<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11 (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal practiced Thursday for the first time since tearing cartilage in his left knee Nov. 12, and forwards Antoine Walker and James Posey also rejoined the Miami Heat. Walker and Posey were placed on the inactive list Jan. 3 for failing to meet conditioning guidelines. The Heat are midway through a six-game trip. Walker and Posey will be available for Friday's game at Golden State, while O'Neal's status was undetermined, a team spokesman said. O'Neal, 34, has missed the past 28 games and played in only four games this season. He earlier said he would likely need about four or five practices before he would play. O'Neal had surgery Nov. 19 and was then projected to be sidelined until at least late December. Walker and Posey have missed the past four games. They were deactivated by coach Pat Riley the day he began an indefinite leave of absence to undergo knee and hip surgery. The injury-plagued defending NBA champions are 15-19 and third in the Southeast Division, but they're 2-1 on their trip under interim coach Ron Rothstein. After facing the Warriors, they play Saturday at Utah and Monday at the Los Angeles Lakers.</div> Source
Miami could build some momentum with a few more wins before Shaq returns. Hopefully he comes back strong.
People are doubting the Heat, but I still think they have a great chance to come out of the East again. If they stay healthy, I think they can make another title run.
It`s pretty much the same story from the last year. Will all those key guys coming back, the Heat could make that huge run they made a season ago.
They have yet to play their core players fomr last year at the same time this year, one of them has been injured. There are a lot of games that have to be played so I wouldn't doubt them just yet.
they wont be #1 but theyll make the playoffs and do fine. maybe somewhere around 5 or 6 spot? east isnt doing to hot anyways
I think they will win the division and be up there in the 3-4 spots in the East depending on how ffective Shaq is and if we stay healthy.
