In many ways, the Miami Heat has been a pillar of success in the NBA over the last 30 years. That doesn't mean they haven't made a misstep here and there. Looking back over their recent history, there are a few specific players who just didn't mesh well with the organization.
By proxy, the fan base came to grow frustrated with them. For some, it goes beyond frustration and develops into downright hate. Reflecting on a few of those instances, we explore three players who would probably never be welcomed back by the fan base.
Kyle Lowry
Throughout his two and a half seasons with the Heat, I'm not sure there was any moment in which Kyle Lowry felt all that comfortable. The Heat acquired him via a sign-and-trade with the hope that he could emerge as a potential final piece of the championship puzzle for the team. It just didn't work out as either side had hoped.
All that said, Lowry did play a key role in the team's run to the NBA Finals in 2023. He doesn't nearly get as much credit for that, but the Heat don't make it that far without his contributions, especially coming up big for the team at key moments in their postseason run.
Still, the fan base had an unhealthy relationship with Lowry and were begging the front office to trade him. Funny enough, the Heat traded Lowry as part of a move that would end up being an even worse one for the franchise.
It's safe to say Lowry wouldn't be welcomed all that much in the eyes of Heat fans.
Hassan Whiteside
In modern Heat history, there may not be a player more disliked than Hassan Whiteside. It's a shame because for the first year and a half of his Heat tenure, he was a pretty beloved player. Everything changed as soon as expectations of a huge contract entered the picture.
It also doesn't help that many Heat fans identify the Whiteside $100 million re-signing with Dwyane Wade leaving; those two things happened in the same offseason. I wouldn't say the Heat chose Whiteside over Wade, but that contract certainly helped lead to his eventual departure from Miami.
Whiteside went from being a lovable underdog story to a player who was drastically underperforming. By the end of his tenure with the Heat, Whiteside was considered to have one of the worst contracts in the sport.
Jimmy Butler
I don't think anyone would argue with the fact that Jimmy Butler is going to go down as one of the best Heat players in modern history. What he was able to accomplish (even without a title) during his five (full) seasons with the Heat is nothing short of remarkable.
However, on the other hand, Jimmy did quit on the team. Even if you believe the front office was wrong for how they treated Jimmy down the stretch, his actions were equally as bad, if not worse.
Maybe this is a sentiment that changes down the road, but it's difficult not to hold at least some grudge against Jimmy with the way he acted during his final season with the Heat. I suppose it's not surprising considering his history, but it still doesn't make it any easier for the fan base to process.
I'm sure there will be a time when the entirety of the fan base will appreciate those five years, but the ending was pretty bad.