 | For current information on this topic, see 2007-08 Miami Heat season |
| Miami Heat | |
 | |
| Conference | Eastern Conference |
| Division | Southeast Division |
| Founded | 1987/1988 |
| History | Miami Heat (1988-present) |
| Arena | American Airlines Arena |
| City | Miami, Florida |
| Team colors | Black, Red, White, Orange |
| Owner | Micky Arison |
| General manager | Randy Pfund |
| Head coach | Erik Spoelstra |
| D-League affiliate | Iowa Energy |
| Championships | 1 (2006) |
| Conference titles | 1 (2006) |
| Division titles | 7 (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007) |
| Official website | heat.com |
The Miami Heat (known as the HEAT on official team publications) is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams and organized in three divisions of five teams each The Southeast Division is a division in the Eastern Conference of the NBA. The AmericanAirlines Arena is an Arena located in Downtown Miami, Florida along Biscayne Bay and is used for Basketball Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Micky Arison (born 1949 is an American businessman and the Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise operator Randy Pfund is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA Head coach and a former NBA executive Erik Celino Spoelstra (born November 1, 1970 in Evanston Illinois) is the Head coach of the NBA 's Miami Heat. The NBA Development League, or D-League, is the National Basketball Association 's officially sponsored and operated developmental Basketball organization The Iowa Energy are a team of the NBA Development League. They play their home games at the Wells Fargo Arena at Iowa Events Center. The 2006 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005-06 National Basketball Association season. The 2005–06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. The 1996–97 NBA season was the 51st season of the National Basketball Association. The 1997–98 NBA season was the 52nd season of the National Basketball Association. The 1998–99 NBA season was the 53rd season of the National Basketball Association. The 1999–2000 NBA season was the 54th season of the National Basketball Association. The 2004–05 NBA season was the 59th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA The 2005–06 NBA season was the 60th season of the National Basketball Association. The 2006–07 NBA season was the 61st season of the National Basketball Association. Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m The United States of America —commonly referred to as the They are members of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Southeast Division is a division in the Eastern Conference of the NBA. The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams and organized in three divisions of five teams each
Contents |
History
Birth of the Heat
During the boom period of the NBA of the 1980s the league sought to expand itself from 23 teams to 27 by the end of the decade. In Florida, a state devoid of any NBA franchises, groups from Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg and Miami all vied to land franchises. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Orlando is a major City in central Florida, USA and is the County seat of Orange County Florida. St Petersburg (often shortened to St Pete) is a city in Pinellas County Florida, United States.
The Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority eventually endorsed a group led by NBA Hall of Famer Billy Cunningham and former sports agent (and lifelong friend of Cunningham's) Lewis Schaffel, who received their financial backing from Carnival Cruise Lines founder Ted Arison, who would be majority owner. William John "Billy" Cunningham (born June 3 1943 is an American former professional Basketball player and coach who was Nicknamed the Carnival Cruise Lines is a Cruise line operating a large number of Cruise ships. Ted Arison (1924 – October 1 1999) was an Israeli-American businessman who co-founded Norwegian Cruise Lines in 1966 with Knut Kloster Day-to-day operations would be handled by minority shareholders Cunningham and Schaffel.
In April 1987, the NBA expansion committee endorsed the bids of the cities of Charlotte and Minneapolis. However, the committee was split between awarding the third and final franchise to Miami or Orlando, causing representatives from both cities to toss barbs at the other. Finally, it was decided that the NBA would expand by 4 teams, with the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat debuting for the 1988–89 season and the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic beginning for the 1989–90 season [1]. The New Orleans Hornets are a professional Basketball team based in New Orleans Louisiana, United States. The 1988–89 NBA season was the 43rd season of the National Basketball Association. The Minnesota Timberwolves are a professional Basketball team based in Minneapolis Minnesota, United States. The Orlando Magic is a professional Basketball team based in Orlando Florida. The 1989–90 NBA season was the 44th season of the National Basketball Association.
The Rothstein years
For their first head coach, Miami hired Ronny Rothstein, who was a longtime assistant coach under Chuck Daly in Detroit and who was credited with being one of the architects of Detroit's stifling defense. Charles Jerome "Chuck" Daly (born July 20 1930 in St Marys Pennsylvania) is a former American Basketball Head coach. The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area The Heat came into the NBA for the 1988–89 season with an unproductive first year, with a roster full of young players and journeymen. Among the players on the inaugural roster were first round picks Rony Seikaly and Kevin Edwards, fellow rookies Grant Long and Sylvester Gray as well as NBA vets Rory Sparrow, Jon Sundvold, Pat Cummings, Scott Hastings, Dwayne "Pearl" Washington and Billy Thompson. Ronald Fred Seikaly (رونالد ﺼيقلي born May 10th, 1965, in Beirut, Lebanon (but also a United States citizen by Kevin Durell Edwards (born October 30 1965, in Cleveland Heights Ohio) is a retired American professional Basketball player Grant Andrew Long (born March 12, 1966 in Wayne Michigan) is a retired American professional Basketball player Sylvester Gray (born July 8 1967, in Millington Tennessee) is an American former professional Basketball player who was selected by the Rory Darnell Sparrow (born June 12 1958, in Suffolk Virginia) is a retired American professional Basketball player in the Jon Thomas "Sunny" Sundvold (born July 2, 1961 in Sioux Falls South Dakota) is an American former professional Basketball player Pat Cummings (born July 11, 1956 in Johnstown Pennsylvania) is an American former professional Basketball player Scott Hastings may refer to Scott Hastings (basketball Scott Hastings (rugby player Scott Hastings (baseball Dwayne Alonzo Washington (born January 6 1964 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American former College basketball star and William ( Billy) Stansbury Thompson (born December 1 1963 in Camden New Jersey) is a retired American professional The team started out the season by losing its first 17 games, an NBA record. It did not help that the Heat were placed in the Midwest Division of the Western Conference, in defiance of all geographic reality. The Western Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams and organized in three divisions of five teams each This forced them on the longest road trips in the NBA; their nearest divisional opponent was the Houston Rockets, over 900 miles from Miami. The Houston Rockets are an American professional Basketball team based in Houston Texas. The team ultimately finished with a league-worst 15–67 win-loss record.
