This blog originally went live on Friday afternoon, but it was posted when only half baked. Upon re-reading, it was all over the map.
Twenty-four hours ago “LeBrongate” was fresh; creating controversy and stirring up emotion. By nightfall, I checked out of the debate. I’m LeBron-ed out until they hit the court – for real. Not some circus show and over-hyped unveiling with a WWE vibe. (I half expected Vince McMahon to appear on stage.)
I’m checking out of the HEAT 2.0 chatter because overnight it became the new “Brett Favre”. The new go-to topic that ESPN will run with until that first tip in November.
While I’ve generally tuned out of World Cup action, I’ve killed some bad weather days checking out some games. Not my bag, but I respect the sport – especially the purity of the event itself. It’s about what takes place on the field; not self promotion and brands being shoved down the fans’ collective throat.
Boring as some view soccer, there are no idiot mascots on trampolines or goons firing free t-shirts into the crowd via air gun.
The lack of timeouts can throw you off, until you think about how breaks are spent in American sports – fast-food sponsored contests, talentless idiots firing from half court for a free vacation (floating up air balls that don’t break the foul line).
I understand the hype and as one who respects the art of marketing, it’s all well-earned. Pat Riley capitalized on the perfect storm and laid the foundation for a dynasty. He’s proven why he’s still one of the best in the game and greatest of all time.
Anyone doubting a strong bench will be in place shortly, you’re high. What journeyman in his right mind isn’t jumping at the chance to ball with this trio?
Lame as I thought the pro wrasslin’-style intro was, Wade/James/Bosh looked like three rock stars. The ‘Rush’ of the NBA; a power-trio with everyone playing their defined role.
Dwyane Wade is your Geddy Lee. Sing. Slap ‘da bass. Work the foot pedals. Play the keys. Entertain the crowd. Make no bones about it; Wade is the frontman.
Chris Bosh plays the Alex Lifeson role. Not up front, but still in the spotlight and adding texture to the overall sound.
In the back, driving the train, LBJ is Neal Peart. Thunderous. Freakish in ability. Necessary as the other two guys wouldn’t be the same without him. He pushes the trio to that next level.
These guys are starting their own club and a lot of others will want in. Mike Miller is on board and Derek Fisher trekked to Miami for a meeting this weekend, while Raja Bell, Chris Quinn, Quentin Richardson and Jamaal Magloire have all expressed interest.
The taking heads or ignorant folk who keep harping on the lack of a bench; that’s like bitching about being down three at the half. Wait until that final whistle. This journey has just begun and next year’s HEAT will be stacked – and deserve to be, after all three superstars took less money to form this dominant unit.
Funny how sports fans bitch that these guys are all about the money, yet when winning a title is on a pedestal over a bigger pay day, anti-Heat fans are up in arms, questioning James’ supposed “loyalty”.
Let’s be honest, in all reality fans of other teams are jealous their franchise didn’t pull off this coup and they’re scared of what this new-look team will accomplish.
Miami as a city is quickly becoming ‘the place’ – a sports town catching fire. This splash heard ’round the league will bring focus, attention and energy on the entertainment front. NBA holds court January through June and come September, the rest of the year – a full-fledged football town, with fans fixated on both the Hurricanes and the Dolphins.
A big reason Seantrel Henderson chose USC in the first place; the glitz and glam of Los Angeles. Private school. Big football program. Recent national titles. Warm weather. Close to the beach. Whether his father Sean is truly an aspiring rapper or not, the goal was finding a big time city with a big time college football program.
Team Henderson wasn’t taking this show to Columbus, Gainesville or Norman. They were looking for a city that could deliver more than just the rah-rah college experience.
Mark it down – the new-look Miami Heat will have an impact on other local sports franchises, namely the Hurricanes. College-ready athletes love pro sports; especially the NFL and NBA. When headed to the 305 on a recruiting trip, you’re crazy if you don’t think UM coaches will use this Dream Team to their advantage.
Winning begets winning. As one local team starts dominating, the pressure will be felt for others to fall in line. The Heat made some tremendous off-season strides, while the Canes have seen a recent post-Signing Day windfall with both Henderson an Latwan Anderson coming aboard late.
