He said he was prepared for any decision by the coaching staff.

"I'm always confident in whatever coaching staff I've played for, knowing that they're going to make the decision that they feel is best for the team," he said. "I'm fortunate enough that I've worked hard and it kind of paid off for me this time."

The irony is Richardson returns to a starting lineup after being dealt four times this past offseason, from the Knicks to the Memphis Grizzlies to the Clippers to the Minnesota Timberwolves and then to the Heat for center Mark Blount.

"I was obviously pleased," he said of when he was told he would start. "I worked hard. I did all the things that I needed to do since being traded here. I never lost sight of my game and what I thought of my game."

--Coach Erik Spoelstra insisted that the insertion of F Michael Beasley into the starting lineup at power forward does not end plans to also feature the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft at small forward.

Spoelstra said Beasley fits better in a perimeter role when mixed in with reserves.

"In terms of Michael at the three," Spoelstra said, "I still like some things he does at the three. He will be playing the three. I like it a little bit more with the second unit."

Spoelstra said the weeks of offseason work with Beasley on his perimeter skills were by no means a waste.

"He made great progress this training camp to get us to this point, where he can even play significant minutes at the three," he said. Yet Spoelstra added of keeping Beasley primarily at power forward, "I think this alleviated a little bit more pressure off of him."

When asked if remaining at power forward, a position he played off the bench for most of last season, made him more comfortable, Beasley said, "I wouldn't say comfortable. I'm just used to it a little bit."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I like my shots; Michael loves his shots. That's the difference." -- G Dwyane Wade, on being joined in the starting lineup by Michael Beasley, who played primarily as a reserve last season.