To help address Miami's league-low point production, the Heat picked Glen Rice from the University of Michigan in the first round of the 1989 NBA Draft, and Sherman Douglas of Syracuse University in the 2nd round. Glen Anthony Rice (born May 28 1967 in Flint, Michigan) is a retired American Basketball player from the NBA. The University of Michigan Ann Arbor ( U of M, U-M, UM or simply Michigan) is a top-ranked Coeducational public research The 1989 NBA Draft took place on June 27 1989 in New York City, New York, USA. Sherman Douglas (born September 15 1966, in Washington DC, US Syracuse University (SU is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York. The team also moved to the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference for the 1989–90 season, where they would remain for the next 15 years. The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams and organized in three divisions of five teams each However, the Heat continued to struggle and never won more than two consecutive games, en route to an 18–64 record.
The 1989–90 season saw Miami awarded with the 3rd pick overall, only to parlay via two trades (first with the Denver Nuggets and later with the Houston Rockets) into getting the 9th and 12th picks, with which they selected Willie Burton of the University of Minnesota and Alec Kessler of the University of Georgia. The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. The Houston Rockets are an American professional Basketball team based in Houston Texas. Willie Ricardo Burton (born May 26 1968 in Detroit Michigan) is an American former professional Basketball player who was selected The University of Minnesota Twin Cities ( U of M or The U) is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system. Dr Alec Christopher Kessler (January 13 1967 &ndash October 13 2007 was an American Basketball player for the University of Georgia and later as a The University of Georgia ( UGA) is a public research University located in Athens, Georgia, the oldest and largest of the Both picks flopped, as the Heat tried to turn Burton, a college small forward, into a shooting guard without much success and Kessler was bogged by injury problems and was not physical enough to be a quality NBA power forward.
While Rice, Seikaly and Douglas all showed improvement from the previous year, Miami still only went 24–58 and remained in the Atlantic Division basement.
Rothstein would resign as head coach at the end of the season, but later would return to the Heat prior to the 2004-05 season as an assistant coach, a role he still fulfills today.
Loughery years
In the wake of Rothstein's resignation prior to the 1991–92 season, the Heat hired Kevin Loughery, who had 29 years of experience in the NBA both as a coach and a player, to be their new head coach. The 1991–92 NBA season was the 46th season of the National Basketball Association. Kevin Michael Loughery (born March 28, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American former professional Basketball player and coach
For the 1991 NBA Draft, the team selected Steve Smith from Michigan State, an agile guard, to usher in a new era of a mature Heat team. The 1991 NBA Draft took place on 26 June 1991 in New York City, New York. Steven (Steve Delano Smith (born March 31 1969 in Highland Park Michigan) is a retired American Basketball player Michigan State University ( MSU) is a co-educational public Research university in East Lansing, Michigan USA. With the help of rookie Smith, Rony Seikaly, and a more experienced Glen Rice, the Heat finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 38–44 record and made the playoffs for the first time. Ronald Fred Seikaly (رونالد ﺼيقلي born May 10th, 1965, in Beirut, Lebanon (but also a United States citizen by The NBA Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament between sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference (called Divisions Playing the league-best Chicago Bulls, the Heat were swept in three games. The Chicago Bulls are an American professional Basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Steve Smith made the NBA All-Rookie team and Glen Rice finished 10th in the NBA in scoring.
The 1992-93 NBA season included the additions of draft choice Harold Miner of the University of Southern California as well as trading a 1st round pick (which would turn into the #10 overall pick the following season) for Detroit Pistons forward/center John Salley. The 1992–93 NBA season was the 47th season of the National Basketball Association. Harold David Miner (born May 5 1971 in Inglewood California) is a retired American professional Basketball player and two-time The University of Southern California (commonly referred to as USC, SC, Southern California, and incorrectly The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area John Thomas "Spider" Salley (born May 16 1964 is a retired American professional Basketball player in the NBA, actor and Talk show
While Salley's addition was first met with hope because of the role that he played on two championship Pistons squads, it became quickly apparent that Salley was a quality role player for a good team, but not a quality player for a mediocre team like Miami was at the time. Salley would eventually have his playing time diminish, ultimately resulting in his being taken by the Toronto Raptors in the 1995 expansion draft. The Toronto Raptors are a professional Basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario. An expansion draft, in professional Sports, occurs when a sports league decides to create one or more new Expansion teams or franchises This occurs mainly As for the season itself, it started off poorly, with Smith missing time with a knee injury and Burton being lost for most of the year with a wrist injury. Upon Smith's return, Miami posted a winning record in February and March, but it was not enough to dig themselves out of the 13–27 hole they began in. They finished 36–46 and would not return to the playoffs.
