The Summer of 2003 was a huge one for the Miami Heat organization.  During the summer the Heat looked to rebuild, creating a young team.  The Heat's best player Alonzo Mourning had decided to sign with the New Jersey Nets.  In the draft the Heat picked the guard out of Marquette, Dwyane Wade.  After signing Wade and other key players including Udonis Haslem, Lamar Odom, and Rafer Alston the Heat looked to bring basketball back to Miami.  Although, just before the season began Pat Riley stepped down as Heat head coach.  With Stan Van Gundy taking over the Heat had Miami buzzing.  A young talented Heat team made the playoffs with newly found star, Dwyane Wade.

    This Summer was a very important step in the Heat's journey towards and NBA Title.  The Heat started fresh with young players that stepped up and matured quickly.  These players established good chemistry leading to success on the court.  Having this talent led to exciting games and wins, strengthening the fan base.  Overall, this season impacted the Heat franchise greatly and brought them closer to a championship.

Why do you think Riley resigned?
Why did the Heat decide to start fresh?

ATSSWANS. "History of the Miami Heat Pt 19." YouTube. YouTube, 18 May 2012. Web. 21 May 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kP5yAVKx_Q>.

    The current home of the Miami Heat is the American Airlines Arena.  Before this state of the arch arena was built the Heat shared the Miami Arena with the Florida Panthers.  The American Airlines Arena opened up for the 2000-2001 season.  The arena attracted even more fans to Heat games.  The arena is located on Biscayne Boulevard right on the Bay.  The 213 Million Dollar stadium seats 19,600 people.  Due to the arrangement of the seating, the fans can be very close to the action, establishing a great fan-player relationship.  Due to the stadiums newer technology, more fans attended games because they were easier and more enjoyable to watch.
   Moving venues was a very important step in the history of the Heat.  The new venue attracted more fans to games because of the enhanced viewing experience.  This also made the team more successful because of the greater fan base.  Even though the new arena is just down the street from the old one the location is much better.  This brought different people to the arena on a nightly basis because it is right on the Biscayne Bay and next to the Bayside Mall.  The change of the Heat's House was very important to their current success.

What are some other effects of the new arena?
Where would the Heat be without the American Airlines Arena?


"American Airlines Arena." American Airlines Arena. Web. 13 May 2012. <http://basketball.ballparks.com/NBA/MiamiHeat/newindex.htm>.

Brahfromcali. "ESPN E:60 - Dwyane Wade Interview." YouTube. YouTube, 05 Mar. 2011. Web. 06 May 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NtQBjcu8KI>.

      Dwyane Wade has not always had the life that he lives today.  Growing up as a young boy in Chicago, Wade's mother was a Heroin addict.  Due to his mothers addiction Wade was forced to be independent at a very young age.  Wade's older sister decided to send Wade off to his fathers house, in a home with three older brothers.  From then Wade picked up basketball.  Wade went on to play College Basketball at Maquette University making it to the Final Four in New Orleans.  After being picked by the Miami Heat in the 2003 NBA draft.  Wade climbed the ladder of success rapidly winning an NBA Championship just three years later.  Wade is the most important player ever to put on a Heat Uniform.
   Dwyane Wade has shaped the Heat to what they are today.  Wade is a multiple time all star and an Olympic gold medalist.  Without Wade the Heat would not have obtained players like Lebron James and Chris Bosh, fueling their current success.  Wade has impacted the Heat greatly and the team depends on him daily.

Where do you think the Heat would be without Wade?
Do you think Wade will ever leave the Heat?

Valeranechaev. "Inside The Heat - "Mr. Miami" Udonis Haslem - 2 of 3." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Mar. 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2O2GBbwOvQ>.

  Udonis "Mr. Miami" Haslem has been known as the heart and soul of the Miami Heat for the past nine years.  Haslem was born and raised in the inner cities of Miami in the Miami Gardens area.  Unlike the life he lives now in the beautiful city, Haslem grew up in a tough area.  Making him the player he is today.  Haslem played college basketball at Florida under Billy Donavan from 1998 till 2002.  After playing professional basketball in France for a year Haslem decided to head back home, and try out for the Heat in 2003.  Haslem tried out with 49 other players, all working towards one open spot.  Haslem was chosen to join the Heat because of his tough mentality.  Haslem proved himself to head coach Pat Riley and signed with the Heat as an un-drafted rookie.  Haslem became known as a player who gave all of his effort no matter what the circumstances and that payed off in 2006 when Haslem and the Heat won and NBA Championship.
   Udonis Haslem makes the Miami Heat what they are today.  His mentality and hustle shapes the team and the players around them to become better players.  Haslem has made a huge impact on the Heat organization and history.  Without Haslem the heat could possibly still have zero Championship Banners in the American Airlines Arena.

Why do you think Haslem has made such an impact?
How does Haslem's childhood have an impact on his basketball career?

   In the 1996-97 season the Heat were the NBA's biggest surprise.  They were the leagues most improved team.  After trading for several key players the year before, the heat finished with their best record so far of 61-21.  The Heat had a grade season setting a record of winning 14 straight road games and capturing the Atlantic Division title winning 19 more games than the previous season.  Going deep into the NBA playoffs the only thing stopping the Heat from their first ever NBA Finals appearance were Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.  Who ended up defeating the Heat in the Eastern Conference Championship.
   This was an important season for the Heat because it helped them established a greater identity.  With players stepping up the Heat became more successful.   With Tim Hardaway becoming the teams emotional leader and Alonzo Morning being a force on the inside, the Heat were not just that new team anymore.  The were on the verge of becoming a powerhouse and a team that other teams around the league feared.

Why do you think the Heat's identity furthered?
How do you think this season impacted the Heat?
"History of the HEAT." HEAT:. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. <http://www.nba.com/heat/history/00400487.html>.