Celebrating 25 Years of Miami Heat by Deron Butler

It seemed like yesterday when it was announced back in 1988, that Miami would have its very own NBA Franchise. Who knew that from that fateful year, it would span thousands of people filling up the Miami Arena and later the American Airlines Arena, to cheer on one of the most exciting and talked about teams in the league? Twenty-five years and two championships later, Miami has hit the quarter century mark in their tenure in the NBA. As an avid Miami Heat fan, I am very thrilled to be a part of something historical, and can look back at all the memorable moments in Heat history. From the early days with Rony Seikaly, Sherman Douglas, Steve Smith, Glen Rice, John Crotty, and Bimbo Coles to being playoff contenders during the Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway era to the championship years with Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O'Neal, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James, there's been a lot of history and fund moments in Heat history and lore. Who could forget the heated rivalry between the Heat and the New York Knicks in the late 90s, or Miami's first trip to the finals against the Dallas Mavericks in 2006? Or how about the arrival of Dwyane Wade as superstar when he hit the buzzer beater in Game 1 of the 2004 NBA Playoffs First Round against the New Orleans Hornets? The 25th Anniversary of the Miami Heat is capped off with fans voting for amazing moments in Heat history from game winning shots, to emphatic blocks, to thunderous dunks. It should be also mentioned that former Heat players such as Brian Grant, Eddie Jones, Alonzo Mourning, and Tim Hardaway have all been honored by the Miami Heat organization during halftime at many Heat games. Much is to say about other moments in Heat history would be looking back to 1997, where the Heat won Game 7 over the Knicks in the Semi-Finals, and would later face Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Years later in 2006, and again in 2011 and 2012, the Heat would later become Eastern Conference Champions, defeating the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics respectively, but it was trips to the finals in '06 and 2012 against the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder, that would solidify Miami as not just NBA Champions, but also in an elite class of teams that have won more than one NBA Championship during their tenures in the league. There's much to celebrate for the Miami Heat's 25th Anniversary, who knows what will happen in the next 25 years? Will we see Dwyane Wade and LeBron James' jerseys hanging in rafters? Will the Heat carry on the winning tradition that was brought to this organization by Pat Riley and owner Micky Arison? Will Miami be recognized as a basketball city rather than just some vacation spot? Time well time in the future but for now, let's take time to appreciate the Heat, and many of its players, past and present, through the many years, ups and downs, and everything in between. For homework, brush up on some Heat history. You'll need it to increase your Heat pride. I'm Deron Butler, telling you to celebrate 25 years of Miami Heat greatness.