Nba 2010-2011

[Sir Matt]

Very funny, except that they just won an Championship a few years ago and already have a big fan base in place. This will not only make it grow, it will also permeate into other sports. The U already have several high profile high school kids wanting to attend their basketball and football programs because of LeBron.

Frank Haith seems to think so, but the U still only fills up basketball games when Duke or UNC is in town. Other games get basically no one. Honestly, I have only ever met one Heat fan in my life. They should be one of the top 6 teams in the ACC, but support-wise they're on the BC level in basketball.

The Heat will get fans now because they'll be good, but they don't have a solid base of fans like most other cities. No matter what they do, they won't get a statue in Miami.

 

[Raoul]

Frank Haith seems to think so, but the U still only fills up basketball games when Duke or UNC is in town. Other games get basically no one. Honestly, I have only ever met one Heat fan in my life. They should be one of the top 6 teams in the ACC, but support-wise they're on the BC level in basketball.

The Heat will get fans now because they'll be good, but they don't have a solid base of fans like most other cities. No matter what they do, they won't get a statue in Miami.

I lived in Miami when the Heat were born in the late 80s and it was pretty dire the first decade or so. They had some good teams in the late 90s under Riley, but never had the missing piece until Shaq went there and Wade suddenly shot onto the scene. That's when the Heat fans started to grow. That said, Miami is a fickle sports town. Its not uncommon to find empty seats at Dolphins and Hurricanes games, whereas other places like DC, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh are known for their mildly tribalisitc fans (especially in the NFL), Miami has never really had that, which is probably down to its multi cultural make up.

 

[Raoul]

hmmmmmmmm


This:

OR this:

In Football terms it would be a choice of Liverpool and Barcelona.

 

[Alex]

Yeah the Dolphins are always getting their games blackedout

 

[MrMarcello]

I lived in Miami when the Heat were born in the late 80s and it was pretty dire the first decade or so. They had some good teams in the late 90s under Riley, but never had the missing piece until Shaq went there and Wade suddenly shot onto the scene. That's when the Heat fans started to grow. That said, Miami is a fickle sports town. Its not uncommon to find empty seats at Dolphins and Hurricanes games, whereas other places like DC, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh are known for their mildly tribalisitc fans (especially in the NFL), Miami has never really had that, which is probably down to its multi cultural make up.

Apparently most of Florida is quite fickle when it comes to professional sports. But they are fairly loyal to colleges, although I didn't see many U fans from 95-99.

 

[Raoul]

Apparently most of Florida is quite fickle when it comes to professional sports. But they are fairly loyal to colleges, although I didn't see many U fans from 95-99.

U Fans have been fairly consistent since the Jimmy Johnson era. 5 National Championships tends to do that.

 

[MrMarcello]

U Fans have been fairly consistent since the Jimmy Johnson era. 5 National Championships tends to do that.

Save the years the NCAA put them on a semi-death penalty. I think they all supported FSU and UF during that span.

 

[Raoul]

Save the years the NCAA put them on a semi-death penalty. I think they all supported FSU and UF during that span.

Not at all. The three schools all hate eachother, and no serious fan would jump ship to the other.

 

[jveezy]

I hate that I'm participating in this circus, but I can't help it. Damn them all.

 

[MrMarcello]

Not at all. The three schools all hate eachother, and no serious fan would jump ship to the other.

I'm taking the piss.

But there certainly weren't many U fans outside Florida from 95-99 that I recall seeing during my various trips around the country.

 

[Alex]

Yeah people from Miami tend to be not that interested in sports, although they do seem to enjoy the Heat and Miami is pretty damn big city so it isnt that hard to fill a 20000 seat arena 40-55 times a year. They certainly took to the Heat when Shaq came. One thing that I think could become an issue is the partying, South Beach is killer easily one of the best places to party in the world, and that was where LeBron said he was taking his talents, not to the Heat, seems a bit of a Freudian slip not to say Miami or the Heat, but I think it was a more than an ancillary factor in him going there.

 

[Sir Matt]

Yeah people from Miami tend to be not that interested in sports, although they do seem to enjoy the Heat and Miami is pretty damn big city so it isnt that hard to fill a 20000 seat arena 40-55 times a year. They certainly took to the Heat when Shaq came. One thing that I think could become an issue is the partying, South Beach is killer easily one of the best places to party in the world, and that was where LeBron said he was taking his talents, not to the Heat, seems a bit of a Freudian slip not to say Miami or the Heat, but I think it was a more than an ancillary factor in him going there.

One big part of Lebron is his posse. His friends from childhood still hang around with him and go everywhere he goes. One of them is his business manager, who apparently hasn't done very well. Supposedly, the Bulls said they wouldn't have it and were knocked off the list. The Cavs let him do whatever he wanted to do, which probably made him into the narcissistic prick that left them.

