Post#17 » by HeatSince88 » Fri Jul 11, 2014 4:47 pm
I became a fan of the Heat (actually a fanatic of the Heat) in its expansion year of 1988. I believe the team's record at that point was 0-13.
For years thereafter, I watched every Heat game I could. And when I couldn't watch, I would listen to full games on AM radio. Yes, AM radio.
I went away to college, and though I was poor, would always find a way to scrape together money for the NBA League Pass, even when it meant watching a rebuilding team struggling to get to 20 wins.
All those years of struggle ended in 2006, when we won our first title. I am not a sensitive guy, but the tears were streaming from my eyes as our team hoisted the trophy. The feeling I had was akin to raising a kid, then after 18 years, watching him graduate at the top of his class and hoist his diploma.
Fast forward to 2010: LeBron chooses Miami, and suddenly I become a national punchline because I am a "Heat fan"? Excuse me, why is that? Bull fans thinking guys like me are bandwagoners. Seriously? Celtics fans too? Lakers fans? Good Lord. I guarantee none of those people became fans when their team was 0-13 lifetime. More like after they'd won multiple titles and had Jordan, Bird, Magic, or Kobe on their roster.
Still, despite the negativity directed at me and my team, I was VERY appreciative of what we watched the last 4 years and, yes, to LeBron personally for giving me a chance to witness something special.
So THANK YOU Lebron for four great years and two NBA titles. I am not mad at you for going home AT ALL. I, and Heat fans like me, are thankful for what we've witnessed and look forward to the next stage of Miami Heat basketball.
Safe travels, Bron.