An overview and breakdown of the five greatest players per position in the history of the Miami Heat franchise.

Since 1988-89, the Miami Heat have gone from an expansion franchise with no clear direction to one of the most polarizing teams in the NBA today. The Heat have since won three NBA championships with some of the most iconic players in the game’s history wearing their jerseys. Just as we have done with the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors, it is time to comb through their short but illustrious history in order to determine their five greatest players at every position.

Players like LeBron James have delivered MVPs, championships, and Finals MVP awards to the franchise while someone like Dwyane Wade became the face of an entire generation of Heat basketball. Modern players such as Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have been the driving force behind the implementation and growth of “Heat Culture” as well, already helping them achieve legendary status within the organization. Now, it is time to properly place them among other Miami Heat legends and see where they rank among the greatest players at their position.

These are the five greatest Miami Heat players in NBA history by position.

The 5 Greatest Point Guards In Miami Heat History

1. Tim Hardaway

– 2x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection

2. Goran Dragic

– 1x All-Star

3. Mario Chalmers

– 2x NBA Champion

4. Jason Williams

– 1x NBA Champion

5. Bimbo Coles

– N/A

Other than the two players who sit atop the list of the greatest point guards in team history, the point guard position has been historically weak for the Miami Heat. The man known for his Killer Crossover and some of the greatest handles in NBA history, Tim Hardaway, is easily the selection for the number-one spot. In five and a half seasons with Miami, Hardaway averaged 17.3 points, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game for the Heat. In 1996-97, Hardaway would earn his first All-Star appearance with the team and finish fourth in MVP voting averaging 20.3 points, 8.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 41.5% shooting from the field. Although his Heat teams underachieved, Hardaway’s three All-NBA Team selections and two ALl-Star appearances are enough to give him our number-one spot.

Goran Dragic is an underrated part of the Miami Heat’s history. Dragic played with the Heat from 2015 through 2021 averaging 16.2 points and 5.2 assists per game in that time. Dragic would earn the only All-Star selection of his career in 2018 with the Heat averaging 17.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game on 45.0% shooting. In 2020, he would help lead them to the NBA Finals as one of their leading scorers with 19.1 points per game while dishing out 4.4 assists per game as well.

For most of his career with the Miami Heat from 2009 through 2016, Mario Chalmers was seen as a “little brother” to the Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. In his seven-and-a-half seasons with the team, Chalmers averaged 8.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game with clutch defensive plays and shots made that are forever etched in the organization’s history books. Chalmers helped the Heat win back-to-back NBA championships in 2012 and 2013, averaging 10.3 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game as their starting point guard in the playoffs.

Jason Williams was not the same highlight-reel player he had been in years past by the time he arrived in Miami for the 2005-06 season. That didn’t stop him from having three solid years with the team from 2006 through 2008 averaging 10.6 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. In 2006, Williams started all 23 playoff games for the Heat, helping them win their first championship in team history.

Bimbo Coles gets credit here for being one of the first players in Miami Heat history to make somewhat of a name for himself. Coles was much more known for his defensive abilities than he was for his defensive s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s during his six-and-a-half seasons with the team, averaging 8.7 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steals during his time there. With Coles as their starter, the Heat would make playoff appearances in 1992 and 1994 but fail to advance past the first round each time.

The 5 Greatest Shooting Guards In Miami Heat History

1. Dwyane Wade

– 3x NBA Champion, 1x Finals MVP, 13x All-Star, 1x All-Star Game MVP, 8x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection

2. Eddie Jones

– N/A

3. Steve Smith

– N/A

4. Ray Allen

– 1x NBA Champion

5. Tyler Herro

– 1x Sixth Man Of The Year

Just as the point guards are for the Miami Heat, the shooting guard position tends to be one of the weaker spots for the organization. That is not the case with Dwyane Wade, as he is not only the greatest shooting guard in team history but the GOAT of the franchise, period. Wade was a key component of three NBA championships in Miami including the 2006 Finals, where he won Finals MVP and was the key reason for their first NBA title. Over 15 seasons with the team, Wade averaged 22.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 48.3% shooting with elite play on both sides of the ball.

