Shaq and Wade face German Assassin in Dallas

by: Jeffdstuff

That perimeter defensive presence the Miami Heat has been looking for all season has been there.

He just hasn’t been available.

Shandon Anderson has been battling back problems all season, and until Monday night against the Boston Celtics he hasn’t been utilized the way Heat coach Pat Riley had in mind when he took over coaching duties.

‘’He’s been hurt all year, and it’s a shame because that’s how I envisioned him — as a guy who probably would not be a full-time rotation player but a guy that would be ready to come off the bench and put defense on somebody for four, five minutes or even longer,'’ Riley said. ‘’He accomplished that [Monday] night.'’

Anderson came in against the Celtics in the second half to help cool down Paul Pierce, who started to get on a roll and bring Boston back into the game. It’s a decision Riley wished he would have made Saturday against the New Jersey Nets, when Vince Carter notched a triple-double against the Heat.

Though James Posey has done an admirable job against some of the better offensive players of late, he can’t spend an entire game fulfilling that responsibility, so having Anderson can ease the burden off Posey and Dwyane Wade.

‘’Shandon’s been on vacation for a while, so it’s good to see him come back and use his fouls, but also use his energy, is the main thing,'’ Wade said. ‘’Hopefully we continue to have that rotation where we can throw different guys at the other team’s best players.'’

Anderson said he hasn’t felt completely healthy until recently, and Riley pointed out after Monday’s game that Anderson has looked particularly good the past couple of practices.

‘’When I came back the first time, my left side was just weaker, and I didn’t play to my capability,'’ Anderson said. ‘’When I came out and tried to practice on it, you could tell it was a little weak. So I just went back in and worked on it.'’

It’s not just Anderson’s defense that can make an impact. Anderson has a unique ability to play off the ball and make timely cuts for open layups and short shots.

Having played with Shaquille O’Neal and Wade last season, they already are conscious of Anderson when he’s on the floor.

‘’He’s not afraid to take a shot or make a drive offensively,'’ Riley said.

Riley said he chose to start Jason Williams on Monday despite two of his fingers still being bound together on his right hand because the point guard could still bring speed and energy to the game.

‘’I want him to think more about playmaking right now and getting the ball to the weak side, facilitating the offense as much as possible until he gets that tape off his finger,'’ Riley said.

That tape might come off Thursday in time for the Heat’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, because that’s the day the six stitches are supposed to be removed from his right ring finger.

That should improve his shooting, which has been an ugly 5 of 26 since the injury.

Come game time, J-Will won’t have to shoot as much, as Shaquille O’Neal will probably expose and take advantage of the Dallas Mavericks’ weakness at the center position.