Say Goodnight To The Bad Guy...

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (not pictured) had each other's back on Thursday night.

It was beautiful to watch.

LeBron has something in common with the Cavs fans--- they both watched the 4th quarter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland brought their creativity.

LeBron brought his game.

Before the game, I facebooked that Michael Jordan would've scored 60 on a night like this.

LeBron had 38--- 24 in the 3rd quarter-- and didn't even play in the 4th.

I'm comfortable calling that a Jordan-esque performance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best moment of the night happened in the pre-game.

LeBron approached the scorer's table.

Would he or wouldn't he?

Did he have the audacity to throw his chalk up into the air and make Cavs fans choke on his ego?

He did.

It was LeBron's way of saying--- whatever you want to do tonight--- I'm going to do my thing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But LBJ didn't go at it alone.

First play of the game--- Dwyane Wade gets a steal-- goes coast-to-coast for a slam.

Message sent by Wade.

We're a team.

We're here for you LeBron.

Doesn't matter what they say in the stands--- we got this.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Admittedly, the Cavs are an awful basketball team.

The Heat SHOULD route them by double-figures.

But this was no ordinary circumstance.

Cleveland fans were pegging EVERY failure that their city ever had to endure--- on this one guy.

Honestly, it's time to move on.

A free agent opted out.

Happens quite frequently in sports.

Have a problem with it? Take it up with David Stern (I'm not going to humor anyone by addressing their stupid tampering charges--- Dan Gilbert is a crazy person).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's exciting about tonight is that it bodes well for the playoffs.

If you can survive a building filled with murderous rage--- you can handle just about any environment that's thrown at you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of my favorite scenes in "Scarface" was when Tony Montana was dragged out of the restaurant---drunk, high, angry.

Others were gawking at him and he told them--- say goodnight to the bad guy.

He's the guy that others NEED to look at, point at, talk about.

Without the bad guy, people would have to confront their own quotidian lives.

LBJ was the bad guy in Cleveland.

He moves on with a virtuoso performance.

Cavs fans are now stuck in Cleveland.

Advantage James.

Calling All UM Alums....

Now that Randy Shannon is not pictured--- Miami must make a CRITICAL choice.

Are they going to be a part of major college football or are they not?

It's as simple as that.

Miami needs to hit a home run with their next coaching hire.

This cannot be done on the cheap.

To me, the key is to tap into their NFL alumni base.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the biggest sources of pride for Canes fans--- is how many former Canes are successful in the NFL.

Every Sunday--- we see players proudly throw up the "U" sign during NFL games.

And then--- in the same breath--- we're told that the school doesn't have enough money for facilities--- doesn't have enough money to pay big name coaches.

It's a bunch of bunk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If those NFL players are SO proud of their school--- time to put their money where their mouth is.

Take one game-check--- put it in a fund.

Guaranteed--- you'd have enough to go out and get a MONSTER coach.

Is it Jon Gruden?

I don't know.

This decision is on Kirby Hocutt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As for Randy, he wasn't a good football coach.

It's that simple.

On gameday, he was consistently outcoached.

His players didn't get better during their time at UM.

We don't know about him as a "recruiter" because--- once the guys got to campus they were never properly instructed.

So how can we know if they reached their ultimate potential?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To his credit--- Randy ran a clean program.

Players were not arrested and they received their diplomas.

That's great.

But honestly--- what's the point of running a clean program if the whole sport is dirty?

College football is as corrupt as can be.

The work-force---ie the players--- aren't paid.

Meanwhile, the schools make MILLIONS going to bowl games and coaches get fat contracts.

Miami can pretend to take the high moral ground--- or they can get in the mix.

That's the decision now for the school.

Do they want to be a major program or do they want to be mired in mediocrity?

I hope they go big.

7-win seasons don't do much for me.

STOP CHILLIN...

Chris Bosh put it best.

After a brillant performance against Phoenix, Bosh said--- we just want to Chill (not pictured).

He said--- Coach Spoelstra wanted to work--- so they met in the middle.

Look at what happened tonight.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indiana is a borderline playoff team.

They haven't been there in four years.

And yet-- with all 3 Kings healthy--- the Pacers WAXED the Heat on their home court by double-digits.

What the heck is wrong with the Heat?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Injuries are a factor but not an excuse.

Udonis Haslem is out for a WHILE now--- which stinks since he's the heart and soul of the team.

