NBA News: Pat Riley shares his regrets over the departure of LeBron, Wade and Bosh from the Miami Heat’s Big Three

The early 2010s marked a golden era for the Miami Heat. Under the direction of Pat Riley as president and Erik Spoelstra As head coach, the team built a legend Big three. With LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, And Chris Bosh At the top, the Heat made it four straight N.B.A They appeared in the finals between 2011 and 2014 and won two consecutive championships in 2012 and 2013. Despite their success, the trio parted ways after just four seasons, a decision that still haunts many within the franchise.

“It hurt me that we couldn’t keep the team together” Pat shared during a conversation with former Miami players Udonis Haslem And Mike Miller To The OGs Show Podcast. The Heat president expressed regret for what he felt was a missed opportunity for the franchise.

Riley He then spoke about the immense potential of the Big Three. “I think it was a team with five or six championships, that’s actually true.” he said. “If we could keep them all together and stay healthy from that standpoint.”

The end of the Big Three era

The Heat’s dominance ended after the 2013-14 season when LeBron James terminated his contract and returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency. His departure marked the end of the Big Three era, leaving Miami to regroup around Wade and Bosh.

Chris Bosh’s health problems

Even without LeBron, the Heat retained significant potential Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. However, their hopes were soon dashed when Bosh was sidelined during the 2014/15 season due to a blood clot in his lung.

Despite his efforts to return, Bosh‘s health problems continued and eventually forced him to leave the team in 2017. He officially retired from basketball two years later, coinciding with the Heat’s retirement of his No. 1 jersey in recognition of his contributions to the franchise.

Dwyane Wade’s broken relationship with Miami

Dwyane Wade, widely considered the greatest player in Heat history, also faced challenges with the franchise. After receiving what he called heartbreaking treatment, Wade left Miami in 2016 to join the Chicago Bullslater reuniting with LeBron in Cleveland. Eventually, Wade returned to the Heat to finish out his career and ended up doing well with the team that defined his legacy.

The Heat’s quest for new glory

The Big Three era set a high standard for the Miami Heatand the franchise has spent the last decade achieving similar success. While they came close, reaching the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023, Miami has yet to recapture the championship glory of their golden years. Today, memories of the Big Three are a source of pride and nostalgia for Heat fans as the franchise continues to strive for another era of dominance.