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The Miami HEAT host the Orlando Magic Tuesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.  Get your tickets now! Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM, and television coverage is on FOX Sports Sun. You can also listen to the action live on 790 The Ticket.

1: With Tuesday night being Chris Bosh Night, what is your favorite memory of Bosh’s time with the HEAT?

Couper Moorhead: While Bosh had a ton of memorable moments on the court, game-winning moments at just about any time of year you can think of, my own favorite memories are of Bosh in the locker room and after practices when he was always more than happy to talk and chat until conversations naturally ended. Bosh is both incredibly thoughtful and self-aware, which made his views on games, both those he played in and what was happening around the league, revealing and instructive. You could learn plenty just from talking to Bosh and for someone who works in basketball for a living, all those conversations were just as memorable as anything he did with a ball in his hands.

Joe Beguiristain: Let me start by piggybacking off Coup and mentioning that dealing with Chris Bosh off the court was an absolute pleasure. For as good as he was as a player, he was equally as remarkable as a person. Countless times after practice, I can remember Bosh just hanging out and speaking with the media about basketball and life in general. That's just who he was.

As for on the court, I’ll always remember his intensity and ability to get the job done in crunch time. But above all else, he genuinely cared. Before helping the HEAT win back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 — with the latter coming thanks to a fantastic performance in Game 6 of the Finals — Bosh fell to the ground in 2011 after losing to the Mavericks.

Not only did that moment show how much he cared, but it also fueled him for all the great things that were yet to come in a Hall of Fame career.

Couper: The season series stands at 2-1 in favor of Orlando right now, and there has been a wide variety of reasons for each one of those outcomes, from Orlando’s bench dominating back in October, Orlando making over half of their threes in a 15-point win in December and Miami running away with one a couple weeks later thanks to their own hot shooting and a standout performance from the starting lineup. Now, three months removed from those games and with each team using tweaked and modified rotations, it’s possible none of that matters beyond the importance of shooting. If either team gets hot we may see another double-digit evening but with this being essentially the most important game of the season on both sides it’s tough to predict anything but a close game down the stretch.

The HEAT have players that have given Orlando problems in the past, and vice versa, though Bam Adebayo starting and possibly being given the Aaron Gordon assignment is a look this matchup hasn’t seen a ton of. The Magic have enough shooting and capable playmakers, particularly Nikola Vučević in the middle of the floor, to attack Miami’s zone, but they rely heavily on the shot-making of Terrence Ross to bolster a bench unit in need of scoring. If Miami can bother Ross enough as he runs off screens, with and without the ball, they’ll force Orlando to require a bit of an outlier performance from one of their other playmakers. And the more responsibility you can force on the fewest amount of players, against a team that isn’t centralized around one or two offensive engines, the greater your margin for error.

Joe: At this point, the HEAT understand that they need to defend at a high level and move the ball with precision in order to give themselves a good chance to win. Then again, making shots always helps.

During Miami’s recent 3-1 road trip, three guys shot over 38 percent from deep on high volume, and Dwyane Wade did his thing in the fourth quarter more often than not. And when you also factor in Bam Adebayo’s stellar play on both ends, you see why the HEAT had a lot of success against some tough teams.

The Magic come into Tuesday night winners of five straight largely because of their defense. In fact, Orlando owns a 97.8 defensive rating over that span, which is by far the best in the league. Thanks to Nikola Vučević, Khem Birch, Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross among others, the Magic have really limited teams from both the restricted area and beyond the arc.

3: How will Tuesday night’s result affect the playoff scenario?

Couper: We’ve had a lot of biggest games of the season lately and Miami has for the most part taking care of business, beating Charlotte twice, beating Brooklyn and splitting with Detroit. This is the latest in that run, and the implications are significant. After Orlando handled Philadelphia Monday night, this game is for sole possession of the No. 8 seed. If the Magic win, they also get the head-to-head tiebreaker. If Miami wins they’ll have the tiebreaker temporarily but Orlando can take it back by winning their final two division games since Miami has none left. In other words, this game counts for two. Win or lose it will be a bit still before there is any postseason clarity, but whoever wins will control their own destiny for a spot in the playoffs. With fewer than 10 games to play, that’s a powerful spot to be in.

Joe: Nothing is set in stone yet since seeds six through nine are separated by just a game and a half, but this game is huge. There’s really no other way around it.

But as I always say, it’s all about taking care of business and worrying about what you can control.

Luckily enough, Miami does control its own destiny.