For those Canes who were anti-Henderson for whatever reason (not signing immediately, playing recruiting games, etc.), now that it’s official, here’s hoping the kid is given a chance. All that “hope he’s not the next Willie Williams” type talk needs to stop. Randy Shannon wouldn’t take a chance on a kid he didn’t believe in. He’s turned down his share of JUCO transfers or kids who spurned Miami, but this is a different situation. Henderson never even reported to USC and will be on UM’s campus the same time he would’ve had he officially signed back in February.
Furthermore, Shannon knows this kid is a rare talent and can have an immediate impact at a position where the Canes are thin. You definitely take a chance on a player of Henderson’s caliber. The risk is worth the reward and like LeBron-to-Miami, Henderson to the Canes is a business decision. Leave emotion out of it – unlike the folks in Cleveland.
The Heat and the Hurricanes both need to win ball games, starting this fall. LeBron’s exit and Seantrel’s arrival will both be forgotten should both respective teams take care of business. America loves a winner and winning games makes for a solid feel-good story. Tune in this fall to see how things begin to take focus.
Landing James, Anderson and Henderson doesn’t make up for the ‘Robbery In The Desert’, but it’s fun to take some happiness from Ohio’s collective misery and it shows that Miami – both the Heat and the Canes – are one step closer to where they want to be.
Actually, ESPN took in no ad revenue for this, or actually very little. It was all the management team of Lebron James who orchestrated this circus last night. They hired Jim Gray to do the interview, they got all the sponsors lined up and just asked ESPN to broadcast it. I don't know about the rest of the country, but that special did a ridiculous rating here in the NYC/NJ area.
Now onto Santreal Henderson, one thing I haven't heard, has he qualified to play immediately? I might be confusing him with another recruit, but I thought he might have had trouble qualifying with most schools…Hope i'm mixing him up.
As long as his father isn't a distraction and he lets his son play ball and allows Coach Shannon to mold him, all parties will do well. Its a big day for the Canes, I hope he lives up to the hype. Its all about the U!!
-Chris
Actually, ESPN took in no ad revenue for this, or actually very little. It was all the management team of Lebron James who orchestrated this circus last night. They hired Jim Gray to do the interview, they got all the sponsors lined up and just asked ESPN to broadcast it. I don't know about the rest of the country, but that special did a ridiculous rating here in the NYC/NJ area.
… ESPN has been running LeBron footage ad nauseam for days. A shit-ton of ad revenue was generated today for 1st and 10, PTI, Around The Horn, etc. You get my point. They are absolutely milking this for personal gain.
… on the Kobe front, sheesh. It's been corrected. Meant to say accused. Said 'convicted'. My bad… but you get the point. Dude rolled dirty, got caught, was thrown under the bus and years later is on the court holding a trophy and his baby while his wife was holding her four-karat rock.
Obviously, Kobe was never convicted.
One comparison though…
When Kobe was so frustrated that he was seriously considering leaving the Lakers, he did shut it down during one of those playoff series.
Basically, he just quit.
Who cares?
Are Laker fans thinking about that?
Not at all.
Back to back championships.
That helps you forget.
While Cleveland may never forget, LeBron WILL win championships with the Heat, regardless of who is the 'so called' leader of the team.
Sorry, I hit publish your comment when I wanted to hit review.
My point is that even though Cleveland will probably always hate LeBron, even if he did shut it down.
Who cares?
D Wade thinks the same.
Why am I killing myself and nobody else is doing a damn thing.
Now, that has changed.
Help is here.
And UM football?
Same story.
Things are beginning to change.
I knew Lebron was going to Miami when Wade and Bosh signed! They are favorites to win it all now. And know that they just signed their deals I believe they will start building a nice bench with a couple of players you metioned just journeyman or other use to be great players who wanna win a couple of rings.
I also believe that Seantrel Henderson is a great pickup for Miami..and I have read it a couple times the Henderson and Co have only spoken to just the O-Line coach, hasnt even spoken to Randy..wow! Classic, I love that about him! I believe that he will qualify his father and every report I read said that he is qualified and will be at Miami Aug.3.
Go Canes!!
ZarokoN!
I think Seantrel has the ability to become one of the most dominant left tackles we have had in quite awhile. Stoutland should be able to polish him up and he could start some games right away. Our line will be solid in the future and possibly be the cornerstone of the program. If he hits the field immediately, we'll have a stronger line this year with him at LT and big O on the right. This without question was a huge gain for the Canes. Where are all the Shannon bashing Canes fans now who protested that contract extension?? (crickets)….
