Ray shot 32-45 (71%) free throws and 28-92 (30%) three pointers last year in the playoffs for the Celtics.....
Yes, I'm just soooo disrespectful saying that every game should be CLOSE because the Pacers are a tough matchup for the Heat based on their size and length. facts: Coin flip #1 came up tails. Coin flip #2 came up heads. 5 more coin flips to go, dude. A Pacer win in game 3 would just put them where they were last year, so while it would be good news, it would not be reason to celebrate. 3 more wins over the uber-talented, whiny, dirty floppers, though, and it would be reason to celebrate!
Probably was discussed pages ago but that tech on Sam Young was an absolute joke. In that situation if the refs are going to tech they usually at least double tech but guys involved.
First tech ever awarded for just staring! He never said a word! Sure he slapped the ball after being called for a foul. Happens often. But he offended the King and stared at him, so.... TWEET!
Yeah, he was just copying Jordan. <iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ezDDZFuo6zU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Side note - The Heat made only 41.7 percent of their shots with Hibbert on the floor, which was a stark contrast to the 69.2 percent they shot with the All-Star center on the bench.
I love it when the Heat lose 1 game, all the crazy people come out of the woodwork and act like they are going to lose the series. Happened two years ago with the Bulls and Celtics, happened last year with the Pacers, Celtics, and Thunder. Now it's happening again this year with the Pacers again. Knee jerkers. It's just one game and the Heat are undefeated on the road.
I dunno, but this year seems different. The pacers are hungry and much improved. If no one else steps up for the heat, pacers will win in 6.
The heat are still the favs but look at the teams you compared them to, they were FAR worse, if Indy did beat them it wouldn't be that much of a surprise. Just because the heat steam roll through the crappy east teams year after year doesn't mean they won't meet a formidable opponent. They could easily be down 0-2 right now. The pacers are also playing on so e weird chip on shoulder mentality that won't allow them to ease up either. Game 1 showed that the heat will do w.e it takes to win, and the pacers weren't ready for the flops, overly physical play etc but they have responses with fighting fire with fire.
In related news, water is wet. :grin: I sort of want LeBron to rack up some rings to put all those ridiculous Kobe comparisons to rest, but I can't root against this Pacers team! They're too good for basketball. Thinking Miami wins, but rooting for the Pacers!
The Pacers have no players on their roster chosen in the top 8 in any NBA draft. Their top drafted player is DJ Augustin, who was picked 9th. George Hill: 2008, 26th pick... 27yo Lance Stephenson: 2010, 40th pick... 22yo Paul George: 2010, 10th pick... 23yo David West: 2003, 18th pick... 32yo Roy Hibbert: 2009, 17th pick... 26yo Danny Granger: 2005, 17th pick... 30yo DJ Augustin: 2008, 9th pick... 25yo Tyler Hansbrough: 2009, 13th pick... 27 yo Gerald Green: 2005, 18th pick... 27yo Ian Mahinmi: 2005, 28th pick... 26yo Sam Young: 2009, 36th pick... 27yo Miles Plumlee: 2012, 26th pick... 24yo Orlando Johnson: 2012, 36th pick... 24yo Jeff Pendergraph: 2009, 31st pick... 26yo Ben Hansbrough: undrafted... 25yo Lets compare to the heat. 1 Chris Bosh F Rnd 1 Pick 4 3 Dwyane Wade Rnd 1 Pick 5 5 Juwan Howard Rnd 1 Pick 5 6 LeBron James Rnd 1 Pick 1 9 Rashard Lewis Rnd 2 Pick 3 11 Chris Andersen Undrafted 13 Mike Miller G-F Rnd 1 Pick 5 15 Mario Chalmers Rnd 2 Pick 4 22 James Jones Rnd 2 Pick 20 24 Jarvis Varnado Rnd 2 Pick 11 30 Norris Cole G Rnd 1 Pick 28 31 Shane Battier Rnd 1 Pick 6 34 Ray Allen Rnd 1 Pick 5 40 Udonis Haslem Undrafted 50 Joel Anthony Undrafted ---- The Pacers have been able to compose a legitimate NBA finals competitor that has *0* players drafted in the top 8 of any draft year (which speaks to amazing scouting, recruitment, and player development personnel). unprecedented? I'd think so. Even the 2004 Pistons had high picks like Rasheed Wallace @ #4
Id sure like the Pacers to win this series. Looking at the box score, something the Pacers need is more help from the bench. While they won this last one, 5 pts from the entire bench will make it hard for them to win the series if this holds. The Heat, while getting more from their bench (19 pts), were a one man wrecking crew (James) as far as their starters go. The Pacers have a real chance if they can continue to exploit the Heats vacuum at the 5. But thinking Hibbert can get 29 pts every game seems a bit much to expect. On the other hand, the Pacers out rebounded (39-32), out assisted (18-14), out shot (50% - 46.6%), out 3ed (42%-32%), out turnovered (13-14) the Heat, and still only won by 4.
So much hype for the Pacers. They are the GSW of the East. They wouldn't have past the Spurs if they were in the West. If it was GSW against the Heat right now they'd win a game or two too. Not buying the hype.
Depends on how you want to look at it. Regarding scouting, Miami has 2 rotational players (Andersen/Haslem) who were undrafted. Regarding recruitment, Miami recruited Lebron, Bosh, Allen, and Battier. Regarding player development, Miami has developed Wade, Haslem, Chalmers, and Cole. Nevertheless, its impressive that Indiana has been able to put together such a good team without paying luxury tax.
This should be looked at and deserves a SUSPENSION for game 3. But we all know that isn't going to happen...
