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Miami Heat: 25 Best Players To Play For The Heat

By Phil Watson

May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; A general view of the Miami Heat logo is seen center court before game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs between the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; A general view of the Miami Heat logo is seen center court before game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs between the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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MIAMI – APRIL 27: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Miami Heat shoots over Ben Wallace #3 of the Chicago Bulls in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on April 27, 2007 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
MIAMI – APRIL 27: Shaquille O’Neal #32 of the Miami Heat shoots over Ben Wallace #3 of the Chicago Bulls in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on April 27, 2007 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images) /

C. 2004-08. Shaquille O’Neal. 4. player. 110. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Los Angeles Lakers, July 14, 2004.

The Miami Heat made a monster acquisition in July 2004, picking up former MVP Shaquille O’Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant, a first-round pick in 2006 and a second-round selection in 2007.

O’Neal was a difference-maker for the Heat, earning three All-Star berths and two All-NBA selections, finishing second in the MVP voting in 2004-05 while helping Miami to its first championship in 2006.

MIA_04_ONEAL
MIA_04_ONEAL /

He led the NBA in field-goal percentage in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

In the 2006 NBA Finals, O’Neal averaged 13.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 35.2 minutes per game, shooting .607/—/.292 in a six-game victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

He was traded to the Phoenix Suns in February 2008 in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.

In parts of four seasons in Miami, O’Neal averaged 19.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 blocks in 31.1 minutes per game, shooting .596/—/.460.

He was the first overall pick out of LSU by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft and was the Rookie of the Year in 1992-93, a four-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection for the Magic, leading the league in field-goal percentage in 1993-94 and scoring in 1994-95.

O’Neal signed with the Lakers as a free agent in July 1996 and was NBA MVP in 1999-2000, an eight-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection and three-time All-Defensive pick in L.A.

He was named Finals MVP three times while leading the Lakers to consecutive titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002, leading the NBA in field-goal percentage six times and in scoring in 1999-2000.

O’Neal was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in June 2009 and in August 2010 signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics, retiring in June 2011.

Elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, O’Neal is 35th in NBA history with 1,207 games, 22nd with 41,918 minutes played, 14th with 13,099 rebounds, eighth with 2,732 blocked shots, seventh with 28,596 points, fourth with a field-goal percentage of .582, 19th with an average of 23.7 points per game, 27th with an average of 10.9 rebounds per game and 15th with an average of 2.3 blocks per game.

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