Monday, June 20, 2016
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Could McRoberts' Hard Playoff Foul on Lebron Finally Mark a Return To 1980's "Big Boy" Basketball?
The short answer is apparently... No.
Why? Because after in game referees reviewed the play and 3 officials saw it as nothing more than a common foul, the NBA has swept in and fined McRoberts $20K and raised the foul to a flagrant 2. The Charlotte Bobcats' McRoberts will not be suspended for Game 3 of the series.
When I first heard about the hard foul the Charlotte Bobcats' Josh McRoberts had committed on Lebron, I had to check it out.
When I watched footage, it didn't seem like much more that incidental contact with McRoberts' arm in a bad position to try to make a play on the ball, but of course, in this day and age, we all have gotten used to that kind of play being called a flagrant foul 2 because of the coddling of NBA superstars like Lebron James.
So, when the foul was ruled a common foul during the game, I thought, "Finally! New commissioner, Adam Silver, is returning the league to the man's game that was played during the 1980's and 1990's."
Well, that excitement lasted all of 48 hours, during which time, the league stepped in and upgraded the play from a common foul to a flagrant 2, and additionally, will assess Josh McRoberts with a $20K fine. Apparently, the flagrant 2 did not warrant a suspension for Saturday night's Game 3.
And despite the actions taken by the league, the Miami Heat stated that the disciplinary action parsed out by the league office don't go far enough. Not that they have a vested interest or would say anything to try to gain an even greater advantage over the scrappy Bobcats, who are gaining confidence with every close playoff game.
Worse yet, Lebron is now whining to the sports journalists about how frustrated he is with all the hard fouls, siting fouls like the "hard foul" by Serge Ibaka that broke his nose this season, which, everyone would agree, was unintentional and incidental contact.
If that was Lebron's idea of a "hard foul", Lebron has no idea what a "hard foul" is.
Next time someone tells you that Lebron is in the same league as Michael Jordan, look at what Jordan had to do to beat a defense more punishing than Lebron has ever seen in his life, and imagine how many Points Per Game Jordan would average if every basket he made was an And-1.
Lebron is the beneficiery of many favorable rules changes that has given him every advantage as a skilled and athletic offensive player in the NBA because the league seeks to promote their superstars.
Lebron is complaining about contact that was normal, routine, and expected during the playoffs in Michael Jordan's time. And what you also see is the Zen response that Jordan had for all that contact. He picked himself up, brushed himself off, and went to charity stripe and drained his free throws.
Lebron's response is just what the Bobcats want to see. When he cries about the physical fouls, his opponents now know that the hard fouls bother him, and you can sure as hell expect more plays like that because of his LeBiatching.
Rest assured, if this was the NBA of the past, the next game will be marked by a flurry of fouls called on the Charlotte Bobcats early on in order to limit their ability to play physical defense. The league of the past will do this because Lebron and the Heat have been crying all over the media.
Will any of this change under new leadership? Or will the Miami CHeat continue to get special treatment with officiating? One thing is for sure: "Earned, Not Given" is only a slogan, not the reality.
Why? Because after in game referees reviewed the play and 3 officials saw it as nothing more than a common foul, the NBA has swept in and fined McRoberts $20K and raised the foul to a flagrant 2. The Charlotte Bobcats' McRoberts will not be suspended for Game 3 of the series.
 |
| One of many images that, even selected for effect, show McRoberts' elbow only grazed Lebron. |
When I watched footage, it didn't seem like much more that incidental contact with McRoberts' arm in a bad position to try to make a play on the ball, but of course, in this day and age, we all have gotten used to that kind of play being called a flagrant foul 2 because of the coddling of NBA superstars like Lebron James.
So, when the foul was ruled a common foul during the game, I thought, "Finally! New commissioner, Adam Silver, is returning the league to the man's game that was played during the 1980's and 1990's."
Well, that excitement lasted all of 48 hours, during which time, the league stepped in and upgraded the play from a common foul to a flagrant 2, and additionally, will assess Josh McRoberts with a $20K fine. Apparently, the flagrant 2 did not warrant a suspension for Saturday night's Game 3.
And despite the actions taken by the league, the Miami Heat stated that the disciplinary action parsed out by the league office don't go far enough. Not that they have a vested interest or would say anything to try to gain an even greater advantage over the scrappy Bobcats, who are gaining confidence with every close playoff game.
