Miami fans: Why do you root for the Heat? What do you like about the team?

[Living Being]

Why do you root for the Heat?
What do you like about the team?

[SHABBA]

At a guess: probably all the winning they do.

[Nuff Said]

Born and raised in the county of DADE. They used to even have a sign that said Wade County.

[leMVP]

Because they have the player i root for.

[Haymaker]

Born and raised in the county of DADE. They used to even have a sign that said Wade County.

For one day.

[fiddy]

Because they have the player i root for.
kids these days :facepalm

[COnDEMnED]

Because they have the player i root for.
LOL

[BlazerRed]

Because they have the player i root for.
I guess at least he's honest :confusedshrug:

[305Baller]

Hometown team.
This is the golden era, this is the most exciting team to watch from all of the other Heat teams...

Watching LeBron develop into the best in the league is exciting just like watching Wade, Shaq, Zo, Mashburn and Hardaway was exciting...

This team plays a good brand of ball, sure they are stifled now...but Indiana is tough...

key word: exciting.

http://ceoseats.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/death-stare.gif

[ripthekik]

Because they have the player i root for.
:applause:

[B4llin]

"Because they have a wagon, and I jumped on it."

But for real though, most heat fans are the same kids that go for whatever team won the superbowl in said year.

[360crazy]

Because of Lebron James. I started watching the NBA when he was drafted (disliked the NBA before then) and was amazed. Lebron is the reason I discovered my athletic ability and made my junior and high school teams. Whatever team Lebron is on...that's the team I want to win because I want Lebron to succeed.

[Alan]

How come you make the "because they have the player I root for" argument invalid? Why shouldn't I root for a team that has my favourite player? If I don't have any connections to the city or area whatsoever then I shouldn't enjoy great basketball?

Vince Carter is one of my favourite players. And I have cheered for every team he's been on, that even includes Magic which I seriously dislike. Same with Rubio. I didn't give a rats ass about Minnesota before he came over from Europe. And since then I've missed only few games where Rubio played.

Does all this make me a bandwagon fan? I don't know and I don't care. I follow teams and players who I enjoy watching. That is all.

[360crazy]

How come you make the "because they have the player I root for" argument invalid? Why shouldn't I root for a team that has my favourite player? If I don't have any connections to the city or area whatsoever then I shouldn't enjoy great basketball?

Vince Carter is one of my favourite players. And I have cheered for every team he's been on, that even includes Magic which I seriously dislike. Same with Rubio. I didn't give a rats ass about Minnesota before he came over from Europe. And since then I've missed only few games where Rubio played.

Does all this make me a bandwagon fan? I don't know and I don't care. I follow teams and players who I enjoy watching. That is all.

I feel you bro. Their logic confuses me too.

[dbk123]

kids these days :facepalm
says the laker fan who lives in bulgaria:roll:

[BlazerRed]

Because of Lebron James. I started watching the NBA when he was drafted (disliked the NBA before then) and was amazed. Lebron is the reason I discovered my athletic ability and made my junior and high school teams. Whatever team Lebron is on...that's the team I want to win because I want Lebron to succeed.
Let me get this straight, you disliked the NBA before Lebron was drafted? Lebron alone made you like the NBA? :coleman:

[Beatlezz]

Born and raised in the county of DADE. They used to even have a sign that said Wade County.

Time to make a new sign that says Fade County. :banana:

[plowking]

Because I randomly picked them as a 3 or 4 year old when watching a game.

[360crazy]

Let me get this straight, you disliked the NBA before Lebron was drafted? Lebron alone made you like the NBA? :coleman:

Yup. I never watched one game before that...my granny would watch it and she told me to come look at this high school kid getting a 100 million dollar contract of some sort. After watching his 1st game, I was hooked. I quickly became a highly skilled basketball player after Lebron entered the league. I could never turn my back on him. So if you Lebron goes to the Bobcats...I will be a Bobcats fan.

