Heat forward Udonis Haslem, a starter for the previous five years, didn't like the idea of coming off the bench when the strategy was introduced at the beginning of the season.

``I didn't understand it, and I wasn't 100 percent in agreement with it,'' he said.

But so far the Miami's versatile second team -- Joel Anthony at center, Haslem at power forward, Michael Beasley at small forward, Dorell Wright at shooting guard and Carlos Arroyo at point guard -- has been instrumental in helping the Heat to a 5-1 record heading into Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. game against Washington (2-5) at AmericanAirlines Arena. And now, Haslem sees the wisdom in the plan.

ONE ADJUSTMENT

``Defensively, I have to guard the [small forward],'' Haslem said, ``but that's the only adjustment playing with that second group.''

Haslem has to make that adjustment because Beasley, the starter at power forward, still isn't adept at defending smaller, quicker players on the perimeter. Neither is Haslem, a natural power forward. But he's better than Beasley.

``It's a work in progress,'' the 6-9 Haslem said of defending small forwards.

``I feel I can contain most guys in this league head-up. It's different chasing guys off screens, and pick and rolls, and different things like. Those are things I have to get used to.''

Regardless, the second team has answered a lot of questions the Heat had in training camp, such as what Miami would do for a backup power forward, backup center, backup shooting guard and backup point guard.

It turns out the second team, which usually starts the second quarter, is a seasoned group that can run the court, block shots, score and defend.

Led by Haslem's production -- he's averaging 11.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game -- and veteran leadership, Anthony's shot-blocking (1.17 blocks per game), and Beasley's inside-outside offensive skills (12.0 ppg), the Heat's second-team frontcourt has caused matchup headaches for opponents.

And Anthony's offensive improvement adds an unexpected dimension. While he's hardly a threat at a modest 2.2 points per game, Anthony is shooting 50 percent (5 for 10) from the floor, an improvement over the .477 he shot in his previous two seasons. Better yet, Anthony, who was barely able to catch a pass last season, is now catching bounce passes off the pick-and-roll and finishing with a dunk.

``We're all confident in what we can do as a unit to anchor the team,'' Anthony said.

And with Wright's defensive versatility and Arroyo's knack for running a team leading the backcourt, Miami's backups have produced a balanced attack that attests to the versatility coach Erik Spoelstra bragged about throughout preseason.

``We feel we have several players that could be a legitimate seventh man on a lot of teams in the league,'' Spoelstra said.

When swingman Daequan Cook returns from his bruised right shoulder (Cook practiced Monday; he's a gametime decision for Tuesday) the second unit figures to get even stronger because Cook's long-range shooting should complement the inside games of Haslem and Beasley.

VETERANS READY

And Spoelstra is quick to remind everyone that forward James Jones, also a shooting specialist, and center Jamaal Magloire, the enforcer, remain ready and able to make a contribution if called. It all contributes to the strength of the Heat's reserves.

``The main thing is they haven't lost leads so far in the season -- they've extended it or held court,'' guard Dwyane Wade said. ``And that's all you ask for with guys coming in off the bench, to hold court, and hopefully the [first] unit takes it from there.''

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