An Open Invitation To Join The Miami Heat Bandwagon
Jun 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat fans cheer during the Miami Heat Championship celebration parade in downtown Miami. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
There are few words in the sports vernacular that make us bristle. Steroids, strike or lockout, and bandwagon fans top the list. Since LeBron James decided to join the Miami Heat, bandwagon fan has been spat towards us with a venom that should be reserved for criminals and Kardashians. If you’re to believe the hostility, not a single person rooted for the Heat before LeBron made his decision to play here. Well, that ain’t true. There are plenty of long-time Heat fans. Seriously, some of us actually owned Rony Seikaly jerseys. But this isn’t about defending current Heat fans, this is an invitation to ALL of you, to come jump on the bandwagon for the 2013-2014 season.
C’mon now, it’s not that bad. Even though you went from begrudgingly rooting for LeBron in Cleveland to out-and-out despising him for choosing to move to Miami, you can STILL choose to root for him again. Even though you talked smack to anyone in your neighborhood that dared to don a Heat jersey, maybe even picking a fight with them, you CAN go out and get your own. It’s allowed. It’s okay. Understand that you probably aren’t going to pass the muster of Bill Simmon’s true fan rules, but who cares. We still want you to jump on the bandwagon. Hey, you had 2011 when LeBron, Wade and Bosh melted down against the Mavs. But 2012 and 2013 have come and gone and we won. Twice.
So, let’s break it down. What you’ll get by jumping on the Heat bandwagon, followed by what you’ll get by staying on the Heat hate wagon:
The quest for a 3-peat: It is a magical thing. Only two teams have accomplished this feat since the NBA/ABA merger. Being a fan during this quest will make you part of the history when the goal is achieved. For those of you that understand economics, you must realize that dynasties in the NBA are going the way of the dinosaur. This may be the final time we get to witness this level of history. C’mon join the bandwagon.
LeBron James in his prime: There is a really good chance that when his career is in the rear view mirror, LeBron will be remembered as the greatest to ever play the game. He dominates both ends of the court like no other, he is clutch and unselfish, brutal and graceful, playful and intense. He is a Langston Hughes poem. If you’re hating him, you’re not appreciating him.
Dwyane Wade’s redemption tour: Seriously, is there ANYONE who hasn’t doubted, or taken a shot at Wade lately. I’m not going to harp on this topic, I’ve done that enough recently. Mark my words, he’s taking a lot of people out behind the woodshed this year. Heat fans will be spared. Spare yourself.
Ray Allen and Shane Battier farewell tours: Hey, maybe it’s not the end for the greatest shooter in the history of basketball. But it very well could be. If you were hating on the Heat last year, you missed the pandemonium of his Game 6 dagger. It will go down as the single greatest shot in the history of the league. And Shane, class act, great guy, it’s going to be enjoyable watching his farewell tour.
Character: Yeah, I wrote that. I don’t care if the words character and Miami don’t often appear in the same sentence. If you jump on the bandwagon you’ll get to witness it first hand. I’m not even going to list all of the charitable organizations our guys lead.
I’m just going to ask you to think of all the athletes that have gone to court in the last 10 years…
…
How many did you think of? 10? 20? 50? Now think of one besides Dwyane Wade that went to court during his prime to fight for the custody of his children – or any other reason as positive as that. No, not him, that was a rape accusation. Him, too. Nope, those 20 were DUIs. Wait, there was that, no, darn sorry. Yeah, we got character over here.
Okay guys, I can go on and on and on with reasons to join the Heat bandwagon, but those should be enough. I need to give some time to the other side of the question.
What are you going to get if you choose to join/remain on the Heat hater bandwagon?
DISAPPOINTMENT
#LET’S GO HEAT