The Game 6 thing is so overblown. There were about 100 fans that left. If you ever go back and watch the footage again the stands are full. Only because it's Miami, and the media likes picking on the fans, did it even become a story. I'm sure if anyone cared we could find footage of Cleveland fans leaving during the Boston series or some other time. At the end of the day, you either believe LJ's essay or you don't. If you believe it, and I believe you took him at his word, then none of this other stuff mattered. If other stuff, like Mike Miller, his boys not being allowed free reign, a smattering of boos ONE time in 4 years, then his entire essay is BS and it's fair to question the manner in which he managed his exit.
I don;t remember the last time a fan base/city/media protected and supported a guy like Miami did for Lebron. If you knew half the stories I have been told about him that just got buried. Part of the reason he never went to New York.
I can't upload images, but here is a picture of the shot. The stands are packed. http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2013/0619/dm_130619_nba_truehooptv/dm_130619_nba_truehooptv.jpg The media notion that fans were streaming to the exits is complete horse manure.
Come on CK, you are taking it too far. A grand total of fifty people out of twenty thousand left early and the media, in their infinite nitpicking of Miami focused on them. That arena was packed until the end of that game, you could not find an empty seat. The Miami fanbase stuck by him and the team for four years while receiving the wrath, hate, and ridicule from the entire country, and never backed down. You're going to tell me that a smattering of boos in one game was enough to influence his decision to go back to Cleveland over the support given to him for 4 years? Specially in contrast with the Cavaliers fanbase who burned his jersey, made urinal cakes from his likeness, called him coward, traitor, and many other choice words. Come on. The suggestion that those events had any influence in his disicion and that he has intentional not thanked the Miami fanbase because he is bothered by them, well, it's pretty ridiculous, with all due respect.
What I think we have here, is that there is a faction that thinks that Heat fans should Thank Lebron and be grateful to him. Then there is another faction that thinks Lebron should thank Heat fans/City/media and be grateful to THEM. Either way..it is/was a selfish transaction both ways. Both sides are waiting for their thanks. But I will guarantee you one thing....Heat fans will NOT behave like those *******s in Cleveland did when he returned there, and we won't have a local author write a book called "The Whore of Miami" either. Heat fans will be classy and appreciative when they day comes. We are winners.
Can't somebody believe both things should happen, like me? I do thank and appreciate the time Lebron was here. Best sports years ever in my lifetime, not to be duplicated. And I also think it would be nice if he said "Thanks to the fans of Miami, you guys were awesome to me and my family when it was us against the world. I just really feel I need to return home. Has nothing to do with you and I appreciate you and wish the Heat continued success in the future" Is that so hard to do?
He did? I unfollowed him so perhaps I missed it, but the one thing I did see was just a retweet of the picture the Heat put out and saying "Thank you for the memories" Nothing specifically about the fans. but whatever, it's not going to happen until the Cavs play here which is probably in 6 months, by which time nobody will care anymore.
I don't care about a public thank you, it would be nice, but I don't really require it. What I find mortifying is the notion that something the Miami fanbase did had any type of influence in Lebron leaving. Miami fanbase did everything to support him and the team in a very hostile situation the past 4 years.
Is this the thank you you are referring? That's a response to the Heat organization thank you to him, not the fanbase.
Heat organization gave him as much as he gave us. To say "Lebron took us to four straight finals" is a slap in the face to the -teams- we assembled around him. Lebron doesn't take teams to the finals on his own, even if he is a vital piece. Everyone should be thanking each other.
He gave you 4 years of an alter ego that I'm sure was fun while it lasted. Tweet too him your appreciation, without LeBron you would still be just a lowly Phins fan like me.
Without Lebron the Miami Heat would have still been a competitive franchise. The last 20 years I think the Heat have only missed the playoffs 4 season. So no, they would not be like the lowly Phins. Miami and the Heat does not owe Lebron more than he owes them back. This was a mutually beneficial relationship and he got back exactly the same that he gave. I for one, am grateful for his 4 years here and the basketball he played with the Heat. But that is as far as it goes.
