I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to start coining phrases to capitalize on the marketing genius that has brought to South FLA a spectacle of talent not seen here since…well… ever.

The Miami Herald has alluded to the Wade-Lebron-Bosh triumvirate (a real word) as “The Three Kings” and “Three for the Show”. I simply equate it with unstoppable, winning basketball served on a daily basis, en route to multiple world championships; or alternatively, our very own Triumph-Virate.

Actually, the Herald’s own Greg Cote calls it right on when declaring on July 9th that as of now “Miami is the capital of basketball” and “South Florida is the epicenter of American sports”. And still, the catchy titles keep coming: “Jackpot”, “Royal Court”, “The New Kingdom”, “The Three Kings”, “The Big Three”, “The Triple Play” (the latter, courtesy of Heat President Pat Riley and Coach Erik Spoelstra), and countless others.

I for one have seen nothing like it. After experiencing a football National Championship in my Freshman year at the University of Miami, I thought nothing could overwhelm the feeling of dominance which spanned the next 2 decades culminating in five rings. I also believed that after the Dolphins drafted Dan Marino in ’83 (same year as the Canes’ first title) followed by that ridiculous 48-TD, 5.084 passing yard record season, that too could not be topped for fans of South Florida sports. Then watching the Marlins win it all twice in a span of 8 years (’97, ’03) was shocking, astounding and exhilarating all at once (although tempered somewhat by the disbanding of the respective teams shortly thereafter). Perhaps the highest crescendo of achievement for a local college/pro sports team was the Heat’s first NBA Title just a few years back (’06), where I personally witnessed a 3-game home-stand like no other and the blissful ascension of D. Wade to superstardom (oh, and acquiring Shaq had something to do with that too). I won’t harp too much on the Fins’ naming Jimmy Johnson Head Coach in ’96; still, his hiring brought an undeniable frenzy to the local sports community seeking change from a static Shula regime.

But this feels different. Perhaps it is because this Terrific Trio are all in their mid-20’s and in the absolute prime of their careers. Or maybe because two thirds of the threesome are arguably – right now – the absolute best hoops players in the world. Then again, it could just be the fact it will be so much fun to know that this team will surely dominate the rest of the league, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it (except cry and spew hateful words at them and our city…sticks and stones…). Keep in mind, it is far easier in basketball (5 start) than in football (22 start) or baseball (9 start) to consistently win if 60% of your starters are bona fide superstars (most recently proved in ’08 by the Celtics’ Three Amigos).

Ultimately, the much-awaited arrival of this mega-star triage will be about winning championships (at least 3). But the fun we fans will have during the process will truly be legendary. Just turn on sports-talk radio. Pick up a paper. Go to a local coffee shop. Hell, just walk outside your home! The aura that surrounds this hoopla is undeniable. So soak it in, revel in it, and consume it till you’re satiated. Training camp is just 2-months away, but the party has started now. It’s a great time to be a sports fan in South Florida.

That’s all for now.
by: Eric Miller – Sports Contributor

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