Dwayne Wade Practices; Set to Return Soon

For the first time in six weeks, Dwayne Wade took the practice floor with his Miami teammates. While the Heat have exceeded expectations as their superstar has sat on the bench, there is no question that Shaq and company need the dynamic Flash to return to postseason glory.

For the fourth-year guard out of Marquette, playing again this season didn't seem likely when he first separated his shoulder against the Houston Rockets. Writhing in pain and unable to leave the court on his own, Wade needed a wheelchair just to get to the locker room. Even a player marketed to be as tough as Wade certainly didn't want to risk the daunting effects of another shoulder separation.

The season seemed to be over for the Heat. But in an inferior conference, Miami excelled thanks to their veteran leadership. A season-high nine game winning streak took the team from the brink of the lottery to contention for another division title. And a positive diagnosis of Wade's shoulder gave the team hope that their star would return before the playoffs.

Now, with just weeks to go in the NBA regular season, Pat Riley's club was able to practice with their All-Star guard for the first time in weeks. Ninety minutes of floor-time is just a pittance of the work Wade has ahead of him in his recovery. But it was a positive sign nonetheless.

Even with his impending return, which according to Wade may not happen for a few games, there is no question that this fearless guard will have to change his game. Separated shoulders that are not operated on have a major risk of re-injury. And while doctors have assured Dwayne that he cannot further damage his injured shoulder, the unspeakable pain will surely nestle in the back of his mind. Charging into bigger players may no longer be an option for a player who has lost his recklessness.

But while Wade may return as a different player, his team still could use him in the upcoming postseason months. Despite dominating their rival Detroit Pistons for three quarters in Detroit on Sunday, the Heat succumbed to a superior team in the closing minutes. Apparent down the stretch was Miami's inability to hit clutch shots; an area the Flash excels at.

With the regular season winding down, Miami should not feel the need to rush Dwayne Wade back into the lineup. Winning the division foreshadows a first-round match-up against either the Cavaliers or Bulls. Both teams would be tougher outs than Miami's current playoff opponent; Toronto.

But no matter how the Heat's season ends, basketball fans have to admire the toughness and grit of a player who could easily have called it quits.