Editor’s note: After every playoff game the All U Can Heat staff weighs in on the “LeBron James Opt-O-Meter” — the real-time measurement of LeBron’s mood in regards to whether or not he will stay in Miami after he opts out of his contract this summer. It’s not difficult to understand: 1 means he’s gone, like ‘Seeyuh, Miami, I’m going to Los Angeles’ gone. 10 means he’s staying, like already signed the contract in red gel pen staying. Like going in on South Florida-based investments with David Beckham staying. The reading is the average combined rating from the AUCH staff.
5/14 Opt-O-Reading: 9.86
Wes Goldberg: 10. Miami is advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth year in a row and Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Ray Allen came up big. The rest of the supporting cast was shut out, but it’s tough to turn your back on success.
David Ramil: Back to 10. Huge game from Wade, big shots from Bosh (are there any other kind) and Ray, and defense when it mattered most. Not to mention a huge boost from the home crowd. Watching LeBron jump on the scorers table after the game and reveling in the crowd noise was very encouraging.
Blaine Hunkins: 10. Heat make a miraculous comeback in the final five minutes, and Jesus Shuttlesworth saves them yet again. LeBron got off to a slow start, but hit a key three pointer in the fourth. Wade was solid and so was Bosh. LeBron got all the help he needed tonight, is headed to the ECF for the fourth straight year, so why not stay in South Beach?!
Kristopher Keaton: 10. Again, the others stepped up when needed the most. Ray Allen and Dwyane Wade brought their A games. Chris Bosh also knocked down another key three.
Ehsan Kassim: 10. Vintage Dwyane Wade! That is all.
Jazmyne Hankerson: Why bore the world and make them watch us get the title AGAIN? Can we just jump straight to the ring ceremony? 9-Despite LeBron getting toasted by Joe Johnson, Miami still pulled off the win WITHOUT him having to be the only superman to save the day. Ray Shuttlesworth, ladies and gents.
Jimmy Cook: 10. I making a promise to myself after this comeback tonight. I’m going to believe until the final horn sounds that this team is going to win. After going 1 for a life time in the first half from down town, the Heat made 7 in the 2nd half, and when all looked lost with under 3:00 to play, they closed the game on a 13-3 run. No other team in the league has the ability to flip a whole ‘nother defensive switch on a dime like Miami can…Mental stability is what Spo called it, and that’s exactly what we saw tonight. I’m ecstatic, pumped, and ready for the ECF rematch the world has been waiting for, and I know LeBron is too…South Beach is the place to be year round, but especially in May & June for a reason: they fight for the ultimate goal, an NBA Championship..or in this case a Trey by the Bay. 8 down, 8 to go.