Ranking the 15 most underrated players in Miami Heat history

Jun 19 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers (15)lays the ball up between Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Nick Collison (4) and James Harden (13) during the second half of game four in the 2012 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Arena. Miami won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Larry W. Smith/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /

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5. Jason Williams (2005-08)

Another part of the biggest trade in NBA history, which we mentioned earlier, consisted of Jason Williams also being sent to the Miami Heat. After making waves in the league during his stints with the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies, Williams was viewed as somewhat of a team “cancer” when he was acquired by the Heat. Miami bet on his talent and the culture that was already set with Pat Riley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dwayne Wade to help make it work. And it’s a move that ended up paying off for the Heat in the end.

During Williams’ first season in Miami, the Heat would go on to win the 2006 NBA Championship. And Williams played a key part in their run. You can argue that Williams’ brightest moment as a member of the Heat came in Game 6 of the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons. Williams scored 21 points and six assists on a near-perfect 10-12 shooting from the field.

Williams was far from a perfect player during his tenure with the Heat but you can argue that he was the right point guard at the right time. Williams helped the Heat win a championship and proved that he wasn’t the team “cancer” that many accused him of being.

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