[Shade8780]

im maimi fan since 1989
im botson fan since 1946

[Nash]

- Because of Lebron
- Not American, no natural connection with any of the teams

Is that good enough for ya'll? Don't know what to say, I can not get hooked to a specific team, I like players. I used to wish the Suns would win when they had Steve Nash and were a contender.

Here in Europe, I support my soccer team since I was a kid and I only care for the team, not the players. I've grown up with my team and I can't say the same for the NBA.

[Quickening]

I follow the heat because Lebron plays for them, and I like the whole excitement factor of the "big 3" coming together... I am from england so have no affiliation with any teams, so why not.

I follow lakers/kobe before the decision, but always been a big lebron fan.

[Doctor Rivers]

So all the Kobe stans are from China and all the LeBron stans are from Europe

[HomieWeMajor]

So I can act superior to those following inferior teams.












No wait I' m not a c.unt

[derb2k2]

lived the entirety of my life here, save for a couple of years in California(loved it and will move back but Lakers fans are the worst).

[Le Shaqtus]

It doesn't matter if they bandwagon or just follow LeBron, it's not like they're gonna have the the real satisfaction of Miami winning a championship compared to a real fan :confusedshrug: I live in Florida and I could easily jump on the the Heat/LeBron Bandwagon, but it's not going to matter for me when they win because I haven't been there through the struggle, all I'll get is bragging rights. Which is the grand scheme of things means nothing.

[fiddy]

says the laker fan who lives in bulgaria:roll:
Please elaborate.

[leMVP]

Looks like being fan of a player isn't appreciated here.

[Nebraskanball]

Do you guys think the Heat even have real fans? Are they all "Lebron fans that don't care about the team unless he's there?"
No one has listed something anything that they like about the team...other than "Lebron."

[Rondo]

So all the Kobe stans are from China and all the LeBron stans are from Europe

:no:

I'm from Europe and I'm a Rondo stan but if he ever leaves then so be it. Team > Player.

[Nuff Said]

For one day.

It was up longer than a day. It was on the way to the beach taking 95. Seen it multiple times.

[Nezty]

Do you guys think the Heat even have real fans? Are they all "Lebron fans that don't care about the team unless he's there?"
No one has listed something anything that they like about the team...other than "Lebron."


Damn, there is no such thing as a Heat fan, only LeBron fans.

[Bandito]

I follow the heat because Lebron plays for them, and I like the whole excitement factor of the "big 3" coming together... I am from england so have no affiliation with any teams, so why not.

I follow lakers/kobe before the decision, but always been a big lebron fan.
So you're the ultimate bandwagonner?:roll: :roll:

[DaSeba5]

Being born and raised in South Florida, I root for all my hometown teams. The Heat are really the only good team I have to root for as a Dolphins, FL Panthers, Marlins, and Canes fan. I became a fan in about 03ish when I was 10 years old; thanks largely to D Wade. I can't say I've been a fan since the early days because I was too young to understand the game of basketball.

We have a lot of good fans. Please don't make general statements that we are all LeBron stans and bandwagon fans. I know so many loyal and friendly Heat fans who go to games all of the time. ISH does not represent the real Heat fans at all.

I like that the franchise is a first class organization. People know their roles, and we have a family atmosphere. The organization itself never looks foolish and quietly has been pretty successful (until now). It's the first class organization of Miami that's for sure. When you have Loria destroying baseball down here, and the Dolphins making terrible p/r moves (they've improved here), you appreciate a successful and classier organization more.

[LikeABosh]

I've lived in South Florida for 12 years.

[arifgokcen]

How come you make the "because they have the player I root for" argument invalid? Why shouldn't I root for a team that has my favourite player? If I don't have any connections to the city or area whatsoever then I shouldn't enjoy great basketball?

Vince Carter is one of my favourite players. And I have cheered for every team he's been on, that even includes Magic which I seriously dislike. Same with Rubio. I didn't give a rats ass about Minnesota before he came over from Europe. And since then I've missed only few games where Rubio played.

Does all this make me a bandwagon fan? I don't know and I don't care. I follow teams and players who I enjoy watching. That is all.

I applaud you my friend.

Most people are too blind to understand you though

[LikeABosh]

Being born and raised in South Florida, I root for all my hometown teams. The Heat are really the only good team I have to root for as a Dolphins, FL Panthers, Marlins, and Canes fan. I became a fan in about 03ish when I was 10 years old; thanks largely to D Wade. I can't say I've been a fan since the early days because I was too young to understand the game of basketball.

We have a lot of good fans. Please don't make general statements that we are all LeBron stans and bandwagon fans. I know so many loyal and friendly Heat fans who go to games all of the time. ISH does not represent the real Heat fans at all.

I like that the franchise is a first class organization. People know their roles, and we have a family atmosphere. The organization itself never looks foolish and quietly has been pretty successful (until now). It's the first class organization of Miami that's for sure. When you have Loria destroying baseball down here, and the Dolphins making terrible p/r moves (they've improved here), you appreciate a successful and classier organization more.
:applause: Obviously there are alot of great Heat fans out there. and any team will have bandwagon fans if Lebron joined their team

[WayOfWade]

I'm 18, and my dad along with his parents grew up in Miami, so I was raised a Heat fan (even though I live in Utah). The 06 finals were my first real taste of the NBA, and it happened to be when D Wade was hooping it up. I'm still a Heat/Wade can today.

[3LiftHeatCurse]

Because I live in Miami Florida and I've been a Heat fan since I was little. I am also a Miami Dolphin fan, and a Miami Hurricanes fan.. I hate baseball and hockey, so I am not a Panthers or Marlins fan. I think baseball is boring to watch but fun to play. If I liked those sports, I'd be a Marlins/Panthers fan.

I started watching the Miami Heat around in mid-early 90s when we had G-Money but I only caught a few games as I was still very young. I remember meeting Rony Seikaly in a JC Penny in international mall back then. I got a little Miami Heat shirt pin, it was the Heat jersey but in a little pin you could put on your shirt. I was too young to follow them a lot though. But when I got old enough, like in middle school when I started playing basketball every single day before and after school (even if it meant going to class sweaty in the morning), I watched all the games. This was around 1996, when Pat Riley was down here and we had Zo, Timmy, PJ Brown, Dan Majerle, Keith Askins, Voshon Leonard, Marbury (I forgot his first name, he was a former all-star, he played for the mavericks i think), John Crotty, etc... those Heat teams I followed religiously. I remember jumping up and down in my room when they took out the 96 bulls in the reg season with a prayer 3 pointer from Dan Majerle I think it was. It was one of their 10 losses that year. It was a huge deal to beat the Bulls in the reg season that year, every damn time you turn on ESPN SportsCenter back then (which I did every morning as I got ready for school), you would hear the UNSTOPPABULLS, or UNBEATABULLS type of stuff and show the score which always showed the Bulls winning.

Then we lost in the playoffs a bunch of times. I rmemeber the Chicago series, I knew we were going to lose that series before it started, but I wanted to win at least one game. I remember the knot Alonzo gave to Scottie Pippen on his head, and then the next game, Alonzo tried to shake Jordan's hand and Jordan refused to shake his hand cause he hurt Scottie. I remember losing to the Knicks.... and then the year after, we were probably going to lose again, but then PJ Brown basically wrestled a dude to the ground, a big fight happened, and a bunch of suspensions happened for the Knicks, which helped us win the next game and the series to let us advance. Hahaha. I try not to remember all the crappy Knicks losses.

Back then, I used to think my Heat were cursed. SOMETHING always happened to us to ruin our chances. Zo got sick......losing to the Knicks.... but then we drafted this kid out of Marquette. After watching his rookie year (BARON DAVIS GOT OWNED BY A ROOKIE WADE) and taking the pacers to 6 games in 2nd round, we got Shaq. After that 05 season, which I felt should have been the Heat's 1st ring but Wade's freak rib injury robbed us..... I made the name 3LiftHeatCurse on the official forums of the miami heat, which i still have today, that account. This was on the very night that the Heat lost to the Pistons in 2005. I was convinced Dwyane Wade #3 would lift our curse. He did :) 2006, 2012 and counting.

