Remember a few weeks ago when everyone thought, or better yet knew, the Miami Heat were done after losing Dwyane Wade? Well Shaquille O’Neal thinks otherwise. In fact, the entire Miami Heat team thinks otherwise.

Since losing Wade, this team has gone on a ridiculous 10-2 run, capped off with a win over Sacramento last night which leaves them tied for first place in their division. It has been an incredible turnaround for this team after nearly everyone counted them out. This isn’t meant to diminish the contributions or talent of Wade, he is one of the best players in the league, but without him, somehow the Heat are playing better.

Shaq is consistently scoring 20 points, and beyond that he’s getting help from everyone else, especially Eddie Jones and Jason Williams, who are doing a decent job filling in for Wade. The comeback of the Heat revolves completely around the catalyst in Shaq. He has absolutely taken over. He isn’t ready for people to be calling him washed up and over the hill. He has taken this team from decent to good, and a real threat in the East.

If I were any team in the Eastern Conference I would be very afraid. This Heat team is coming back and when they get Dwyane Wade back they’re going to be very tough to stop. They are finally playing like a team and that means only good things. If they can get Wade to go along with this new attitude then there is no reason they shouldn’t be representing the Eastern Conference come NBA Finals time.