House Vowing To Make His Point

By Kent Somers
Arizona Republic

There is at least one person convinced that Eddie House can successfully make the conversion from star shooting guard in college to competent point guard in the NBA -- Eddie House.

And House figures it won't be long before he starts winning converts.

House, Arizona State's all-time leading scorer and the Pac-10 Player of the Year last season, was taken by Miami in the second round of the draft Wednesday, the 37th overall selection. Rather than being upset about his draft status, House viewed it as just another challenge.

"Nothing was ever given to me," he said. "I've always had to fight for everything I've deserved."

House was the first of three players with Arizona ties to be drafted Wednesday. Ernest Brown, a 7-foot center who played his freshman season at Mesa Community College, was also taken by Miami, with the 52nd pick.

Northern Arizona center Dan McClintock went with the next selection to the Denver Nuggets.

House had hoped to go in the first round, but poor performances at two pre-draft camps, in Phoenix and Chicago, hurt his chances.

At 6 feet 1, House was able to play shooting guard at the college level but is too short to play there in the NBA.

House was thrilled to go to Miami, where he'll play for Coach Pat Riley and with veteran point guard Tim Hardaway, provided Hardaway, a free agent, re-signs.

"It's a great opportunity for me," he said. "It's a chance to learn from Tim Hardaway. We played on the same summer league team in San Francisco (in 1996), and I liked the way he played. We're similar. We're point guards who can score and get other people involved."

Heat General Manager Randy Pfund said he was impressed with how hard House plays.

"He has the ability to shoot the ball in streaks that are amazing," Pfund said. "He reminds me of Reggie Miller, how he runs off screens. He's getting better when he has the ball. And he sticks his nose in there defensively, which a smaller guy has to do."

House is also anxious to play for Riley. "He can't do anything but help me get better," he said. "I have so much to learn right now, and his championships speak for themselves."

House will face some difficulty in making the Miami roster. The Heat already had a solid backup point guard in Anthony Carter, a restricted free agent. Miami has the right to match any offer Carter might receive.

"I have a lot more talent," House said. "Not to knock Anthony Carter at all. He played well in the playoffs."