it is important to me that the heat lose to the celtics so we can read stories about how they lost to a team with more "heart" and "character" and bemoans the fact that they didn't even make it to the finals. i need morality plays, dammit.

I, too, want to see the Heat lose, but I want to see the Thunder win their first of many championships. They are young, talented and hungry and play hard.

Bags, ironic?
Any "heart" narrative makes me roll my eyes, but if they lionize the Celtics I'll be sick.

I do think the Heat have a shot to pull this out, but if the officiating in Boston "TD North" Garden runs true to form, Miami will lose.

well, i'm conflicted. i definitely do want to see the heat lose. but, yes, all that "heart" stuff drives me crazy. bonkers, actually. even more so in baseball. didn't mean to sound snarky. isn't my usual metier.

Well, I don't know about heart but Paul Pierce had some large balls nailing that three after a lousy game. And let's face it, when it comes to this time of year, it's always about heart. Or lack of heart. That's just BS, of course.

Still, would be sweet to see the Heat lose though I'd like Lebron to have a monster game in defeat.

did anyone catch David Roth's piece on the Heatles on The Classical last week? I think he really gets to the core of what makes them so utterly loathsome.

http://theclassical.org/articles/undercover-bosses

i want the heat to win it all, and i definitely want them to beat the celtics.

I don't think I've ever seen superstars try to trick the refs into giving them calls by falling down (mostly after shooting) as LeBron & Wade in this postseason. The NBA. It's Floptastic!

7) can I ask why? Because I gotta be totally honest, it's beyond me how anyone who isn't from Miami or something can consciously decide to root for this team.

Because to me they don't even fall into the camp of "everyone hates them, but I like them because they're badasses" ala the '70's Raiders or the '80's Hoyas. They're just kinda, well...bitchy.

[9] I concur.

[8] should read *as much as* LeBron & Wade

[9] i want lebron to get a title. he is an extremely talented player and i'd like to see him win.

tome 3 of the biggest bitches in the league are kg, rondo, and pierce.

11) I can see that re: Lebron. I also like Bosh. I think the Celts guys are more assholes than bitches, but perhaps I'm splitting hairs.

LOL

[11] I'm with you ms october!
[9]Why is ok for everyone to root for a GM-manufactured "Big 3" like Boston but not one decided on by the players, like Miami?

I'm for the Heat too, then OKC. But really would be nice to see the Knicks play for something one day again..

I'm also rooting for the Heat, mostly because I can't stand the inane criticism of James, which, I think, has even surpassed Arod proportions in terms of its absurdity.

Exhibit A:

http://youtu.be/pT-I8jQDQ7c

[14] I'm kind of on that page too.
Also just slightly contrarian.
(Also, dislike of the Celtics increases for rational beings when placed in the middle of Green Team Nation.)

THEY'RE JUST SUCH HERBS!!!

sorry I yelled, but between the man purses, and the XVI mouthpieces...I just can't with these guys

[13] Who is it that criticizes the Heatles for their wresting control away from the GMs? The criticism is because of the completely tone deaf self-aggrandizing, let's celebrate our dozen championships before we've even played game one b.s.

I don't mind the Heat winning one, someday. They're incredibly talented players and beautiful to watch (for the most part anyway--if Wade had gotten hit on the hand like Pierce is in the picture at the top, he would've gone sprawling to the hardwood. I swear he's worse than Ginobili). It'll be emotionally satisfying to me if they get knocked down a few pegs for say another year or three and find a little humility before ascending to the throne.

James is great and so is Wade but Wade has become so unlikable since Bron Bron joined the team. I never recall him being so arrogant. The two of them are incredible though. Bosh is a smart dude, too.

Rondo is odd, he's so sour, but man, another great player. I think they'll make it close but fall short in Game 6 and then the Heat will put them away in Miami.

[19] Agree. Bron & Wade somehow have seem to bring out the arrogant in each other. Or maybe it's just the "Us against the world of naysayers" mentality that's changed them.

Nothing would surprise me in the remaining one or two games. Both teams' scoring can disappear for long stretches with no warning. I have no prediction. Even gun to my head, don't know who I'd say wins.

Love watching Rondo. I was a point guard in high school, so I love to see great passing/court vision in action. Love Rondo, Rubio, Nash, J-Kidd. I'll root for any team with a great pass-first point guard. Lin's not quite in that league, but I'm looking forward to rooting for him, fo' sho'.

Such a waste. I will bring my talents to Miami and...eat Cuban Sandwiches?

I feel really bad for the Seattle Supersonic fans who waited like forever for a championship and within a few years upstart city OKC might have one with their old team?

I find it hard to get excited about the NBA these days. When I lived in LA in the '80s loved the Showtime Lakers, and the Ewing Knicks of the 90's. Is it me or has the game changed?

21) I think it's you. The game is pretty exciting right now and has been for a few years. The defensive intensity of the 90s was not a style that was loved by all--though some fans are partial to it--but now, there are good teams, great athleticism and talent.