Worse yet, Lebron is now whining to the sports journalists about how frustrated he is with all the hard fouls, siting fouls like the "hard foul" by Serge Ibaka that broke his nose this season, which, everyone would agree, was unintentional and incidental contact.
 |
| Lebron writhing on the floor after Serge Ibaka looked at him funny, resulting in a broken nose. |
Next time someone tells you that Lebron is in the same league as Michael Jordan, look at what Jordan had to do to beat a defense more punishing than Lebron has ever seen in his life, and imagine how many Points Per Game Jordan would average if every basket he made was an And-1.
Lebron is the beneficiery of many favorable rules changes that has given him every advantage as a skilled and athletic offensive player in the NBA because the league seeks to promote their superstars.
Lebron is complaining about contact that was normal, routine, and expected during the playoffs in Michael Jordan's time. And what you also see is the Zen response that Jordan had for all that contact. He picked himself up, brushed himself off, and went to charity stripe and drained his free throws.
Lebron's response is just what the Bobcats want to see. When he cries about the physical fouls, his opponents now know that the hard fouls bother him, and you can sure as hell expect more plays like that because of his LeBiatching.
Rest assured, if this was the NBA of the past, the next game will be marked by a flurry of fouls called on the Charlotte Bobcats early on in order to limit their ability to play physical defense. The league of the past will do this because Lebron and the Heat have been crying all over the media.
Will any of this change under new leadership? Or will the Miami CHeat continue to get special treatment with officiating? One thing is for sure: "Earned, Not Given" is only a slogan, not the reality.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Miami cHeat vs. Chicago Bulls: LebronLeBiatch's Dirty Tactics On Display Again
CHICAGO, IL. The Chicago Bulls went into the halftime intermission trailing 43-37. Not sure what was said in the locker room, but I can guarantee that one play was mentioned.
Shortly before the half, Lebron had leaked to cherry pick an easy basket, but Jimmy Butler was in position to strip the ball loose which was recovered by the Bulls.
While on the floor after the play, Lebron purposefully pulled down Jimmy Butler to prevent the Bulls from having numbers while he wasn't hustling back.
As he pulled down Butler (in front of the NBA referee, mind you, without a foul call), Butler's feet ended up around Lebron's head area. Lebron continued to engage Butler, including swinging his own legs up toward Butler's head. Butler, without taking any swings or kicks at Lebron, made it clear that he wasn't going to give Lebron a single inch, and he emerged from the scrum smiling a confident smile.
Take a look at footage of the play and judge for yourself:
That play had to fire up Jimmy Butler. After going 0 for 5 with no points in the first half, he finished up with 16 pts, 11 reb, 4 stl, and 1 blk.
Meanwhile, Lebron, who had to have been frustrated and now embarassed by this unsportsmanlike play, went on to finish with only 17 pts on 8 of 23 shooting (38.2%), even below his season average against the Bulls (19.0 on 42.9% shooting).
Jimmy Butler added to his resume as the Lebron-stopper; while being defended by Butler, Lebron made only 2 field goals and had 3 turnovers.
The Bulls came back from an 11 point 4th quarter deficit to force OT. Then, led by Joakim Noah (20pts, 12reb, 7ast, 5blk), Chicago dominated Miami on the boards and suffocated the Heat offense, which only managed 2 meaningless points on a too little, to late layup by Lebron.
The Chicago Bulls sent the cHeat to their third straight loss in a week that began with Lebron piling on during a blowout of the lowly Bobcats with 61 points. Since then, Lebron has managed 58 points combined in the cHeat's three straight losses.
Beware of the Lebron Dick-Riders
Today, all the Lebron Dick-riders were all up in arms to say that Jimmy Butler kicked Lebron in the face, using very creative stills from the game footage to illustrate their opinionated articles.
We all know that at full speed, that was not a kick, and Lebron flinches like he's been shot in the head at any contact because he's used to getting something for all his acting.
But on the other hand, with video review, the NBA needs to start holding the players that instigate this type of contact accountable because players can and do get hurt from all the tangling of limbs that some players, particularly Miami Heat players, have initiated.
