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HEAT
NBA

LeBron James, Heat receive rings, 219 diamonds and all

Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports
  • LeBron James and the Heat received their 2012 title rings
  • James was last to get ring Tuesday before season opener
  • "I'm going to live in that moment," James said
Heat teammates Dwyane Wade and LeBron James admire their new NBA championship rings.

MIAMI β€” In mid-September, most Miami Heat players were sized for championship rings.

But because NBA MVP LeBron James had a busy offseason β€” Olympic training camp, the London Olympics, a trip to China, workouts with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant β€” 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.

"It was good to cap this night off with a win," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It was an emotional time for all of us in our organization."

That's when James received a size 13Β½ 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 β€” also made of diamonds. Ring designer Jostens is selling a replica for $3,200.

James was the last player to receive his ring β€” even after longtime Heat guard Dwyane Wade β€” 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.

Red and white glow sticks β€” programmed to light up at 7:31 p.m. ET β€” 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.

"Without you guys, a night like tonight's not possible," Heat forward Mike Miller told the fans.

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.

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