When Eddie Jones arrived in Miami in 2001, he was coming off an All-Star and All-NBA Team season with the Charlotte Hornets. Although he didn’t receive those same accolades while in Miami, he maintained that level of player for the first few seasons he spent in South Beach. In the six seasons he spent in Miami, Jones averaged 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 42.8% shooting overall and 38.1% shooting from three.

Steve Smith is far more celebrated in his NBA career for his All-Star play with the Atlanta Hawks during the late 1990s. However, Smith began his career with the Heat in 1991-92 where he remained until midway through the 1995 season. Smith helped the team make their first playoff appearances with 14.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game during that time on 45.1% shooting before being shipped to Atlanta for Kevin Willis.

Despite not arriving in Miami until he was 37 years old, Ray Allen is still one of the greatest shooting guards in team history. In 2013 and 2014, Allen averaged 10.3 points per game on 39.8% shooting from three. As one of the greatest three-point shooters ever, it is only fitting that his most iconic moment came from beyond the arc during the 2013 Finals. With his team down three in Game 6, Allen would save Miami’s season with a game-tying triple to force overtime and ultimately help them capture their third championship in team history.

Tyler Herro is not everyone’s cup of tea but he sure fits in with the Miami Heat culture right away after being drafted in 2019. In 2020, Herro would help the Heat advance to the NBA Finals during his rookie season averaging 16.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in the playoffs on 43.3% shooting overall and 37.5% from three. In 2022, Herro would win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award averaging 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game on 39.9% shooting from three-point range in 66 appearances. Herro’s time in Miami may come to an end earlier than expected with a Damian Lillard trade looming but he certainly left this mark on the franchise forever both on and off the court.

The 5 Greatest Small Forwards In Miami Heat History

1. LeBron James

– 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 4x All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team Selection, 4x All-Defensive Team Selection

2. Jimmy Butler

– 2x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 1x All-Defensive Team Selection

3. Glen Rice

– N/A

4. Jamal Mashburn

– N/A

5. Shane Battier

– 2x NBA Champion

For the Miami Heat, the small forward position is another one that is top-heavy compared to other positions. Sitting at the top is none other than LeBron James who, in four seasons with the team, led them to four straight NBA Finals with back-to-back NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. This is arguably the best all-around version we have ever seen of James who won MVP awards in 2012 and 2013 as well, averaging 26.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game over those two years. James would take home both Finals MVP awards in 2012 and 2013 as well and was the runner-up for the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year.

Jimmy Butler has also reached his peak form since joining the Miami Heat in 2019-20. During that time with the Miami Heat, Butler has led his team to three appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals and two appearances in the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. Overall, in the NBA playoffs, Butler has averaged 24.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Butler has the Heat on the cusp of their fourth NBA championship in team history and may just deliver it before his time is up in South Beach.

Glen Rice had a short stint with the Miami Heat from 1990-1995 after the team made him their fourth overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. In six years with the team, Rice averaged 19.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game on 45.9% shooting overall and 38.6% from three. Miami would advance to the playoffs in two of those six seasons but failed to advance past the first round thanks to the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks of the 90s.

Jamal Mashburn is one of the most talented small forwards in Miami Heat history as well. He played three and a half seasons with the Heat from 1997 through 2000 where he averaged 15.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. Miami would advance to the NBA playoffs all four seasons in which he was on the team, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997 and to the second round in 2000. Mashburn would average just 11.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in his Heat playoff career.

Wrapping up the five greatest small forwards in Miami Heat history is two-time NBA champion Shane Battier. His time with the Heat would come toward the end of his career from 2012 through 2014 where he mostly served as their best three-and-D option off the bench. Battier, held in high regard for his defensive impact, averaged just 4.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game in his playoff career with the Heat but his elite defensive effort helped them win back-to-back NBA titles in 2012 and 2013.

