5. Harold Miner
Remember “Baby Jordan?”
Miner was selected at No. 12 by the Heat in 1992, after playing at USC for three years–where he was selected by Sports Illustrated as player of the year his junior season over players such as Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning.
He also had a pretty good run with Miami during his rookie and sophomore years. Although he did not start in any games, he averaged 10.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in his first year in the NBA. These numbers only went up the next year too; Miner was averaging 10.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists.
Miner’s biggest claim to fame however, was winning the Slam Dunk Contest twice: first in 1993, and then again in 1995. In 1995, he beat Isaiah Rider, who was the defending champion, which really prompted people to label Miner as “one of the game’s best dunkers.”
Unfortunately, he was traded in 1995 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he would finish out his career. After only 19 games, he was waived, and attributed serious knee problems as the reason why he was never able to come back.
Still, the shooting guard will forever be a part of Heat history.
Next: An Original