Game 5: The Hawks prove they’re too good for these guys
The wonder isn’t that the Hawks have again taken a series lead. The wonder is that they were ever behind. They’re so much better than the Heat it isn’t funny. And they won’t be laughing if Sunday arrives and they’re back here trying to close this out in a Game 7. This one should end Friday night in Miami.
We know the Hawks can play. What we need is for them to prove they can finish, that they can actually win a best-of-seven series, that they can dispose of a demonstrably lesser opponent and commence with the serious business of chasing LeBron.
The Hawks showed their steel in a first half Wednesday of hard fouls and key injuries, and when intermission arrived they led by 23 points. (They would win by 15.) Said Flip Murray, who scored 23 points and steered the Hawks through the choppy second half: “The game got physical, but I liked the way we kept our composure.”
A year ago in Boston, the Hawks couldn’t do that. Four times the Celtics hit them in the collective mouth, and four times the Hawks buckled. This time they’ve already proved they can win on the road — Game 4 was a huge advance for this team’s psyche — and now they need to do it again.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.It won’t be easy. Al Horford sprained his ankle in the second quarter — “As long as it comes around, I should be fine for Friday,” he said afterward — and Marvin Williams didn’t play at all. And Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, grasping at straws, made it a point to say: “The game became a highlight reel [at the end], and they really tried to embarrass us.”
He was speaking of one play late in the game: Free on a runout, Josh Smith sought to whip the ball between his legs before dunking. (He missed the dunk, by the way.) But a team that has trailed all night and is down by 20 with 4:16 left should worry more about how badly it had been outplayed. And to his credit, Spoelstra said this: “They kicked our butts in every was possible … They pounded us in every shape and form.”
The great Dwyane Wade made one first-half basket. The Hawks made 13 of their 16 shots in the second quarter. This was the fifth no-doubt game of the series, which is pretty weird in itself, but it’s time now for the Hawks to forget the highlight stuff and to get down and D up and grind one out on the road. That’s the way the good teams do it, and this team has the capacity to be very, very good.
No Hawks team since 1970 has won a best-of-seven series. This team can and should. Forget the Heat’s trumped-up ire — “Yes, we were very insulted,” Wade said, speaking of Smith’s abortive around-the-worlder — and the fan blackout that awaits in Miami in Game 6. Forget everything except the mission at hand, which is getting to Round 2.
“That’s a game we have to have,” Murray said, and it’s a game these Hawks can get if they control themselves and stick to business. It’s time to put this outclassed opponent to sleep. It’s time to say hello to LeBron.
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
135 comments Add your comment
heatforlife
April 30th, 2009
9:20 am
he is waaaaay better than anything you have and you know it.
Optimistic Falcon Fan
April 30th, 2009
9:22 am
Just hope the officials in Miami aren’t already plotting against us. I think they are the ones that console and bring DWade the tissue! I agree too, if it were Lebron or Dwade takign that break away dunk< it would be praised and called an exclamation point!
hawks hawk
April 30th, 2009
9:22 am
O lawd, heartforlife. this is basketball, everybody plays hurt, just SOME STARS WHINE MORE about their injuries, so they can have an excuse when they dont play well or their team loses. So Sorry wade is hurting, must not be too bad, if he can still score 29. O well though, thanx for your comment not needed but thanx!
Randy
April 30th, 2009
9:23 am
Dear Miami Heat,
If you don’t quit and allow the other team to have 3 or 4 breakaways in the span of 2 minutes, you won’t have to watch a player trying to show out for his own fans. He’s was trying to embarrass you? He was even sure you were still in the arena!
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
9:23 am
I did look at Woodson immediately afterward, Steelers. But all I got was the rear view.
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
9:25 am
And I concur with Randy: Right after Josh’s whiff, Joe Johnson had a breakaway dunk. (Which he made without fuss.)
Again, I think Spoelstra and Wade were fanning the fire for Game 6, as opposed to being genuinely angered. But I’d agree with Astro-Joe: Smoove needs to watch out Friday.
hawks hawk
April 30th, 2009
9:26 am
I agree wade is better talent out on the floor most nights, but too bad NBA basketball aint a game of 21, so he still needs a team, regardless how good he is. So once again, thanx for your comment but not needed or valid this time!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Optimistic Falcon Fan
April 30th, 2009
9:28 am
Mark,honestly, would do you think? Do you think we win this series or do you think we keep the rut of losing when it counts that it seems like Atlanta sports are stuck in? I am ready for the ATL to step it up, we have so much talent in all of our sports teams, but no hardware to support it!
