Drafting two all-time Miami Heat teams: Part I

With the NBA season still suspended, Hot Hot Hoops writers Brandon Di Perno and Diego Quezada have decided to draft two 10-man all-time Heat teams. This article will cover each person’s starters. To see who they drafted for their reserves, click here.

First of all, a rule. Players will be drafted considering their peak during their tenure with the Miami Heat. We’d draft the Shaquille O’Neal who narrowly lost the 2004-05 MVP race to Steve Nash, not the injury-prone, disgruntled player who burned bridges on his way out.

A coin flip decided who picked first, giving Diego the first pick.

DIEGO’S FIRST PICK: Going with my head and not my heart, I’ll pick LeBron James. Yes, Dwyane Wade was nothing short of amazing in 2008-09, lifting a team without another star to a 43-39 record. But LeBron has cracked 40 percent shooting from 3-point range just once. It came during the 2012-13 season — the one that included the 27-game win streak. Aside from the 3-point shooting, LeBron also edges Wade because of his ability to defend everyone from Kevin Durant to Derrick Rose.

BRANDON’S FIRST PICK: I would have hated to be in Diego’s position with the first pick, because it’s nearly impossible to not pick Dwyane Wade in this situation. He is easily the franchise’s best player ever, and in his prime one of the best players in the league. In his best season he averaged 30.2 points, 7.5 assists and 5 rebounds and won a scoring title only two seasons after winning a Finals MVP. In my eyes he’s the third-best shooting guard of all time, a gifted scorer, tenacious defender and even better leader. He had to be my first pick.

DIEGO’S SECOND PICK: This is a tough call between a prime Alonzo Mourning and the past-his-prime-but-still-dominant Shaq, but I’ll go with Shaquille O’Neal. Zo gets the edge defensively over Shaq. On the other hand, Shaq was a much better passer than Zo. Ultimately, I choose Shaq because of his superior offensive game.

BRANDON’S SECOND PICK: Before Wade, Alonzo Mourning was the face of the Miami Heat. A dominant center and elite defender made him one of the premiere forces in the 90s. With career averages of 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds, you can imagine what Zo was capable of. After battling kidney disease, Zo returned to Miami and remained a key contributor even with Shaq in the lineup. He was a big part of Miami securing their first title and the clear-choice for my second pick.

DIEGO’S THIRD PICK: I’d want a stretch-4 next to LeBron and Shaq, so I’ll go with Chris Bosh. While in Miami, Bosh extended his range to the 3-point line — he attempted just 25 3s in his first season with the Heat, but took 222 3s in his last one. Bosh’s defensive mobility would also help cover up any defensive limitations of Shaq covering the pick-and-roll.

BRANDON’S THIRD PICK: During his time in Miami, Tim Hardaway was an absolute nuisance. Armed with a killer crossover and flash-like speed he fit the Heat perfectly. Hardaway spent some of his best years with the Heat and was a force leading the Heat through the 90s playoff series and some hard fought battles. He had to be my point guard.

DIEGO’S FOURTH PICK: Though he had his best years with Charlotte, a young Glen Rice would be perfect on his team. After his rookie year, Rice shot at least 38 percent from 3 for five straight seasons with the Heat.

BRANDON’S FOURTH PICK: Jimmy Butler’s Heat legacy is still being written, but I had to choose him. Butler oozes Heat culture and has been an absolute stud for the Heat this season, having one of his best seasons and acting as an all around leader. I can’t wait to see what Jimmy does in the coming years. He made absolute sense as my fourth pick.

DIEGO’S FIFTH PICK: I opted to go without a traditional point guard in my starting five and go with Eddie Jones. He has the length to defend opposing wings, and I like surrounding LeBron and Shaq with three players capable of hitting the 3.

BRANDON’S FIFTH PICK: I’m so happy Bam Adebayo was on the board here. With Wade, Butler, Bam and Mourning I see nobody being capable of scoring on my team. Our defense is ELITE. Still it’s not hard to justify my pick, Bam is having an All-Star season posting triple doubles on what seems like the regular and doing it all at just 22 years old. Bam could be one of the best players in Heat history when it’s all said and done, and I got him with my fifth pick.

DIEGO’S FINAL STARTING FIVE: LeBron James, Eddie Jones, Glen Rice, Chris Bosh and Shaquille O’Neal.

BRANDON’S FINAL STARTING FIVE: Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo