Greg Oden wants to play more next season

Center Greg Oden was signed by the Miami Heat as an insurance policy in case the team needed to go big in the playoffs, mostly to combat the Indiana Pacers' Roy Hibbert. Oden wasn't used since Hibbert had a horrible playoff season.

Oden didn't play much this season, but the biggest bust this side of Sam Bowie isn't done playing. Oden says he plans on playing next season whether it be in Miami or somewhere else. He also would like to see more playing time than he did this season.

Oden, who will be an unrestricted free agent, is disappointed how things turned out, but is taking it all in stride.

“Yeah, I’m sure I’m playing again next year but honestly I haven’t given that much thought,” Oden told CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes Wednesday after practice. “I’m trying to concentrate on this and getting this ring first and after that, that’s part of the thought process. My body feels good. I can still play.  I’ll be alright….

“It wasn’t what I was hoping it would be,” the big man said. “I would definitely like to have played more but you know, everything that I’ve been through, I’m just happy to be out there and being on a team. Last year  I wasn’t and this year I’m on a team that possibly can win the championship. I’m happy in that, but personally, playing wise, I’m not has happy as I want to be.”

You have to give Oden credit for coming this far in his recovery from multiple knee surgeries. His best bet though is for him to be a piece on a contending team more than going to a team where fans and teammates might expect a bit more out of the former number one pick.

Even though it's hard to feel sorry for someone who has millions in the bank, you almost have to feel sorry for him. He'll always be labeled as a bust, not because he couldn't play, but because he was always hurt, Kevin Durant's meteoric rise to stardom and the fact that he was the number one pick. Someone will give Oden a shot but it might be a long shot if he's anywhere near productive.    

New Orleans Pelicans reportedly shopping Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon

The New Orleans Pelicans started the NBA season with plenty of backcourt pieces. Now the word on the street is that the team might be willing to trade two of those pieces.

The Pelicans have been hit by injuries, namely to forwards Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson and  point guard Jrue Holiday. The team has dropped 13 of 17 games after an 11-10 start. A report in the New York Daily News says the team might be willing to move Tyreke Evans and/or Eric Gordon.

 The Pelicans signed Tyreke Evans this past summer to a four-year, $44 million free-agent deal and then added veteran PG Jrue Holiday via a trade with the Sixers to join Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis. But all the moves haven't exactly clicked. In fact, they've backfired, with New Orleans losing 13 of its last 17 games after starting out 11-10. The front office's take? Team execs are saying at least those are assets that can be moved. Davis and Holiday are the keepers.

It's kind of surprising that Evans is on the trade block considering the Pelicans inked him to a contract that he hasn't lived up to. In fact Evans hasn't progressed since his rookie of the year season in 2009-2010. Evans might fit best on a contender where he could flourish as a sixth man supreme. Gordon pretty much begged out of New Orleans last season when he signed an offer sheet with the Phoenix Suns. He bought into what the team is doing and is now looking at being traded.  

It's only rumor, but if the Pelicans can find the right deal one or both will be gone in a heartbeat. That said, you can bet that if Evans is available, teams will come calling. Teams like the Miami Heat and also the Golden State Warriors both reportedly want to land backcourt help. But a player the caliber of Evans will command a lot in return and he would almost certainly be a little too rich for their blood. In addition, those teams almost certainly are looking more for a veteran role player with postseason experience. If a team truly wants to make a run at the guard, it will more than likely be another young, up-and-coming franchise that can give him a lot of minutes.

If any trade is made by the Pelicans, I see Gordon being shipped out of town before Evans.

LeBron James says Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins is an All-Star

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has put up good offensive numbers in his young career but he's never been named an All-Star. With a little luck and a significant cosign, Cousins might be on his way to represent the Western Conference in the 2014 NBA All-Star Game.

After the Miami Heat dropped a game to the Kings Friday night, LeBron James endorsed Cousins as an All-Star.

Chris Palmer ‏@ChrisPalmerNBA 28 Dec
LeBron on DeMarcus Cousins: "Big Cous is an All-Star, I believe."

A major stamp of approval from the King himself. Will this endorsement propel Cousins to a spot on the All-Star team? If you go on pure numbers it should. Cousins has averaged 22.7 points and 11.1 rebounds a game. It just hasn't translated to many wins for the Kings. Also throw in the questions about his attitude and league politics, Cousins will likely be watching the league's best in New Orleans from his couch.

In the latest release of fan voting, James was on top of the balloting with 854,105. Cousins had 99,903 votes. The frontcourt leader in the Western Conference, Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, had 850,728. Between Durant and Cousins are Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, Love, San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, Aldridge, New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol, Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala, Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki and Rockets forward Chandler Parsons.

Cousins, who ranks twelfth overall in frontcourt voting isn’t likely to make the event via the fan vote. He could make the team as a reserve but as I mentioned before league politics will likely play a role in Cousins not making the team.

LeBron James interested in joining David Beckham's ownership group

Two of the biggest stars in their respective sports are thinking of teaming up.

The Miami Heat's LeBron James and soccer star David Beckham are talking about joining forces to possibly bring a MLS team to Miami.

"We're working on it," James said.

"There is some interest on both sides. David has become a good friend of mine over the last few years and I think it would be great for this city to have a football club," James told the Miami Herald. "There is interest on both sides, but it’s preliminary talks but there is some open dialogue."

Beckham has the option to buy into MLS at a discounted rate, a privilege that was in his deal to join the LA Galaxy in 2007. The league confirmed in October that it is in discussions with Beckham about owning a team with reports consistently indicating Miami would be the former England international's location of choice.

Beckham has been scouting possible stadium sites in Miami.


''I am excited about owning a team ... continuing to be part of the MLS in the future,'' Beckham told the Associated Press in October. "Miami excites me because I think it's a city that is very excitable."

James currently has a small stake in the Liverpool of the  Barclay’s Premiere League.

"We don’t know" how viable the Miami market would be for a new-look MLS team, James said. "The research is still being made out but I think it could be huge. But, you never know. I think this is a great town for soccer. There are a lot of soccer players here. There’s a great youth [system] of soccer here. And people love the city as well, so that definitely will help."

Overall soccer has always been a tough sell in the United States. If MLS can have James behind one of it's teams it might just catch on.

Caron Butler fined $15,000 for "obscene gesture"

Milwaukee Bucks forward Caron Butler was fined $15,000 for making an obscene gesture during Friday night's 105-98 win over the Boston Celtics.

During the fourth quarter, Butler sank a key three pointer to tie the game at 93 and did the 'big balls dance' popularized by former NBA guard Sam Cassell and originated in the movie 'Major League 2'.

Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche was fined $15,000 for the same offense earlier this month in a game against the Miami Heat.

As a fan I say let the players express themselves a little instead of having them be robotic.

Panthers' Greg Hardy thinks he can beat LeBron James in a game of 1-on-1

You don't hear too many athletes in any sport talk about how they could beat LeBron James in a game of 1-on-1. But not many of them are Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy. The man with the mouth that roars.

This offseason Hardy set a goal of 50 sacks. Never mind the fact that it took Michael Strahan a full season to break the record at 22.5 sacks. And it took a gift from Brett Favre to do that. Hardy told the Carolina Observer that he would beat James in a game of  1-on-1.

Hardy once played basketball at Ole Miss so he's not lacking skills. It's just that James' game is on a much higher plateau but that doesn't stop Hardy from predicting a victory over King James.

"How should I answer this question? I would dominate that dude," Hardy said. "Hands down, guaranteed win. And that's my favorite player."

"Everyone says he can go to the NFL and play defensive end, who says I cant go to the NBA?"

"I'm not saying I would beast him, but I would definitely win," Hardy said. "I got a good shot, I got good handles, I got good size. I feel that we match up pretty well. I was a defensive player in college."

"Yeah, it would be a tight game. I'm not saying I would dominate him," Hardy said. "That was a joke. I feel like I'd definitely win. I think there's a game there. I don't think that I'm trash and I don't think that he's trash. I think it'd be two dominant athletes playing and I'd come out on top."

Hardy is listed at 6-4 and 290 pounds. James comes in at 6-8 and 250.

Advantage James. Hardy would try to muscle him up but James is too quick and athletic for Hardy to keep up with him. But it would be fun to watch.