A healthier squad fared better in 1993–94, posting the franchise's first-ever winning record at 42–40 and returning to the playoffs as the #8 seed versus the Atlanta Hawks. The 1993–94 NBA season was the 48th season of the National Basketball Association. The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional Basketball team based in Atlanta Georgia. After Miami had a 2-1 series lead, Atlanta rallied from the deficit to win the best-of-5 series. After that season, Steve Smith would be selected as a member of the 2nd Dream Team, the collection of NBA All-Stars who were selected to compete in the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto as Team USA. Steven (Steve Delano Smith (born March 31 1969 in Highland Park Michigan) is a retired American Basketball player The United States men's national basketball team is the representative for the United States of America in international men's Basketball. The 1994 FIBA World Championship was an international Basketball competition hosted by Canada from August 4 to August 14, 1994. Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario
Dream Team II, also made up of future Heat players Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Dan Majerle and Tim Hardaway, would go on to win the tournament. Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (born March 6 1972 frequently referred to simply as " Shaq " is an African American Professional basketball Alonzo Harding Mourning Jr (born February 8, 1970, in Chesapeake Virginia) is an American professional Basketball player who Daniel Lewis Majerle (surname 'mɑrliː born September 9, 1965) is an American former professional Basketball player and currently an assistant Timothy Duane "Tim" Hardaway (born September 1 1966) is an American retired Basketball Point guard who played in the
In 1994–95, the team overhauled their roster, trading away Seikaly, Smith, and Grant Long. The 1994–95 NBA season was the 49th season of the National Basketball Association. Grant Andrew Long (born March 12, 1966 in Wayne Michigan) is a retired American professional Basketball player In return, the Heat obtained Kevin Willis and Billy Owens. Kevin Alvin Willis (born September 6 1962 in Los Angeles California) is an American professional Basketball player who last played Billy Eugene Owens (born May 1 1969, in Carlisle Pennsylvania) is an American former professional Basketball player
Also, at this time came a power shift in Heat's front office. On February 13, 1995 Cunningham and Lew Schaffel were bought out by the Arison family of Carnival Cruise Lines fame, who to that point in time had been silent partners in the day-to-day operations of the franchise. Carnival Cruise Lines is a Cruise line operating a large number of Cruise ships. Ted Arison's son, Micky Arison, was named Managing General Partner. Micky Arison (born 1949 is an American businessman and the Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise operator He immediately fired Loughery and replaced him with Alvin Gentry on an interim basis to try and shake up the 17–29 Heat. Alvin Gentry (born November 5, 1954) is an American professional Basketball coach and college basketball player who has led three different Gentry went 15–21 for the remaining 36 games of the season for a 32–50 record overall, 10 games off the previous year's mark.
Pat Riley's overhaul to success
Alonzo Mourning Era
From 1994 to 1997, the Miami Heat sought relocation plans in case the city of Miami resisted a standard facility for the team. Alternative cities were discussed: Las Vegas, Nevada, Memphis, Tennessee (now the home of the Memphis Grizzlies), St. Louis and San Diego. Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally Memphis is a City in the southwest corner of Tennessee, and the County seat of Shelby County. The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional Basketball team based in Memphis Tennessee. Just when the Miami Heat was struggling to win and stay put, a new era arrived to take them to a new decade of possibilities.
In the 1995 offseason, the Heat hired Pat Riley from the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers and the 1990s New York Knicks to be the team's new president and head coach after he resigned immediately following the 1994-1995 season. Patrick James Riley (born March 20 1945 is a former American National Basketball Association head coach and current team president of the Miami Heat. The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California. Riley dropped a bombshell the night before the season began, sending Glen Rice and Matt Geiger (among others) to the Hornets in exchange for All-Star center Alonzo Mourning. Glen Anthony Rice (born May 28 1967 in Flint, Michigan) is a retired American Basketball player from the NBA. Matthew (Matt Allen Geiger ( September 10 1969 in Salem Massachusetts) is a retired American professional Basketball player who played in the Alonzo Harding Mourning Jr (born February 8, 1970, in Chesapeake Virginia) is an American professional Basketball player who In a flurry of midseason deals, Riley acquired several players including Tim Hardaway, Chris Gatling and Walt Williams. Timothy Duane "Tim" Hardaway (born September 1 1966) is an American retired Basketball Point guard who played in the Chris Raymond Gatling (born September 3, 1967 in Elizabeth New Jersey) is a retired American professional Basketball player, Walter (Walt Ander Williams (born April 16 1970 in Washington D The Heat finished with a winning record with Mourning among the league leaders in scoring and rebounding, but lost in the playoffs in a 3-game sweep against the 72–10 Bulls.
The following season, the Heat made a 19-game improvement in the standings, winning their first-ever Atlantic Division title with a 61–21 record. Playing a key role were new additions Dan Majerle, P.J. Brown, Jamal Mashburn, and Voshon Lenard. Daniel Lewis Majerle (surname 'mɑrliː born September 9, 1965) is an American former professional Basketball player and currently an assistant Jamal Mashburn (born November 29 1972 in New York City) is a retired American professional Basketball player Voshon Kelan Lenard (born May 14 1973) is an American professional Basketball player They took out Riley's former team in seven games, rallying from a 3–1 series deficit, partly due to several Knicks players leaving the bench (leading to several suspensions) during a fight that occurred between P.J. Brown and Charlie Ward after Ward was body-slammed by the usually mild-mannered Brown, leading to a brawl. Charlie Ward Jr (born October 12 1970 in Thomasville Georgia) is a retired American professional Basketball player college The Heat were however ousted from the playoffs in five games (after falling into a 3–0 series deficit) by the Bulls for the second consecutive year, this time in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Heat celebrated their 10-year anniversary in the 1997–98 season and captured their second straight Atlantic Division title. The 1997–98 NBA season was the 52nd season of the National Basketball Association. However, in what would become a heated rivalry, the Heat lost in the first round against coach Riley's former team, the New York Knicks after Mourning would miss the deciding Game 5 via suspension after getting into a Game 4 altercation with Larry Johnson and with Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy hanging onto Mourning's leg in an attempt to intervene. Larry Demetric Johnson (born March 14, 1969 in Tyler Texas) is a retired American Basketball player who spent his professional Jeff Van Gundy (born January 19 1962 in Hemet California) is an American Basketball Head coach, most recently with the
1998-99 was a lockout-shortened season, although Miami would have a conference-best 33-17 record to claim their first-ever #1 seed in the NBA Playoffs. The 1998–99 NBA season was the 53rd season of the National Basketball Association. A lockout is a Work stoppage in which an Employer prevents employees from working In spite of their seeding, the Heat would lose to the Knicks again after Allan Houston hit a rim-bouncing game-winning jumper in Game 5 to decide the series. Allan Wade Houston (born April 20 1971) is an American professional Basketball player for the NBA 's New York Knicks The Knicks would go on to play in the 1999 NBA Finals, losing to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional Basketball team based in San Antonio Texas.
