Here’s what Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade said Friday at 2009 NBA All-Star weekend:
Question: Talk about the trade for Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon.
Dwyane Wade: It gives us some power down low which we need to compete. Our main thing is we can get it together faster. We just got to get everybody on the same page. Hopefully we can get a breather during the All‑Star. It is really under the radar for what he can do.
Question: What are your thoughts on Amar’e Stoudemire while you are here in Phoenix?
Dwyane Wade: You hear he is one of the best in the game. You never know if it is real or not. Everyone’s name is eventually going to come up in a trade rumor. That’s what happens. I think the best thing is not to worry about it. Just continue to do what you are doing. If you go somewhere, embrace it. If he doesn’t, try to stay here and lead your team to the playoffs?
Question: Talk about Shaquille O’Neal, what you think of him.
Dwyane Wade: There will never be another him, his creativity. We got a chance to see him in Miami for a couple years. It was unbelievable. Dwight Howard has that personality somewhat and he can bring it once he gets more comfortable in the star role.
Question: How does the dynamic of the team change with the trade, getting Jermaine O’Neal?
Dwyane Wade: It gives us a presence down low. Jermaine, he gives us what we have been missing in Alonzo Mourning as a shot blocker. I think he is going to help us. He is the push we have to make it to the end of the year.
Question: One thing the trade does is pull Beasley out of the trade rumors. Are you glad he is sticking around?
Dwyane Wade: Michael is a guy, as you can see, he is 14‑6 off the bench in limited minutes. He proved last night going 9‑for‑10 on the road versus the Bulls, that he is very capable. This will give him more opportunity to showcase his talent. He is the future of our team. He is 20 years old with an unbelievable upside. I think this will give him opportunity, more confidence to go and be the player we want him to be.
The Boston Globe (Marc J. Spears) reports: Suns center Shaquille O’Neal is sentimental about playing in tonight’s All-Star Game since he knows it could be his last. “I’m soaking it in,” O’Neal said. “I’m getting real happy about knowing it’s all about to end. I remember when I was [young], I looked at people and said I wanted to do this. When it’s all said and done, I’ll be able to say I’m in the top five in scoring, not bad, the top 10 in blocks, not bad, four different teams, not bad, hell of a player, everybody liked him, not bad. I was able to accomplish more than I wanted to accomplish.” O’Neal will be reunited with Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant on the West team tonight. They won three titles together with the Lakers, but after several verbal battles with Bryant, O’Neal was dealt to Miami in the summer of 2004. “To us, it’s really not that big of a story,” Bryant said. “I’m not revisiting that. It wasn’t a fun time for me, so I’m not about to revisit it.”
The Miami Herald (Michael Wallace) reports: Heat forward Shawn Marion was knocked out of Wednesday’s practice because of an eye injury and is questionable for Thursday’s game at Chicago. Marion was injured late in the workout, when forward Michael Beasley inadvertently hit him in the left eye during a drill. Marion was taken to a doctor for treatment and diagnosed with a bruised left eye orbit. Marion, the Heat’s leading rebounder, traveled with the team Wednesday and will be evaluated Thursday.