His offense an equal-opportunity failure against any alignment, Heat coach Pat Riley had held his tongue this season when it came to his opposition to zone defenses.

But when Riley watched the Cavaliers bog down the Nets during a Wednesday telecast, he was afforded the opportunity to make his statement without sounding parochial.
``I watched a game last night where a zone was played against New Jersey for three-quarters of the game,'' Riley said. ``It took one of the great movement teams, offensive teams, and absolutely brought them right to a standstill, trying to break a zone in 24 seconds. They ended up winning the game, but they didn't look like the New Jersey Nets.''

Riley condemned the NBA when the shift was approved last spring and has remained steadfast in his opposition.

``I think it's the biggest mistake ever, that they've ever made, to allow a zone,'' he said before Thursday night's game against the Hawks at Philips Arena. ``When you allow people to just stand in areas in this game and bring great players to a stop and have to attack zones, then I think you've taken away a lot.

``I do believe that probably will be addressed during the offseason. As much as they wanted more movement, there's no movement.''

The Heat entered Thursday last in the NBA in offense at 82.4 points per game.

JUMBLED NUMBERS

Once again, Riley's convoluted personnel ranking system has fulfilled a self-serving purpose.

Riley has his staff break down every play from every game during the season to produce an obtuse rating system unique to the Heat.

Riley took those statistics to his underachieving team this week, pointing out some hard-to-believe numbers about past accomplishments of Eddie Jones, Brian Grant and Rod Strickland.

``All of them are ranked down in the bottom half of their position,'' he said. ``I went back the last two or three years with these guys. For instance, two years ago Eddie was ranked second or third among shooting guards in the league. And Brian was ranked seventh or eighth among centers last year. And Rod Strickland was ranked the No. 1 reserve in the league last year.

``I think these guys have to realize what they're capable of doing as veteran leaders.''

LONG LOST

Once one of the NBA's most prolific teams from the 3-point arc, the Heat this season stands near the bottom of the league in both attempts and conversions.

Riley said the lack of 3-point efficiency is not by design.

``We might as well say, `Jack it up. Just come down and throw it up. First guy to get one -- just throw it up. Let's see if we make a few.' Might as well,'' Riley said facetiously of his team's outside ineptitude.

Riley said the team is drilled to be positioned and poised for 3-point attempts on almost every possession. It is an exercise run at almost every practice.

``But,'' he said with a grin, ``we've damaged a lot of rims with that drill.''