Bleacher Report lists controversial Miami Heat Mount Rushmore

In a recent Bleacher Report article, the Miami Heat’s Mount Rushmore of the 21st century included Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
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When it comes to the greatest players in Miami Heat history, Dwyane Wade is in his own tier of iconic status. However, the players that follow make it more of a debate amongst fans.

LeBron James and Jimmy Butler are arguably the two most notable names that fill out the top-three in franchise history. Just based off individual performances and postseason success on the biggest stage, both James and Butler brought lifelong memories to all of Heat Nation.

As the dog days of the NBA offseason have been fully underway, it has caused more original content across the national media. And Bleacher Report recently created an interesting Mount Rushmore list of the 21st century (years of 2000-2025) for every organization in the league.

Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were part of BR’s Heat Mount Rushmore.

As mentioned, Wade, James and Butler are household names that not only make sense for a Miami Mount Rushmore of the 21st century— but of all-time as the three greatest players to ever rep a Heat jersey.

Wade delivered all three championships to the franchise during his 15-year Heat career. He was a true tier one superstar that brought leadership both on and off the court on a nightly basis.

His stacked individual resume of 13 All-Star appearances, eight-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defense, franchise scoring leader, Finals MVP, Hall of Fame and part of the NBA’s Top 75-player club are just a brief overview of what Wade meant to the city of South Florida.

With James, it may have been a short-lived four-year window as a Heatle, but his arrival brought the best era of Heat basketball ever. They were must-see TV every night with James leading the way, and secured back-to-back league MVP’s, Finals MVP’s and championships to solidify his prime years of greatness.

Butler wasn’t able to secure a chip, and created havoc on his way out earlier this year— but he willed overachieving Heat rosters back to relevancy for the first time in years following James’ departure in 2014. His postseason risings and authentic personality was contagious to a Heat group that went on two NBA Finals runs and a game 7 of an Eastern Conference finals all in a four-year span.

However, a Mount Rushmore includes four names, and that’s where Bleacher Report’s list paves a way for more debate.

Adebayo was the fourth name featured over the likes of Chris Bosh, Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O’Neal.

Adebayo is deserving of being on Heat Mount Rushmore territory. He has been loyal on and off the court for the organization over the years as a strong natural leader and the successor of team captain after Udonis Haslem retired.

Not to mention, Adebayo is no fluke stat-wise either. He’s been one of the league’s most talented two-way players for years now, providing consistent elite versatility on both ends of the court. The 27-year-old big man is also a three-time All-Star and the Heat’s all-time leading rebounder.

Additionally, he is in the top-three for most franchise triple-doubles.

Adebayo has been a true anchor of what Heat Culture has been all about for a long time now. And he has still yet to hit his prime.

When it comes to the potential snubs of Bleacher Report’s Heat hierarchy, Chris Bosh, Alonzo Morning and Shaquille O’Neal all left a mark during the 21st century as well.

Bosh was instrumental as a member of the infamous “Big 3” alongside Wade and James. He is a two-time champion himself, and was an All-Star for each season he played for Miami. He makes the strongest argument for that fourth spot behind Adebayo.

Mourning and O’Neal, at least during the 2000’s, were on the decline. Mournings best years came with those late-90’s Heat squads. O’Neal undoubtedly helped with Wade’s early growth during the Heat’s first 2006 championship, and was a marquee addition to the franchise at the time.

But even though he was still All-Star caliber in O’Neal’s brief four-year Heat tenure, he was far from his dominant prime version of himself.

Do you think Bleacher Report got Miami’s Mouth Rushmore right? Let us know in the comments!

Bleacher Report lists controversial Miami Heat Mount Rushmore

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