NBA might let the Heat and Nets wear jerseys with nicknames

The NBA is kicking around an idea that might get fans to buy more jerseys.

For one game the league may let players wear nicknames on the back of their jerseys. Members of the  Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets have been told that the league may have them wear "nickname" jerseys in one of their four matchups this season.

Miami's Ray Allen, who would have "Jesus Shuttlesworth", his character from the movie "He Got Game", on the back of his jersey seems to be a fan of the idea.

 "It shows growth in our league and it shows we do adapt to what's going on around us," said Allen, the Heat guard who plans to wear Shuttlesworth on his jersey, a nod to his character from the "He Got Game" film. "And we're still kids, playing a kids' game. Even though we're now men playing a kids' game, we still remember where we come from. Everybody had a nickname and it's a way to let the fans in a little bit more."  

"Fans will like it and so will a lot of the players," Allen said. "Guys will get a good kick out of it."

Miami and Brooklyn is expected to be a marquee matchup this season so the league would put the idea into play with two of the more marketable teams in the league. I think it's an idea that would go over well with the fans and players alike.There's also the possibility of getting the league more publicity and exposure, also more sales of jerseys, but I don't know if the league would put the nickname jerseys on the market.

Miami Heat might take a flier on Michael Beasley

Michael Beasley's NBA career started in Miami and he might be returning there.

 Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that the Miami Heat might be interested in bringing in  Beasley.

 The two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat are considering the possibility of bringing back troubled free-agent forward Michael Beasley, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Several of the Heat's key veteran players are supportive of the signing of Beasley, and he has a strong interest in returning to the franchise responsible for taking him with the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, sources told Yahoo.

No offer has been made and no deal is considered imminent, sources said.

Beasley was bought out of his contract with the Phoenix Suns despite having a wealth of talent on a terrible team. Beasley was charged with marijuana possession in August and has had issues with marijuana in the past.

Beasley is still young enough to salvage a his NBA career and the Heat are good enough and have a strong enough locker room to handle any troubles Beasley could bring. beasley wouldn't be asked to do much except be a solid role player off the bench and maybe spell LeBron James at small forward every now and then. He wouldn't be asked to be a savior or a franchise cornerstone, he would just be able to focus on basketball.

This  deal isn't in the works as of now and don't expect it to be done anytime soon.  

Knicks' J.R. Smith is guaranteeing a title

The NBA season hasn't started and the New York Knicks' sixth man supreme J.R. Smith is already making promises of bringing a championship back to New York.

During a question-and-answer session with kid golfers at Chelsea Piers, Smith was asked how sure he was of the Knicks ending their title drought this season.

“I'm 100 percent sure,” the swingman said.

Smith was then asked why he joined the Knicks over the Nets when he came back from China in February 2012.

“The Nets weren't good,'' Smith said. “Now they're still not good.''

There has been much hype this offseason lavished on the Nets after their bold trade with the Celtics to acquire Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, who has been the most outspoken promoter of Brooklyn's chances in the Eastern Conference.

When asked by The Post why he is so confident, Smith said, “I feel comfortable. People ruled us out last year early, too. We added some great pieces. Unfortunately, we got rid of some good pieces. But we added Andrea [Bargnani], Beno [Udrih], Metta [World Peace]. We have to consistently play like we did the first 20 games last year the whole season. We can't have a middle-of-season lapse. We have to consistently play the same way."

Well, I'm sure the two time defending champion Miami Heat feel a little disrespected about that guarantee. The Knicks are a good team but not a championship level team. I'm sure some Knick fans will disagree with me about that but it's true. If they can stay healthy and keep their heads on straight they could give the Heat some problems.

In another tidbit, Smith was asked was he better than teammate Carmelo Anthony. Being the confident man that he is Smith said yes.

 “Yes, I am, but he gets paid more.’’

Hopefully for the Knicks that doesn't ignite any controversy.

Alonzo Mourning looking forward to working with Greg Oden

When the Miami Heat signed Greg Oden many were thinking that he would solve the team's interior woes. But Heat fans might want to be patient as Oden works his way back into shape since he hasn't played in a game since December 9, 2009.

