Where ridiculous happens!
Dwyane Wade doesn't like to see Mario West dancing! (This fine photo is courtesy of my main man Curtis Compton of the AJC)
MIAMI - I know what the NBA’s slogan is supposed to say.
But after two weeks of great basketball in most cases, and relentless dramatics in others, the only thing that seems to be rising from the dust right now is foolishness.
From griping on and off the floor (more on that in a minute) to tough-guy antics (from as far away as the radio perch) in almost every single series to the continued assault on the game by an army of awful game officials, the playoffs seems more like where ridiculous happens?
At a time when the NBA game should be on full display for all to see, everything else is getting in the way.
I dare anyone that’s watched any of the Bulls-Celtics series to tell me they’ve seen more intense playoff basketball anytime recently. That’s what real lovers of this game deserve to see.
But it’s not happening these days.
Good luck focusing on what should be a frantic and fantastic Game 6 tonight between the Hawks and Heat here at AmericanAirlines Arena. Good luck enjoying yet another entertaining playoff series that’s being marginalized by the news of the weird that seems to be the flavor of every day this time of year.
And in true ridiculous fashion, verbal shots are being fired across the floor before the opening tip (and no, I’m not talking about the faux furor over Josh Smith’s missed dunk at the end Game 5).
Apparently Heat star Dwyane Wade didn’t appreciate Mario West’s version of the Ray Lewis dance at the of the possession just before halftime of Game 5. He lit West up to my man Mike Wallace of the Miami Herald and the rest of the assembled media here after practice Thursday. Here’s Wade going off on our man ‘Rio:
His celebration for his one stop? What is this game coming to? One thing I go back to is something my high school coach always told me. Act like you’ve done something before. He used to hate when I used dunk and pound my chest all the time. He used to tell me to act like I’ve been there before, act like I’ve done it. Win lose or draw, you have to be classy. There are some unprofessional things that they have to take care of. On the court, you show emotion, and that’s great. But celebrating after one stop, that’s funny.
The HP (Hypocrisy Police) might point out that Wade doesn’t seem to have a problem with jumping up on the scorer’s table and pounding his own chest after hitting game-winning shots or staring Joe Johnson down after making a deep shot off the glass in Game 2 or screaming for one of his teammates take Flip Murray out on a baseline drive for a dunk late in Game 5. But you be the judge? But Wade wasn’t done.
It appears Dwyane Wade has a few celebratory moves of his own!
He had more to say about not only Wade but the Celtics and Bulls, too: I don’t know what it was a sign of. I was laughing after the fact because I’ve never seen that before. Tony Allen did that the other night when he stopped Ben Gordon from hitting a shot to win the game. That’s what you do. When it’s going into halftime and you stop somebody, that’s a little different. But we’re not here to point out every little thing they do, you know. Who cares? It’s about what we do. And that’s the only thing we can control.
He said all that to point that there’s no bad blood brewing between he and ‘Rio and certainly nothing personal between these two teams (before all but instructing his teammates to stir it up):
First off, I have nothing simmering with Mario. He’s not been a factor in this series. It’s irrelevant to me. I have nothing brewing with him at all. It was one of those games, one of those playoff series. It’s just about do we have the team to come back and fight as much as they’re going to fight. Zaza Pachulia is knocking people out. It’s simple as that. I’m not telling my teammates to knock him out. But when he comes down the paint, just make sure he feels us, on offensive rebounds. We’re not the team that’s playing dirty. We’re the team that wants to play smarter and protect ourselves as well.
THE HAWKS’ CAMP IS FAR FROM INNOCENT when it comes to baiting the other side. It seems Hawks radio announcer Steve Holman has enraged the masses here in South Florida with some of his in-game rants, so much so that the folks at deadspin.com have taken a liking to him.
I’ll let you judge the for yourself whether or not Holman’s calls were out of line. It hasn’t nearly the firestorm in Atlanta that it has here, where it’s been dominating the airwaves. But I imagine it will be one of the underlying story lines from tonight’s game, particularly if the Heat wins and forces a Game 7 Sunday back in Atlanta.
PETA says lay off Spirit the Hawk! (This photo is another C.Compton special)
Apparently PETA WANTS A PIECE OF THE ACTION, TOO. The recent flap over Spirit The Hawk prompted this email (below) from the fine folks at PETA.