The partying is definitely a plus for all those he lets ride his coattails. Ultimately, it will hurt him financially and professionally having so many people involved in his life.

With the sign and trade that just went through, he's making close to what he would have had he stayed in Cleveland. So it's not as though he made the noble decision to pick winning over money. He picked playing second fiddle to D-Wade and winning without the pressure. I think he doubts his ability to win on his own since he's never done it and took the easy way out.

He can't be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan, Magic, Bird, or Kobe now because he took the least challenging path. Even if he wins multiple titles, he's Scottie Pippen not Jordan. His place in basketball history would be among the greats if he had taken Cleveland to the top, or the Knicks, Nets, and Bulls. He'd have taken a team from the lowest places to the promised land. Various former players have said they view him differently now because of his choice to join someone who should be his biggest competitor. His spiel on how winning championships is winning championships is ridiculous for basketball lore and legacy. Maybe once he retires he'll realize this.

I couldn't care less about the NBA, but this whole situation is making me hate Lebron. I thought he was a likable guy before the Free Agency stuff started.

 

[jveezy]

As a big fan of Scottie Pippen, I object to Pippen's name being invoked in criticism of Lebron.

 

[Alex]

Yeah no doubt about, Pippen was fecking dope, one of the best defenders of all time, and the perfect #2 to Jordan.

 

[Sir Matt]

jveezy and I resolved our issues. Pippen was great, but he's still Jordan's Robin/Sancho Panza.

 

[jveezy]

Basically my argument is that Pippen is the greatest sidekick of all time and I think that even after Lebron's career in Miami is over, Pippen will still be the greatest sidekick of all time. Had the leadership and talent of a #1 but handled himself with the humility and teamwork of a #2 (that one incident aside). Not that it's what you guys were trying to imply but Pippen is a far classier guy and you'd never see that kind of circus coming from a guy like him in the same situation as Lebron.

Then again nobody's really been in as extreme of a situation as Lebron's been in, but a good portion of that was his own damn fault.

 

[Alex]

So Bosh and LeBron did turn out to be sign and trades, my apologies for doubting and surprise. The Cavs got two first and two seconds.

 

[Alex]

Fisher is going to possibly be the Heat if he doesnt resign with the Lakers, hopefulyl he chooses the latter.

 

[ha_rooney]

Fans started chanting 'Beat LA' at the presentation of the big 3.

Kobe would be pissed at Mitch/Phil (whoever does the trades/resigning) if Fish went to Heat. Maybe a negotiation tactic by Fish to get a bigger contract?

 

[RDCR07]

Kobe > LeBron

nuff said

Kobe maybe better but when Lebron has help from Wade and Bosh, they will definitely do better but it will be interesting to see how the issue of ego comes into play.

 

[mjs020294]

Apparently most of Florida is quite fickle when it comes to professional sports. But they are fairly loyal to colleges, although I didn't see many U fans from 95-99.

There are a couple of reasons for that: A massive percentage of the population are transplants so they follow out of State teams plus there is lots to do in your spare time:

 

[MrMarcello]

So in other words since it's a beach city with many overpriced activities, it's ok to be a fair weather fan, jumping on the bandwagon when it rolls in.

 

[MrMarcello]

Last night's ego showboating, err introduction of the two signings and one resigning, was sickening. So much posing and preening. It reminded me of the US track guys doing all those struts and poses a while back. The Heat have become public enemy number one in the span of 24 hours. If they do start winning 65+ games every season and consecutive titles, it's going to reduce the NBA to lower levels of viewership. Hopefully, the Lakers, Magic, Celtics, Bulls, Mavs, Spurs, etc., can keep a solid core around for the next 4-6 years and stop the Heat. But it's almost a virtual lock the Heat will win at least one championship.

What's this about a sign-and-trade? I thought these guys were free agents with no compensation payable. The Heat will needs those draft picks soon enough. But so much for "taking so much less money."

 

[Sir Matt]

Can someone photoshop Dwayne Wade as Batman and Lebron as Robin? That'd make me happy.

 

[Alex]

Last night's ego showboating, err introduction of the two signings and one resigning, was sickening. So much posing and preening. It reminded me of the US track guys doing all those struts and poses a while back. The Heat have become public enemy number one in the span of 24 hours. If they do start winning 65+ games every season and consecutive titles, it's going to reduce the NBA to lower levels of viewership. Hopefully, the Lakers, Magic, Celtics, Bulls, Mavs, Spurs, etc., can keep a solid core around for the next 4-6 years and stop the Heat. But it's almost a virtual lock the Heat will win at least one championship.

What's this about a sign-and-trade? I thought these guys were free agents with no compensation payable. The Heat will needs those draft picks soon enough. But so much for "taking so much less money."

