Heat starting over with a new O'Neal

MIAMI (AP) -Jermaine O'Neal made no grand promises upon arriving in Miami, unlike the other guy with his surname.

His formal introduction to the Heat on Tuesday brought no championship assurances, no vows of greatness, no traffic-snarling street party for a few thousand of his newest fans.

In other words, it wasn't a reprise of Shaquille O'Neal's arrival.

But make no mistake: Miami's newest O'Neal still sees plenty of potential.

"It's almost a perfect fit, as far as the style of play and the things they like to do," Jermaine O'Neal said Tuesday, shortly after finishing his first practice with his new teammates and one day before his Heat debut, which comes Wednesday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"We have a really good chance to do something special," he added.

A six-time All-Star who's still only 30, the 6-foot-11 Jermaine O'Neal has averaged 14.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in his career, and could be in the starting lineup as soon as Wednesday, coach Erik Spoelstra said.

The Heat had studied him for the past six weeks, and when the opportunity finally came to make a trade last week, team president Pat Riley and owner Micky Arison jumped, sending Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Raptors for O'Neal and Jamario Moon.

"Someone of Jermaine's skill set actually fits what we're trying to do well," Spoelstra said.

O'Neal once owned a home in South Florida, before selling a couple years ago, and has always been fond of Miami. In recent years, with Indiana and this season with Toronto, he was slowed by knee injuries, and has had surgery in the past.

But when asked if he's got enough for Miami's playoff drive, he didn't hesitate before answering, "Absolutely."

There have only been two players in NBA history with O'Neal on the back of their jerseys.

They sort of got traded for each other.