2. Shaquille O’Neal
Stats (2005-2008): 19.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 60 percent from the field
After O’Neal was shipped to Miami during the 2004 offseason, he famously declared to a capacity crowd outside of American Airlines Arena: “I promise to bring a championship to the city of Miami.”
Needless to say, he delivered on that promise and then some.
In his first year with the Heat, O’Neal appeared as if he hadn’t lost a step. In 73 games, he averaged 22.9 points and 10.4 rebounds while shooting a (then) career-high 60 percent from the floor.
The Heat would end up claiming the East’s top seed and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals against the defending champion Detroit Pistons.
Despite holding home court advantage, the Heat would narrowly fall in seven games after Dwyane Wade was limited due to a shoulder injury.
O’Neal infamously called out former head coach Stan Van Gundy for his play calling following Game 7, ultimately leading to Van Gundy’s resignation the following season.
That August, O’Neal signed a 5-year, $100 million extension with the Heat, praised for his willingness to both take a pay cut and commit to Miami long-term.
He would be rewarded the following June, claiming his fourth championship after the Heat came back from down 0-2 to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in six games. Although O’Neal was Miami’s third-leading scorer during the series, he averaged 10.2 rebounds per game to make up for it.
The following year, O’Neal would miss 35 games after an injury to his left knee required surgery. On top of that, following his return, Wade dislocated his left shoulder and would be gone for the remainder of the season, leaving the 34-year-old center as the sole focus of the team.
Miami would wind up making the playoffs, but were swept by the Chicago Bulls in the first round. It was the first time in 50 years that a defending champion was swept in the opening round, and it would prove to be the final playoff appearance O’Neal would make in a Heat uniform.
He got off to a rough start for the 2007-08 season, putting up career-lows in several categories. Ultimately, O’Neal appeared in just 33 games for the Heat before being traded to the Phoenix Suns.
In three seasons, O’Neal single-handedly changed the Heat culture with his larger-than-life personality. There’s a reason Riley has his no. 32 jersey raised to the rafters, and O’Neal’s emotional reaction told the entire story.