Showing posts with label Miami Heat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miami Heat. Show all posts

Monday, November 22, 2010

STOP CHILLIN...



Chris Bosh put it best.

After a brillant performance against Phoenix, Bosh said--- we just want to Chill (not pictured).

He said--- Coach Spoelstra wanted to work--- so they met in the middle.

Look at what happened tonight.
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Indiana is a borderline playoff team.

They haven't been there in four years.

And yet-- with all 3 Kings healthy--- the Pacers WAXED the Heat on their home court by double-digits.

What the heck is wrong with the Heat?
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Injuries are a factor but not an excuse.

Udonis Haslem is out for a WHILE now--- which stinks since he's the heart and soul of the team.

He and former college roommate Mike Miller both have suffered long-term injuries.

That hurts.

But come on.

You have LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade on the floor.

You should be in every game, and in particular, EVERY home game.
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Wade had an awful night from the floor.

He was nursing a sore wrist.

Again, that's reasonable, but not an excuse.
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Somebody needs to slap this team around--- and not just mediocre opponents.

No more Mr. nice Spo.

He'd better learn from his mentor Pat Riley, or he'll be replaced by him.

Either way--- tonight's loss should never have happened.

I blame the players' mentality and that falls on Spo.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Sour Note...



LeBron had a triple double, Wade almost had 40, Bosh played a solid game, the Heat built a 20 point lead at home, and they lost??

Huh?

That doesn't make sense.

Although the Heat were playing a very-well coached team in the Utah Jazz (not pictured).
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Most Heat fans haven't heard of Paul Millsap before tonight.

They know him now.

46 points.

Clutch shot after clutch shot after clutch shot.

It was something to behold.

You'd figure with 3 allegedly all-world players, PRIDE would kick in at a certain point.

ONE Player on the Heat would say--- back off--- this mofo is mine.

Never happened.
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That whole--- we must protect this house---- mentality NEEDS to be installed in the Heat.

And that needs to be done yesterday.

Miami needs to know.

No matter WHAT happens, team don't make 20 point comebacks in the Heat's house.

Shouldn't happen again.

They're still figuring things out.

They're still gel-ing.

But come on, that's not supposed to happen to this team, not now.

LeBron made Cleveland an impossible road stop--- same needs to happen here.
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End of Game situations need work.

TWO closely contested games have ended in 2 Eddie House last second 3 point attempts.

That's not a good shot.

That's not the right guy shooting it.

You can't inbound it to Wade? Come up with better inbound plays.

Spo, this is where you earn your money.

Most nights it'll be a cake-walk.

But against good opponent, you'll have to earn it.

Bring this group together and create a trust where--- Wade or LeBron gets the last shot.

Those are your choices.
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You know, finishing games doesn't just apply to players.

Fans who left with 5 minutes left, how stupid do you feel?

Sit it out.

Traffic's NOT that bad.

Heat tickets are expensive.

Enjoy the game.

It's not a Dolphins game where fans leave early because it's hot out.

It is climate controlled.

You're already out.

It's embarrassing that the Heat were playing in front of a half-empty (does that make me a pessimist) arena in crunch time.

Driving home--- how'd you feel as you heard the Jazz comeback?
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Finally, I hope Randy Shannon was taking notes.

Jerry Sloane is as good as they come.

And his specialty on this night was clock management.

Utah used fouls and timeouts, along with flukey threes, to elongate the game and give themselves an opportunity to win.

What a concept!

There's a reason they're good every year.
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I'm not bugging out about the Heat.

They're going to lose games.

20 point leads they shouldn't lose.

Home games they shouldn't lose.

And on Eddie House 3's they shouldn't lose.

Time to regroup and beat Boston on Thursday.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Are You Gel-in?



It may take a little while for the Heat to gel (not pictured).

Tonight in Boston, quite simply, was a mess.

On offense, the Heat had absolutely no game-plan, no way to attack to attack the Celtics.

Dwyane Wade played what could be his worst game of the year.

Chris Bosh wasn't even in double-figures scoring (which may never happen again).

And yet, Miami was only down by 3 points with just over a minute left.

Be afraid rest of the NBA, be very afraid.
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I was infinitely more concerned with the Heat's defensive approach than I was with offense.

These guys are world-class talents.

They'll figure out how to complement each other offensively.

That's not the issue.

