The 2010s had everything if you were a Heat fan. From The Decision to the Shot, to Shaq and Bosh’s jersey retirements, to one-era ending and a new one beginning. We will take you down memory lane and relive what was a pretty good decade to rock Miami heat colors!

The “Big 3” Era, The Start of the Decade

When Bosh and LeBron came to Miami in the summer of 2010, the landscape of Miami Heat basketball changed. The Heat was pairing 3 of the top 5 picks from the 2003 draft in one. Crazy to think about. Immediately, this was a top-hit. Miami was given the top NBA coverage (for obvious reasons) and every year this trio was there, there was a finals appearance. This group, went 2-2 in four finals appearances during their time together. And, what could have been if they were together for longer.

The “Shot”

Derick E. Hingle – USA TODAY/SPORTS

So, we have the Big 3 era, but this era is not complete without THE SHOT. People say Ray Allen singlehandedly saved LeBron’s legacy early on. He went to Miami and only won 1 championship when you told them you were bringing them 8. Not a good look. Everyone knows the shot. Heat trailed by as much as 10 in the 4th, fans started leaving and whatnot, then Ray Allen did what Ray Allen did best. One of the best 3-point shooters of all-time hit one of the clutches shots ever. A sharpshooter who LeBron basically stole from Boston after he-disbanded their “big three”, helped LeBron win his 2nd title in 3 years and overall brought the 3rd championship to Miami.

Post LeBron ERA

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

After LeBron left, Miami fell out of championship contention, but not to the bottom barrel. The year after Miami fell to 10th in the East and missed the playoffs. However, Miami used that draft, drafting Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow. Miami used a 3rd place East finish to give us one last exciting Dwyane Wade playoff run that included series’ vs the Hornets and Raptors. This era also saw the birth of Hassan Whiteside – who was just trying to get his 2k rating up.

Wade Leaves for Chicago

After that exciting playoff run, Wade decided to say goodbye to Miami (for the time being). He signed with Chicago to go play for his hometown Bulls. In the meantime, down in Miami things were not pretty. They started the 2016-2017 season off 11-30. 11 wins and 30 losses. Wade was gone, Bosh was forced to retire and this new group of JRich, Winslow, and Whiteside could not be leaders. The “Heat culture” immediately kicked in and the Heat finished the season 41-41, just missing the 8th seed in the playoffs. And who could forget 13-0karo! The next season, had much of a better start than the previous one and then…..

The Return of Wade County

Wade’s return to Miami in 2018 brought a lot of joy back to Miami. It was quite unexpected, but it was worthwhile! With Wade coming back, came a playoff run. It was a 1st round exit at expense of the 76ers, but it was good to see D-Wade back and back in a Miami Heat jersey. The 2017-2018 season also brought the debut of the utterly beautiful Vice jerseys, the best selling alternate jerseys.

One Last Dance

Wade’s last dance brought a lot of emotions together in Miami. Here is your #5 overall pick in 2003 who spent 14 and a half seasons with you calling it quits. One Last Dance was a lot of fun. We saw the jersey swaps, the game-winner vs the Warriors, the 30-point game finale in Miami and the triple-double in Brooklyn. It did not end in one last playoff run that Wade and Miami deserved, but it was tons of fun. I personally got to see D-Wade one last time, his last time in the Garden. It was one memory that will last with me forever.

Sign-and-Trade for Jimmy Butler

Four-time All-Star wing Jimmy Butler during an introductory press conference for his new team the Miami Heat, at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida on Friday, September 27, 2019.

Jimmy Butler looked up to D-Wade and followed in the footsteps of him. Going to Marquette, sure said that. When the T-Wolves drama came afloat, the Heat is the team Butler requested a trade to. He wanted to start the next chapter of his career in Miami when D-Wade ended his. This did not happen, he went to Philly but he was in the building for D-Wade’s last home game. Then on July 6, this past offseason, the Heat pulled off the ultimate sign-and-trade to get Jimmy Butler. They parted with guys who embodied their culture like Richardson and Whiteside and also brought in Meyers Leonard, but as the 2019 season started this trade was well worth it. And, at the end of the decade and as 2019 wraps the Heat are third in the East at 24-9.

The 2010’s decade was fun for the Miami Heat. They won two championships, had one of the greatest players of all-time play for their organization and had a number of crazy shots and moments. Here’s to making the next decade just as good, if not better than the next one!

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