All Journeys Start With The Smallest Step

It's all about the rings

When Pat Riley courted LeBron in the summer of 2010, the story goes that Riley spilled out a handful of Championship rings on a table.  It was as if to say, "These could be yours one day."

Tonight LBJ got his first.

In an outstanding initial effort, the Heat won 120 to 107.

Block, block, transition, three.  That is how it started.

Welcome to the Heat, Ray Ray.  Sweet three from Allen a few moments after coming off the bench for the first time.   And the guy does way more than shoot..... another weapon in the Heat arsenal.

Bosh with three blocks tonight.  Is Zo finally getting through to him?

Thank goodness Rondo doesn't have a consistent outside shot, because if he did, he would be top three in the league.  He is unstoppable when driving.

[Overstatement Alert] LBJ, when hot from distance, is devastating.  People don't typically say he's the best scorer, but when he's feeling it, he is the best scorer.

The Heat is so deep.

Wade's back-down of Rondo (even with the hook accounted for) was a thing of beauty.  Shot clock winding down, Wade beyond the three, went into video-game mode and shrunk Rando all the way to the rim.

Bosh alley to Bron oop..... Would love to see more of that.

A couple of years ago, the Boston fans chanted "Overrated" when the Heat opened up in Boston.  Should the chant be applied to Boston this year?  They are talented, but feels like their identity is yet to be made.  Half hard-nose defense with the old guys, half frantic offense with the new guys.

Chalmers is extremely effective when driving.  A knack for scoring and good at getting to the open player when the defense breaks down.  11 Assists tonight.

Love Allen taking technical fouls.... It's at least one or two extra points a game.

Barbosa is a scoring machine.  But Shaq said it best, "He's instant offense" on both ends of the court.  Classic line.

With LeBron out with cramps (what is up with that, BTW), Bosh was the closer, with Wade and Allen looking on.

Rondo and KG had hard/questionable fouls (on Wade and Chalmners, respectively).  How can anyone who is objective possibly like these guys?

If the Heat play great D, they are hard to beat.  If they hit their threes, they are unbeatable.  They did both tonight.

1-0

Appreciating Greatness

I've been an avid sports fan for about 30 years.  During this time, like everyone else, I've had some highs and some lows.  It comes with the territory.  I mean, if you liked one team from each of the major sports for the last 30 years, you've had 120 chances at glory.

But then you have to think about the college teams you root for.  And throw in soccer, NASCAR, golf, UFC..... Everyone's likely had at least a little glory.

So a single season worth of glory isn't too far fetched.

But now I think I'm close to something more.  Something bigger.  Something once-in-a-lifetime.  The potential for rooting for the best team of all time.

Alright, that may be a stretch.  A big stretch.  But how about the potential for rooting for a dynasty?

According to a popular internet site (I'm new at this and not sure I can actually mention specific sights without being sued), a "sports dynasty" is "a team that dominates their sport or league for multiple seasons or years. Such dominance is often only realized in retrospect."

Well, the Miami Heat are unquestionably POTENTIALLY at the start of a dynasty, and I don't want to wait for "retrospect" to enjoy it.  

As I told my lucky-as-hell 14-year-old-nephew, whose also a big Miami Heat fan, he better enjoy this ride for all it's worth.   Because when it's all said and done, years and years from now, it may just be this team "they" are talking about as the dynasty that defines the NBA for decades.  

Yeah, I know the Lakers are stacked.  I know that OKC is young and talented.  I know that Boston is old and talented.  I know that LBJ has an opt out in two years.  

But this version of the Heat has been to the Finals the last two years and won the most recent.  Has a core of superstars in their prime.  Has the ultimate roll players.  Has a young, seasoned championship coach, and maybe the best GM of all time.  And they have the best player.  Maybe ever.   

So this is why I'm starting a blog.  

I feel like I can appreciate this moment as a Heat fan.  This moment, as we are about to start year three of the of "The Big Three" era.  

We are at the start of something big.  Something many sports fans can not say they've been a part of.    

So this blog is for my to-be-born child.  Hopefully, when s/he has been a sports fan for decades and the Heat of the 2010s come up in conversation, s/he can use this as reference to argue that this team, this Miami Heat team, was an all-time great.  

A dynasty.  

Or maybe the best team ever....