Case in point, a play from the 2011 NBA Playoffs that changed the entire dynamics of the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics series:
Enough with the acting. Enough with double technicals. Make these situations reviewable by replay and make the penalty meaningful.
Instigators should be ejected from the game with potential for suspension pending the result of the play. This kind of unsportsmanlike play is unacceptable in a professional sports league.
Lebron did not injure Jimmy Butler on that play, but he could have the way Rondo was injured. But the referees should have viewed a replay of the contact. They should have ejected Lebron from the game. And if there was an injury, as there was with Rajon Rondo, there should be the potential to suspend the involved player for the rest of the series.
As it stands, the David Stern-led NBA basically awarded the Miami Heat for causing this injury. Hopefully, new NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is aware of this and many other flaws in NBA officiating and is actively working to rid his league of unsportsmanlike play such as this.
If you think Lebron's and the Miami Heat's unsportsmanlike contact should be banned from the NBA, please comment and share this article on your Facebook.
Shortly before the half, Lebron had leaked to cherry pick an easy basket, but Jimmy Butler was in position to strip the ball loose which was recovered by the Bulls.
 |
| "Hey Lebron! How's my dick taste?" |
As he pulled down Butler (in front of the NBA referee, mind you, without a foul call), Butler's feet ended up around Lebron's head area. Lebron continued to engage Butler, including swinging his own legs up toward Butler's head. Butler, without taking any swings or kicks at Lebron, made it clear that he wasn't going to give Lebron a single inch, and he emerged from the scrum smiling a confident smile.
Take a look at footage of the play and judge for yourself:
That play had to fire up Jimmy Butler. After going 0 for 5 with no points in the first half, he finished up with 16 pts, 11 reb, 4 stl, and 1 blk.
Meanwhile, Lebron, who had to have been frustrated and now embarassed by this unsportsmanlike play, went on to finish with only 17 pts on 8 of 23 shooting (38.2%), even below his season average against the Bulls (19.0 on 42.9% shooting).
Jimmy Butler added to his resume as the Lebron-stopper; while being defended by Butler, Lebron made only 2 field goals and had 3 turnovers.
The Bulls came back from an 11 point 4th quarter deficit to force OT. Then, led by Joakim Noah (20pts, 12reb, 7ast, 5blk), Chicago dominated Miami on the boards and suffocated the Heat offense, which only managed 2 meaningless points on a too little, to late layup by Lebron.
The Chicago Bulls sent the cHeat to their third straight loss in a week that began with Lebron piling on during a blowout of the lowly Bobcats with 61 points. Since then, Lebron has managed 58 points combined in the cHeat's three straight losses.
Beware of the Lebron Dick-Riders
Today, all the Lebron Dick-riders were all up in arms to say that Jimmy Butler kicked Lebron in the face, using very creative stills from the game footage to illustrate their opinionated articles.
We all know that at full speed, that was not a kick, and Lebron flinches like he's been shot in the head at any contact because he's used to getting something for all his acting.
But on the other hand, with video review, the NBA needs to start holding the players that instigate this type of contact accountable because players can and do get hurt from all the tangling of limbs that some players, particularly Miami Heat players, have initiated.
Case in point, a play from the 2011 NBA Playoffs that changed the entire dynamics of the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics series:
Enough with the acting. Enough with double technicals. Make these situations reviewable by replay and make the penalty meaningful.
Instigators should be ejected from the game with potential for suspension pending the result of the play. This kind of unsportsmanlike play is unacceptable in a professional sports league.
Lebron did not injure Jimmy Butler on that play, but he could have the way Rondo was injured. But the referees should have viewed a replay of the contact. They should have ejected Lebron from the game. And if there was an injury, as there was with Rajon Rondo, there should be the potential to suspend the involved player for the rest of the series.
As it stands, the David Stern-led NBA basically awarded the Miami Heat for causing this injury. Hopefully, new NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is aware of this and many other flaws in NBA officiating and is actively working to rid his league of unsportsmanlike play such as this.
If you think Lebron's and the Miami Heat's unsportsmanlike contact should be banned from the NBA, please comment and share this article on your Facebook.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
LeBron and Miami Heat's Complaining Starts Early In Cheating For Another Championship
MIAMI, FL. Not sure why ESPN.com bothers having a section on its site called "Heat Index" specifically covering Miami Heat stories when the entire NBA coverage by ESPN is a Miami Heat propaganda machine.
