Heat Parade Day

Here is today's episode of The Chip Brierre Show, where we cover the Miami Heat's Championship Parade and discuss other sports topics of the day. Topics include the Clippers Celtics deal, Skywire, Stanley Cup Finals, Aaron Hernandez's situation, and where Shane Larkin will go in the NBA Draft this Thursday:

The Chip Brierre Show 6/24/13

HEAT WIN BACK TO BACK NBA TITLES

Here's my reaction to the Heat's Game 7 victory over the San Antonio Spurs to win their second consecutive title:

The Chip Brierre Show 6/21/13

LeBron has most certainly cemented himself as one of the NBA Greats. But he still has more work to compete for the title of NBA Legend. It's going to be a loooong offseason for the Heat. Until then, Dolphins training camps, Miami Hurricanes summer and spring football coverage as well as Marlins will keep us busy until then. Congratulations to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen,   Erik Spoelstra and the rest of the Heat squad and organization for a great season and even more compelling post season. Enjoy the perks of being the Kings of Miami and the NBA yet again.

"Two Greatest Words in Sports..... Game 7"

LeBron had brought the Heat all the way back in the 4th quarter, and following a late rally by Tony Parker, it seemed the questions and criticisms that have always plagued the Heat would return for a foreboding offseason. Quickly, LeBron hits a 3 pointer, followed by a missed free throw from Kawhi Leonard, and the stage is set for what will be remembered as one of the greatest shots in NBA History.

James misses a 3 point attempt with 10 seconds left on the clock, all seems lost. Bosh, who has stepped up defensively as well as with his rebounding, desperately grabs the offensive board, while Ray Allen backpedals to his spot in the corner. Bosh gets him the ball and time slows down. Hearts are racing, fists are clinched in anticipation, eyes are wide as Allen puts up the shot over Tony Parker........ Splash. Tie game with 5.2 seconds remaining, Ray Allen showing Danny Green and Parker why he's still the best shooter in NBA History. And it couldn't have come at a more crucial point in the Big 3 Era.

With that shot, Allen saved everything for Miami. Let's go through the list of what would have either ended or been sparked should he have missed that shot: season filled with a 27 game win streak, no back to back loses since January, LeBron James 4th MVP.... DONE; questions of if the Big 3 can co-exist together, will LeBron head back to Cleveland, is Erik Spoelstra the right man for the job..... Alarms would be blaring in South Beach. But thankfully, Miami's offseason acquisition of Ray Allen, who was brought in to do exactly this, paid off in a way nobody would have imagined. The sure-fire Hall of Famer brought the magic one more time to keep the Heat alive and force Game 7. Drama at it's finest in the NBA.

Now that I'm done trying to be poetic and epic with my writing, let's examine what this all means for Game 7. Following the Ray Allen heroics, the Heat were able to withstand the Spurs desperation and win in overtime 103-100. But although the Heat deserve all the credit in the world for not giving up, they had no right to win the way they did. Before the final seconds of the 4th, LeBron James turned the ball over on two consecutive possessions, not to mention during overtime Chalmers and Wade made bad decisions defensively. But the Spurs also gave it away. Ginobli is where the fingers are pointed if I'm a fan of San Antonio. He had 9 turnovers, one of which was the deciding moment for the Heat to pull ahead for good. Gregg Popovich was LIVID, and he had every right to be infuriated. His team choked, and with the championship pedigree that the Spurs are known for, it's unacceptable to perform in that manner at that crucial point of the game.

But let's not take away from the most improbable comeback in NBA Finals History from the Heat. The catalyst was, who else, the King himself. Scoring 18 of his 32 points in the 4th quarter and overtime, he would not be denied. Even after losing his trademark headband midway through the 4th, he was too focused on forcing a Game 7. Attacking the rim, getting to the foul line, and finding the right players at the right time, LeBron looked to be back in 2012 Finals form which was missing for most of this series.  He recorded his 4th triple double in the NBA Playoffs finishing with 32 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. He became the only player other than James Worthy and Magic Johnson to record a triple double in an elimination game in the NBA Finals. I'm calling it, LeBron is now in his own legacy. What I mean by that is he validated that he is one of the all-time greats. To come back from such a deficit, to do it in the fashion that he did, to put everything on the line and come out on top when all seems lost, yep he's an all-time great. To win Game 7 would be the icing on the cake. I honestly believe that we can't measure LeBron's success with how many titles he's won, but rather how he has consistently risen to the moment and been lights out when he had to be. 

Game 7 is Thursday at 9 pm. I should say don't miss it, but in reality I should be saying who wants to? This has been one of the greatest, most competitive, most emotionally charged series the NBA has offered. To miss the final game between the best player on the planet and the wily veterans looking to sneak away with an NBA Title as they ride off into the sunset, I don't know how you can. Get excited Miami it all comes down to this, and as Erik Spoelstra said last night, "After a win like that.... everybody fights to get to this stage. It's the two greatest words in sports..... Game Seven." 

Here..... We..... Go