Miami Heat player Udonis Haslem argues with the referee during the first period of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Miami, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009.

J PAT CARTER/AP

Miami Heat power forward Udonis Haslem thrives in new reserve role

Playing off the bench exclusively for the first time since he was a rookie in 2003-04, Udonis Haslem isn't merely contributing as much as he did when he was a starter. He's contributing more.

HEAT

LeBron James in Miami is not a crazy idea

First thing's first.
The round of speculation that has LeBron James possibly signing with the Heat next summer is only the current direction this discussion is going. Next week it'll be different. The week after that it'll change again, and so on until the 2010 free agency period actually arrives, by which time every possibility will have been discussed at least once, including the idea of James signing with Sacramento under the condition that the team adds an apostrophe to make them the King's. 1257735705
HEAT

Miami Heat's Michael Beasley sitting in final quarters

Michael Beasley's playing time has diminished late in recent games, and coach Erik Spoelstra had extended talks with him to explain why 1257735705
HEAT 96, NUGGETS 88

Team effort helps Miami Heat knock off Nuggets

With Dwyane Wade's shot off, the Heat used balance scoring with five players in double figures to knock off the Nuggets.
MIAMI HEAT

Miami Heat's Richardson a pleasant surprise at small forward

During the preseason, it didn't appear Quentin Richardson did anything particularly impressive to be the starter at small forward.
Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade ratcheting up his scoring

On second thought, Heat guard Dwyane Wade isn't quite ready to relinquish his scoring title just yet.
After scoring a season-high 40 points in 43 minutes during Wednesday's road win against Washington, Wade said he accepts the fact he may have to pour in the points again this season for the Heat to be successful.
HEAT 93, WIZARDS 89

Miami Heat falls back on Dwyane Wade in win over Wizards

Dwyane Wade scored 40 points and delivered the game-winning basket with 24.6 seconds remaining.
Beasley gets back to business in this homecoming

Heat forward Michael Beasley admitted he was overcome as a rookie by distractions associated with returning to his hometown to play the Wizards.
SUNS 104, HEAT 96

Miami Heat lose first game of the season after being outscored 29-15 in fourth quarter

Miami lost its first game of the season and Phoenix stayed undefeated after outscoring the Heat 29-15in the final quarter.
Sore shoulder will sideline Miami Heat's Cook indefinitely

Ailing from a strained right shoulder that has been slow to heal, Heat shooting guard Daequan Cook apparently has been downgraded from day-to-day to out indefinitely.
Wednesday: Heat at Wizards

WEDNESDAY: HEAT AT WIZARDS
When/where: 7 p.m.; Verizon Center, Washington.
TV/radio: ESPN; WINZ 940, WQBA 1140.
Contrasting styles present conflict in Phoenix Suns-Miami Heat match-up

Something has to give. And if things go according to plan for the Heat, it's defense would prevent Steve Nash from being the guard that keeps on giving Tuesday when the two-time league MVP leads the Phoenix Suns into AmericanAirlines Arena.
HEAT 95, BULLS 87

Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem stars in reserve role

Udonis Haslem's 19 points and 11 rebounds and strong defense in the fourth quarter lifted the Heat past the Bulls.
IN MY OPINION

Sixth-man role suits Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem

We all hear the sob stories about professional athletes feeling disrespected and, frankly, they're almost all repetitive and boring and, most of the time, wildly exaggerated.
Miami Heat's Jermaine O'Neal making Dwyane Wade proud

It might be difficult to find anyone more thrilled with the way Heat center Jermaine O'Neal has started the season -- outside of O'Neal himself -- than guard Dwyane Wade.
HEAT 96, PACERS 83

Miami Heat ends long skid in Indiana behind Wade, O'Neal

Jermaine O'Neal had 22 points and 12 rebounds against his former team and Dwyane Wade added 32 points as the Heat ended a 14-game regular-season skid in Indiana.
Miami Heat's Daequan Cook limited after injuring shoulder in workout

Heat guard Daequan Cook just cannot seem to shake shoulder injuries.
Cook was held out of Friday's shootaround with a sprained right shoulder and was limited in the game against Indiana. He warmed up before the game and was in uniform but wore a heat pad on the bench.
Miami Heat's Daequan Cook could miss Pacers game

Injuries and illness might force the Miami Heat to rely on its perimeter depth far sooner than coach Erik Spoelstra anticipated.

Reserve guard Daequan Cook was held out of Friday's shootaround with a sprained right shoulder and could miss the game against Indiana.
HEAT

Miami Heat center Jermaine O'Neal flashes old form

Heat center Jermaine O'Neal isn't ready to declare himself back to his dominant form, but his performance in the regular-season opener proved he's on his way.
HEAT 115, KNICKS 93

Miami Heat routs N.Y. Knicks in season opener

Dwyane Wade scored 26 points and a revamped Heat lineup scorched the Knicks in the season opener Wednesday night.