"We're having fun playing," Saunders said. "You only worry about peaking if you're a one-dimensional team, and we're not."
The Heat has not come close to peak form and had its full roster together Friday for the first time since the opener. Riley, who took over for Stan Van Gundy seven games ago, has been calling far more plays for O'Neal, who has been responding enthusiastically.
With Bryant having scored 62 points Tuesday, the Lakers bring the glitz into the second annual grudge match between the team that traded O'Neal in 2004 in favor of keeping Bryant. But those two are passe compared with the real subplot: coaches chasing one final chance at a ring.
coaching
Riley and Jackson spark the debate about how much effect a coach can have. The Heat has won five of seven under Riley, while the Lakers have won 9 of their last 11.
Back in the 1990s, when Jackson was coaching the Chicago Bulls in contentious battles against Riley's Knicks, the focus may have been on Michael Jordan and the two teams. But Riley and Jackson still exchanged pleasantries.
"I think I called him a whiner and he called me Hannibal Lecter," Riley said with a smile.
While the game at the Palace of Auburn Hills reprises the finals, the game in Miami recycles rivals and promotes personalities. Stern has no problem with that dichotomy.
"Of course, teamwork is always appreciated, but also because of the nature of the media today, there is an attraction to individuals," Stern said. "Barbara Walters never gathered a team, but she went and sat on Dennis Rodman's lap."
In the wake of last year's brawl at Detroit, the league has made image, if not packaging, a priority this season by installing a dress code and regulating the length of uniforms. That was the biggest news in an uninspiring season until Stan Van Gundy suddenly resigned, Riley returned (curious timing) and Bryant put on his one-man show.
stern business
"We're a business here," Stern said. "We neither orchestrated Pat Riley's return nor did we score the 62 points for Kobe, but I tell you what, it's going to make for a very exciting game Sunday."
Riley is looking past the matchup to find a meaning from the Pistons' and the Spurs' success.
"They have gotten to a point where the personalities have absolutely suppressed all individual ego to be part of something they can really believe in," Riley said. "They're for real. Whether they'll be that at the end of the year, whether or not two or three other teams can grow into the same kind of chemistry and talent they have remains to be seen."
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