As a result of their success on the court, the Heat moved into the American Airlines Arena in 1999, with seats for over 20,500 fans. The AmericanAirlines Arena is an Arena located in Downtown Miami, Florida along Biscayne Bay and is used for Basketball The Heat again lost in a deciding Game 7 to the Knicks by a single point.
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During the summer of 2000, the Heat felt it finally needed a change. After losing out to the Orlando Magic to get Raptors swingman Tracy McGrady, Miami decided to trade P. Tracy Lamar McGrady Jr (born May 24 1979 in Bartow Florida) is an American professional Basketball player currently positioned at starting J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn to the Charlotte Hornets (among others) in exchange for Eddie Jones, Anthony Mason and Ricky Davis. The New Orleans Hornets are a professional Basketball team based in New Orleans Louisiana, United States. Eddie Charles Jones (born October 20 1971 in Pompano Beach Florida) is an American professional Basketball player for the NBA's Indiana Anthony George Douglas Mason (born December 14 1966 in Miami Florida) is a retired American National Basketball Association player with the New Jersey Tyree Ricardo Davis (born September 23 1979 in Las Vegas Nevada) better known as Ricky Davis, is an American professional Miami also picked up Brian Grant to go along with the core of Mourning, Hardaway, Majerle, Bowen and Carter. Brian Wade Grant (born March 5 1972, in Columbus Ohio) is a retired American Basketball player The Heat was widely expected to be the favorites in the Eastern Conference until franchise-centerpiece Alonzo Mourning returned from the 2000 Olympics to announce he would miss the entire season due to a rare kidney disorder, known as focal glomerulosclerosis.
The Heat missed Mourning for 69 games in 2000-01, yet found success with Anthony Mason, who was named to his first All-Star game as a reserve. The 2000–01 NBA season was the 55th season of the National Basketball Association. Brian Grant, Eddie Jones and Tim Hardaway also played well for the Heat. Alonzo Mourning returned with 13 games remaining. He was a shell of his former, MVP-candidate self and Miami was swept by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round, the same team that Miami acquired Eddie Jones and Anthony Mason from the previous summer, and Alonzo Mourning in that same year.
The following two seasons were two of the darkest in Heat history. Pat Riley missed the playoffs for the first time in his coaching career, and much of the remaining core from the division-title winning Heat teams of the late 1990s departed (Tim Hardaway, Bruce Bowen and Dan Majerle). Patrick James Riley (born March 20 1945 is a former American National Basketball Association head coach and current team president of the Miami Heat. Bruce Bowen Jr (born June 14 1971 is an American professional Basketball player
Miami rounded out its 2001-02 season roster with players well past their prime such as Rod Strickland, Chris Gatling, Jim Jackson, LaPhonso Ellis and Kendall Gill to along with Mourning, Jones, Grant and Carter, whom the Heat signed to a controversial three-year deal that many said was far too much for the young guard. The 2001–02 NBA season was the 56th season of the National Basketball Association. Rodney "Rod" Strickland (born July 11 1966, in The Bronx, New York) is a retired American professional Basketball Chris Raymond Gatling (born September 3, 1967 in Elizabeth New Jersey) is a retired American professional Basketball player, James Jackson may refer to James Jackson (politician (1757&ndash1806 Revolutionary War soldier Georgia Congressman Senator and Governor LaPhonso Darnell Ellis (born May 5 1970 in East St Louis Illinois) is a retired American Basketball player Kendall Cedric Gill (born May 25 1968 in Chicago, Illinois) is a retired American professional Basketball player now professional And to acquire Gatling, Riley and the Heat traded away Ricky Davis, a young, promising player. The trade drew a lot of criticism at the time. The Heat also signed two young, undrafted players in Malik Allen and Mike James to make up for not having a first-round pick in the draft. Malik Omar Allen (born June 27 1978 in Willingboro, New Jersey) is an American professional Basketball player who plays for the Milwaukee Michael Lamont James (born June 23 1975 in Amityville New York) is an American professional Basketball player currently with the Miami also signed Vladimir Stepania to back up Alonzo Mourning at center. Vladimir Stepania (born May 8 1976 in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet Union (present-day Georgia) is a Georgian The aging, veteran team narrowly missed out on the playoffs, despite having a losing record.
Unlike the 2001-02 season, Miami began to rebuild in 2002-03. The Heat drafted Caron Butler in the first round and Rasual Butler in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft. James Caron Butler, widely known as Caron Butler (pronounced Kuh-RONN) (born March 13 1980) is an American professional Basketball Rasual Butler (born May 23 1979 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American professional Basketball player in the Miami supposedly missed out on potentially selecting Yao Ming by one ping-pong ball during the draft lottery. Yao Ming ( born September 12 1980 is a Professional basketball player who plays for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA Alonzo Mourning missed the entire season due to his condition worsening and Eddie Jones also missed a huge portion of the season with an ankle injury. Miami signed Travis Best to be the starting point guard. Travis Eric Best (born July 12, 1972 in Springfield Massachusetts) is an AmericanIs a retired american professional basketball player The Heat was led by Caron Butler and many of the youthful players that have filled out the Heat's roster since 2000 including Eddie House, Carter, Stepania, Allen and James.
2003-04 season: Van Gundy takes over, Wade joins the Heat
Alonzo Mourning's huge contract expired the following summer, giving the Heat some much-needed cap relief to rebuild. However, Miami was still a few million dollars away from signing a max contract. On July 1, 2003, Miami was expecting to hear from Bill Duffy, agent for Anthony Carter, who was expected to make $4. 1 million the upcoming season provided he exercise his option. Duffy's agency never informed the team and Miami was free from the contract. In addition, the season earlier, forward LaPhonso Ellis honorably rescinded a clause in his contract which would have forced the Heat to pay Ellis the following season, a burden the Heat could not afford to deal with in the rebuilding process.
