(Op-Ed)
Miami Heat fans are the worst fans ever. In July 2010, Lebron James, as one of the greatest free agents of all time, could have signed with any team of his choosing. King James famously chose Miami and has since helped bring two championships to perhaps the least deserving fan base in the NBA.
If there was any remaining doubt about the fact that the Miami Heat fans are the worst, most disloyal fans in the NBA, it was laid to rest-ironically at the same time that any doubt about the Miami Heat on field greatness was also put to rest- in quarter four of game six of the 2013 NBA Finals.
With under a minute to play in game six, it was still a two- possession game. Despite being one of the best playoff games in memory and the Heat season lingering in the balance, many Miami Heat Fans began leaving early; a sports fan betrayal in a close playoff game. They were basically saying “we don’t believe in the Heat’s ability to come back and win the game.”
Simply, these fans quit on the Miami Heat. When the Heat themselves did not quit on the field and forced an overtime, the fans further embarrassed themselves by trying to gain re-entry. The Heat would win in overtime and this ultimately resulted in an awkward post-game dynamic.
One of the greatest sports comebacks in the playoffs was wasted on fans who quit on their team just moments earlier.
The Miami Heat players were understandably disgusted, especially with those who left early, and, in fair weather fashion, tried unsuccessfully to get back inside once Miami completed a rally from five points down in the final 21 seconds to force overtime.
Normally mild-mannered Heat Forward Chris Bosh put it perfectly:
“For all those guys who left, make sure they don’t come to Game 7,” Bosh said. “We only want the guys who are going to stay in the building for the whole game. You never give up. People gave up on us and they can stay where they are and watch the game at home.”
This was not an isolated incident. Heat fans have long held the distinction of being among the most fair-weathered fans in the NBA. They are known for coming in late and leaving early, whining about calls, and, even though they have a stacked team that gets a lot of breaks, they have a “why is the ref always picking on me?” mentality.
In 2011, NBA Legend and straight shooter Charles Barkley pegged the Heat fans as the worst, saying- “Yeah they have the worst fans. No question. It’s not even loud in there. You’re at the game and you are like, ‘Man this place isn’t even loud.’ At least when you go to Chicago, it’s loud in there, it’s crazy down in Dallas but it’s not even loud in Miami.”
What makes the Miami Heat fans so mystifying is that they left at the exact moment for which real sports fans wait. They had the whole season on the line, the best player in the league on their team….less than a minute to play….and THEY LEFT! This would be like if game 6 of the World Series had two men on, two men out, the best player on their team and in the batter circle, and they just up and left…. The Miami Heat may be championship caliber but their fans are cleary not!
By: Rebecca Savastio
Source: ESPN
Source: NBA
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8 Responses
One mark of a truly horrendous writer is one who generalizes and makes blanket statements without knowing the facts.
Since she can’t bash the 2X champs, this jealous broad tries to go after the fans.
Rebecca, You have to make your homework before writing your cheap article to degrate Miami Heat fans. You have no clue about Miami, Miami Heat, and Miami Heat fans. Let me enlighten you as a long time hard-core Miami Heat fan. Miami is a vacation destination for people from all over the world. The games are entertainment, and an NBA experience for bunch of rich people they do not live here whole year. Considering those people as Miami Heat fan is stupid, not having any idea about it is ignorance on your part.
Never seen so many fans SITTING Quiet during a playoff game – so maybe only the fans that can afford overpriced tickets suck.
For those who say ALL Heat fans suck……that is simply not true. It is actually 98.5% of Heat fans that suck.
I cant speak for Heat fans in the US but I’ve been a Heat fan since ’03/’04 (Wades rookie year), ive stuck with them from their ’04 exit in the second round to their 06′ championship and their 15/67 ’08 season and their rebuilding years. I know there are plenty of fans who have jumped on the bandwagon since LeBron has come along, and I can understand why people hate them (I do to) but don’t make the mistake of labelling all Heat fans as horrible. Ive stuck with them through the good times and the bad and always will.
Come on Rebecca. You know this happens in every city. People run for the exits to beat the traffic when the game appears to be decided. Thousands of Dodger fans were in their cars when Kirk Gibson hit his miracle home run. I’m not defending those fans. I think it is ridiculous to leave early in those situations. But, to act like this is unique to Miami fans is unfair and, more than anything, indicative of your own personal sour grapes and bias.
were over 19000 fans in the arena that night……a few hundreds left…shame on them.
You are bad mouthing all Heat Fans….shame on you.
And most of those a few hundred do not live here in Miami, and do not care much about Miami Heat.