Miami Heat Parade 2012: Heat Finally Have a Reason to Celebrate

It is the moment no one will ever forget: the Miami Heat's first parade with the Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Following James' "Decision" to leave Cleveland in July 2010, the three superstars took center stage in Miami—literally. The celebration came before any championships, and was defined by James nonchalantly claiming the Heat would win multiple titles upon his arrival.

Well, two seasons later, the first legitimate reason to celebrate has come, with the Heat needing just four games to steal the 2012 NBA championship from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now the question becomes, is Miami off the hook?

The simple answer is "no." It wasn't just James' bold declaration two years ago that had people expecting the Heat to win not one, but multiple championships; people knew all along that the Big Three of James, Wade and Bosh had the potential to become a dynasty.

The Heat are not a dynasty yet by any means. Give them a couple more championships in the next three or four years and then we can call them a dynasty. In that sense, with that first parade in July 2010, the Heat may never be able to appease everyone. Some have forgotten that chest-thumping extravaganza, but some will always carry it with them, like James seems to carry the whole world on his shoulders these days.

"Sure, one title is nice," they'll say, "but this team is capable of so much more." 

It's both a curse and a blessing for the Heat. A curse because the word "dynasty" will always be looming over their heads. A blessing because all the "haters" this season only seemed to drive LeBron and Co.

So perhaps the Heat will always be that team we love to hate. Perhaps they would rather have it that way. Maybe they'll go on to become a dynasty the same way they formed: by stirring up the entire world.

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