Davis, Blount like new home
"It is not like defense will have left me"
Ricky Davis and Mark Blount say they understand and accept their roles for the Heat. They also thanked the Heat for bringing them from rebuilding Minnesota to what could be a contender to win the Eastern Conference. 'This is about the best time of my career to just come out and be competitive,' said Davis, expected to be a top scorer as Dwyane Wade recovers from injuries. 'It was kind of an honor for those guys to pick me to come down and help out,' said Blount, a reserve center who also could back up Udonis Haslem at power forward. Davis and Blount practiced with the Heat on Saturday after being held out the previous day as the trade was officially completed. Coach Pat Riley said it was a 'learning day' designed to help the new additions catch up before the Nov. 1 opener. 'We'll keep the package limited for the week or so, but I think they will pick it up quickly,' Riley said. Some of it was familiar to Davis from playing under Riley in 2000-01; he said it wouldn't take long to learn the rest. Davis said he also expects an easy transition to playing with center Shaquille O'Neal now and Wade later. 'We definitely have a 'big three,'' Davis said. 'Hopefully we can all jell together.' Read more