I for one grew up a Magic, Bucs and Canes fan, but a move down to Miami might have me jumping ship on the magic and bucs. I always rag on people here in Tampa who cheer for their hometown Red sox or yankees, and dont want to be that guy.
That being said, what a time to be a miami sports fan! The Canes have a collection of talent that reminds me of the '02 squad, just absolutely loaded!
King James brings his game to the beach for probably the best trio ever assembled in sports! My favorite quote over the weekend was when Charles Barkleys dumb ass chimed in saying if he were 25, he 'd want to do it his self. Yeah, how's that working out Chuck? Last time I checked you were ringless. Then people argued, well Jordan never needed anything like that! Jordan is an egomaniacal asshole! People wouldn't want to play with him anyway! Point is these guys are friends, and wanted to play together, it just so happens they are 3 of the top ten in the league, they are likeable, unselfish, "good" guys, who just want to win!
None of the 3 took less money. James and Bosh were sign and trades, so they got their 6 years. Also, no state income tax, so they come out on top.
James proved what he is; a classless, me-first basketball player. Nothing more, nothing less. Pretty weak that he has to join a cast of "superstars" to win a title. Try overcoming adversity and doing in with the Cavs.
Also, maybe now the Heat will actually sell out a game. There is no worse sports town in all of America than Miami. Front runners who never go to games unless there is a great team. Pathetic.
Hey most recent "Anonymous", is that you Dan Gilbert?
They all took less money. If the lack of state income tax balances that out, so be it, but they all took less money.
As for James being a "classless" and "me-first" player, WELCOME TO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS you idiot.
Who ISN'T a me-first player? Maybe 1% of the guys in the NFL, MLB and NBA combined?
How is it weak that he joined up with two other players to win a title? Typical mindset of anyone who isn't a Heat fan because y'all are scared of what is about to go down in the 305. A dynasty was built and you can't stand it.
Overcoming adversity and sticking with Cleveland? Typical idiot sports fan mentality. Why don't you joint the real world with the rest of us? The Cavs were never going to get it done. LeBron wanted Chris Bosh to come to Cleveland and he signed with Miami instead. No way they Cavs were going to lure in any big names, before James left and definitely now after, thank's to Gilbert's rant.
The Heat may not have sold out games before, because there's actually other stuff to do in Miami other than going to games. What are you going to do in Cleveland? Whack off over Ohio State's 2002 stolen title, cry over the Indians' lost World Series title in 1997, drown your sorrows over "The Drive", listen to that first Bone Thugs & Harmony CD or avoid getting shot?
Get lost you Ohio loser!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Canes!!! Go HEAT!!! THANKS FOR LEBRON!!!!!! SUCK IT!!!!
I'm actually from New York City and there are about 100x more things to do in NYC than in Miami. Yet, we still support our teams no matter what. You can't seriously be arguing that Miami is a solid sports town. Look at Hurricane games, its a joke. I'm a Miami fan and try to make it down for as many games as possible, but it a joke that we get 24,000 for a game.
I really don't care that LeBron went to Miami, its the way he did it, which was ridiculous.
Also, when Jordan was getting killed by the Pistons he didn't jump ship, he stuck it out and won. LeBron will never be considered in the same thought as Jordan, Magic, Bird, Kobe, or any of the other greats after this.
I doubt NYC is a better sports town than Miami. For one, they don't even house a major college football team. Syracuse is the closest thing and they're a joke in football. The Knicks are trash and have been for years now. The Jets I believe were swept in the regular season by the dolphins last year. The Giants are ok but the only real team that keeps that city competitive sports wise is the Yankees. Other than them, NYC hasn't accomplished anything spectacular compared to sports teams in Miami. So yeah, Miami is a decent sports town.
People keep saying "OH, well, Lebron's never gonna compare to Jordan or the great ones." Does anybody else believe that he doesn't really care? Option 1-stay in frickin Cleveland freezing my balls off, spending my career convincing another superstar to do the same, while I work for a psycho owner. Option 2-Go to freaking MIAMI, with great weather, great beaches, the hottest women and night life in the country and probably THE AMERICAS!, play with two GREAT friends for the past 8 years, who just happen to also be superstars, and play for a legend in Pat Riley!
If you went with option one you're probably the same guy making the same excuses for your ugly ass girlfriend as you are for your ugly ass, depressing, dying hometown of Cleveland!