LeBron James thrived in his four seasons with the Miami Heat, winning two championships and helping the team reach the NBA Finals every year.

By all accounts, the Big Three era—as short as it may have been—was an unquestioned success.

What would have happened had James stayed in Miami? Longtime NBA guard Ron Harper says Pat Riley’s presence is why we never learned the answer.

During a recent appearance on Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller’s podcast, Riley said he believes the Heat could have won five or six championships had James not returned to Cleveland in July 2014. The Heat have not won the NBA Finals since 2013. 

Harper, who won five titles with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, blamed James’ departure on Riley.

“Tell them why he left?” Harper wrote on X. “You wasn’t dealing with what comes with him.”

Riley never coached James in Miami. He’s served as the Heat’s president since 2008. James joined the Heat in July 2010. It’s also worth noting Harper never played under Riley.

For his part, Riley has discussed his up-and-down relationship with James in the past. In the 2018 book The Soul of Basketball, Riley admitted he was “absolutely livid” when James signed with the Cavaliers. 

However, Riley acknowledged he later understood why James left Miami for a second stint in Cleveland. James helped the Cavaliers to their first championship in 2016 and reached the Finals all four seasons in Cleveland.

“While there may have been some carnage always left behind when he made these kinds of moves, in Cleveland and also in Miami, he did the right thing,” Riley said.

Sources told ESPN in 2018 that James and Riley hadn’t spoken since 2014. 

MORE HEAT NEWS

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Jake Elman works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat on SI. He can be reached at jakeelman97@gmail.com or follow him on X @JakeElman97.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The holiday season in Cleveland always feels like a special time of the year, especially for folks looking to get together and enjoy the city’s best bars and restaurants.

In recent years, the idea of Christmas pop-up bars has exploded into a phenomenon, and it’s at a peak in 2024. Bars and restaurants across Northeast Ohio, from Madison to Sandusky to Cuyahoga Falls, are decking the halls and going all-out on Christmas decor and festive cocktails for this holiday season.

Various bars and restaurants across the U.S. have always strung up lights or put a tree up around the holiday season. However, in the age of flashy social media marketing campaigns, the trend of Christmas bars has exploded, with watering holes competing with each other to create the most Instagram-friendly decor.

Plus, Clevelanders have embraced the craft cocktail trend, and a holiday pop-up gives bars a rich opportunity to play around with seasonal recipes. Finally, holiday pop-ups are perfect for bar crawls, another popular trend in U.S. nightlife, with revelers bouncing from themed bar to themed bar — via Uber or a designated driver, of course.

A new addition to the list includes Nano Brew on West 25th Street in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood. Owner Sam McNulty and his crew, spearheaded by colleague Kassie Mackay, spent two days in mid-November stringing lights and decorating trees to turn Nano Brew into Holiday Land.

McNulty, who also owns Market Garden Brewery, got the idea for the bar after the hugely successful launch of the Holiday Land mixed beer pack. The pack includes its Festivus Holiday Spiced Ale that started it all, joined by three new seasonal releases – Cool Runnings Rum Cake Stoud, Party Lights Winter Wheat and Spruce Tips IPA.

“It’s kind of like if you were to climb into the Holiday Land box, this is what it would look like,” McNulty said of the bar.

As for the trend in general, McNulty, who also owns Clandestina and Bright Side on the popular street, thinks that Clevelanders just love a reason to celebrate.

“We’re always looking for a reason to party and get together with family and friends, and the holidays are a great reason,” he said.

He might be biased, but he thinks that Ohio City in general becomes popular during the season for locals to show out-of-town guests some of the best that the city has to offer, like the West Side Market.

“Nothing says the holiday like having a beer in Ohio City,” McNulty added.

In Madison, Grand River Cellars has brought back its Grinchmas Bar for the second year, turning its cozy winery into a Grinch-themed Christmas bar. After the bar’s debut last year was a success, owner Cindy Lindberg thought it was a no-brainer to bring it back to continue to spread Christmas cheer.

“Not only did our customers thoroughly enjoy it, but also my staff,” Lindberg said. “It made it a better experience for them during the holiday season.”

