A few tidbits to pass along as I clear out the notebook and tape recorder before heading up to Orlando for the Heat's summer league games this week.
Second overall draft pick Michael Beasley certainly talks the talk when it comes to playing through what has to be a more-painful-than-he's-letting-on chest fracture. He's expected to play this week, starting with today's highly anticipated matchup against top pick Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls.
In fact, Beasley insists only one thing would prevent him from taking the court this week for his first set of organized games since leading Kansas State to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
"You're going to have to kill me," said Beasley, always full of quick wit.
Beasley also said he'll approach games with the same fierce play in the NBA as he did while averaging 26.2 points and an NCAA-best 12.4 rebounds a game in his lone college season - regardless of where he lines up between the lines.
"My game is my game whether I'm a three (small forward) or a 17 (not sure exactly where that position fits in the offense)," Beasley said. "Put me on the court and I'll do anything."
What Heat coach Erik Spoelstra specifically wants Beasley to do is commit more to defense, where there are legitimate questions - just as there are with any college player adjusting to the NBA.
"I really challenged him defensively to get out there and play hard, to show his teammates he's playing hard, to be in tune with our concepts and defensive system," said Spoelstra, who will be in evaluation mode while assistant Keith Askins coaches the summer league entry. "I think its important he gets an understanding of what our system is."
Beasley also took the time to playfully respond to Dwyane Wade's accusation that he called Beasley but that the prized rookie "big-manned me" and didn't return Wade's message.
"He's not in my (Fave) Five, man," Beasley said, poking fun at Wade's T-Mobile cell phone commercials. "If we can get him in the Five, then - until then, you have to wait until after 9 (p.m.)."
CUTDOWNS
The Heat trimmed its roster of rookies, young veterans and free agents before arriving in Orlando last night. Those cut were forward Alejandro Flores, guard Jonny Reibel and center Anthony Washington. It proved to be a bad week for Washington, the 6-10 center from Portland State. It was Washington who Spoelstra said may have been the player who elbowed Beasley in the chest on the first day of camp.
The team will also be without second-year guard Daequan Cook, a first-round pick last season. Cook 
separated his left shoulder in Thursday's practice and is expected to be sidelined another three weeks.
"I was really looking forward to summer league, starting things out right," said Cook, who sustained the injury while trying to fight around a pick while defending. "You can blame it on a big (man) for not calling out a pick."
Center Marcus Campbell, a 7-footer who played in the NBADL last season, sustained a quad injury on the first day of camp. He said he will travel to Orlando but won't play.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aside from notables such as draft picks Beasley and Mario Chalmers and roster holders Stephane Lasme and Kasib Powell, here are a handful of players to keep your eye on from the Heat's summer squad.
Jason Richards: The point guard out of Davidson was one of the most productive players in the nation last season. Richards led the nation in assists as the set-up man for sharpshooter Stephen Curry on a Davidson team that pushed Chalmers and Kansas to the brink of elimination in the Regional Final. He's also a solid three-point shooter and might be next in line in the Heat's development system should restricted free agent Chris Quinn end up elsewhere.
Pat Calathes: The 6-10 small forward has the size and stroke required to get his lethal shot off at this level. And with Cook out this week, Calathes could get an opportunity to shine. After struggling some in the first days of camp, Calathes picked up his play over the final two days of practice, Spoelstra said. Defense might be an issue for Calathes. But his versatility allowed him to lead St. Joseph's in points, rebounds, blocks, three-point shooting and free-throw percentage last season.
David Padgett: Injuries have been an issue for Padgett during his college career. But he's a perfect system player at center and might be the best passer on the summer team outside of the point guard position. He already has an NBA body at 6-11 and 250 pounds. The Heat is thin at center, with Shaq gone, Zo coming off a knee injury and Mark Blount lacking consistent inside grit. Padgett is perfect for the Heat's pick-and-pop game. He's a younger and more explosive version of Michael Doleac, but with more ball skills.
Marco Killingsworth: I covered the SEC when Killingsworth played at Auburn on the same NCAA Tournament team with Pacers shooting guard Marquis Daniels. Killingsworth is undersized - in height only - but is purely a beast in the post when motivated. He has an Anthony Mason-type frame and game (but not Mason's handle). The Heat doesn't need another smallish power forward on the roster. But Killingsworth has value, if only for being a sparring partner who will bang and push Beasley until training camp opens.
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