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Miami Heat: 10 stars you forgot played for the Heat

By Sam DiGiovanni

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Amar'e Stoudemire #5 of the Miami Heat react after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicansduring the first half at Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Amar'e Stoudemire #5 of the Miami Heat react after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicansduring the first half at Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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(Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Gary Payton

Gary Payton wrapped up his Hall of Fame career with the Heat, winning his first and only championship in the process.

Nicknamed “the Glove” for his incredible defense, Payton spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Seattle SuperSonics. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award in the 1995-96 season and made nine All-Star teams, nine All-Defensive First Teams during his tenure there.

Payton was traded at the 2003 trade deadline to Milwaukee for a package centered around Ray Allen. He spent a season with the Lakers and Celtics before spending his final two seasons with the Heat. His stint is the longest on this list at 174 games (including both regular season and playoffs).

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In 149 regular season games – which included 53 starts – Payton averaged just 6.6 points and 3.1 assists in 25.6 minutes per game. In the 2006 playoffs, Payton appeared in all 23 games and averaged 5.8 points and 1.6 assists. In game 3 of the finals, he knocked down a jumper to give Miami the lead with 9.3 seconds remaining. The Heat won that game and went on to win the whole series.

https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1021364308930748416?s=20

Payton appeared in 68 games in the 2006-07 season – starting in 28 of them – but appeared in only two of Miami’s four playoff games, scoring zero points in 31 total minutes. He retired after that season and became a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2013.

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