Q: Are today's basketball fans so caught up in 24-hour news cycles and spoiled by the way the Big 3 was put together that they now expect the same every year? Memories can't be that short. Pat Riley told us when he put the Big 3 together that he was effectively mortgaging the future for the winning we did over the four-year run. So he did it, and we loved it. Now comes the time when we have to pay the tab, and that tab applies not only Micky Arison but also to the fans. This is why it pains me so much to hear fans complaining that all hope is lost. Sustained winning in the NBA is hard. That is why so few teams are able to do it. Whatever happened to "riding and dying" with your squad? In another year or two the "tab"/mortgage will be paid and the outlook will be rosy again. But, for now, the guys we have are the guys we have. Why not enjoy basketball and enjoy the ride? At least we have an NBA team (including ownership and management) that has proven they are trying and will continue to do so. If you are a true fan of the team, you should understand the challenges, respect the effort and root for your guys. So, getting back to my initial question: Are Miami Heat fans just plain spoiled? -- G.S., Miami.