Anyway, in a stunt for the TV cameras and sports "journalists" in attendence during Miami Heat practice, the Heat coaching staff brought out football pads to "simulate" the physical play that the team would encounter against the Chicago Bulls on opening night.
As Miami Heat sports writers everywhere describe the odd sight, the not-so-subtle message is transmitted throughout the slanted ESPN universe: "Beware of the dirty play of the Chicago Bulls."
C'mon.
Tom Haberstroh, as the Miami Heat beat writer for ESPN, you are either slipping that in there to gain your team an advantage, or you are so stupid that you let the Miami Heat coaching staff use you to gain an officiating advantage. Either way, you are a pathetic excuse for a "journalist".
Meanwhile, wasn't it LeBron James himself that tauted flopping as an effective strategy after stating that he has never flopped in his entire career? And wasn't it the same LeBron James that got called and fined a few nights later for flopping?
And what about this Dwayne Wade Cheap Shot Montage (starting at 9:39)?
LeBron and the Heat must sense the sun setting on their time at the top, by default. The Heat won't get an automatic road to the Finals.
Their Eastern Conference Finals foes from last season, the Indiana Pacers have gotten even bigger up front and deeper.
The superteams in Boston and Brooklyn have consolidated into a single Eastern superpower based in Brooklyn.
And the Miami Heat's greatest rival, the Chicago Bulls have their MVP back in Derrick Rose. They are the team that have put fear into the hearts of LeBiatch and his bunch since they split the season series last season and took two games off of them in the playoffs without their best and second best players.
And so what does a aging and declining champion resort to when they feel vulnerable?
They cry foul. They complain about officiating. They stack the deck if they can.
They accuse the other team of being too physical.
They CHeat.
 |
| This used to be called a charge taken by a gutsy veteran with a high basketball IQ; in this league of superstar calls, its a foul and free throws for the Star, never a foul on LeBron James. |
As Miami Heat sports writers everywhere describe the odd sight, the not-so-subtle message is transmitted throughout the slanted ESPN universe: "Beware of the dirty play of the Chicago Bulls."
C'mon.
Tom Haberstroh, as the Miami Heat beat writer for ESPN, you are either slipping that in there to gain your team an advantage, or you are so stupid that you let the Miami Heat coaching staff use you to gain an officiating advantage. Either way, you are a pathetic excuse for a "journalist".
Meanwhile, wasn't it LeBron James himself that tauted flopping as an effective strategy after stating that he has never flopped in his entire career? And wasn't it the same LeBron James that got called and fined a few nights later for flopping?
And what about this Dwayne Wade Cheap Shot Montage (starting at 9:39)?
LeBron and the Heat must sense the sun setting on their time at the top, by default. The Heat won't get an automatic road to the Finals.
Their Eastern Conference Finals foes from last season, the Indiana Pacers have gotten even bigger up front and deeper.
The superteams in Boston and Brooklyn have consolidated into a single Eastern superpower based in Brooklyn.
And the Miami Heat's greatest rival, the Chicago Bulls have their MVP back in Derrick Rose. They are the team that have put fear into the hearts of LeBiatch and his bunch since they split the season series last season and took two games off of them in the playoffs without their best and second best players.
And so what does a aging and declining champion resort to when they feel vulnerable?
They cry foul. They complain about officiating. They stack the deck if they can.
They accuse the other team of being too physical.
They CHeat.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Miami Heat Lose Game 4; Lebron and Heat Complain About Officiating
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. With 0:56 left in the 4th Quarter of the Eastern Conference Finals Game 4, Lebron James stood with his mouth agape. And it was not because he had crapped himself in fear and was about to FAIL in the closing seconds of yet another NBA Playoff game.
No, this time, Lebron had his mouth agape in shock after he was called for an offensive foul while setting a screen for DWade. Despite all his protesting, unless he's new to the sport of basketball, Lebron James, being a veteran of the league, should know that throwing your hip out and tripping the other player while setting a screen is indeed a foul for any player in the NBA, despite the usual practice of "Superstar Calls", for which Lebron is a particularly frequent beneficiery.
