The Heat didn't appreciate the one-game suspension of forward Udonis Haslem for Game 2 of the Chicago series, and it didn't do much to hide its disdain on Monday. Haslem was suspended for throwing his mouthpiece in the direction of referee Joey Crawford in the second quarter of Miami's 111-106 Game 1 victory.
"I've got to watch out (for) what I say," coach Pat Riley began. "I thought the ejection (from Game 1) was more than enough of a penalty. I was always wondering if the ball was going that way -- I think it was going on a fast-break -- why he wasn't (Crawford) looking down the floor? I'll leave that to you. (He) stopped play, actually.
"But anyhow, I thought the ejection was more than enough, but they did not. They've had precedent on this. It's just a very unfortunate thing for us right now."
Center Alonzo Mourning said he'd have a "long conversation" with Stu Jackson, the NBA vice president for basketball operations, the one who makes decisions on suspensions.
"I thought maybe a (technical foul) and maybe a call from Stu; he'd maybe get fined $5,000 or something," Mourning said. "Other than that, I thought it was tremendous overreaction on both parts, the ref and the league."
Both Haslem and Heat owner Micky Arison, the chairman of the NBA Board of Governors, spoke with Jackson after Game 1, but they obviously had no luck in averting a suspension.
"It's kind of unfortunate," Mourning said, "but my guess is the league is trying to send a message out there to everybody saying, 'Hey, we've got everything under control and we don't want you guys doing anything to damper the image of the league, because the whole world is watching the players, so everybody has to walk the straight line.'"
REPLAY Although center Shaquille O'Neal had 22 points and guard Dwyane Wade had 21 points, it was the complementary players who allowed the Heat to take a 115-108 Game 2 victory over Chicago and take a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven first-round series.
Forward Antoine Walker (17 points, 10 rebounds), guard Jason Williams (22 points), forward James Posey (12 points) and guard Gary Payton (11 points), all of whom were acquired during the summer, all played major roles in the victory.
"They were brought (in) for what we're going through now," O'Neal said. "They were brought (in) for the playoffs. Last year, we had some injuries and we really didn't have the additional firepower. Now we have that additional firepower, and everybody's playing good."
Copyright (C) 2006 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Espn reported this morning that even though Memphis would probably be the most likely to sign A.I. that the Heat have also shown interest in the player. I am not gonna lie if Allen would shut his mouth and agree to be a sixth man off the bench and just play basketball I would love this. It would take pressure off Wade to make driving plays
...(more)
If Carlos Boozer opts out of his contract, which is likely, wouldn't it make sense for the Heat to go after him? He already wants to play in Miami. At that point, wouldn't it make perfect sense to trade Beasley (and maybe a draft pick) for Rubio? This would be pretty sweet
...(more)
Although it is unlikely that the Heat get any big names this free agency, and though this is an extremely weak class, I figured I should devote a thread to the subject. And not just for the Heat either, this period is generally an interesting period in the NBA. Any ideas on who the Heat should pursue? Also, I wanted to drop
...(more)
So I was wathcing ESPN this morning and they were talking about the 2 pg's that were selected to stay with the T'wolves. Flynn and Rubio. The analyist also reported that Rubio does not want to play in Minnesota and does not want to by any means split playing time with another rookie. Any of you guys think the Heat will try and get him. I th
...(more)
A day after Heat President Pat Riley said the team could not go forward with a major personnel overhaul without his star guard first agreeing to an extension this summer, Wade indicated he might seek such action by the team before m
...(more)
The 1st annual 2009 NBA Mock Draft Playoffs are coming to a close the Playoffs are down to four teams in the COnference Finals, the culimination of a NBA NBA Mock Draft has been these playoofs, the two matchups are the 76ers vs Raptors, and the
...(more)
