Miami Heat Mount Rushmore

Miami, FL – The Miami Heat have brought a great amount of talent since their inception in 1988. Whether it has been via the NBA Draft, free agency, or trade deadline, there have many legendary players on the court for the Heat. Give credit to some of the individuals in charge for their efforts in making Miami a winning destination. Mickey Arison has been the owner since 1995, Pat Riley has been the president since 1995, and Erik Spoelstra has been with the organization since 1997. A Miami Heat Mount Rushmore would be up for debate, depending on the fan and era they started following the team.

The four players selected for this great honor would solely be based on their success while wearing a Heat jersey. Lots of players have come and gone for the Heat, making this list not as easy as it may seem to compromise. Win share (WS) and career highlights with the team each played key factors in selecting these players. When looking back at the most memorable periods in Heat history, it’s clear the impact these players made on their teammates. Thus, let’s get started in introducing the Biscayne Boys that have reached Miami Heat Mount Rushmore status.

Dwyane Wade

Most would regard him as the greatest player to ever wear a Heat jersey. The Kaseya Center was his house for 14 of his 16 seasons in the NBA. Wade has his status as a Heat legend cemented with his No.3 being retired for good. Not only that, he’s also on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and is the first Heat player immortalized with a statue.

The 5th overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft finished in the top 10 MVP voting list seven times. D-Wade was already regarded as a standout player early on in his career, but it wasn’t until the 2006 playoff run that he really put the league on notice.

Having played the most games in a Heat uniform at 948, it’s no surprise that D-Wade leads the Heat in nearly every important statistic. With Miami, he averaged 22.7 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game.

(2006) After being down 0-2 following two double-digit losses, @DwyaneWade goes off for 42 points in a classic comeback win during game 3. This was Miami's first ever home #NBAFinals game.

Wade before the game: "I'm tryna get back on my rhythm." 💯 pic.twitter.com/tnOTfMlf0t

— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) June 6, 2018

Dwyane Wade’s career awards broken down:

• 3x NBA Champion (2006, 2012, 2013)
• NBA Finals MVP (2006)
• 13x NBA All-Star (2005-2016, 2019)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (2010)
• 2x All-NBA First Team (2009, 2010)
• 3x All-NBA Second Team (2005, 2006, 2011)
• 3x All-NBA Third Team (2007, 2012, 2013)
• 3x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2009, 2010)
• NBA scoring champion (2009)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004)

LeBron James

Although not impossible, it’s hard to see how any player can top what James did in his four seasons with the Heat. Those four years in South Beach are still seen as the peak of his historic career. He was the focal point of his team’s Finals appearances.

James averaged 26.9 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, 6.7 assists per game, and 1.7 steals per game with the Heat. He led the team in points and assists per game each season. Once he retires, it is very likely his No.6 Heat jersey will be retired from being worn again.

The future hall-of-famer holds team records such as dropping a team record 61 points in a game in 2014 and placing 2nd on the team’s all-time triple-double list with nine. James has earned himself a spot on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and is seen by some as the greatest player to ever play the game.

LeBron James dropped a career-high 61 pts on Charlotte! (2014) pic.twitter.com/k5iGaJJB60

— ThrowbackHoops (@ThrowbackHoops) June 28, 2020

LeBron James’ Heat awards broken down:

• 2x NBA Champion (2012, 2013)
• 2x NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013)
• 2x NBA Most Valuable Player (2012, 2013)
• 4x NBA All-Star (2011-2014)
• 4x All-NBA First Team (2011-2014)
• 3x NBA All-Defensive First Team (2011-2013)
• NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014)
• AP Male Athlete of the Year (2013)
• Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2012)
• USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2012)

Jimmy Butler

Butler led the Heat to a new era of culture when he arrived. He carried his team to two NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023 and was a basket away from another in 2022. Even though he fell short of a championship, his presence was remarkable.

Butler has delivered some of the best playoff performances in Heat history. His involvement in the Heat’s 2023 playoff run is an example of a player doing more with less. He became known as “Playoff Jimmy” during each of his team’s runs.

He averaged 21 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, and 5.7 assists per game with the Heat. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with 12 and leads in assists per game with 1.7. Butler provided the Heat with a true representation of grit, and responsibility.

JIMMY BUTLER IS IN #PLAYOFFMODE

56 PTS | 19-28 FG 🔥

HEAT FRANCHISE PLAYOFF RECORD.
T-4TH MOST POINTS IN NBA PLAYOFF HISTORY. pic.twitter.com/dv4iNILXWu

— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2023

Jimmy Butler’s Heat awards broken down:

• 2x NBA All-Star (2020, 2022)
• All-NBA Second Team (2023)
• 2x All-NBA Third Team (2020, 2021)
• NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2021)
• NBA steals leader (2021)

Alonzo Mourning

Seen as the first superstar for the Heat, Mourning came into an organization that was showing title aspirations for the first time. Miami made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in team history thanks to his presence.

Zo instantly became the face of the franchise upon his arrival. The 1997 playoff run was the first time the Heat won a series, eventually reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Zo leads the team in blocks (1,625) and is second all-time in points (9,459) and rebounds (4,807).

Mourning has shown his capabilities as a role model in and out of the court for the Heat throughout the years. He averaged 16 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 2.7 blocks per game. His No.33 jersey was to first one to get retired.

28 years ago today, Alonzo Mourning scored a career-high 50 PTS (17/24 FG) vs the Bullets with 7'1" Jim McIlvaine & 7'7" Gheorghe Muresan!

Ferdie Pacheco: "I like those inside uppercuts. I'm ready to offer him $5M to come fight Tyson. He can do better than Frank Bruno." pic.twitter.com/Febf8tQUkN

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 29, 2024

Alonzo Mourning’s Heat awards broken down:

• NBA Champion (2006)
• 5x NBA All-Star (1996-1997, 2000-2002)
• All-NBA First Team (1999)
• All-NBA Second Team (2000)
• 2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000)
• 2x NBA All-Defensive First Team (1999, 2000)
• 2x NBA blocks leader (1999, 2000)

Honorable mentions

Chris Bosh – He was also a part of the Heat’s “Big Three”, bringing home two championships. Bosh made the All-Star team in each of six seasons (2011-2017). Unfortunately, blood clots cut his NBA career short. Despite the attempts of a comeback, he ended up having his No.1 jersey retired by the team.

Tim Hardaway – The Heat made playoff appearances in each of his six seasons (1996-2001). During Hardaway’s prime with the Heat, he made two All-Star teams, two All-NBA Second Teams, and an All-NBA First Team appearance. His No. 10 jersey is sitting in the rafters.

Shaquille O’Neal – Although a brief stint in Miami, it was a remarkable one. He made a huge impact during the Heat’s first title run in 2006. O’Neal was an All-Star three times and made the All-NBA First Team twice. That was significant enough for his No. 32 jersey to be retired.

Glen Rice – The 4th overall pick out of the 1989 Draft provided the earliest glimpse of success for the Heat. Rice was part of the NBA All-Rookie Second Team and won the Three-Point contest. He scored his career-high of 56 points while with the Heat and has their third most points of all time.

Bam Adebayo – Currently in his eighth season with the team, Adebayo has made his mark in Heat history. He made four consecutive appearances on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, three trips to the All-Star game, and earned his spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season.

Udonis Haslem – UD spent his entire 20-year career with the Heat. That is an impressive achievement in itself. Haslem is the Heat’s all-time leader in rebounds and earned himself a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2004. No. 40 contributed a lot as a “player-coach” to ensure that number never gets worn again.