With the trading deadline gone and the team still intact and some what healthy and playing it's best ball since the start of the season(if not better). Most fans(supporters of Wade and not the Heat) seem to be disappointed. The cries for Amare were not answered(thank the heavens). Sure he's a great offensive player but the Heat would have had to give up to much to bring him... with his salary, the Heat would have had to give up at least two or three players that are key to the success of this team. Him coming would have meant that the team had given up on this season and maybe it's future.

Look, Pat Riley knows more about this game than probably all of us armature analyst combined. He knows that Beasley has a brighter future than Amare. Yes the guy can put the ball in the basket but how much of his success is attributed to the style of the Suns and the play of Nash. And if anyone didn't notice... Beasley is more or a versatile scorer and play maker. It made no sense in moving him for Amare. Amare is pretty much set in what kind of player he will be. Extremely explosive offensively but very inconsistent defensively(the same problem you folks seem to have with Beasley). What you folks don't get is that Beasley is commited to getting better and being a game changer on that end.

Playing with Wade has been the best thing Beasley and any other young member of this team has going for them. Players, especially young ones, tend to take on the personality of it's team leader(s). Beasley is begining to do many of the things that Wade does. Things like playing passing lanes, getting blocks, finding open teammates for easy scores... I see Wright and Cook doing the same thing also. Amare would not be prone to these type of things because he's set in his nature and how he goes about his business.

And last but not least... Amare hasn't helped a team win jack!!! Even with a 2x MVP winner and a team loaded with All-Stars and quality role players and a freakish system. What would leave one to believe that he would help Wade lead a lesser cast to a title??? Some time we as people need to look beyond the numbers and just skip to the end result.

Riley saw this and I'm happy he did. Sure Beasley hasn't reached that elite status but it's not like he's had room for error like say a Derrick Rose or Kevin Durant. The kid had to change from being the "man" or "best player" as he had been accustomed to for his entire life... to learning how to be a role player and guy that will go 5 to 7 minute stretches without even touching it. Not many guys in the NBA are putting up his numbers while being asked to do that... especially guys that are his age. Anyway, I'm happy the club is still together. They're one of the few teams that play together and play the game the right way.

Now if only coach would spice up the offense and start using Beasley, Wright and Cook to play a little above the rim on some back door cuts and screens. To much of our offense is run at the top of the key.