It’s OK To Root For The Miami Heat

That’s right, you heard me read me. I like the Miami Heat. But a lot of people don’t – in fact, I think a lot of people hate the Heat. But I don’t get why. And by that I mean I hear the reasons, but they don’t make sense.

Is it the Big Three?
The “welcome party”. I get it. Maybe you don’t like that three superstars “teamed up” to play in South Beach. But just in case you don’t remember – Miami’s record the year before LeBron and Bosh arrived the Heat went 47-35, good for a 5 seed in the playoffs and got bounced from the first round of the playoff by the Celtics. Their “Big Three” that season? Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley and Jermaine O’Neal. Their record two years before that? 15-67. There’s nothing wrong with needing help.

Is it the rest of the team?
So, you hate a group of players who take pride in playing their roles and overachieve when the team needs them to? Oh, okay.

Is it Chris Bosh?
Chris Bosh is so easy to make fun of that I’m writing in support of him and even I couldn’t resist taking shots at him. Bosh gets shit on so regularly that’s he’s become an underdog even though he was an All-Star this year.

Is it Dwyane Wade?
After his divorce in 2010, Wade fought for and won sole custody of his two sons in 2011, and still pays his ex-wife a reported $25K/month in addition to her living and travel expenses (estimated $10K/month) and a $1M lump sum. Wade seems to genuinely care a lot about being a father, which is admirable beyond what he does on the court.

Is it LeBron James?
The Decision. Yea, that was bad. He made a mistake and admitted it, get over it. I don’t understand how he isn’t liked. Think he’s a bad guy? He’s never gotten in trouble with the law. His manager is his childhood best friend. He had a kid with his girlfriend in high school; Savannah Brinson is now his fiance and they’ve had their second child together. His talent and work ethic make him the most gifted athlete in the world. He’s never shown up out of shape, never takes games off and looks to get his teammates involved before he gets himself going. He’s the kind of player that should make you tell your kid, “look, that’s how you’re supposed to play the game.”

Long live the King.

Fake Tough Guys: Your 2011-2012 Indiana Pacers

From an early age, I learned that shit talking was more than just a skill, it was a gift, born naturally to me. I was always wittier than others, and I when I felt like I was being intimidated I would use that wit to tease, embarrass and frustrate. Here’s the thing, sometimes when you act tough, people want to see how tough you are. And that brings us to this year’s Indiana Pacers!

Heat – Pacers has been an intense, back and forth series, but I wouldn’t say it got physical until last night. Here’s how fake tough guy Danny Granger helped it get there:

Confronting LeBron James in Game 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlbZu4ffGv0

 Confronting Dwyane Wade in Game 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zG7N8j5yHk

Boxing weigh in stare downs, trash talking, all more annoying then maddening. Until Tyler Hansbrough decided to get in on the action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hkQx5Dk8jA

He doesn’t make a play on the ball, and Udonis Haslem doesn’t either.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBHxTfaHB-c

And guess what? Neither does Dexter Pittman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVe4wibmm3Y

Mr. Granger, you’re not tough. Your team’s not tough. I know it, you know it, the Heat know it, even Larry Bird knows it.

“Are you out here to play basketball or are you out here to be a tough guy,” asked Dwyane Wade before the game. Obviously neither, since the Pacers lost the game 83-115. Maybe turn the toughness dial up from “Charmin Ultra” for game six.