The notion that other teams passed the Heat this summer? Coach Erik Spoelstra said he doesn't believe it.

``I'm fully expecting major improvements,'' he said. ``We're getting an All-Star center [Jermaine O'Neal] who's healthy. We add James Jones, who we didn't have'' for much of last season. He said Mario Chalmers improved tremendously and ``you'll see a different Michael Beasley. His skill level is so much more advanced than what it was.''

With training camp opening next week, Spoelstra spoke about the cast around Dwyane Wade:

• On O'Neal, 30, previously slowed by knee problems: ``He's as healthy as he's ever been. We rewound the clock and brought him back to 26. He spent seven weeks with us'' working on strength and conditioning, then eight weeks with Chicago-based trainer Tim Grover. ``I went to Chicago and saw him in pickup games. He looks quick, jumping well. He looked like the guy I remembered with the Pacers, but stronger.''

• Spoelstra said Beasley (240 pounds) added 10 pounds of muscle, and ``improved his perimeter skills -- he would show us something new all the time. He made dramatic improvements with individual defense. He's quicker. People will see more versatility. He can play either forward position.'' Beasley worked on-court with Heat coaches (including Spoelstra) while at a Houston rehabilitation center.

• Although Pat Riley wants point guard Chalmers to start, there is no such mandate with Beasley, whom Spoelstra said could be a candidate to start at small forward. Asked if Beasley, as a former No. 2 overall pick, needs to start, Spoelstra said, ``What I'm basing things on is what gives us the best chance to win.'' Small forward is an open competition (Beasley, Jones, Quentin Richardson, etc.). Udonis Haslem will start at the other forward spot.

• Spoelstra challenged Haslem and Jones after last season ``to add a new element to their game. Conventional wisdom is when you get to around 28, that's who you are.'' He said both responded: ``Udonis added the ability to put the ball on the floor and make plays'' and Jones now does that better, too. ``Whenever James runs by, he'll say, `This old dog is learning new tricks.' ''

• Spoelstra said he wants offensive balance from Daequan Cook, who shot ``42 layups and 567 jumpers last year'' and slumped after the All-Star break.

• He said Richardson ``is in the best shape of his life, 230 pounds. He hasn't weighed that since he was at DePaul 11 years ago. He's got defensive toughness, can post up guards and some small forwards.''

• Spoelstra expressed a comfort level with Chris Quinn at backup point guard, but wants Cook ``to get us into offense in certain situations.''

• Concerns? ``We've got to improve our defense to a satisfactory level to compete with the upper echelon.''

CHATTER

• Disturbing: Of Ted Ginn Jr.'s 134 receiving yards in two games (13 catches), only 1 yard has come after the catch, according to statspass.com. ``He's progressing, but not at the pace you would like to see,'' former Dolphins receiver Nat Moore said. Ginn did not catch two potential touchdown passes Monday, and ``if he is going to be a big receiver, he has to be able to make those catches,'' Moore said. ``He could do a much better job of yards after the catch. You get in the habit where you catch on the sidelines and step out. He's finding more holes, making plays, but not making big plays.'' . . . Patrick Turner, projected to be a red-zone threat at 6-5 before drops became a problem in August, is not consistent enough in route running, one Dolphins person said. Turner was on the inactive list Monday.

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