I submit that, had Dwyane decided to befriend and convince, say, Carmelo Anthony to be in the Big 3 rather than LeBron, there is reason to believe that the Heat might've won more than 2 of 4 finals; because whatever else you say about 'Melo, he DOES NOT disappear in clutch moments, like Bron did against the Mavs and late against the Spurs. It is a perfectly, reasonably plausible scenario. So, while I am deeply grateful to LeBron James for what he gave us; not the least of which is that Miami can now say it has had arguably the best player ever in two different sports call its sports teams home, and the bragging rights that affords the 16th television/sports market in the nation; I can also say that we might've won even more, been even better had Wade just pointed his charm at a player other than him. For all the good, James was just one of two guys who could've gotten us what we wanted. I'm grateful for the trophies, for the excitement of being the center of the NBA universe for a while, and I was proud to call him ours for that brief time. But, in the end, it was him who not only left, but made sure that it hurt as bad as it could. He pulled the figurative dick move of leaving a couple hundred bucks on the dresser to make us feel cheap. But he only cheapened himself in the process.
True stories, without Ray Allen you would've only had one title. Team effort. But having the best player on earth is ok too.
I will always have a soft spot for Ray Ray just for that shot. It was bigger than just a shot. It's now one of those iconic moments you see crop up even decades later.
I agree but also want to add everyone seems to forget Bosh made a great play as well. It's the rebound and assist almost as much as much as the shot....but not quite.
Another hint lebron was going to leave that I forgot; a couple of summers ago Dexter Pittman brought Norris Cole out here for the football game and I saw him at a bar/restaurant. I remember asking him, "where's lebron, on a yacht somewhere?" And they replied that he was actually in Cleveland. A couple months later, they were here for another game with some guy who I'm pretty sure was dexters agent, and I asked them again where lbj was, Norris checked his phone and again said lebron was in Cleveland. I remember feeling odd about it, knowing lebron had an ETO, and wondering why the hell this guy would spend his time in Cleveland.
They have def made mistakes, and their behavior at times deserves some heat.. The booing was because the team quit in the nba finals.
I can't argue with this because culture plays a role with players and coaches, it's important and very motivating, and that's a problem for Miami sports in general, however I think we have a touchy situation, it was obvious to me the team was not competing in the finals, the heart was not there, now imo that probably has something to do with Lebron already knowing what his future held and it probably changed the dynamics of the locker room and everything else..
I'm sorry, are heat fans saying that Their team honestly competed with all their heart in the finals?
part of the reason why the entire country was hating Miami from a sports perspective is because they didn't like "the decision" and him leaving.
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11250669/lebron-james-sends-neighbors-cupcakes-apologize-chaos Lebron sends cupcakes to his neighbors because of the chaos around the neighborhood. Wish he was my neighbor, lol.
In my best Kramer voice..."U got that right." Do folks forget there's four hall of famers on one team for multiple years.
Nah getting Klay and having to pay him 15M over 4 or 5 years is not appealing. Then we have to take David Lee and hope to get Draymond. I rather have Wiggins at 5+M over his rookie contract. Gives us cap to work with in the future. Wiggins is the single best asset the Wolves can hope for in a quasi rebuilding effort. Outside Wiggins the next best thing could be what Chicago could put together. I also wouldn't mind the Celtics if Flip caved for rebuilding.
Who gives a ****, they freaking raped us for draft picks. His decision to go back to cleveland screwed us with how he waited so long for the dramatic effect. Plus, we got no draft picks. Cleveland still has our freaking picks for Lebron, and Lebron. And people still hate the Heat. Cleveland fans, dont get too excited. You have Lebron for 1 year, guaranteed. Dont get your hopes up that hes there long term.
