The Top 5 Miami Heat Shooting Guards of All-Time

We continue our look at the greatest players for each position that have played for the Miami Heat. Here, shooting guard...and while it is no surprise who is number one, the rest of the list can be a little bit of opinion. I take my stab at it, but as always, we want to hear from you as well.

**These rankings are based on both longevity and impact. A player is not ineligible if they played for a short amount of time, but their impact must be high.**

#5 — Josh Richardson
Spending his first four-years in Miami, Richardson was a second-round pick who developed into a starter with a two-way mentality. Richardson went from averaging 6 points a game as a rookie to 16.6 PPG in his fourth and final year in Miami and was a fan-favorite. Leonard beats out Kevin Edwards and Voshon Leonard because of the height of his prime he was better.

His career in Miami ended after he was finally traded for All-Star Jimmy Butler in the 2019 offseason. Richardson was a culture-man and loved Miami.

#4 — Ray Allen
It’s such a hard thing to place Ray Allen on this list. We all know where he stands on a large scale for his career, one of the best to ever do it...but what about his time in Miami? That’s what we are judging here. He spent only two seasons with the Heat. The first ended with a championship and the famous Game 6 shot to extend that game to overtime. The second ended un a Finals loss.

For the Heat he was a reserve shooting guard who averaged 9-10 PPG in his seasons, but his importance to what the Heat were doing was so significant. He averaged about 26 minutes those seasons and would often be a part of the closing group. Ray is immortalized to the Heat because of the shot..

#3 — Eddie Jones
I loved EJ on the Heat. He helped carry the Heat in leadership during the rough times between Mourning’s illness and the arrival of Dwyane Wade. He even moved off the ball when Wade and Shaq arrived.

Jones averaged 16 PPG over 6 different seasons with the Heat, but missed out on the championship run as he was a part of the large trade that brought in Jason Williams, Antione Walker and James Posey. His best year he averaged 18.5 PPG. Jones was a 3-time All-Star but never with the Heat.

#2 — Steve Smith
Smith spent his first three years on Miami and was a great player to watch. Averaging 12, 16 and 17 PPG on his way up the ladder, Smith was an exciting young player. He was traded at the very beginning of the fourth year, and then he spent about 13 games with the Heat in his 13th and final year in the NBA.

He had a significant role in helping establish the Miami Heat as a franchise alongside Glen Rice. He went on to have a great career, but his time in Miami was good. His patented hesitation/half-spin move became iconic.

#1 — Dwyane Wade
I shouldn’t have to type a lot here to tell you that Wade is the greatest shooting guard in Heat history. He’s the greatest player in Heat history. A 3-time champion, Finals MVP, 13-time All-Star, Olympic Champion...leader in so many categories...and he’s the greatest icon in Miami sports history.

As a rookie, he grabbed the hearts of all of us when he dished out a game-winner in the opening series against the Hornets. His best statistical year was in 2008-09 when he averaged 30.2 PPG and 7.5 APG and somehow didn’t win league MVP. For his 15 season in Miami, he averaged over 22 PPG. Wade has his jersey retired next to Mourning, Hardaway and Bosh. He may have a statue one day and he’s everyone’s favorite player.

There’s no debate about it, Wade is the greatest.

COMMENT BELOW
Let me know what you think of the list and if things are out of order. I really had a hard time with the fifth spot. Kevin Edwards was a serious candidate, but he spent all of his time losing in Miami. Voshon Leonard was right there as well.

Anyway, jump in a tell us what you think.

Next up, Small Forward.