And we all know that they don’t need GPS to find their way to Atlanta since the Michael Vick story dominated the sports landscape.
PETA didn’t appreciate seeing the Hawks’ Hawk ridiculed after that unauthorized flight before Game 2.
In fact, they don’t want Spirit victimized at all, per the email they sent the other day (they also sent a different letter to Hawks’ part owner Michael Gearon Jr. expressing similar sentiment):
Good afternoon.
After learning that a live hawk used as a mascot for the Atlanta Hawks got loose in an arena, which forced a game to be temporarily stopped, PETA has sent a letter to Hawks owner Michael Gearon Jr. urging him to implement a policy to prohibit the use of live animals at Hawks games.
PETA points out that the bright lights, screaming fans, and loud noises (such as air horns, music, and amplified sound systems) that make sporting events exciting for fans can be terrifying for animals. Appearing at games can be frightening and disorienting to birds and potentially dangerous for birds and fans alike. The hawk is also subjected to the stress of transport to and from games.
“If the Hawks want to increase fan support, they don’t need cheap gimmicks—they just need to start winning games,” says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. “The only place where ‘birdies’ belong in sports is on golf courses, not at basketball games.”
Game 6 can’t get here fast enough for me. I just want to get back to basketball for a little while.
SPEAKING OF BASKETBALL, both Al Horford and Marvin Williams will watch Game 6 in suits. Neither one of the Hawks’ starters is healthy enough to play tonight.
Horford’s sprained right ankle will force him to sit while Williams remains sidelined with that sprained wrist on his shooting (right) hand.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
594 comments Add your comment
Heater
May 1st, 2009
10:24 pm
Simple formula Wade+Health=Hawks loose
bigdave
May 1st, 2009
10:24 pm
that same shyt wade just did… Joe never gets that call… just as much contact…
darrell starks
May 1st, 2009
10:24 pm
IS ME OR WHAT JOE DOESNT HAVE ANY INTENSITY AT ALL ITS LIKE HE JUST OUT THERE.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:24 pm
If the Hawks bounce back and win Sunday, which wouldn’t shock me, we can expect a 4 game series with Cleveland.
Melvin
May 1st, 2009
10:24 pm
Why is Joe still in the game? Hawks are down 30pts with 6mins left in the 4th….
SouthAfrican09
May 1st, 2009
10:24 pm
WOODSON TAKE OUT THE STARTERS. WE’RE DOWN 29 WITH 6 MINUTES LEFT . WE’RE NOT GONNA WIN. OUR GUYS ARE TIRED. CHRIST
Brandon
May 1st, 2009
10:25 pm
Melvin, I strongly disagree. Mike Breen’s petty comments, Van Gundy poinless insights, and Jackson’s coaching from the booth creates a perfect storm of annoyance.
Dwayne Wade is having his way tonight…Hawks better prepare and be ready for a battle back in Phillips on Sunday.
Reggie
May 1st, 2009
10:26 pm
This is truly stupid. We’re down 30 and they are still double teaming Joe and trying to rack up points. Wade is acting like he is making game winning shots. He stares down our players after every make. He is probably the biggest hypocrite I have ever seen. I wish someone would lay him on his back so he can whine.
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:26 pm
How does JJ keep having sub 15 scoring games?
Heater
May 1st, 2009
10:27 pm
Murray just got punked
Reggie
May 1st, 2009
10:27 pm
Wade is having his way cause our players could care less. We have no chance at winning this game and they are just waiting till Woody pulls him. The only reason I’m watching is to see if somebody punches wade or the refs in the face.
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:28 pm
Wade is a great player, but a cry baby and one of the biggest actors in the nba.
Reggie
May 1st, 2009
10:29 pm
That was cool. Coach wanted Wade to leave to a standing ovation. I guess he knows they won’t be back.
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:30 pm
I think it’s smart that the Hawks didn’t over-exert themselves once the game got out of hand. But you can still play smart basketball and there’s absolutely no reason to have the starters in with our injury problems in a late blow out.
darrell starks
May 1st, 2009
10:30 pm
MORE I SEE JOE PLAY IN THE PLAYOFFS THE LESS CONFIDENCE I HAVE IN HIM AS A STAR PLAYER WHEN IT COME TO THE PLAYOFFS.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'brien
May 1st, 2009
10:31 pm
If the Heat can make Joe look so ordinary, why can’t we double team Wade and slow him down? Seriously, dude has 40 something points.
if Wade has a big game on Sunday, we are in trouble.