The Heat have reached back to the past to help Oden work his way back from knee troubles. Alonzo Mourning will be working with Oden to get him back in the game. Mourning sounded excited about the prospect of working with Oden.

“Extremely excited, extremely excited,” he said by phone, “because I understand the potential that he has….

“I think we all, as an organization, are looking forward to working with him, developing him, so that he can be a part of this organization for years to come….

“I know that if healthy, the impact that he can have on this franchise,” Mourning said. “Just him being 25 years old, I feel that the longevity of the possibility of him playing, that longevity will continue to stimulate a winning opportunity with the organization.”

Mourning should curb his enthusiasm regarding Oden. If you can remember the guy has been a one man M.A.S.H unit since his days at Ohio State.

If Oden can be a marginal contributor to a championship team then this will be a success, provided he can stay healthy.
 

Dwayne Wade pays homage to Trayvon Martin on the cover of Ebony Magazine

Miami Heat guard Dwayne Wade has been outspoken throughout the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin ordeal. He's now using the platform that sports has given him to make another statement. 

On the cover of the Sept. 2013 issue of Ebony, Wade and his two sons, Zaire and Zion, are seen wearing gray hoodies. Underneath them is text that reads "We are Trayvon."

Wade and his sons were wearing the hoodies in support of the South Florida teenager who was shot and killed by George Zimmerman.

It's not as political as what Muhammad Ali, John Carlos or Tommie Smith did back in the day, but Wade is bringing an awareness to the fact that there are too many young black kids dying over to what amounts to nothing.  

Heat's Udonis Haslem has his home burglarized

A Broward Sheriff's Office report says that Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem's house had been burglarized. The authorites did not report whether any valuables were taken.

According to a Broward Sheriff's Office report released Thursday, someone broke into the house April 13 by prying open a side garage door. Deputies responded after a home alarm activated, but no one was inside when they arrived.

Closets in the house had been ransacked and alarm boxes had been ripped off the walls. Deputies say some belongings were found in trash bags and other valuable items were left untouched. Authorities surmised that the thieves left hurriedly when deputies arrived.

Teammate Chris Bosh also had his home broken in to in early April. Theives made off with around $479,000 in jewelry and valubles.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is dating a former Heat dancer

You would figure that a NBA coach would be married and have children. And whoever they're married to would be in the same age bracket.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, 42, has surprised many by who he's dating. Spoelstra appeared at a fundraiser Saturday night with his girlfriend, Nikki Sapp. Sapp is a 24 year old former Heat dancer.

An 18-year-old Sapp started dancing for the team in 2005, while a 34-year-old Spoelstra was serving as an assistant for Pat Riley. She danced with the squad for three seasons, then left before Spoelstra took over the Heat's head coaching position in 2008. 

Outside of Phil Jackson, no one really knows about who a coach is dating or married to. We all know Phil didn't do too bad (Jeanie Buss) and based on the looks of Sapp, Spoelstra isn't doing too bad either. But that age difference makes you wonder. Oh well. Play on player.

Collins says Bynum not close to playing

Philadelphia 76ers big man Andrew Bynum has been missing all season long. It's due to injury so it's not like he's been underachieving all season. Bynum says he plans on returning this season, but head coach Doug Collins says Bynum's not close to playing at all.

After Bynum practiced with the team Friday, Collins wasn't thrilled about the possibility of Bynum coming back and concluded that this has been a lost season.

"He looked like a guy who hadn't played in nine months," Collins said. "I don't think any bells and whistles should be sent off that he's close to playing."

"It's amazing seeing him standing out there; he distorted the whole practice," Collins said. "You get visions of what might've been ... He's said that he's going to play, but this season is slipping away. We've got 24 games after (this weekend). We're eight (games) under .500, and we've got to play the Miami Heat four times."

It almost sounds as if Collins is throwing in the towel for this season.

The Sixers are battling for the eighth spot in the eastern Conference but are in danger of missing the playoffs. It would've helped if they had a healthy Bynum all season. Even for half a season. But right now Bynum might be better served just sitting out the rest of this season and trying to come back strong next year.

Knicks sign Kenyon Martin to a 10 day contract

Once again Kenyon Martin is on the move to another contender for the stretch run. Martin signed a 10 day contract with the New York Knicks. Last season Martin signed with the Los Angeles Clippers to provide depth up front.

