Heat Bid Farewell To Media And 2010-11 Season
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – The Miami Heat met the media for the final time in the 2010-2011 season Tuesday afternoon and while they were still stinging from the loss of the NBA championship, the biggest Heat stars could still find time to kid around.
Heat forward Udonis Haslem was asked about his progress in rehabbing his injured foot. Haslem played in the conference finals and the finals just months after tearing a ligament in his foot.
"I got a ways to go, but got some time to get there," Udonis told the gathered media. He's expected to have a bigger role next season as a key member of the Heat's front court attack.
One of the Big Three, power forward Chris Bosh, took the loss in Game 6 especially hard. He was in tears at the end of the game, showing a passion that was missing from some of the Heat. Bosh was visibly shaken after the game in his press conference, but explained his thoughts Tuesday.
"I haven't experienced that pain in a very long time (losing) just to be so close and come up short, it just kinda got to me," Bosh said.
And for Bosh, losing may end up being a good thing for the Heat.
"It was a great season," Bosh said. "We didn't accomplish our goal, but we can use that as fuel going forward."
Heat star Dwyane Wade and LeBron James were the last players to the podium, but didn't disappoint in keeping the media members typing and writing away. Wade was asked about how the team reacted, and specifically Bosh throughout the season.
"I thought Chris did a great job," Wade said, "like a lot of guys, coming into this situation."
And Wade admitted that the loss was tough on him as well.
"Yesterday was my last day in the dark, and now I've got to be a daddy again," Wade said. "I've been in the league 8 years, and 7 years I've gone home the same way."
The final member of the Big Three, LeBron James, was criticized for his comments trying to get people to move on past the hate for him and the Heat. He said his comments were misconstrued as being negative towards the fans.
"I was saying at the end of the day, this season is over," LeBron said. "With all the hatred, not only myself, everyone else, has to move on with their life as well."
But LeBron and Wade also were asked if they learned anything about the other that they didn't know before the season. Never missing a chance to have fun with each other, LeBron put Wade into a tough spot.
"I didn't know his middle name was Tyrone," LeBron said before breaking out into laughter with D-Wade. He quickly also added, "My middle name is Raymone and he didn't know that either."
And while the Heat and its fans know that they were so close to a championship; the Heat players will now turn their focus to next year and their pursuit of another NBA Finals berth.
