marquette."

OFF THE COURT." Odom is Riley's biggest risk ever: The Los Angeles Clippers refused to give Odom his $61 mil due to "character and other important issues," according to GM Elgin Baylor. Whoa. "I've never seen a public statement like that," a league insider says. "That is one strong statement."

The Heat lost Alonzo Mourning to free agency, which will severely hinder Riley's new swarming, gambling defense. Mourning says that he and Riley "hugged and cried" after his decision to end his eight-year run with the team.

WHY THEY WILL FINISH SEVENTH: Due to "character and other important issues." Also a new non-point point guard, a dubious playing style--do you really believe control freak Riles will let his Heat run?--and no absolutely no semblance of a center.--T.K.

ON THE SPOT

CAN THE GIFTED LAMAR ODOM STAY IN ONE Piece? Even more important, can he stay Strong mentally and physically? It's put up or shut up time for Odom, once the most incredible promising swingmen this side of Kevin Garnett. He's teetering dangerously close to the Where Are They Now file.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP

POS.    PLAYER                                                KEY STATS

  PG    Dwyane Wade
        The challenge--a new league and position--is steep.
  SG    Caron Butler                         15.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7 apg
        Impressive rookie season largely flew under the radar.
  SF    Eddie Jones                        18.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 40.7% 3PT
        A weighty contract--but at least EJ still produces.
  PF    Samaki Walker *                      4.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.82 bpg
        The only Heat player with a ring.
   C    Brian Grant                        10.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 50.9% FG
        Another weighty contract, with less on-floor justification.

* In 67 games for the LA. Lakers.

TOP RESERVES

  SF    Rasual Butler                         7.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.3 apg
        Miami struck gold with both rookie Butlers last year.
  PF    Malik Allen                          9.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.98 bpg
        Solid production from the scrap heap.
  PF    Udonis Haslem
        Summer league play earned this Florida native a nod.

2002-03 SEASON LEADERS

Scoring                                           Eddie Jones, 18.5 ppg
Rebounding                                        Brian Grant, 10.2 rpg
Assists                                      Anthony Carter **, 4.1 apg
Blocked shots                                     Malik Allen, 0.98 bpg
Steals                                           Caron Butler, 1.78 spg

** Signed with San Antonio.