June 13, 2011
Monday's Miami Herald featured a nearly full-page Macy's ad congratulating the Heat and promoting championship gear available at local stores.
MIAMI — The Heat have endured endless scrutiny since throwing a "Welcome Party" last July that many perceived to be a premature celebration of an NBA title they had yet to win.
But 11 months later, a large South Florida newspaper finally gave the Heat the validation they so badly desired, running a large advertisement in Monday's edition congratulating the Heat on wrapping up the first championship of the Big Three era.
One problem: Miami didn't win a title.
In fact, the Dirk Nowitzki-led Dallas Mavericks won the title, sending LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Heat packing with a 105-95 Game 6 victory Sunday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
But, apparently, the Miami Herald didn't get that message.
Because Monday's editions featured a nearly full-page Macy's advertisement pronouncing, "Congratulations Miami," and promoting the availability of Heat championship gear at local stores.
The large graphic included photos of a hat and four different shirts with phrases like "Raise Another Banner" and "Champions." And it was accompanied by the following text:
"Celebrate the 2011 NBA champions with official merchandise from adidas! Men's locker room tees available today with more styles for him, her & kids arriving daily."
Suffice to say, one won't find that Heat gear at Macy's.
It's not uncommon for newspapers to have ads ready to go in case the hometown team takes home a title. And, somewhere, there are boxes of Miami Heat championship hats and T-shirts that were designed and printed for the same reason.
But it's curious that such an ad slipped into publication, especially considering that a Miami win Sunday would have only evened the series 3-3.
Though the mistake was surely just human error, it's fitting given the Heat's reputation as one of the more pretentious teams in NBA history.
If there's a bright side to all this, it's that the Heat will likely be in contention for a title again next season. So there's a chance that, this time next year, the Herald will have a reason to publish such an ad.
Monday's Miami Herald featured a nearly full-page Macy's ad congratulating the Heat and promoting championship gear available at local stores.
MIAMI — The Heat have endured endless scrutiny since throwing a "Welcome Party" last July that many perceived to be a premature celebration of an NBA title they had yet to win.
But 11 months later, a large South Florida newspaper finally gave the Heat the validation they so badly desired, running a large advertisement in Monday's edition congratulating the Heat on wrapping up the first championship of the Big Three era.
One problem: Miami didn't win a title.
In fact, the Dirk Nowitzki-led Dallas Mavericks won the title, sending LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Heat packing with a 105-95 Game 6 victory Sunday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
But, apparently, the Miami Herald didn't get that message.
Because Monday's editions featured a nearly full-page Macy's advertisement pronouncing, "Congratulations Miami," and promoting the availability of Heat championship gear at local stores.
The large graphic included photos of a hat and four different shirts with phrases like "Raise Another Banner" and "Champions." And it was accompanied by the following text:
"Celebrate the 2011 NBA champions with official merchandise from adidas! Men's locker room tees available today with more styles for him, her & kids arriving daily."
Suffice to say, one won't find that Heat gear at Macy's.
It's not uncommon for newspapers to have ads ready to go in case the hometown team takes home a title. And, somewhere, there are boxes of Miami Heat championship hats and T-shirts that were designed and printed for the same reason.
But it's curious that such an ad slipped into publication, especially considering that a Miami win Sunday would have only evened the series 3-3.
Though the mistake was surely just human error, it's fitting given the Heat's reputation as one of the more pretentious teams in NBA history.
If there's a bright side to all this, it's that the Heat will likely be in contention for a title again next season. So there's a chance that, this time next year, the Herald will have a reason to publish such an ad.