In case you haven't seen the highlight of the play which earned Lebron an ejection, here it is:
It was ironic after a day when Lebron was quoted as condoning flopping as a good strategy, and laughing for several days about the 10-12 flops a game on which his Miami Heat teammate, Shane Battier is able to draw fouls that negate Indiana Pacers scoring plays, offensive rebounds, or just generally get David West or Paul George into foul trouble.
However, on this night, things would end differently.
Despite Battier again drawing flop fouls on nearly three consecutive trips down the floor and helping the Miami CHeat to build a 7-point lead early in the 4th Quarter, the Indiana Pacers would not go away, and they would not be discouraged by the biased officiating. With 0:56 seconds left in the game, the Pacers held a 4-point lead.
And that is when Miami went to their true alpha dog, DWade, while Sidekick set the screen.
Well, Lebron couldn't quite do that right, and he ended up getting tossed with 6 personal fouls and on the strength of a 99-92 victory, the Indiana Pacers pulled into a 2-2 series tie with the Miami CHeat.
Shop for a personalized gift at Zazzle.
Today, the official network of the Miami Heat and online home of "The Heat Index", ESPN, finally remarked on the ridiculousness of the amount of flopping going on, mostly to say that the Indiana Pacers had joined in. It was not notable or ridiculous when the Miami CHeat were utilizing flopping as a strategy, but now that the Pacers were playing that game, now it is excessive and rampant, and must be stopped. HUH?
I guess the media must believe that since the Miami CHeat flop, Floppers Gon' Flop. Even if it has been made "illegal" by the NBA.
 |
| "I didn't do it! I'm just DWade's Sidekick! He told me to set that screen!" |
In case you haven't seen the highlight of the play which earned Lebron an ejection, here it is:
It was ironic after a day when Lebron was quoted as condoning flopping as a good strategy, and laughing for several days about the 10-12 flops a game on which his Miami Heat teammate, Shane Battier is able to draw fouls that negate Indiana Pacers scoring plays, offensive rebounds, or just generally get David West or Paul George into foul trouble.
However, on this night, things would end differently.
Despite Battier again drawing flop fouls on nearly three consecutive trips down the floor and helping the Miami CHeat to build a 7-point lead early in the 4th Quarter, the Indiana Pacers would not go away, and they would not be discouraged by the biased officiating. With 0:56 seconds left in the game, the Pacers held a 4-point lead.
And that is when Miami went to their true alpha dog, DWade, while Sidekick set the screen.
Well, Lebron couldn't quite do that right, and he ended up getting tossed with 6 personal fouls and on the strength of a 99-92 victory, the Indiana Pacers pulled into a 2-2 series tie with the Miami CHeat.
Shop for a personalized gift at Zazzle.
I guess the media must believe that since the Miami CHeat flop, Floppers Gon' Flop. Even if it has been made "illegal" by the NBA.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Lance Stephenson Gets Elbow To The Head While Dwayne Wade Gets Slap On The Wrist
MIAMI, FL. There was an Eastern Conference Finals game tonight, but that was made irrelevant by the NBA ruling that came down today prior to ECF Game 3.
The National Basketball Association review video of the following video of Dwayne Wade delivering a flying elbow to the side of Lance Stephenson's skull during the previous Eastern Conference Finals game. You make the call; how many games should DWade be suspended for?
What was your answer? 3? 4? 5? 6? 7?
WRONG!
Try ZERO.
Lebron gets shoved; Nazr Mohammed gets ejected.
J.R. Smith of the New York Knicks misses with an elbow; he gets suspended.
DWade blatently and intentionally elbows a player at half court during a nationally televised game; no call, as Miami Heat referees "didn't see" the play during game; then upon league review, FLAGRANT ONE, fine and no suspension.
HUH!? NO SUSPENSION? For a malicious and intentional elbow to the head of another player?
There is no greater insult to the game when there is such a steep inequity in fairness between the privileged and the rest of the league.
The Miami Heat after losing to the Chicago Bulls in the Game 1 in a fairly officiated 4th Quarter, finally got by the Bulls with the help of Miami Heat referees.
Now, despite a dumb, dumb, dumb-ass play by DWade, the Miami Heat and the NBA's corporate fake-superstar, Lebron James, do not have to feel the repercussions of such a mistake, unlike the other 29 NBA teams, because the Miami CHeat are the NBA's pet franchise. And it will be the Indiana Pacers who will have their NBA Championship stolen one bad call at a time by NBA Miami Heat referees.