With the cap space, Miami signed forward Lamar Odom and guard T. Lamar Joseph Odom (born November 6 1979 in South Jamaica Queens, New York) is an American professional Basketball player who currently J. Moncrieffe. Riley and the Heat also opted to draft Dwyane Wade out of Marquette University with the 5th overall pick instead of signing a large-scale free agent point guard such as Gilbert Arenas. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr (born January 17 1982) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat Gilbert Jay Arenas Jr (born January 6, 1982, in Los Angeles, California) is a American professional Basketball player The pick was somewhat surprising at the time, since it was expected the Miami would draft a true point guard rather than the shooting guard Wade. Miami also signed Udonis Haslem out of the University of Florida, who went undrafted a season earlier and had spent the previous season playing overseas in France. Udonis Johneal Haslem (born June 9, 1980 in Miami Florida) is an American professional Basketball player currently with the The University of Florida ( Florida or UF) is a public land-grant, sea-grant, space-grant major Research Odom, Alston, Haslem and Wade teamed up with Grant, Jones, Allen and both Butlers to form one of the most surprising teams of the season.
A few days before the start of the 2003-04 season, Pat Riley shocked the basketball world when he stepped down as head coach to focus more on his role as team president and promoted longtime assistant coach Stan Van Gundy to the head coaching position. The 2003–04 NBA season was the 58th season of the National Basketball Association. Stan Van Gundy (born August 26 1959 in Indio California) is the Head coach of the National Basketball Association 's Orlando Magic. The team was expected to be among the league's worst by NBA prognosticators. After dealing with early injury problems to Odom, Wade and both Butlers, the team quickly gelled and formed what most members of that team consider to be the most fun season of their careers. The Heat newcomers brought youth and energy to the team. Wade broke several rookie records while other Heat players, such as Odom, revived their careers. Wade began to catch the eye of scouts and fans across the league, especially during the playoffs where Wade led the Heat in toppling the New Orleans Hornets(which had relocated from Charlotte at the end of the 2001-2002 season), the same team that swept the Heat into rebuilding mode just three seasons prior. Miami lost to the Indiana Pacers 4–2 in the conference semifinals. The Pacers had finished with the best record in the league and saw the Heat give Indiana a tougher series than expected.
The Shaquille O'Neal/Dwyane Wade Era
After the promising 2003-04 season, Miami again took major steps forward. The Heat acquired superstar center Shaquille O'Neal on July 14, 2004 in a historic trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in which Miami shipped Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Brian Grant out west. Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (born March 6 1972 frequently referred to simply as " Shaq " is an African American Professional basketball Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association (NBA team based in Los Angeles, California. James Caron Butler, widely known as Caron Butler (pronounced Kuh-RONN) (born March 13 1980) is an American professional Basketball Brian Wade Grant (born March 5 1972, in Columbus Ohio) is a retired American Basketball player Dwyane Wade and O'Neal worked well as a pair and each solidified their position as NBA elites with both averaging over 20 points per game. The season also reunited several former club members. Ron Rothstein, the Heat's inaugural head coach, became an assistant coach and both Steve Smith and Alonzo Mourning rejoined the team as role players.
The Heat had its second best record in franchise history: 59–23. They were seeded first in the playoffs, and swept through the first two rounds by winning eight consecutive games against New Jersey and Washington and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals against defending champion Detroit. The New Jersey Nets are a professional Basketball team in the National Basketball Association that plays in the Eastern Conference 's Atlantic The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area The teams split the first four games before Miami pushed the Pistons to the brink of elimination with an easy 88-76 victory in Game 5, but in the process lost Dwyane Wade to a strained rib muscle suffered in an attempt to take a charge against Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace. Rasheed Abdul Wallace (born September 17 1974 is an American professional Basketball player Without Wade, the Heat were routed 91–66 in Game 6 at Detroit, setting up a deciding Game 7 in Miami. In that game, Wade returned, and the Heat held a 6-point lead with 3 minutes remaining before a series of missed shots and turnovers down the stretch cost the Heat the game and the series to the Detroit Pistons, 4–3 in their 88-82 Game 7 loss . The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area Wade apparently struggled to breathe throughout the game due to the rib injury, forcing the Heat's star to play in a limited capacity, although he remarkably managed to score 20 points.
In the offseason, the Heat were drastically retooled. In what is considered to be the largest trade in NBA history, in a 5-team, 13-player transaction the Heat traded away Eddie Jones, Rasual Butler and Qyntel Woods and in exchange received former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, and James Posey. Rasual Butler (born May 23 1979 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American professional Basketball player in the Qyntel Deon Woods (born February 16, 1981, in Memphis Tennessee) is an American professional basketball player currently playing for Antoine Devon Walker (born August 12 1976 in Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American professional Basketball player with the Jason Williams is the name of Jason Williams (basketball, point guard and former Florida Gator Jay Williams (basketball, former point James Mikely Mantell Posey Jr (born January 13 1977 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American professional Basketball player Miami also signed future Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton, former UCLA star Jason Kapono in addition to first round pick and NCAA All American Wayne Simien. Free agent Damon Jones opted for a bigger contract offered by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Damon Darron Jones (born August 25 1976 in Galveston Texas) is an American professional Basketball player of the NBA and currently a free agent The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are a professional Basketball team based in Cleveland Ohio. Critics were quick to debate whether a reformed Heat team would have chemistry issues and whether or not the team was too old (O'Neal, Mourning and Payton were all in their mid-thirties) or had too many underacheivers (Walker had a reputation of miserable shot selection, and Williams, one of turnover-prone playmaking). After an 11–10 start and with O'Neal hurt, these critics seemed to be proven right.