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Orlando Magic at Miami HEAT Game Preview

While I am disappointed by LeBron's decision to leave Miami, no one can fault another person for wanting to return home. The last four years have been an incredible run for South Florida, HEAT fans, our organization and for all of the players who were a part of it.  LeBron is a fantastic leader, athlete, teammate and person, and we are all sorry to see him go.

Over the last 19yrs, since Micky and I teamed together, The Miami HEAT has always been a championship organization; we’ve won multiple championships and competed for many others.  Micky, Erik and I remain committed to doing whatever it takes to win and compete for championships for many years to come. We’ve proven that we can do it and we’ll do it again.

pat-riley-statement

Pat Riley Statement

It is meaningful from the standpoint that I believe that I have made my father very, very happy. And that would be the most meaningful feeling that I would have from it, that he would know that what I did mattered and counted in my career as a coach.

All I did from day-to-day is coach. Thats what my job was, thats what my passion was, and the fact that now its something Im being considered for is just mind-blowing to me, that I would ever be in that kind of company.

Having Patrick Ewing inducted with me would be incredible. To have one of my favorite all-time players that I coached, be inducted at the same time, if it were possible for both of us, would have a special added meaning for me.

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Pat Riley Quotes on Hall of Fame Nomination

On Monday, HEAT President and Head Coach Pat Riley kicked off Miami HEAT Media Day with an in depth press conference about the upcoming season. HEAT Insider was there to bring HEAT fans the behind-the-scenes experience.

Heading into training camp, what would you consider the most pressing issue?

Were not going to give them their playbook until next week. That should tell you tell you something about the first week  its not about the Xs and Os. Its really about establishing, from day one, the energy and effort that we need to concentrate on the things we do, all the details. We think weve developed a program this week that will get us in better shape, get us ready mentally.

What are you doing for a number three scorer?

We have enough guys who I feel can score. We have two of the best players in the league with Shaquille ONeal and Dwyane Wade, and we have a lot of players who I feel if theyre healthy, can fill in. Jason Williams, Udonis (Haslem); we have enough. We have enough energetic young guys who I like, I believe in and who I feel good about giving them a chance. Dorell (Wright) had a great September, but we will see.

This year there are a lot of spots that have yet to be solidified. Is that a good thing heading into training camp  to have guys motivated to compete for those open spots?

Last year we brought back a championship team. I thought they deserved a try at repeating. We came back with an indifference. Was that born out of being a world champion? Thats what I took from it. Nine of the 18 players we brought back last year didnt meet their conditioning goals. This year, just about everyone passed their conditioning test and met their conditioning goals for this camp. There is a different attitude, there is a different approach.

Have you seen any other signs that the players are taking a different approach heading into this season?

I can feel it especially with our nine young guys who are hungry. I always tell this story. Im going to bore you again with this story: Udonis Haslem, when he came to our first free-agent camp, he was a know-nothing, no name, no reputation guy who had been to Europe, came back and came to our first free agent camp. From the first day that I started him in the preseason, he had never been out of the starting lineup. Its those kinds of players that give me hope that one of the nine will make it. I love that in these players; theyre hungry, theyre talented, theyve been beat up a little bit. I love the challenge of trying to find one or two of them that can help us. I told them today, Dont worry about the name of the back of the jersey who youre competing against.

What are you expecting from Antoine Walker?

The same thing that we always expect from him. Hes versatile, but he needs to get off to a better start (this season). He wasnt the only one. Pretty much all of our perimeter players got off to a bad start (last season). He needs to be, right out of the gate, solid. At 6-9, we all know what he can do when hes on, and we all know what he can do when hes not.

When Dwyane Wade gets healthy, what is going to be his number one priority?

Dwyanes been working (a lot at night). He comes in (with his trainer) three hours every night. Hes cleared to do just about everything but have physical contact. Hell do a lot of drill work. We hope that doesnt exacerbate any of his injuries. Dwyane is definitely going to have to become more of a leader at the defensive end of the court. I know we rely on him from an offensive standpoint, but we cant use the offensive load as a crutch to not defend the way we need to defend. Hes a fourth quarter defender, but we need it all the time. He and I have talked about this. He can be the most extraordinary defensive player in the league. We need him to do everything. Its just a matter of discipline and focus, but I have to rest him a little bit more. If you want your best offensive player to play the other end of the court as well as he plays the offensive end, then I have to be more conscience of his minutes and his load.

What should you expect from Shaquille ONeal this season?