After a series where Carlos Boozer was called for an offensive foul for every Shane Battier flop, now the Eastern Conference Finals has been rigged by off-the-ball fouls on David West, who proved to be unstoppable during ECF Games 1 and 2.
Watch for more mystery fouls on the Indiana Pacers' dominant frontline in order to nullify the Miami CHeat's biggest weakness as a "team".
While Miami is by far the most talented team in the NBA (collusion by the Big Three to come together aside), they should not be GIVEN another undeserved NBA Championship just because they have the most stars. They should be made to earn it, in a fairly called series of games, just like every other team in the league. If the NBA can't clean up their corrupt officiating favoring their pet team and players, JOIN THE BOYCOTT!
The National Basketball Association review video of the following video of Dwayne Wade delivering a flying elbow to the side of Lance Stephenson's skull during the previous Eastern Conference Finals game. You make the call; how many games should DWade be suspended for?
What was your answer? 3? 4? 5? 6? 7?
WRONG!
Try ZERO.
Lebron gets shoved; Nazr Mohammed gets ejected.
J.R. Smith of the New York Knicks misses with an elbow; he gets suspended.
DWade blatently and intentionally elbows a player at half court during a nationally televised game; no call, as Miami Heat referees "didn't see" the play during game; then upon league review, FLAGRANT ONE, fine and no suspension.
HUH!? NO SUSPENSION? For a malicious and intentional elbow to the head of another player?
There is no greater insult to the game when there is such a steep inequity in fairness between the privileged and the rest of the league.
The Miami Heat after losing to the Chicago Bulls in the Game 1 in a fairly officiated 4th Quarter, finally got by the Bulls with the help of Miami Heat referees.
Now, despite a dumb, dumb, dumb-ass play by DWade, the Miami Heat and the NBA's corporate fake-superstar, Lebron James, do not have to feel the repercussions of such a mistake, unlike the other 29 NBA teams, because the Miami CHeat are the NBA's pet franchise. And it will be the Indiana Pacers who will have their NBA Championship stolen one bad call at a time by NBA Miami Heat referees.
 |
| Click To Order Your #BEAT THE CHeat T-Shirt! |
After a series where Carlos Boozer was called for an offensive foul for every Shane Battier flop, now the Eastern Conference Finals has been rigged by off-the-ball fouls on David West, who proved to be unstoppable during ECF Games 1 and 2.
Watch for more mystery fouls on the Indiana Pacers' dominant frontline in order to nullify the Miami CHeat's biggest weakness as a "team".
While Miami is by far the most talented team in the NBA (collusion by the Big Three to come together aside), they should not be GIVEN another undeserved NBA Championship just because they have the most stars. They should be made to earn it, in a fairly called series of games, just like every other team in the league. If the NBA can't clean up their corrupt officiating favoring their pet team and players, JOIN THE BOYCOTT!
Saturday, May 25, 2013
2013 NBA PLAYOFFS: ECF GAME 2: The Return of LeChoke!
MIAMI, FL. One game after the luckiest game of Lebron's career, when Lebron fans thought he had turned a corner from being LeChoke, Lebron does what he does: PROVES THAT HE LACKS THE CLUTCH GENE.
In the final 45 seconds of Game 2, Lebron makes two bad plays, turning the ball over to the Pacers, essentially choking away the game.
On one possession, with Indiana up 95-93, David West intercepted a pass that James was throwing to Ray Allen with 43 seconds left, pushed the ball into the frontcourt before giving the ball to George Hill.
While the Pacers didn't get a shot off, resulting in a 24 second violation, the clock had ticked all the way down to 17.7 seconds.
And that set the stage for the Return of LeChoke.
Lebron received the ball on an easy throw in at the top of the key, guarded by Paul George. Lebron James, put his shoulder down and drove to the right block, saw the 7' 2" Roy Hibbert coming to help, spun and travelled (not called by the referees), and then in desperation, tried jump passing out toward the perimeter.
The pass went to no one, just an area, and David West got to the area first, knocking the ball off-course with his right hand for his second steal in the final minute of the game. Indiana was able to extend the lead to four on two George Hill free throws.
