Meet your new Miami Heat, much like your old Miami Heat. On the night the Miami Heat received their championship rings and raised the third championship banner, they also managed to fit in a basketball game, taking the season opener against the Chicago Bulls 107-95. Seven players scored in double figures, led by LeBron James's 17 points. Shane Battier drilled all four of the threes he took and chipped in 14 off the bench in the season opening win.
The story locally was the Miami Heat's celebration of their championship, but the bigger story nationally was the return of Derrick Rose. Rose shot 4-15 from the floor, finished with just 12 points, and was completely embarrassed at the defensive end on one play by Norris Cole. For all the talk by Rose that he gained five inches on his vertical jump after rehab, he lost two jump balls, and didn't record a rebound or steal in 34 minutes.
Carlos Boozer led the Bulls with 31, while Miami Heat hate club founder Joakim Noah had just two. Mike Dunleavy scored 12 points, and is on the Bulls now, if you were wondering what he's been doing since 90210. Nate Robinson is not, so he had zero.
As usual Heat fans give great Twitter, and #HeatTwitter was in full force last night. Here are a few of the best that pretty much sum up what was a successful celebration down at Bayside Tuesday.
The AAA should sell t-shirts that say: "I left Game 6 early and all I got was THIS TOTALLY AWESOME SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
— Adam Smoot (@adamsmoot) October 30, 2013
THIS IS MY BASKETBALL TEAM! THIS IS THE TEAM I SUFFER THROUGH A SHITTY FOOTBALL TEAM AND CROOKED BASEBALL CLUB FOR
— #FrankStrong (@OhSoFrank) October 30, 2013
What did Norris Cole think of the ring? "Icy. I'm going to go kiss it."
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) October 30, 2013
Miami says with all due respect: Eat it, Mr. President RT @BarackObama: Welcome back, @DRose. #BullsNation"
— Dan Le Batard Show (@LeBatardShow) October 29, 2013
Boozer's scalp reminds me of the top of pudding when you make it at home.
— C.R.E.A.M. Olajuwon (@Marco_Romo) October 30, 2013
YOUR TEARS ARE DELICIOUS @JoakimNoah
— Silky Bruh Johnson (@HeatBoner) October 30, 2013
Good job, good effort @chicagobulls #BYE
— Krishna Roxas (@krishbee) October 30, 2013
D-Froze
— Josh Baumgard (@JoshBaumgard) October 30, 2013
Dolphins had Miami on suicide watch and the Heat saved the day.
— CB™ (@charlestonburr) October 30, 2013
Hey @jalenrose - why did you make me pick the Bulls to win the title? You bullied me into it!
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 30, 2013
Bosh is the best pic.twitter.com/6pov4OiKCY
— Roger Paul (@DatRoroKid) October 30, 2013
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Rose "I added 5 inches to my vert"
Lebron "cool story, bro"
— Sharky guns (@jram305) October 30, 2013
Bulls are in last place.
— ben01 (@benjamyn01) October 30, 2013
1-0! 1-0! 1-0!
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) October 30, 2013
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