Check out 33 different holiday pop-up bars across Northeast Ohio to check out before we ring in the New Year.

Downtown

XMas Bar at Hi 5

1052 Old River Rd., Cleveland

The XMas Bar in The Flats is another annual part of holiday celebrations in recent years. The pop-up concept is also in cities like Columbus, Chicago and beyond. Themed cocktails, shots and even milk and cookies are on the seasonal menu.

Miracle on E. 4th Street

2063 E. 4th St., Cleveland

Society Lounge on E. 4th Street turns into its Miracle holiday pop-up bar once November rolls around. The upscale cocktail lounge is sure to stun with a festive list of cocktails perfect for holiday sipping.

Re:Bar

2130 E. 9th St., Cleveland

Re:Bar debuted its first-ever Christmas pop-up bar on Nov. 22 in downtown Cleveland. The bar went with a retro vibe for its decor and specialty cocktail menu.

Sleigh Holiday Bar at Jack Casino

100 Public Sq., Cleveland

Jack Casino is opening up its Sleigh Holiday Bar on Nov. 27 to celebrate on the weekends through the holiday season. The casino always goes over the top with its decor alongside a seasonal drink menu.

Southern Cheer Christmas Bar

811 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland

Southern Tier shows off its Christmas cheer with its holiday pop-up bar every year. The cellar turns into a holiday haven with cocktail specials, festive music and beyond through the month of December.

Foundation Room at House of Blues

308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

The Foundation Room at House of Blues opens as a holiday pop-up bar from Thursdays through Saturdays during the season. Limited-edition cocktails, live music and more are planned in the festive lounge.

Christmas Island

1150 Front Ave., Cleveland

Margaritaville’s Cleveland location in The Flats takes a festive approach to its typical tropical vibes during the holiday season. Dubbed Christmas Island, the pop-up bar includes festive decor, cocktails and beyond.

Deck the Vault

2017 E. 9th St., Cleveland

The Vault, the swanky basement bar at the 9 Hotel, is turning back into Deck The Vault this holiday season. The pop-up bar features plenty of decorations and seasonal craft cocktails through the end of the year.

Jingle & Mingle at Shake & Slide

230 W. Huron Rd., Cleveland

Shake & Slide is turning its milkshake and burger cafe into a Christmas pop-up bar on the weekends this holiday season. Through Dec. 21, Jingle & Mingle will be open Friday and Saturday nights featuring holiday food specials, boozy milkshakes and beyond.

Brewdog

1956 Carter Rd., Cleveland

Brewdog Cleveland is celebrating the holidays with several events in its decked-out space all season long. Festive menus, polar patios and Christmas-themed brunches are planned throughout the end of the year.

West

Winter Wonderland at Velvet Tango Room

2095 Columbus Rd., Cleveland

The Velvet Tango Room turned its back room into the Holiday Hideaway this holiday season. Seasonal craft cocktails will start being served on Nov. 29 in the festive space.

Secret Cellar Christmas Bar

2516 Market Ave., Cleveland

Great Lakes Brewing Company has turned the basement bar of its brewpub into the Secret Cellar Christmas Bar yet again this holiday season. It will officially open on November 29 for weekend hours until December 16, when it remains open 7-days a week through the holiday season. Christmas ale, a festive snack menu and good vibes are all in store at the Ohio City brewery this year.

Time Warp Bar

26261 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake

Time Warp is a dive bar in Westlake that takes the holiday season seriously with its pop-up bar. Live music and festive decor are in store all season long at the neighborhood hangout.

Seeing Double

26880 Brookpark Ext., North Olmsted

Seeing Double in North Olmsted barely waits for the beginning of November to transform its space into a holiday headquarters. Christmas-themed cocktails and mocktails are available with live music and other events planned throughout the holiday season.

HolidayLAND at Nano Brew

1859 W. 25th St., Cleveland

For the first year ever, Nano Brew in Ohio City is debuting its HolidayLAND pop-up bar. Craft cocktails, holiday beers and plenty of decorations are just a taste of what’s in store for the first year of the bar. Nano Brew will have DJ nights and seasonal trivia events on its calendar throughout the month. Additionally, for December, the bar will be open seven days a week for festive guests.

