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The top 10 Miami Heat players since 2010

Cory Sanning
Cory Sanning

All U Can Heat

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 28: Chris Bosh. Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 28: Chris Bosh. Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 28: Chris Bosh. Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Miami Heat are an organization with a long, storied history. From Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, we’ve seen some legendary names don the red and black.

Dating back to its foundation back in 1988, the Miami Heat have experienced a tremendous amount of success.

Three NBA championships, five Eastern Conference crowns, 12 division titles, and countless playoff appearances are among the select few. Not to mention, some of the most legendary names to ever step foot on the hardwood have worn “Miami” across their chests.

Since 2010, however, have the Heat experienced much scrutiny and media fixation surrounding their core players.

From the formation of the infamous Big 3 to the blindsiding explosion of one Hassan Whiteside, there’s no doubt that Pat Riley, Andy Ellisburg and company have been blessed with a raw ability to real in talent of this magnitude.

Not only have two all-time top 10 players miraculously found their ways here, a handful of some of the best shooting guards to ever step foot on the hardwood have gone to battle in a Heat uniform.

Alongside that, you have a future Hall-of-Famer in Chris Bosh, who perhaps made the largest sacrifice I’ve ever seen a star player make, for the better of the team.

We’ve seen these guys (one will surprise some of you) take pay cuts, reconstruct larger contracts and even sometimes completely alter their games just for an opportunity to call Miami home.

A pool that features the likes of veteran All Stars and core role players, each one of these players played a key role in bringing Miami back to championship contention earlier in the decade, and fans in South Florida should hold fond memories of each.

MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 13: Udonis Haslem. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JANUARY 13: Udonis Haslem. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Honorable Mentions

Mike Miller

When it comes to honorable mentions, Miller is the cream of the crop.

While he suffered from several fairly serious injuries during his time with the Heat, Miller experienced a fairly large amount of success despite his questionable durability.

Who can forget that memorable performance in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals or the no-shoe 3 pointer that has now become iconic?

He’s got two rings on his finger in large part to his contributions, but he just wasn’t enough to crack the top 10. Consider him 11.

Udonis Haslem

It’s nearly impossible to mention Heat greats without mentioning the co-captain.

Despite maintaining his celebrity status in Miami, Haslem just wasn’t quite the same after suffering a serious foot injury back in November 2010.

While he had some nice moments, he never found himself consistently in the rotation due to the sudden disappearance of his shooting touch.

If this were the 2000’s, this would be a complete insult and nonsensical statement, but Haslem isn’t the same player he once was, and he’s been more on the team for moral support than anything as of late.

MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 12: Chris Andersen. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 12: Chris Andersen. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

10. Chris “Birdman” Andersen

Stats (2013-2016): 5.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks

Initially, Andersen came to Miami as a low-risk, high-reward type of player. He’d been out of the NBA for some time, and was essentially plucked right off the street and thrust back into a locker room setting in January 2013.

While his numbers were not eye-popping, Andersen’s impact was instantly felt, and the fans were in love.

Just what did the Heat do right after signing him? Embarked on the second-longest single season winning streak in the history of the NBA (sorry, Warriors fans.)

Not only was Andersen a solid rebounder and shot-blocker, he brought that raw, emotionally energy that Miami had somewhat lacked early in the season.

In the playoffs, he continued to do big things, particularly in the Eastern Conference Finals against the then-rival Indiana Pacers.

Although he played a marginal role in the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Andersen’s impact on and off the court made 2012-13 a memorable season.

He would begin to slow down towards the end of the 2013-14 season, but still assisted in the Heat making their fourth consecutive NBA Finals.

For me, Andersen was always the enforcer, a true tough guy on the court. He did not back down from anyone, much like teammate and co-caption Udonis Haslem, whom also found himself involved in several altercations during the postseason.

MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 21: Mario Chalmers. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 21: Mario Chalmers. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

9. Mario Chalmers

Stats (2011-2016): 8.9 points, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 36 percent from 3

There couldn’t be top-10 list without him, right?

Chalmers was highly praised coming out of college, where he made a name for himself as a clutch shooter for the Kansas Jayhawks, iconically hitting the typing 3 pointer in the final seconds of regulation against Derrick Rose and the Memphis Tigers in 2008.

