Bosh Is Out Indefinitely...What This Means For Miami by Deron Butler

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers was physical just like every other NBA Playoff series is right now. But much like every other NBA Playoff series comes more than physical play, injuries are involved, much like the injury Indiana dealt to Chris Bosh. In Sunday's game, Bosh was injured after a play in which he was going for a basket, resulting in an abdominal strain. Miami will have to contend without Bosh in their series against Indiana but now it seems like their only options aside from their scoring productions from Wade and LeBron, we should look to Udonis Haslem, Ronny Turiaf, and Joel Anthony to come off the bench and fill the void that is now gaping. Game 2 will now test Miami's mettle more than ever when they face Indiana tomorrow night on TNT. For homework, I want you all to take the time to appreciate Haslem, Turiaf, and Joel Anthony and what they've done off the bench for their time in Miami and cheer them on like everyone's watching. I'm Deron Butler, and I believe Udonis Haslem should start for Game 2 and continue to get the ball rolling for Miami. 

Things Indiana Pacers Should NOT Say by Deron Butler

See this goofy looking guy in the picture? This is Frank Vogel, head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Just today, the Pacers head coach made a comment regarding the Miami Heat and their upcoming series in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals in which Vogel said that "It'll be very interesting to see how the referees officiate the series and how much flopping they reward." Judging from that goofy smile on Vogel's face, there is nothing to grin or joke about. Vogel's Pacers had just defeated a Dwight Howard-less Orlando Magic in 5 games but just imagine if D12 were effective for the Magic sans his back injury, the Pacers would've been eliminated and an afterthought on top of that. Vogel shouldn't be making jokes at this stage in the playoffs and if you remember reading my last post about how Miami should not undermine their opponents, well, Indiana has proven that even your opponents can undermine the most daunting of challenges and could possibly make themselves look the most embarrassed amongst their peers. 

In addition to Vogel's comment about the Heat being the "best flopping team ever", Pacers center Roy Hibbert chimed in by saying "We didn't do it the easy way. It took time. We didn't do this by signing a couple of superstars."  Well excuse us, Mr. Hibbert if you don't approve of how Miami's system of success to solidify themselves as contenders for the NBA Championship. Miami may not be Indiana as far as destination and pitch wise for a player of high caliber to play amongst the lights, sights and sounds of the big city but the one thing you can't take away from a team is how hard they practice and mold together to form a team worthy of winning championships. While I do admire Indiana for their hard work to climb to the top of the Eastern Conference but to bash another team for their way of doing things beyond the court is just wrong. Why not take that up with Pat Riley, who knows success and opportunities when he sees them. The Heat host the Pacers this Sunday at 3:30pm on ABC and for homework, I want you to see how long you can hold in your anger regarding Vogel's comments about the Heat and if you manage to hold it in until Sunday's game, use it for a positive by cheering for the Het in the most excitable and most raucous way imaginable. I'm Deron Butler telling you that it's best to be seen and not heard. 

Was Michael Biamonte's Comment About Amar'e Necessary? By Deron Butler

If you were in attendance for last night's Game 5 between the Heat and the Knicks, then you may have heard the Heat's excitable PA Announcer, Michael Biamonte's witty comment about Amar'e Stoudemire fouling out of the game in which Biamonte said "Stoudemire has been extinguished from the game", going back to the post Game 2 incident in which an exasperated Stoudemire took his frustrations out by punching a glass case concealing a fire extinguisher with his non shooting hand. To Heat fans, the joke was deemed as light hearted humor but to Knicks fans and several basketball bloggers and everyone else around the basketball world, no one was laughing along with Miami. The joke itself caused a ruckus amongst fans saying that the joke itself was "distasteful" and "a slap in the face" to Knicks fans. Sports blog Deadspin.com commented on the pundit saying that "The Heat are surely winning friends the right way", which may be a sarcastic insult to the Heat for Biamonte's choice of words. Though it may be a joke for Heat fans, no one (not even Knicks fans) are not laughing. Imagine if the Heat were in MSG struggling to win and, for example, Chris Bosh starts crying again. The Knicks PA Announcer would probably say something like "Bosh is crying because the Heat are extinct" or something that like. For Homework, I want all Heat fans to find some other form of humor not relating to anything about the Knicks, they've suffered enough as it is and it's time we move on to face Indiana. I'm Deron Butler telling you that it's all fun and games until someone's feelings are the subject of matter. 

