[quote name='CaseyRyback']The Heat with Shaq were a contender for two seasons. That is it. They went to the ECF's and won a title. That is all they ever did. A healthy Kendrick Perkins in game 7 probably gives the C's two championships in three years. Since the Big 3 have been together they have won a title, bounced by the Magic who went to the Finals, went to game 7 with the Lakers in the finals, got bounced by the Heat who went to the Finals, and look like they are going to get bounced by the Heat who will go to the finals. Pretty impressive for a team that has a bunch of aging superstars. They have no first round exits and only lose to teams who go onto play for titles.
And people do call the Mavs a prototypical franchise. 11 straight playoff appearances, 10 straight 50 win seasons until this year, two finals appearances, and one NBA title make them a preeminent franchise in the league. They are the fourth most valuable franchise and have the longest current sell out streak in the NBA. They may not have had the success in the playoffs that they should have, but they have had a much tougher road to get to the promised land than anyone in the East (they should have won the title in 06, and they would have beat the Spurs in 03 if Dirk didn't get hurt). The only teams to win the West since 99 still are Dallas, LA, and SA.[/QUOTE]
Wade was hurt that first year where the Heat lost in the ECF. If not for that they probably win 2 championships with Shaq.