You cant fault Wade, he took less money thna LeBron and Bosh

 

[jveezy]

Maloof Brothers Blast Dominic McGuire - Sactown Royalty

 

[elmo]

Gooooo phoenix!

 

[mjs020294]

So in other words since it's a beach city with many overpriced activities, it's ok to be a fair weather fan, jumping on the bandwagon when it rolls in.

Sport is a form of entertainment, and people have a limited amount of time and money for entertainment. In Florida there is a hell of a lot to do, and not enough time or money to achieve everything. You have visitors from out of State (or from overseas) the weekends are spent doing tourist stuff.

BTW - The Miami Heat sold of of season tickets for next season well before he signed.

 

[jveezy]

BTW - The Miami Heat sold of of season tickets for next season well before he signed.

They sold out the day of the announcement after it had already been leaked to the media.

 

[mjs020294]

They sold out the day of the announcement after it had already been leaked to the media.

That is not what was reported by the local media here. They said the season tickets sold out a few weeks ago.

 

[jveezy]

That is not what was reported by the local media here. They said the season tickets sold out a few weeks ago.

My source: As LeBron rumors swirl, Heat ticket sales flying - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

 

[mjs020294]

My source: As LeBron rumors swirl, Heat ticket sales flying - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

$4,000+ sounds more like club seating TBH. Maybe the local Miami journalist said standard seating.

 

[MrMarcello]

Sounds like the local media is sensationalizing everything possible.

 

[Raoul]

Derek Fisher will give them another supporting piece. Not looking good for the Lakers and Celtics.

 

[ha_rooney]

Kobe speaking on the big-3:


Fisher apparently spoke with LeBron before he met with the Heat. Still think he'll go back to LA, but if he was to sign with the Heat, it would be a big 'feck-you' to Kobe.

 

[Instant Karma]

Fisher is not a loss for the Lakers. Most guards in the league can more than match his numbers.

 

[mjs020294]

Sounds like the local media is sensationalizing everything possible.

Not really. the link above clearly states the club seating sales were suspended prior to the signing, which would suggest the standard season tickets had long gone.

 

[USDevil]

I don't think if Fisher joins Miami it will be a F.U. to Kobe. Honestly, Fisher was the perfect supporting role to Kobe, and I'm of the opinion that Kobe couldn't have won anything without Fisher and several other players. That being said, I think Kobe is better than LeBron because Kobe is methodical and deadly, while LeBron can go hot and cold based on emotions. Which is why it is so great to watch both of them play. The Lakers will be alright if they keep their big guys happy. They were simply devastating in the playoffs, except for a handful of games against Boston.

And I agree about Pippen. Best "sidekick" to play the game in recent memory.

Apparently most of Florida is quite fickle when it comes to professional sports. But they are fairly loyal to colleges, although I didn't see many U fans from 95-99.

Here here, I've been loyal to the U since a kid in the 80s.

 

[MrMarcello]

Reddick supposedly going to Chicago.

I think Fisher will return to LAL but shall be interesting if he decides to go to Miami. He doesn't seem like that kind of person but maybe he is. He'd have to take less in Miami but maybe there's personal or sporting reasons if he chose to leave. I don't see why you'd leave the reigning champions that you've spent 14 years with to join a bunch of mercenaries.

 

[Zen]

Just come up, but whatever I'll skim what I said in the newbs here, and of the bat, I'm a Bulls fan, I grew up with Jordan, what can I say?

I always wanted Lebron, and anyone who says otherwise is either a liar or well a OCT fan(but still you could easily make that work also), and I certainly don't hate him for his move, it was his choice, no beef from me, I do hate how did he though, but I'll still enjoy watching him, not AS much, since he won't be leading a team outright anymore, which is the biggest problem with that, for a guy to call himself 'The King' and at 25 and 7 seasons in to be already doubting his leadership qualities is a damn shame, it's basically like Jordan joining Utah Jazz with Malone and Stockton or something, I honestly thought we had the next GOAT in Lebron, but he's kinda hurt his chance now, leading the Cavs, Knicks or Bulls to championships(and they would of come just like they did with Jordan) would of been so much sweeter than winning and sharing the leadership with Wade when anything other than winning will be considered a monster failure. I guess we'll finally get our Kobe vs Lebron final now though, and if Kobe's Lakers win that, then jesus, I love Kobe and all, but his fans were bad enough this summer with this "Why isn't he better than Jordan?" crap, it'll be too much to handle if Lakers beats Heat.

Saying, at least the Bulls didn't end up like the Nets, I'm happy we got one of the top 5 at least, and that we are looking like a potential 50 win team now, I love Rose, I think he's got it to be a pure superstar, and I see a few surprises coming from the Bulls this coming season, but obviously not title contenders, hopefully even with this super team, the playoffs are much better next year.