2006 Miami Heat

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Cleveland Cavaliers, winners of the Eastern Conference Finals, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Miami Heat, winners of the Southeast Division, for the amazing season they had!

Led by Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade, the Heat’s offensive explosions and defensive tenacity brought Miami’s first NBA title in 2006. As the Heat prepare to defend their title (and cement the legacy of legendary Coach Pat Riley), they continue to build beyond Shaq and D-Wade. Riley favors a veteran squad, and has brought back Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning for impact minutes off the bench. The deep supporting cast of the Heat is playoff-tested and well aware of their roles to bring home a second consecutive championship.

It came down to the final two contenders: the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks, and it was the first visit to the NBA Finals for either team. To get there, Miami had to get past the Eastern Conference top-seeded Detroit Pistons, while Dallas needed to knock off the #2 seed in the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns. They each accomplished that in six games.

In the battle between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal for 2004-05 bragging rights, Shaq clearly won, as his Miami Heat went deep into the playoffs. While O'Neal couldn't pin down the ultimate prize, the Heat still look good for another run at an NBA title in 2005-06, so you need to get your tickets right away.

The Miami Heat came into the NBA in 1988 as part of the league's expansion program that included the Orlando Magic, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Charlotte Hornets. The team, like most expansion teams, struggled at the onset. The Heat failed to have a winning record in their first five seasons. In 1989, the Miami Heat struggled on the court, but they did see success that season. A productive draft left them with the rights to Glenn Rice. Rice became the all-time scoring leader in Big Ten Conference history en route to leading his Michigan Wolverines to the NCAA Championship. The Heat would struggle, but not for long.

In 1991, the Heat made a coaching change, bringing in 29-year basketball veteran Kevin Loughery to become the head coach. That season the Miami Heat made it to the NBA playoffs, becoming the first of their 1988 expansion peers to do so. In 1991, the Heat drafted Steve Smith. Smith was a versatile player who complemented Glenn Rice well. Smith and Rice led the team to the playoffs for the first time in their history as they met Michael Jordan and the tremendously talented Chicago Bulls. The Bulls swept right through Miami in three games.

In 1995, the Heat hired Pat Riley. Riley brought 13 years of coaching experience to Miami. In all of those years he never once failed to make the playoffs. His first move as President and head coach was a blockbuster trade that sent Glenn Rice and others to Charlotte in exchange for Alonzo Mourning and two other players. By the end of the season, Riley acquired many other players, including Tim Hardaway, leaving only one player left on the Heat from his predecessor. In 1996, just one year after Riley's arrival, the Heat found themselves in uncharted waters. They won 61 games that season and reached the Eastern Conference Finals, only to be cut down once again by Michael Jordan and the Bulls.

In 2000, the team changed venues and moved into a beautiful, state-of-the-art, waterfront American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Today they remain at American Airlines Arena, but the face of the team is much different. In 2003, Pat Riley stepped down as head coach, paving the way for Stan Van Gundy, whose brother Mike coaches the Houston Rockets. 2003 also brought outstanding scorer and rebounder Lamar Odom to the team. There Odom was joined by Eddie Jones. Though Jones has changed jerseys several times in his career, his numbers have never faltered. Jones averages nearly 17 points per game for his career.

Miami is home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins. Dolphin Stadium hosts the Dolphins at home. Dolphin Stadium is also the home of the 2003 World Series Champion Florida Marlins. The Marlins, led by veteran Pudge Rodriguez and youngster Josh Beckett, shocked the baseball world by taking down the New York Yankees in the World Series. The NHL's Florida Panthers skate at Miami's BankAtlantic Center.