Barry
April 30th, 2009
9:28 am
He Y’all:
Let’s Go Hawks! Let’s Go Hawks! Let’s “SHOCK THE WORLD!!”
What a game last night. The fans were really jumping and screaming on every play. Our Hawks were sticking the dagger in the Heat with consistancy. The Heat was whining and crying ffrom the pain they were receiving from our Hawks with that great defensive intensity they play every game. They even resorted to rough, street ball tactics to hurt some of our stars. Now that is a sign of desperation and we will take it. For it shows that the Heat knows they are overmatched. Joe Jophnson, Flip Murray, Mike Bibby, Josh Smith, Al Horford, Mo Evans and the rest of the crew were not taking any stuff from these Heat. They know these Heat got a “false sense of security” with the win they got in Miami. “Now the Hawks know” that they got the Heats heart and are going to play their ass off in Miami to close the deal. These birds are not playing. They are throwing knockout punches against the Heat. And guess what? THEY HAVEN’T EVEN DONE THE SHUFFLE YET!!!!!!!!
LET’S GO HAWKS!!! LET’S GO HAWKS!!!! LET’S GO HAWKS!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!
……………………”ATLANTA HAWKS, BOOM-BYE-YEAH!!!”………..
…………………………”SHOCK THE WORLD”………………….
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
9:31 am
I think they win in six, Optimistic. I’ve thought that from the start.
And Barry, I don’t know that they’d be shocking the world if they won Round 1. As David Stern himself noted last night, “They’re the fourth seed. They’re in the upper half of the bracket.” Meaning: They’re supposed to win this.
heatforlife
April 30th, 2009
9:32 am
if that cr-p happened against your team (the ridiculuos dunk attempt )you guys would have been crying.Karma is a b-tch.see you in miami get ready for a thorough beat down.
JenChicktastic
April 30th, 2009
9:33 am
Maybe Spirit the Hawk can swoop in and lend a feather or two to mop up the tears D-Wade and Coach Eric are crying over a physical game and an oh-so-mean missed dunk by Josh.
Get over yourselves, Miami…without D-Wade you got no game.
As for TNT being harsh on the Hawks – name me one “sports network” that gives any props or credits to a Georgia based team (UGA/Tech/Hawks/Falcons/Braves) when the deserve it (with the exception of the Braves on TBS/Peachtree TV)?
Hawks should put this one away in game 6! Any update on Horford’s ankle sprain?
Dejay
April 30th, 2009
9:33 am
So Josh Smith is guilty of showboating? Really? Don’t we see Labron and Kobe do this in almost every ‘effin game to finish an opponent off? Doesn’t ESPN highlight the ending of a Cavs victory with a sick Labron jam that totally demoralize the other team? Really, folks.
If the shoe was on the other foot and Wade attempted a signature dunk while up 20, no one on TNT or ESPN would say a word. I doubt that it would even be replayed. They would’ve poo-pooed Woodson and the Hawks for feeling ‘insulted’ and ‘embarrassed’ and told them they they had no room to talk when you’re getting beat by 20.
And as for Miami being upset at the Hawks, they’re barking up the wrong tree. They should be upset about Mario Chalmers making Flip look like Andrew Toney in his prime last night. They should be mad about Haslem not being able to keep Zaza off the offensive boards. They should embarrassed that Smith had so much time to conjure up that breakaway dunk attempt, that if given three more seconds, he could’ve gotten Nique’s old jersey out the back, put it on, and done a tomahawk slam instead. And most of all, they should be upset about BEING DOWN 20 TO A TEAM WHO DIDN’T HAVE TWO STARTERS IN THE GAME.
If they come back here without the need of a ticket for Game 3 of the Eastern Semis, its a ‘we’ problem. Until then, it’s a ‘them’ problem.
heatforlife
April 30th, 2009
9:37 am
Barry really ? the shuffle ? by the way we won in atl by15 or you forgot? you guys love your HAWKS so much they can’t even make the front page of your only news paper pathetic!
