Doctor Gives Heat Good Prognosis

Jack Ramsay is back on his beloved Jersey Shore for the summer, but he has focused an admiring eye on South Florida.

“They’ve done amazingly well,” Ramsay said of the Heat. “When you think of the team that Pat Riley inherited and what he ended up with … it’s incredible.”

Less than 11 months ago, Riley was introduced as the president and coach of the Heat. Khalid Reeves and Bimbo Coles were his point guards, Glen Rice was his star and Matt Geiger was his center. Kevin Gamble, Kevin Willis and Billy Owens were his veterans. Rex Chapman was his top newcomer.

Nearly a year later, the most notable holdovers close to Riley on the Heat sideline are Ramsay and fellow broadcaster Eric Reid.

And, according to Dr. Jack, the prognosis is extremely healthy.

“Miami has certainly risen, potentially, among those teams (in the Eastern Conference),” said Ramsay, a Hall of Fame coach who has become something of a hoops guru/ cult hero as a broadcast analyst.

The first Riley rumbling was the acquisition of center Alonzo Mourning on the eve of last season. Then, at the trading deadline, the Heat pulled a five-for-five switch. The icing was luring free agents Juwan Howard and P.J. Brown to South Florida earlier this month.

Ramsay, who doubles as ESPN’s NBA analyst, expects the Heat’s already strong defense to improve. He loves Howard and Brown.

On Howard: “He can do everything. He can shoot it from the edges, post up, run the floor. He’s a good passer, a good rebounder. He plays hard every night. He’s a team guy with a great attitude (and) at least an adequate defender who will improve in Riley’s defensive structure.

On Brown: “He’s fluid, can run the floor, can put it on the floor a little. He’s got a very good face-the-basket jump shot and is a good defender, good rebounder, good shot blocker.”

“From last year, 42 wins, this year I think this is a 50-plus win team,” Ramsay said.