Hating on the Heat Becoming America's Hobby

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

As a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers (yes, even post LeBron), I have to confess that there's a part of me that greatly enjoys seeing the Miami Heat in its current state. I'm pretty sure I'm far from the only one taking that stand.

Well, Dwayne Wade believes that's the case.

“The Miami Heat are exactly what everyone wanted, losing games,” Wade said. “The world is better now because the Heat is losing.”

From my view, Wade couldn't be more on point with his statement. The Heat have more than their fair share of haters. By the same token, I think Wade is missing a point or two here.

First, don't play the pity card. It's not becoming one bit. Second, the basketball world has every right to express its hatred of the Heat. Every last right. Follow along here.

Why all the hate for Miami? The answer is simple. Ego.

Let's look back at where the hating all began. It didn't begin with Wade. It didn't even begin with Chris Bosh. It began with LBJ and "The Decision". It's flowed fervently from there ever since. The cockiness and arrogance of how that charade went down not only left a city and a franchised spurned, it left the door completely open for hatred to enter.

And has it ever entered. It's harshness completely felt in the aftermath of a fourth straight defeat.

But that alone isn't it. It's the "festivities" that ensued.

All This for What? Over the Heat?

Is everyone ready? Are you truly ready to have the newest love fest the mainstream sports media feels we can't live without? Well, it's happening whether you like it or not.

I present to you the WWL's latest "thing" to latch onto...the Miami Heat. After all, even with football season being in full swing, there's no coverage of Tim Tebow, so ESPN must supplement us with yet another. Why not the Heat?

Yes, we will be subjected to "expanded" coverage of a team that has done nothing. We will hear sound bites. We will see video...of training camp. We will see pressers. We will hear non-ending analysis. Again, these guys have accomplished nothing but raise the ire of NBA fans. How quaint that ESPN feels our thirst for this ego-driven trio is that unending. Most NBA fans could care less.

ESPN even dispatched a crew to cover the Heat media day and the opening of camp. Correct me if I'm wrong here but didn't the Heat lose in the first round of the playoffs last season? Didn't the Los Angeles Lakers win the title? Where's the coverage of the Lakers? Isn't ESPN Los Angeles going to go full bore with the Lakers side of things? They should and if they don't, they are doing an extreme disservice to the two-time defending champs.

I'm sure the Lakers don't really mind being in the background. Less pressure on them and more on the Big Three in South Beach.

And the analysis? I have an issue with Jalen Rose here. I rarely differ from Rose's opinions, but I have a major one here.

Rose said something along the lines of having respect for the Big Three "leaving money on the table" in pursuit of a championship. News flash. It's easy to leave money on the table when you're still about to ink a nine-figure contract. Just for a history lesson here, Chris Bosh and LeBron James signed for six years at $110.1 million. Dwayne Wade, the face of the Heat franchise, signed for less at $107.5 million for the same length.

Please. Don't give me that garbage about leaving money on the table and that each guy "took a discount". Each will make over $14 million this season. And I'm to feel pity that they "left money on the table"? Respect them for their unselfishness or lack of greed? Hardly.

Back to the main issue. There will be not be a game played yet a whole crew? Really? And we know what will be regurgitated? "The Decision", the number of titles these guys will boast about bringing to Miami (mostly LBJ), James is playing with a chip on his shoulder and that the Heat are the most reviled NBA team.

You didn't exactly need ESPN for that analysis, did you?