Basketball Players who Played for Heat and Pacers
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Heat and the Pacers.
Jermaine O’Neal
Jermaine O’Neal is most recognized for his time with the Indiana Pacers. A versatile center and power forward, O’Neal’s career spanned 18 seasons from 1996 to 2014, during which he played for multiple teams, including the Trail Blazers, Heat, Celtics, Suns, and Warriors.
Selected directly out of high school by the Trail Blazers in the 1996 NBA Draft, O’Neal spent his initial seasons in a limited role. However, upon being traded to the Pacers, he flourished and became a key player, earning six All-Star selections and being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2001-02 season.
O’Neal’s prime years in Indiana were marked by consistent scoring and rebounding, as well as a robust defensive presence that earned him multiple All-NBA nods. Despite the individual accolades, team success eluded O’Neal, as the Pacers made several playoff appearances but never reached the NBA Finals during his tenure.
O’Neal Key Stats
- All NBA (Pacers)
- All-Star (Pacers)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Pacers)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Pacers)
Danny Granger
The Pacers selected Danny Granger 17th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. He showed steady improvement in his early years, culminating in a breakout season in 2008-09 when he averaged a career-best 25.8 points per game and was named an NBA All-Star. This season also saw him win the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
Granger was consistently the Pacers’ leading scorer from 2007 to 2011, but injuries started to impact his performance and availability from the 2011-12 season onward. He was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014, but never suited up for the team.
Granger would go on to have brief stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat before retiring in 2015. Despite the later years of his career being hampered by injuries, at his peak, Granger was one of the top players in the league and played a crucial role in the resurgence of the Pacers in the late 2000s.
Granger Key Stats
- All-Star (Pacers)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Pacers)
Erick Dampier
Erick Dampier is a former NBA center who played in the league for over a decade, contributing as a solid defender and rebounder. He began his collegiate basketball career at Mississippi State University, where he gained recognition for his impactful play in the paint.
Drafted 10th overall by the Pacers in the 1996 NBA Draft, Dampier began his professional journey and would go on to play for several teams throughout his career. His most memorable time was with the Mavericks, where he anchored the defense and provided a strong presence in the post for several seasons.
Dampier was also a part of the Miami Heat’s 2010-2011 roster, which reached the NBA Finals. Throughout his NBA tenure, he was valued for his size, defensive acumen, and ability to control the boards (had a career-best 12 rebounds per game with the Warriors in ’03-’04).
James Posey
Selected 18th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1999 NBA Draft, James Posey’s journey in the league spanned a decade, playing for multiple teams and earning a reputation as a reliable “3-and-D” player before the term became widely popular.
The highlight of Posey’s career came during his stints with the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. In Miami, he played a pivotal role in the Heat’s 2006 championship run alongside stars like Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal.
As a key reserve for Boston, Posey provided crucial defensive stops and timely three-point shooting, helping the Celtics secure the 2008 NBA Championship. His ability to contribute significantly to two different championship teams attests to his value as a player who could impact games without necessarily being in the spotlight.