My question heading into the game was simple: Will this team have the WILL to play consistent team defense, every night???

The answer: appears to be yes.
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While Wade, LeBron, and Bosh are all proven offensively, they all LOVE playing defense.

You can see the JOY this team takes in cutting off passing lanes, taking charges, and trying to run out the other way.

That's going to be this team's biggest strength: transition.

When it's going well, no one is going to be able to run with the Heat (not even the Suns).
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Look at the opponent.

The Boston Celtics are the most cohesive unit in the NBA.

They have a dominant point guard, who is distributing to four sure-fire Hall of Famers in KG, Shaq, Pierce, and Allen.

This team has played together for years (with the exception of Shaq who is a place-holder until Kendrick Perkins returns).

They were within a game of winning the NBA Finals last year.

It was in their house, one of the most historic and intimidating venues possible.

The Heat played like garbage for 3 quarters, and were within 3 points with a minute left on the road.
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Sure, the Heat are 0-1 in the record books.

Losing is never fun.

But Dwyane Wade played an AWFUL game, and Miami JUST lost.

How many times could you say that in the last five years?

It was Wade at peak performance, or no chance.

Not anymore.

This team won't match the 72' Dolphins for perfection, but I wouldn't want to play them in January.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Hamstrung...





It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

Right as I was settling into my seat to enjoy the Heat's new dynamic trio, Dwyane Wade hurts his hamstring (pictured, well not his specifically).

Talk about sucking the life out of a building.
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First of all, that I was going to a PRESEASON NBA game in early October was unique.

I've been credentialed to cover the Heat since 2003, and I'm not sure if I've ever gone to one.

So, I'm walking towards the arena at about 5 (public transportation in Miami sucks) and I see scalpers.

That's right SCALPERS.

For a preseason game!

More than two hours before tip-time!

My favorite scalper was wearing a pair of handcuffs, while an undercover cop in a Wade jersey phoned it in.
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First thing I see when I get courtside to help with our liveshot is the following: Wade, LeBron, and Bosh all warming up together.

How amazing is that?

It's over 2 hours before a preseason game, and 2 of the greatest 5 players on planet earth are feet from me warming up.

After the game, Wade said that was the strange moment for him too (not seeing me--- being out there with his teammates early).

Flash looked at them and thought--- wow, these are my teammates.
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Finally, it was close to tip-time.

The building wasn't TOTALLY packed, but it was a LARGE crowd.

The scene that unfolded was surreal.

LeBron walked over to the far scorer's table, grabbed his chalk, and threw it straight up in the air.

Not to be outdone, Wade walked over to both sides of the court and raised his hands, getting the crowd pumped.

This team will lead the league in pregame rituals.
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The first few possessions, the intensity was tremendous.

You could see the Big 3 PUSHING for that highlight play.

Wade and LeBron had one fast-break, but they were so hyped, it didn't result in any points.

I was waiting for that moment.

All of a sudden, there was Wade grabbing the back of his leg.

He limped off the court and asked for a sub.

Not the way Mike Miller wanted to make his AmericanAirlines Arena debut--- I'm sure.

And just like that, it was over.
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I'm not a doctor, but I'm sure Wade will be fine.

The hammy probably needs a little rest.

Heat say they'll evaluate it in a week, Wade says it'll be about two weeks.

That's fine.

Miami still looked incredibly impressive with just LeBron and Bosh.

The number of skills in LeBron's arsenal is phenomenal.

He's a 2-time MVP, I'm not breaking any news.

I'm CONVINCED he'll average a triple-double.
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Still, the night just wasn't the same once Wade left.

Oh well.

I'd rather be disappointed in October than June.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

I Went To A Football Game... And A South Beach Nightclub Broke Out




Here's all you need to know about Club Liv (not pictured) at Sun Life Stadium.

One of Dan Marino's former teammates told me that 13 walked him into the hip nightclub.

Marino went to buy four friends a round of drinks.

He was charged 73 dollars.

I'll repeat.

DAN MARINO WAS CHARGED.

Sun Life Stadium is located on DAN MARINO BOULEVARD. (the issue of 4 drinks costing 73 dollars is for another time).
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So as the Dolphins game started to unravel against the Pats, I decided to check out the club for myself.

Two important things you must know about me: I'm neither cool nor single.

So, I'm not exactly the target demographic.

