The hot spot

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 1996 by Mark Shimabukuro

Despite a lack of overwhelming talent, Miami has emerged as a power in the East

Heat coach Pat Riley believes in many things: unrelenting defense, an intimidating center, the importance of a per diem in a mega-million-dollar contract. But perhaps most strongly of all he believes in preparation. Few coaches in the league can weave together a plan incorporating videotape, practices and motivational speeches as fine as he can. Preparation, swingman Dan Majerle says, is one of the things that makes Riley the best coach he has had in his career.

So it was odd recently when Riley revealed just how he and the team had prepared for the Bulls. They didn't. "We didn't do any planning for Chicago at all," he said before the 3 game.

"We're just going to play." Maybe Riley should consider testing the improvisational skills of his team more often, because Miami went on to knock off Chicago in the United Center, 83-80 (on a game-winning 3-pointer by Majerle). The Heat handed the Bulls' their first home loss of the season (only Chicago's third in its last 49 at the United Center) and did it without their starting power forward, Kurt Thomas (stress fracture in his ankle), and shooting guard, Sasha Danilovic (strained calf).

Lately, even the buttons Riley isn't pushing are producing wins. Of course, the non-strategy against the Bulls was calculated. The Heat had just come off a grueling home loss to the Knicks and had arrived in Chicago late and exhausted. But the move was evidence of the keen touch Riley has shown in the early going. The Heat entered last weekend with a 17-5 record, having won 12 of their last 13 games and 11 straight on the road, and stood atop the Atlantic Division, showing signs that they are one of the elite clubs in the East despite having mid-level talent.

Yes, many of Miami's wins have come against weaker teams in the Western Conference--the team started its recent streak by going 6 0 against a cast of dregs whose combined record at the time was 27-83. But the league took notice when those wins started coming against the Knicks (by an impressive 24-point margin), Bulls and Cavaliers--on the road. After the victory over the Chicago, Michael Jordan acknowledged that the Heat deserved to be mentioned with the Knicks and Pacers as legitimate threats. "I think teams know we're for real," Majerle says.

Thomas has played in only nine games (he could return as soon as this week), the scoring numbers of center Alonzo Mourning are down and Danilovic's play has been erratic. Yet the Heat have compensated: Majerle has revived his career, Mourning has become a more effective passer, point guard Tim Hardaway has returned to All-Star form and the bench, which entered the season a group of castoffs and projects, has developed into a confident, solid unit.

"We've got some character with these players," Riley says. "We may not have the talent, the depth of talent, that some of these other teams have, but I think we have a resolve that will keep us in games."

Spot

For Riley, who is burning to restore his image, the start is sweet vindication after the free fall his reputation took in the summer over the Juwan Howard affair. In a season in which coaches are exerting greater influence on their teams' tempo and style, no coach has made a more noticeable impression on his team. In a recent game against the Mavericks, his face grew dark in the first quarter as Hardaway flopped on the floor after getting bumped by Dallas' Jason Kidd. Hardaway looked up at the official, shook his head and sat there, waiting for a call that wasn't warranted. Riley wouldn't allow it. Get up!" he shouted at his guard across the floor. Hardaway got up and shut up. That's the Riley style, and Hardaway's willingness to follow along, no questions asked, may be the biggest indication of the magnitude of his influence.

After being dealt by the Warriors to the Heat last February, there were doubts as to whether Hardaway would be able to adapt his up-tempo style to Riley's deliberate offense and disciplined defense. Those doubts grew over the summer when Hardaway, who had become a free agent. was forced to sit, wait and watch while Riley tried unsuccessfully to lure the Sonics' Gary Payton to Miami. But Hardaway has taken to Riley's leadership, and now is showing so much court toughness that Riley is comparing him to a 6-foot Magic Johnson.

Although Riley has adapted somewhat, too--he is allowing the team to run a little more than last season--Hardaway has adjusted well to the Heat's structured offense and is leading the team in scoring (19.1 points per game) and assists (7.6). "A lot of people didn't think I could play in a halfcourt offense," he says. "I knew I could run this team. You all forget that I came from Don Haskins' system (at Texas El-Paso), where you controlled the basketball, controlled the game and gave yourself the chance to win every night."

Another surprise has been the role of Mourning. Entering the season. Riley thought his center would have to carry the scoring load for the club to be successful. Instead, Mourning often has been the most expensive decoy in the league. He is averaging 18.5 points per game, nearly five fewer than last season, and could finish with an average under 20 for the first time in his career. But what he isn't contributing in points he is making up in control and defense.