Since the formation of the Big 3 in 2010, Chalmers was determined not to fall in the shadows of James, Wade, and Bosh. While the three would publicly chastize him on the court at times, it would usually bring out the best in him.

In 2011, Chalmers came up huge in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 12 points per game while dishing out four assists and collecting two steals per game. He also shot the ball considerably well from beyond the arc, hitting on a 40 percent clip from that distance.

From then on, his “Mr. Clutch” tattoo he bears on his right arm would ring true time and time again.

In the 2012 Finals, Chalmers dropped 25 points in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, giving Miami a stranglehold on the series, and effectively ending it with his driving scoop lay up past Serge Ibaka with just under a minute remaining.

The next year, Chalmers would finish as Miami’s leading scorer with 19 in Game 2 of the 2013 Finals against San Antonio, and would go on to score 20 and 12 in Games 6 and 7 respectively.

While he would go on to suffer an abysmal performance in the 2014 Finals rematch with the Spurs, Chalmers stayed around, and was still a very effective piece, whether it be coming off the bench or in the starting lineup.

He’s suffered an Achilles injury since being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, and after a long year of rehab, hopes to be ready to go come opening night.

Seeing Chalmers suit up in a Grizzlies uniform is a sight to see, but you can’t help but reminisce every time he returns to Miami as a visitor.

MIAMI, FL – MAY 13: Luol Deng. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – MAY 13: Luol Deng. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

8. Luol Deng

Stats: (2015-2016): 13.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 35 percent from 3

Deng signed with Miami almost immediately following the departure of LeBron James, and was initially viewed as a cheap replacement.

From the start, Deng was his usual self. He defended well on the perimeter and even excelled as a scorer at times in Miami’s offensive system.

During the first round of the 2016 Playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets, Deng was the Heat’s most consistent threat throughout that seven-game grudge match, averaging 19 points, seven rebounds, and two assists per game while shooting the ball exceptionally well, particularly from 3 point range.

He would go on to deal with nagging injuries in the second round against the Toronto Raptors, and the Heat would fall in seven games.

Despite just spending two seasons in Miami, there is no doubt that the Heat don’t have a compelling team in 2016, where they nearly won 50 games and claimed the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Following the playoffs, Deng would sign a lucrative four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and has not experienced that same level of impact since.

Although Heat fans spent many more years hating him rather than cheering him on, Deng’s body of work in his two seasons warrants a spot on this list. He was the best available option at that time to replace the best player on the planet, and he did not disappoint.

7. Ray Allen

Stats (2013-2014): 10.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 40 percent from 3

Some may be surprised Allen isn’t ranked higher on this list, after all, he did hit one of the greatest clutch shots in NBA history with “Heat” across his chest.

After a swirl of rumors surrounding Allen and his status with the Boston Celtics during the 2011-12 season, it was evidently clear he had heard enough and signed with Miami via free agency, which may have turned out to be the best basketball choice he ever made.

Exploding right out of the gates, Allen dropped 19 points on 5-for-7 shooting against his former team. During that memorable 2013 season, Allen hit four game winning three pointers during the regular season, and assisted on Chris Bosh’s winning three in San Antonio while both Wade and James sat on the bench.

In the 2013 Playoffs, Allen cemented his legacy in NBA lore forever. Not only did he break the all-time record for most three pointers made in a playoff career, he hit the aforementioned shot heard ’round the world that saved Miami’s season during the waning seconds of Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals.

My favorite part of that entire moment? His famous quote almost directly afterwards:

“Get those motherf***ing ropes outta here!”

Allen would go on to play a big role in getting Miami back to the NBA Finals the following season, and even had a 16-point game against the Spurs in Game 1, despite the high temperatures inside an air conditioning-less AT&T Center.

Despite that, the Heat would go on to lose in five games by a record margin, and Game 5 of that series proved to be the last time we ever saw Allen on a professional basketball court.

He would flirt with the idea of making a comeback for the next two season, but ultimately decided to officially step away from the game last year.

MIAMI, FL – MARCH 14: Shane Battier. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – MARCH 14: Shane Battier. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

6. Shane Battier

Stats (2012-2014): 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 38 percent from 3

Battier is another example of a guy who’s numbers will not stand out, and often times, he may find himself left out of the opposing team’s scouting report.

That didn’t seem to matter to him, though. He was finally a part of a championship-caliber team and was guaranteed a trip to the NBA Finals nearly every season. Not to mention, living in South Florida was an added bonus.

