NBA MVP was last Heat player to receive his ring
10:50PM EDT October 30. 2012 - MIAMI — In mid-September, most Miami Heat players were sized for championship rings.
But because NBA MVP LeBron James had a busy offseason — Olympic training camp, the London Olympics, a trip to China, workouts with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant — he didn't get fitted for his ring until late September.
Heat players did not know what the ring looked like until Tuesday, when they saw them for the first time at the Heat's ring and championship banner-raising ceremony before the season opener against the Boston Celtics. The Heat won 120-107.
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That's when James received a size 13½ championship ring for the first time in his career. The ring has a black background and is surrounded by 219 diamonds, with the words "World Champions" on it. In the middle of the ring is the Heat logo and the championship trophy — also made of diamonds. Ring designer Jostens is selling a replica for $3,200.
James was the last player to receive his ring — even after longtime Heat guard Dwyane Wade — and fans chanted "MVP, MVP." James raised his hands in the air, encouraging the crowd, and walked over to Heat owner Micky Arison to accept his ring.
Earlier in the day, James, the regular-season and Finals MVP said, "I'm going to live in that moment. This is a special moment not only for our team but for this organization, for the city, whoever is a Miami Heat fan. We all will live in the moment, but we also have some other business to take care of well. … These moments are not given."
The Celtics were not on the court during the 10-minute ceremony, and Boston coach Doc Rivers joked his team would be in the locker room watching either Scandal or Homeland.
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Red and white glow sticks — programmed to light up at 7:31 p.m. ET — were placed at each seat for fans to hold, and when a curtain at center court dropped, it revealed the Larry O'Brien championship and the rings.
Before presenting a ring to Arison, NBA Commissioner David Stern, who announced last week he will step down on Feb. 1, 2014, opened his remarks with thoughts and concerns for those affected by Hurricane Sandy, but Stern called it Hurricane Katrina.
New Heat players Ray Allen, who played for the Celtics last season, Josh Harrellson and Rashard Lewis watched the ceremony from baseline seats.
Taking a cue from the gold Larry O'Brien championship trophy, Heat players wore shoes with gold color schemes, including James' custom-made Nike LEBRON X sneakers.
At 8:11 p.m. ET, the 2012-13 season tipped off for the Heat – the 2011-12 championship season officially behind them and a great chance at another title right in front of them.
Source: http://www.news.theusalinks.com/2012/10/30/lebron-james-heat-receive-rings-219-diamonds-and-all/
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