Rudy T takes a lot of heat on this board, some justified, some not. While I have tremendous respect for Rudy, I have always found his substitution patterns frustrating. I think he should use more situational substitutions, based on matchups, offense/defense, and end of quarters (Rudy does pretty well with substitutions and foul trouble). But Rudy likes consistency, so the players know what to expect. This article from the Miami Herald shows that the grass is always greener .... http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/5179426.htm Heat's backup plan varies Who plays depends on the situation By STEPHEN F. HOLDER sholder@herald.com In the NBA, coaches look to the bench for a spark, an infusion of energy. In most cases, Pat Riley has received this from his reserves. Lately, however, the Heat coach has seen sporadic results. ''It's been inconsistent,'' backup point guard Mike James said. ``This year, more than any other, we depend on our bench. If we don't bring something to the table, we're hurting the team and putting all the pressure on the starters. It's been playing like a roller-coaster ride.'' In Tuesday night's game against the New Orleans Hornets, Miami got only 10 points from its reserves -- not nearly enough to offset the lack of production from the starters. ''You're getting up-and-down [play],'' Riley said. The drought extends to several players. Backup center Vladimir Stepania has two points in 44 minutes over the past three games. James, who has been the most productive player off the bench, shot 0 of 5 against New Orleans and 2 of 8 against Portland on Feb. 5. Guard Eddie House had 18 points against the Trail Blazers, but he, too, has been erratic. But the production woes might be due to more than cold shooting. Heat backups have not enjoyed consistent minutes, with Riley using his reserves in different increments each night, using matchups to determine his lineups. ''It's difficult,'' reserve forward LaPhonso Ellis said. ``If you did the same thing to a starter, you'd get the same results from them. I'm a veteran player, and my minutes have been funny all year long. But my mind is geared where, if I'm out there for four or five minutes, I try to impact the game the best I can. ``It's a little bit more difficult for young guys. You almost have to get them in a routine for them to be productive night in and night out.'' Ellis should know. His minutes have fluctuated as much as anyone's. During one recent stretch, he was idle for 12 of 20 games. Riley offered him no explanation, but Ellis never questioned the decision. House has had a similar experience. Against Atlanta on Feb. 3, he saw no action. In the next outing, Feb. 5 against Portland, House played extensively, starring in 26 minutes. Rookie guard Rasual Butler, who is likely to start tonight for injured Eddie Jones, played 18 minutes in one game last week and five in the next. ''Some guys have been getting in one night and then they might not get in the next night,'' House said. ``You might get in for four games, and then all of a sudden you won't get in. You have to make that adjustment. It's tough to do mentally, but we're professionals. We have to get past that.'' Riley said he makes his personnel decisions based on situations. ''I'm just sort of picking the guy who I think is better-suited for the team we're playing that night,'' he said. ``I don't even think about minutes with these guys. It's playing people and getting a rhythm for the game.'' Thus, the reserves need to be prepared for anything. ''Minutes are not an excuse,'' James said. ``You have to stay ready and prepared whether your number is called or not.'' • Jones was not aboard the team's plane Thursday for its flight to Houston for tonight's game against the Rockets. Jones is suffering from a left groin strain he aggravated Tuesday. Riley wasn't sure whether Jones would join the team during its four-game trip that also takes it Dallas, Detroit and New Jersey. But Jones said this week that traveling with the team while injured during a West Coast swing last month hampered his recovery and reduced opportunities for treatment. With Butler set to start for Jones, tonight's game could signal more action for guard Anthony Carter, who hasn't played in nine of the past 11 games. • Miami meets Houston rookie center Yao Ming for the second time tonight, but it's not Yao who concerns the Heat. ''It's not really Yao,'' center Brian Grant said. ``It's the Rockets, Steve Francis. Their guard play is tremendous. They can shoot three-pointers. ``Then you have Yao, who's so big and can pass.''
