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The Miami Heat began in the NBA as an expansion team in 1988. The team was very inconsistent in the first few years of their existence, making the playoffs twice until 1995. The arrival of Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway changed the team’s fortunes, as well as the appointment of Pat Riley as team president and head coach.
During the 1990s, the Heat made the playoffs five straight years before a bad 2002-03 season brought them a lottery pick. That pick turned out to be great for the team as they drafted Dwyane Wade with the fifth overall selection.
Wade, along with Shaquille O’Neal, helped deliver the team’s first ever NBA championship in 2006. And in 2010, Riley orchestrated one of the biggest free agency summers in NBA history. Riley was able to re-sign Wade to an extension while also signing free agents LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
The Big 3 brought two more NBA championships to Miami in four NBA Finals appearances. Already one of the most decorated franchises in the league, many legendary players have already played for them. Here are the five players who made it into the Heat’s all-time starting five.
Center – Alonzo Mourning
The first big acquisition of the Pat Riley Era in Miami, Alonzo Mourning was acquired from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Glen Rice. Mourning would team up with Tim Hardaway to guide the Heat to six playoff appearances. With Mourning as their main guy, the Heat reached Eastern Conference Finals in 1997, losing to the Chicago Bulls in five games.
Mourning left the Heat in 2002 to join the New Jersey Nets. After battling a kidney disease, he re-joined Miami in 2005 as a veteran role player and stayed until 2008. The Hall of Famer was a five-time All-Star with the Heat and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000.
Honorable Mention: Center – Shaquille O’Neal
Acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004, Shaquille O’Neal played a pivotal role for the Heat in their title-winning campaign in 2006. Shaq was a three-time All-Star in Miami while also making the All-NBA First Team twice.
Forward – Chris Bosh
One of the prized acquisition of the Heat in 2010, Chris Bosh joined forces with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. With Bosh as the third option, the Heat would go on to make four NBA Finals appearances, winning two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013.
When James left Miami in 2014, Bosh became the second option behind Wade and he was a six-time All-Star with the Heat. He ranks fifth in scoring, seventh in rebounds and blocks in the team’s all-time leaderboard. However, he was released in 2017 after a career-ending blood clot issue. Bosh remains hopeful he can return to the NBA and has not announced his retirement just yet.
Honorable Mention: Forward – Udonis Haslem
An undrafted player, Udonis Haslem has cemented himself as one of the true greats of the Heat franchise. He was a key role player in three NBA championship teams in 2006, 2012, and 2013. Haslem ranks seventh in the all-time Heat scoring list, first in rebounds, and ninth in steals. His No. 40 jersey will surely get retired by his hometown team.
Forward – LeBron James
Already the best player in the world in the summer of 2010, LeBron James formed the Big 3 with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. With James as the primary player, the Heat made four NBA Finals appearances, winning two NBA championships. “The King” was a four-time All-Star and a two-time NBA MVP during his tenure with the Heat.
Despite playing just four seasons in Miami, LeBron is sitting pretty in the top ten of many Heat franchise records. He sits fourth in scoring and assists, eighth in steals and three-points made. Although his departure from the Heat surprised franchise, his iconic No. 6 jersey will hang from the rafters once he retires.
Honorable Mention: Glen Rice
The first franchise player of the Heat, Glen Rice spent six seasons in South Beach. Rice led the team to just two playoff appearances. He never made an All-Star appearance with the Heat but he still holds several franchise records like most minutes played in a single game, and highest free throw shooting percentage.
He also ranks third in the all-time scoring list, ninth in rebounds and assists, and third in three-pointers made.
Guard – Tim Hardaway
One of the players acquired by Pat Riley during his tenure as head coach and team president, Tim Hardaway arrived in Miami via a midseason trade with the Golden State Warriors. Hardaway, already one of the best point guards of the era, was a two-time All-Star with the Heat. His slick crossover even got more popular.
Hardaway ranks eighth in the Heat’s all-time scoring list, second in assists, sixth in steals, and first in three-pointers made. He also probably holds the most ankles broken during his tenure as a player. With Hardaway was the main playmaker, the Heat made the playoffs six times.
Honorable Mention: Mario Chalmers
There have been only a few guards who made an impact for the Heat and one of them was Mario Chalmers. A second-round pick, Chalmers helped the Heat win two NBA championships. He also ranks third in the Heat’s all-time assists leaderboard, second in steals, and fourth in three-pointers made.
Guard – Dwyane Wade
The greatest Heat player ever, Dwyane Wade had the most impact on the team and it started when he was drafted in 2003. Wade helped the Heat make the playoffs 12 times, three of which resulting to an NBA championship. He was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2006 for his performance, and his influence on the entire organization and city has not been or will never be surpassed by any player in Heat history.
Wade sits first in the Heat’s all-time leaderboard for points scored, total minutes played, assists, and steals. He also ranks fourth in rebounds, second in blocks, and seventh in three-points made despite not being known as a shooter. His No.3 jersey will never be worn by any Heat player ever again since it is going to be hanging in the rafters after his retirement.
Honorable Mention: Guard – Eddie Jones
Eddie Jones served as the bridge between two eras of the Heat, playing for them from 2000 to 2005. Jones was an All-Star in 2000, as well as a member of the All-NBA Third Team. He ranks ninth in the Heat’s all-time scoring list, seventh in assists and steals, and second in total three-points made.