Still, I wanted to see what it's like inside, behind the velvet rope.
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If you are a big partier, I'm sure it's cool.

There are plenty of good-looking people inside dancing to hip-hop.

There are monitors all around, with the game showing.

To sweeten the pot, there are INCREDIBLE club level seats outside connected to the club, where they have scantily-clad girls bring you whatever drinks you want.
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Still, what's surreal about it, it's a FOOTBALL GAME.

Only in Miami.

I went to Yankee stadium, where in order to enhance the so-called "fan experience," they give you more history, better sightlines to the action.

The only sightlines this crowd cared about was to tan lines.

75 Percent of the people or more were not wearing any form of Dolphin gear.

I'm guessing around 30 percent didn't know they were at a football game.

That's strange, but very Miami.

It's definitely meant to be a scene where people can be seen.
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Still, while I was there, I was excited to meet a celeb (ESPN's Kenny Mayne who was AWESOME!)

There were other celeb sightings including Dan Uggla (despite his 33 homers and over 100 RBI--- he was introducing himself to people 'Hi I'm Dan.')

Rick Ross and his posse had an area.

Remind me to google who Rick Ross is.
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I will say this.

Owner Stephen Ross has captured an element of South Florida that was under-represented at Fins games... People who don't care about football.

Is that how you want to pack your house?

It was bumping in there for an 8:30 Monday Night game against the Pats.

Let's check back when it's 1 pm against Cleveland.

And you wonder why Ross wants to only play 4 o'clock games?

The money-making club doesn't work at 4 pm as well as it does at 730.

Competitive advantage of playing a 1 pm game be damned.
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The real problem for Club Liv is this.

The Fins are 2-2, with 2 division losses at home.

They have a bye week before heading to Green Bay.

And the Heat play their first exhibition tomorrow night.

Good luck keeping fan interest.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Stand Up And Make Some Noise For Your Miami Tweeeeeeeeeeet

Scanning the twitter-verse, I came across this video posted by LeBron James.

(Click on the Title of the blog and the video will be pictured. You can do it now or after you read the blog, it's your call, I'm not going anywhere)

It's LeBron going to an open house for his son's school.

Bronny is getting ready to start Kindergarten, and LeBron checks the place out.
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There are several elements that I find fascinating about this 2:57 video.

First of all, think about how much the boundary has been stripped between athlete and fan.

In the past, we never really KNEW our sports heroes.

We didn't want to.

Information was carefully selected by sports-writers, who used to be drinking buddies with the athletes.

But somewhere along the way, the sports journalist went from trying to glorify these stars, to trying to destroy them.

Perhaps it was jealousy as the zeroes grew after the athletes' checks.

Perhaps it was just the evolving nature of "gottcha" journalism.

The end result was superstars like Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter who talk, but never actually say anything.
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In a sense, twitter has cut out the middle man.

In the past, if you were going to get a story about LeBron James as father, you'd have to rely on a writer capturing that.

The problem is, that opens the writer up to interpret the athlete's life and inject their own views.

That's what happened with the GQ cover-story about LeBron.

The article featured brief interactions with LeBron's kids, but they were told from the writer's point of view.
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That's what made this posting so interesting to me.

It was a Blair-Witch style video, and there was no filter.

It was just LeBron-as-Dad.

Of course, you could say, perhaps he's mugging for the camera a bit, manipulating his image.

Maybe.

But to me, it sure just seemed like a proud dad checking out his son's school.
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The final aspect that I liked about the clip, is that it's literally shot from LeBron's point-of-view.

So not only does the viewer get to see the world through his eyes, we also get to see HOW people react to him.

You can see parents and kids turning around with that "WHOA that's LeBron James" look on their faces.

It's a look that's real and a bit raw.
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The good news for Heat fans is that the Big three: LeBron, Wade, and Bosh are all savvy with social media.

Throughout their time here, we'll be privy to parts of their lives that they wouldn't be able to share otherwise.

As much as I'll enjoy following the basketball team, I'll also enjoy following the Miami Tweet.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Jersey, Sure?



An intrepid Heat fan (not pictured) decided it'd be a good idea to wear a LeBron James jersey in Cleveland.

That's right.

He decided to flaunt the Heat's big acqusition and rub it right in the face of Cleveland fans.

How did you think it would end?

Fortunately, he was able to make it out of the stadium alive and well.
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I saw the video of him walking out of the stadium.

His girlfriend decided to start brawling with one of the Indians' faithful.

Marriage material?

What suprised me the most was that it was during the 6th inning.

How did this dude survive 5 innings?
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Look, it's fun to be the enemy at a sporting venue.

Go to any Jets-Dolphins game, and you realize, rivarly and taunting is part of the game.

But this really wasn't a fair fight.

It's just too soon.

Plus, factor in the town you're talking about.

The Indians are more than 15 games out of first place.

The Browns are coming off of a bad season and are putting their franchise in the shaky hands of Jake Delhomme.

The Cavs, well, we all know about the Cavs.

And worst of all, they live in Cleveland.
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I have found the reaction to LeBron's decision to be a little exaggerated.

People have been a little too angry about it.

There's sour grapes all around.

People are trashing a guy's legacy when he's 25.

That'd be like writing a movie review after the opening credits.
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Still, there's one place where I do feel their pain.

It's Cleveland.

The fans have JUST been through a trauma.

Let them process it.

And most importantly, when the Heat actually do have to play at the Cavs, make sure there's extra security.

In 1697's "The Mourning Bride" William Congreve wrote "Heav'n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn'd, Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn'd."

He obviously had never been to Cleveland.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

No. You. Didn't.




The 2010 Miami Heat are the most celebrated team in the history of sports, that has yet to win a single game.

The hype machine has been in overdrive the last week.

It culminated with the following, a song by the rapper Flo Rida (not pictured) entitled "We Already Won (The Miami Heat Song).

Take a listen.


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First thing's first.

This song is WAY better than the horrendous T-Pain Miami Dolphins song.

As a child, I had multiple surgeries on my ears.

I would gladly exchange any of those for the aural insult that is T-Pain's auto-tuned abomination.

So at least this is catchy.
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Now to the title of this blog.

I was there at the AmericanAirlines Arena the night the Heat introduced LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.

They were handing out placards with a photo of the Big Three that read "Yes. We. Did."

Of course, they were mirroring the language of President Obama's campaign slogan "Yes. We. Can."

Never, a good idea to mix politics and sports.

But you can just call this the audacity of hoop.
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That night felt a little dirty.

How can you throw such a big party, for a team that hasn't done anything yet?

Yes. We. Did.

What exactly did you do?

You signed three players.

Three awesome players.

Two sure-fire Hall of Famers.

But you haven't won anything yet.

Underneath all the noise and laughter, I kept thinking, God help this team if they don't win a title.

This is "Dewey Beats Truman" embarrassing.
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I don't blame the fans or the media for drowning in the pool of Heat adulation.

This SHOULD be an incredibly good basketball team.

The role players they've filled in, make for a roster this is built to win and win big.

But they haven't done it yet.
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The Heat marketing machine should push this team.

It sells season-tickets, gets you the cover of 'Sports Illustrated,' and creates a frenzy for your fans.

But head coach Erik Spoelstra has the opposite job.

He needs to bring these guys back down to earth.

Here are the facts.

The Heat were embarrassed in the first round of the playoffs the last two years.

LeBron James has never won an NBA title.

Dwyane Wade has an injury history.

Chris Bosh has never played in a meaningful NBA game.

Does it mean these guys can't have a parade down Biscayne Boulevard eventually?

Absolutely not.

But I can't get down with this premature party.

Although, Flo Rida did put together a catchy little soundtrack for the insanity.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Great Night... Greater Expectations...



We may be on the cusp of a dynasty (not pictured).

My head is still spinning after the CRAZY night I just experienced.

I would argue it was the most important night in Miami Heat history, and not a bad one for my career.

Miami is now loved and loathed.

The greatest basketball player in the world now calls Miami home.

The Heat now has the greatest trifecta in the NBA.

Boston found three players to commit who were all about winning. They won a title and were within two minutes of another.

The Heat did the same thing, except the players are 10 years younger and JUST heading into their prime.

MIami will put the NASTY, in dynasty.
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Allow me to put you in my sneakers for a second.

I woke up this morning at 7 am.

I was laying bed and simply couldn't fall asleep.

My girlfriend was on her way to work and asked: Why are you up?

I said one word: LeBron.

I had become truly obsessed.

So, I go to work thinking, okay, I'm a sports producer today.

LeBron's making his decision today, it's going to be a MADHOUSE.

That's fine.
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After the 6 pm news, our two main anchors come up to me, why don't you go on the air to talk during our LeBron special?

Hmm, I thought. That would be fun.

I mean, I'm standing here in a pair of blue jeans.

I didn't do the most thorough job shaving today.

But okay, let's rock n' roll.

The idea was shot down.
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So I go back to my producing.

Now, my news director calls me into his office. If you've ever worked in television, that's a scary thing.

He says, why don't you go on the air and talk about twitter, blogs and facebook?

Sure, I said.

I have been beyond obsessed with social media since I joined facebook (though I was admittedly a slow adapater to twitter).

Then he correctly pointed out that my shirt wasn't exactly TV ready.

No problem.

The main anchor let me borrow a shirt and jacket (Thank you again Calvin, Laurie and Will!).
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So there I am.

It's 9 o'clock.

I'm looking over my boss' shoulder at LeBron's press conference.

I have an IFB in my good ear (i do actually have a good ear).

My stomach is churning.

I'm infinitely more nervous about LeBron than being on TV.

TV is talking.

Either I'll say something intelligent and interesting, or I'll say something stupid.

There were really only two ways it could go.
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They throw to me.

I start talking.

It went well.

Everyone seem pleased.

But that's not even the headline on the night.
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When LeBron says the word "SOUTH BEACH" I thought: Does no one respect downtown Miami?

The Heat play in downtown.

You have to take the 195 or 395 to get to the beach.

It's like when TV stations bump in with beach shots from Sun Life Stadium.

It's in Miami Gardens.

When I got done with my idiotic mental rant, I said, Wait a second.

We got him!

We got him!

I started dancing like a contestant on the "Price Is Right" picked for the showcase showdown.

It's a shame I'm such a goofy dancer, "So You Think You Can Dance" really has given me a desire to express myself, but I digress.
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The center of the basketball universe is now South Florida.

And I work here, I live here, I was born here.

We showed people with pots and pans celebrating in Southwest Miami-Dade like the day we won the title.

It felt like that.

Only better.

I wanted pots and pans (speaking of Pot, I'm really glad the Heat traded Michael Beasley. He was more high than highlights, enjoy Minny Beas).
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I got to my phone after the show.

I had TONS of texts, missed calls, and facebook notifications (as anyone who knows me, I LOVE me some facebook notifications).

They were from around the country: LA, Denver, New York, Boston, and Chicago.

That's what I loved about 2006.

Everyone came together to celebrate the Heat.

It's going to happen again.

My guess is 2 or 3 times.
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I can go into the nuts and bolts of basketball.

How will they round out the roster, can they really win, and all of that.

But that's another blog for another day.

I'm just going to enjoy that my town matters, that I was in the right place at the right time, and my favorite moment of the day, a text from my brother that read "I was wrong."

Yes you were.

Never bet against Pat Riley.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Chalk Outline...



Excuse Pat Riley if he's starting to get excited.

That's because LeBron James (kind of pictured) is now ONE loss from being a free agent.

A very unhappy free agent.
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The NBA has the Larry Bird rule in place to do the following: keep star players put.

The basis of the rule is that the CURRENT team can offer more money than any other bidding team to a free agent.

That's the reason I foresee Dwyane Wade staying in South Florida for a long time (well that and the restraining order he's going to take out on his bat***T crazy ex-wife, Glenn Close anyone?)

So yes, Cleveland can give LeBron more money than anyone else can.
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But, there's something that Miami has that Cleveland does not.

Cap space.

Right now, Cleveland is tapped out.

GM Danny Ferry has constructed his best shot at a title.

He brought in Moe Williams (even though Riley wanted him at the time) and he brought in Shaq (who the Heat were done with--- remember 'win a ring for the king').

And what's it gotten them?

If Boston knocks out Cleveland in the 2nd round of the playoffs, LeBron is going to have to do some serious thinking.

Cleveland has done EVERYTHING possible to build a winner, and can't get out of the conference finals. In the EAST.

Sure, you're a God here. Everyone is a witness, to your mediocrity.

You can throw up ALL the chalk you want, but you're left with no rings.
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And then there's Miami calling.

Go down and play with your buddy Dwade.

You both get max contracts.

The Heat will have some flexibity to throw in a few extra parts.

LeBron has two MVPs and is clearly the best overall player in basketball, but he has zero rings.

