Get on the bandwagon

Hey there, fellow Heat fan - this is one hell of a series! Yet again, we have something to get really excited about as we have possibly never seen a Heat team as good as this one. Did you see the way...what? You're not a fan? Why? What is so wrong about this team that you cannot possibly root for them?

Is it the way the team responds to pressure? Clutch shots drained at the buzzer by everyone from Dwyane Wade to Keyon Dooling not your thing? Maybe you need a one man team, like the Philadelphia Iversons or Los Angeles Kobes.

Is it the the way they overcome obstacles? Like a sputtering Diesel, limited to only 26 minutes in Game 2 against an already-embarassed and stinging Nets team, watching from the bench in crunch time as his Heat close out another blowout of their first round opponents. Maybe you like to see a team live and die with its superstars, like the Timberwolves or Mavericks?

Or maybe you dislike players emerging from virtually nowhere, like Damon Jones or even re-emerging players like Christian Laettner and Alonzo Mourning. Making the re-runs matter again.

But if you love winning basketball, and not whining basketball, you should LOVE this Heat team. The way this team has responded all season long is just like the way they attacked in Game 2 against the Nets last night. Sure, Shaq has been healthy for most of the season, but the pundits warned what would happen if Shaq did go down. No Diesel, no hope. But Zo proved them wrong, again. They doubted if he could play at a high level, and he showed them that he was quite capable of lifting a team onto his broad shoulders for a win.

There are stories like that all up and down the Heat bench. Keyon Dooling, ex-Clipper performing in the playoffs. Christian Laettner, promising pro that never really took off into the vaulted stardom he was once promised finds himself being one of the most dangerous players on the floor each night out. He matters, and he is loving it. Damon Jones, making a splash with his assasin-like 3 point accuracy - for his 9th team in 8 years. Udonis Haslem - still undervalued by his opponents - emerging as the steady starter at PF with his tenacious hard work/hard hat style. UD was undrafted, you may know.

There is plenty of team with this bunch that goes beyond the immediate known factors in Wade and Shaq. Eddie Jones, with the echoing chant of his name throughout the AAA, has not only quietly accepted being the third scoring option on this team, but has played out of position - at SF - as was asked by his coach. All he has done has been take on players taller and perhaps stronger and bigger than himself and brought them to their knees. Just ask Vince Carter how much fun he is having facing EJ each night.

The Bandwagon is not full. In fact, it is built for the long haul. It is Diesel-powered. And a man nicknamed Flash may be driving it at times. But there are a lot of guys doing the dirty work here. A lot of guys coming in and changing the tires, filling up the gas, checking the oil. Getting this machine to run at optimum efficiency for its marathon run into prized territory.

So, what are you waiting for. Your seat is waiting.