Few words in the NBA are linked to teams the way the Miami Heat are branded to the terms culture and lifer. Granted only five men–Pat Riley, Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem, Alonzo Mourning and Erik Spoelstra–within the organization are recognized as embodying both characteristics. But the designation of which holds the most influence is debatable.
Date it back to the beginning of the Heat-winning-rings-era and the first thing that sticks out is Shaquille O’Neal’s claim that he wanted to come to Miami because of Wade. Mix that with Riley’s vision, coaching and Wade’s dominance over the Dallas Mavericks and their power moves broke about even.