Optimistic Falcon Fan
April 30th, 2009
9:39 am
Amen, JenChicktastic! But the other networks can hate all that want-we know how good our guys are! I wish we would make the championships in all sports so they have no other choice but to show us and say something good about us!
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
9:40 am
Great Andrew Toney reference, Dejay. I used to think Mike Bibby was a lousy defender … and then I saw Mario Chalmers.
And Ms. Jen, the Hawks don’t practice until 10:30, and I’m all but certain we won’t have a definite word on Horford even then. He seemed optimistic about playing in Game 6, but esteemed colleague Sekou Smith was more cautious.
Native Son
April 30th, 2009
9:45 am
In all seriousness. The Heat are who we thought they were!! But damned if we are gonna’ let em’ off the hook.
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
9:46 am
Actually, Coach Green, I’ve been disappointed by the Heat. I thought that team was better than this. Wrong again.
Native Son
April 30th, 2009
9:52 am
I dreaded playing Philly, they’re too much like us for me to be comfortable. And Mark: I’m glad we’ve seen the softer side of you. You must have known the cuts were comming. LOL
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
9:56 am
Dominique Wilkins felt the same about Philly, NS.
Multimedia update: Under no circumstances should you check out this Seattle station at 10:45 EDT. Because I’ll be on with Mitch Levy.
PMC
April 30th, 2009
10:02 am
Are the heat 6th grade girls? Really? Whining over a dunk (ATTEMPT) in a professional league that makes it’s bank on entertainment? Isn’t Dwayne Wade on that team?
Seriously? That’s panty waste stuff. Good Job Josh. Next time throw it down harder and work on the execution. Other than that. Please continue throwing down. Skip the jump shot, skip the full court dribbling, THROW IT DOWN and do what you do!
Go HAWKS! Continue taking it too them in game 6.
nunna yo biznezz
April 30th, 2009
10:03 am
As predicted,the hawks won last nite,but,to think they will win in miami come friday night is not something that can’t happen,but,it won’t..
this team is too inconsistent..yes,they have won 2 in a row,but,you know our team won’t show up..
1st,zsa zsa will not show up..great rebounding game the last time in miami but won’t be the same when now he will have someone on him blocking him off the boards and making him play defense where in he will be in early foul trouble..solo,bless his heart,won’t be the answer once he does get in foul trouble,but,morris will be..look for morris to have a great 1st half and not a great game..woody will let him play in the 1st,he’ll do A great job,and then come the 2nd half mr.morris will be on the bench..woody still does not get it..
2nd,joe johnson won’t show up..poor joe..if he can’t come off A screen or be in the flow on a fast break and shoot on the spot,he will not be a factor..
3rd,josh will be josh and lose focus and be 1 for 12 on 3 pointers,and 4 out of 9 from the field..
woodson will be forced to play more than 7 players,but because he has no confidence in his lower bench,then this team will suffer and we will have a new coach next season…
WR
April 30th, 2009
10:04 am
Why is everyone making such a big deal about Josh Smith’s dunk attempt. If it was a close game and he blew it doing something stupid than fine I understand, but in a blowout you do something to say thankyou to the fans for coming out, that was all for the fans. To naysayers, remember game 6 between the bulls and lakers in the NBA finals back in the early 90’s, the bulls were killing the lakers and what did the great micheal Jordan do, he went in for a layup switched hands in mid-air, and layed it in, its still one of the most popular highlights in his career, and it was all for the fans it wasn’t something he had to do, it was about entertainment.
Atllovesthesteelers
April 30th, 2009
10:05 am
Like I been saying if you don’t want to get blessed at Phillips Arena the Heat should learn to play defense. Down two starters, and they still let the Hawks put it in cruise control all night. This with D wade scoring almost 30. I got one word for the Heat’s effort last night “PATHETIC”.
preston
April 30th, 2009
10:08 am
Great win for the Hawks. The biggest difference for the hawks in the last two games as opposed to the prior two has been better defense and offensive fluidity. when the Hawks get consistent production from Mo Evans, Flip Murray and Zaza, they seem to be able to compete with anybody, but when we get nothing from those guys, we stink up the joint. Fip Murray is probaly the most fearless guy on the team…he will take shots when nobody else wants to, and he never shys away from tring to drive the ball to the hole regardless of the outcome. Zaza is probaly is the physical guy on our team, and without his tough as nails attitiude, this team would be soft as butter, (although Jsmoove and Horford are respectable in the toughness catorgory themselves)). Ok, so what is going on with Marvin Williams? His injuries are really starting to mount up….and with the way the team can perform without him, he may just be better playing for the hawks comming off of the bench, hec’ the hawks may just be better off without him.
