The roles are reversed, but the respect still runs both ways.

A year ago, when the Heat faced the struggling Nets, it was Pat Riley throwing his support behind New Jersey coach Byron Scott. This time, it is Riley's former Lakers shooting guard who is standing up for Riley.

I'm not going to tell him to hang in there, nothing like that," said Scott, who Friday night brings his team to AmericanAirlines Arena for the first of four games in the season series. "He's been in the league too long. He knows where his team is and where they're going.

"They'll start winning. I really believe that. There's nobody better suited to be at the helm of that team than him."

The Heat went 3-1 against the Nets last season, Scott's first year as an NBA coach. Scott said the won-loss part of the equation is not what concerns him about Riley's current situation.

"I don't feel bad for him. I feel bad that people are taking shots at him," Scott said. "As far as winning and losing is concerned, I know he can handle the situation. The one thing I remember about Riles as a player is he always had his players' back."