Wade & Kapono Return to Practice

Wade & Kapono Return to Practice

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Udonis Haslem had a rough time keeping his focus on work Tuesday.

The Heat forward couldn't resist peeking over his shoulder every time there was a break during the team's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The distraction was Dwyane Wade, who completed his most extensive workout Tuesday since he dislocated his shoulder and tore his labrum in a Feb. 21 loss in Houston. On another court nearby, forward Jason Kapono tested the sprained ankle that has kept him sidelined since March 5.

Wade, the NBA's fourth-leading scorer (28.8), could begin practicing with the team as early as next week. Kapono, the league's leader in three-point shooting percentage (.513), might be back in the rotation late next week.

''Every time I get a chance, when they're working out on the side, I'm seeing how they're doing,'' Haslem said. ``JK is still shooting the ball well, and Dwyane is coming along well. It's exciting to see that we're close to getting those guys back.''

Wade went through shooting drills as his teammates practiced. Once the 90-minute session ended, Wade moved to the main practice courts and worked on drills for another hour with rookie point guard Chris Quinn and two Heat assistant coaches.

FEELING BETTER

Wade said afterward that it was the most work he has done on the court since he sustained the injury. At one point, he made 16 of 21 long jumpers and nine of 10 free throws. The right-handed Wade showed no sign of problems with the left shoulder.

''Every day, I try to shoot more and more,'' Wade said. ``[From] where I felt the night of the injury to where I am now feels like a year ago. It just feels great to be out there.''

Wade has missed 17 games since the injury. But the Heat (38-32) has gone 12-5 in his absence and moved into first place in the Southeast Division.

Heat coach Pat Riley said Wade and Kapono will not travel on the Heat's three-game trip that opens tonight in Toronto and continues Friday at Minnesota and Sunday at Detroit.

But both players could be back on the practice court when the Heat returns for the first time since the All-Star break. Wade said a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging on his shoulder Friday showed the joint is growing stronger, but that surgery is still likely in the offseason.

Riley had said that if Wade is able to come back this season, he would like to see him go through a week of practice and play in four or five games before the playoffs. Miami has 12 regular-season games left.

''There's no sense putting a date on it until there's a date,'' Riley said. 'But he's arriving mentally at a time when he's going to give it a shot at practice, maybe sometime next week. But there's still an `if' here. He's a very valuable asset to this city and franchise. We want to make sure he feels comfortable with his health.''

Wade said there is some discomfort in the shoulder, but there is no longer pain. There are some routine tasks he's still not yet comfortable enough to perform. Among them are the nightly ''pillow fights'' with his son, Zaire, and a nephew at home. Another is sleeping on his left shoulder. Heat guard Eddie Jones, who recovered from the same injury several years ago, once had his shoulder slip out of place as he slept one night during his rehab process.</div>

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