SAN ANTONIO -- Moments after he finished interviews with reporters Tuesday, Heat guard Smush Parker walked back to the security door that leads to the team locker room.
It was locked. He didn't have an access card and, he said, his fingerprint wasn't on file yet in the arena's sophisticated system.
Simply put: Parker was on the outside looking in.
''I hope they're not trying to tell me something,'' Parker joked. ``I don't know if that's a bad sign or what.''
The situation might best describe Parker's status at this point in the season. Parker, a former Los Angeles Lakers point guard who was the Heat's biggest free agent acquisition, enters his fourth game of the season still uncertain of his role with Miami.
He has not played in the past two games. And he is not guaranteed to be in the rotation Wednesday night, when the Heat (0-3) visits the defending champion Spurs.
The Heat faces a difficult stretch as it tries to overcome a slow start without leading scorer Dwyane Wade, who traveled with the team but is not expected to play as he continues his recovery from knee and shoulder surgeries. His absence has left a huge void in the backcourt.
When Parker signed his two-year deal in July, there was talk he would push incumbent Jason Williams for the starting job. But four games into the season, Parker has yet to supplant undrafted second-year guard Chris Quinn as the top backup.
A TOUGH FIT
Heat coach Pat Riley said Tuesday that Parker still has yet to factor into the mix at point guard and is better suited as a reserve shooting guard -- where minutes also are tough to come by behind Ricky Davis and rookie Daequan Cook.
''No, he hasn't [shown enough],'' Riley said when asked why Parker has remained on the bench the past two games. ``That's the reason. He'll get his chance. He's more of a scoring point [guard]. I really don't need that right now. What I want is somebody who'll get us organized.''
That, apparently, has been Quinn.
Parker said he met with Riley on Tuesday to clear up issues regarding his role. Riley's assessment was blunt.
''He said he didn't like the way I was running the point, running the offense,'' Parker said. ``I'm a point guard at heart, but he's playing me at [shooting guard]. I just have to reboot my system.''
The reason I have highlighted part of the article is because if Pat Riley is so unimpressed with Parker and has him benched, what was the reasoning behind signing him in the first place? We all already know Smush isn't going to give you 8-9 assists a game, more like 4-5, so if Miami needed a PG without the scorers mentality, why sign him?
NOBODY can fit in the Heat right now... no Wade no wins i tell you... they prepare to suffer the fate the Celtics got last season when PP was out... then get ready to see the OJ Mayo/D-Wade era!
Smush parker is just an idiot. in one game against the Pacers I believe, I saw him on a 3 on 1 fast break do a behind the back pass which skirted off of Ricky Davis' fingertips.
Used to think that Detroit and Laker fans were exaggerating, but Parker really isn't all that good. SMH @ being benched at the beginning of the season.
Not take a personal shot but the guy is just not that bright. Has has respectable athletic ability, and passable skills, but there is not enough going on upstairs to effectively make use of them. As general rule I'd advise against hiring a man named "Smush" for any position requiring higher thought.
Must be soooo refreshing seeing D-Fish back there again after the Smush era. :
It was refreshing the day the Lakers told Smush they wouldnt resign him, let alone bringing in a veteran, a leader, and a class act in Fisher.
Its funny that Riley made that acquisition. Beginning of the offseason, he made a comment on how if hes going to express one of his needs, he will aim high. Gave Billups as an example to fill in for PG. Then he proceeds to sign Smush and Penny gts has that quote somewhere
Must be soooo refreshing seeing D-Fish back there again after the Smush era. :
lol you dont even know. I honestly would post so much smush hating posts in the laker forums. His atitude is garbage and it shows when he plays.
I would much rather have earl boykins than smush. Why they picked up smush after his horrendous end in LA and not pick up boykins is very strange. Boykins is instant offense off the bench
Nobody understood why the Heat signed Smush at the time. Maybe Riley thought Jason Williams was broken beyond repair, and Pat figured he had to get someone/anyone to fill in. Now that Williams has turned out to be healthy, there's no reason to put Smush on the floor.
Parker Struggling To Fit In With Heat
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gts has that quote somewhere
