Love or Hate the Heat? You're 'Old School' or 'New School'

COMMENTARY | The Dallas Mavericks tied up the series for the NBA title Tuesday with an 86-83 win over the Miami Heat, throwing a wrench in the Heat's plan of winning a championship. The series thus far has been a memorable one, with every game being competitive. But one team in the Finals divides the nation more than the other.

The Miami Heat could humble the stars of Hollywood Boulevard with their name recognition. Not perhaps since the 1990s Chicago Bulls has a team been so hyped. Depending on what type of sports fan you are, you either love or hate the Heat. Sports Illustrated compiled a list of the 25 most hated teams of all time in July 2010. Though the list was published before the Heat had played a single game, the team was ranked the 25th most hated.

How can this be? Why are teams such as the Heat so despised? Those who support the Heat will say that their naysayers are "haters." On the flip side, the fans who dislike the Heat will call their fans "frontrunners." When it comes down to it, both of these depictions are wrong. It really depends on what type of fan you are: Old School or New School.

Old School

Old School fans miss what they would call the "golden age" of sports. You know, the days when NFL games ended 6-3, or when Hall of Famers like George Kell (Detroit Tigers) had to form baseball leagues after the season ended because they needed the money. These fans yearn for the days when basketball players wore daisy dukes and a sweet jump shot was the equivalent of today's backboard breaking dunk. Old School fans worship players in any sport who sacrifice for the team. This is the guy who misses the running back spin out of a tackle because he was watching his left tackle drive block.

More importantly, the Old School fan doesn't like glitz and glamour. He wants team-oriented sport where clubs build camaraderie over years of playing with one another. To them, the Heat's accomplishments cheapen the game. They have filled a roster with great individual players who are so good they have borderline cheated. Not only do these fans dislike the Miami Heat, they think this team represents everything that is wrong with sports today.

New School

Welcome lovers of 21st century athletics, with all its $1 billion stadiums and super human gladiators. These fans are cutthroat! They believe you do what it takes to win. If a team has the ability to get the best players, then "show me the money." They love the Heat. Why? Well, what's not to love?

The three-headed monster the Heat possesses can take over a game at any time. According to the Christian Science Monitor, 54 percent of the Heat's points have been scored by Dwayne Wade and LeBron James in the postseason. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Wade, James, and Bosh scored 65 of the Heat's 92 points, reports the Times-Picayune. The New School likes the show business side of sports. And no one represents the hybrid athlete/businessman like James, who, according to Forbes.com, made $34 million in endorsements this year.

This is the fan who, when his team wins, you might want to leave the room because, like his favorite athletes, he is going to tell you about it.

Whether you represent the "Old School" or "New School," you have to be enjoying these NBA Finals. The first four games have been classics. Whether you enjoyed Dirk's left handed layup to win Game 2 or LeBron's facial dunk in Game 3, there has been a little something for everyone. Enjoy the rest of the series!