Pins & Needles

13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Pins and Needles will be decked out in its throwback holiday best all season long for 2024. Mahall’s is kicking off the holidays with its first ChristkindlMarket, which includes the basement pop-up bar.

Tommy’s Place

1325 Linda St., Rocky River

Tommy’s Place has yet again turned its humble local watering hole into an entire Grinch-themed holiday pop-up. Floor-to-ceiling decor and a few specialty drinks will be a part of the seasonal fun and Tommy’s serves some food menu items from Wine Bar next door.

Griswold’s at Old School Pizza and Wings

445 Avon Belden Rd., Avon Lake

Old School Pizza and Wings in Avon Lake is going all-in on the “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” theme with its holiday pop-up bar called Griswold’s. The restaurant put a replica of Clark Griswold’s lit-up house from the movie on top of its restaurant to set the tone upon entry. Opens Nov. 29.

The Christmas Corner Bar

18616 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Around the Corner Bar is the shining star on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood every holiday season when it becomes The Christmas Corner Bar. Floor-to-ceiling lights and decorations are just the tip of the experience that includes a special drink menu, Christmas music and plenty of fun events.

Danny Boys

6207 Milan Rd., Sandusky

Danny Boys transformed its Sandusky location into a Christmas wonderland for the holiday season. The restaurant will show off its impressive holiday decor and seasonal menu throughout November and December.

East

The Yard Who Stole Christmas

38040 3rd St., Willoughby

The Yard on 3rd is turning into an outdoor Christmas bar starting Nov. 27. The space includes igloo rentals, several Christmas trees and holiday cocktails, some even served in take-home ornament glasses.

Bomb Bar: Christmas Explosion at Rollhouse Mentor

7300 Palisades Parkway, Mentor

Shotskis, mesmerizing light displays and festive cocktails are just a taste of what’s in store at Rollhouse Mentor’s holiday pop-up bar. The Bomb Bar: Christmas Explosion is open for the holiday season featuring wall-to-wall decorations and more.

The Workshop at Mavis Public House

6025 Kruse Dr. #148, Solon

Mavis Public House opens The Workshop, its covered and heated Christmas pop-up bar, officially on December 5. The cozy space is a great place to enjoy holiday-themed drinks and is available for private party rentals.

Grinchmas Bar at Grand River Cellars Winery

5750 S. Madison Rd., Madison

Fans of Dr. Seuss’s “The Grinch” have to stop by the Grinchmas Bar at Grand River Cellars Winery this holiday season. The winery will showcase festive cocktails and a Whoobilation comfort food menu alongside its over-the-top decor through New Year’s Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Rudloph’s Revenge at Debonne Vineyards

7840 Doty Rd., Madison

Debonne Vineyards is Grand River’s sister winery that is also debuting its own pop-up this winter. The pop-up is dubbed Rudolph’s Revenge. The winery has its own themed food and drink menu. Two local hotels, the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Experience, also offer overnight packages with shuttles to each pop-up location.

Chill at Etta

12502 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland

Poppy has created an immersive pop-up bar experience dubbed Chill at Etta that’s open throughout the weekends during the holiday season. The frosty space has a curated cocktail menu that matches the snowy chalet vibe.

Winter Wonderland at Kava Sol

4055 Erie St., Willoughby,

Kava Sol in Willoughby is bringing back its Winter Wonderland pop-up on Dec. 1 to give folks a non-alcoholic festive option. An outdoor igloo and cozy indoor lounge spaces make it the perfect place to feel “snowed in” at, regardless of the weather outside.

South

Let It Snow at Brew Garden

16555 Southpark Center, Strongsville

Brew Garden in Strongsville makes a tradition out of turning its bar into a winter wonderland dubbed Let It Snow at the end of every year. It also hosts events like a New Year’s Eve celebration and breakfasts with Santa throughout the season.

