AUCH Roundtable: Drafting best All-Miami Heat team from 2000 & beyond

Round 6

Kenneth

Sixth Man- Pick 21 (6th round, 1st pick): 2002-2003 Caron Butler

Last, but not least, would be Caron Butler. Although only two short years with the Miami Heat, the Heat’s 2002 first-round draft pick was a firecracker in his first year. That is why that is the year we took.

Always the one to do the dirty work, the league had begun to adjust to him during his second year, which means he would have to make the adjustments moving forward and he did. Unfortunately, the Miami Heat never gave him the chance to do it there, as he was traded after just his second season with the team in the Shaq deal.

As far as how he would fit with this team as the sixth man though, the answer is “perfectly”. Being adept at doing a little bit of everything, but mostly getting buckets, he would be tasked with doing just that as the leader of the second unit

As Goran Dragic has done for this season’s version of the Miami heat, so to would Caron Butler do for my team. As long as he can come in and put up a flurry in a hurry, he would get more minutes than he could handle. That is why I drafted Caron Butler.

Tristan

Sixth Man-Pick 22 (6th round, 2nd pick): 2001-2002 Alonzo Mourning 

With my last pick, I decided to take the best player available. Lamar Odom and Caron Butler were taken right before me, unfortunately (Both to Kenneth, again), but I was still left with a few great options including Brian Grant, Shawn Marion, and others.

Alonzo Mourning made the most sense to me though, as I figured he could slide in and move Bosh to the four if a more resounding frontcourt presence is required. Mourning was in the twilight of his career at this point, but still put up 15.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

The case for my team is that I have inarguably the best grouping of frontcourt players drafted and that my team fits the most cohesively together. I might not have the star power that Rahmeaun or Max do or the high-scoring prowess that Kenneth does, but my team plays the best together.

I also drafted one of the toughest bunches so I feel good about my players being able to hold their own against their star opponents. My team also shoots the best from the floor of all the teams, while also being among the best in rebounding.

Max

Sixth Man- Pick 23 (6th round, 3rd pick): 2016-2017 Dion Waiters

I’ve always liked having an irrational confidence guy on my basketball team and especially as my Sixth Man. He can win you a game, just as much as he can lose you a game, but that “irrational confidence” is the definition of risk/reward.

2016-17 Dion Waiters was the best Waiters we have seen in his NBA career. Does anyone remember the buzzer-beaters he hit that year?

Remember the Golden State game or the Brooklyn game? I know Miami fans were always up and down with Waiters’ tenure in Miami but that 2016-2017 version was special. This was the team I drafted.

Rahmeaun

Sixth Man-Pick 24 (6th round, 4th pick): 2015-2016 Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson is a walking bucket. Even as recently as the BIG 3, Iso Joe is a name known all around the basketball community.

I wanted to bring someone off the bench who could be counted on to create his own shot off the bounce without mailing it in too bad on the defensive end. His stint wasn’t long in Miami, but I couldn’t let his talents slip through my fingers since I put such an emphasis on defense with this team.

I don’t know who told him Utah would be the place to sign in free agency the following year, but to each his own. He can get buckets for my squad anytime though. This was the team I drafted.

Summary

It was one heck of a draft. For one last look, here are the complete teams.

Rahmeaun– 2012-13 LeBron James, 2000-01 Anthony mason, 2001-02 Eddie Jones, 2000-01 Tim Hardaway, 2019-20 Meyers Leonard, and 2015-2016 Joe Johnson

Max– 2008-09 Dwyane Wade, 2015-15 Hassan Whiteside, 2017-18 Goran Dragic, 2005-06 James Posey, 2012-13 (Finals) Shane Battier, and 2016-17 Dion Waiters

Tristan– 2014-15 Chris Bosh, 2019-20 Bam Adebayo, 2014-15 Luol Deng, 2019-20 Kendrick Nunn, 2004-05 Damon Jones, and 01-02 Alonzo Mourning

Kenneth– 2019-20 Jimmy Butler, 2004-05 Shaq, 2019-20 Duncan Robinson, 2018-19 Josh Richardson, 2004-05 Lamar Odom, and 2002-03 Caron Butler

Tell us how we did! Use the official AUCH Twitter account or either of us above.

We would love to hear your opinion! Until next time though, this has been an all-Time Miami Heat draft AUCH Roundtable.