Turning up the Heat: A trip down Miami memory lane

Welcome to a special edition of Turning up the Heat.

For as long as I can remember, the game of basketball has brought me many memories. So, in honor of my 21st birthday, I thought it’d be a neat idea to collect all of my thoughts and manifest them in a positive manner.

(Somewhat. Well, mostly.)

Before completely removing bias from my perspective, I was a Miami Heat fan.

During my early years, I admit, I was no basketball fan. My focus was always on football. In fact, it was the game I actually grew up playing. I didn’t begin playing basketball until eighth grade, eventually it turning into my favorite sport.

My first memory of NBA basketball came by accident, on June 13, 2006 in my grandfather’s living room. I had a basic knowledge level at the time, but only due to constantly playing NBA Street Vol. 2.

It was the NBA Finals on ABC in Miami. The Heat were taking on the Dallas Mavericks, who were up 2-0 in the series at that point.

The Heat were down by 13 I believe, and I felt all hope for that team was lost. But some guy wearing No. 3 was in the midst of dropping 42 points and 13 rebounds, and succeeded in bringing his team all the way back from what seemed like an insurmountable deficit.

I didn’t watch another game that series though, and scarcely paid attention to professional basketball for a number of years due to personal issues, including 2008-09 when Wade led the league in scoring.

It was when LeBron James and Chris Bosh took their talents to South Beach, that my fortunes turned. From that point forward, whenever a game was on, my eyes were glued to the television. I couldn’t stop, and after awhile, it became an addiction.

That’s what has drove me to be where I am now. And in honor of my 21st year on this planet, below are both my most memorable celebration and heartbreak during my days of fandom.