Is The Miami Heat Winning Bad For The NBA

[JasonJohnHorn]

The 2010 free-agency period has left it's mark on the NBA. Several teams made significant moves, practically giving away players, to clear cap space with the hopes of signing two or more free agents. New York and Miami come to mind, and Chicago managed to keep their books in order for that offseason as well. We all know what happened. There were three teams with franchise players; Miami, Toronto and Cleveland. We all know that Riley pulled off the biggest coup in the history of the NBA, and we all know how much hate if generated for fans around the NBA. Two teams dropped off the map and one team rose to the status of contender. Now Miami has been rewarded with an NBA title. So what does that mean for the NBA? Well, for one, it throws out the old model where teams built through the draft. Team like San Antonio and OKC were knocked out while the team that built itself strictly through free agency found itself on top of the heap. And we all know what happens when a team establishes a dynasty. People follow suit. The problem with that? It will ruin the parity of a league that is already struggling to keep teams competetive across the board. We saw dreadful performances from teams like Washington and Charlotte this seasons, and though Washington has made some moves forward since their dreadful start to the strike shortened seasons, Charlotte seems as far away as ever from reaching the playoffs. New York has seen the success Miami has had with their big three, and has already tried to replicate it. But what we are going to see over the next couple of seasons is big market teams clear capspace and then gut the rosters of small market teams to turn themselves into perenial contenders, which may be great for the casual fans who just want to watch the marquee names in the playoffs, but to loyal fans of the NBA, especially fans in small market areas, this means trouble. There is going to be a bigger gap between the lottery teams and the playoff teams and the lottery teams are going to have a hard time clawing their way back into the post season, let alone contending. Maybe I'm wrong, and I hope I am. The Pacers and the Bulls, and well as OKC and SA have all done well building through the draft, but with teams like Miami winning championships while the teams that built through the draft watch their rosters get gutted by big spending, big-market teams, the NBA may be headed in the wrong direction.

[Glen20]

yeh probably. you can blame a lack of talent also though.

[shizzle09]

how many different champions in the last 30 years??? yeah, not many. miami winning one title has no negative effect on the NBA. attendance and ratings going up says otherwise.

[Khri]

Honestly, Miami has put the NBA to another level. Miami has make the game more interesting and awesome, we are the Barcelona of Basketball.

[ManRamForPrez24]

I don't think it matters whether or not they won.

Star players wanting to leave small markets was going to happen either way, and it already has. The "Miami model" is just a time of our era. I don't think it's fair to blame the Heat though. It's not like these guys are like "wow, I didn't know I could leave this ****** city for a much nicer one in FA and play with better players"...


Little to no impact. Parity will continue to NOT exist, and it's not Miami's fault.

[SteBO]

I get what you're saying, but this was beaten to death during the lockout, and my stance hasn't changed. Ratings have been higher than its ever been, so to say that it's bad for the league to be headed in the direction it's heading is very narrow minded thinking.......

[Cal827]

I don't think so... There are so many Casual fans that run this league.. hurts for the fans of small-market teams that lose players though, but that likely comes down to a good FO... A couple things though.

1. The past two years show that you need a team effort in order to win it all. Look at it last year. Lebron tried to do stuff and ****ed up and Miami's bench was terrible when in comparison to Dallas's teamwork. Hell, after game 3, it just seemed like it was Wade + Bosh against Dallas, with how badly Lebron was locked up. This year, Miami needed to fight to get to the finals, and got timely preformances from their role players that ended up getting them the title, from Haslem, to Anthony, to Miller and Battier and Chalmers.

2. It's not like so many people predicted: That Miami would basically kill all of their opponents to the championsips. They lost last year, and they were almost elminated by both Indiana and Boston this season. The NBA finals might have been quick, but the series was very close other than game 5... Both teams could have potentially swept each other if they were able to close out. Think about next year, although they have two of the top 3 players in the League, one of the big three is going to start breaking down real soon (Wade). I doubt that they will remain the favorite in the East two years from now (next year I think they will cause teams gotta develop and Chicago won't challenge). OKC seemed to further separare from each other during the series: Harden was downright terrible, and Westbrook was Jekyll/Hyde. Durant was the only guy who did what he usually does.

[MetroMan]

Blaming Miami? Dont you mean Boston? I am 100% sure LeBron got the idea from failing against the Celts

[Knicks21]

Globally, the Heat have increased their fan base percentage through the roof since July of 2010. Living in Australia, almost 60% of the basketball fans are Heat fans. The NBA would make more money with Miami winning than OKC.

[ManRamForPrez24]

Blaming Miami? Dont you mean Boston? I am 100% sure LeBron got the idea from failing against the Celts

I don't even buy this.

LeBron "got the idea" by being a free agent and realizing he can go wherever he wanted essentially. It's not like he needed to see something happen to realize he could go to Miami.


Just like ANY OF US would do, he went to a more attractive location, to work with his friends, and have the chance to be more successful. But unlike real life, he got bashed for doing so.

[Glen20]

im going to vote yes

[neohemp]

I think it was less to do with being bashed for going to a good locale, to work with friends and be successful, and more being bashed for his approach. He not only had "The Decision" on TV, but he also made some disparaging remarks to fans and others. I remember his tweet saying he would "remember all the haters" like he was something special and was going to annihilate us all or something.

[KB-Pau-DH2012]

Honestly, Miami has put the NBA to another level. Miami has make the game more interesting and awesome, we are the Barcelona of Basketball.

You guys didn't make anything "more interesting and awesome", you just made ESPN and every sports analysis extremely annoying to watch.

[Glen20]

I think it was less to do with being bashed for going to a good locale, to work with friends and be successful, and more being bashed for his approach. He not only had "The Decision" on TV, but he also made some disparaging remarks to fans and others. I remember his tweet saying he would "remember all the haters" like he was something special and was going to annihilate us all or something.

what does that have to do with miami winning?
Look, he broke your heart and we get it. #getoverit
stay on topic.

[ManRamForPrez24]

But if you strictly mean "bad for the NBA" in terms of business...then no. It's great. Rating were huge. The Heat sell, period. It's great for the NBA. Luckily, OKC is great for them too. It's also great for them that LAL, NYK, CHI etc are still huge draws.

Big markets and polarizing teams will be what do the best good for the NBA...and the Heat are both (to an extent...definitely polarizing, Miami isn't the hugest market tho).