Miami - A gang of reporters was waiting to speak with center Earl Barron after he'd played a major role in a Heat victory on Saturday night when teammate Udonis Haslem noticed the rare scene.

"You've been waiting three years for this," Haslem said. "Tell them how you feel."

With the way things are going for the Heat, there could be more postgame interviews for Barron. His was just the latest example of a young Heat player making a major contribution this season.

Coach Pat Riley, famously partial to veterans, has turned to his youngsters out of necessity. Increasingly, they are proving their worth.

Second-year guard Chris Quinn was steady at the point until he suffered an ankle injury that will cost him a week. Dorell Wright is showing signs of consistent play at small forward and rookie Daequan Cook continues to impress with his fearless play.

And then Barron broke out with 11 consecutive points in the second quarter Saturday to lift the sagging Heat to its 104-102 victory against Utah. He finished with 13 points and three rebounds in 15 minutes while shooting 5 of 6 from the field

"We always talk about being ready when our name is called and taking advantage of opportunities," Barron said of the Heat's youngsters. "You never know when your name will be called and, when it is, you never know when it will be called again."

That's usually true for young players under Riley other than Dwyane Wade. But Wright, Cook and Quinn have established themselves as regular contributors and should continue that way with point guard Smush Parker inactive and swingman Penny Hardaway gone.

Barron is next in line for increased playing time after Alonzo Mourning had season-ending knee surgery and with veteran Mark Blount relegated to the end of Riley's bench. Undrafted rookie Joel Anthony is the only other center available.

The Heat signed Barron, a 7-footer, as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis in 2005. He has enticed with his size, midrange jump shot and athleticism, but summer league domination hasn't translated into NBA success.

Barron had seemed nervous in his few Heat appearances until Saturday. But there was no sign of tentativeness Saturday as he scored on jumpers and strong moves to the basket and made all three of his free throws.

"It's just a matter of being relaxed and confident and getting into the flow," he said.

Barron said he didn't want his opportunity to come by way of injury to Mourning but that's he's ready after playing just 36 games and 248 minutes in two previous seasons.

"It's tough," Barron said of sitting for so long. "It's something that has been building up for two years. You sit there and say, 'I can help this team.'

"Obviously, I'm not going to be a 20 [points], 10 [rebounds] guy but I can go out and do things to help."

Wright, the Heat's first-round draft pick in 2004, also hasn't fulfilled his promise and still runs afoul of Riley at times.

But he's started 14 games this season and lately has scored efficiently while helping with rebounding and defense — he has 11 total blocked shots over his past four games.

"We call him 'Little Zo.'" Wade said, referring to Mourning's shot-blocking ability.

Daequan Cook, the first rookie since Wade in 2003-04 to play a major role for the Heat, made the latest of his big shots against the Jazz. With the Heat trailing 100-99 in the final minute, Cook calmly sank a 3-pointer as a prelude to Wade's game-winner.

"It takes a lot of guts to pull up and take that shot in that situation," Haslem said of Daequan Cook.

The Heat's season would be even more of a mess than 8-19 without Wright, Daequan Cook, Quinn and now Barron contributing.

"The young guys are doing good," Wade said. "They've got to be more consistent, along with the veterans, but I'm proud of the young guys."

 

 

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