MIAMI - For the first time in six seasons, Udonis Haslem has not been cast as the Miami Heat's starting power forward.

Although coach Erik Spoelstra declined to name his starting lineup until just before Wednesday night's season opener against the New York Knicks at AmericanAirlines Arena, Haslem and Quentin Richardson both addressed the issue following Tuesday's practice.

Haslem confirmed he has been asked to come off the bench, something he has done only twice over the previous five seasons. Richardson spoke of what it meant to secure the starting role at small forward.

That would leave the Heat with a lineup of Jermaine O'Neal at center, Michael Beasley at power forward, Richardson at small forward, Dwyane Wade at shooting guard and Mario Chalmers at point guard.

By starting Richardson at small forward, it effectively ends the experiment of shifting Beasley from power forward to small forward. Beasley spent the majority of his rookie season playing as a reserve power forward. He spent this offseason attempting to make the conversion to a perimeter role.

Haslem, who said he is past a groin injury sustained Sunday's public practice, was subdued about playing as a reserve for the first time since his 2003-04 rookie season, when he played behind Lamar Odom.

"I've learned a lot of valuable lessons, and one of the valuable lessons that I've learned is don't worry about things you can't control," he said. "That wasn't in my control. I didn't make that call, so that's nothing I'm going to worry about.

"I've been the ultimate team player; I've made the ultimate sacrifice throughout my career. It's just another situation where I've been asked to do it again."

Haslem said he will move forward in support of Beasley. He also is expected to back up O'Neal.

"Basketball is just basketball, no matter what role you play, or what position you play in," he said. "So, we'll go out there and we'll do what we've got to do. It is what it is."

Haslem started five of the seven preseason games. Richardson, by contrast, started four.

Richardson has mostly played as a starter over the past six seasons, with the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks.

"Me, personally, I've always viewed myself as that," Richardson said. "That's just my outlook on whatever team I'm going to and that's how I approach the situation."

He said he was prepared for the final decision of the coaching staff.

"I'm always confident in whatever coaching staff I've played for, knowing that they're going to make the decision that they feel is best for the team," he said. "I'm fortunate enough that I've worked hard and it kind of paid off for me this time."

The irony is Richardson returns to a starting lineup after being dealt four times this past offseason, from the Knicks to the Memphis Grizzlies to the Clippers to the Minnesota Timberwolves and then to the Heat for center Mark Blount.

"I was obviously pleased," he said of when he was told he would start. "I worked hard. I did all the things that I needed to do since being traded here. I never lost sight of my game and what I thought of my game."

I think this is the best move for the team, because Beasley is best suited to play the power spot and it gives us a solid defensive team off the bench.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sp...2709,0,1037260.story

I just hope we at least try Beasley at the 3 at some point this year. Otherwise, I really don't understand trying to get Bosh or Boozer out here. If Beasley is our 4, why bring in another 4 who is looking for a max deal?

I am thrilled. Nothing against Haslem, however, with the starting lineup of Wade, Chalmers, Richardson, Beasley and O'Neal in the preseason, we did very well. I have a lot of faith in our team. Just before I read this thread I was thinking to myself how I feel that Q. Rich could be a major part in this HEAT team.

LETS GO HEAT

I actually like this move. Beasley is going to get alot of minutes at the 3 if Haslem starts or not. WIth J-rich goes out, haslem comes in a PF, if JO goes out Beasley is going to be at the 4. Since Jones, Wright, and Crapawara isn't going to get alot of minutes because Cook Proved they don't need Jones or Wright and Arroyo proved Wade doesn't need to play the Point. So basically the line-up will be like this in this order:

Chalmers
Wade
Q-rich
Beasley
JO

Coming off the bench in this order:

Haslem
Cook
Arroyo
Anthony



Anyone thinks the Warriors would accept:

Cook, Jones, Wright for Jack?

quote:

Originally posted by The Doug Movement:
I just hope we at least try Beasley at the 3 at some point this year. Otherwise, I really don't understand trying to get Bosh or Boozer out here. If Beasley is our 4, why bring in another 4 who is looking for a max deal?

if we bring in a 4 like amare or bosh they will play the 5

quote:

Originally posted by The Doug Movement:
I just hope we at least try Beasley at the 3 at some point this year. Otherwise, I really don't understand trying to get Bosh or Boozer out here. If Beasley is our 4, why bring in another 4 who is looking for a max deal?

