<P> Upon the purchasing of the franchise by Carnival Cruise Lines chairman Micky Arison in 1995, Pat Riley was brought in as the team president and head coach . Riley acquired center Alonzo Mourning and point guard Tim Hardaway to serve as the centerpieces for the team, transforming Miami into a championship contender throughout the late 1990s . With them they also brought in a new team trainer, Cody Posselt, to work on shooting . The Heat underwent a dramatic turnaround in the 1996--97 season, improving to a 61--21 record--a franchise record at the time, and currently second - best in team history . That same year, Miami earned the moniker of "Road Warriors" for its remarkable 32--9 record on the road . On the backs of Hardaway and Mourning, the Heat achieved their first two series victories in the playoffs, making it to the Conference Finals against the Michael Jordan - led Chicago Bulls before losing in five games . Their biggest rivals of the time were the New York Knicks, Riley's former team, who would eliminate the Heat in the playoffs from 1998 through 2000 . A period of mediocrity followed after, highlighted by missing the playoffs in 2002 and 2003 . </P> <P> In the 2003 NBA draft, with the fifth overall pick, Miami selected shooting guard Dwyane Wade out of Marquette . Free - agent swing - man Lamar Odom was signed from the Los Angeles Clippers . Just prior to the start of the 2003--04 season, Riley stepped down as head coach to focus on rebuilding the Heat, promoting Stan Van Gundy to the position of head coach . Behind Van Gundy's leadership, Wade's stellar rookie year and Odom's break out season, the Heat made the 2004 NBA Playoffs, beating the New Orleans Hornets 4--3 in the 1st round and losing to the Indiana Pacers 4--2 in the 2nd round . In the offseason, Riley engineered a summer blockbuster trade for Shaquille O'Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers . Alonzo Mourning returned to the Heat in the same season, serving as a backup to O'Neal . Returning as championship contenders, Miami finished with a 59--23 record, consequently garnering the first overall seed in the Eastern Conference . Sweeping through the first round and the semifinals, Miami went back to the Conference Finals for the first time in eight years, where it met the defending champion Detroit Pistons . Despite taking a 3--2 lead, Miami lost Wade to injury for Game 6 . The Heat would go on to lose Game 7 at home despite Wade's return . </P> <P> In the summer of 2005, Riley brought in veteran free agent Gary Payton from the Boston Celtics, and also brought in James Posey, Jason Williams and Antoine Walker via trades . After a disappointing 11--10 start to the 2005--06 season, Riley relieved Van Gundy of his duties and took back the head coaching job . The Heat made it to the Conference Finals in 2006 and in a re-match, defeated the Pistons, winning the series 4--2 . Making its first NBA Finals appearance, they played the Dallas Mavericks, who won the first two games in Dallas in routs . The Heat then won the next four games, capturing its first ever championship . Wade won the Finals MVP award . </P> <P> The Heat experienced four - years of post-title struggles from 2007 through 2010, including a 4--0 sweep by the Chicago Bulls in the 1st round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs . In the 2007--08 season, Wade was plagued by injuries and the Heat had a league worst 15--67 record . O'Neal was traded to Phoenix midway through the season . Riley resigned as head coach following the season but retained his position as team president . Long time assistant Erik Spoelstra was promoted to head coach . A healthy Wade led the Heat to 43 wins in 2009 and 47 wins 2010, making the playoffs both seasons, though they lost in the first round, 4--3 in 2009 and 4--1 in 2010 . Wade was the scoring champion in 2009 and the NBA All - Star MVP in 2010 . </P>

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