Martin will take Ronnie Brewer's spot on the roster after he was traded earlier today.

Martin will be a welcome addition in the frontcourt, especially with the injuries to Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby. It also provides the Knicks with a veteran presence. The move also reunites Martin with former teammates Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, Chauncey Billups, Marcus Camby and Jason Kidd.

The move isn't permanent since it's only a 10 day contract. So if this blows up on the Knicks they can get rid of him with a minimal loss.  

Oakley says LeBron can do more than Jordan

Former NBA enforcer, Charles Oakley, hasn't been the biggest fan of today's NBA. He'll blast it any chance he gets. Oakley isn't afraid to speak his mind on anything regarding the NBA. But there's one thing he has done. He's changed his tune on how he views LeBron James. This comes on the heels of the Michael Jordan/James debate where Jordan questioned whether James would be successful in the era that he played in.

Back in 2011, Oakley was critical of James. Not as a player, but his a few aspects of his game.


"I wouldn't put [James and Jordan] in the same conversation."

"It took a while for Michael to win championships too, but they have a different swagger, a different demeanor. If I would compare anybody to Michael Jordan, it would be Kobe Bryant. Point blank. I know LeBron well; he don't have what Michael have so I'm not even gonna discuss that one." 

"To be a superstar [LeBron] has to go back to his fundamentals… work on his post game, work off the ball."


Oakley never said he didn't like the guy, he just said he needed to work on a few things to reach a higher level, if that's possible. If you look at James' game now, you see that he worked on a few things and it resulted in a championship. Oakley has taken notice of the changes in King James' game and went on to say that James can do more on the court than the great Michael Jordan.

“I appreciate him as a person, a mindset out on the court to perfect the game,” Oakley said of James. “Everybody’s criticizing him about this, about that, and he lets his game get better every year, and he got smarter every year, no matter what no one said. He let his game grow with him. The man is the best player, ain’t never gonna be a player like that. He’s going to go down as a top three player in the history of basketball.”

“He might not have had a lot of big numbers, but he would have made it,” Oakley said. “If you can get 26 (points) instead of 27, it’s the same thing. But he’s a guy you want to play with, no matter level what he played. If he played 40 years ago, he understands basketball. He’s one of the smartest guys I’ve seen in this game, probably go down as one of the smartest guys. He dictates offense, defense, he can do it all.”


“It’s a different debate,” Oakley said. “I ask everybody, who’s the best between Magic and LeBron? Everyone says Michael’s greatest. But, OK, well, we’ll give him his props. But LeBron is a better athlete, and he can do more than Michael on the basketball court. Michael is finisher, a great shooter, and it is what it is.”

Say what you will, but it's difficult to argue Oakley's point. James is too multi skilled to not have been a successful player in yesteryear's game. He might not have dominated like he does now, but who in the league had James' skill set with his kind of size and strength. Not many that I can think of right off the top of my head.

I'm not going to get into the Jordan/LeBron debate. They're both great players that played in different eras. You can't really compare the two. But to most, in order to get into Jordan' stratosphere, James will need to win some more championships. Until then most will not put James in Jordan's class.  

Paul Pierce says Celtics lack mental toughness

The Boston Celtics are clearly a team in transition. Once a team dominated by the Big Three (Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett), the Celtics are now a mix of veterans and youngsters with point guard Rajon Rondo being the bridge. The result so far hasn't been pretty. The Celtics currently stand at 20-21 with losses to the lowly Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers the last two games. Not the kind of results Celtic fans have been accustomed to the past five years.

Pierce, who has seen both the good and the bad, has spoken out about the team's current four game skid. Pierce told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe that the Celtics are lacking the mental toughness of teams past.  Not exactly a ringing endorsement of your teammates.


“I think we got pieces here,” the Celtics captain said before Tuesday night’s 95-90 loss to the Cavaliers. “We just got to come together. We got to figure this thing out. Can’t get discouraged.

“I think that’s the one thing this team lacks, that mental toughness, man. When we lose our confidence, I’ve never been on teams like that. We got to stay together, we got to play with confidence.