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
10:10 am
If Josh Smith tries 12 treys in Game 6, his coach will be arrested for assault and battery.
From ESPN.com, here’s John Hollinger’s take on Game 5.
Green Tea
April 30th, 2009
10:19 am
Instead of the “through the legs” dunk attempt, I’d rather have seen him throw down with a monster two handed windmill a la Nique. I thought it was funny that he missed. I mean they were up by 20, who gives a flip if he show boats! At least he isn’t out there throwing bows to faces like Howard or mugging players with Beyotch Slaps like Rondo. It was just a dunk. What’s the big deal Mark??
nunna yo biznezz
April 30th, 2009
10:21 am
preston
April 30th, 2009
10:08 am
Ok, so what is going on with Marvin Williams? His injuries are really starting to mount up….and with the way the team can perform without him, he may just be better playing for the hawks comming off of the bench, hec’ the hawks may just be better off without him.
did u notice how marvin played when joe johnson was out?
our coaching staff does not have plays designed to implement both joe and marvin in the mix..marvin can play,and will be A force once we have him into the team concept by doing more than just getting garbage rebounds..
heatforlife
April 30th, 2009
10:23 am
BOY YOU GUYS ARE SAD, DO YOU REALLY THINK YOU ARE GOOD?LOOK BACK AT THE OLD BLOGS AND YOU WILL FIND A BUNCH OF BABYS CRYING AT HOW SOFT THIER TEAM IS. NOBODY CARES ABOUT THE HAWKS IF IT WASNT FOR D-WADE YOU WOULDNT EVEN BE ON TNT .WADE IS GOING TO PUNCH YOU GUYS IN THE MOUTH, AND I WILL BE LAUGHING SORRY HAWKS FANS.
Armando
April 30th, 2009
10:33 am
I smell a 7 game series. And a healty Wade means the Heat are better then the Hawks. The Hawks are terrible in halfcourt basketball. If the Hawks do advance they will be exposed by the Cavs.
nunna yo biznezz
April 30th, 2009
10:36 am
you know what im saying mb,he is trying to show he is a complete player by going out And shooting all of these top of the key shots and 3 pointers,which mostly have resulted in air balls..
questions mr.bradley..
during practice,or in the locker room,has either you or mr.smith had personal knowledge of woody discussing josh’s shot decisions?
2nd,who is the voice leader of this team?someone who gets into players faces or is one who will speak up and speak out on team concerns and issues..
3rd,josh went to akeem in houston texas to work on his game last year,and other players did the same,by going outside of the hawks coaching staff to get better..its like they don’t have the confidence in they’re own coaching staffs..
that bothers me,does it bother you?
i’ll hang up and listen,lol
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
10:36 am
I’m confused. If Wade is so hurt, why’d he play in the second half of a 23-point game?
Native Son
April 30th, 2009
10:38 am
One player does not, a team makes. “YODA”
Native Son
April 30th, 2009
10:40 am
He must receive bonuses when in a blow-out game.
GoldenRetriever
April 30th, 2009
10:41 am
Mark Bradley is correct that the Hawks are too good for the Heat. The Hawks should forget the fact that they have the home court advantage and there is a safety net game on Sunday at Phillips arena. Why? Because D-Wade may go crazy on Friday, help Miami win and create so much momentum for the Heat that it carries into game 7. If that happens the Hawks could come out flat in game 7 like they did in Boston last year and get smoked and lose the series. Also, dont forget in this series, the Heat have already proved they can win two consecutive games (games 2 and 3). Should the Heat do it again in games 6 and 7 the Heat would win this series. This series is definitely not over. The Hawks should play Fridays game as if they are trailing in this series 0-3 and are ready to play desparate basketball just to stay alive. Its not that I doubt the Hawks or that I am nervous, its just that the Hawks haven’t been a consistent winner since the Fratello years and I dont want to give the Heat any life at all. Guys, come out on Friday, drop the Heat and eliminate them from this series. Then you can concentrate on LaBron James and the Cleveland Caviliers.