I think you have to be realistic about it. Hes now going into his fourth year with us. I think at 36-years old, this summer, he has done everything he could in just about every aspect of training to make sure he was right. Hes in real good condition. He has more flexibility than I think he has ever had. I think thats one thing we had concern about, that once you get older you lose flexibility. He killed his conditioning test. Matter of fact, he did more than what he was supposed to do. I feel good about that part. We just have to wait and see about performance. I expect him to play at least the way that he did last year. I think hes still capable of that.

With Dwyane Wade out, can Shaquille ONeal still carry a team?

Well see. He did last year for a while. As a matter of fact, we got off to a real good run right after Dwyane got hurt. We sort of secured certain things, although we didnt get what we wanted to, obviously, with the home court advantage, but he played very well during that time.

He can play. Hes lost a lot of weight. He really wants it, truly. He really does. If youre ever around him, hes very serious about this. This is not just a comeback attempt to collect a paycheck or to hang out; he really wants to play. He loves the game. Hes done everything he needed to do to get back. Hes lost 25 or 30 pounds from what I saw last summer. But he can just play. I watched him make plays that he used to make. Hes not the athletic, young Penny I remember when he scorched us for 42 and 41 in the playoffs when we played against Orlando, but he can play.

Can you talk about Dorell and his role this year?

Dorell is in great condition. He had a great summer from that standpoint. Hes long. Hes athletic. Hes been shooting the ball well, but he does a lot of everything. Hell blocks shots and hell get 15 rebounds. You dont have to run plays for him. Hes the kind of guy who can score points in transition. Hes a great cutter. He got a chance to play a couple of weeks last year during an injury crisis that we had, and he played pretty well. He has an opportunity and this is his opportunity. I think he can really help us. Its time for him to blossom.

You have mentioned the conditioning of the players. Does that imply that youre trying to open up the offense this season?

We definitely need to get easy ones, but youve got to run in order to do that. Weve tweaked our transition offense a little bit on makes to try to open it up a little more. Youre either going to run hard to get lay ups or youre going to walk it and post up. I dont want any in between. We do have guys who can run. These young guys can run. Jason Williams can push it. Brian (Chase) can really go. Hes a combination of Spud Webb, Mugsy Bouges and Earl Boykins.

Have you found your specialist on the team?

I would definitely love to have Jason Kapono back. Hes not a specialist, hes a real good player. And Pose (James Posey), but we couldnt afford it. Thats the way it was. I never considered them being a specialist; I talked to them about their special gifts. I have too much respect for both of those guys and Eddie (Jones). All of them did have a specific role. They wouldnt have been role players unless they can do a lot of other things too.

Do you feel you have more interchangeable parts this season?

I think so. I think the versatility is there with Smush (Parker). He broke in in Cleveland and got a great opportunity in LA. I said to him, Theres another level you can go to. Hes long. He has a great stroke. Playing in the triangle offense, I dont know how that equates to being a spot up three-point shooter. It could be different. Players who werent high percentage three-point shooters all of a sudden shoot a few percentage points higher around Shaquille and Dwyane. We have a number of guys who can do that.

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HEAT Insider: Pat Riley Press Conference

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Pat Riley Statement on Shaquille ONeal

MIAMI, August 2  The Miami HEAT announced today that they have re-signed free agent forward Udonis Haslem. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ive been with this franchise for 10 years and Udonis Haslem has been one of the greatest finds that we have ever come upon, said HEAT President Pat Riley. The credit goes to Randy Pfund and his staff who uncovered this jewel. Udonis has shown through hard work and determination that his dream, and that of many NBA players, can come true. We are absolutely delighted that we are signing him to this contract.

Haslem, who originally signed with the HEAT as a free agent on August 6, 2003, has appeared in 155 games (104 starts) in his two-year NBA career in Miami. He has averaged 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 28.8 minutes per game in that span, while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 77.9 percent from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures on 69 occasions and notched 34 double-doubles.

During the 2004-05 season, Haslem started in all 80 games in which he appeared, averaging 10.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 33.4 minutes per game. He ranked fourth in the NBA in field goal percentage (.540), 14th in rebound average, 14th in offensive rebounds (239), 16th in total rebounds (726), 18th in defensive rebounds (487) and tied for 28th in double-doubles (23). He also set career-highs in all statistical categories except three-point field goals. His .540 field goal percentage ranks fifth on the HEATs all-time single-season list. He also started for the sophomore team in the got milk? Rookie Challenge at All-Star Weekend in Denver; his second year participating in the event.

