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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Miami Heat Chris Andersen (Photo by Christopher Trotman/Getty Images) /

9. Chris Andersen (2012-16)

Chris Andersen had quite an adventurous 15-year career in the NBA. The “Birdman” spent the majority of his career with the Denver Nuggets but you can make the argument that his most impactful seasons were spent as a member of the Miami Heat. Spending the last two seasons with the Heat during their Big 3 era, Birdman played an important role on the team in winning their second championship. Whether he deserves credit for it or not, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Heat went on a 27-game winning streak shortly after he was signed in 2013.

He ignited the Heat when they needed it most and inserted a level of energy on a night-to-night basis that was desperately needed at the time. During his best season with the Heat, Birdman averaged seven points and five rebounds on 64 percent shooting from the field. He managed to win one championship with the Heat and would help the team get to a fourth-straight NBA Finals appearance in 2014.

After the better part of four seasons with the team, Miami traded Birdman to the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2016 season. He isn’t one of the first names that comes to mind when discussing the Big 3 Heat, but he was one of the most underrated role players of that era.

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