After the Miami Heats explosive season last year they left no doubt that they were the true champions. With Dwayne Wade, Shaq, and another all-star cast of players the Heat have a good chance to repeat again this year. During the Heats first game though doubts were raised about whether or not Shaq could be a driving force for the heat this year. In his first game he was 3-10 from the field and was starting to look the part of an aging NBA star. At the age of 36 Shaq is 325 lbs and is slower then ever before. He seems to have lost his touch a little in the off season and it looks like the once dependable Shaq is now looking more like a washed out Michael Jordan.

However even with an aging Shaq, the Heat still have Dwayne Wade, Gary Payton, and Antoine Walker which would seem to be enough to put the Heat into another run for the championship. Dwayne Wade did not disappoint going 10-15 from the field. Payton and Walker on the other hand are a little rusty, but will surely be back on their game after awhile. So the question is still posed will the Heat be able to repeat?It's doubtful, their conference will be tough this year and without the addition of another key player they won't have the power to make it to another. The Heat blew that chance a few days ago when the failed to sign Jalen Rose who would have been just the offensive power they needed. The chances of success are next to none.

The Heat's conference is packed with powerful teams ready to make mince meat of their opponents. Their main worry this year will probably be the Cleveland Cavaliers who's team is lead by the young superstar Lebron James. After just barely losing to the Heat last year in the conference finals the Cav's are ready and kicking to get to the top of the conference. This year will be packed with action as the Eastern conference looks for their next champion. Expect the heat to make the playoffs, but fall short losing to the team that they edged out last year the Cavaliers. Better luck next year Heat Fans.