Despite the great effort of the visiting Indiana Pacers, the win was not yet sealed. With nearly 8 seconds left, the Heat could hit a three with Indiana being called for a foul for a four point play. The Pacers played a disciplined defense resulting in a Chris Bosh miss.
The Miami Heat referees made one final attempt to steal the game for their team, calling the rebound off the Chris Bosh miss off of Indiana, awarding the ball and another opportunity to Miami with under two seconds, however the rule requiring video review of out-of-bounds calls in the final minutes mandated that the biased call be overturned. The Indiana Pacers were able to run out the final ticks of the clock to seal the victory, despite the referees bias.
Here are highlights of GAME 2 of the EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:
And in case you missed the PLAY OF THE GAME, Paul George blowing by Lebron James and then dunking on Chris Anderson, here is the video (it's even ridiculous in Russian!).
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Now that the Indiana Pacers have fairly wrestled home court away from the Miami Heat (just like the Chicago Bulls did in the second round), watch for the Miami Heat referees to hook the Miami CHeat up with some opportune 4th quarter non-calls when the Pacers work the ball inside, or on Pacer offensive rebounds. And really watch closely for Roy Hibbert, who starred in Game 2 with 29 points 10 rebounds, to battle foul trouble during the rest of the series; it is the biggest way the referees and the league can help the Miami Heat, who have no answer for Indiana's size, get into the NBA Finals. If you disagree with the NBA practice of "Superstar Calls" and the NBA's efforts to keep teams other than the Miami Heat from reaching the NBA Finals, then please join THE NBA MIAMI HEAT BOYCOTT!
 |
| Paul George has proven Lebron's equal and more, coming up with huge clutch plays like his ridiculous dunk on Lebron and Chris Anderson. |
In the final 45 seconds of Game 2, Lebron makes two bad plays, turning the ball over to the Pacers, essentially choking away the game.
On one possession, with Indiana up 95-93, David West intercepted a pass that James was throwing to Ray Allen with 43 seconds left, pushed the ball into the frontcourt before giving the ball to George Hill.
While the Pacers didn't get a shot off, resulting in a 24 second violation, the clock had ticked all the way down to 17.7 seconds.
And that set the stage for the Return of LeChoke.
Lebron received the ball on an easy throw in at the top of the key, guarded by Paul George. Lebron James, put his shoulder down and drove to the right block, saw the 7' 2" Roy Hibbert coming to help, spun and travelled (not called by the referees), and then in desperation, tried jump passing out toward the perimeter.
The pass went to no one, just an area, and David West got to the area first, knocking the ball off-course with his right hand for his second steal in the final minute of the game. Indiana was able to extend the lead to four on two George Hill free throws.
Despite the great effort of the visiting Indiana Pacers, the win was not yet sealed. With nearly 8 seconds left, the Heat could hit a three with Indiana being called for a foul for a four point play. The Pacers played a disciplined defense resulting in a Chris Bosh miss.
The Miami Heat referees made one final attempt to steal the game for their team, calling the rebound off the Chris Bosh miss off of Indiana, awarding the ball and another opportunity to Miami with under two seconds, however the rule requiring video review of out-of-bounds calls in the final minutes mandated that the biased call be overturned. The Indiana Pacers were able to run out the final ticks of the clock to seal the victory, despite the referees bias.
Here are highlights of GAME 2 of the EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:
And in case you missed the PLAY OF THE GAME, Paul George blowing by Lebron James and then dunking on Chris Anderson, here is the video (it's even ridiculous in Russian!).
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Now that the Indiana Pacers have fairly wrestled home court away from the Miami Heat (just like the Chicago Bulls did in the second round), watch for the Miami Heat referees to hook the Miami CHeat up with some opportune 4th quarter non-calls when the Pacers work the ball inside, or on Pacer offensive rebounds. And really watch closely for Roy Hibbert, who starred in Game 2 with 29 points 10 rebounds, to battle foul trouble during the rest of the series; it is the biggest way the referees and the league can help the Miami Heat, who have no answer for Indiana's size, get into the NBA Finals. If you disagree with the NBA practice of "Superstar Calls" and the NBA's efforts to keep teams other than the Miami Heat from reaching the NBA Finals, then please join THE NBA MIAMI HEAT BOYCOTT!
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