The free ride might be ending soon. Pat Riley has distinguished himself as one of the league's top coaches the last few decades, few argue the fact. But look at the Heat closely. Last year ended a string of four seasons of winning or sharing the Atlantic Division title, but it didn't end the embarrassing run of early playoff disappointments. Winning in December but losing in April? Might south Florida be ready to question the supposed master if it occurs again?

	Good news for Miami: Mourning says he'll be healthy this season.

So as we continue our 2001 Summer Spotlight Series, here's the deal with the Heat.

The good: Riley has a resume like few others. Last season was only the third in 19 seasons that a Riley-coached outfit didn't finish first in its division. However, and you knew a however was coming, there's been little playoff success the last decade-plus. When the Laker title years ended, Riley took a year off and went to New York, where he did get the team to the Finals once. But in Miami, four of the six seasons have ended with not just a bad playoff memory, but a truly miserable first-round exit. The No. 8 seed Knicks made history and knocked the top seeded Heat off. Last season, Alonzo Mourning came back and the Heat wilted in a stunning sweep by the average Hornets.

Riley has a talented team, but what is he doing? In fairness, he didn't have Zo most of last season, but he's had him in the past and still lost. The Heat made some odd moves recently, trading longtime point guard Tim Hardaway for merely a trade exception (unused so far) and letting solid defenders Bruce Bowen and Dan Majerle just walk. And the stance on Anthony Mason is strange, too. Coming off his best season, the Heat are sure acting like they don't want him back, although the luxury tax is a big factor and we're not paying the bill for him. You can even look back to the big 2000 offseason trade with the Hornets that sent Jamal Mashburn and P.J. Brown packing, making it only fitting that they helped make the Heat disappear in the spring.

Mourning is the team's top player, and after playing 13 games last year there's still no telling whether he can last for 80-plus games. A perennial All-Star before the kidney problems that threatened his career, Zo is the focal point of the offense. It was Mason who profited most statistically anyway. But even with Mourning producing at standout levels -- including the playoffs -- Miami has nothing to show for it.

Eddie Jones and Brian Grant are both solid veterans who put up numbers, and pay attention to defense. Newcomers last season, they've become Riley guys. Problem is that after Mourning, Jones and Grant, and assuming Mason leaves, the Heat don't have much offense.

	THE FACTS
	2000-01 record: 50-32, 2nd in Atlantic, 3rd in East Playoffs: lost in first round Team leaders: Jones 17.4 ppg; Mason 9.6 rpg, Hardaway 6.3 apg Team stats (NBA rank): Points, 88.9 (27th); Rebs, 39.6 (27th); FG %, .430 (24th) Current rotation: Mourning C; Grant PF; Ellis/Mason SF; Jones SG; Carter PG; Gill 6th man Spot in Summer Power Rankings: No. 11

The bad: Riley has always employed a defense-first mentality in Florida, which bodes well during the 55-win regular seasons, but lays an egg in the playoffs. One would think that with the Hornets disaster a few months ago he'd change things up, actually try to score points. Remember, only the Knicks and Bulls scored fewer points last year.

But Riley won't do that. By letting Hardaway leave he gives the starting role to Anthony Carter, who doesn't shoot or, for that matter, pass real well. Bowen did nothing on offense, but rather than get a scorer to replace his 32.7 minutes (amazingly, almost as many as Grant or Hardaway), he got Kendall Gill. Gill shot an incomprehensible .331 from the field last season.

If Mason doesn't return, the brittle LaPhonso Ellis can step in. Ellis did manage to play every game for Minnesota last season, and was dependable, but it's doubtful he can log 30 minutes a night. Plus, Mason is more productive.

But whether Mason returns or not isn't the only weird thing coming out of Riley's squad these days. Sure, money is an issue, but other than re-signing Carter and picking up Gill, Ellis and gunner Sam Mack, the Heat have been strangely silent on a number of free agents from last year -- nearly half the team. The theory is that from Mason to Cedric Ceballos to Todd Fuller and A.C. Green, the Heat are either going to try to get them cheap, or try the CBA isle for the rest of the bench. As of now, Miami does have 12 guys under contract, but you haven't heard of all of them (Ernest Brown? Tang Hamilton?)

The ugly: What could potentially get ugly here is Riley's fine image, in danger of becoming more and more questioned with each first-round debacle. Riley is also the team president here, and frankly it's a bit surprising he doesn't get more heat for what the Heat look like.

Based on the current roster, there's no reason to think Riley is worried about his image. None of his signings speak to any degree of desperation, that he needs to win now. And really, while the playoff record in Miami of 18-25 is disappointing, Riley is 126 games over .500 during the regular season with Miami. What exactly is the priority? Get people in the seats, or try to win something?

The future: The Heat will do fine in the regular season, because they always do. Few teams recently have had the same success of winning divisions and earning high seeds. However, at what point do you go for a title and take a shot, risk a few regular season victories for what could be the greater good. Riley is close to being the greatest coach ever in terms of wins, so is it him or his players? Mourning and Hardaway were the constants for the Riley years and while someone like Barry Bonds takes heat for playoff failures, you don't hear that term associated with Zo or Timmy, it's always the slick Riley. And while we're at it, why was Clarence Weatherspoon taking the last shot of the season down a point two years ago?

On the court, the Heat aren't real young -- or healthy. Three players suited up for every game, and only Grant will be back. Jones missed 19 games. Mourning might never be the same. And the players brought in to play key roles aren't durable. The Heat aren't in a great position when it comes to money, either.

But enough of the negative. While the track record in Miami has an obvious theme, there's also no reason to believe the Heat can't all of a sudden make that big playoff run. The pieces are here -- have been for a few years. It's just up to Riley to get them through.

So we asked you this question about the Heat: Why is this team able to win division titles but not succeed in the playoffs?

Check the file to the right for selected responses.

Eric Karabell is ESPN.com's NBA editor.