1992–93 Miami Heat season

| bbr_team = MIA

| bbr_team = MIA

}}

}}

The '''[[1992–93 NBA season]]''' was the fifth season for the [[Miami Heat]] in the [[National Basketball Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1993.html |title=1992-93 Miami Heat |publisher=Basketball-reference.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-01}}</ref> In the [[1992 NBA draft]], the Heat selected shooting guard [[Harold Miner]] from the [[University of Southern California]] with the twelfth overall pick,<ref>{{cite news | last = Araton | first = Harvey | title = BASKETBALL; Draft Sticks to Program Until the 5th Pick, That Is | work = The New York Times | date = June 25, 1992 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/25/sports/basketball-draft-sticks-to-program-until-the-5th-pick-that-is.html | access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = After Big Men Go First, Locals Go in First Round: NBA Draft: Miner Goes to Heat at No. 12. Lakers Take Peeler. Clippers Select: La Salle's Woods with Their First Pick | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 25, 1992 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-25-sp-1102-story.html | access-date = July 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Wojciechowski | first = Gene | title = Miner Didn't Realize Heat Would Be on Like This: NBA Draft: USC Star Waits Longer Than Expected Before Miami Makes Him the 12th Overall Selection. UCLA's Murray Goes to San Antonio, Pepperdine's Christie to Seattle | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 25, 1992 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-25-sp-1409-story.html | access-date = May 31, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Miner Likes Mike, But Finds "Baby" Talk Irritating | work = Sun Sentinel | date = June 25, 1992 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-06-25-9202160413-story.html | access-date = September 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1992 NBA Draft | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1992.html | access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref> and acquired [[John Salley]] from the [[1991–92 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]] during the off-season; Salley won two championships with the Pistons in 1989 and 1990.<ref>{{cite news | title = Salley Traded to Miami Heat | publisher = United Press International | date = September 8, 1992 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/09/08/Salley-traded-to-Miami-Heat/8080715924800/ | accessdate = December 31, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Enough Complaints: Pistons Trade Salley | work = The New York Times | date = September 9, 1992 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/09/sports/sports-people-basketball-enough-complaints-pistons-trade-salley.html | access-date = January 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Times Wire Services | title = Richardson Traded to Pacers, Timberwolves Get Person: NBA: Former UCLA Star Will Be Reunited with Reggie Miller. Pistons Trade John Salley to the Heat | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 9, 1992 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-09-sp-261-story.html | access-date = July 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Heat's Big Deal: 6-11 Salley Pistons Shot-Blocker Added for Morris, Pick | work = Sun Sentinel | date = September 9, 1992 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1992/09/09/heats-big-deal-6-11-salley-pistons-shot-blocker-added-for-morris-pick/ | access-date = June 22, 2023}}</ref>

The '''[[1992–93 NBA season]]''' was the fifth season for the [[Miami Heat]] in the [[National Basketball Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/1993.html |title=1992-93 Miami Heat |publisher=Basketball-reference.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-01}}</ref> The Heat received the twelfth overall pick in the [[1992 NBA draft]], and selected shooting guard [[Harold Miner]] from the [[University of Southern California]],<ref>{{cite news | last = Araton | first = Harvey | title = BASKETBALL; Draft Sticks to Program Until the 5th Pick, That Is | work = The New York Times | date = June 25, 1992 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/25/sports/basketball-draft-sticks-to-program-until-the-5th-pick-that-is.html | access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = After Big Men Go First, Locals Go in First Round: NBA Draft: Miner Goes to Heat at No. 12. Lakers Take Peeler. Clippers Select: La Salle's Woods with Their First Pick | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 25, 1992 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-25-sp-1102-story.html | access-date = July 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Wojciechowski | first = Gene | title = Miner Didn't Realize Heat Would Be on Like This: NBA Draft: USC Star Waits Longer Than Expected Before Miami Makes Him the 12th Overall Selection. UCLA's Murray Goes to San Antonio, Pepperdine's Christie to Seattle | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 25, 1992 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-25-sp-1409-story.html | access-date = May 31, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Miner Likes Mike, But Finds "Baby" Talk Irritating | work = Sun Sentinel | date = June 25, 1992 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-06-25-9202160413-story.html | access-date = September 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1992 NBA Draft | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1992.html | access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref> and acquired [[John Salley]] from the [[1991–92 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]] during the off-season; Salley won two NBA championships with the Pistons between 1989 and 1990.<ref>{{cite news | title = Salley Traded to Miami Heat | publisher = United Press International | date = September 8, 1992 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/09/08/Salley-traded-to-Miami-Heat/8080715924800/ | accessdate = December 31, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Enough Complaints: Pistons Trade Salley | work = The New York Times | date = September 9, 1992 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/09/sports/sports-people-basketball-enough-complaints-pistons-trade-salley.html | access-date = January 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | agency = Times Wire Services | title = Richardson Traded to Pacers, Timberwolves Get Person: NBA: Former UCLA Star Will Be Reunited with Reggie Miller. Pistons Trade John Salley to the Heat | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 9, 1992 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-09-sp-261-story.html | access-date = July 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Heat's Big Deal: 6-11 Salley Pistons Shot-Blocker Added for Morris, Pick | work = Sun Sentinel | date = September 9, 1992 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1992/09/09/heats-big-deal-6-11-salley-pistons-shot-blocker-added-for-morris-pick/ | access-date = June 22, 2023}}</ref>

