As the Heat was trying to maintain its spot at the top of the league, Pat Riley often would dismiss smaller moves as being practically incidental when it came to contention.
Admittedly, it is difficult to maintain a development program while also keeping an eye on the top of the standings.
Yet here stand the Pistons, not only up 2-0 on the Magic and apparently headed toward another berth in the Eastern Conference finals, but also doing it with a mix of younger players.
Jason Maxiell? Taken with the No. 26 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, three spots ahead of where the Heat took Wayne Simien.
Aaron Afflalo? Taken at No. 27 in last year's draft, six spots ahead of Daequan Cook .
Rodney Stuckey? Taken at No. 15 last June, the type of first-round pick the Heat was not able to previously maximize with Dorell Wright.
The point? The little moves can make a difference, and few have maximized them as well as Joe Dumars. Yes, Cook could prove to be a step in that right direction, but it’s also difficult to ignore the missteps.
