MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: A detailed view of the banners hanging in American Airlines Arena during the National Anthem before Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Arena on April 21, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Should the Miami Heat give Julius Randle a serious look?

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The Miami Heat are keeping basketball alive with their fanbase.

For a city that catches heat (lazy pun incredibly intended) around the arrival time of its fans, Miami is the place to be for basketball.

Just over a month ago, Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova chastised the Miami Heat and the AmericanAirlines Arena for its at times, invisible crowd.

“When we were in Miami … the gym was half-empty,” Ilyasova told ESPN. “But when you go to Boston, you will feel it. Even in the regular season, you know when you play that team, the arena is full, and they’re really committed fans.”

But if Ilyasova thought his comments would go unheard by a nation of Heat fans, he was sorely mistaken. Beat writers, team officials and players alike came to the rescue of Miami’s premier athletics club, with team president Pat Riley offering candid insight into the South Beach way of life.

“I don’t care what Ilyasova said, we have the greatest fans in the world,” Riley said in a Heat press conference. They just like to sip a little more wine before they come to the game. But we had a raucous group of fans at the end of Games 3 and 4.”

Of course, all sports fans think their fans are better than others. And if they don’t, they’re likely to be forcibly removed from that fanbase in what amounts to a modern day witch hunt.

But now, Miami can statistically say their fans are the best in professional basketball. According to a study published by WalletHub, Miami is (tied for) first, with the most engaged fans in the NBA.

Where’s Philadelphia on that list you might ask? Third from the bottom. Sixers fans are even lower than the Sacramento Kings, who haven’t seen the postseason in over a decade.

But this isn’t about how Miami’s fans are just better than Philadelphia’s. This is about a team that has shown resilience following heartbreak, quickly sweeping up the pieces and getting back to work.

From The Decision, and back again

How many fanbases can say they got to cheer on the best player of a generation? When LeBron James arrived in South Beach in 2010, he was met with a near unrivaled praise that reinvigorated a city four years removed from an NBA championship.

James’ four seasons came and went, but Heat fans were forever. In the 2014-15 season, the first without James, Miami held an average 19,712 arena goers per home contest, good for sixth in the league.

That’s more visitors than the eventual champion Golden State Warriors.

With a promising core including Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson, and highlight reels in James Johnson and Goran Dragic, Miami has had plenty to keep fans engaged with the team’s continued growth.

Heat Nation looks at the bandwagon and scoffs. We’ve got your bandwagon right here.

Vice Nights, baby!

However, the ball doesn’t stop after James leaves. Team owner Mickey Arison regularly keeps Heat fans engaged. Though he is the crowned king of Carnival Cruises, Arison’s identity is inexorably linked to the Heat.

In 2015, fans continued to press for a jersey re-branding. Partially induced by the post-James era and partially influenced by Miami’s neon drenched culture, Heat fans pushed for neon pink and blue laced uniforms.

Two years later, and Miami would paint the town neon, introducing their Nike vice uniforms.

NBA fans are well acquainted with ownership running their organizations into the ground. Look no further than New York City, the self-professed Mecca of Basketball.

New York Knicks owner Jim Dolan has made more headlines getting NBA legend Charles Oakley forcibly removed from his arena, than for basketball related news.

Miami’s front office knows the fragility of a fanbase. Keeping legions of fans engaged is a tall order, but the Heat are more than equipped for the task.

#HeatCulture

But beyond the on-court antics, the cries of “Twooooo Minutes! Dos!” and a championship pedigree, the Heat have built a culture that permeates the lifeblood of Miami.

From DJ Irie spinning records to keep the arena live, or the innumerable performances that take place in and around the AAA concourse, Miami has created a premier entertainment experience.

There’s a reason Heat Nation is so lauded – fans aren’t in the business of shaming. Whether you joined in the Heatles era or when Tony Fiorentino was on the coaching staff, Heat Nation welcomes you.

And to the players who’ve walked through the doors of the Miami Arena and AAA wearing red, white and black, you’re Heat Lifers.

Miami fans may get called out for how they trickle into the arena, but they’ve built a culture that turned an expansion team into one of the NBA’s finest.