O’Neal playful in first meeting with media

He was difficult to spot at first, when the semi-tractor trailer with the words “Diesel Power” on the side pulled up to the Miami Heat’s arena.

Then he emerged from the cab, armed with a plastic water cannon, plenty of one-liners and a pledge sure to make headlines.

It could only be Shaquille O’Neal.

Subtle as a dunk, O’Neal made a grand entrance Tuesday at a rally welcoming him to Miami.

As he shot water into the crowd of several thousand, a red carpet led him up the steps from Biscayne Boulevard to the arena entrance, where he said an even bigger celebration is in the Heat’s future.

“Remember this,” O’Neal told the fans. “I’m going to bring a championship to Miami. I promise.”

The Heat held the rally to welcome the 11-time All-Star six days after acquiring him in a trade that sent three starters to the Los Angeles Lakers.

During a 10-minute ceremony, he received keys to both Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami. County Mayor Alex Penelas, more than a foot shorter than the 7-foot-1 O’Neal, climbed a chair so they stood eye-to-eye.

When given a Cuban guayabera shirt, O’Neal responded with his familiar lopsided grin.

“Muchas gracias,” he said.

At a news conference that followed, O’Neal spoke little about his differences with Kobe Bryant and Lakers management that triggered the trade. But he said he appreciates the way he has been embraced in Miami.

Sixers send Snow to Cavs

With a big contract and without a starting spot, point guard Eric Snow became expendable in Philadelphia.

Snow will likely find himself in the same situation this year, only in Cleveland after he was traded by the 76ers to the Cavaliers for guards Kevin Ollie and Kedrick Brown.

Snow spent 6 1/2 seasons with the 76ers, averaging 9.7 points and 6.6 assists while helping them to the 2001 Eastern Conference championship.

Ostertag tagged as Divac’s replacement

Center Greg Ostertag signed with the Sacramento Kings, leaving the Utah Jazz after nine seasons.

The terms of Ostertag’s deal weren’t immediately available. He signed with Sacramento on the same day center Vlade Divac left the Kings to rejoin the Lakers.