Top > Sport > 2007 > January > 2007-01-30

Shaq is Back

Miami Heat Center Shaquille O?Neill is making his return to the basketball court these days, after playing only five of the first 42 games of the season. O?Neill was recovering from surgery on his left knee. He has in the meantime been voted to start in the All Star game, it was so announced by the league after counting the fans votes. Although joining first off the bench and not playing back to back games, O?Neill said he intends to respect the fans? choice and play at the All Star game. The game will take place on February 18, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"I appreciate the fans," O`Neal said at Madison Square Garden last week. "I am going to go out there and give them a good show." It will be O`Neal?s fourteenth consecutive All Star appearance, tying the league record with Jerry West and Karl Malone. Alongside O?Neill will start his teammate, point guard Dwyane Wade, his third All Star appearance and second straight as a starter.

In his first game back from sitting out most of the season, Shaquille O`Neal came off the bench to score five points and grab five rebounds playing limited minutes. The second game he watched from the bench, which seems to be the team policy for the ear future. Miami is only 19-23 but still within playoff contention. Keeping Shaq healthy and in shape is key to have the Shaq-Wade repeat their feats of last season?s championship run.