Pat Riley became coach of the Heat for the second time on December 12, 2005, after Van Gundy stepped down due to personal and family reasons. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The team went on to win its first three games under Riley until losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known as the Cavs) are a professional Basketball team based in Cleveland Ohio. The Cleveland loss encouraged the Heat to finish up the month of December strong. They concluded the month with 4 wins and 2 losses. The Heat though were still criticized, however, for being unable to beat the top caliber teams of the NBA. This criticism though would just grow more and more on the Heat come the month of January and into February. Although they finished January with 10 wins and 5 losses, there was still and some would argue proof that they could not beat the best in the NBA. They had already lost to the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs twice, twice to the Phoenix Suns, and were decimated in a nationally televised broadcast by 36 points to their eventual NBA Finals opponents the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas. The months of February and March were very successful for the Heat, including a stretch of 15 wins in 16 games which began with a crucial comeback victory over the Perennial Eastern Conference powerhouse Detroit Pistons. Dwyane Wade was electric and Shaquille O'Neal stepped up his game up in a tremendous fashion, helping the Heat resurge and finish with a 52-30 record, good enough for a 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Their record was respectable but was viewed as somewhat underachieved compared to the 2004-2005 59 win and 1st place playoff seeded season.
2006 Playoffs
Earning the second seed in the 2006 playoffs, the Miami Heat drew the seventh seed Chicago Bulls as their first round opponent. The Chicago Bulls are an American professional Basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern The Heat won the first two games of the series at home, despite Udonis Haslem being ejected in the first game and suspended in the second for throwing his mouthpiece in the area of the referee. The team lost games three and four in Chicago, but bounced back to win game five at home. After winning game six in Chicago, the Heat eliminated the Bulls from the playoffs and went on to face the New Jersey Nets in the second round. The New Jersey Nets are a professional Basketball team in the National Basketball Association that plays in the Eastern Conference 's Atlantic The Heat lost Game 1 at home, 100-88, but then swept the Nets out of the playoffs for the second year in a row taking Game 5 at home 106–105. The Heat subsequently advanced to their second Eastern Conference Finals in as many years. The NBA Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament between sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference (called Divisions The Heat opened up the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals in Detroit by facing the Pistons in a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Finals, in which the top seeded Heat lost Game 7 in a heartbreaker. They immediately stole home court advantage by winning Game 1. Miami lost the second game 92–88 after trailing by eighteen at one point, but never surrendered home court advantage. They went home and won both Game 3 (98–83) and a decisive Game 4 (89–78) at home. The Detroit Pistons then won Game 5 in The Palace of Auburn Hills 91–78, but the Heat answered back, winning game 6 (95–78) and with it the series (4–2) in Miami. The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a Sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb
2006 NBA Finals and Championship
After defeating the Detroit Pistons, the Heat advanced to their first NBA Finals in franchise history against the Dallas Mavericks. The 2006 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005-06 National Basketball Association season. The Dallas Mavericks (also known as the Mavs) are the professional Basketball team of the National Basketball Association based in Dallas Texas For the Mavericks, like the Heat, this was also their first NBA Finals appearance.
The Heat were outplayed by the Mavericks in the first two games in Dallas, with the second game being an embarrassing blowout. Things looked worse in Game 3 when the Heat faced a 13-point gap in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter, with Dallas looking to take a 3–0 lead in the series. Led by Dwyane Wade, who single handedly dismantled the Mavericks after falling 0-2 by leading the Heat to a 98-96 comeback in game 3 and after that he never looked back, the Heat were able to make an incredible comeback victory to salvage the series. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr (born January 17 1982) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat Similar success came in Game 4, when the Miami Heat once again beat the Mavericks with a combined team effort. The Miami Heat were able to establish their ability to play under pressure in Game 5, which went into overtime. Nevertheless, the effort of Wade with his 43 points, including the game tying basket and clutch overtime free throws, propelled the Heat to within one victory of their first championship in franchise history.
The third consecutive victory at home placed the Heat in the rare company of home teams who have swept the middle three games since the NBA switched to the 2–3–2 format for the finals in 1985 (Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League also use the 2-3-2 format for the championship series). The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America The only team to have previously accomplished that feat were the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.
On June 20, Game 6, the Heat took the NBA title in Dallas, winning the series four games to two. In winning the series, the Heat became only the third team in NBA history to win the final series after being down 0–2, following the 1969 Boston Celtics and the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers. The Boston Celtics are an American professional Basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, playing in the Atlantic Division of the The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, is an American professional Basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. The Heat overcame a miserable start with a 14-point gap to wear down the Mavericks, and lead by one point (49–48) at the halftime horn. Again, Wade played a vital role, powering the Heat to a late lead. He was helped by an impressive five blocks by Alonzo Mourning (the Heat had over 10 team blocks in the game even though they were averaging a little over 2 blocks in the series) and clutch shooting by James Posey, who drained a cold-blooded three pointer which put the Heat ahead by six with 3 minutes to go. Surprisingly, the Mavericks were down only three with a few seconds to go after a pair of missed free-throws by Dwyane Wade. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr (born January 17 1982) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat However, Dallas would be put to rest after Wade captured the rebound, fittingly ending the game by tossing the ball in the air after a missed three-point shot attempt by Jason Terry. Jason Eugene Terry (born September 15 1977) is an American professional Basketball player currently playing with the NBA 's Wade would go on to win the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. The National Basketball Association Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA award given since the 1969 NBA Finals.
The championship proved all the more poignant for Miami's veteran superstars Alonzo Mourning, Gary Payton, and Antoine Walker who had never before won an NBA championship. Alonzo Harding Mourning Jr (born February 8, 1970, in Chesapeake Virginia) is an American professional Basketball player who Gary Dwayne Payton (born July 23 1968 is an American professional Basketball player formerly in the National Basketball Association (NBA Antoine Devon Walker (born August 12 1976 in Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American professional Basketball player with the Mourning and Payton both re-signed with the Heat for the 2006-07 season, wanting to win another championship. The championship marked the seventh win for Coach Pat Riley (fifth as a head coach), and fourth title to Shaquille O'Neal, both of whom fulfilled their promise to the citizens of Miami in 1995 (when Riley first came to Miami and said he "envisioned a parade on Biscayne Boulevard") and in July 2004 (when Shaq first came to Miami and vowed to "bring the title home"). Shaq also promised after the win to win the NBA championship again in 2007, if and only if Dwyane Wade were present and healthy for the ride through the playoffs.
