Over the past few decades in the NBA, many teams have left an underlying mark in their eras. Regarding this, the early 2010s Miami Heat era was one of the most exciting NBA teams in recent years. They had the iconic ‘Big 3’ of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosch in one team. Along with the Big 3, they had a legendary coach/GM in Pat Riley.
Recently, the Heat President Pat Riley remarked on James’s time with the team on The OGs Show, which caused some people to take notice. Riley claims that when James departed the Heat in 2014, he left titles on the table. This was a huge declaration made by Riley on the podcast. However, James leaving the Heat in 2014 was surprising to many Heat fans, especially with the team that they had.
It didn’t upset me, but it hurt me that we couldn’t keep that team together. Because I think it was a 5 or 6 championship team. If we could have kept them all together and stayed healthy from that standpoint. But the nature of the game is what it is.
Pat Riley said on The OG’s Show Podcast
Despite being the shortest of his teams to date, James’ time with the Heat had been his most productive. He guided the Heat to back-to-back titles in four consecutive Finals appearances between 2010 and 2014. With averages of 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game on 54.3% shooting, he was named MVP twice.
“It didn’t upset me, but it hurt that we couldn’t keep that team together, because I think it was a 5 or 6 championship team.”
Pat Riley on the big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh 👀
(via @theOGsShow)pic.twitter.com/vflkKbqJRA
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 26, 2024
Unfortunately, it all came to an end in the summer of 2014 when James decided to rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers after saying goodbye to the Heat. He substituted Wade and Bosh for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love as teammates. Two years later, the three of them would win a championship, which remains the greatest comeback in an NBA finals.
Dwyane Wade made an honest revelation regarding Miami Heat and LeBron James
During his playing career, NBA legend Dwyane Wade became one of the league’s most highly regarded players. Playing with LeBron James on the Miami Heat roster was one of the highlights of his career. Wade just shared some fascinating details regarding their past. He recently discussed the events surrounding the 2010 free agency period in an episode of The OGs Show.
I was actually leaving Miami at that time because I didn’t think there is nobody out there to get us to that level…I wanted to be part of a team that could win, and for me, that would be my hometown team(Chicago Bulls)…I’m going to Chicago… but I got that call man, I got that call from #6 (LeBron James).
Dwyane Wade said on the OG’s Show Podcast
“I was actually leaving Miami at that time… I wanted to be a part of a team that could win… But I got that call from [LeBron James].”
Dwyane Wade on almost leaving the Heat before the Big 3 came together 👀
(via @theOGsShow)pic.twitter.com/EBnN2S8Mmv
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 5, 2024
The Heat were superior to the competition and a dominant force in the East when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh were at their best. They played some of their best basketball during that run, which included a well-known 27-game winning streak. Their trio will go down as one of the best trios in the history of the sport.
