Though Shaquille O'Neal has been given no assurances and Pat Riley remains noncommittal publicly, O'Neal said he feels ''sure'' Riley will coach next season and that ''it's important'' Riley do so.

O'Neal said Riley told players after the season that he ''will be here for the next five years'' -- though Riley, 62, didn't specify whether it would be as coach, president or both titles.

Shaq also said none of the conference finalists is better than the Heat. ``Cleveland was in the right bracket. This year was a bad-luck year.''