2006-07 Season: Injury Bug stings Heat
The Heat got off to a poor start in the 2007 season, losing to the Chicago Bulls by 42 points (66-108), the worst home loss in team history and worst margin of defeat for a defending champion on opening day in NBA history. Shaquille O'Neal played the first few games for the Heat then missed over thirty games with a right knee injury. Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (born March 6 1972 frequently referred to simply as " Shaq " is an African American Professional basketball Key members of the Heat's championship run last season, particularly Antoine Walker and Gary Payton, were finding themselves on the bench more often at the expense of the Heat's up-and-coming young duo of Jason Kapono and Dorell Wright. Jason Alan Kapono (born February 4 1981 in Long Beach California) is an American professional Basketball player who plays for the Dorell Lawrence Wright (born December 2 1985, in Los Angeles California) is an American professional Basketball player with
The first half of the Heat's season was full of misfortune. Coach Riley took an indefinite leave, Dwyane Wade briefly injured his right wrist, and James Posey and Antoine Walker were delisted after failing a body mass exam. Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr (born January 17 1982) is an American professional Basketball player who currently plays for the Miami Heat James Mikely Mantell Posey Jr (born January 13 1977 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American professional Basketball player Antoine Devon Walker (born August 12 1976 in Chicago, Illinois, United States) is an American professional Basketball player with the
Matters improved for the team. Rothstein, the Heat's original head coach, returned on an interim basis. Both Posey and Walker were reinstated. Former Heat star Eddie Jones re-signed with the team after being released by the Memphis Grizzlies. Eddie Charles Jones (born October 20 1971 in Pompano Beach Florida) is an American professional Basketball player for the NBA's Indiana The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional Basketball team based in Memphis Tennessee. O'Neal returned to play in January. Riley resumed his duties as head coach at the start of the second half of the season.
After thinking everything was going to turn around for the Heat, on February 21, in a game against the Houston Rockets, Wade dislocated his left shoulder and had to leave in a wheelchair. The Houston Rockets are an American professional Basketball team based in Houston Texas. Shortly after the injury, Wade announced that he would opt for rehabilitation instead of surgery, with the hope of returning to the lineup for the playoffs. The rehab was successful enough that Wade returned to the Heat on April 9, 2007, for a game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Wade was visibly rusty, and said that he didn't have his "legs back yet. "
After Wade's injury, many predicted the Heat would fail even to make the playoffs. Those predictions were quickly dismissed as the Heat surged, winning 11 out of 14 games at one point. In that time, Miami posted a nine-game winning streak (defeating such teams as the Pistons, Wizards, Bulls and Jazz), in addition to extending a home winning streak to 14. The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association based in the Detroit metropolitan area The Chicago Bulls are an American professional Basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern The Utah Jazz is a professional Basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Shaquille O'Neal was a primary cause for the Heat's resurgence, playing his best basketball of the season and serving as a focal point of the offense. Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (born March 6 1972 frequently referred to simply as " Shaq " is an African American Professional basketball Having a roster full of veterans and former All-Stars also had a notable benefit in dealing with the loss of Dwyane Wade. Miami was able to post a 16-7 record without its star guard and, in the process, the Heat were able to win a third consecutive Southeast Division title.
Shortly after Wade returned, Shaquille O' Neal's grandfather had died, causing him to miss two games. Additionally, Udonis Haslem and Gary Payton were bit by the injury bug; Haslem with a groin aggravation and Payton with a calf injury that will sideline him for two to three weeks. The Heat finished the regular season with a 44-38 record and faced the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs, to whom they lost 4-0 in the best of seven series. The Chicago Bulls are an American professional Basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Miami Heat became the first defending champion since 1957 to get swept in the first round in the following season. It was also the first four-game playoff series sweep suffered in Miami Heat history.
Rebuilding for the future
2007-08 Season: Shaq departs, the rebuilding process begins
After a disappointing 2006-07 season, the Heat looked to move forward. Miami retained the 20th and 39th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. On June 28, 2007, the Miami Heat selected Colorado State forward Jason Smith with the 20th overall selection then traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers for the draft rights to 21st overall selection, guard Daequan Cook from Ohio State and cash considerations. With the 39th overall selection, the Miami Heat drafted Stanko Barac, a center from Bosnia, but later traded his rights to the Indiana Pacers for a future second round pick. The Heat lost Jason Kapono to the Toronto Raptors and James Posey to the Boston Celtics. The Heat got a much-needed point guard when they picked up Smush Parker from free agency and signed him to a 3-year deal and veteran guard Penny Hardaway reuniting the Shaq-Penny duo. William Henry "Smush" Parker (born June 1 1981) is an American professional Basketball player who is currently on the Denver Nuggets Anfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway (born July 18 1971, in Memphis Tennessee) is an American professional Basketball player Hardaway was later waived in December. Also in the 2007 Offseason, the Miami Heat made a 5 player trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, bringing back Ricky Davis and Mark Blount. Leaving the Heat was Antoine Walker, Wayne Simien, Michael Doleac, and a conditional 1st round pick. Davis was on the Heat in August 2000 but fell out of favor with Riley. When the trade occurred he was seen as a more polished scorer and was projected to have been third option for the Heat to compliment Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal, had the circumstances of the season turned out differently.
On December 19, 2007 during the 1st quarter of the game versus the Atlanta Hawks while getting back on a fast-break, Alonzo Mourning tore the right patellar tendon in his right knee[2] and was required to undergo a season-ending -- some even say career-ending knee surgery, although Mourning maintains that he has not, nor has he made plans for retirement.
