Heat celebrate back-to-back titles with fans
The perpetual partying in South Beach since the arrival of the "Big Three" won't be ending anytime soon.
Crossing sections of the same stage used to welcome LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in 2010, the Heat celebrated their 2013 NBA Championship with their fans Monday at American Airlines Arena in Miami.
"The main thing is the main thing -- championships," James said, after being introduced as the greatest player in the world by Heat TV sideline reporter Jason Jackson.
James, the last of the Heat to be introduced between waving spotlights and the drumbeats of "Seven Nation Army," wore a white t-shirt scripted with "WITNESS" and a Nike swoosh. He was toting a cigar, as was Wade, and embraced the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
"LeBron James, he's the best bleeping player on the planet," Wade said from a barstool on a circular stage 10 paces in front of James and the 2013 Heat. "The thing I like the most about LeBron is he's one of the best teammates you could have."
Head coach Erik Spoelstra and team president Pat Riley, relaxed in white Heat polo shirts, shorts and tennis shoes, were first to greet the audience from the microphone before Ray Allen discussed his Game 6 heroics.
"We could not have done those two Game 7s without your support here at home," Spoelstra said.
"Every single one of these guys, to be a part of this moment and share it with all of you, there's so much that goes along with it," Spoelstra said, before a video montage of the Heat playoff run and a banner presentation from city of Miami, as city officials encouraged the team to focus on celebrating a three-peat next June.
"I know everybody sitting behind me -- players, coaches and management -- want to do exactly that," Riley said, as television cameras caught Wade and James focusing intently on their cell phones.
Wade celebrated his third title in a Heat uniform in 10 years with the franchise, including back-to-back titles.
"It's hard to put into words," Wade said. "To be celebrating a third championship ... who would've thought it. Three, this one is special. I know the category it puts me in. I know how hard it was.
"More than anything, I have a great support system -- at home, my family, to my teammates ... When people believe in you, you can do amazing things."
Allen turned down more money -- $12 million over two years -- to return to Boston for a three-year, $9 million pact with the Heat. The 37-year-old previously helped the Celtics to the 2008 championship.
"Somebody asked me after Game 6 if that was the biggest shot I'd hit in my career," Allen said. "The next day, we came in for shootaround and I thought 'Right now, we wouldn't be here in this moment if LeBron didn't hit a 3, if I didn't hit a three, if CB (Chris Bosh) didn't get the rebound.'"
James said the second championship was sweeter, but he loves them both. He led the crowd in chants of "I ain't got no worries," a remark he used repeatedly in the postseason in response to his many critics.
"You guys were unbelievable ... again," James said to the fans.
