Sound Off: Why Does America Hate the Heat?

[eye guy]

It definitely isn't the Heat. I was a huge Heat and Wade fan but jumped ship when LeBron came on board.

If LeBron stayed in Cleveland and never won a title I'd still appreciate and respect him more than what I do now. The whole decision, coming out party, and his general attitude just put me right off. He was supposed to be the 'next' big thing. Bigger than Jordan some said. And whether you were a fan or not, you still watched him play because he's a freak of nature.

But when you put yourself in a position where you surround yourself with other super stars, you kind of blend in a bit and that whole aura of being the heir to the throne becomes tainted, what with everything leading up to his signing with the Heat.

If his measurement of greatness comes in the form of championship rings, then Wade will always be one up.

The fans too are annoying. Most of them are band wagoners who will disappear if he chooses to play elsewhere. I have a whole group of friends on FB who never actually watched the NBA come out with the whole, "I was a fan when Hardaway was playing" and theyre barely old enough to remember anything lol...

But the reason is LeBron.

[JODYE]

This thread was pretty much doomed from the beginning. However to toss in my two cents about it, because, why the hell not? lol And this may be lengthy, so I apologize in advance.

Honestly, I don't hate the Heat. Why? Because as a Bulls fan, I can sympathize with the amount of unwarranted attention the team gets. It's sensationalized in 2014 with the non-stop media onslaught we endure today, but it's in the same vein.

My issues lie with one, the way the team was constructed. Four years later, I've been waaaay over it, but I'm not a fan of the conspiring to form a team and it was heavily publicized that these guys had made this decision 2 years prior when they played together in China. And it makes sense, seeing they all structured their extensions to line up in 2010. I don't like that and to me, that is not how a team should come together IMO. Seems scripted and fabricated. There is nothing organic about the Heat in that sense. That is why I think this Finals is so great, because you have two organizations that couldn't be more different. On one hand, you have the Spurs who built their roster from essentially the ground up, through the draft and picking up role players along the way. Sort of a nod to the old school in that regard. Then on the other hand you have the Heat, that has a roster full of guys that all gathered in one place looking to accomplish the same thing. It works. Whether people like it or not, we need a polarizing team like the Heat to root against. It makes basketball more fun. Hell, it makes this forum more fun. If everyone liked each other, the league would be boring and no one would care. Yeah people get mad, people troll, and things like that, but for most, it's part of our passion for sports and wanting to see the underdog prosper. Just as people rooted against the Bulls for that very reason as well.

My other issue, and this is mainly a LeBron issue (although applies to a couple other players on their roster as well), is the way he conducts himself on the court. You can be arrogant and cocky. That is fine, because we like our superstar players to be that. But the sense of entitlement he possesses, the constant whining about what seems like every play when there may be contact, and the flopping around like a soccer player, to me is inexcusable as a superstar. As an ambassador of the game and seemingly the face of the NBA, you can't be promoting that type of on-court behavior. However, there is one thing you cannot knock and that is his work ethic and character as a human being. I respect the hell out of his game, and how he has developed himself into a complete basketball player. Now, was The Decision a bad choice? Yes, it was ****ing awful (brilliant from a marketing perspective, but in terms of showing some class to his former team/city/fans, not so much) but that doesn't erase all the good things this man has done in his community. The millions of dollars donated to charity. The countless foundations he supports and the one he has started. The guy genuinely cares about helping people, and that is admirable.

Everyone has their own reasons for not liking the Heat, but the reality is, the league needs them, or someone like them to root against. When it isn't the Heat, it will be someone else. And at the end of the day we need to remember, it's just basketball.

[The 24th Letter]

Well put post 13, whether I agree with all of it or not, I can respect your opinion.

[NDAlum]

Misery loves company

[stlducks]

America does not hate the Heat. According to a poll that ESPN did, the Heat are America's favorite NBA team, just passing the Lakers. LeBron is the most popular NBA player that is active, just passed Kobe. However MJ is still number 1 among all athletes.


Not sure where these polls are posted online, I am listening to Mike and mike currently at work as was surprised when this was announced.

[Segagendude]

To be honest, I cannot explain (nor pinpoint) my hatred of Miami. I didn't mind when the first "big three" formed in Boston, so that's not it.

I knew James was leaving. Cleveland couldn't get him the help he needed (Shaq!? Really??) so no, that's not it.

Bosh joining forces? Who cares. Nope..

But I do hate Miami. I just don't know why. So when they lose (like they did tonight) I smile.

Ah well. Maybe there's something to this "hating on success". After all, I hated the Patriots, Yankees, Lakers and Bulls during their dynasty runs..........

Hmmm.........

[OhioCub]

My biggest problem with the Heat is that I now view them like I do the Yankees. In other words they bought their championships. As for Lebron, I don't dislike him leaving Cleveland but moreso "The Decision" and the way all his buddies pre-arranged to all go to Miami of all places. If they all wanted to play together why not go somewhere with an already established basketball history of greatness like Boston, the Lakers, Chicago, and even though they've never been great, the Knicks. Instead they chose Miami and South Beach with its stuck up, we're better than you cause we get to sit on the beach all day and not suffer through winters appearance.

[Scofield]

Most of these issues arise from people not recognizing that many of their biases and preconceived notions are based on completely arbitrary premises. There's supposedly a "right way" to build teams, a "right way" to win. And sometimes folks just knee jerk to their biases without even trying to test them against the evidence and contrary points of view.