Big Three (Miami Heat) facts for kids
The Big Three, sometimes called The Heatles, was a famous group of three amazing basketball players. They were LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. These stars played together for the Miami Heat team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This super team played from 2010 to 2014. James, Bosh, and Wade were all picked very early in the 2003 NBA draft. They were top scorers for their previous teams before joining the Heat.
Contents
A New Era for the Heat
After the 2009-10 season, the Miami Heat worked hard to bring these stars together. They re-signed Dwyane Wade. Then, they managed to get Chris Bosh and LeBron James to join the team. LeBron James' decision to join the Heat was even announced on a TV show called The Decision.
This powerful trio led the Heat to the NBA Finals in all four seasons they played together. They won two championships in a row! They became champions in 2012 and again in 2013. After losing the Finals in 2014 to the San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James decided to leave. He went back to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Team Success and Records
The Big Three era was a very successful time for the Miami Heat. They consistently had winning seasons and made it to the playoffs every year.
Season-by-season Team Record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage
| Season | GP | W | L | W–L% | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | 82 | 58 | 24 | .707 | 1st in Southeast | Lost NBA Finals, 4–2 (Mavericks) |
| 2011–12 | 66 | 46 | 20 | .697 | 1st in Southeast | Won NBA Finals, 4–1 (Thunder) |
| 2012–13 | 82 | 66 | 16 | .805 | 1st in Southeast | Won NBA Finals, 4–3 (Spurs) |
| 2013–14 | 82 | 54 | 28 | .659 | 1st in Southeast | Lost NBA Finals, 4–1 (Spurs) |
What Happened Next
After LeBron James left, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh stayed with the Heat for two more seasons. Then, Dwyane Wade left Miami and signed with the Chicago Bulls. Chris Bosh had to stop playing basketball because of health issues.
Later, on September 27, 2017, Wade signed a one-year contract with the Cavaliers. This meant he was playing with LeBron James again! However, on February 8, 2018, Wade was traded back to the Miami Heat. He finished his career where it largely began. On September 16, 2018, Wade announced he would retire after the 2018–19 season. Chris Bosh officially retired on February 12, 2019, during a special ceremony where his Miami Heat jersey was retired.
Their Impact on Basketball
The Big Three had a huge impact on the NBA. They showed other teams how powerful it could be to bring together several superstar players. Many teams after them tried to create their own "Big Three" to win championships. This strategy changed how many teams built their rosters.