[Nuff Said]

Being born and raised in South Florida, I root for all my hometown teams. The Heat are really the only good team I have to root for as a Dolphins, FL Panthers, Marlins, and Canes fan. I became a fan in about 03ish when I was 10 years old; thanks largely to D Wade. I can't say I've been a fan since the early days because I was too young to understand the game of basketball.

We have a lot of good fans. Please don't make general statements that we are all LeBron stans and bandwagon fans. I know so many loyal and friendly Heat fans who go to games all of the time. ISH does not represent the real Heat fans at all.

I like that the franchise is a first class organization. People know their roles, and we have a family atmosphere. The organization itself never looks foolish and quietly has been pretty successful (until now). It's the first class organization of Miami that's for sure. When you have Loria destroying baseball down here, and the Dolphins making terrible p/r moves (they've improved here), you appreciate a successful and classier organization more.

Man have you been to a heat game before lebron era? The games were so empty that I'd purposely buy the cheapest ticket because I know I could just move up to the more expensive ones once I was there. Even still the fans aren't as involved as you see other franchises.

[Trollsmasher]

LeBron:rockon:

Why would I otherwise root for that bunch of softasses and pu**ies led by Wade and Bosh?:confusedshrug:

[dh144498]

so many lebron stans in here.

:coleman:

[CavaliersFTW]

Because they have the player i root for.
:facepalm :facepalm

[HEAT111]

I live in the city, don't like football. Glad that the basketball team is getting a historical run. I've always been a Shaq fan.

[CavaliersFTW]

I follow the heat because Lebron plays for them, and I like the whole excitement factor of the "big 3" coming together... I am from england so have no affiliation with any teams, so why not.

I follow lakers/kobe before the decision, but always been a big lebron fan.
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view4/3254667/stephen-a-smith-o.gif











































http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/2258031/bandwagon-o.gif

[Peteballa]

Grew up in South Florida. Been a Heat fan since I was born. Nothing could make me change that, they could go ten straight seasons in the lottery and I would still be a diehard Heat fan. I didn't choose to be a Heat fan, I've literally been one since I can remember.

[irriducibili]

Please elaborate.
samo levskiiiii

[Raymone]

I've been a lifelong Heat fan since 2010 and will continue to be for as long as I live until LeBron leaves.

[dh144498]

I've been a lifelong Heat fan since 2010 and will continue to be for as long as I live until LeBron leaves.

:applause:



:lol :lol :lol

[jzek]

I don't like teh Heat. I think they suck and they're proven it throughout the playoffs. Only reason they're still in the hunt is because of LBJ. CLE days all over again, sigh... :(

[LLK21]

I've been a lifelong Heat fan since 2010 and will continue to be for as long as I live until LeBron leaves.
lol

[banetlaks]

How come you make the "because they have the player I root for" argument invalid? Why shouldn't I root for a team that has my favourite player? If I don't have any connections to the city or area whatsoever then I shouldn't enjoy great basketball?

Vince Carter is one of my favourite players. And I have cheered for every team he's been on, that even includes Magic which I seriously dislike. Same with Rubio. I didn't give a rats ass about Minnesota before he came over from Europe. And since then I've missed only few games where Rubio played.

Does all this make me a bandwagon fan? I don't know and I don't care. I follow teams and players who I enjoy watching. That is all.

Totally agree with this. I don't really see a reason why you can't root for a certain player (although there may be some extreme exceptions to this). There are player fans and there are team fans. I am a team fan myself, but i still respect that some fans like to follow certain players.