Game 5? Is Tonight The Night We Close The Knicks Out? By Deron Butler

Hello, Heat fans one and all. If you have made through the last two days of waiting for Game 5 without losing your mind...or sleep, then congratulations, you are ready to sit back and watch your beloved Miami Heat put away the New York Knicks. Sunday's game against the Knicks brought forth a revelation for me. As I watched LeBron James in the fourth quarter make at least 9 points, I started to think to myself is this LeBron James trying to prove to the masses that he can close out in the fourth quarter? When the Knicks took the lead near the closing moments of Game 4, I was hoping Miami would nail the shot and sweep the series as did everyone else but who would've thought that D.Wade and not LeBron would be the one to take the final shot sans the Knicks defense hastily rushing the offense. No disrespect to Wade, it all seemed like LeBron was coming back for Miami in the fourth quarter but at the same time, has LeBron  ever closed out in these types of situations (and I'm not talking about regular season either)? Game 5 is just a few hours away and I'm anticipating this game to be like a title fight between two contenders. I want  to see LeBron dominate in the fourth quarter, I want to see Bosh be more agressive on offense and defense as well as being an X-Factor for the Heat, and Wade to guide the team and set plays. I still believe that the Knicks are running on borrowed time. Jeremy Lin is still injured, Amare Stoudemire still has that injured hand of his, and Carmelo Anthony still has problems playing defense. Speaking of defense, Erik Spolestra should not have Shane Battier play defense against Carmelo, not because Carmelo is a solid shooter but because Carmelo is much faster than Battier. If anyone is gonna guard Carmelo, it should be LeBron (see picture) or maybe Wade...primarily LeBron. For Homework, Watch Game 5 tonight at 7 on TNT and see if LeBron James can guard Carmelo defensively and how Shane Battier can learn from that plus see if LeBron James can close out in the fourth quarter.  I'm Deron Butler counting down the minutes, the seconds, and the hours until Game 5, where Miami will hopefully close out on New York. 

Down The Stretch By Deron Butler

With the NBA Playoffs looming around the corner, every NBA team is scrambling for positions to for home court advantage. Of course, this also regulates to the Miami Heat as well as each game becomes more important one after the next. Yesterday's game against the Boston Celtics were an indication that Boston, though they have an experienced trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, are sparking at the right time, having knocked off the Philadelphia 76ers for first place in the Atlantic Division, and while they managed to beat Miami back to back, one wonders if the Celtics would get their revenge on Miami after being eliminated by them in last years playoffs. As for Miami, going up against the top contenders of the east has been an uphill battle. Not only have they lost back to back against Boston, but they also lost to Chicago and Indiana as well. The Heat play Chicago tomorrow night in a crucial game that will determine whether or not Miami's ability to put away the Bulls in last season's playoffs was not a fluke as some doubters have speculated. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, as solid of scorers that they are need to involve Chris Bosh more in these types of games, heading down the wire but only that, the Heat need to make sure that every player is healthy, have adequate minutes on the court, and be able to contribute on offense and on defense. I can't stress this enough in my head just thinking about how Miami will perform late in the season. For homework, watch the Miami Heat against the Chicago Bulls on TNT, and also focus on teams such as Chicago, Indiana, and Boston in the east as well as potential NBA Finals opponents including San Antonio, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers (yes them), and especially the Oklahoma City Thunder.

I'm Deron Butler telling you that Heat Basketball is the best basketball.