My thoughts exactly. I definitely think that Beasley is better suited at the 4, but then if he excels at that position who then becomes our target in 2010?

My thought is instead of targeting a single max player we sign 3 very solid players at the pg, sf & C positions.

I am shocked but happy.

It's on Beasely to prove he is a legitimate #2 option behind Wade. We need to find out if he has it in him to be a star.

I am assuming it must be obvious to staff he can't play SF. Worry about next year, next year. Who's to say he will he here next year if he can't get the job done.

This move needed to be made...Just didn't think they had the balls to do this.

People ask why Beasley is playing the 4 is we are looking for a max level 4. In my opinion, Beasley can be just as effective if not more so that Bosh or Amare. I think that if this works, out money next summer could go for a true center and/or all-star point guard.

finallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy thank god,now watch miami take off.
only other move is to put arroyo in the starting lineup

Amare can play 5.
Bosh can play the 5 somewhat.


The best thing to do in the 2010 offseason:

Resign Wade

Bow down on our knees and beg King James to play with his best friend, D-wade. Give him the max contract, and pray he will accept.

Tell Bosh or Amare, take a paycut to play on this gifted team of 2 of the 3 best players in the league.

Try to sign Rondo or another pass first PG, or a Center like Chandler.


Since I know thats very unlikely to happen lets sign 3-5 solid players for 5mil-8mil

or wiat till 2011 and get melo

quote:

if we bring in a 4 like amare or bosh they will play the 5

But, at the end of the day, Beasley is going to need to make adjustments to his game regardless if he plays the 3 or the 4 spot. Beasley is still young and hasn't played much NBA ball. I'm a firm believer in the idea that he can have just as much success at the 3 as he can at the 4.

So, with that in mind, why give a guy a max deal just to have him play out of position when we can still successfully turn Beasley into an all-star 3? This would allow CB or AS to stay at their natural spot next year while still allowing Beasley to see significant minutes throughout the season this year.

IMO, since he is still so young, it will be a lot easier to get Beasley to succeed at the 3 than it would be to get Bosh to succeed at the 5. (And yes, I know, we don't have Bosh yet. But, that's kinda my point. Does playing Beasley at the 4 change our 2010 plans?)

quote:

Bow down on our knees and beg King James to play with his best friend, D-wade. Give him the max contract, and pray he will accept.

Tell Bosh or Amare, take a paycut to play on this gifted team of 2 of the 3 best players in the league.

I really don't see the Heat signing LeBron James under ANY circumstances. Also, since when did Wade become his best friend?

Bosh and Amare are not going to take pay cuts at the peak of their abilities.

if you want to understand beasley 's right position just think about it from a defensive standpoint
where does he have more chance ?defending lebron james at the three or defending carlos boozer at the four?

quote:

Originally posted by GIVE B-EASY"THE NEXT BIG THING"MNS:
if you want to understand beasley 's right position just think about it from a defensive standpoint
where does he have more chance ?defending lebron james at the three or defending carlos boozer at the four?

I agree. Also, I think Beasley can score on any power forward. There will be some tough match ups like Garnett, but he should be fine.

quote:

if you want to understand beasley 's right position just think about it from a defensive standpoint
where does he have more chance ?defending lebron james at the three or defending carlos boozer at the four?

You can't compare the best player in the NBA to a guy who isn't even in the top 5 in his position. The appropriate question would be: "Who can Beasley defend better, LeBron James or Kevin Garnett?"

...and the answer is "neither". Beasley's hands would be just as full either way.

And anyway, are you really trying to tell me that Richardson is really going to lock down LeBron? Cuz I'm pretty sure he would get worked by LBJ just as bad as Beasley would. The difference is that Haslem (or Bosh) can guard the 4 much better than Beasley can.

No, it wouldn't be a traditional lineup with Beasley at the 3, but Beasley isn't really a traditional player.