Dre,

I am not sure if it is so simple as the back up point (the droughts) but they do bother me because as you say, we can't afford too many of them in the playoffs. Certainly the back up point has been key in our problems on and off with that second unit. Murray has the talent to do what is necessary but he doesn't always show up.

Yes, usually the drought is with Billips out but sometimes we start the game slow too with our starters. We can't afford that either.

I think the problem (with the first unit early) lies somewhere in our APPROACH to the offense. It is too loose--a sort of create as you go. We have so much talent that our guys can do a lot of things. I would like to see our guys do less things but do them very well (Sheed on the block, Rip mid-range, Tay with a catch and shoot, etc.).

I won't worry about the droughts if we play Detroit defense including bringing in energy with the second line players and play tough defense from the first quarter.

Against Miami, it will mean giving some real playing time to Davis and let Nazi come in for a few minutes to serve up some fouls on Shaq also.