What i dont respect, is player fans talking trash to team fans. Seriously, some people think its some huge accomplishment that their team is always winning when they always just follow the best or most up-and-coming player. Everyone could do that if they wanted to. Making fun of team fans is like laughing at volunteer workers for doing hard work. They could just be sitting on the couch as well if they wanted, they just choose not to.

[Heavincent]

I follow the heat because Lebron plays for them, and I like the whole excitement factor of the "big 3" coming together... I am from england so have no affiliation with any teams, so why not.

I follow lakers/kobe before the decision, but always been a big lebron fan.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[branslowski]

So majority:

Why do you root for the Heat? "cause LeBron"
What do you like about them? "umm, LeBron"

:oldlol:

[GrapeApe]

I grew up in south Florida and am a fan of all the Miami teams. The first sports team I really followed was UM football in the late 80's. I wasn't a big basketball fan at the time, but Jordan was my favorite player (as he was for most kids my age). I started following the Heat and basketball in general in the early 90's during the Glen Rice/Rony Sikaly/Steve Smith years.

[3LiftHeatCurse]

So majority:

Why do you root for the Heat? "cause LeBron"
What do you like about them? "umm, LeBron"

:oldlol:

Urine idiot.

Most people who live in Miami don't spend time on sports forums. In fact, the ones that do, mostly post on the official Heat forums via NBA.com/miamiheat

That's where I started posting on the internet in 2005. I since branched out to other bball forums like this one, but most people don't. Lotta people go out partyin and hit the beach, so you won't find a gigantic forum presence. But some long time heat fans are here, as I already posted.

[branslowski]

Urine idiot.

Most people who live in Miami don't spend time on sports forums. In fact, the ones that do, mostly post on the official Heat forums via NBA.com/miamiheat

That's where I started posting on the internet in 2005. I since branched out to other bball forums like this one, but most people don't. Lotta people go out partyin and hit the beach, so you won't find a gigantic forum presence. But some long time heat fans are here, as I already posted.

Define the word "majority" and get back to me, dumbass.

[Patrick Chewing]

Because they have the player i root for.


Heat fan since 2010 then :oldlol:


Bandwaggonin' bitch

[The Real JW]

Because they have the player i root for.

Because of Lebron James. I started watching the NBA when he was drafted. Whatever team Lebron is on...that's the team I want to win.

- Because of Lebron

I follow the heat because Lebron plays for them, and I like the whole excitement factor of the "big 3" coming together... I am from england so have no affiliation with any teams, so why not.

I follow lakers/kobe before the decision, but always been a big lebron fan.

LeBron:rockon:

I've been a lifelong Heat fan since 2010 and will continue to be for as long as I live until LeBron leaves.

Because LeBron is on them. He's my 2nd favorite player ever

R.I.P. the future of the NBA and team sport itself.

[CavaliersFTW]

R.I.P. the future of the NBA and team sport itself.
If Mitch lands Lebron next season after the Heat fold these guys will all be pretending to be Laker fans :oldlol:

[branslowski]

R.I.P. the future of the NBA and team sport itself.

:roll: :roll:

[RRR3]

I don't consider myself a Heat fan, but they're the team I cheer for the most, so I'll answer.


Because LeBron is on them. :confusedshrug: He's my 2nd favorite player ever, and the only one of my favorite players who winning a ring will do something for the way people view them. After following the Heat, I became a big fan of Mario Chalmers as well.

[branslowski]

If Mitch lands Lebron next season after the Heat fold these guys will all be pretending to be Laker fans :oldlol:

Ex "Heat" fans-"bu but I was rooting for the Lakers since Jerry West Era":roll:

[CavaliersFTW]

Ex "Heat" fans-"bu but I was rooting for the Lakers since Jerry West Era":roll:
No doubt. I can see it now, they would try and crown him "greatest Laker of all time!" and attempt to throw every true Laker great under the bus in the discussion. Real Laker fans would hate them :oldlol:

[RRR3]

No doubt. I can see it now, they would try and crown him "greatest Laker of all time!" and attempt to throw every true Laker great under the bus in the discussion. Real Laker fans would hate them :oldlol:
All 5 of them on ISH!

