It was a classic rookie maneuver.

Eddie House had just put an Allen Iverson-type move on Allen Iverson, scoring on the 76ers all-star late in a game in Philadelphia last season. It was a blowout, in favor of the 76ers, but House still decided to let Iverson hear about it.

It wasn't the brightest or most sportsmanlike decision to talk trash in a game your team had no chance of winning. But House didn't know how many more of these chances he'd get.

The way Heat coach Pat Riley used the rookie, House could play two games in a row, then not see the floor again for a week. There was no definition of his role on the team, other than fan favorite.