Sho: Heat's two headed beast at center

Shaq was named to the East's starting squad for the all-star game in Houston, but early on in the season, when Shaq was out, Alonzo Mourning could have made a case to start.

In fact, you could make a case to start both centers - after all, that is how the Heat are envisioning their big men in the paint being utilized.

Shaq is the offensive juggernaut. He is averaging 19.3 points per game in just 29.4 minutes. He is shooting 56.4 from the field, which leads the NBA, and it looks like even that number will rise (last season, Shaq shot 60% from the field). As Shaq gets healthy, and regains that agility and that scoring touch, his minutes will increase as his fouls decrease.

And then there is Zo, the fiery defensive presence who changes games. In limited minutes, averaging 21.3 per game on the year - but closer to 14 with Shaq back and healthy. A modern day Bill Russell, Zo is in prime form and proves his worth by altering an opposing team's offensive approach. This may also be the best situation for him, after coming back from a rare kidney disease. His defense is only matched by his intensity, rejecting 3 shots a game and leading the NBA in blocks with 134. Oh, and he had 5 tonight, putting him up to 139 on the year.

Shaq is the offense. Zo is the defense. Together, they make "Sho" - the ultimate center in the NBA.

Let's look at an example. In 35 minutes tonight against the Cavaliers, they grabbed 14 rebounds, had 7 blocks, scored 27 points on 11-16 from the field combined. This is the kind of production that Pat Riley envisioned with Shaq and Zo, and finally, with both healthy, the rewards are starting to present themselves.

Potentially, this is the kind of production you can expect on a normal night from "Sho": 48 minutes of pure hell. The Heat have an anchor in the paint, a post-forward position to attack their opponents which will afford them many options: a strong half court game, a post presence on both offense and defense.

This two-headed monster will allow the Heat to slow the game down to grind down their opponents, crucial in the fourth quarter and for creating more opportunities for the Heat to shoot free throws as opposing teams begin to foul "Sho" and become plagued by foul trouble themselves.

It is like blood in the water. Coupled with the Heat's backcourt, consisting of Wade, Williams and Payton, they have the ability to penetrate and draw fouls which will also create more free throw attempts for these perimeter players. The breakdown of an opposing team begins to fracture inside and becomes total once the Heat's perimeter players attack the weakened defense.

And it all starts with "Sho", the beast of a center which will be the foundation for this Heat team's run.