MIAMI (WSVN) - Miami Heat fans are celebrating the team’s victory as Eastern Conference champs and are already stocking up on gear, as a local printing company makes new memorabilia and the players prepare for their first NBA Finals in six years.
7News cameras captured fans browsing and picking up hats, T-shirts and their favorite players’ jerseys at the Heat store inside the AmericanAirlines Arena, Monday afternoon.
“We watched the game last night, we prayed and they won,” said Heat fan Richard Bennetti.
After defeating the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Sunday night, the team is now preparing to take on the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I never expected them to get this far, and it’s been a great ride, but still, you want to finish the job,” said Heat fan Dustin Sher.
Eastern Conference Championship Heat gear was hot off the press at Atlas Embroidery and Screen Printing in Fort Lauderdale. The business had a strong start on Monday, as it printed thousands of T-shirts to celebrate the team’s big win.
“Thousands of pieces that’ll go out to all of our local retailers, as well as NBAshop.com,” said Adam Cohen with Atlas Embroidery and Screen Printing.
The shirts are expected to sell fast, as dozens of fans hit the streets on Sunday night in true Miami fashion to celebrate the team’s big win over the Celtics.
“A lot of people doubted us this year but, bro, we showed ’em up, man,” said one fan outside the AmericanAirlines Arena. “LeBron James, we coming for you, boy.”
Cameras also showed jubilant fans banging on pots and pans from their vehicles in parts of Hialeah and Little Havana while showing off Heat memorabilia, like shirts, flags and hats.
“I can’t wait to see us in the NBA Finals!” said Heat fan Joseph Campo. “We need that championship again.”
“Super excited!” screamed another fan.
DJ Khaled also celebrated the team’s win Sunday night, posting several videos to Instagram of his reaction after the game.
Congrats on making it to your 32nd Finals @Lakers, we’ll see you on Wednesday @KingJames @ericgarcetti how about we put a little something on the series:
I’ve got a box of cigars, a case of stone crabs, and key lime pie with your name on it if you can take out our @MiamiHEAT
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) September 28, 2020
The friendly trash-talking has already started. Monday afternoon, City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez tweeted, “We’ll see you on Wednesday @KingJames … I’ve got a box of cigars, a case of stone crabs, and key lime pie with your name on it if you can take out our @MiamiHEAT.”
There’s no doubt it’s been a rough year, and basketball has been an escape for many loyal fans. To bring home that trophy, some fans said, would mean everything.
“It’s a good moment in an otherwise tough year, and I think it’s a time when the city can come together and unify around something that just makes people happy,” said Sher.
If the Heat defeats the Lakers in the finals, Atlas Embroidery and Screen Printing will be ready to make more gear.
“If the Heat can take on LeBron in the finals and beat the Lakers, it’ll be exciting down here,” said Cohen. “It’ll be cranking merchandise out for a few days straight. It’ll start immediately following the finals win.”
Atlas Embroidery and Screen Printing’s Miami Heat merchandise is expected to be shipped out by Tuesday.
The Heat play against the Lakers on Wednesday night. Fans who spoke with 7News predicted the Heat will win in five games.
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