Miami Heat: Best Heat Players since 2000

LeBron James represented Miami for four years
LeBron James represented Miami for four years

#4. Shaquille O'Neal (2004-2008)

The Miami Heat signed the Hall of Famer in 2004
The Miami Heat signed the Hall of Famer in 2004

Miami Heat had a chance to grab Shaq from the Los Angeles Lakers after his dispute with star Kobe Bryant was public knowledge and Miami left no stone unturned, swooping in for the big man and trading Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and a first-round draft pick.

He’d already been named to 11 All-Star teams in 12 years in the NBA with the Lakers and the Orlando Magic before that. In his first season with the Heat, Shaq switched back to his #32 jersey and averaged 22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, leading the franchise to 59 wins that season.

He, along with a young Wade reached the playoff finals, losing out narrowly to the Detroit Pistons in Game 7. In the 2005-06 season, Shaq signed a 5 year $100 million deal with the Heat. He continued to be his dominant self but was dealing with injuries as well as a change in the coaching staff, as he and Pat Riley did not get along much.

Even though Shaq was averaging career lows in points, rebounds and blocks, he was committed to the Heats, which led to them going on a stunning run to secure the franchise's first ever NBA title in 2005-06, winning the finals against a highly rated Dallas Mavericks team.

The next 2 seasons were marred by injuries and off the court spats with the head coach which resulted in him being traded in 2008 to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. He played some really good basketball for the Heat and led them to a title in his time there, which gets him the 4th spot.

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Edited by Debjyoti Samanta