Miami Heat win silences many haters

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Last night's win did not quiet all of those who have been hating the Heat, but it sure silenced a lot of them.

LeBron James: "In this fall, I'm going to take my talents to South Beach."

That's how it all started, and ever since, the haters have been coming out of the woodwork.

In Ohio two years ago, former fans burned LeBron's jersey.

So let's see what Clevelanders have to say now, after "The King" claimed the championship he came to Miami for.

Cleveland resident: "He's a good basketball player. He deserved to have a ring. I hope he gets a couple more, too."

Cleveland resident: "I think he deserves it, and winners deserve to win."

But for some, once a hater, always a hater.

Cleveland resident: "LeBron can get as many rings as he wants. He's still a loser in Cleveland."

Cleveland resident: "I think he's the most narcissistic athlete I've seen since O.J. I really don't care for the man, and it really doesn't affect my life."

Even the weatherman is a hater. Really?

Weatherman: "No Thunder, son of a gun. Lots of Heat."

Hours after the Heat brought home the trophy, Joel Anthony had a message for all the Heat haters out there.

Joel Anthony, Heat Center: "For the haters, thank you. I appreciate the motivation."

D-Wade's girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Union, was in the winning locker room and had this to say: "For everybody who hated on LeBron, he has replaced all that negativity with positivity in this win. It just goes to show, haters don't prosper. Yeah!"

Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Announcer: "Anybody who has something to say about LeBron James at this point in time should be ashamed of themselves. It shouldn't happen. It's one of the greatest performances I've ever seen."

Even Coach Spoelstra was the focus of Heat hate.

Micky Arison, Heat Owner: "A lot of national media, especially when we went down 2-3 against Boston, they killed Spo, and man, Spo's perfect for this team."

But Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who once talked bad about LeBron, seems to have turned in his hater card, sending this tweet out after the game, saying in part, "Congratulations to Miami and OKC for an exciting Finals."

And exciting it was, unless I guess you're one of the haters, and if that's the case, then this is for you.

Crowd cheering: "Let's go Heat! Let's go Heat!"

LuAnne Sorrell: "Maybe after a few more wins, the Heat will be able to turn more of the haters into believers."

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