The day LeBron James announced that he would be “taking his talents to South Beach,” the NBA welcomed a constant media circus that started in July 2010 and didn’t end until the the Heat lost the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavs 11 months later.
Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles are becoming the NBA’s version of the Miami Heat. Hours after the NFL lifted its lockout, the Eagles’ front office began signing top-notch talent as if they were concocting an ultimate team
on Xbox or Playstation.
The Eagles signed Pro Bowlers Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Vince Young, Cullen Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. On Aug. 2, the team signed Ronnie Brown, the Miami Dolphins former standout running back. Media from around the world will follow them; fans in different cities will worship them; and every arena that they play in will have the feel of a sold-out rock concert.
But unlike the Miami Heat, the Eagles will have more pressure to win every single week. NBA teams have the luxury of having one bad game because they play three to four times per week. An NFL week can seem like a decade. Critics on every sports station, newspaper and blog will find ways to turn every bad game or performance into a crisis.
The pressure will mount as the season progresses. And similar to the Heat’s pre-season motto, it’s championship or bust for the Eagles.
The Eagles have yet to hold a mid-summer pep-rally and dance on stage in front of fans, a la the Miami Heat, and they would be wise not to do so. But they are on the road to becoming the “The Philadelphia Eatles.” You know, the NFL version of The Beatles. –amir shaw
