Michael Doleac Press Conference

By all of the things that have been going on with the organization. I watched the playoffs and I was pretty impressed by the way they started the season and how they turned it around. Also with what changes they are making now as far as getting Shaquille O’Neal and being able to play with him and on a team that is going to be a contender and win a lot of games. I wanted to go where it would be exciting, had great fans, and a chance to win.

Do you know Shaquille at all?

No, the most time I have spent with him was this summer at the Player Association meetings.

Based on the moves the HEAT has been making, what are your expectations?

I expect to have a strong team, win a lot of games, get into the playoffs and do some damage. You have to see how this all fits together and how the philosophy of the coaching staff works. The expectations in general are to win and get into the playoffs, I believe that is very possible and that is what I expect. I want to be part of a winning team and really go far and have some fun playing.

Did the fact that Shaquille was coming here have anything to do with your decision to sign with the Miami HEAT?

Absolutely. I am a shooter and if I am in the game with Shaq, I can just stay outside and hit open jumpers. It is also exciting to be around a guy that is as good as he is.

Do you expect Miami to be a more attractive place for free agents to come to now that Shaquille is here?

Yes, winning is fun. Shaquille is a proven winner, he’s unselfish, a smart basketball player, knows how to share the ball, knows how to score when he needs to, knows how to kick it out when he is doubled and he is willing to do all of that, so when you have the opportunity to play with a guy like that, its great. Miami is also a beautiful city and has nice weather. What is there to not like about the situation?

What do you know about Dwyane Wade?

I really do not know that much other than what I have seen and watched throughout the playoffs. I did not get a chance to watch him during the season, but he was very impressive during the playoffs. He can create a lot and get into the paint, which he does so well. He can do a lot of things to create for other people and himself.

How did you like the style of Miami’s play last year and how do you see that fitting into this year?

When you look at the team last year, you see a solid team effort. It reminds me a lot of my days at the University of Utah and with the Orlando Magic when we had real solid teams. You play on other teams where the chemistry may not be as good and you can see how you have a lot of talent and still not win if the players aren’t getting along. You can see last year how it was put together and they played well. You have a bunch of guys that are still on the team, but you have lost some guys. You just have to wait and see how the chemistry will be. When you have an addition like Shaq and still have great chemistry, than you are going to do a lot of great things.

You have played with some big name players such as Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony, can you project what type of media and fan attention this team will receive now?

It will be a circus, there will be a lot of things going on. Shaquille will know how to handle it, he will play well and make a huge impact. It is something that we will all have to learn how to deal with and it will be fun. Carmelo used to have a crowd of people around wherever he went and you always saw Carmelo jerseys in the city’s that we would go play in, he had a huge following. Tracy McGrady also had a huge following, you just have to deal with it.

Has your role on the team been discussed?

I talked to Coach Stan Van Gundy briefly today. The team is not completely finished or put together yet, so we didn’t discuss it all that much. I have been in the league for six years and they know what I can do.

They brought you in as the back-up center, did you feel that you might not be able to start in this league?

No, starting is not something that is a big deal to me. I want to contribute to win games. Being a back-up center is not a problem to me and I don’t mind starting either. I think you earn your minutes. If you are playing well, then the coach is going to play you. If you are helping him win, you are going to play. It’s just a matter of being out there and doing what you need to do. I am willing to do that, I don’t need to start. I just want to be able to help out and do things well to help the team win.

What was your thinking when you picked Miami while New Orleans was offering you more money?

I basically thought it would be more fun. The chance of winning here is better, especially with the addition of Shaq along with the guys that are already here. I think this is a great team. I think there will be a lot of energy in the city. I think we have a great chance of making the playoffs and really having some fun.

Having played against Shaq, how do you guard a player like him?

That was always one of my biggest challenges. Guarding him is unbelievable, he is the hardest player to guard in the game right now. Just trying to push him around is like trying to push a wall. You try to move him, but he doesn’t want to move.

After the HEAT acquired Shaq, were you surprised that you ended up in Miami?

No, because it’s difficult to play all 48 minutes in a game, so you know that they would want somebody to back him up. It’s always good to have guys that can do different things. Shaq is a low post presence that will command a lot of attention and I can stretch the defense and do other little things. We are different types of centers. I think its good to have to different look and bring a guy off the bench that can change the pace of the game and change up the flow of the game. It’s just a different look, so I wasn’t surprised that I ended up with the HEAT.