The Milwaukee Bucks deemed ex-Heat forward Anthony Mason the missing piece to an Eastern Conference title.

He still might be. But he hasn't been anything close to that yet.

Mason, given a four-year, $21 million deal, has had difficulty incorporating his talents into the Bucks' free-wheeling, up-tempo style. At times, he has slowed down what had been one of the NBA's most potent offenses.

Mason, whose Bucks play Miami tonight, has yet to register a double-double this season, and his averages (6.6 points, 8.4 rebounds) are way down from last year with the Heat (16.1 points, 9.6 rebounds).

He's shooting just 43.6 percent from the field (down from 48.2) and 59.3 percent from the line (down from 78.1).

The Bucks (11-6), who have won two straight after five consecutive losses, are scoring 93.1 points, well off their 100.7 average last season.

Asked last week whether he's fitting in, Mason said, ``No.''

``I thought the transition would be smoother,'' Mason said. ``It doesn't require much to throw the ball inside. But it's going to work itself out. The better shape I get into, the better I will be. We have too many weapons to keep going south. On a Pat Riley team, you only have to stop one or two people. That's not the case with our team.''