Sautee
May 1st, 2009
10:31 pm
Their all-star got 17 free throws. Ours got 1.
Think just maybe JJ is being too passive?
Melvin
May 1st, 2009
10:31 pm
Brandon, better than teh TNT crew that rides DWade unknow what the entire game…
Heater
May 1st, 2009
10:33 pm
The Hawks are gutless. There wouldn’t be a game 7 if Wade was not hurt
bigdave
May 1st, 2009
10:34 pm
naw… he will never be a star with this team.. and coaching scheme…
not when they can double, triple, and trap you all night.. when u take low % shots because you have to get shots up to make shots… every shot is tough…
its a shame…
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:35 pm
If JJ doesn’t redeem himself Sunday and Hawk’s lose, he’s trade bait next season. I know that’s hard to hear but you can’t pay that kind of money for a guy who only comes through every 5th game in the playoffs.
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:35 pm
If JJ doesn’t redeem himself Sunday and Hawks lose, he’s trade bait next season. I know that’s hard to hear but you can’t pay that kind of money for a guy who only comes through every 5th game in the playoffs.
bigdave
May 1st, 2009
10:36 pm
how can u get to the line when 2 defenders are running at you forcing the ball out of your hands?
hawks_4_life
May 1st, 2009
10:36 pm
This game is exactly whats wrong with the NBA. One-sided calls and possible hidden adjendas. The commentator said the foul calls will even its self out, here is the problem i have with that. The refs choose to even it out when the game has been determined. Call it down the middle because to me it seems the NBA is gunning for the “clash of the titans” match up with LBJ and Wade. This is basketball not a beauty contest.
Joe Johnson's Magic Trick
May 1st, 2009
10:37 pm
*disappears*
bigdave
May 1st, 2009
10:38 pm
the thing is, they doubled him in atlanta…? just in game 5… but why didnt we come out with that tonight…? they didnt even have a post scorer… i just dont understand the thought process…
mykhalc
May 1st, 2009
10:38 pm
just can’t get excited about this team!!! glad i didn’t watch this one too!!! this team is NEVER prepared!! they just ‘happen’ to get some W’s. don’t be surprised at what sunday will bring!!
Heater
May 1st, 2009
10:39 pm
Garbage time..Evans looks like an All Star
DrewCat
May 1st, 2009
10:40 pm
Listen this was the most disheartening game for me to watch as I’m sure it was for ANY HAWKS FAN. But going into Game 7, the Hawks will have to have their leaders step up. Its inexcusable to see Joe Johnson on the court disappearing the way he does. The media has tried to blame Josh Smith for the HAwks’ lack of composure, but Johnson is truly the player to blame.
Johnson lags around the court. If you noticed the game was out of reach after the first couple of minutes in the 3rd quarter. This is when it took the Hawks five minutes to get their first field goal. This would never happen to a team with a superstar scorer on the floor,
JOE MUST STEP HIS GAME UP, HE”S BEEN NONEXISTENT THE WHOLE SERIES.
Rick Sund
May 1st, 2009
10:42 pm
Fans don’t be upset with tonight’s effort. We are right where we want to be. This is why one our GOALS was to get Home Court Advantage. Remember you great hawks fans, our NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO GET TO THE SECOND ROUND. Hope to see you on Sunday.
Heater
May 1st, 2009
10:43 pm
Do you notice what happens to JJ when a healthy Wade is playing him…He’s just overmatched
Rick Sund
May 1st, 2009
10:44 pm
Joe is still our SUPERSTAR and with Josh’s UPSIDE and COMPOSURE, game 7 should be a breeze.
Rick Sund
May 1st, 2009
10:46 pm
Hawks fans, my GREAT coach Mike Woodson who should get a CONTRACT EXTENSION will make some adjustments. Just wait.
DrewCat
May 1st, 2009
10:46 pm
AHHH THE HELL WITH IT: TRADE JOHNSON AT THE END OF THE SEASON. We need a player that has some leadership and emotion. Joe acts like his head is in the clouds! This guy has had ONE 20 pt game in the series and makes $14 mil???