Much like he did in Houston and with the Memphis Grizzlies, Batter proved time and time again that he is one of the smartest men to ever play in the NBA, and he articulately thought out and studied nearly everything about the game.

Not to mention, he made the corner three quite popular following one of his famous analytics speeches.

Battier will forever be known for his uncanny ability of being in the right place at the right time (ala taking charges.)

While he struggled early to find his shot in the 2011-12 season, Battier caught fire late, particularly in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics and again in the NBA Finals against the Thunder, in which he had consecutive 17-point games to open the series and averaged 11.3 points on 58 percent shooting from outside over the course of all five games.

Battier would continue to thrive in his new role during the 2012-13 season, and alongside Ray Allen, shot 43 percent from beyond the arc (Allen shot 40 percent.)

Although he would endure a mighty struggle throughout the 2013 playoffs, Battier saved his best for last, hitting 6-of-8 3 pointers in Game 7 against the Spurs to help the Heat clinch their second consecutive championship.

He would slowly begin to spend more and more time on the bench following that memorable series, and eventually became an afterthought in Miami’s rotation.

He would retire following the Heat’s 4-1 loss to the Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals and is now a color commentator.

MIAMI, FL – MARCH 23: Goran Dragic
MIAMI, FL – MARCH 23: Goran Dragic

5. Goran Dragic

Stats (2015-present): 17.2 points, 5.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 52 percent from the floor

A remarkably underrated point guard despite his offensive abilities, Dragic was shipped from Phoenix to Miami following an ugly break up with the Suns front office.

Remarkably, he was coming off of the best season of his career, which earned All-NBA Third Team honors.

For essentially chump change, Riley pulled another slick move and snagged one of the most explosive scorers from the point guard position.

Ironically, his numbers from this past season were arguably better than any of his years in Phoenix and if it had not been for several (30, to be exact) lackluster performances early in the season, the Heat very well could have been facing the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.

Not only did he match his career high in efficiency from beyond the arc (41 percent,) he matched his career-high in points per game as well (20.3.) He knocked down big shots, made timely assists, and proved to be the driving force behind an offense that caught fire during the second half of the season.

He had seven games with 30 or more points, and hit 20 or more 32 times. He also had five games with 10 or more assists, including a career-high 17 assists in an early season loss to the Boston Celtics.

For me, Dragic’s most memorable moments as a member of the Heat have to have come in the 2016 Playoffs.

After trailing the Charlotte Hornets 3-2 and forcing a decisive seventh game on the road, Dragic came alive at home, scoring 25 points (17 in the first half) and leading the Heat to a convincing 103-76 victory.

In the Conference Semifinals against the Raptors, Dragic dropped 30 at home in Game 6, forcing a Game 7 in that series as well, only this time, Miami would fall on the road.

Dragic’s body of work since arriving in Miami warrants the five spot, not to mention he’s the best point guard Miami has had since Tim Hardaway.

MIAMI, FL – APRIL 12: Hassan Whiteside. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 12: Hassan Whiteside. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

4. Hassan Whiteside

Stats (2015-present): 14.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, 59 percent from the floor

In the beginning, Whiteside was a great feel-good story. Having spent the majority of his professional career playing overseas and in the D-League, no. 21 found himself a spot on Miami’s development affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Just two months into the 2014-15 season, and Whiteside has officially earned himself a spot on the Heat’s 15-man roster.

It wasn’t until his breakout triple double against the Chicago Bulls (14 points, 13 rebounds, 12 blocks) did opposing scouts begin paying attention to the young, athletic cog in the middle.

Not only has he developed into one of the better centers in all of professional basketball, he’s redefined the art of shot blocking as we know it (the cradle block is my personal favorite.)

While Miami would go on to miss the playoffs, it had a bright future ahead of it now that Riley and company finally found the big guy that they so desperately longed for.

He was even better in 2015-16, leading the league in blocked shots per game at a whopping rate of nearly four per night. He was the textbook rim protector, and continued to develop on the offensive end, throwing three more triple doubles in there as well.

In the 2016 Playoffs, Whiteside flourished in the first round against Charlotte, but injuries would ultimately cripple his chances of playing against Toronto in the next round, and may have cost the Heat a trip to the Conference Finals that year.

