hey i'm in a fantastic mood because UH won
against fresno state today in the WAC tourney semi
finals. we are hot right now! just one more game against
tulsa tomorrow for the championship and an bid to the
big dance. i came across this on the internet. here
it is in case you haven't seen it. pretty
interesting...<br><br>(from the Miami Herald, March 10)<br>Hardaway seeks a
reversal of roles<br>Heat point guard wants to handle ball
less<br>BY ETHAN J. SKOLNICK <br>eskolnick@...
<br><br><br>Tim Hardaway can do without the ball.<br><br>At the
start of possessions, anyway.<br><br>The Heat's
longest-tenured active player has been cast into a more important
role with every injury to an important teammate, the
latest a shoulder separation suffered by Eddie Jones
that could keep the Heat's leading scorer out several
weeks.<br><br>In Jones' absence, Hardaway and fellow point guard
Anthony Carter will play together
frequently.<br><br>Hardaway would prefer the younger Carter served as the
primary playmaker.<br><br>Speaking after coach Pat Riley
addressed the media, Hardaway prefaced his comments with,
``I'm not criticizing anybody's offense or anything
like that.''<br><br>So take this as constructive
analysis.<br><br>``I feel like, when Carter's in the game, why not
have him handle the ball, and have myself on the wing
or something, [as] a triple threat?'' said Hardaway,
who was 1 for 9 in Wednesday's loss to Dallas. ``And
make it easier for the team, instead of [me] coming
off [pick-and-roll] double-teams all the time, trying
to get into the lane that type of way. Why not give
me the ball in a triple-threat situation so I can
create a shot for myself or create an easier shot for my
team?''<br><br>Carter was not available for comment. But the
second-year man has spoken often about how Riley wants him to
break downcourt for easy baskets, as the more
experienced Hardaway handles the ball. Miami also has forward
Anthony Mason dribble upcourt sometimes when Carter is on
the bench.<br><br>Hardaway acknowledged that Riley
has wanted Carter to sprint ahead without the ball
and seek open space.<br><br>``I think it should be
the reverse,'' Hardaway said. ``I suggested it [to
Riley]. But I think I just have to go out and do more of
that.''<br><br>Part of the problem for Hardaway is that, when trapped
on a pick-and-roll, he is forced to pass to
teammates who are ``threats shooting the ball, but not a
slasher like Eddie'' who can create.<br><br>He was also
candid about his own defense. Steve Nash, the Mavericks'
point guard, was 7 of 10 and had seven assists
Wednesday, repeatedly snaking past Hardaway into the lane
and putting pressure on the Heat's frontcourt players
to defend or foul.<br><br>Hardaway did not speak to
reporters after Wednesday's loss. <br><br>``I was upset
because I was letting Steve Nash penetrate, and get into
the rhythm, and get the offense going,'' Hardaway
said.<br><br>``I have to pick up my defense. Other guys have been
handchecking me, and bodying me when I have the ball, so I
think I have to start playing the same type of defense
as they play, so they won't get in the lane as
easy.''<br><br>And he needs to stay positive, as all the Heat
players do in this season that will probably finish
before they feel like a finished product.<br><br>The
answer?<br><br>``Winning, simple as that,'' Hardaway said. ``Keep spirits
up by winning.''