However, the Heat got off to a sluggish 10–25 start as they dealt with injuries, with most notably second-year guard [[Steve Smith (basketball)|Steve Smith]] missing the first 31 games of the regular season due to a knee injury.<ref>{{cite news | title = SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Surgery for Steve Smith | work = The New York Times | date = October 18, 1992 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/18/sports/sports-people-basketball-surgery-for-steve-smith.html | access-date = September 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = O'Neal Impresses in Debut | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = October 18, 1992 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/10/18/oneal-impresses-in-debut/6a6e9af8-c128-44a6-a782-b928ca50e59b/ | access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Smith Tests Knee; Return Uncertain | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 6, 1992 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-12-06-9203040978-story.html | access-date = September 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Smith's The Question... If Not the Answer | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 13, 1992 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1992/12/13/smiths-the-question-if-not-the-answer/ | access-date = July 8, 2023}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Kevin Edwards]] only played just 40 games, and was benched after starting in 30 of them,<ref>{{cite news | last = Freeman | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Eye Edwards of the Heat | work = The New York Times | date = February 20, 1993 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/20/sports/pro-basketball-nets-eye-edwards-of-the-heat.html | access-date = January 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Victory Limp for Heat Patched-Up Roster Rallies for Overtime Win | work = Sun Sentinel | date = April 24, 1993 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-04-24-9302070775-story.html | access-date = September 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Same Edwards, Different Situation | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 13, 1993 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-12-13-9312120398-story.html | access-date = April 8, 2023}}</ref> and [[Willie Burton]] only played just 26 games due to a wrist injury.<ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Burton to Have Surgery, Out 6-8 Weeks | work = Sun Sentinel | date = January 29, 1993 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-01-29-9301060337-story.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Patton | first = Robes | title = Heat's Burton Can't Escape Pain | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = July 13, 1993 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1993-07-13-9307130358-story.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Burton Placed on Injured List Again | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 19, 1993 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-12-19-9312190033-story.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}</ref> The team held an 18–31 record at the All-Star break.<ref>{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 18, 1993 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=18&year=1993 | access-date = July 24, 2022}}</ref>

However, the Heat got off to a sluggish 10–25 start as they dealt with injuries, with most notably second-year guard [[Steve Smith (basketball)|Steve Smith]] missing the first 31 games of the regular season due to a knee injury.<ref>{{cite news | title = SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Surgery for Steve Smith | work = The New York Times | date = October 18, 1992 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/18/sports/sports-people-basketball-surgery-for-steve-smith.html | access-date = September 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = O'Neal Impresses in Debut | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = October 18, 1992 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/10/18/oneal-impresses-in-debut/6a6e9af8-c128-44a6-a782-b928ca50e59b/ | access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Smith Tests Knee; Return Uncertain | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 6, 1992 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1992-12-06-9203040978-story.html | access-date = September 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Smith's The Question... If Not the Answer | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 13, 1992 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1992/12/13/smiths-the-question-if-not-the-answer/ | access-date = July 8, 2023}}</ref> Meanwhile, [[Kevin Edwards]] only played just 40 games, and was benched after starting in 30 of them,<ref>{{cite news | last = Freeman | first = Mike | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Nets Eye Edwards of the Heat | work = The New York Times | date = February 20, 1993 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/20/sports/pro-basketball-nets-eye-edwards-of-the-heat.html | access-date = January 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Victory Limp for Heat Patched-Up Roster Rallies for Overtime Win | work = Sun Sentinel | date = April 24, 1993 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-04-24-9302070775-story.html | access-date = September 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Same Edwards, Different Situation | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 13, 1993 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-12-13-9312120398-story.html | access-date = April 8, 2023}}</ref> and [[Willie Burton]] only played just 26 games due to a wrist injury.<ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Burton to Have Surgery, Out 6-8 Weeks | work = Sun Sentinel | date = January 29, 1993 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-01-29-9301060337-story.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Patton | first = Robes | title = Heat's Burton Can't Escape Pain | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = July 13, 1993 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1993-07-13-9307130358-story.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Burton Placed on Injured List Again | work = Sun Sentinel | date = December 19, 1993 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-12-19-9312190033-story.html | access-date = April 23, 2023}}</ref> The team held an 18–31 record at the All-Star break.<ref>{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 18, 1993 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=18&year=1993 | access-date = July 24, 2022}}</ref>