Blitzen’s Holiday Pop-Up Bar

80 N. Main St., Hudson

Hudson has an option for holiday pop-up bars with Blitzen’s, located inside Hudson’s Restaurant on Main Street. The pop-up bar is open through January with specialty food, cocktails and desserts, including edible cookie shots.

Tu Mele Kalikimaka at Tiki Underground

1832 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls

Tiki Underground is always an immersive cocktail bar experience in Cuyahoga Falls, but it takes it to a festive level with its Tu Mele Kalikimaka pop-up. It will be open through Jan. 4, with planned events like a virtual food drive, an ugly sweat crawl and more.

That Christmas Bar and Kitchen

1649 N. Main St., Canton

That Pop Up Bar gets into the holiday spirit in a major way with the Christmas rendition of the seasonal space. The decorations are just a part of the experience. The bar serves festive drinks in holiday-themed barware as well as a full-themed food menu for 2024.

Jingle Bar at Amici Restaurant and Bar

13000 Royalton Rd., North Royalton

Amici’s created its own festive drinking oasis dubbed the Jingle Mingle Bar for 2024. Alongside its typical Italian menu, the holiday cocktail lineup includes sips like a Snowflake martini and Jingle bellini. Plus, several selfie spots for holiday photo ops.

The Reindeer Room at The President’s Lounge

341 Darrow Rd., Akron

The President’s Lounge is bringing back its Reindeer Room holiday pop-up bar with even more festive flare. The historic tavern will serve Christmas drink specials throughout the holiday season and host plenty of live music events.

Alex Darus writes about food, dining and drinking for Cleveland.com, check out her latest posts here. You can reach her with story ideas at adarus@cleveland.com. Follow her on Instagram @alex_darus.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) — The 25th annual Turkey Bowl happened Thanksgiving morning at the FOX 8 Lanes. Check out how this year’s tournament all played out!

This year’s contestants were:

• Tyler Vanichek, Shelby (Defending champ)
• Ronnie Rollins, Olmsted Falls
• Marty Zeleski, Slavic Village
• Lynn Hallum, Willoughby Hills
• Leeam Altano, New Philadelphia
• Joseph Subotnik, Barberton
• JJ Mammoth, Olmsted Falls
• Sharon Pacek, Brunswick
• Lance Taylor, Canton
• Jerome Karn, Valley City
• Jeremy Putnam, Elyria
• John Videc, Westlake
• Jackie Landolph, Parma Heights
• Laura Lowery, Canton
• Dan Werner, Medina
• Janet Wise, New Franklin

After the first round of bowling in the Fox 8 News studios, these are the contestants who made it to the quarter-finals:

• Tyler Vanichek
• Marty Zeleski
• Joseph Subotnik
• Sharon Pacek
• Lance Taylor
• John Videc
• Laura Lowery
• Dan Werner

Next up, we’re on to the semi-finals! Here are your contestants:

• Tyler Vanichek
• Joseph Subotnik
• Lance Taylor
• Dan Werner

And we’re down to the final two! Who is going to be the 2024 champion???

• Tyler Vanichek
• Dan Werner

Congratulations Dan Werner! Dan is now the 25th champion of the Fox 8 News Turkey Bowl.

He stopped Tyler Vanichek from winning his 3rd in a row! Check out the winning moment:

The first Turkey Bowl happened back in 1999 at an old Tops grocery store in Brooklyn and was hosted by the late FOX 8 Sports anchor Dan Coughlin. FOX 8’s Kenny Crumpton joined as co-host until Dan retired. FOX 8 anchor Todd Meany joined Kenny a few years later and they’ve remained the powerhouse hosting duo ever since.

Over the years, the event grew in popularity and would attract large crowds to the Giant Eagle in South Euclid where it was held for years. It’s even been featured on the FOX News Channel and on the giant monitors overlooking New York’s Times Square.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 event had to be cancelled.

Starting in 2021, the Turkey Bowl was moved to FOX 8 Lanes in the FOX 8 garage. That was also the beginning of the Celebrity Turkey Bowl — which was held on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. That continued through 2023.

This year, FOX 8 hosted the Tournament of Champions on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving which featured 13 former champions.