That’s a disgrace. If they lose sunday, He has to be the first to go. I’m as big a Hawks fan as anyone, but with Johnson we lack an identity
darrell starks
May 1st, 2009
10:47 pm
IF WE LOOSE GAME 7 WOODY SHOULD BE FIRED.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 1st, 2009
10:48 pm
I hope if all else fails for Michael Vick in life, he goes on a one-man killing spree and murders every PETA member on the face of the earth.
As far as this game is concerned, the scary thing is that other than Beasley the Miami supporting cast didn’t do anything spectacular. If all it takes is Wade and Beasley to play well for the Heat to compete in Game 7, the Hawks better be really concerned.
Randolph Morris
May 1st, 2009
10:49 pm
Start me for Game 7. I’m ready. Put me in the game coach.
niremetal
May 1st, 2009
10:49 pm
Gee, you don’t suppose the fact that JJ has such a tough time is that while he’s getting triple-teamed, NO ONE ELSE ON THE FLOOR IS MOVING.
How many times did we see them double or triple team JJ while everyone else stayed put? It’s the effing offensive scheme, or rather the lack thereof. I swear to god, if we let JJ go next year and he lands in a place where people MOVE on offense, we’ll be kicking ourselves while he plays in 2-3 more All-Star games.
FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON. FIRE MIKE WOODSON.
Fire Mike Woodson,
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:51 pm
Rick, will you tell JJ that showing up for the biggest games was part of the $70 mil. contract we gave him?
Blast
May 1st, 2009
10:51 pm
Hawks played with the intensity of a team that knew it had game 7 at home, despite the damn refs. Not good for a team with a killer instinct. They have home court, but that does not translate into a win, especially if the refs are so atrocious, and you have Wade, getting calls even if you shadow him.
Josh needs to simmer down and just play ball.
darrell starks
May 1st, 2009
10:51 pm
THIS SEASON IS A WASTE IF WE LOOSE GAME 7 AND WOODY SHOULD GO.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rick Sund
May 1st, 2009
10:52 pm
Drewcat , Mykhalc don’t be disheartened about tonight’s game. With Joe Johnson’s AGGRESSIVENESS and Josh Smith’s SHOOTING accomplishing our GOAL of the SECOND ROUND should be ok. Remember this team is very YOUNG and is still learning, but next game they will be ready.
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:53 pm
Seriously, Woodson has no idea how to coach Josh. Our offense is a joke. JJ has one more chance to redeem himself on Sunday. A first round out to this team is unacceptable. Injuries is no excuse, because they have them too. JJ just got totally outplayed by Wade. Of course the refs didn’t help much.
eddieomaha
May 1st, 2009
10:55 pm
You guys are terrible. Fire Mike Woodson? Every time the Hawks lose a game… you all overreact.
Rick Sund
May 1st, 2009
10:55 pm
Why are you fans so ungrateful. You can’t win them all and remember with the YOUTH and POTENTIAL on this team, the SKIES the limit. Will you stop bashing my ELITE player Joe Johson. He earns every penny that we pay him. What more can you say about Joe, but THREE TIME ALLSTAR.
Billy Knight
May 1st, 2009
10:55 pm
I still have faith in my former organization. I left you guys in much better shape than when I came in.
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:56 pm
Losing this game is not the problem. I didn’t expect us to win tonight. It’s how we lost. No guarantees on a game 7.
darrell starks
May 1st, 2009
10:57 pm
NIREMETAL I AGREE WITH YOU BUT ITS UP TO THE COACH TO MAKE ADJUSTMENT AND GET HIM THE BALL IN THE POST OR BRING HIM OFF PICKS WOODY HAVE TO MAKE BETTER ADJUSTMENT FOR JOE TO GET THE BALL BUT EVEN WITH THAT SAID JOE IS LOST.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JK
May 1st, 2009
10:57 pm
Why did Marvin play 5 minutes tonight?
Rick Sund
May 1st, 2009
10:58 pm
I told you MEAN SPIRITED, UNGRATEFUL fans WOODY GOES NO WHERE! Besides didn’t we win 47 games this year. If we win say three or four in the REGULAR SEASON, we will be an ELITE TEAM.
You fans have to realize we are still LEARNING HOW TO WIN. You people expect too much, heck hasn’t this been a great season?