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
10:41 am
I’ve never been privy to a Woodson conversation with Smith. But I’m guessing Sekou has.
Horford is a leader. Bibby is sort of a leader. Joe is sort of a leader.
And the Houston thing didn’t bother anybody, I don’t think. Didn’t Jeff Francoeur take hitting lessons over the winter from the Texas Rangers’ batting coach?
SlimG
April 30th, 2009
10:53 am
That a boy Josh. Sore losers need to learn that the game doesn’t end until all four quarters are expired. I agree, if it had been Dwade, there would be no problem. Oh yeah, the commentators keep asking why we were booing wade. It’s not that difficult. He’s the star of the opposing team! Good lookin out hawks fans.
Baba O'Riley
April 30th, 2009
10:55 am
Has anyone seen whodied??? I don’t understand the big deal with this dunk attempy. I thought the NBA was a showboat league. I’m gonna puke if I see the clip of the Miami players helping Wade get off the bench again.
Even the radio stations in SoFla (AM 790) were getting on Wade about his non-stop whining. They also laughed at Dick Bevetta protecting Wade during the melee, asking if he would do the same for DeQuan Cook. They were saying he had to do his best to protect a superstar with Stern in the arena. They are continuously all over the Hawks radio guy.
NRBQ
April 30th, 2009
10:57 am
Barry,
What, no OOOOONNNNNEEEEEE HHEEEAAAARRTTTBBEEEAAAAATTTT!!!!!! for the Hawks?
uga_b
April 30th, 2009
11:06 am
ndadome, I understand the 4 corners and the triangle offense (which you may still see in the NBA). We also instituted a shot clock and people stopped playing defense outside of the playoffs. Most of it now is pick and roll and one-on-one. What Kenny Smith said about the Hawks is that we are a one-on-one team in halfcourt sets. Watching the game, I agree most of the time.
And btw, just to point it out, Smoove was so embarrassed after missing it, he got back there and got a rebound on the other end I am not sure he gets otherwise. I don’t mind hustle and swagger…and some high flying dunks. Someone should tell Miami they are in the highlight factory, not the widget factory.
Barry
April 30th, 2009
11:48 am
Hey Y’all:
NRBQ, It’s “SHOCK THE WORLD!!!” time with these HAWKS. They’ve been counted out last year against the CELTICS. They’ve been counted out during this series when they lost games against the HEAT. It appears there is a lot of pessemism and naysayers floating around these parts who are not local sports fans. Every series in these playoff the HAWKS have to “SHOCK THE WORLD!!” . They are the “NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!!”. There is a changing of the guards in the NBA. The young teams are now mature. They are making their mark as the new stars in the NBA. Our Hawks are full of those new stars. We know about them here in Atlanta, but other fans don’t. That is why throughout these playoffs, and with every win they have to “SHOCK THE WORLD!!!”. Which they are doing. After we beat the HEAT, we deal with Cleveland. And again, we will make our staple in “SHOCKING THE WORLD!!” about this nitty, gritty, bunch of ballers we have in Atlanta called the “ATLANTA HAWKS!!
NOW LET’S PLAY SOME BALL, BABY!!!
LET”S GO HAWKS!!!! LET’S GO HAWKS!!!! LET’S GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERY BODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………….”ATLANTA HAWKS, BOOM-BYE-YEAH!!!”…………
………………………….”SHOCK THE WORLD!!!…………………
Darrin "The Vent King"
April 30th, 2009
12:02 pm
D-Wade = drama queen = D-Babe
Miami needs to be more concerned that they got pimp-smacked with ANOTHER double-digit loss, than a missed dunk. After all the lame, sore-loser fouls the Heat were dishing out, they’re lucky that all one of Hawks responded with was a flashy yet unnecessary dunk than a punch to the eye. I’m tired of hearing that “this is playoff basketball” dung because its just giving some losers reason to maul an opponent in hopes they hurt a guy that’s hurting them on the scoreboard or the glass. Rondo did it in Boston and now the Heat are doing it to the Hawks. If anyone should be mad, it should be the Hawks after what happened to Horford and Mo Evans. If this were baseball, someone on the Heat team would’ve been getting a high slider to the BACK! Their fortunate all we did was try to embarrass them with a dunk. If I were coach, I would have ordered a clothes-hang on the next Heat player that went for a layup after that bull they pulled on Horford and Mo Evans.
