DEAL IN PROGRESS: The Miami Heat are about to complete a deal of three super stars that will take the team to…..
The Miami Heat, a relatively new NBA franchise founded in 1988, have had numerous exceptional players over the years. One such player is Alonzo Mourning, who recently appeared on the “All The Smoke” podcast and shared his all-time Heat starting five.
The selection included Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, who were obvious choices. Wade is the franchise’s greatest player, having won three titles, two of which he secured alongside LeBron. Mourning, deserving of his spot, won a title with Miami, made five All-Star teams, and averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game during his Heat tenure.
Tim Hardaway was also included, recognized as the best point guard in Heat history with averages of 17.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, and two All-Star appearances.
Chris Bosh, an All-Star in each of his six seasons with the Heat, rounded out the list. He averaged 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game and was part of the Big 3 with James and Wade. However, there’s a case for Shaquille O’Neal or Jimmy Butler over Bosh. Butler has been the standout player post-Big 3, leading the Heat to two NBA Finals, while O’Neal won a championship with Wade in 2006.
Mourning’s Heat starting five wasn’t particularly controversial, but his list of the top five greatest centers in NBA history was. Notably, he excluded Wilt Chamberlain, a decision that sparked debate. While Patrick Ewing is a top-tier center, his lack of championships and league-leading statistics makes Chamberlain, with his two titles, Finals MVP, four MVPs, seven scoring titles, and 11 rebounding titles, a more fitting choice.
The other four centers on Mourning’s list were well-deserving. Nikola Jokic might have contended for a spot had he won a championship this year, but the Denver Nuggets were eliminated in seven games by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.
