In a season of continued disappointment for the Heat, two of Pat Riley's former players, Tim Hardaway and Anthony Mason, added to the negativity by openly criticizing him.

However, when the Heat takes on the Suns tonight, Riley knows that Phoenix forward Dan Majerle's shots will come on the court and not off it.

"For five years in Miami we had some good teams, but we didn't get done what we wanted to do," Majerle said. "They thought about going in a different direction by not re-signing some guys. If they take that personal, so be it. But Pat always takes care of the guys when they are there, and he has genuine feelings for everybody. I just don't understand it."

Riley clearly misses Majerle for a number of reasons.

"He was absolutely the best. If they all had the approach of Dan, this would be a great league," Riley said. "The great thing about Dan was the overall confidence I had that night in and night out I was going to have a guy come that I could absolutely depend on."

As much as it pained Riley to not re-sign Majerle after five solid years in Miami, he knew that the 14-year veteran wanted to end his career in Phoenix, where he spent the first seven years. "He had the energy, a strong will, an incredible purpose to win," Riley said. "He had an invincible determination."

Majerle, 36, who recently said this would be his final season, is averaging 4.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 16 minutes a game. He was the Heat's fourth-most prolific 3-point shooter (414 of 1,184). He has made 23 of 74 this season.

MARKS ON MEND

Riley said that although guard/forward Kendall Gill left Thursday's game with flu-like symptoms, he was expected to make the four-game trip. Riley also said that he anticipates activating forward/center Sean Marks this week. Marks has been on the injured list since Dec. 18 with a cervical strain and sprained ankle. Most likely, Marks will take rookie forward Malik Allen's spot on the roster. Allen has played in two games this season. ... Point guard Anthony Carter, who had hernia surgery Wednesday, will be re-evaluated next week but may be out for a month.