Shaquille O'Neal put his controversial departure from the Los Angeles Lakers behind him on Tuesday as he embraced his new team, the Miami Heat, and promised them a championship.

Several thousand fans cheered as O'Neal pulled up to American Airlines Arena in a tractor trailer for his official introduction, where he picked up keys to the city and sprayed the crowd with a water cannon.

"I'm not angry but I'm very, very motivated," he said at his first Heat news conference.

O'Neal declared the Heat "Dwyane Wade's team," addressing the issue that echoed through his years in Los Angeles, where he shared the spotlight and leadership of the Lakers with guard Kobe Bryant, with whom he frequently feuded.

"It's Dwyane Wade's team. I'm just his big brother. I'm just here to back him up," he said, adding that he had been impressed with the Heat point guard during his rookie season.

In perhaps a backhanded swipe at Bryant, O'Neal said of Wade: "I've never really played with a guard that special."

"It was never about the money. I just want to be part of a team."