Haslem, Bosh embracing public perception

MIAMI All those who said the Miami Heat were too sensitive last season, that they wanted to be liked too much, pat yourselves on the back. You were right. The Heat wanted to feel the love, not the hate. The Heat contend that changes this season. Weve got a different chip on our shoulder this year, forwardteam captain Udonis Haslem said Tuesday. I think last year we kind of wanted to be the good guys, I guess, and to prove everybody wrong about all the bad things they were saying. This year I dont think we really care. Thats easy to say right now, before all the booing and all the venom from fans and the national media becomes an everyday occurrence. This is a team that wants to be liked. Its tough to believe this Heat team could be cold, uncaring and callous. They dont operate in that fashion. That much was obvious last season. The harsh words hurt. I think we really actually cared what people said, Haslem said. I think it kind of bothered us that people felt a certain way after we felt like we made the ultimate sacrifice to be a team, which is what team sports is supposed to be about. Bothered them? The Heat were shook to their very core. They say that wont happen this season. The Heat now understand they wont be liked. It accepts that. Heck, some players, such as forward Chris Bosh, like it. When I was a kid I liked the villains, the villains were the coolest guys, he said before referencing the modern-day cinema. Look at Batman. When the Joker came in everybody started clapping. He was funny and he was witty, everybody liked him. So theres nothing wrong with accepting that. Well, except the Heat is a team comprised of nice, caring guys. Most of the key players have spent their lifetimes being praised and, lets say it, practically worshipped. But now the Big Three of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Bosh are pariahs. And theyve dragged their teammates down, too. In almost every city they were booed, ridiculed and jeered. People thought they took the easy way out by forming this unholy superstar alliance. The Heat saw it another way. After all, many of the key players took pay cuts to form this mighty union. And this was the thanks they got. It was a stunning turn of events, and, yes, there were some hurt feelings. We were kind of sensitive to that a little bit because we felt like team sports should be about sacrifice and doing what it takes to win, Haslem said. At this point I dont think we care. Well see. Its tough to imagine kid-friendly athletes such as the Big 3 playing the part of say, Detroits Bad Boys. From that standpoint this Heat team is much closer to the Showtime Lakers, the Bad Boys arch-rivals. But its doubtful theyre as hardcore as those Pat Riley-led Lakers. Remember when Heat coach Erik Spoelstra revealed players were crying in the lockerroom after a loss to the Chicago Bulls in March? Thats not really the behavior youd expect from a team ready to embrace its role as villains. Nevertheless, the Heat contend change is coming. No more white hats. No more good guys. Its all about winning that elusive title. If you think youve heard this before, youre right. Just a few days ago Bosh was telling us hed be more confrontational this season. Now comes talk this team is going to embrace the bad guy role. Well see. For now theyre talking tough, and theyre saying they dont care what anyone thinks of them this season. Im sure people are going to still continue to feel the same way they feel about us, Haslem said. But like I said, I dont think we care anymore. At all.