LeBron James: The Mania Hits Florida

LeBron mania has officially hit Florida. It’s been over a month and a half since “The Decision” but only now has Miami really been introduced to the mania hype that this NBA season will bring. The Miami Heat apparel has been burning up the shelves of local sports stores; it’s been hard to find a Chris Bosh, or LeBron James Heat jersey.

The one you will always see though is Dwyane Wade.

What’s going on? Has the state gone mad forgotten that our MV3 has been in Miami since day one? Have you forgotten he is the one that brought LeBron and Bosh to Miami? Remember what he said at the press conference? "At the end of the day, I always said I was going to do what was best for my family. And then I thought about it, and Miami is my family, this organization is my family. So I did what was best for my family.”

He loves us—he stayed here in sunny south beach instead of leaving us for his cold hometown of Chicago. But for some peculiar reason, you don’t see his jersey flying off the shelf.

What’s the explanation for this great feat? The fair-weather, bandwagon fans. You know, the ones that for the last two years have been diehard Lakers fan, the ones that three years ago were Celtics fans? Yeah, those people. The kind of fans that if asked to name the starting lineup of the Heat last season would only be able to name Wade.

Now, all of a sudden people are calling the Heat LeBron’s team, LeBron’s Kingdom, James’ Clan. These people not only annoy me, but annoy the diehard Heat fans who were part of the 2006 Championship glory, but also part of the 15-67 misery. The ones who were here for their team when they saw the American Airlines Arena filled to capacity and sold out every game, and were also here when the Arena was empty and people practicality gave you free Heat tickets.

Nothing wrong with LeBron, he’s one of the greatest players in the NBA, if not the best.

But, he will never be Wade.

I read somewhere about this analogy that LeBron was A-Rod and Wade was Jeter. That was dead on. A-Rod is a better player than Jeter, but Jeter is the face of the team, he’s the one that has been there since day one. He’s the one the fans love. A-Rod at times was regarded as the guy who was chasing that elusive ring.

I hope LeBron wins his ring. He will be loved in Miami, that’s for sure. People will say that LeBron brought a championship to Miami. But that’s false. If he did, he would have already won a few rings in Cleveland.

Wade has a ring, so no matter how many rings the Three Kings win, Wade will always be one ahead. He will always be the fan favorite in Miami, he will always be the last player to be announced at player introduction, and his legacy will forever be enshrined with the Heat.

I guess it comes with the territory. Having one of the best teams in the world will bring a few hundred fans wanting a winning team. But for all you newly proclaimed Heat fans, word of advice to you, The Miami Heat will never be LeBron’s team.

Miami is the City of Wade, this is his house, his team.

LeBron is simply a roommate in Wade’s house.