In his first season as the highest paid player on this team, it’s easy to say he did not disappoint, putting up career-highs in points (17.0) and rebounds (14.1) as the Heat narrowly missed the postseason for the second time in three years.

Although they found themselves going fishing when it mattered the most, the future is bright for this young core of players.

MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 7: Chris Bosh. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 7: Chris Bosh. (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

3. Chris Bosh

Stats (2011-2016): 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 50 percent from the floor

There’s no doubt that while Bosh had a stellar individual career in Toronto, he’ll mostly be remembered for his contributions he made while in a Heat uniform.

Coming into 2010-11, no star in the history of the NBA would have to alter his game quite like Bosh would. He was coming from a team in which he was the clear-cut no. one scoring option for years, and as a member of the newly formed Big 3, Bosh would find himself a third wheel, the forgotten man at times.

Criticized early on, many pundits and critics felt that Bosh was playing much too softly, most aiming at his slightly decreased rebounding average.

It’s nearly impossible to average a double-double every single night when you constantly find yourself away from the basket to create space and driving lanes for two of basketball’s greatest attackers.

Most never thought of it in that fashion, therefore unintentionally shielding themselves from the truth.

Not only did Bosh develop a reliable 3 point shot and a versatile defensive game, he became one of the more clutch players in the entire league and constantly came through with big shots and performances when his team needed him the most.

I think of early January 2012, the Heat were in Atlanta after just falling to the Hawks in Miami days prior. Both James and Wade were on the bench in street clothes, and right from the first tip, it was evidently clear that the best player on both ends of the floor was no. 1.

In a contest that would span three overtime periods, Bosh would tally 33 points and 14 rebounds, knocking down the tying 3 pointer with just .6 remaining in regulation.

A little over a year later, Miami found themselves in a very similar situation in San Antonio.

Neither James nor Wade was available, and it would once again be left to Bosh to pick up the pieces.

Boy, did he ever.

23 points and three 3 pointers later, and the Heat score a last-second come from behind win against a fully healthy Spurs team. The most memorable moment? Bosh’s signature roar to the crowd following another game winner.

We could ask the Portland Trail Blazers fans who witnessed Bosh drop 37 points and 10 rebounds at the Moda Center, silencing the crowd with another clutch three.

The list goes on and on.

Oh, and who could possibly forget Bosh’s magically clutch performance on both ends of the floor at the end of Game 6? Had it not been for several key blocks and that critical rebound, we could be having a completely different discussion today.

There’s a reason his number will be in those rafters one day, and it was warming to see the Heat retire it so quickly.

Bosh, like many others on this list, (likely) played his last game as a professional with the Heat.

MIAMI, FL – MAY 13: Dwyane Wade. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – MAY 13: Dwyane Wade. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

2. Dwyane Wade

Stats (2011-2016): 21.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 50 percent shooting

It’s not every day that you find yourself ranking the greatest player in franchise history no. two in anything Heat related, but in this category, Wade finds himself here.

Unlike Bosh, Wade came roaring out of the gates in 2011, still 28 years old and in his physical prime. He finished the 2010-11 season with nearly identical stats to teammate and fellow MVP candidate James.

When the 2011 season concluded, Wade had put up averages of 25.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He shot an even 50 percent from the field and also managed to muster up 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocked shots per game.

That’s as a sidekick, too.

While Wade would go on to have several terrific playoff moments during the course of that 2011 run (he averaged 30.2 points against Boston in the second round and was arguably the best player on the floor during the Finals against Dallas,) the Heat would fall short of their championship dreams, losing in six games to an underdog Mavericks team who, in my opinion, should have been swept.

With all that aside, Wade and James put aside their differences for the better of the team, and Wade would begin experiences declines in his scoring average from 2011-12 on out as he smoothly transitioned in the role of second option.

Despite the slight decline in scoring, Wade would go on to experience several big moments during the 2012 Playoffs, and even had a 41-point game against the Pacers in Indianapolis.

In Eastern Conference Finals, Wade was highly focused on by the Boston defense, therefore putting much of the scoring load on James, whom played an epic series alongside Wade.

Although he’d been suffering from knee issues throughout the postseason, Wade managed to put his injury bugs aside during the 2012 Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, in which he averaged 22.6 points per game and had consecutive 25-point outings in Games 3 and 4.

