4 Miami Heat

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KEY BENCH PLAYERS: C Alonzo Mourning, G Smush Parker*, G- F Dorell Wright, G- F Anfernee Hardaway*, F Wayne Simien
*New acquisition

Record: 44-38 (5th in East) Points scored: 94.6 (28th in NBA) Points allowed: 95.5 (8th) Coach: Pat Riley (third season with Heat)

As part of his off-season training regimen, Shaquille O'Neal practiced mixed martial arts every day. "UFC-style wrestling: fighting, punching in the face, choke holds," O'Neal says. "I'm a big fan of the sport."

O'Neal hopes to lift the Heat off the canvas after a dismal, injury-ravaged year, in which the 2006 champs stumbled to a 44-38 finish before getting KO'd by the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. For O'Neal, who missed 10�weeks after tearing cartilage in his left knee last November, the season was about as much fun as being stuck in an octagon with Randy Couture. O'Neal wound up playing just 40�games and set career lows in scoring, rebounding, blocks and minutes. Although he rallied to carry Miami on a 16-6 run down the stretch, he looked cement-legged in the postseason.

For the first time in his 16-year career O'Neal heard whispers that he was washed-up. That's why he spent the summer training like a heavyweight hoping for one last title shot. In addition to his martial arts work, he also boxed, swam and did yoga. "He's got more flexibility than he's ever had," coach Pat Riley says.

The 35-year-old O'Neal might not pull down backboards anymore, but he will still draw double teams. That's even more important now that the Heat is without forwards Jason Kapono and James Posey, who both left as free agents. In addition, Dwyane Wade will miss the start of the season as he recovers from May shoulder and knee surgery.

Miami might be too thin on the bench and too slow defensively to challenge for the title. But with a motivated O'Neal in the middle--and a healthy Wade roaming the perimeter--the team will be in the thick of the Eastern Conference race. "As a leader, it's time for me to step up," Shaq says. "I'm ready to go."

ENEMY LINES
An opposing team's scout sizes up the Heat

Another way of looking at Dwyane Wade's injury is that it forced him into a period of extended rest; with fresh legs he might be capable of an MVP season. And if Shaquille O'Neal comes up with a great year, then the Heat can contend, because that could still be the best one-two punch in basketball. Even at Shaq's age, nobody comes close to his strength--nobody. . . . Age is a big concern. This is a team whose window is closing unless it can inject a couple of really good, lively players around Wade. But Pat Riley wants to win now. As soon as he doesn't think he can win the championship, he's out of there. . . . Jason Williams is playing for a contract, so maybe he'll have a good year. But he has a history of knee problems, and there's not going to be a big market for him. . . . Antoine Walker can still do a little bit of everything even though he plays like an old man--he can't really turn around in the post and juke and fake you to get his shot off. Plus he travels on almost every single play.