Miami Heat Elbow Dolphins Aside, Now Own Their City

This has been a hot debate in South Florida since the Miami Heat super team was put together: Is Miami still a football city, belonging to the Miami Dolphins?

Or do the Heat now run the show, making Miami a basketball city?

I believe the answer is clear and quite simple: How could the city of Miami not belong to the Heat?

I don't care if the Dolphins have a long history here in South Florida. All that matters in this argument is now.  

Look, I'm as big of a Dolphins fan as the next guy down here in South Florida, but the facts don't lie.

The 1972 undefeated season was an amazing accomplishment for the Dolphins organization and it's still something about which everyone here in South Florida is extremely proud. But c'mon, 1972 was a long, long time ago.

And okay, sure, the Dolphins had Dan Marino in the 1990's.  Those were fun yet also very frustrating years for the faithful.

And the first decade of the 2000's?  Not a whole lot of reasons to get excited.

Now look at the Miami Heat.

For the most part in their short history, they have always been a competitive organization. More importantly, in 2006, Dwyane Wade and the Heat brought something to Miami that Marino was never able to—a ring.

The city of Miami was ecstatic after the Heat's title; the parade was overwhelming. When's the last time Miami got to feel that excitement about its football team?

Dolphin fans, realize that the last time the 'Phins went to the conference championship was nearly 20 years ago. Twenty years since the organization was in a position to play for the Super Bowl.

And people really want to say that Miami is still a football city?

In those 20 Super Bowl-less years by the Dolphins, the Florida Marlins have won two World Series titles and the Heat have won an NBA Championship.

Don't get me wrong, things are really looking up for the Dolphins organization.  Bill Parcells has this team moving in the right direction and big things are expected very soon.

The additions of Brandon Marshall and Karlos Dansby were key. Chad Henne appears to be on track for a breakout season while Ronnie Brown is apparently finally healthy and looks good in training camp.

But the Dolphins' improvements and progress seems like child's play compared to what Micky Arison and Pat Riley accomplished this summer.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. All on the same team.

To say that the excitement surrounding the Heat has been immeasurable is an understatement. Put it this way: We're about a month away from kickoff and you wouldn't even know it here in South Florida.

Some people are talking about the opening of training camp, but everyone is still talking about the Miami Heat. It's not only the talk, but you can also see it everywhere you go.

Just the other day I was at a mall in Miami and I counted 20 people wearing Heat fan gear in a span of just 10 minutes. How many people in Dolphins' gear did I see?

Zero.

About a month ago I was out on my girlfriend's boat and a small plane was carrying a banner welcoming King James to Miami. Where were those banners for Brandon Marshall?

And guess what?

When Dolphins' season starts, people will still be talking about the Heat. I guarantee it. Never before have the Heat been this popular three months before the season.

It's plain and simple: The Miami Heat now have two of the top three players in the NBA. Miami has always loved Dwyane Wade; now it also has LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Until the Dolphins attain elite status and become legitimate contenders on an annual basis, they won't be able to call the city of Miami theirs again. Even if they are playing for Super Bowls, they won't own the city like they once did.

Not as long as Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are around. Maybe the two can share the city, eventually, if both manage to win championships in the same year.

But the times have changed and today Miami is a basketball city.  

For now at least.