Right now, Shaq is playing a major role for the Miami Heat, but I would not go as far as saying that he is the reason that Miami is winning. This is a team game, so everyone on the Miami Heat can be credited with improving their play as of late, but Shaq is definitely playing a major role and showing signs of returning to the dominant Shaq of old.

When D-Wade went down with the shoulder injury at Houston in the first game after the All Star Break, many people assumed that the Heat's season was over. What they forgot about was the fact that Shaq had missed most of the first half of the season with his injuries so he was fresh. Now, in the 8 games since the injury, Miami is 6 and 2 and Shaq is averaging 22.5 points and 9.5 rebounds a game in those 8 games. If he keeps playing this way, Miami can possibly make a playoff run with or without Wade.

All that being said, Miami needs contributions from other players to keep winning. Antoine Walker and Jason Williams both have been disappointing this season, and Pat Riley is probably hoping that they can return to form. Eddie Jones has been playing well in D-Wade's absence but whether he will be able to continue his strong play throughout the rest of the season remains to be seen. Jason Kapono recently went down with an injury which won't help, but Miami has a lot of firepower, and they can compete with a lot of teams.

Shaq is still one of the top centers in the league, but one player does not make or break a team. There are few teams that have centers that can compete with Shaq even though he is 35, but teams like Detroit with Webber and McDyess can throw many guys at him. I think Shaq will continue his strong play for the remainder of the season and lead the Heat to the playoffs, but if the rest of his teammates do not help them out, then the Heat will never succeed in the playoffs and their reign as champions will be over.

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