HEAT Wave

Posted by Maryanne Salvat On June - 27 - 2013
lebron-james

Reuters

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

When our beloved Miami Heat won the NBA Championship, for the SECOND time, (by the skin of their teeth after a grueling game 6) Miami as a whole shared a cathartic joy- as we are all once again, on some level, champions. Nowhere was this more evident than at Story nightclub, just a few hours before dawn, on Friday morning, at various nightclubs throughout the weekend and on the streets during the championship parade and at the American Airlines Arena (AAA) during the championship celebration on Monday. 

We are the Champions blared through the speakers at Story nightclub (the sister club to LIV, where the champs celebrated last year) at around 3 a.m. on Friday morning, as the Miami HEAT players, once again World Champions, fresh from winning one of the most exciting games in NBA history, entered the massive nightclub through the secret back entrance for their official victory party, to the ecstatic chants of thrilled fans, who shouted, Lets go Heat!   

The champs, who had been doused  in champagne after the big win, toasted with Dom Perignon Luminous label, at Story, as 115 bottles were ceremoniously delivered through the club to their VIP area behind the DJ Booth, which was commanded by Miami Heat DJ, DJ Irie, (a.k.a. DJ Three Rings) who kept the crowd going all night, encouraging us to Make some Nooooiiiiiiisssssseeeee! and playing the players favorite songs. Also seen celebrating with the team was Drake, who had not been allowed in the locker room immediately following the game but more than made up for it throughout the weekend.

 

Most of the team, partied together at Story, including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, Ray Allen, Norris Cole, Chris “The Birdman” Andersen, Juwan Howard and others attended alongside their significant others, as well as coach Erik Spoelstra, team president Pat Riley and owner, Micky Arison. 

Because nothing works up an appetite quite like winning game 7 of the NBA Finals, the team was treated to a late night/early morning pizza delivery from neighboring late-night restaurant Big Pink and nearby Prime 112.  Both restaurants made special food deliveries to Story’s VIP area. Word is still out on whether the team managed to match last year’s $200,000 tab at this year’s victory party. 

On Friday night, The NBA World Champions were none the worse for wear as they shut down Bamboo Miami Beach celebrating day two of their epic win. On Friday June 21, Bamboo  hosted an NBA Championship Party where the Miami Heats Big 3 were gifted a giant honorary cake as Drake entertained the crowd. 

With Wade, James, Bosh, Drake, Spike Lee, FLOrida and Timbaland along with actor Michael K. Williams and music mogul Irv Gotti in attendance, Bamboo Miami Beach, was the hottest ticket in town. DJs Steph Floss and Griot kept the party going all night.  Drake surprised the crowd with an impromptu DJ set as Wade along with other players jumped on stage pumping up the fans in attendance. The vibe in the club was pure joy and celebration and the champagne was flowing until the early morning hours. 

The partying continued at LIV Sunday, as James celebrated with multiple rounds of champagne, alongside beaming fiancé Savannah Brinson. Jamie Foxx made a special appearance as did Boris Kodjoe and former Heat player Alonzo Mourning.  All of the champagne being consumed could explain why James was less than animated during the Miami Heat Championship Parade on Monday morning. 

Hundreds of thousands jubilantly (and PEACEFULLY) gathered in the streets on Monday for the Parade of Champions, comprised of dozens of vehicles, including several double-decker buses carrying all of the players, Coach Spoelstra, Micky Arison and Pat Riley and their wives, who waved and cheered along with fans.  After the main parade the arena celebration open only to season-ticket holders, took place inside the AAA where DJ Irie reenacted the energy and excitement of Story for fans of all ages.  Irie had been DJing during the actual parade on the back of a tractor trailer. During the ceremony, it was plainly evident that the players consider themselves as part of a family- of which we can all feel proud to be a part.

Arena photos contributed by Manny Hernandez

 

Leave a Reply

Sponsors