Miami ? After an 18-year pursuit, the Miami Heat have finally brought the NBA championship trophy to South Florida.

The newly crowned world champions arrived home shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday. Fans gave huge cheers and pressed up against a chain link fence as the players’ plane taxied along the runway at Miami International Airport. Fire trucks shot streams of water over the aircraft.

Shaquille O’Neal hoisted the golden trophy with one hand and then cradled it as he walked off the plane, smiling and waving to fans.

And now, the real parties begin: City officials were planning a victory parade and were meeting Wednesday to decide when and where it would be held.