“Yeah, definitely, it hurts me to say that. It’s like I really sometimes don’t believe it.

“We get down on ourselves. We got to go out there and believe we can win every game. It’s tough sometimes.”

Now Pierce has been on some bad Celtic teams prior to the arrival of Allen (now with the Miami Heat) and Garnett, and this one isn't quite as bad, but it's probably wearing thin on Pierce's patience for the young pups to grow up.

There's still another half of basketball to play and it'll be interesting to see if GM Danny Ainge will make a deal to keep the team competitive, let things play out, or blow it up altogehter.

George Karl thinks LeBron can eventually return to Cleveland

LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers a hot mess. It was an ugly breakup, with fans burning his jersey and the owner Dan Gilbert going on a rant saying that the Cavs would win a title before the "so-called King" would. Meanwhile James was in South Beach predicting multiple titles.

Even though the chances are remote, James left the door open for a possible return after realizing he handled 'The Decision' poorly. It could happen later down the line, but I'm not holding my breath for that to happen. It would be hard for the city and organization to embrace him again, but stranger things have happened.

  In a report by FOX Sports Florida's Chris Tomasson, former Cavs coach and current Denver Nuggets coach, George Karl says he can see James returning to Cleveland to play again.

 "I think LeBron is at that stage where he's challenging himself to motivate him to do something that's maybe more difficult," Denver coach George Karl told FOX Sports Florida before Friday's game against Cleveland at the Pepsi Center. "I could see him maybe doing that (returning to the Cavaliers)."

"I see (Kyrie) Irving maybe being a reason for that," Karl said of the reigning Rookie of the Year, who leads Cleveland in scoring with a 23.5 average. 

Like I mentioned earlier, I think it's a remote possibility. The stars would have to align right for that to happen. Miami would have to fall out of contention (not happening), James wants to go back home possible free agent in 2014), or he's close to retiring and wants to make amends with the Cleveland fans. If his return to Cleveland happens I would bet it's reason number three that it happens.

I don't see it happening, but they do say you can go home again.



  

Frank Vogel fined for trying to get the refs on his side

Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel tried to take the Phil Jackson approach and plant a seed in the referees' heads before the Pacers' second round series against the Miami Heat. Vogel told reporters that he felt the Heat were the biggest floppers in the NBA and now he's $15,000 lighter for the comments.

“It’ll be very interesting to see how the referees officiate the series and how much flopping they reward. . . . Every drive to the basket they have guys not making a play on the ball, but sliding in front of drivers. Often times they’re falling down even before contact is even being made. It’ll be interesting to see how the series is officiated.”


He's hoping that he can get some favorable whistles going his way and not falling victim to any superstar calls that benefit the Heat. I see him working and I can understand why, but in the NBA you can't comment the officiating without getting fined.

Next time don't read the Phil Jackson playbook of coaching.

Pacers say they're not the underdog against the Heat

With a date with the Miami Heat looming in the NBA playoffs, the Indiana Pacers aren't about to bow down to anyone. Coach Frank Vogel and some of the players don't see themselves as the underdog going into the second  round showdown with Miami.  

“I don’t know if it’s about respect,” Pacers forward Danny Granger said. “It’s about basketball. It’s about finding out who’s the better team. We’re a good team. They’re a good team. It’s going to be a battle.”


“I think we’re just embracing the challenge,” Vogel said. “I feel like we are one of the best teams in the league. We are not viewing this in any way, shape or form like a David-vs.-Goliath type of meeting. We are not the underdog here. This is two heavyweights going toe to toe.”


At least we know the Pacers won't be in awe of Miami's big three which is good because everyone expects the Pacers to lose.

The Pacers have a good team and Vogel and Granger know it. The rest of Ameica will find out how good when the second round begins. They won't win the series but they will give the Heat a good fight.

“I don’t think we’re underdogs by any means,” he said. “Miami has more recognition, honestly, with their big three guys, but I think we’re a good team as well.”


“We know it’s a great opportunity,” David West said. “We’re going to try to maximize this opportunity that we have ahead of us. You may not get this opportunity again.”


The Pacers have been under the radar throughout the season and Miami has the stars, but we know this is the playoffs and anything can happen. This could be one of the best series of the second round.