Dwayne Wade is down and out with a shoulder injury, which means that the Miami Heat’s go-to guy become Shaquille O’Neal. Although the Heat are the NBA Champions, they have struggled to get back to the playoffs this year. O’Neal was out earlier in the season, which put a strain on the team. Wade going out translates into even greater stress. Why? It has to do with two things– O’Neal himself and the situation in the NBA East.In the East, many teams seem to have picked up the pace, putting more pressure on clubs such as Miami. Those that are in the bottom tier of positioned playoff teams. The fact is, it’s pretty darn crowded in the 6-8 post-season positions.

Here’s the win/loss information—

Sixth seed: Indiana 29- 27 Seventh seed: Miami 28- 29 Eighth seed: New Jersey 28- 30

Along with those clubs presently holding playoff spots with about six weeks to go, there are other organizations with the potential to move up and past the 6- 8 seeds. These include—

Orlando 28- 31 (1 game behind Miami and .5 behind New Jersey) New York 26- 33 (3.5 games behind Miami and 2.5 behind New Jersey)

With about 24 games left in the NBA season anything is possible.

Now here’s the dilemma for Miami. Wade, who leads the team in PPG (28.8) and APG (7.9), also lead them in steals per game (2.1). Wade is a great two-way player. O’Neal’s production in 18 games has been 15.2 PPG and 1.5 APG. He’s averaged 0.22 SPG. His blocks equal 1.6 per game. He offers dominate play under the basket, which has always been his strength and each game he continues to get his legs back.

But Shaq, who is almost 35 years old, has lost a step or two. He can make that great 180 degree spin move as well or as quickly as he used to. He used to explode on counter moves but now he’s got less pop. He’s still big enough to bang with the best but how much punishment can his body take? He’s less likely to go for the power dunk than he used to and will try to finesse more. His agility, which has always been an asset, has diminished with age.

Still, Shaq has great tools and skills and amazing drive. But in the next 24 games or so, as he drives to the basket and tries to carry the Heat into the playoffs, the big guy’s shoulders are bound to feel the added pressure.

If he can muster the strength and stamina to lead Miami into the post-season, it will be through grit, courage and wile. If this team gets to the finals, in what is one of the most grueling playoff seasons in sports, and Shaq is still productive then I’ll have to wonder if he hasn’t found that Fountain of Youth that Spain sought hundred of years ago during their conquest of Florida.

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