The King And His Royal Court

This was the moment that Heat fans have been waiting for, and dreading at the same time. The summer of 2010 was to be one for the history books, regardless of who went where. Never in the history of the NBA has the free agency talent pool been so deep. The first order of business for Miami was simple, do not let Dwayne Wade leave. Which was accomplished by obtaining the player Pat Riley had actually wanted to draft in the first place, Chris Bosh, and was enough to make Wade feel comfortable staying home. It was at this moment, that the pipe dream started to look more like a reality, and ultimately landed us the biggest fish in the sea, LeBron James. In an age where people kill athletes for chasing cash, and promoting their own brand, these three checked their egos at the door, along with about a combined 50 million dollars. Make no mistake, they are still paid quite well, but this was the ultimate act of unselfishness. LeBron, risking becoming a villain in his own home town, came to a team that is, and always will be Wade's team. Wade himself is humble enough to accept sharing the floor, and the glory for the good of a vision. Bosh had the least to lose of the three, but nonetheless is also willing to share the spotlight. They all knew they needed help. What it means in the end is less money, most likely a drop in personal statistics, but the rewards will be even greater. A dynasty, possibly the greatest team ever assembled, but can only be vindicated by championships. The expectations are gaudy, anything less than a finals appearance is a failure. All of these are things that are obvious. We all know about these players and what they can do.

What has seemed to have been lost in all of the madness, is the man that is responsible for it all. Pat Riley. This moment has been years in the making. Ever since the trade of Shaq, all guns were aimed at this target. Sacrificing years of mediocrity, for a chance at history, and risky one as well. All of the posturing for this summer could have left us high and dry. Wade could have left, and boom, it's 1988 all over again (the Heat's first year of existence). But Riley kept calm, and reminded his star player over and over, that he will do whatever it takes to give him the teammates he deserves. The last few years of poor draft choices and questionable free agent acquisitions, had left Riley's reputation as a General Manager in question, but he knew what he was doing the whole time. Like always, we did not have a clue. We saw the .500 teams, and first round playoff exits, and hit the panic button. Some even calling for the head of the man that made basketball relevant in this town. Riley has proven time and again that he can and will build a winner. Look how many different combinations of winning teams we have had as Heat fans. It always seems that as soon as the team declines, Riley has a plan in place to turn it around. Whether it was trading fan favorite Glen Rice for Alonzo Mourning, or breaking up a talented young roster after Wade's rookie year to acquire Shaq, Riley has shown he wants to win, and will do anything to do so. None of this happens without Riley, we would be the Clippers, and in all likelihood would not have enjoyed the 2006, or any championship for that matter. In this town, King James must relinquish his crown, for Riley is King.

So get ready Heat fans, we are the basketball Mecca. We are the bad guys now, and it feels so good, doesn't it?