Question: How have you been spending the last two or three weeks in anticipation of signing the contract?

UH: “For the last couple of weeks before I’d actually signed on the dotted line, I just wanted to be careful. I tried not to take a lot of plane flights and I drove safely with my seatbelt on just to get to this day. It’s a blessing.”

Question: How difficult was the decision to come back to Miami?

UH: “To me it was easy. I’ve never been the guy who would sell all the things I believe in for money. I believe in being successful and winning. I can’t see a better place or time than to be with the Miami HEAT right now.”

Question: You went from playing in France before signing with the HEAT earning this lucrative deal. Can you talk about that experience?

UH: “It’s been a long process. I just believe in hard work. Coach (Pat) Riley once said to me when I got here that, ‘Hard work doesn’t guarantee anything, but without it you don’t have a chance.’ I just continue to work hard and give myself a chance.”

Question: How do you feel about Shaquille O’Neal re-signing with the HEAT?

UH: “I guess that’s five more years of wide-open shots. I’m looking forward to that, definitely.”

Question: How much has O’Neal’s presence influenced you to stay in Miami?

UH: “Obviously, Shaq has been a tremendous benefit for the whole team. But it will come to a point where Dwyane (Wade) and the other guys will have to venture out on our own and do it without the Big Fella. I told him to his face that I was going to ride him until his wheels fall off. That played a large part (in re-signing) – being a part of the guys’ future and hopefully winning a championship.”

Question: What are your thoughts about the trade rumors that will bring Antoine Walker to Miami?

UH: “If he comes, I believe that Coach Riley and Mr. (General Manager Randy) Pfund have made the right decision. Since the two years that I’ve been here, they’ve made great decisions. I’m confident that they will make the right decision here. We are two different players and we can bring two different things to the table. If you put that together, you should have a pretty good tandem.”

Question: There is also a possibility that Jason Williams could be traded to the team. Have you spoken to him, and how do you feel about that possibility?

UH: “I haven’t talked to him. I, being a (University of Florida) Gator, Matt Walsh being a Gator and J-Will being a Gator will equal success.”

Question: What kind of player is Jason Williams?

UH: “I think he’s one of the best playmakers in the game. Obviously Steve Nash and Jason Kidd are the top two playmaking point guards in the game, but personally I think he’s right up there in the top five as playmaking point guards.”

Question: How much did your relationship with Wade play into you re-signing?

UH: “A lot. We came in together. Obviously, when it’s his turn he’ll probably sign for a lot more than me. But I have the utmost respect for Dwyane. It’s not about Dwyane as a player, it’s about Dwyane as a person. We’re friends. To me, that’s worth a lot more than money.”