Knee troubles continued to bug Wade for much of the of the 2013 season and playoffs, and at one point, many felt the burden was just too much for no. 3 to handle.

Boy, were they wrong.

The Heat entered the 2013 Finals bruised and battered, but not beaten. They had just finished a seven-game grudge match with the Indiana Pacers and were facing a veteran-led San Antonio Spurs team that was coming off of over a week’s worth of rest.

Through three games, the Spurs held a 2-1 series lead with games 3 and 4 still to be played at the AT&T Center.

Just when it appeared the Heat were dead in the water, just as it seemed they were done for good, Wade came alive, and was nearly superhuman for stretches.

He finished Game 4 with 32 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 14-of-25 shooting, having a huge impact in the fourth quarter, ultimately helping the Heat pull away midway through the fourth period.

In Game 7, Wade once again came through, scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds as the Heat prevailed 95-88, capturing their second consecutive championship, Wade’s third overall.

2014 proved to be an interesting year for Wade, as he found himself sitting nearly a third of the season as the Heat limped their way to a 54-28 record, their worst of the LeBron-Wade-Bosh era.

Once again, they marched through the Eastern Conference playoffs, losing just three combined games going into the 2014 Finals.

Wade appeared to hit a physical wall in that series, and looked heavy and out-of-shape as the Spurs blew the Heat off the floor by a record margin in five games.

While Wade and the Heat would go on to miss the 2015 Playoffs, it turned out to be a memorable individual season for him, recording two 40-point games and leading Miami to a season-series victory over James and the Cavaliers.

He would continue the same level of individual success the following year as well, playing in over 70 games and helping lead the Heat to the third seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Following a thrilling seven-game series against the Charlotte Hornets, Wade turned back the clocks for Miami one last time, recording consecutive 30-point games in Games 3 and 4 as the Heat took the Toronto Raptors to seven games as well.

They would go on to fall on the road, but until Wade’s sudden departure following failed contract negotiations, the Heat had (have) a bright future ahead of them.

As for Wade, it’s more than likely that he’ll remain in Chicago for the upcoming season, but his heart and home will always remain in South Beach.

1. LeBron James

Stats (2011-2014): 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 54 percent shooting

James arrived in South Florida during the summer of 2010 following a very questionable television special. Soon, the Heat became the most hated team around the country, and at forefront of the criticism was no. 6.

From the moment he first stepped on the AmericanAirlines Arena floor in October, James gave his heart and soul to the organization for the next four years.

Following a successful first regular season together (he was snubbed for MVP,) James’s clutch shooting in the second round against the Celtics and Conference Finals against the Chicago Bulls propelled the Heat to its first NBA Finals appearance since 2006.

Once those Finals began, however, it was a different story for James. In what was perhaps the most epic superstar collapse we’ve ever seen, James went passive-aggressive against the underdog Dallas Mavericks, averaging only 17.1 points for the series.

Even worse? James recorded an eight-point performance in Game 4 and routinely looked severely distressed and at times, very nervous.

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He averaged just two points per game in the fourth quarter, and Dallas claimed its first ever championship on Miami’s home floor in Game 6.

In the months that followed, James received heavy (albeit deserved) criticism for his continued failures on the game’s biggest stage, and most talking heads were predicting that he would never break through this barrier that haunted him for years.

Insert 2011-12, and a completely reinvented no. 6.

James walked into the new year a revitalized man, and his joy that he always had displayed on the court found its way back.

Once the 2012 Playoffs got underway, it was a foregone conclusion Miami would be crowned champions, right?

Wrong.

Facing the Indiana Pacers in the second round, the Heat would lose Bosh in Game 1 to an abdominal strain, and he would go on to miss the rest of the series, allowing the Pacers to steal Games 2 and 3, and a 2-1 series lead.

In a must-win situation, James led Miami into Bankers Life Fieldhouse and dropped a cool 40 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists as the Heat knotted the series up at two a piece.

They would again find themselves in another peculiar spot in the next round, except this time, it was all or nothing.

Following three consecutive defeats at the hands of the Celtics, the Heat were virtually dead in the water heading to Boston for Game 6, down 3-2.

What followed, was perhaps the greatest performance of James’s career.

Absolutely stone-faced in his demeanor, James marched into TD Garden, and in front of one of the most hostile crowds in all of sports, hit 19-of-26 shots and finished with 45 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists as Miami waltzed out of the northeast with a 19-point victory.

