Chris Quinn has done it all for the Heat.

He's been the starting point guard. He's been the backup. He's been on the inactive list, watching the game in street clothes from the bench. And while he's always proven worthy when called upon, he's never had true job security.

Such is life for Quinn, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound second-year player who is good enough to get into the NBA but not good enough to relax.

"I can't really worry too much about that," Quinn said of his tenuous roster position. "I've worked very hard, and I'm going to continue to work extremely hard."

For the foreseeable future, including tonight's game at New York, Quinn will do his work as Miami's starting point guard because Jason Williams is expected to have his sprained right thumb in a cast for a week. This gives Quinn a chance to get the upper hand on a roster spot next season.

"Chris is accomplished and working hard at it," coach Pat Riley said. "When he gets an opportunity, this is when he can shine."

So far he has done just that.

In Tuesday's 78-73 victory over Milwaukee, he had a career-best 24 points, including two key free throws with 2.5 seconds left. Last week against Toronto he played all 48 minutes because Williams was out with the thumb injury.

In 48 games this season Quinn has made 13 starts, and averages 6.2 points, 2.0 assists and 0.7 turnovers in 19 minutes per game.

They're modest numbers, at best, so you can understand the Heat's dogged pursuit of an upgrade at point guard. And you can understand Quinn's constant battle to keep ahead of the competition.

Since training camp Quinn has had challenges from Smush Parker, Marcus Banks, Brian Chase, and now, Lance Ahearn, a D-League signee, for the backup point guard job. And Miami certainly will look for another point guard, likely a starter, either in the draft or free agency.

Quinn almost surely won't be next year's starter. And Banks is fairly secure having three years left on his contract at an average of $4.5 million. That probably means Quinn will enter training camp once again fighting for the third point guard job, and no one knows at this point if the Heat will choose to keep three point guards.

Quinn, however, said he's not thinking about the future.

"In my two years in the league I've learned I can't worry about what I can't control," he said. "Who they bring in and all that is up to coach Riley and the guys up there, and obviously they've done a good job doing that."

 

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