Haslem appeared in 15 playoff games for the HEAT in 2005, averaging 9.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 36.2 minutes per game.

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HEAT Re-Sign Udonis Haslem

Round-Two of the Miami HEATs version of streetball, titled Street HEAT drew rave reviews on Friday at the basketball courts of Jose Marti Park in Miami. HEAT players Lamar Odom and Rafer Alston thrilled the crowd with an array of free-styling and open court basketball skills.

Today was all about having fun and entertaining the kids, said Odom. Playground basketball is all about having fun and hopefully the people that came out this afternoon will get excited and make their way to the arena this season.

The event kicked off with a spirited game of H-O-R-S-E between Odom and Alston, where the object of the game is to create a shot that your opponent cannot duplicate in an alternating format. Alston, known more his quickness and dribbling expertise, dazzled the crowd with his pinpoint bank shots and over the shoulder baskets, while Odom relied on his size to produce a few thunderous and acrobatic slam-dunks.

This was a tough game of horse, said Alston. Lamar had

the advantage, because he can dunk the basketball, so I had to do some things that the big-fella could not come up with.
Odom stands at 6-10, while Alston stands at 6-1. Alston won the game, but Odom was the crowd favorite.

I made sure the fans were on my side before the game started, said Odom. I knew that Rafer was going to start doing all of his And 1 tricks on me, so I wanted to make sure I could win the fan vote.

The HEAT Xtreme Team, HEAT Dance Team and Burnie, the HEAT mascot also treated spectators at the park to live performances with chances to win HEAT prizes and receive autographs on a one of a kind Lamar vs Rafer postcard.

David Zarco, a 14-year-old Miami native, who came out to the park dressed in a replica HEAT uniform said the experience at the park was something he could not miss.

As long as I can remember, Ive been the biggest HEAT fan around, no matter how bad people have said the team has been and thats why I came today, said Zarco. Ive always said to them to keep the faith and they (HEAT) will be good and I think they will make the playoffs this year.

David added that his family has season tickets and that he missed only two HEAT games last season either in person or on television and he let it be known who his favorite player was on the team.

Out of all the players I have seen, I think Caron Butler is my favorite. I think he is going to be amazing; especially after the rookie season he had.

Davids friend, who is also 14 but wanted to be referred to as Tal W., expressed similar thoughts about the HEAT and why he came out to the event.

I came out because David really wanted to come,  said Tal. People say this is not a basketball town, but I think it is starting to be one with Odom and Rafer and we have a new feeling about this team.

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Lamar Odom vs. Rafer Alson at Jose Marti Park

Pat Riley Opening Statement:
Its been a long summer, but a good summer. Im looking for my travel consultant here, hes not here today, Greg Stoda, I wanted to bring my itinerary for the summer and let him know where I was, because at one time he said that I was nowhere to be found. So should I tell you where I have been all summer? Well all of South Florida, the Keys, and I was over in Ft. Meyers and Naples in April when I should have been in the playoffs, Im trying to change that right now. Then we had the draft in June and free agency and draft choices and we were very fortunate to draft Dwyane Wade. In July we had free agency and we went out and did a number of things in free agency and then when I was nowhere to be found I was over with Mr. Arison in the Mediterranean and then I went to Hawaii with my wife and family and put James (Rileys son) in college, finally hes in college. Elizabeth (Rileys daughter) is in high school and Ive been to seven (Bruce) Springsteen concerts. So thats been my summer.

