Are the Miami Heat......

[Heatin4]

The classiest/ highly deemed organization out there at the moment? I would put them in the top when you not only consider the loyal fans who been around ( When the team first formed) as well as the accumulation of new ones over the years but of the management with the likes of Pat Riley who himself personifies greatness in his current role involving Basketball Operations. Or of that of the winning culture that is heavily present and given much projection within the Heat organization which one can stem from the top coaching ability of Erik Jon Spoelstra to keep the team at top shape. All of this being orchestrated through top of the line SuperStar players in Dwayne Wade/ Lebron James with fan favorites in that of Udonis Haslem to anchor the team down on the right path to glory. Do you guys consider the team to be in top at the moment in terms of prestige? Does the Heat image stay strong against the likes of the current Lakers/ Spurs / other teams of the modern NBA era?. Does it rank out on top to the others all time since the beginning of the NBA or is it disingenuous to compare a young yet successful franchise to its competitors in the league?

[Langdon Alger]

They are, but not in the views of outside fans. Mainly because of BS things like fans leaving at the end of Gm 6 (which BTW was so damn overblown). Watching the game live, I didn't notice anyone leaving, albeit I was way too into the game. Though, even when I rewatch the game I never really notice people leaving. Anyways, things like that have given the Heat organization as a whole a bad name.

However, in terms of true loyalty they are second to none. The only black mark is amnestying Miller, but that was well thought out, and Mike seemed pretty gracious on his way out. But if you think about it, Zo and Hardaway still work with the team and are always around, as well as Askins. Plus, we always do throwback nights and invite guys like Brian Grant. Not to mention I have personally seen former players such as Steve Smith, Seikaly and House hanging around the arena. So, yeah they are up there.

[twix2500]

Its an easy answer yes, and its not because of the fans view. Its the because of how the players around the league view the organization. Im not around current players any longer like I use to (my age group has faded out) but I can tell you that players around the league think of the Heat as an high class organization. Compared to others team around the league we attract players comparable or even greater than Celtics and Lakers. Just look at the class of players we have attracted the past 18 years. The elite players we have signed, James, Shaq, Bosh, Odom (elite at his time), Eddie Jones, Brian Grant and even dont forget the players we signed that were taken away Juwan Howard and Elton Brand. We have had much talent come through our franchise and that in itself is a reflection of how great of a class organization the Heat are meanwhile who was considered a small market.