He and former college roommate Mike Miller both have suffered long-term injuries.

That hurts.

But come on.

You have LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade on the floor.

You should be in every game, and in particular, EVERY home game.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wade had an awful night from the floor.

He was nursing a sore wrist.

Again, that's reasonable, but not an excuse.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Somebody needs to slap this team around--- and not just mediocre opponents.

No more Mr. nice Spo.

He'd better learn from his mentor Pat Riley, or he'll be replaced by him.

Either way--- tonight's loss should never have happened.

I blame the players' mentality and that falls on Spo.

I Want Riles, And Awesome Decision Passing On Matt Ryan

I've often been accused of overthinking things.

I sit and analyze and then I go over the same thing in my head again and again.

Sometimes the simplest answers are staring you right in the face.

So allow me a few knee-jerk reactions (not pictured).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pat Riley is the best coach in the Heat organization right now.

Is that a crazy thought?

I know he's not coaching.

I know he's in his 60s.

But if you want to tell me that Erik Spoelstra gives the Heat a better chance to win RIGHT NOW--- you're lying.

Yes, it's great to develop a young talent.

Spo's a great story who worked his way up from the video room.

Time to go back there.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riley can take you places, that other coaches can't.

Stan Van Gundy was given basically the same roster with the Heat--- couldn't get it done.

Riley took over.

15 Strong--- Championship.

You going to tell me Spo is better than Stan?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riley's foundation is defense.

Even with the showtime Lakers--- who always converted defense to offense (triggering their fastbreaks).

The Heat team right now has no identity.

They have been exposed TWICE by the Celtics who are an ELITE, superior team.

They are sick of hearing about Miami.

Which is why Paul Pierce tweeted after the game..."It's been a pleasure to take my talents to South Beach"--- ouch.

Miami needs to gel--- but they need to do it under the man who uses lots of gel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Dolphins have a quarterback crisis.

They kicked Chad Henne in the groin and said--- you ain't the man.

Let's go to a broken, surgically repaired 34 year old who throws like a woman (I happen to be a Chad Pennington fan).

The Dolphins passed on Matt Ryan in the draft.

Matt Ryan is 18-1 at home as a starter.

The Fins haven't won a home game this year.

I like Jake Long.

He'll block for mediocre quarterbacks for the next decade.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes the talk-radio crowd and the masses react too quickly.

Other times, they just point out the obvious.

Riley should coach the Heat and the Dolphins were dumb to pass on Matty Ice.

Your thoughts...

Sour Note...

LeBron had a triple double, Wade almost had 40, Bosh played a solid game, the Heat built a 20 point lead at home, and they lost??

Huh?

That doesn't make sense.

Although the Heat were playing a very-well coached team in the Utah Jazz (not pictured).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most Heat fans haven't heard of Paul Millsap before tonight.

They know him now.

46 points.

Clutch shot after clutch shot after clutch shot.

It was something to behold.

You'd figure with 3 allegedly all-world players, PRIDE would kick in at a certain point.

ONE Player on the Heat would say--- back off--- this mofo is mine.

Never happened.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That whole--- we must protect this house---- mentality NEEDS to be installed in the Heat.

And that needs to be done yesterday.

Miami needs to know.

No matter WHAT happens, team don't make 20 point comebacks in the Heat's house.

Shouldn't happen again.

They're still figuring things out.

They're still gel-ing.

But come on, that's not supposed to happen to this team, not now.

LeBron made Cleveland an impossible road stop--- same needs to happen here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game situations need work.

TWO closely contested games have ended in 2 Eddie House last second 3 point attempts.

That's not a good shot.

That's not the right guy shooting it.

You can't inbound it to Wade? Come up with better inbound plays.

Spo, this is where you earn your money.

Most nights it'll be a cake-walk.

But against good opponent, you'll have to earn it.

Bring this group together and create a trust where--- Wade or LeBron gets the last shot.

Those are your choices.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You know, finishing games doesn't just apply to players.

Fans who left with 5 minutes left, how stupid do you feel?

Sit it out.

Traffic's NOT that bad.

Heat tickets are expensive.

Enjoy the game.

It's not a Dolphins game where fans leave early because it's hot out.

It is climate controlled.

You're already out.

It's embarrassing that the Heat were playing in front of a half-empty (does that make me a pessimist) arena in crunch time.

