To properly tell the story of the Miami Heat becoming one of the NBA's most prestigious franchises, you have to start in the Spring of 1995. Pat Riley was on the last year of his contract with the New York Knicks, where he was the Head Coach for four years. Riley had taken the Knicks from sub .500 to Eastern Conference Champions in just a few years, and he wanted a compensation package that properly reflected his value. Riley asked Knicks management for a big contract, a hefty ownership stake, and total control of the team's basketball operations. The Knicks balked at Riley's demands, so he shifted his attention to Miami. The Heat - who joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1989 - failed to win more than 42 games in their first seven years in the league. Mickey Arison took control of the team in 1995 and didn't want to settle for mediocrity. Through a mutual friend, Arison started talking to Riley while he finished out his last year in New York. Riley presented a similar list of demands to Arison. He wanted a $50 million contract, a 10% ownership in the team upon signing, an additional 10% over time, a limo service to and from games, and a $500 per-diem. In addition to all of that, he asked that the Heat buy his homes in LA and New York. Arison agreed, and Riley took the command in 1995-96. During his first season in Miami, Riley traded for 30-year-old Tim Hardaway, a 3x All-Star who some thought was over the hill. On this episode, Hardaway takes us back to his first days in Miami and the Heat's breakout 1996-97 campaign. Joining Hardaway in South Beach in 1997 were Alonzo Mourning, Dan Majerle, Jamal Mashburn and PJ Brown. They won 61 games and had the #1 defense in the league. In the playoffs, they beat Orlando in Round 1, followed by an iconic 7-game, fight-filled ECSF vs. the Knicks, Riley's old team. Subscribe to Forgotten Seasons! New episodes every Wednesday, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices