Sorry Miami, You Do Not Deserve The Heat
Thus far, the Heat have not had an impressive final. It could be argued they would have lost already if not for the four consecutive free throw misses by Tony Parker and then Tim Duncan. It looks like the series could be over in five but since the Heat have Lebron, anything is possible. However it plays out, one thing is for certain; Miami does not deserve the Heat.
The Heat fans of new have been spoiled. Pat Riley knew what he was doing in 2004 when he traded for Shaq and made Miami an instant contender. Since then he has been playing reverse Moneyball, bringing in high priced talent for bargain dollars. Riley has never had to pay anyone the amount they deserve and it resulted in at least three championships and five trips to the finals.
But their fans don't get it. They seem to show up but there are always empty chairs in the stands. It seems like they treat the Heat like an accessory. The game is the warm-up to an after party. Stephen A talks about the great South Beach fans but I think he just likes the sun. The real fans have suffered and understand what it is like to beg your team to win even in defeat. (See the Cubs or the Knicks) Great fans lift their team, not turn their back on it. There will be no motivation for the Heat to win for their rabidhome crowd. This is the second time in the last four years the visiting team at a finals has had a significant number of fans at the game. Remember the Mavs fans cheering as their team won in 2011? Look at all the blue shirts and the reaction of Chris Bosh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f1QXyoByg0
Why are so many tickets available for the competition? They remind me of the Leaf's corporate ACC crowds. The ones who come half way through the first period and hang out in the Platinum Club long after the puck has dropped after intermission.
Look at the great fan bases in the league. Not just the ones desperate for wins and rings either. How would the Celtic fans have reacted to a blowout?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqfTpwyFpIM
That video still brings a tear to my eye.
Or what about when Lebron left the most abused fans in all of sports? (The city of Cleveland.) Here was their great passion seething through
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvgD9HNTMkM
The corporate world exists in too many places. I wish sports were just about the games and the people who loved them. I almost feel the Heat fans deserve an owner like the perceived Donald Sterling pre-TMZ video; the jerk that cut corners and never paid players what they were worth. Despite my dislike for fans that lack passion, I could never wish the true Donald Sterling on anyone.
