The Miami Heat came out with a win in yesterday’s play-in game against the Chicago Bulls, but many couldn’t help but notice the silence coming from the stands. Speaking up during halftime, ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins called out Heat Nation for their lack of support for their team.
“I’m just a little disappointed in the fanbase of the Miami Heat. There’s too many open seats in there…”
"I'm just a little disappointed in the fanbase of the Miami Heat. Too many open seats."
"That's not a great fanbase at all. It hasn't been. They're frontrunners. They're frontrunners."
Kendrick Perkins and Michael Wilbon calling out the Miami fans. pic.twitter.com/Pj5BMQypvK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 20, 2024
Instead of checking Perkins, longtime NBA analyst Michael Wilbon doubled down on the take and explained that Heat fans have always been “frontrunners.”
“That’s not a great fanbase at all. It hasn’t been. They’re frontrunners. They’re frontrunners.”
The Miami Heat are one of the most successful franchises in modern NBA history. Dating back to the days of Dwyane Wade and Shaquille ONeal, they have a long history of playoff success, and their current regime with Erik Spoelstra, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo, already has two Finals runs under their belt, including last year’s miraculous performance as the 8th seed.
Despite their track record of star power and success, it seems that Miami struggles with fan attendance and there are varying theories on the reason why. According to Perkins and Wilbon, the fans only care if the team is winning and most don’t bother to show up when things aren’t going their way.
After being called out on public television, former Heat coach Tony Fiorentino came to the defense of the fanbase and fired back at the “pseudo-experts” over their misguided criticism.
“Perkins and Wilbon have no clue. They sit in a studio and think they can be experts on what’s going on in Miami,” wrote Fiorentino. “You guys have NO CLUE when it comes to HEAT fans. Get off your high horse, pseudo-experts.”
Neither Perk nor Wilbon have retracted their statements and they aren’t the type to go back on their word. As much as it might bother Heat fans and personnel to be given this image, the only way to properly respond is by making some moves, going on another Finals run, and giving their fans even more reasons to watch their journey this season.
Miami Heat Have An Uphill Climb Through The East
At 8th in the East, the Miami Heat were in an identical position a year ago when they entered the playoffs. After struggling to score all season, they caught fire at the perfect time and were able to beat better and deeper teams through relentless effort plays, high IQ game-planning, and flawless execution on the court.
This year, Miami has every reason to feel confident about their chances but the path to victory is going to be harder than ever. In the opening round, Miami will be faced with battling the Boston Celtics, who have been an offensive juggernaut all season long.
If they’re somehow able to get through that series, they’d still have to win two more series just to get back to the Finals. With the Knicks, Cavaliers, Pacers, and 76ers looking to take the East for their own, Boston is just one of many looming threats for the Heat.
Obviously, having the energy of their home crowd might have helped them down the stretch of the season but the Heat aren’t going to let something like fan attendance during games distract them from the mission at hand.
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