Driving home--- how'd you feel as you heard the Jazz comeback?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, I hope Randy Shannon was taking notes.

Jerry Sloane is as good as they come.

And his specialty on this night was clock management.

Utah used fouls and timeouts, along with flukey threes, to elongate the game and give themselves an opportunity to win.

What a concept!

There's a reason they're good every year.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not bugging out about the Heat.

They're going to lose games.

20 point leads they shouldn't lose.

Home games they shouldn't lose.

And on Eddie House 3's they shouldn't lose.

Time to regroup and beat Boston on Thursday.

Why The Dolphins Need To Cut Channing Crowder...

I try to keep things light around here.

I like to have fun on the blog.

But I'm dead serious when I say this: The Miami Dolphins need to cut Channing Crowder and the NFL needs to suspend him for at least 1 game.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are two things that Channing Crowder is not: 1. A good football player 2. Funny.

We in the media tend to put him on television--- because frankly--- he's the most interesting soundbite in the locker room.

He's goofy, he's silly.

I've heard him described as playful.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
But here's what's not ok.

Cracking Anne Frank jokes after a football game.

Crowder claims that Baltimore's Le'Ron McClain spit in his face.

So Crowder was mad.

Here's how Professor Crowder was quoted in the Sun Sentinel talking about the refs:

“They said they didn’t see it,” Crowder said. “Then they said something about they let Karlos Dansby get away with a facemask before. Who the f— cares? I just got spit in my face. I don’t give a damn about Karlos pulling somebody’s facemask.
“Like they didn’t see Chad Henne get hit twice when he slid. No, no, they say, “Aaah.” Stevie Wonder and Anne Frank. Who’s the blind girl? Helen Keller, then. I don’t know who Anne Frank is. I’m mad right now. I’m not as swift as I usually am.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First of all, you not knowing who Anne Frank is, makes you moron.

I'm sorry the University of Florida didn't teach you anything.

8th graders read her diary.

Secondly, even if you do and you're just kidding, it's not funny.

She was hiding bravely from the Nazis.

You hide from making plays.

And third of all, I heard that he was quoting "Clerks 2."

Look, I enjoy Kevin Smith's work as much as the next guy... But out of context holocaust references don't work when you play for Miami--- a town with a very large Jewish population.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know the world has become too PC.

I know that people are too sensitive.

But Channing Crowder has gotten a free pass for his mouth and honestly, I don't think it's cool to joke about the holocaust.

Especially when you only make four tackles and your team gets their ass kicked.

Channing Crowder is a joke of a player and brings shame to a franchise.

I don't know which he needs more, sensitivity training or tackling drills.

Either way, he shouldn't be wearing a Dolphins uniform.

Miami's Quarterback Question...

Feels SO good to be blogging again!

It's been a while. In the interest of explanation--- I just moved and have been without high speed for a week.

The Canes have been without Jacory Harris for a week--- and looked good.

So, should the U stick with Stephen Morris (not pictured)?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's what pissed me off watching Saturday's game.

Mark Whipple made a reasonable gameplan.

He used the running game extensively, and simplified the playbook to reasonable/makeable passing plays for the true Freshman.

And shockingly--- Miami looked more efficient.

Why didn't Whipple do that sooner?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The old--- chuck it 30 yards downfield and hope the receiver makes a play-- philosophy, needs to go.

Miami's play-makers are talented (specifically Leonard Hankerson and Travis Benjamin)... But they're not Andre Johnson and Santana Moss.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Jacory stops seeing stars, I'm not sure if I want Morris or I want Harris.

I do know I want this version of Whipple.

I want the guy who doesn't try to get too cute for his own good.

I want the guy who uses his rushing attack.

I want the guy who doesn't encourage his QB to throw into triple-coverage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now to the Randy Shannon issue.

During games I ask myself the following question: Do the Hurricanes look like a well-coached team?

When they burn all three timeouts in the 3rd quarter--- is that the trait of a well-coached team?

When they consistently have CRUCIAL penalties against them and constantly shoot themselves in the foot--- is that a well-coached team?

When the alleged talent level isn't close to the performance on the field--- is it a well-coached team?

You don't need to go much deeper than that.

All the staying-out-of-trouble stuff and the academic stuff are great.

That is, if your name is Donna Shalala.

But when you have an empty student section--- and a demoralized fan base--- it's hard to defend Randy.

At least the freshman QB looked good.