And I agree with the other comments that Vogel needs to shut it for a while. No reason to make such claims. Focus on your team, give the media the generic answers they're used to, and move on to Game 2. Which they will still lose.
The headline is a bit of reach isn't it? I mean he didn't necessarily mean it as a specific attack towards the Knicks and Woodson. It was more of an evaluation of Miami's gameplan. And you can't really criticize the Knicks when you compare their plays to the Heat's plays. Miami has different personnel with different qualities that New York doesn't.
Vogel just ensured that the Heat don't approach Game 1 in the same way they approached the Bulls. Haven't the Pacers already learned that they can't get in Miami's head? Look what happened to Daddy Granger last year against the Heat. He tried to be tough and intimidate Lebron, but in the end, his talking turned out to be less effective than his play.
Everyone knows that Lebron is the best player on the team and thus their most important player, but Bosh's role is very intricate to the team's success.
This is Spo's tactic to remind the Pacers to give Bosh the attention he deserves. If the Pacers respect Bosh and his jumper, they'll defend him properly and he'll pull Hibbert/West out of the paint, allowing James and Wade to have their way at the basket. A lay-up or dunk by either Wade or James is a lot more efficient then a Bosh jumper, regardless of how well he's been shooting recently.
It's crazy to imagine how Mariano Rivera is still one of the greatest closers in the game, even at this point in his career. To be honest, I never appreciated Mo as much as I do this year. I always took him for granted and chose to rather remember him for flaws rather than his success. I can't imagine the Yankees without him. And by the looks of it, the Yankees might be grooming Joba Chamberlain to take over once he's gone. Joba better **** and take every piece of advice from Mariano that he can.
Consider the series over. They won one, ensured that the series won't end in 4, and that's about it. They won't be winning another game. 4 game sweep coming. Miami needed this loss. Everyone was cold and it didn't really come as a surprise. Battier, Allen, Miller, even Lebron and Wade were not at the top of their games. But I will give the Bulls their credit. They earned the win. It wasn't a gift.
Carmelo never passes up on a shot. Whether on or off the court. He just made Crawford relevant. Lance Stephenson got his 10 minutes of fame when he mocked Lebron last year in the playoffs. Lebron was smart enough to not respond. Carmelo wasn't.
I understand what you're saying from the financial aspect, and the Jets could surely use some salary cap relief considering that they haven't been able to sign any decent free agents. But if they flat out cut Sanchez, that leaves them with Smith, McElroy, Garrard and I believe one more QB on the roster. Obviously, Geno Smith will be the obvious choice for the starter, but if he struggles or gets injured, I don't consider McElroy an acceptable backup. Yes he succeeded when he got his minute of fame, but clearly the Jets know he can't carry the team. I think Sanchez would be an ideal backup to Smith. And honestly speaking, if he were a free agent today, I'm sure a team would sign him as a backup.
So you're willing to put all your hopes in Geno Smith? And what if, God forbid, he struggles? I approve of competition going into camp. Sanchez has never had a QB behind him capable of taking over when he's struggling. Tebow was supposed to serve this role. What if competition brings out the best in him? I suggest keep Sanchez, you're paying him anyways. I'm sure, the Jets will cut Garrard prior to the start of the season before they even think about cutting Sanchez.
I dare him to request for a trade. No other player in the NFL will be scrutinized and bashed as much as Mark Sanchez for requesting a trade. I can't think of another situation where a organization was more loyal and supportive of a QB even though all he did was force them to doubt their decisions. Mark Sanchez was treated better by the Jets then Peyton Manning was by the Colts or Brett Favre by the Packers.
It's crazy how there is a serious option of resting him, in the playoffs, no less. Maybe the NBA should start to consider first-round byes. These Heat/Bucks, Knicks/Celtics, Lakers/Spurs series have been atrocious. I'm sure Wade would be playing if the game today was an important game that Miami considered a must-win. They know they afford getting him some rest, while still having a strong chance for the W.
Likewise, although the Knicks don't have the playing JR Smith tomorrow, they are no less likely to lose.
Potential 2014 Roster: PG: Chalmers, Cole SG: Wade, Allen, Miller SF: James, Battier PF: Bosh, Haslem C: Dalembert, Anderson
Throw in a Rashard Lewis and a couple other spot-fillers, and as crazy as it sounds, next year's Miami squad may be even better than this year's, as long as age isn't too much of a factor.
Mike Miller is the only player on the Heat within that 5-million range, and they've reassured him that he won't be amnestied (rightfully so I might add). I would consider amnestying Joel, and signing both Birdman and Anderson for the minimum.
Love for Bosh has come up quite often in threads where they discuss Miami not being financially capable of keeping the Big 3 together. Although, I'm not aware how Love's salary compares to Bosh's.
Likewise, although the Knicks don't have the playing JR Smith tomorrow, they are no less likely to lose.
PG: Chalmers, Cole
SG: Wade, Allen, Miller
SF: James, Battier
PF: Bosh, Haslem
C: Dalembert, Anderson
Throw in a Rashard Lewis and a couple other spot-fillers, and as crazy as it sounds, next year's Miami squad may be even better than this year's, as long as age isn't too much of a factor.