[Fudge]

So much lol in this thread. :oldlol:

[Legends66NBA7]

How come you make the "because they have the player I root for" argument invalid? Why shouldn't I root for a team that has my favourite player? If I don't have any connections to the city or area whatsoever then I shouldn't enjoy great basketball?

Vince Carter is one of my favourite players. And I have cheered for every team he's been on, that even includes Magic which I seriously dislike. Same with Rubio. I didn't give a rats ass about Minnesota before he came over from Europe. And since then I've missed only few games where Rubio played.

Does all this make me a bandwagon fan? I don't know and I don't care. I follow teams and players who I enjoy watching. That is all.

Thing is, what about people who don't have a favourite and don't desire to have one ? And if you do have a favourite, will that eventually effect the future of the NBA that you currently watch ?



I'm actually glad a lot of people in here have given their reasons because of James. It's not a problem, but like someone else already mentioned:


What i dont respect, is player fans talking trash to team fans. Seriously, some people think its some huge accomplishment that their team is always winning when they always just follow the best or most up-and-coming player. Everyone could do that if they wanted to. Making fun of team fans is like laughing at volunteer workers for doing hard work. They could just be sitting on the couch as well if they wanted, they just choose not to.

I definitely feel the same way. I've seen it in real life, bandwagoners just trashing the local team (hey, I do the same because they deserve it... but it's not exactly the same jist coming from fair weather fan.) to feel superior.

I don't get the hate, though. There would be a lot of bandwagon fans, where ever James went. I just think some would just be in it for James himself and not going to be there for the future of the sport.


All 5 of them on ISH!

There are way more than 5 true Laker fans on here. They would still certainly have the most real team fanbases by a long shot.

[DirkNowitzki41]

The Mavs are obviously my #1 team and its not even close..

but if I had to say a second team it would be Miami. My bro is a long time heat fan, so whenever he watches Heat games, Id always join in. Plus, DWade is my 2nd favorite player of all time.

so if dallas is eliminated, the only team I can stand seeing win is the heat... against the mavs they can **** off.

[Twiens]

I find that like 90% of casual fans are Heat fans. Usually heat fans are the guys that don't watch a lot of ball, so they cheer for the most stacked team in the league. Not very many die-hards out there.

[Fudge]

The Mavs are obviously my #1 team and its not even close..

but if I had to say a second team it would be Miami. My bro is a long time heat fan, so whenever he watches Heat games, Id always join in. Plus, DWade is my 2nd favorite player of all time.

so if dallas is eliminated, the only team I can stand seeing win is the heat... against the mavs they can **** off.
Did your bro beat the shit out of you in 2011 and vice versa in 06?

[Purch]

I don't root for them, since I'm a Jazz fan. However, one thing I always liked about the Heat and Spo in particular, was that when the big three came together, they could have just focused on dominating the leauge offensively, but Spo ( Obviously very influenced by Pat Riley's ideology) made them into an elite defesive team. I've always appreciated their level of pressure when they need to get consistant stops. Especilly the fact that they don't have good size inside, so unlike Memphis, San An and Indy, their elite defense comes nearly exclusivly from their elite perimiter defense and trapping of the pick and roll, and forcing turnovers.

Being an elite defensive team whiles lacking defensive bigs inside the paint, is something that always gained major respect from me. It's one thing to have someone like Noah in the paint if you get beat, and it's another one to completly shut a ball handler down because you have Bosh in the middle :oldlol:

[dannysc305]

Miami resident. Root for hometeam Heat and Dolphins watch out for Tannehill and Wallace next year

[Rondo]

I don't consider myself a Heat fan, but they're the team I cheer for the most, so I'll answer.


Because LeBron is on them. :confusedshrug: He's my 2nd favorite player ever, and the only one of my favorite players who winning a ring will do something for the way people view them. After following the Heat, I became a big fan of Mario Chalmers as well.

:oldlol:

Don't know why. He's a dick.