The Heat is the coolest and most famous team in...

“The Heat is the coolest and most famous team in South Florida’s history, but here’s what makes it the most interesting team we have ever seen around here, as well: There has never been a team this loved locally — not the perfect Dolphins of 1972, not the underdog champion Marlins, not the popular teams of Shaquille O’Neal or Dan Marino, not the anarchist Hurricanes football kings — that was this hated everywhere else. Very little is going to connect a community and a sports team quite like that. America’s hate and South Florida’s love, in fact, are directly proportional. Sports teams always are symbols for civic pride, so the more villainous America makes this team, the more the Heat’s players become our villains, damn it. … And now, after 82 meaningful meaningless games, here comes the best stuff. Finally. The most interesting team in South Florida’s history, and one of the most polarizing in America’s, begins the playoffs Saturday, and it really and truly is us against everybody else. Are you ready?”

Dan Le Batard

So ready.