Chelsie Zents is an associate IT analyst with Erie Insurance Group in Erie, Pennsylvania. She has held the position for more than two years, following time as an IT intern while studying accounting and management information systems at Penn State Erie. Away from her work as an IT analyst, Chelsie Zents enjoys reading and following pro sports, particularly her favorite basketball team the Miami Heat.
The Miami Heat joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) as an expansion team prior to the 1988-1989 season. Despite a relatively short 32-year history, which included the Michael Jordan Chicago’s Bulls era, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs dynasties, the Heat have won three championships and are tied for the sixth most championship wins in league history.
Like many expansion teams, the Miami Heat started slow, winning a total of 57 games over three seasons. However, the combination of head coach Pat Riley and players such as Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning allowed the Heat to gain relevance in the league’s championship race, winning 61 and 55 games in 1996-1997 and 1997-1998, respectively. After a lockout-shortened the 1998-1999 season, the Heat again reached the 50 win mark in 2000 and 2001.
Unfortunately, regular season wins did not translate to post-season success until several years later, when the combination of a young Dwyane Wade and veteran Shaquille O’Neal led the franchise to its first championship. Following a 52-win 2005-2006 season, Wade and O’Neal helped Miami come back from a 2-0 series hole against the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. It was Finals MVP Wade’s first title and Shaq’s fourth.
The Heat’s fortunes varied considerably over the next few seasons until the arrival of LeBron James and Chris Bosh transformed Miami into perennial title favorites. The Heat reached four consecutive NBA Finals from 2011 through Jame’s departure in 2014, winning in 2012 and 2013 over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Spurs, respectively.
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