Pat Riley trying to run with the Big Boys

[Ogaju]

I believe Pat is trying his best to create a rivalry with the Celtics, but we already have our traditional rivals and it is the Fakers. Riley trying desperately to get a Heat team that is really new in the overall scheme of things to the same level of the Celtics.

Methinks the Celtics should just shun any attempt by Heat to create a rivalry.

[mqtcelticsfan]

A mini-rivalry has already formed, due to the Celtics running into LeBron so often in the past 5 years in the playoffs. Add in Boston's hatred of Riley and Ray Allen's defection, and a rivalry has been born. It isn't likely to hold up like Boston-LA, but if the Celtics remain contenders over the next 3 years, it has a chance to be remembered in a similar fashion to Chicago and Detroit in the late 80s.

[AshyLarry]

A mini-rivalry has already formed, due to the Celtics running into LeBron so often in the past 5 years in the playoffs. Add in Boston's hatred of Riley and Ray Allen's defection, and a rivalry has been born. It isn't likely to hold up like Boston-LA, but if the Celtics remain contenders over the next 3 years, it has a chance to be remembered in a similar fashion to Chicago and Detroit in the late 80s.

I agree. A rivalry has come because of the Heat's best 3 players and how we were a roadblock for them for years. Now with the 2 intense playoff series, and The betRayal, the tension is there and it's hard not to call us rivals.

[tarheelsxxiii]

As long as we're 51% healthy and Miller/Battier aren't playing the best basketball of their entire lives, we should be fine.

I wonder if Spoelstra knows, deep down, that he's a clown

[Lightskinsmurf]

In order for it to be a REAL rivalry we have to beat the heat in the playoffs one time. They got us the last two years and if they get us again this year i think ill be ready to claim them the winners of this little *rivalry*. Its crazy how quickly things change. When lebron was on the cavs we had his number. Now hes on the heat and they have ours.

[Onslaught]

It already is a rivalry. Or as much of one as the NBA will allow these days. Two teams that don't like each other, playing in the playoffs for the same goal.

Now it will never be anything like the old Celtics/Lakers, Celtics/Pistons, Bulls/Pistons, Knicks/Heat rivalry's of the past. Because the NBA won't let them get near as physical as they did back then.

[Celtics4ever]

Pat Riley has ran with the big dogs most of his career folks.

[Loose Cannon]

They've dominated this "rivalry" so far. I wish this rivalry started when the Celtics new Big 3 first formed. We woulda had a few wins on them by now.

[clover]

So Riley's trying to make the Heat good so they can have a rivalry with Boston?

I think his motivation may be a little more direct than that.

[European NBA fan]

When James and Bosh joined the Heat, they started a rivalry with the entire league. Boston is just the one team in the East that seems to consistently be a threat to their dynasty dreams, even though we lost two series against them.

[rickyfan3.0...]

I'd be proud to be their rivals.

[Celtics4ever]

We got more titles and they will never ever catch us so we are the top dogs in this rivalry.