Now back to D-Babe, man how long is long enough for you to lay on the ground man? Everyone in the playoff is getting thrown down left and right, But D-Cave is the only one I see laying their forever. I guess he’s waiting for the sympathy applause from the crowd like his commercials before he gets up or something. Okay, okay the one where he bumped his po’ wittle head on the court was a legit one, but I remember some college kid recently in the NIT smacking his grill three times as hard (actually losing blood and a tooth I believe) on the floor chasing a loose ball and another flipping upside down after a dunk and landing on his back banging his head twice as hard and both got right on up and shook it off. Good grief, D-Lay, could you please grow some and stop being so soft? All these unofficial timeouts is killing the flow of the game man. I enjoyed watching this guy play before, but this series is really starting to open my eyes to a piece I saw on ESPN about D-Fake where his father said he knew his son had game but they had to toughen him up cause he was always crying and was too soft. It appears some of that is still in him and it is pretty lame.
Alright I’m done with getting that off my chest and am preparing myself for the home court referee treatment I know the Hawks will have to suffer through tonight. That is something David Stern needs to address too. It is past obvious how the home team in both regular season and playoffs are getting all the calls but that’s for another vent. So go and finish these busters off Hawks so I won’t have to hear how much agony D-Pain is in because he’s crying is starting to cause me major pain. Well that and ESPN’s coverage of that situation being the only reason the Hawks are winning games.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AGTFan
April 30th, 2009
12:05 pm
The dunk wasn’t what dis-respected Miami. The total pounding is what dis-respected Miami, because they showed themselves unworthy of respect.
RickNole
April 30th, 2009
12:08 pm
Enough about Josh’s dunk, lets whoop that azz in Miami and move on. I am tired of looking at D. Wade.
Darrin "The Vent King"
April 30th, 2009
12:11 pm
“I’m confused. If Wade is so hurt, why’d he play in the second half of a 23-point game?”
That’s easy MB- D-Babe is a drama queen. I am losing a lot of respect for Mr. Softie in this series. I’ve NEEEEEEEVER seen a guy milk a foul like this guy. His back wasn’t hurt, he just plays up to that stuff for attention. Guys are getting smacked around left and right in these playoffs and he’s the only one laying on the ground like he’s been sniped or something. Grow some dude! Now he’s talking ’bout he and his teammates were insulted by J-Smoove’s dunk attempt, well I as well as a lot of other Atl fans are embarrassed by his girle-man ways!!
Baba O'Riley
April 30th, 2009
12:29 pm
D-Wade is closer to the Chris Paul-Dwight Howard level than the Kobe-LeBron level. This guy was in the MVP conversation?????????????
tscott625
April 30th, 2009
12:50 pm
Man, I really wish J-Smoove wudve made that dunk….
DawginLex
April 30th, 2009
1:28 pm
This team has not proven anything other than they can get to a game 7. Win the series=proving something.
Mark Bradley
April 30th, 2009
1:42 pm
We all know stars want every call. That’s nothing new. But Wade is pushing the edge of the envelope.
John Abraham
April 30th, 2009
1:49 pm
Check out this guy.
From: http://www.examiner.com/x-8479-Miami-Heat-Examiner~y2009m4d30-Miami-91-Atlanta-106-Game-five-thoughts
- Can’t say I didn’t lose some respect for Al Horford’s mock-seizure after a *wait for it* moderate ankle sprain. I’ve had moderate ankle sprains and after a bit of ice, I’m good to go. I was half expecting Horford to gyrate towards the stands and begin crawling backwards down the stairs. Overreaction much?
- I hate hearing people blame the referees for losses, and I’m definitely not going to do that, but there were some seriously questionable calls in this one. From Wade’s flagrant foul, to Pachulia’s stiff-arm no call, this was not the finest display of refereeing I’ve seen in the playoffs. In general, in the last couple of games I’ve seen a solid number of bad calls going against both sides.
- How cocky were these Hawks? Been there before? Doesn’t seem like it. From the chest bumping and over the top celebrations (Did you see Mario West going crazy after forcing Wade into a missed three-point attempt at the half time buzzer?), to Smith attempting (and missing) a between-the-legs fast break dunk, you could sense the Hawks desire to embarrass the Heat.