On The Ball

Heat May Be Colder Next Season

I think Pat Riley has lost his marbles. Maybe his time away from the bench as a head coach has prompted him to think that he actually knows what he is doing from his lofty perch as the president and head of basketball operations for the Miami Heat.

Whatever the case may be, I think Riley has caused the Heat to take a huge step backwards in their race for supremacy in the NBA's eastern conference. The Heat's new additions, via the league's largest trading transaction ever, may actually become a case of subtraction by addition - unless you think the acquisitions of perennial head-scratchers, Antoine Walker and Jason Williams is a plus.

As impressive as the deal may seem on the surface, the blockbuster five-team deal, could possibly send the Heat spiraling down the ladder a notch or two in the rapidly improving eastern conference.

Let me begin with the subtractions.

The Heat only lost one starter in the deal, shooting guard Eddie Jones, which, fortunately for them isn't too big a loss. It's not that I don't like Jones. I've been a fan of his ever since his days as a high flying wing player for John Chaney at Temple University when we were both plying our trades in Philadelphia on a regular basis.

It's just the fact that, since the Heat already have one of the league's most dynamic players at that position in Dwayne Wade, the loss of Jones is instantly canceled out. The Heat also lost talented, but inconsistent, perimeter shooter, Rasul Butler, who also hails from Philadelphia, in the deal.

So, from this standpoint, it looks like Riley actually made some good moves right?

Hold the applause for a moment though. The acquisitions may cause you to rethink Riley's sanity. Not only did the Heat acquire Walker and Williams, but they also picked up James Posey, an athletic small forward who can defend the best small forwards in the league. Now, the Heat have two top-notch defenders they can bring off the bench in Posey and backup center, Alonzo Mourning. Bringing Posey to South Florida is a plus no matter how you look at it. His acquisition also softens the loss of Jones, who was the Heat's best perimeter defender The other two players, Walker and Williams, have essentially been major enigmas since entering the league. Their combined presence is what I think will cause Miami fans and under-respected, head coach, Stan Van Gundy, to go absolutely bonkers.

Both Walker and Williams are players who like, and are accustomed to, having the ball in their hands. Neither is a particularly good three-point shooter, although you would never know that by the amount of treys they are both apt to launch at any moment. After essentially being given free reign their entire careers, both are being asked to take a back seat to Wade and Shaquille O'Neal, the team's number one and two options.

I can't wait to see how that scenario plays out, although I'm sure it won't be pretty. Walker struggled mightily in Dallas as the third option and Williams likes to play in free-wheeling systems where he can run up and down the court and use his amazing creativity. Both, are in for a rude awakening in the structured Miami system.

I think Walker may be able to adapt slightly better than Williams, but I also think both players and Van Gundy, will struggle immensely to find their respective niches and rotations in a revamped roster that was only one game away from reaching the finals last year with an injured O'Neal and Wade. Although I must mention it - I don't even want to get on the subject of defense. Neither player had ever been known for their defensive prowess.

Walker may be able to hide his deficiencies better and may actually come off the bench as an offensive specialist behind Posey, which, if you ask me would be the smart thing to do but probably won't happen. Williams however, will be embarrassed on more than a few occasions - especially if the Heat don't re-sign starting point guard, Damon Jones who is contemplating taking his effective long-rang sniping to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Can't you just see Detroit's Chauncey Billups abusing Williams on a regular basis? I can.

For this deal to have even half a chance, re-signing Jones is a priority. Riley made a major mistake by not taking care of that matter beforehand.

Not only will the Heat have to worry about the Pistons next year, but they will almost assuredly face stiffer competition from the Indiana Pacers as well. Indiana will be out for blood next year with an improved roster and hungry, healthy players with a chip on their shoulders.

I could be wrong about Walker and Williams. Both could come to Miami and realize their chances of winning an NBA title are dwindling faster than my receding hair line. Both players could come in and help catapult the Heat to the top of the heap in the east. However, I don't think that will be the case. Their respective careers have shown both to be selfish players out for personal gain and glory - not team success.

How this all plays out will remain a mystery until the start of the regular season but I will say this, Pat Riley had better cross his fingers and toes that each player has turned over a new leaf.

If they haven't, there will be more unrest in Miami than Ricky Williams' untimely retirement ever caused - and the finger will be squarely pointed at Riley.

Previous Editions

• The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Larry Brown - July 31, 2005
• A True Friend - July 18, 2005
• McMillian Leaves Sonics Clutching Thin Air - July 11, 2005
• Cavaliers Land Larry Hughes - July 9, 2005
• Cardiac Kids - July 7, 2005
• Sonics Takin' Care of Business - July 5, 2005
• 2005 NBA Draft Winners & Losers - July 1, 2005
• From 0 to 30 in 60 Seconds: The NBA Draft - June 29, 2005
• Wizards Future Is Bright Despite Sweep - June 21, 2005

About Eric Williams

Eric Williams is six year veteran Sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Eric was born and raised in Philadelphia and has covered all four major professional sports in the Philadelphia area. He has also covered golf, track and field, soccer, tennis and bicycling.

Lifetime Boston Celtics fan. Basketball and football are his favorite sports. Eric is married with five children and currently resides in Marshall, Missouri.

Comments and feedback can be sent to eklass66@yahoo.com