Bimbo Coles was a part of the Heat's first two playoff teams in 1992 and 1994.

Nine years after that second playoff appearance, Coles is back. And he believes the playoffs can be in the Heat's immediate future once again.

''I believe we can win this year,'' Coles said Wednesday, one day after signing a one-year deal with the Heat. ``I remember when I first got here [in 1990] we had a lot of talent, but it took us a little bit longer to get the playoffs. I think this team is similar, but we didn't have Coach [Pat] Riley as a coach, and we really didn't have any veteran leadership on that team.

``I think with the youth and some of the veteran leadership and the coaching staff that we have here, we can do some good things.''