Nights like tonight show - even in semi-meaningless preseason games - just how far the Heat has to go to compete with the league's established playoff contenders. The result was a 100-80 loss to the New Orleans Hornets Thursday at the Mitchell Center on the University of South Alabama campus.
Full disclosure: This wasn't the outright clunker the score would indicate. Miami rested several of its key players, including Dwyane Wade, who played just 26 minutes and closed with 11 points. None of the Heat's starters, which included rookie Mario Chalmers at the point, played more than 29 minutes.
Still, this one got away from the Heat during the meaningful minutes of the game, when the rotation players for both teams were still on the court. We go beyond the box score to evaluate the game.
Player of the Game: Dorell Wright - In his first game back from knee surgery, Wright finished 4 of 7 from the field for 9 points, five rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes. Again, think baby steps. In a game where no one else really stood out amid a sleep-walk performance, Wright's energy and timing were encouraging as he worked out the kinks in his game. If he gradually progresses at this pace, it might not be long before he has a chance to unseat Yakhouba Diawara as Shawn Marion's backup.
Surprise, Surprise: Shaun Livingston - Keeping with the "Comeback Kids" theme, Livingston took his biggest step yet in his return from that devastating knee injury he suffered with the Clippers 20 months ago. Livingston had modest numbers: Five points, three assists and four fouls in 18 minutes. But more important for him was the fact that he survived his first test in game action. "I got in there and I said, basically, I know how to play. It's been a long time. I just wanted to play and play confident. Play like I knew I belonged. And not that I don't belong in this league anymore because of what happened."
Tough night: Daequan Cook - Hate to keep harping on the kid, but it looks like Cook might have already played his way out of the rotation. At least for now. Even during a game in which coach Erik Spoelstra made liberal substitutions and played nine players in the first 15 minutes, Cook didn't get any burn until late in the fourth quarter. Cook missed the only two shots he took in six minutes of playing time. In five preseason games, Cook is now 11 of 38 from the field, including 3 of 17 from 3-point range.
Coach Speak: "Rio (Mario Chalmers) did some good things. And he did some other things where he just wasn't disciplined. Particularly defensively. He really needs to become more rock solid and follow the system and not make it up. When he makes it up, no one else knows what's going on" - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, on Chalmers first start at point guard. Chalmers had 10 points, five rebounds and two turnovers without an assist in 26 minutes.
Next up: Heat at San Antonio Spurs, 8:30 p.m.
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