The 5 best draft picks in Miami Heat history
By Simon Smith
1. Dwayne Wade (SG) – No. 5 pick in 2003 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Heat): 855 GP, 23.3 PPG, 5.7 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 48.8 FG%, 28.4 3P%, 76.7 FT%
Undoubtedly, this was the draft pick that shaped the franchise. Wade’s arrival in Miami transformed the Heat, increasing their win total from 25 to 42 in his rookie season, having missed out on the postseason the previous two seasons.
And his debut playoff appearance was simply a sign of things. Leading the Heat to the second round, Wade averaged 18.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.0 rebounds while playing 39.5 minutes per game. For the next 12 next seasons, Wade was named an All-Star, with the Heat reaching the postseason in 10 of those 12 seasons.
Such was Wade’s impact that in combination with Shaquille O’Neal, the Heat secured their first ever NBA title in 2006, just Wade’s third season in the league. Wade would win Finals MVP by putting together one of the all-time Finals series’, averaging 34.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Wade earned two selections to the All-NBA first team, in 2008-09 and 2009-10. The second of these selections saw Wade average a career-high 30.2 points per game along with 7.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.
Having led the franchise for so long on his own two feet, Wade received much need reinforcements in the Summer of 2010 with the arrival of LeBron James and Chris Bosh, forming the “Big 3”. The result was four consecutive trips to the Finals, including back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
Despite his incredible accomplishments placing him among the all-time greats in the history of the game, Wade and the Heat were unable to come to an amicable agreement last summer regarding his contract situation. As a result, Wade signed as a free-agent with his hometown Chicago Bulls.
Responsible for both drafting Wade and coaching him to his first title, there are few others that know Wade better than Pat Riley. Following Wade’s departure, Riley sent the following text to Miami media personality Dan Le Batard to try to convey his feelings on the breakup:
"“SADDDDDDD!!!! SO saddddddd! I will never forget the sixth game in Dallas in 2006. DW rebounded the ball, and threw it to the heavens and the Heat universe was perfect for that moment. Our first world championship. Our universe is not perfect today. It will be fraught with anger, judgment, blame instead of THANK YOU!!! Ten years ago. Ten years older. Ten years wiser. Ten years changed. All of us. Dwyane had a choice, and he made it. He went home. Bad, bad summer for us. But there will be another 10 years, and it will be someone or something else in 2026. Move on with no blood or tears. Just thanks. I truly loved Dwyane, but families grow, change and get on with another life. He will always be a part of us. ALWAYS! And no more bruises and enough fighting. Let’s just fly above it if we can and never forget. I feel his pain and pride for what pushed him over the ledge. Been there. Forever, for always, your coach I will be. FOREVER!”"
Next: The 5 worst draft picks in Heat history
Although still very raw, these comments go some way to explaining how much Wade meant to Riley and the Heat organisation for 13 spectacular seasons.