As he passes the coaching reins to Erik Spoelstra, Pat Riley plans to change his approach from when Stan Van Gundy was the coach.
Reflecting in a quiet moment, Riley said, ''I distanced myself, I thought, a little too much [from Van Gundy], not in a meddling way. I really showed too much respect, too much distance and wanted to stay absolutely out of the picture because it was his show.'' Although Riley wants to give Spoelstra a lot of space, ``I think there has to be more contact between me and the head coach on a regular basis, meet once every month or every two weeks.''
And Riley said he must ''have a more positive relationship'' with his new coach: ``I don't think I ever gave Stan enough kudos because I never needed a pat on the back. When you're in that position, you never expect one. That's probably where I'll come in more than I did the last time.''
Players love Spoelstra, but he knows he must be tough on them when needed. ''A lot of players want the discipline,'' he said, noting he has yelled before. ''They will play [hard] for'' Spoelstra, Riley predicts, because ``they respect him.''
• Riley, 63, will remain president the next two years, and then (with owner Micky Arison) decide whether to continue. . . If the Heat cannot draft Derrick Rose, one potential point-guard trade option who intrigues management is Toronto's T.J. Ford (the Raptors say they will keep Jose Calderon).
CHATTER
• An associate said Jason Taylor, recently snubbed by the new Dolphins regime, is expected to speak with owner Wayne Huizenga about resolving his future, though it is difficult to envision Huizenga instructing Bill Parcells to trade Taylor. WQAM's Joe Rose, who is friendly with Taylor, said although Taylor prefers to play, there is a chance he might retire.
• Asked Saturday whether third-round defensive lineman Kendall Langford is a developmental project, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano gave the perfect retort: ''We were 1-15 last season. We don't have many developmental projects. . . . If he's the best, he'll play.'' Langford said his level of competition at Hampton shouldn't be an issue -- ''they draft players, not decals'' -- and noted Virginia Tech wanted him but didn't wait on his SAT score. And he played well during Senior Bowl week against Vanderbilt tackle Chris Williams, who was drafted 14th by Chicago.
• The Dolphins made a ''generous'' offer to undrafted UM receiver Darnell Jenkins, agent Daniel Rose said, but Jenkins chose Houston ''because it's a better fit. He can be a starting kick returner.''. . . Parcells' first words to second-rounder Phillip Merling after they met Friday? ''Get in the weight room!'' Merling said.Sparano said he ''plays with . . . more strength'' than expected.
• Sparano said the team hasn't considered adding a veteran guard to play opposite Justin Smiley because ''we want to see what we have'' with a group that includes unproven Drew Mormino, rookie fourth-rounder Shawn Murphy and rookie sixth-rounder Donald Thomas, among others. Sparano likes what he has seen of Thomas, who entered Connecticut not even planning to play football (law school was the goal), but then walked on.
• The Marlins want to be patient with Andrew Miller (1-2, 9.12 ERA), but a poor start Sunday would raise questions about whether they would be better off giving his rotation spot to Doug Waechter or Double A prospects Chris Volstad or Ryan Tucker. But Fredi Gonzalez cautioned, ''We don't want to create that culture of, if I don't pitch well, I get sent down.'' Miller can throw 94-95 mph but has been mostly 90-91 this year, pitching coach Mark Wiley said.
• The Marlins hope Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez return around the All-Star break, but Johnson is further ahead. . . . Right-hander Jeff Allison, the Marlins' 2003 first-round pick who battled OxyContin addiction, is 0-4 at Single A Jupiter but has a 1.88 ERA ''and is throwing great,'' Marlins executive Jim Fleming said. ``He's pretty motivated.''
• Several UM recruits haven't qualified academically yet, including safeties C.J. Holton and C.J. Odom. Miami Northwestern's Brandon Washington said he and offensive line teammate Ben Jones are awaiting test scores. . . . Random Robert Marve factoid: He likes drawing crosses on the back of his hands before every game and practice ''for good luck.'' . . . Assistant coach Joe Pannunzio said he wants ''bigger guys'' returning kickoffs and will look at Aldarius Johnson and DeMarcus Van Dyke. Graig Cooper returns punts.
