Entering the post-season, the Miami Heat, despite their status as the top seed in the Eastern Conference, still had their fair share of critics (including this one).  From Shaq?s thigh injury to a lack of playoff experience to a suspect supporting cast, the Heat were not without question marks.

 While the biggest concern of them all ? Shaq?s health ? may still be up in the air, Miami?s quick disposal of the New Jersey Nets did provide some answers.  Particularly, the play of the supporting cast, who were nothing short of instrumental in the Heat?s sweep of New Jersey.

 With Shaq putting up pedestrian-like numbers in the series (18.3 points and 8.8 rebounds), it was of paramount importance for the role players to step up.  And step up they did.  In every game, an unsung hero emerged from the shadows of obscurity.

 In Game One, it was point guard Damon Jones? 30 points on 7-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc that propelled Miami to victory.  Game two saw seldom-used Alonzo Mourning erupt for 21 points and 9 rebounds in only 16 minutes of action.   Friday?s double-overtime thriller saw Eddie Jones score 20 points on 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point land.  And on Sunday, with Shaq in foul trouble for much of the first half, EJ once again stepped up, scoring 21 points on 5-of-7 shooting beyond the arc.

 Then, of course, there was the performance of sophomore superstar Dwyane Wade, who not-so-slowly but surely is becoming the face and leader of the franchise.  

 Wade finished the series averaging 26.3 points, 8.8 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals while shooting 50% from the field.  He proved to be a matchup nightmare for whoever ? mostly Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter ? was assigned the task of merely containing him.  

 Shaq will have a week or so of rest to help heal his ailing right thigh before Miami will have to face either the Bulls or Wizards in the second round, and will need to step up in order for the Heat to advance further into the playoffs.  But at this point, there?s no mistaking Wade is now the go-to guy.

 ?He?s been a superstar, even last year,? O?Neal said.  ?It?s just now you guys are recognizing it.?

 ?I?m a little more confident,? Wade said in assessing his emergence to superstar status this season.  ?I know my teammates depend on me a lot more.  I know what to do more than last year.?

 As for the critical performances turned in by the role players in Round One?  Not much of a surprise, according to D. Jones.

 ?We don?t think like that,? said Jones when asked to comment on the perception that Miami is merely a two-man team.  ?I think that comes from the media, who think we?re nothing but a two-man team, but we feel we have a lot of guys on this team who are capable of stepping up on any given night.?

 ?Everybody stepped up, some nights guys you didn?t expect to play well, played well,? added O?Neal.  ?The whole team played well.  We had six or eight guys play well.?

 Shaq?s presence alone ? no matter how injured he is ? frees up a lot of space for teammates to not only drive the lane but spot up for open three?s.  So his contribution in Miami?s first-round sweep should not go unnoticed.  But with the supporting cast under so much scrutiny to perform this spring, it was critical for the likes of the Joneses, Mourning, Udonis Haslem and Keyon Dooling to get off to quick starts.  And in Round One, they all answered the bell.

 Miami accomplished nothing Sunday afternoon but advance to the second round of the playoffs ? which is something they were expected to do against a team who barely squeaked into the dance to begin with.

 But thanks to the play of some much-maligned role players, the Heat really is on in South Beach.

 Kostas.Bolos@realgm.com