Summer time is only fitting for South Beach Miami to have another aspect of life to glee about, the addition of Lebron James and Chris bosh to the Miami heat and Dwayne Wade.
The frenzy that was the summer of Lebron James, every station, and every news brief had something to say about Lebron.
James kept his decision a mystery as the public and media salivated like Pavlov’s dog.
Every viable team possible sought the talents of this young phenom, who put Cleveland basketball on the map. Owners and General managers from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Cleveland pitched their cases to entice James to join their team.
A young man with unlimited opportunities chose the path he wanted, not what we wanted.
Most wanted to see him stay in his hometown Cleveland, and watch him grow into a superstar and prove his comparison to Michael Jordan.
Others wanted James to join their squad and the glamor of their part of the nation, to win championships in the largest markets. Everyone saw dollar signs when they saw the potential of James joining their team.
But James chose the unthinkable; leaving his hometown and city he was worshiped, to join trusted friends in a place worth living.
This brings Miami to the picture.
A phenomenal athlete and star, in Dwayne Wade, who has already won a NBA championship, would be able to stay in Miami and create a dynamic trio.
Pat Riley, president of the Miami heat has a reputation for creating star bloated teams.
Riley coached the “Showtime Lakers” of the 80's with hall of farmers Erving Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy.
Winning championships and dominating the western conference during the era, this new Miami Heat team had the opportunity to achieve the same in the eastern conference.
Magic Johnson a 6'8 point guard who was magical in setting up his teammates and finishing games would be the model for James to be the playmaker for the rest of the team.
Chris Bosh would be a versatile go to post player that could add 20 points and 10 rebounds a night.
Dwayne Wade would pick up any slack that was left in the chain of this unproven, yet already crowned dynasty.
The 2010-2011 regular season started slow, and finished strong as the Miami Heat finished second in the conference behind the young and talented Chicago Bulls. Led by Derrick Rose, the two teams had their showdown in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Heat were blown out of the first game in Chicago, yet James found his stroke and was clutch down the stretch to be propel the heat to their destiny, the NBA Finals in their first year.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks past the Championship Lakers, and young Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Finals to square off against the Heat in a rematch of the 2006 finals.
The Miami Heat fell short in six games, losing the series at home 4-2, and sending Lebron James into yet another off-season to work harder and come back an even better player. At 26, James had been criticized before for the aspects of his game that he has yet to perfect.
James was disparaged for his inability to make a clutch free throw, or knockdown an open three pointer, or the inability to have a post move. Yet each year he worked on his game in the off-season and corrected his shortcomings.
We now look forward with eager eyes, ready to cheer, “I told you so” regardless of which side we are on.
Lebron did his part in creating hype for the NBA this year, and brought in plenty of revenue through media coverage and advertisement during a time of great financial loss for the association.
In a song off of his Blueprint 3 album longtime friend of James Jay- Z stated, “I went from the favorite to the most hated, but would you rather be underpaid or overrated?”
These words seem near and dear to James and there is a silver lining in all of this.
Do what makes you happy, not what others wish for you to do. Be bold enough as an individual to take the road less traveled and do not be fearful of any doubters or haters. Make your haters your motivators.
Regardless of the stance you take or the opinions you have there is one thing that is certain.
The Miami Heat has a young trio of superstars with six years left to put together any missing pieces to the puzzle of an NBA championship team or dare say, dynasty.
Correction: "Jay Z stated that line on Kanye West song So Appalled on his new Album
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