This is absolutely ridiculous. The best player's individual performance has so much to do with winning a ring. If Lebron plays up to his potential last year he would have a ring. Dirk was able to get a ring last year because he played better than he did in 06. Hakeem got his ring because he was an absolute monster in the finals. The best player on a team playing well might not always be the reason a team wins a ring but it definitely has a lot to do with it.
Post a clip of Granger jawing with or at Lebron or ANYONE at any time in this series BEFORE the Wade foul early in the 4th in game 2. I do not think that you can, because I do not think it happened.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The NBA will suspend Miami's Dexter Pittman for 3 games, league source tells Y!</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/205423297268166657" data-datetime="2012-05-23T22:21:45+00:00">May 23, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The NBA has suspended Udonis Haslem for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/205427722078531586" data-datetime="2012-05-23T22:39:20+00:00">May 23, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I have to point this out though, a superstar can be at his best and still lose against a better or superior team. Do you think Olajuwon played any worse against the Celtics versus the Knicks and Magic? Even if he played slightly to much better, the Rockets weren't beating the Celtics in 1986, regardless. MJ had some magnificent playoff performances in his first 6 years, but his teams still did not beat the Pistons and Celtics. You have to weather this argument a little, and keep mind you need good to great superstar performances to match with a really good team. Lebron still could go out in every playoff game and average 40-10-10 and still lose a series. It happened against Orlando. Kobe Bryant is another example, he had some pretty outstanding playoff games, even though his teams have lost in those games by a good margin of 8-20+ points. Sometimes, how much more can you ask of superstar player, it's not like they can guard everyone on the other team, or score every point unless they play 48 minutes. You've heard several greats in any sport at some point say that "I need some help." Put pressure on management to go sign or draft more quality players.
So.... Pittman 3 games Haslem 1 game Hansbrough, Pittman, Haslem all had flagrant 1s upgraded to flagrant 2s.
game 6 will be a coin flip Heat should handle game 7 if needed. Boston could give the Heat a lot of trouble if Bosh stays out. Coaching could be a big part.
So there goes the theory that Miami would get away without any punishment because he wants Miami in the finals.
Suspending Pittman is no punishment for the Heat. One game for Haslem would prolong the series to 7 games at best. Pacers are done with Granger and West not healthy. The Heat doesn't need Haslem for the rest of this series.
Umm now the Heat have no big men basically outside of Joel Anthony. I would say that is important vs a team whose strength is size. Indy will have a HUGE advantage for game 6.
Yeah I wasn't talking about Pittman he isn't relevant to this series other than that foul but not having Haslem for Game 6 could be huge.
If Hibbert can't get it done in Game 6, we may need to give up the talk about him being a franchise center.
