KING ME: LeBron James displays his NBA MVP trophy after the Heat defeated the Spurs to win their second straight title. (
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Well past midnight early Friday morning, Heat president Pat Riley was drenched in champagne. Dwyane Wade sat alone on the floor outside the locker room, “soaking it in,’’ as he said. The tarp covering the locker-room carpet was indeed soaked.
And LeBron James reveled in the interview room, saying his goal was still to be “if not the greatest, one of the greatest to ever play this game.’’
King James is on his way with his second ring, but the Heat’s repeat Thursday night and their wild celebration after the NBA Finals Game 7 win over the Spurs may have been the last pure moment of joy James and Wade will share in South Beach.
If the Heat get to this stage next June and attempt a “Miami Thrice,’’ the focus will shift to whether it is the last stand for James, Wade and Chris Bosh. All three have opt-outs in their contracts after next season. A return to Cleveland could be in the cards for James.
“Two championships in three years so far, it’s the ultimate,’’ James said. “I don’t want to think about next year, what our possibilities are next year. I got to take full advantage of this one. It’s an unbelievable moment for our team.’’
Miami has already been installed as 2-1 favorites to win the 2014 title by online betting service Bovada. But if the Heat thought this run was tougher than last year’s, they may not have seen anything yet.
As one team official said, “Oh yeah, it’s going to be harder.’’
Tom Thibodeau’s Bulls will finally be armed with former MVP Derrick Rose, who has been injured the past two playoffs. The Pacers, who took the Heat to a Game 7, get back All-Star forward Danny Granger to join 7-foot-2 monster Roy Hibbert and an improving Paul George.
The Knicks, meanwhile, match up well with Miami after winning 3-of-4 in the regular season. The Knicks will have a fully healthy Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony and perhaps Amar’e Stoudemire will be right and ready for the playoffs.
If the Heat survive the East for the fourth straight year, it may be the young studs from Oklahoma City, with a healthy Russell Westbrook, to greet them in the finals — not the older Spurs.
But if James continues to be spectacular with the highest of stakes — he did it in London in the Olympic gold-medal game and through last year’s Finals — then the Heat will be unbeatable in 2014.
James’ finest hour was his last hour, when he swished jumpers all over South Florida to will the Heat to a 95-88 win in Game 7, scoring his 2013 playoff-high 37 points. He had to shake off a series in which his jumper was lost to sink five 3-pointers and go 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich dared him all series to beat his team from the perimeter and James did.
“To be able to come through for my teammates in the biggest moment on the biggest stage makes me more satisfied than anything in the world,’’ James said early Friday. “I know the grass isn’t always green and there’s going to be trials and tribulations. But hopefully I can continue to be the leader for my teammates.’’
James doesn’t sound like a guy ready to skip out on Miami. In recent days he referred to himself as “the kid from Akron, Ohio.’’ That may not bode well for Cavaliers fans, who are hoping James still identifies with Cleveland despite all the criticism he has endured there for leaving.
Trying to stockpile titles in Miami may be more appealing.
“Everybody can’t get to the Finals and win six in a row and not lose one like Michael Jordan,’’ Wade said.
But the Heat can surely try.
The Miami roster will stay virtually the same. Disappointing Mike Miller will likely be cut via the amnesty clause, but Ray Allen, whose game-tying 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds left in Game 6 saved the Heat’s season, should return.
James will get married this summer and enjoy the spoils of victory as a two-time champion. The Cleveland talk can wait. So can talk about him not living up to his nickname — “The Chosen One.’’
In his parting words, however, James told the media to keep coming with the criticism.
“Please continue to motivate me,’’ he said. “I need you guys.’’
marc.berman@nypost.com