Who joins Dwyane Wade on Miami Heat Mount Rushmore?

The Miami Heat have had some great players over the years. The greatest among them has undoubtedly been Dwyane Wade, who won three NBA championships, including the franchise’s first title, as a member of the franchise.

Wade was a foundational piece for building what the Heat is today. He is the most deserving of a place on the Miami Heat Mount Rushmore. Among other Heat greats, who else deserves a spot?

Honorable Mention: Jimmy Butler

Over the past four seasons, Jimmy Butler has solidified himself as one of the greatest Heat players of all-time. Butler has led the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances. His last two postseasons have been particularly impressive, averaging over 27 points per game across the span. His 56 point masterpiece against the Milwaukee Bucks last postseason was one of the greatest performances in Heat history, if not the greatest.

There are only two reasons why he does not make it on the Miami Heat Mount Rushmore. The first is that the four other players truly define Heat Culture; it would be too difficult to replace one of them. The second reason is that Butler has not led the Heat to a championship (yet). If he can achieve that goal over the next few seasons, he might have a better case to make the Mount Rushmore.

Udonis Haslem

After 20 seasons in the NBA, Udonis Haslem has finally called it a career. UD played all 20 seasons with the Miami Heat, tying the record for the longest time with one team. Over the years, Haslem became the heart of the franchise. The effort and mentality he brought to every game and practice was contagious.

Haslem had been through it all with the Heat: their first championship in 2006, the Big 3 era, and the Jimmy Butler era. He has carried the torch of Heat Culture with him, setting an example as one of the most respected veterans in the NBA.

Haslem has not played consistent minutes since 2015 but was a key role player in all of the Heat’s championship runs. However, it is his tie to the franchise that cements his spot on the Heat Mount Rushmore.

LeBron James

In 2010, LeBron James changed the landscape of the NBA and started the player empowerment movement. By deciding to sign with the Heat, he joined forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to form one of the greatest trios in NBA history.

LeBron is the best teammate Wade ever played with. When he joined the team, he took the reins as the go-to guy for Miami. His career took off from there. James won two consecutive MVPs to go along with two NBA championships in four consecutive Finals appearances with Miami.

James is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Although he only spent four seasons playing for the Heat, the things he accomplished in those seasons earned him a spot on the Miami Mount Rushmore.

Miami was arguably the place where LeBron enjoyed the peak of his career. In addition to having two MVP seasons, he tallied a career-high 40.6 3-point percentage one season and almost one a Defensive Player of the Year Award. His 2012-13 season was one of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history.

Alonzo Mourning

No Miami Heat Mount Rushmore would be complete without mentioning Alonzo Mourning. The Hall-of-Fame center pioneered Heat Culture, bringing an extreme toughness about him that Miami adopted.

Mourning was a five-time All-Star with the Heat. In 11 seasons with the Heat, he averaged 16 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. His career peaked in the late 90s, but it wasn’t until 2006 when he won his first championship.

Mourning was one of the important role players who helped turn around the series in 2006 against Dallas, but it was the emergence of the young Dwyane Wade that helped put Miami over the top. Still, Mourning’s impact and connection to the franchise earns him the final spot on the Miami Heat Mount Rushmore.