The 5 Greatest Power Forwards In Miami Heat History

1. Chris Bosh

– 2x NBA Champion, 6x All-Star

2. Udonis Haslem

– 3x NBA Champion

3. P.J. Brown

– 2x All-Defensive Team Selection

4. Lamar Odom

– N/A

5. Grant Long

– N/A

When it comes to power forwards in Miami Heat history, Chris Bosh stands alone at the top. As the third, and sometimes a second, or first option, Bosh revolutionized the stretch forward position and became a serious threat as a shooter from the outside. He helped the Heat capture two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013, averaging 14.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in his playoff career. Bosh was named an All-Star for all six seasons he was in Miami as well before blood clots ended his career in 2016 at just 32 years old.

Udonis Haslem spent his entire 20-year career with the Miami Heat from 2004 through 2023. Haslem was a member of all three championship teams in Heat history as well serving in an important defensive and rebounding role off the bench for the most part. Haslem was never one to fill up the stat sheet but his veteran leadership is something that could never be replaced and will never be forgotten by fans all across the league.

P.J. Brown was a member of the Miami Heat for four seasons from 1997-2000. During this time, Brown was a major reason the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997 with his defensive efforts in the paint. In four seasons with the team, Brown earned two All-Defensive Team selections and averaged 9.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Brown would be traded by Miami to Charlotte in the summer of 2000 but had left his mark on a young franchise primed to compete for a championship in the future.

Lamar Odom spent just one season in Miami before being traded to the Lakers in the deal that landed them Shaquille O’Neal. In that one season, he and Eddie Jones each averaged over 17.0 points per game while Odom added 9.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. To that point, it was the best season ever put forth by a power forward in Heat history which certainly holds some weight in his ranking. Odom would help the Heat make a decent playoff run in 2004 as well as they fell to the Pacers in six games in the second round.

Grant Long served as the Miami Heat’s starting power forward from their inaugural season in 1989 through 1995. During that time, Long averaged 11.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. In 1992 and 1993, Long would have his best seasons with the team when he averaged slightly over 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Long would help the Het reach the NBA playoffs twice in his six and a half seasons with the team but failed to advance past the first round.

The 5 Greatest Centers In Miami Heat History

1. Alonzo Mourning

– 1x NBA Champion, 2x Defensive Player Of The Year, 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection, 2x All-Defensive Team Selection

2. Shaquille O’Neal

– 1x NBA Champion, 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection

3. Bam Adebayo

– 2x All-Star, 4x All-Defensive Team Selection

4. Rony Seikaly

– 1x Most Improved Players

5. Hassan Whiteside

– 1x All-Defensive Team Selection

The battle between Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O’Neal at the top of the list of centers in Miami Heat history is one that we can argue until we are red in the face. Mourning gets the edge here due to his longevity with the franchise, playing a total of 11 seasons in South Beach. Mourning was one of the first Heat players to be considered iconic with back-to-back blocks titles and Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1999 and 2000. In 1999, he was named the runner-up for MVP with 20.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks per game. He also served as the best backup in basketball in their 2006 championship run behind O’Neal.

Shaquille O’Neal arrived in Miami in 2004-05 and immediately made an impact. He would finish runner-up for MVP that season with 22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. In 2006, O’Neal would serve as the second option to Dwyane Wade as Miami won its first NBA title in team history. During those Finals, Shaq averaged 13.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. In his four years in Miami, O’Neal was a three-time All-Star who averaged 19.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.

Bam Adebayo was the Miami Heat’s 14th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and has already inserted his name into the greatest center in team history conversation. During that time, Adebayo has turned into one of the best defensive centers in the game as well as a two-time All-Star. He has averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game in his short Heat career as well as helped the Heat reach two NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023.

Rony Seikaly was the Miami Heat’s starting center from their inaugural season in 1989 through 1994. In 1990, Seikaly would win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in just his second season averaging 16.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. In his six seasons with the Heat, Seikaly averaged 15.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while helping the team reach the NBA playoffs twice in 1992 and 1994.

The final center in the Miami Heat’s top-five is Hassan Whiteside. While his offensive game was a little lacking unless he was given easy shot attempts at the rim or grabbing offensive rebounds, Whiteside’s defense was elite. In 2016, he would win a blocks title with the Heat averaging 3.7 blocks per game and a rebounding title in 2017 averaging 14.1 rebounds per game. In five seasons with the team, he averaged 14.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game while reaching the playoffs in both 2016 and 2018.