On Tuesday, February 5th, 2008, ESPN reported that the Heat were interested in trading center Shaquille O'Neal, contrary to reports by Pat Riley one month earlier that the Heat was not interested in trading the 13 time all-star. Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (born March 6 1972 frequently referred to simply as " Shaq " is an African American Professional basketball The next day however, the Heat agreed to trade O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, effectively ending the Wade-Shaq era. The Phoenix Suns are a professional Basketball team based in Phoenix Arizona. Shawn Dwayne Marion or just called The Matrix (born May 7 1978 in Waukegan Illinois) is an American professional Basketball Arthur Lemarcus Banks III, commonly known as Marcus Banks (born November 19 1981 in Las Vegas Nevada) is an American professional
As of April 16, 2008 the Heat clinched the worst record in the NBA at 15-67. Despite the recent losing funk the Heat have fallen into, they have re-committed themselves to rebuild and turn the franchise around and get it back to the level it was just 2 years ago when they won the 2006 championship, and are projected by many to possibly have a busy 2008 offseason due to the fact that they could possibly have plenty of free salary cap room with the departure of O'Neal and now that they are looking towards the future and to build around superstar Dwyane Wade. Wade has also adamantly committed himself to the rebuilding plan and has said in a public statement that he's in Miami for the longhaul and wants to be part of the rebuilding process currently taking place, since it was his drafting in the 2003 draft that helped turn the franchise around at that time. Late in the season with the HEAT well out of any type of realistic playoff contention, head coach Pat Riley missed two games because he went to scout certain NCAA basketball conference tournament games, to prepare in the likely event that the heat receive the number 1 or 2 lottery pick in the 2008 draft. It was announced on March 10, 2008, that Heat guard Dwyane Wade would be inactive for the rest of the season to help him rehabilitate his ailing knee and shoulder that he has re-aggravated, in hopes of starting in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. It was announced on March 10 that the Heat have finally waived guard Smush Parker, opening the opportunity to add a player signed to a 10-day contract. Parker has not seen action in a Heat uniform and has been in Pat Riley's "doghouse" since the first few games of the 07-08 season after he got into a dispute and altercation with a Valet Parking attendant who accused him of not paying the parking fee, Miami Police are still looking into the matter. On March 12, 2008, they signed Bobby Jones to a 10-day contract, looking for help at the shooting guard and small forward positions. At the end of March 2008, as if the season had not gone bad enough, the Miami Heat posted the third lowest point total in the history of the NBA during the shot clock era during a 96-54 loss to the Toronto Raptors on March 19, followed by a new record for the fewest made baskets (17) in another lost game against the Boston Celtics on March 30. [1]The Heat finished the season on a positive note on April 16 to close out the season with a 113-99 victory over the playoff bound Atlanta Hawks. The win ties for the worst franchise record set by the 1988-89 heat[2] On April 28, 2008, Pat Riley stepped down as the head coach of the Heat but remained Team President. He replaced himself with longtime Assistant Coach Erik Spoelstra, who at 37, became the youngest coach in the NBA. Erik Celino Spoelstra (born November 1, 1970 in Evanston Illinois) is the Head coach of the NBA 's Miami Heat. Riley finished his career with 1,210 victories, third all-time.
2008-09 Season
On May 20, 2008 the Heat attained the number 2 pick in the 2008 NBA draft as a result of the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery. The 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New They are expected to select either power forward Michael Beasley or point guard Derrick Rose or point guard/shooting guard O.J. Mayo. Michael Paul Beasley (born January 9 1989, in Frederick Maryland) is an American Basketball player for the Miami Heat Derrick Martell Rose (born October 4 1988 is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association Right after the draft lottery Pat Riley said they would listen to any trade offers.
Uniforms
 Home Uniform |  Away Uniform |  Alternate/playoff away Uniform |
These are the Miami Heat uniforms worn since the 1999-00 season. The 1999–2000 NBA season was the 54th season of the National Basketball Association. The alternate red jersey was introduced during the 2001-02 NBA season and is the unofficial Heat road uniform during the NBA Playoffs. The 2001–02 NBA season was the 56th season of the National Basketball Association. The NBA Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament between sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference (called Divisions They are also the only team in the NBA to have the NBA logo on the left shoulder instead of the right, though the alternate uniforms of the Washington Wizards contain the NBA logo on the left side.
Season-by-season records
Home arenas
- Miami Arena (1988–1999)
- American Airlines Arena (1999–present)
Players
Current roster
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InjuredCoaches
| Coach | Seasons active |
|---|---|
| Ron Rothstein | 1988/89–1990/91; 2007 (Interim during Riley's 6-week leave of absence) |
| Kevin Loughery | 1991/92–1994/95 |
| Alvin Gentry | 1995 |
| Pat Riley | 1995/96–2002/03, and 2005/06–2008 |
| Stan Van Gundy | 2003/04–2005 |
| Erik Spoelstra | 2008/09–Present |
High points
Franchise Leaders
Individual Awards
NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- Alonzo Mourning - 1999, 2000
NBA Most Improved Player Award
- Rony Seikaly - 1990
- Isaac Austin - 1997
- Dwyane Wade - 2006
- Pat Riley - 1997
- Tim Hardaway - 1997
- Alonzo Mourning - 1999
- Shaquille O'Neal - 2005, 2006
- Tim Hardaway - 1998, 1999
- Alonzo Mourning - 2000
- Dwyane Wade - 2005, 2006
- Dwyane Wade - 2007
- Alonzo Mourning - 1999, 2000
- P.J. Brown - 1997, 1999
- Bruce Bowen - 2001
- Dwyane Wade - 2005
- Harold Miner - 1993, 1995
- Glen Rice - 1995
- Jason Kapono - 2007, 2008
Skills Challenge
- Dwyane Wade - 2006,2007
References
See also
- Knicks-Heat rivalry
- Bulls-Heat rivalry
- Stephen Lasme
External links
| Preceded by San Antonio Spurs 2005 | NBA Champions Miami Heat 2006 | Succeeded by San Antonio Spurs 2007 |
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