The Heat would conclude its bounce-back playoff run with a 4-1 series victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, capturing James’s first championship and Finals MVP.

James would go on to be one of two players to be named regular season MVP, Finals MVP, and win an Olympic gold medal during the same year.

He would follow that epic performance with another season-long masterpiece, once again being crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2013.

While his playoff run was up to the magnitude of 2012, when James was needed, he was always willing and ready.

Against Indiana, he had enormous games in Games 5 and 7, tallying 30 or more points in each and leading the Heat back to the NBA Finals for the third year in a row.

This time, standing in Miami’s way was the veteran-led San Antonio Spurs, led by arguably the greatest coach to ever grace an NBA bench.

In a thrilling, roller coaster ride of a seven-game series, the Heat pulled it out, thanks, in large part, to one of the most thrilling last-second comebacks in the history of sports.

After James had Miami roar back from down 10 at the beginning of the fourth, it appeared both he and the defending champs had simply ran out of gas.

Down five with a little over 20 seconds remaining, I remember firmly believing that this series was over, and that the Heat had come up short again.

All of a sudden, James badly misses a 3 pointer from the top of the arc, but the rebound somehow found its way to Mike Miller, who shuffle passed it back to LeBron, this time on the wing.

James connected. Two point game.

Following San Antonio’s final timeout, the Spurs managed to get the ball in to Kawhi Leonard, who at the time was just 21 years old.

He had been having a superb game, and was a pretty good free throw shooter, especially for a rookie.

The first one rimmed out.

It was as if Miami had been granted a gift from heaven, and that now was manifesting itself in both Leonard and Manu Ginobili missing late free throws.

Must we really dissect what happened next?

Long story short, Chris Bosh kicked to Ray Allen, and the rest is history.

Going in to Game 7 relaxed and loose, James let it fly. He hit 5-of-10 3 pointers, finishing the night with 37 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists and hit the series-clinching shot as Miami rebounded to claim Games 6 and 7 at home to win their second straight title.

While the Heat faired quite well in 2013-14, there just was not the same aura around that team towards the end of regular season that there had been in years prior.

While he still put up averages of 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, he failed to make the All-Defensive First Team for the first time since he arrived in Miami and also fell second to Kevin Durant in the MVP voting, albeit deservingly so. He even began to suffer from the infamous back issues early in the year, which would go on to plague him even to this very day

Despite all that, the Heat coasted through the Eastern Conference Playoffs that year, despite being the second seed.

Going in to the Finals, I didn’t have a good feeling about Miami’s chances, and after two weeks and five short games, the Spurs were the 2014 champions and they ran the Heat off the floor, including sweeping them in their own building.

James’s final game in a Heat uniform came in Game 5 of that series at the AT&T Center, and his final image in black and red was one of disappointment as he walked through the tunnel to the visitor’s locker room.

He would go on to return to Cleveland less than a month later, and in what seemed like a blink of an eye, the Big 3 era was unofficially over.

For James’s legacy, it ended up being the right choice. The Cavaliers find themselves at 1-2 in the NBA Finals since his return in 2014, but winning that title in 2016 in that fashion was the icing on the cake.

A native son had returned to an area that had suffered across all major pro sports for 52 years, and to be the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit on this stage, against a 73-9 team going for history, is an accomplishment that is simply untouchable.

Nobody in the history of the NBA had three-peated before.

Michael Jordan did it twice in one decade.

Nobody in the history of the NBA had won titles in three consecutive decades.

Then the Tim Duncan-led Spurs came along.

Nobody in the history of the NBA had ever trailed in three consecutive series and won the title.

Enter James and the Heat.

Next: Top 5 point guards in Heat history

They again made history one year later, and as we move further and further from those riveting years in the National Basketball Association, one can only wonder if we’ll ever experience anything quite like it again.

The Big 3 are here to stay in the lore of NBA history, and at the forefront was the one of the four greatest players to ever lace up a pair of sneakers, at his physical peak.

Cory Sanning

Cory Sanning

Cory Sanning is a journalism major at the University of Tennessee. In addition to his role at All U Can Heat, he is a beat writer for the campus newspaper, The Daily Beacon and an on-air reporter for The Volunteer Channel.