Today is the best day of all of them. Its really a privilege for me, as the Head Coach and President of this team for the third time in eight years to out of necessity and for a lot of reasons to rebuild. It all started with Zo (Alonzo Mourning) eight years ago, Tim Hardaway, P.J. (Brown), Mash (Jamal Mashburn), and Dan Majerle we put together what we felt was a very competitive team and it was. Then we began again with Eddie (Jones) and with Brian (Grant) and obviously we dont have to go through the fact that we were derailed for three years because of the illness to Alonzo. We start again, today, with Eddie and with Brian as captains obviously and we made two draft choices with Caron Butler and Dwyane Wade and now with the addition of Lamar Odom, I think we have a nucleus that will be very very competitive and fun team to watch play. I dont think we have anybody in that group that is under 65, not that I have anything against anybody who is under 65. But we feel that we are going to have a team that is going to have overall size and overall length with each player being able to handle the basketball and make plays. We really want to change the thinking as to how we have played the game over the years because we dont have nor do many other teams have the dominating low-post presence like we had with Alonzo or like San Antonio has with Tim Duncan or L.A. with Shaquille (ONeal). This is the first day that we can actually say that we have succeeded in making a change. I think one of the great things about being able to have a talent like Lamar Odom is that to be able to get him in free agency. While we had the room to move quickly and to go through a 15 day period, where we had to wait, it sort of helps us fast track the whole rebuilding process by getting a talented player and not having to wait another year, or wait for another draft. I apologize a little bit for the silence that the HEAT showed during the 15 days because we wanted the nature of the business to run its own course with this process and it did. We were very fortunate that they did not match the offer sheet and at 11:59 last night we could really have a sigh of relief that we have fast tracked this rebuilding process. Im very excited about this opportunity. I feel very strongly about the objectives that we set out to achieve and have achieved and we still have, I think, a great future ahead of us. The objectives of this franchise after the last couple of years of not being in the playoffs, and trying to get back as competitive as we can and as quick as we can. Ive made mention of Eddie, Brian, Caron, and Dwyane and now with the addition of Lamar, we feel we have done that. I think we have left ourselves from another objective in a situation where we do have some flexibility in years to come under the luxury tax and so a lot of good things have happened over the last couple of years to try to set ourselves up with the opportunity to be able to do this. So without any further ado I would like to introduce a player I have a lot of respect for from a basketball standpoint. He is a talented player and has overcome some things that we all know about and are behind him and one of the reasons why we didnt talk much about those things is because we believe they are behind Ive been around basketball for about 37 years and theres only been one other player that Ive coached that has ever had this much versatility as a player and able to play four different positions. There is going to be a lot of pressure put on Odom by us to make him accountable and that player was Magic Johnson. Im not saying that he is going to be that good because he is going to have to prove that. I dont think anybody can ever be that way but from a standpoint of a talent, he has those kinds of skills. I hope we can provide the platform here for him to be able to show that. So I want to introduce the newest member of the Miami HEAT as we move on into the millennium; Lamar Odom.

I just want to thank everybody for coming out today. I want to thank Coach Riley, Mr. Randy Pfund, and Mr. Arison for giving me this opportunity to join this team and this great franchise. Im just here looking forward to helping this team get to the playoffs. Im really focused right now in this point in my life and as coach said, Ive been through some things that I want to put in my past and Im just ready to become the best player that I can be and I think I have the opportunity to do that here.

Lamar, What first drew you to Coach Pat Riley? Youve said that you have been wanting to play here since you were like 15 years old.

I think the first thing that drew me to Coach Riley was that he coached my favorite player in the whole wide world; Magic Johnson. Coach Riley and I met before in 1999 and it was just a relationship long awaited.

Can you talk about the possibility of playing in a smaller line-up as a power forward, to the possibility of being the full-time ball handler as a point forward or point guard?

Exactly what you are talking about is the great thing that I love about basketball. I feel comfortable anywhere on the court. Whether its my back to the basket or making plays for others. Im just here to get the ball to Eddie Jones when I have to, score the ball when I have to, whether to give Brian Grant a dunk, or run the break, whatever I have to do for this team I will do no matter what.

Would you play power forward and if so would you have to bulk up to go against big guys, and have you spent much time consistently playing that position?

Not consistently, I think my natural position is small forward. To me point guard is a mental position, you can play the point guard from anywhere on the court and I think that is the advantage I have over other players. If I have to play the four to make this team better, with me and Brain Grant at center and power forward, I will. I will do anything that is asked of me while Im here.

How comfortable would you be defending other power forwards in the league?

Its tough, but I think the tough part on their end would be to defend me out on the perimeter. Its kind of you win some, you lose some and Im ready for anything on the basketball court. Of course I have to get stronger, but thats just part of the game.

In your rookie season you played the point, is that the most that you have played the pure point in the NBA and did you think about it?

It is the most I played point guard after the All-Star break for the whole end of the year, but Im ready and willing to do anything. My position is play maker, whether its power forward or the point guard, small forward, whatever, I feel like I can guard 4 four positions, so whatever positions you can guard, I think that is a position that you are able to play. So Im ready to do anything, Im just looking forward to getting out there, to get with the team and make this team a better one.

It is, but I use my length. Im 610 so I can space them a little bit and gap them a little bit. Im just ready to get out on the court and play Lamar Odom type of basketball.

How much have you improved during your years in the league and what are the areas that you want to develop in your game?