Riley has plenty.

He can shine them in LeBron's face and say: Magic, Kareem, Wade, Shaq... I got them all their precious. Do you want to be a part of that?
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Yes, New York can come calling.

They'll sell him on the big apple and Madison Square Garden.

But be honest, with Wade, Miami's closer.

I always say this, the Knicks are NOT the Yankees.

They have SOME tradition, but not the type that would lure LeBron.

Sure, there are marketing possiblities in New York.

But LeBron is already a one-man global brand.

No state income tax is a nice little cherry on top.
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One of my favorite Pat Riley expressions is: Hard work won't guarantee you anything, but without it, you don't stand a chance.

Well, if the Celtics get one more win over Cleveland, Miami has a chance at LeBron.

You could roll out Wade, LeBron, and put Justin Bieber at the point, and you'd reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

Can Leaveland say the same thing?

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Bittersweet Symphony...



Sunday Dwyane Wade (not pictured, think 80's tv) put on a performance for the ages. He scored 46 points and single-handedly willed the Miami Heat from elimination, and at least for one day, provided Heat fans with a glimmer of hope.

Watching that virtuoso performance made me feel: Sad.
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No, I wasn't just sad because seeing guys TRY in the NBA reminds me how often they dog it. Though that's part of it.

Rather, I kept thinking, this REALLY could be Dwyane's last home game in Miami.

The next time he comes here, he could be wearing a Bulls jersey, or a Cavs jersey, or a Knicks Jersey.

That's insane to me.
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Though I was born in Miami and grew up in Broward, I really came back to Miami in January 2003.

That's the year the Heat drafted Wade.

He's the first athlete who I have "covered" for the entirety of his career.

I put the term "covered" in quotes because I'm not there every day. I go to games periodically. I have interviewed him. But I'm a rare face in the crowd. A nameless dude holding a mic flag, who may or may not have the balls to ask a question, once in a while.

But he's so much more to me.
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I remember watching Wade *BEFORE* Shaq came to town.

I was under the basket in his first playoffs, when he threw down that MONSTER dunk and everyone simultaneously thought, HOLY ***T, who is this kid?

I watched him grow up.

I saw fame go to his head.

I saw his game evolve and devolve.

I saw the size of his post-game jewelry collection grow and the suits get better and better.

I remember when he wasn't a particuarly great soundbite and now he's go-to.

I remember when he'd get mugged at the basket and NOT get a call, and now he constantly gets superstar treatment.

He used to be under-rated.

Now at times, I feel he's over-rated.

But the key to it all, I was there and he was OUR guy.

I feel a personal stake in his triumphs and failures.

He brought Miami a championship. Yes, Zo was the heart and soul of the 2006 team. Yes, Shaq made this town bigger.

But Wade was the star.

I was at Game 3 in Miami of the Finals. The Heat were down 0-2 and down by double-figures, when Wade decided, I won't let us lose.

He did the same thing on Sunday.
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That's what made me sad.

I don't expect loyalty in sports, any more than I expect it in any other business.

But we *do* grow emotionally attached to athletes.

When you kinda-sorta cover them, you grow even MORE attached to them.
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I live in downtown Miami.

One of the coolest aspects of Miami address is that I get to show people, yeah, I live near where the Heat play.

I drive to work every day. On my ride in, I see a billboard, "Wade County."

It's cheesy, but I love it.

It makes me feel like I'm in an important place.

I imagine people in Chicago felt the same way about 23 (I know Wade's still 5 titles short).

I can't imagine how much less relevant our town will be without him.

I wouldn't quite gleefully point out the Triple-A if the Heat were back to their expansion-like ways.
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Dwyane's not the same kid who came in from Marquette.

Even the WAY he scored his 46 Sunday, a little less fun than his early career.

Wade was settling for jumpers.

Yes, he was hitting, which shows signs of his improved jumper.

But still, I'll never forget early Wade.

He used to drive damn near every time.

You thought the poor guy would get killed, but he'd always get back up (heck, that's what his marketing campaign was all about).

He hit some of the most acrobatic, bs shots you've ever seen.

His dad (who lived in my old apartment building) said that growing up they called "Lucky" because he used to hit those shots all the time.

Yeah, he doesn't do that as much anymore.

But even though he's changed, he's still ours.

At least until the Heat's next loss.