Feb 21, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) dribbles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Heat have not historically been known for a team build around dominating point guard play, but coming out of the Big Three era when LeBron James was the de facto triggerman, and though Dwyane Wade has and still does his fair share of ball handling, the Heat has certainly had it’s share of some rather special ones.
Here we count down the top 5 point guards in Heat history. Not on this list is Goran Dragic, who has played just half a season in Miami. Dragic, if all goes as planned, should eventually climb to or near the top of this list. As of now, though, it’s too early to tell. Let’s see who does make the cut.
Next: The Long Timer
5. Bimbo Coles
After being taken No. 40 overall by the Sacramento Kings, Bimbo Coles was traded to Miami (for veteran point guard Rory Sparrow), where he played the next 5.5 years from 1990 to 1996. During the ’95-’96 season, Coles was traded mid-season to the Warriors. Coles, though five on this list, was not the top point guard on the depth chart until 1994. His first two seasons were spent backing up Sherman Douglas (more on him later), who was traded for another point guard Brian Shaw. For the next two years Shaw would get most of the starts. However in the summer of ’94 the Heat let Shaw leave in free agency. Cole’s patience paid off, becoming the starting point guard for the next 1.5 seasons before being traded to the Warriors for Tim Hardaway (he’s coming up too). He bounced around for a few more years before eventually ending his career in Miami in 2004 as a reserve.
Coles always seemed to be around, though the Heat tried to constantly upgrade the position while he was there. However, his time invested allowed him to become the Heat’s all-time leader in assists (a mark that would later be broken by four other players). Still, Coles managed to average at least 10 points per game in three of his first 5.5 seasons. He was having his best year, averaging 12.8 points and 5.7 assists per game in ’95 before being traded for Hardaway. His best years were in Miami, as he would never crack 10 points or five assists per game again during his 15-year career.
Coles played more games with the Heat than any other point guard on this list except one, and he is rewarded for his time spent with the No. 5 ranking on this list, as well as a place on multiple all-time Heat leaderboards including games (8th), minutes played (10th), assists (5th) and steals (9th).
Next: White Chocolate
4. Jason Williams
It seems so long ago, but it was only 2008 when Jason Williams last played for the Heat. Then again, that was nearly eight years ago. Yeesh. How the Heat and the NBA have changed. Could a player get away with being nicknamed “White Chocolate” anymore? Williams played with style, flash, and was a Steve Nash University alum, his game based around the art of pace. He effortlessly controlled the tempo of games, and was a threat to randomly put up a 3-pointer in transition. He kept defenses guessing.
Williams came to Miami in 2005 as part of a monsterly five-team trade, the most expansive in NBA history. He joined Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade, becoming the backcourt partner Wade needed to allow him to focus less on setting up his teammates and more on scoring and, eventually, leading the Heat to its first ever championship. (And who could forget Williams hitting 10 consecutive shots against the Pistons in Game 6 of the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals to send Miami to the Finals?)
Williams played just three seasons in Miami, averaging a modest 10.6 points and 4.9 points per game during his time, but White Chocolate’s impact with the Heat shouldn’t be measured by numbers alone. Rather, we should look more at what he allowed Wade, Shaq, and his other teammates to do to help win the 2006 NBA Finals.
Next: Little Brother
3. Mario Chalmers
May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) pushes the ball inside the key against Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mario Chalmers gets a bad wrap by Heat fans. He’s allowed the shortest leash and the least amount of leeway, but if Bimbo Coles found a spot on this list thanks to his time put in, Chalmers finds the next level of this. Like Coles, the Heat were always looking for an upgrade from Chalmers. Ever since he was acquired as a second round pick in the 2008 draft, the Heat have added other point guards to either start over him or compete with him, and Chalmers has fought and clawed every single year for his playing time.
Chalmers started all 82 games as a rookie, then lost his job the next two before getting it back in the second year of the Big Three era. He held on to that job until the beginning of last season, when the Heat named Norris Cole the starting point guard. Chalmers eventually reclaimed his position, beating out Cole (who was traded mid-season) and first-round pick Shabazz Napier (traded away after one year).
Now the Heat have made a real upgrade, acquiring Goran Dragic and re-signing him. Chalmers won’t beat out Dragic for that job, but he remains for yet another era of Heat basketball.
Chalmers never had a spectacular season but, after seven seasons, ranks fourth all time in games played for the Heat, fourth in 3-pointers, third in assists and second in steals.
Next: Short and Sweet
2. Sherman Douglas
Sherman Douglas’ time in Miami was short, just two full seasons, but very productive. That productivity eventually led to his time with the Heat coming to an end. Douglas was a second round pick in 1989 but became a major contributor for the Heat right away, averaging 14.3 points and 7.6 assists and landing on the NBA’s All-Rookie first team. His second season was even better, leading the Heat with 18.5 points per game and 8.5 assists and being named the team’s most valuable player. Douglas, clearly out-performing his rookie contract, held out before the 1991-92 season and was traded to the Boston Celtics for Brian Shaw.
After just two seasons, Douglas ranks sixth in assists in Heat history and is still the leader in career average for assists per game. Douglas averaged 16 points and 7.9 assists per game in Miami.
Douglas’ career in Miami could have been much more successful if he the Heat could have come to a contract agreement, but he likely still would not have done more than the top guy on this list.
Next: Tim Bug
1. Tim Hardaway
Feb 15, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA former player Tim Hardaway shoots during the 2014 NBA All Star Shooting Stars competition at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mid-way through the 1995-1996 season, Pat Riley traded a pair of role players (Kevin Willis and Bimbo Coles) for former ‘Run TMC’ triggerman and NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway. Hardaway would join newly acquired Alonzo Mourning to form a 1-5 super duo and usher in a new era of Heat basketball. The team would ultimately under-achieve in this era, but it was exciting to watch a pair of the greatest players the Heat organization had ever seen to that point.
Hardaway played six seasons in Miami, leading the team to a franchise record 61 wins in his first full season, finishing fourth in the voting for the NBA’s most valuable player and earning a spot on the All-NBA first team. He would play in three All-Star games while in Miami, and remains near the top of many Heat leaderboards including 3-pointers (1st), assists (2nd), steals (6th) and points (7th).
Hardaway spent the second half of his prime with the Heat, and in 2001 was traded to the Mavericks for a second-round draft pick. Hardaway won a lot of games in Miami, and is still waiting to be accepted to the Basketball Hall-of-Fame.
*All stats via basketball-reference.com unless otherwise noted.