I think I have to get stronger. I want to become quicker and I want to become a better shooter. Ive learned the game a lot since my first year in the NBA to now. I think my basketball I.Q. has gone up. Im just ready to do anything to help this team win some games. Weve got some young talent here in Eddie Jones, Brian Grant, Dwyane Wade, Caron Butler, and Rasual Butler, so anywhere coach puts me on the court, I think I can be affective.

Do you feel the drive to be great in you?

Yeah, I know I have it in me. I know Im in the right place to be driven to be great. Im ready. Never in my life have I been so ready, but right now I am and thats why I did everything that I needed to do to get here.

Why do you think that in your four years in L.A. that you didnt reach your full potential, was it some part you, or was it some part other circumstances?

Im going to take the full blame for that. Maybe I wasnt ready, it was just a learning experience over there. I feel that Im in a class A organization right now, great coach, great people around me. I think I have a better chance here than I did there. Im still only 23-years-old. I have made mistakes and now its time to correct those mistakes and become Lamar Odom.

How much do you think Pat Rileys influence will be the difference in bringing out the best in you?

I think he brought it out of a lot of players. You see Alonzo Mourning become a lot better since his move from Charlotte to here, Jamal Mashburn; you know. Coach is a winner and I want to be around winners. I think winning is an attitude, and the Miami HEAT organization has a great attitude. Im just really prepared and really ready right now and September is training camp and Im in great shape right now and if the season started right now, Im just ready. I dont know any other way to say it, but Im really focused right now in this part of my life.

You have been working out everyday, and that you are in the best shape of your life. Is that in preparation for some of Coach Rileys training?

Oh yeah, I heard about coachs training, the garbage cans in the corners and things like that, but Im ready for that. I want to become Top 10, Top five player in the NBA; thats where I should be. I think Ive been slacking a little bit and not pushing myself and I think this is a great opportunity for me to push myself and put myself in a position to become an All-Star.

Do you believe that your past problems was a maturity thing?

I think so, a lot has happened to me really fast. We all make mistakes and Im just ready to put my mistakes behind me and look forward to the future and start making the best happen for myself and for this organization. I feel like I owe this organization a lot and Im ready to give back.

You came from a fun team and then you look at this line-up, do you see fun times out there with you with the ball and Dwyane, Caron, and Eddie on the wings and even if the winning takes a little while, do you see that at the least will be fun?

We will be fun, especially when you are playing with a group of guys like this. Even Eddie Jones is considered young even though he is a veteran. Brian Grant is a veteran, Rasual is young, Caron is in his second year, Dwyane Wade is a tough ball player and it will be fun; I can at least promise you that. Ive always had fun on the court. I approach every game to winning. Whatever I have to do to win, whether its dive on the floor, grab the rebound, block shots, get the ball at the end of the game to make the play, Im ready to do that. It will be fun. We have some athletes that can make plays and get above the rim. Youll see a lot of ally-oops, and some things like that. Im just going to try to make plays for these guys and get them the ball where they can score and get my man Mr. Grant some dunks and easy buckets and just try to win, approach every game to winning.

In the last eight years of your life from the NCAA tournament, being drafted number four, to suspensions and injuries, and now youre here, how would you sum up your last eight years?

Its been a little bit of a roller coaster ride and its been educational. I learned a lot about myself and my surroundings, how to deal with the media, and Ive learned a lot. I would have to say education to tell you the truth and thats a part of the growing process. Whether your in school or playing basketball in the street, wherever your at, Ive been learning a lot about the world these last eight years. Im just focused right now and Im trying to put the negative things that happened in the past and trying to bring the positives with me here.

Lamar, with the injuries the last couple of years, has that been a set back in your career, but otherwise have been healthy and was there any concern that you could play anything?

Ive always been healthy. I hurt my wrist and I hurt my ankle the day I was supposed to get my cast off. So I didnt hurt my ankle really in a game, not a lot of people know that. It was just one of those things, kind of a freak accident. Thats why Im working out everyday so that never happens again. It was one of those athletes nightmare injuries, especially to get that label; injury prone. I dont want to get that label put on myself so Im just doing everything I can to avoid that now.

lbryant

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lbryant

Orlando Magic at Miami HEAT Game Preview

Pat Riley Statement

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Pat Riley Statement on Shaquille ONeal

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Lamar Odom vs. Rafer Alson at Jose Marti Park

Lamar Odom Press Conference Transcript

Pat Riley Statement on Shaquille ONeal