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Miami Heat: Ranking The Top 5 Acquisitions In Franchise History

By James D. Tillman III

Dallas, UNITED STATES: Miami Heat head coach Pat Riley (C) holds the Larry O'Brian trophy with Dwyane Wade (L) and Shaquille O'Neal (R) after winning the NBA finals against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas 20 June 2006. The Heat won 95-92 to take the best-of-seven series 4-2. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
Dallas, UNITED STATES: Miami Heat head coach Pat Riley (C) holds the Larry O'Brian trophy with Dwyane Wade (L) and Shaquille O'Neal (R) after winning the NBA finals against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas 20 June 2006. The Heat won 95-92 to take the best-of-seven series 4-2. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI – NOVEMBER 06: Dwyane Wade #3, LeBron James #6 and Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat chat during a game against the New Jersey Nets at American Airlines Arena on November 6, 2010 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 Marc Serota/Getty Images)
MIAMI – NOVEMBER 06: Dwyane Wade #3, LeBron James #6 and Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat chat during a game against the New Jersey Nets at American Airlines Arena on November 6, 2010 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 Marc Serota/Getty Images) /

1. The Big Three

Despite having established himself as one of the greatest talents in the game, LeBron James did not win a title during his first seven years with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Meanwhile, Wade and the Heat had been ousted in the first round of the playoffs for two straight years.

As you may recall, Riley pulled off yet another blockbuster deal, acquiring both James and Chris Bosh, thus creating one of the most formidable trios in the league.

No, the Heat didn’t win seven championships as James promised. However, they did go the the Finals four straight seasons, becoming the first team to do so since the Boston Celtics, who accomplished the feat from 1984-1987.

Even more important, the Heat won consecutive titles in 2012 and 2013 during that span, providing the franchise with its most dominant run in franchise history.

Does O’Neal deserve credit for playing a role in helping the Heat win their first title a decade ago? Absolutely.

More hoops habit: 50 Greatest NBA Players Of The 1970s

But it is the formation of The Big Three that should be considered the greatest acquisitions since Riley joined the team some 20 years ago.

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