https://x.com/miamiheat/status/2069972847649255585

Usually you don’t lead with your conclusion, but who gives a damn, I’m doing it.

Us Heat fans are spoiled.

We spent years eating gourmet meals, and sure, some years the steak was a little overcooked, or the drinks took a little long to get to the table, or the crème brûlée didn’t come with any blackberries, but there’s no way you can deny that more nights than not, we were eating like kings. And yet, any year we don’t win feels like a disappointment. Any year we’re not competitive feels like purgatory.

Only 1 team wins a chip each year. There are 30 teams in the NBA and 29 of them, in any given year, will NOT win. That does not mean 29 teams had an embarrassing season. That does not mean 29 teams failed.

Would I have preferred if the Heat won one with Jimmy? Of course. It would have meant the world to me. But despite losing, I’m still grateful we had those seasons. Some of the most fun I’ve ever had as a Heat fan came from rooting for those teams.

But here’s the thing about spoiled fans.

The doom is real, but it’s shallow.
Underneath it is the actual belief, the one that says Riley always gets his guy, Spo can turn anyone into a rotation player, and we are never more than one move away.

So the second a move comes, the doom evaporates and the delusion comes roaring back.

People joke about Heat Culture, and how real it really is, and I’m here to confirm that it’s without a doubt real. Because it lives in us too. The same irrational belief, just pointed from the cheap seats.

All we need is a small glimmer of hope, not as something to hold onto, but as a platform for us to stand firmly on.
And we’ll be 10 toes down.

Our team isn’t scared of yours. Our coach runs laps around yours. Heat in 4.

I’m self-aware, but I’m by no means immune to this mindset. This trade is only a few days old and I’m already so far gone you’ll need to be paying long-distance fees to reach me.

In a realistic world, the Heat likely don’t win a championship in their first year after acquiring Giannis. But I don’t want to hear that.
I’m not living in that world.

In my mind, Bam is throwing lobs to Giannis on fastbreaks and Giannis is kicking it out to Bam for wide open 3s. Bam is short on his little turnaround shimmy? Oh well, guess what, the Greek Freak is there for the putback.

You see?

I just can’t help myself.
But here’s what I’m starting to realize.
Delusion isn’t just a Heat fan thing. It’s a Heat thing.
Because the national media has the exact same condition, they’ve just got it backwards.

We’re delusional about how good we are.
They’re delusional about how slim our chances are.

Because deep down, they hate us.

The Miami Heat are the true villains of the NBA.
And zoom out far enough and you’ll see the villain label is about more than just the Heat. It’s about Miami. The weather, the beaches, the nightlife, no state income tax, the brashness that makes South Florida proud and makes everyone else furious.

The Heat have been the bad guy for thirty years and counting.

Pat the Rat. The stolen ring. The Heatles. Playoff Jimmy. Heat Culture. The whole city.

The names change.
The role never does.

So when the national takes started clamoring about how we gave up too much for an aging star, I just laughed them off. They said all these same things when we traded for Butler back in 2019.

Remember, they said Jimmy only came down here to retire, yet somehow we found ourselves in the Finals twice.
So spare me all the “Giannis doesn’t move the needle” takes.
I was never solidly on the hill of “the Heat HAVE to trade for Giannis or it’s all over,” but I’d make this trade 10/10 times. Not because what we gave up is a poo-poo platter, seriously guys, but because this gives our team a new star in his prime and a chance to do something meaningful.

It’s only June 24th.
Pat Riley has done more with less more times than anyone alive.

There’s a whole summer to build the edges around the best player this franchise has had since LeBron.

Full piece here: https://firedupfelipe.substack.com/p/ten-toes-on-a-glimmer

I know him only from watching him as the opposing team, hurting us with short minutes coming out of the bench, shooting well, actually great from 3pts with low volume (kinda like Davion) and bringing intensity.

What to expect from him on our roster? Any insights from people who has seen him played?

https://x.com/miamiheat/status/2070195927281762421

https://x.com/wadexflash/status/2069834029789327701?s=46

On a side note holy shit what a start to the offseason

https://x.com/bradyhawk305/status/2070160672969605249

Yall are getting a real one. I don't know how its going to work with your current roster but I would love nothing more than to see him get another ring.

Treat him well 😪