Glen Rice
How awesomely 80’s is that video? I might have to adjust the rankings.
The fourth pick in the 1989 NBA Draft, Glen Rice had just led the University of Michigan to a national championship, while winning the Most Outstanding Player award of the NCAA Tournament. He was tasked as being the scoring punch for a Heat team that had finished last in scoring in its inaugural season and was trying to take another baby step to respectability. Teaming with center Rony Seikaly and point guard Sherman Douglas, Rice finished third on a Heat squad that raised its scoring average three points more per game, finishing 24th (out of 27 teams) in the NBA.
Rice was a major piece in the Heat’s early years, leading the Heat in scoring in four of his six seasons with the team, as they would reach their first two playoffs appearances in franchise history. A talented sharpshooter, Rice was a 38.6% shooter from three while in Miami, even winning the 1995 Three-Point Shootout.
Surrounding Rice with talent in the early going proved to be an issue, as he had to deal with a revolving door of complementary parts, as well as playing under three coaches while with the Heat.
So after six seasons of helping the Heat find its way in the early years, why is Rice second on this list? One reason is that even with two playoff appearances, the Heat only had one winning season in his time in Miami (1994), and it wasn’t like he was an All-Star in Heat colors. Rice found his best individual success once he left Miami, becoming a three time All-Star with the Charlotte Hornets, winning the 1997 All-Star MVP. He would also be a member of the 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers team that won the NBA Championship.
And as great as Rice was in Heat jersey, you could argue his biggest contribution to the franchise was being traded for Alonzo Mourning.
His 19.5 points per game is fourth in scoring average, while ranking third in points in Heat history. One of the key figures in their early years, there’s no denying Rice’s place in Miami Heat history.
Next: Hail to the King