HEAT Celebration after the Boston Series Win.

[Dave Gray]

I'll admit, I was a little surprised at how much emotion took over Lebron after the finale of the HEAT/Celts series.  He was down on a knee, either crying or praying, and  the other guys were really hyping up the crowd.  I take this as a positive thing: They were at home, so the fans were eating it up, they were gracious and complimentary to the Celts, specifically Doc Rivers, and this was a big hurdle for these guys.  They have so much on the line, that it must be a huge relief to close out a game like that against what is probably their most physical competition from here out.

I didn't listen to the radio all the way to work today, but I did hear a blip of a radio host referring to people complaining about the HEAT partying like they'd just 3-peated.

Your thoughts?

[Dave Gray]

^ It's hard to disagree with anything that you said.  I don't know whether Lebron's knee was scripted or not, but I was surprised that he would be so moved.

The Celtics, I think, will be Miami's hardest opponent.  That's not to say that Miami can't lose to anyone else, but Boston matches up in a way that can give us problems.  They have to play well to win, and ultimately, they did.  Even thought the Bulls swept the HEAT, I still have little faith that Chicago can win a 7 game series.  They just don't have enough answers over the long run.

[Sunstroke]

I worry more about Chicago than I did Boston... I just think they have the youth and energy to keep up with the Heat, and the bigs inside to control the boards.

[Phishfan]

I didn't see the celebration, but it sounds like it was a bit overboard. From the way it sounds the Heat need to win two more series to justify celebrating like that if you ask me. The business has been closed yet.

[Landshark]

I think the celebration was a little premature, seeing as the Heat will have to get past the Bulls and then the Mavericks/Thunder before celebrating anything.

[Dave Gray]

In addition to the physical threat of Boston was the mental one.  Boston was very much the old guard in the East.  They were the established, dominant franchise.  To beat them, by playing well, was a real mental victory for the HEAT.  Lebron is hated by a lot of people right now, and these kinds of things probably mean a lot to him -- it helps him justify a lot of what he's done. in his own head

[Phishfan]

^I don't agree.

Miami winning last night was like when Boston finally beat NYY.  Boston owned Wade.  They owned Lebron.  And, to a lesser extent, they ushered Bosh out of the playoffs once in quick fashion. 

The reason the team was built in the fashion that they were was to beat Boston.  They took a ton of shit all season, I am sure there is a ton of fatigue there.  Still, they did it. 

The celebration was fine and, honestly, well deserved.

Kudos for the Celtics for hanging in there.  They just didn't have the horses.

It is fine to celebrate and as I said I didn't see it. Maybe my mind is picturing it different than it happened, but the mental picture of what was described should be saved for an actual accomplishment, like a championship. Maybe I'm just a bit jaded on what constitutes a celebration being a lifelong Lakers fan. Hockey teams don't even like to accept the conference championship trophy and Lebron drops to a knee for a simple series win. It is a bit overboard.

[Phishfan]

it helps him justify a lot of what he's done. in his own head

I don't think he needs any help in that area.

[MikeO]

It's only Rd 2. It was WAY WAY over the top. Lebron has been to an NBA Finals before and he wasn't this emotional. He shouldn't be this emotional over a Rd 2 win!! Never seen any other NBA great act that way.

Lebron is a great player, but at the end of the day he is an uneducated kid who simply doesn't "get it".

[MikeO]

^I don't agree.

Miami winning last night was like when Boston finally beat NYY.  Boston owned Wade.  They owned Lebron.  And, to a lesser extent, they ushered Bosh out of the playoffs once in quick fashion. 

NOT EVEN CLOSE!! The Yanks beat Boston like a drum for 86 years.  YES 86 YEARS!!!!! The Celtics having Lebron's number for 2 or 3 years is NOT comperable! I am sorry. That is a foolish and laughable comparision!

[Thundergod]

Christ, this team just can't do anything right. Like Maine said, this is more about beating the Celtics than anything else. They beat one of the better teams in the playoffs (and don't give me crap about injuries and age). This was a big series for Miami and they got past a big bump in the road. If they want to dress up as ballerinas and dance around in celebration let 'em. Who cares. This aint the first time... (insert massive rolleyes here)

[bsmooth]

Christ, this team just can't do anything right. Like Maine said, this is more about beating the Celtics than anything else. They beat one of the better teams in the playoffs (and don't give me crap about injuries and age). This was a big series for Miami and they got past a big bump in the road. If they want to dress up as ballerinas and dance around in celebration let 'em. Who cares. This aint the first time... (insert massive rolleyes here)

When you say you are going to win 7 championships, you set the bar a little high. Until they start winning multiple championships to justify all the hype and contracts, they deserve the criticism they get. They brought it upon themselves.
I have no doubt this team will win a championship or two, but you Heat and Lebron fans are just as bad as the people you say are too negative.

While beating the Celtics was getting a symbolic monkey off his back, I do agree that it seemed a little contrived to display THAT much emotion after a semi final game. Makes you wonder how he will react when he wins the Finals.

[masterfins]

I think the celebration shows what they think of Boston's team.  Although they won the series 4-1, Boston made them work very hard for it.

[MikeO]

1) The Heat had their parade and huge celebration last July before the season started...even worse!

2) You don't even know what your friggin comparing!! If you don't think the Yanks beat Boston like a drum for 86 years, then you know little about baseball. Seriously, do you understand the Red Sox NEVER beat the Yanks in a big spot till 2004. NEVER!! They choked away damn near a 20  game lead in a month. The Boston Masacre! Aaron Boone. The list goes on and on. The Yanks won 25+ championships in that time span abusing Boston. The Red Sox got past NY like three of four times in 86 years and then still couldn't finish the job. That's not to say Boston wasn't decent, but vs ONE team they never won a big game....EVER! For 86 years!!

Lebron struggeld vs the Heat for like 2 or 3 years. The Red Sox struggled vs teh Yanks for 86. And you think its comperable. Like I said.....LAUGHABLE!

[Fau Teixeira]

2) You don't even know what your friggin comparing!! If you don't think the Yanks beat Boston like a drum for 86 years, then you know little about baseball. Seriously, do you understand the Red Sox NEVER beat the Yanks in a big spot till 2004. NEVER!! They choked away damn near a 20  game lead in a month. The Boston Masacre! Aaron Boone. The list goes on and on. The Yanks won 25+ championships in that time span abusing Boston. The Red Sox got past NY like three of four times in 86 years and then still couldn't finish the job. That's not to say Boston wasn't decent, but vs ONE team they never won a big game....EVER! For 86 years!!

Lebron struggeld vs the Heat for like 2 or 3 years. The Red Sox struggled vs teh Yanks for 86. And you think its comperable. Like I said.....LAUGHABLE!

Hah. Good job educating Maine of all people on the psyche of the red sox circa 2004. Oh the irony.