It is an unapologetically arrogant bunch.

The Miami Heat were baptized in the name of haughtiness the moment they threw themselves the spotlights-and-smoke party celebrating the free-agent signings of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join forces with Miami holdover Dwyane Wade before the 2010-11 NBA season. James immediately dared to promise multiple titles … and now comes a second opportunity to deliver the first of them after having failed a year ago.

It’s true how the league’s very best teams are measured by what they do in the playoffs.

But it’s also true that the Heat are measured most severely among those very best teams. What franchise other than Miami will be considered a disappointment without the trophy? There isn’t one. Chicago and Oklahoma City are still growing into themselves. San Antonio has been a surprise. Boston? The L.A. Lakers? A title earned in either place would be a startling development. So would a successful defense by Dallas.

via Greg Stoda of CBS Sports