On several occasions throughout the 2005-06 season, the Miami Heat paid tribute to the original basketball team in Miami, the Floridians. The Floridians played in the ABA, first as the Miami Floridians (1968-70) and then just The Floridians (1970-72). The team disbanded after the 1971-72 season after poor attendance. The distinct and unique uniforms worn by the team resonated with fans as the 2005-06 team wore them on Hardwood Classic Nights during their championship season. The 2005-06 season was the first in Miami for starting Point Guard Jason Williams. Williams was traded from the Grizzlies to the Heat in August of 2005 as part of a five-team deal. Williams became an essential part of the 2006 NBA Champions, trailing only one player in total minutes played.

The Miami Heat franchise entered in the '88-'89 NBA season and the team's simple logo of a flaming basketball coming through a hoop hasn't had any changes other than colour in it's short history. The team gained it's name from a name-a-team contest that had more than 5,000 entries, eventually settling on Heat.