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‘Grand-Finale’?: Troubled Miami Heat Celebrate Championship With President George W. Bush

MIAMI- Members of the Miami Heat celebrated last years championship victory yesterday in Washington D.C. with President George W. Bush.

For Shaquille O’Neal and head coach Pat Riley it wasn’t the first time, but for the other players it was a first and it was visibly an occasion of a lifetime.

Visible to the public for the first time was injured phenom Dwyane Wade, who didn’t speak much about his injury but did manage to let a few members of the media know where he stood on a possible comeback. He was quoted as saying “It’s eventual surgery, (meaning inevitable at some point), but there’s also an opportunity in there where I can opt for the rehab and the therapy and maybe return for the end of the season. That’s why I’m getting a second opinion to hear more things”.

He then went on to say in so many words that worry won’t be anywhere in the back of his mind. He stated “if the decision comes into play where I decide to come back, you can’t worry about the what if’s, you have to go ahead with it”.

Very encouraging words but when analyzed, who would think any differently from a guy who’s famed moniker is “Fall 7 times get up 8″?

It’s also important to note that D-Wades’ spirits are high by his own admission and he seems to be slowly but surely coming back into mental form after most had questions relative to how he would deal with his first severe injury.

Laughs, Accolades, Honors

Throughout the afternoon the smiles apparent in the pictures were a permanent fixture on the faces of everyone available as even the President failed to keep his composure at times. At one moment during a photo shoot, All-Star Center and ‘Funnyman-for-Life’ Shaquille O’Neal could be seen ripping the ball from the hand of George W. Bush, causing a huge roar of laughter throughout the room.

George W. Bush spoke about many things that were key to the success of the Miami Heat, and leading the charge was the now famous ‘15 Strong’ moniker, which he held a card representing as he discussed the need for such unity in any team or group effort. He also stated that he was happy for Miami, despite them defeating a Texas team to become NBA Champs.

In a more serious moment, the President gave praise to Center Alonzo Mourning for his huge acts of charity which include donating his entire salary from two seasons ago. The tear evoking moment culminated in a lengthy standing ovation from everyone in the room. Alonzo Mourning spoke on the topic later by saying this event was “one of the most treasured moments of his life”.

‘Back To Reality’

After all the great festivities, the Miami Heat were reminded that if this treasured occasion should ever be repeated, there’s only one way to make it happen; That’s repeat as NBA Champions.

Pat Riley’s words always seem to set the stage for the next chapter in Miami’s particular ‘moment in time’, and his departing words this time around would be no different. He addressed the current state of his team as well as the questions that loom around them by saying “For every adversity there’s a seed of equivalent benefit. It’s going to be up to us to try to find it. Our work is ahead of us and we’re going to make a run at it”.

Something so complicated never sound so simple. Hopefully the action itself, (the task itself), follows that trend.

Miami will indeed look to ‘make a run at it’ tonight as they square off against Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards.

Tip time is tentatively set for 7pm Est in the nation’s capital, Washington D.C.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 at 11:17 am and is filed under Heat, NBA News and Notes, Blogroll. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.