Penny Hardaway, the Heat's newly-signed swingman, said Friday he made amends with center Shaquille O'Neal last year regarding the rift the two had as teammates in Orlando in the mid-1990s.

Hardaway, who hasn't played in the NBA since November 2005, said he talked with O'Neal on the phone while contemplating a comeback from repeated knee problems.

"He and I had a long talk and we had a good talk," Hardaway said. "He was wishing me the best."

Hardaway signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Heat. He said his surgically-repaired left knee, which troubled him since 1997, is finally pain-free. The 6-foot-7, 13-year veteran said he has also slimmed down to 213 pounds.