Pedro Oliveira
Entering the NBA for the 1988-1989 campaign, it took a while for the Miami franchise to become a contender, but the times it managed to be, it was always something to talk about. Having one of the most attractive cities, and one of the largest financial markets for any NBA player or member, getting to the top would never be a problem for the organization.
We present a list of the 5 best Miami Heat players in history, one of the most successful franchises started in the NBA expansion era.
5. Shaquille O’Neal
After winning three consecutive rings with the Los Angeles Lakers, and following the locker room problems with Kobe Bryant, the Miami Heat team became the new team for the superstar Shaquille O’Neal’s in 2004, marking it one of the most important eras in the history of the franchise.
At the beginning of his time with Miami, the 6-foot-2 center promised to bring a championship to the city, something that had yet to happen for the franchise in its nearly 20 years of existence. But, with the help of Dwyane Wade and some others, they were able to do so, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 Finals. O’Neal averaged 19.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 blocks in 205 games with Miami through four seasons in which he accumulated four All-Star Game selections, four All-NBA quintets and the fourth championship of his career.
4. Chris Bosh
Of the members of the Big 3, the most underrated was always the 6-foot-11 center, but without him Miami could not have accomplished anything of what it did during his six seasons with the team. First, his presence secured the inclusion of LeBron James during his first unrestricted free agency, and along with Dwyane Wade, they tormented the entire NBA for the next four years as the most dominant team in the Eastern Conference without question.
Averaged 18 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in 384 games, along with six All-Star Game appearances,and two NBA championships, Chris Bosh’s dominance in the court, his offensive versatility and being one of the most clutch players within the franchise, secured him a place in the hearts of all fans, which is why his #1 jersey was retired by the same organization.
Unfortunately, Bosh had to prematurely end his career when dealing with a blood problem that generated blood clots in his body after physically performing at such demanding levels as the NBA.
3. Alonzo Mourning
Mourning was arguably the first real acquisition in Pat Riley’s hands to both, become a contender and bring superstars to the Heat team. Coming from the Charlotte Hornets, and being one of the most dominant centers today, he became the franchise player of a Miami team that would not stop until it achieved its goal: a championship.
In his first season with the team, he averaged 19.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in 407 games, earning five All-Star Game selections, two All-NBA quintets, two Defensive Player of the Year awards (back-to-back), two All-Defensive Quintets and two top blocker titles.
Despite his individual and regular season successes, Mourning was never able to lead Miami to an NBA Final, and due to his kidney problems, he had to retire from the NBA from some time, he was unable to remain a part of the franchise at the time. After his kidney transplant, and several seasons trying to fit in with other teams, Mourning returned to the Heat, as an key part of the team from the bench. He was able to be an important part of the team that won the 2006 Championship over the Dallas Mavericks.
Although he didn’t start most of the time, Mourning’s defense was so effective that he was among the blocking leaders even though he didn’t play more than 20 minutes on average. His bib, number 33, was the first one to be retired in the history of the organization, and he remained the organization’s all-time leader in blocks (with a total of 1625).
2. LeBron James
In one of the most polarizing events in American sports history, the duo of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh had already agreed to join forces on Pat Riley’s team. Meanwhile, LeBron was still in meetings with multiple teams and had the country at a standstill. In what would be his first unrestricted free agency, The Decision was a milestone that has not been repeated in any sport or in the same way in any aspect.
LeBron would become one of the most hated athletes in the entire world when he announced his arrival to the Miami Heat with Wade and Bosh, forming a front that looked unstoppable on paper. Although his first year with the Miami franchise was one of the most difficult in his career, losing the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks, the inevitable eventually happened.
He won two championships with the Heat team in four consecutive NBA Finals, dominating the Eastern Conference in an unprecedented way that would continue after his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with whom he also got two consecutive MVP awards (2012 and 2013, being the MVP in both series), four selections to the All-Star Game, four All-NBA quintets, three defensive quintets.
LeBron undoubtedly cemented his place in the NBA after averaging 26.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 294 games with Miami, and while he may not be among the team’s all-time leaders, his imprint and legacy will never be erased from the Heat’s uniform.
1. Dwyane Wade
There is no player who represents a team like the Miami Heat more than Dwyane Wade, from his selection in the 2003 draft with the fifth pick, to his 15 years with the franchise. In a short period of time Wade had already accomplished things that no other player wearing the same uniform came close to achieving, ranking among the team’s all-time leading scorers in points, assists, steals, games played and field goal shooting, as well as being second in blocks, which logically does not correspond to his position as a shooting guard.
Wade won three championships with Miami, the first being the most special, where he was the MVP and leader of the squad that defeated Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks in 6 games. His other two rings would come with LeBron James and Chris Bosh in the notorious Big 3 that turned the Heat team into the most despised team in the entire country.
Back-to-back wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder team and the San Antonio Spurs proved that the Heat team was one of the most dominant teams ever assembled, and Wade was one of the most important players in the machine. It lasted four years tormenting the entire Eastern Conference.
Averaging 22.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals per game in 948 games with Miami, along with 13 All-Star Game selections, eight All-NBA quintets, three All-Defensive quintets, a scoring title and the legacy of being the most dominant and important player in the history of the Miami Heat organization, is what places the Marquette University point guard at the top of this ranking.
