Disruptive. Troublemaker. Insubordinate.

Rod Strickland brought a lot of baggage with him when he signed with the Heat last fall.

Now, one title seems most appropriate for the point guard with the troubled past: Playmaker.

The 35-year-old Strickland hasn't given his critics a shred of new material since agreeing in October to join the Heat for a veteran-minimum 1-year contract of $1 million. Instead, he's found his trademark mid-range jump shot, not to mention the open man.

By no coincidence, the Heat's recent improvement has coincided with Strickland's as Miami enters tonight's game at Utah.

``It just took time,'' Heat coach Pat Riley said. ``He was hobbled with injuries [to his hamstring] the first month of the season, picking up a new offense and trying to learn his players. I think all of us suffered somewhat from non-familiarity.''

As he settles in with the fifth team of his 13-year career, it's becoming clear how Strickland has managed to remain an NBA commodity despite being partially fingered for the demise of two Washington coaches -- Gar Heard and Leonard Hamilton -- and blamed for disrupting the chemistry of the Portland Trail Blazers, who last season went into a tailspin soon after Strickland's signing in March.

Strickland has been known to be tardy and confront coaches. He also has rare skills, something Heat opponents are now being reminded of. Strickland has averaged 8.7 assists in his past six games, and 13.8 points in his past four. That includes a 20-point performance against Chicago last Tuesday and a season-best 13-assist outing against Indiana on Jan. 19.

But Strickland brings more than scoring and pinpoint passing. The toughness he learned growing up on the blacktop courts of the Bronx is not usually seen in 6-3, 185-pounders. He displays it regularly with his uncanny ability to get to the rim, weaving between bigger and stronger players.

Heat guard Eddie Jones, an opponent of Strickland's when Jones played for the Lakers and Strickland for Portland, knew of Strickland's talents from first-hand experience.

``When he was in Portland, I used to have to guard him all the time,'' Jones said. ``I hated guarding him. He was so quick.''

Yet, for all his coveted basketball qualities, Strickland spent last summer unemployed, waiting for front-office phone calls. When Riley dialed him up, it was viewed as a gamble. Now, the move looks more wise than risky.

``All I know is that he's been solid for us,'' forward Brian Grant said. ``He's a veteran out there creating stuff. I can't speak on anybody's past. All I know is what I see now, and that's a damn good player.''

That was not always the case.

Only last month, Riley spoke openly of dealing for a point guard with offensive skills as both Strickland and Anthony Carter (currently on the injured list), were struggling. Once he grasped the Heat offense, Strickland underwent a transformation.

His shooting from the field hovered near 31 percent as recently as early December. Since then, Strickland has improved to 42 percent and has not been reluctant to shoot when the opportunity has presented itself.

``The mid-range shot has been my game for years, but I was missing it,'' said Strickland, who has been reluctant to address his past transgressions. ``Earlier in the year, I just wasn't hitting anything.''

And now?

``I'm a lot more comfortable,'' he said. ``I guess because I was struggling so bad, I'm getting opportunities because [defenders] aren't guarding me. So I just try to take advantage of what they give me.''


``When he's hitting, we're a whole different ball club,'' center Alonzo Mourning said. ``He distributes the ball, gets in the lane and makes plays.''