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. Shaquille O'Neal was the starting center for the Heat in his second season with the team. The Big Man averaged 20.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game on the way to his fourth NBA title.

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 its name from a name-a-team contest that had more than 5,000 entries, eventually settling on Heat.