The Miami Heat are a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami. The team owner is Micky Arison, the general manager is Pat Riley and the head coach is Erik Spoelstra. The mascot of the team is Burnie, an anthropomorphic fireball.
The Heat were formed in 1988 as an expansion franchise. Along with the Orlando Magic, the Heat are one of the two NBA franchises that represent the state of Florida. Since entering the league, Miami has fielded squads that have made the playoffs 16 out of 24 seasons, capturing nine division titles, three Eastern Conference Championships, and two NBA Championships, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4–2 in the 2006 NBA Finals and the Oklahoma City Thunder 4–1 in the 2012 NBA Finals. Their playoff run in the 1990s was largely marked by a vicious rivalry with the New York Knicks. According to Forbes Magazine, in 2010 the value of the franchise was about $425 million.
Read more about Miami Heat: Uniforms, Home Arenas, Radio and Television, Players, Head Coaches, Franchise Accomplishments and Awards
Famous quotes containing the word heat:
“As in hoary winter’s night stood shivering in the snow,
Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow;
And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near,
A pretty Babe all burning bright did in the air appear;”
—Robert Southwell (1561?–1595)