6 Thoughts
1) A bit of a night off for Miami against the Knicks. Let's just say the Knicks don't play with maximum effort or efficiency, and leave it at that. It was a game that had to be got, and it got got. Miami plays tomorrow night in Philadelphia, and Wednesday against New Jersey. Win either of those games and Miami sews up the sixth spot in the East. Right now they would play Atlanta, but it could be Boston. If Miami somehow loses both games this week, and Charlotte win both of its games, Miami falls to 7th, and a first round date with Orlando - that's a disaster. Let's just win tomorrow in Philly, and not worry about it...
2) On the last play of the first half, with Miami up 8, Dwayne Wade charged down court with the ball, elevated in traffic, and tried to flip in a left-handed bank shot before crashing to the floor, where he lay writhing, holding his wrist. His right wrist has bothered him all year, and his jump shooting has probably suffered for it. Looked like trouble when he stayed down, and the trainers eventually walked him gingerly to locker room. However, just before the beginning of the second half, as sideline reporter extraordinaire Jason Jackson began to report on Wade's status, Wade suddenly popped his face in front of the camera, smiled, and reported, "I'm okay!" It would have been funnier if we all weren't just relieved to hear he was good. Wade had a solid night with 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. New York, along with Chicago, are considered to be the two challengers to Miami for Wade's services this offseason. At this point, I think the Heat are about 9 in 10 to retain him - it's just a guess. They need to get him help, though, in order to convince him to re-sign. One thing is for sure: Wade would go nuts in Knicks' coach D'Antoni's "push the ball up and jack it quick" system, and he would turn second year sharpshooter Danilo Gallnari into a 20 point a game scorer. Something to be worried about...
3) Seems like a good time to mention that Dorell Wright is finishing games now in place of Quentin Richardson, and finishing them well. It's no knock on The Pres, who had a good night: 4-7 triples and 14 points. He continues to give Miami an early long-ball threat. But DWright is younger, more athletic, longer, and better off the dribble than QRich. Longer! And, he has shot the three extremely well over the past month - he's at 39.5% for the year. He's also a dear, dear friend. And, most importantly, he has perfected the late game, I'm-going-to-spot-up-on-the-right-wing-or-corner-when-Dwyane-Wade-has-the-ball-up-top-and-when-Wade-takes-one-or-two-dribbles-down-the-seam-when-my-defender-cheats-to-help-Wade-will-kick-it-to-me-and-I-will-make-the-backbreaking-three. Or, as it is more commonly known in Miami, "The James Posey."
4) So, of course, every time Miami is in the playoffs, there is a color-theme for the home games. Some years it is a "White Out." Some years, "Red Hot." This year it is "Back in Black," which means black people only at the games, please. Or, if you are white, at least wear black face.
5) One reader wrote in last week to ask if Dos really has a Miami Heat tattoo on his back, like Mike Beasley. First of all, that tattoo in the picture isn't a Heat tattoo, it is a "SuperCool Dos" tattoo. Second of all, no, that isn't real. I did have pierced nipples for a while, but took them out because I didn't want to traumatize young O. and P.Minutos when they had to go to swimming lessons, a lesson learned early on when O.Minutos' infant swimming instructor asked me if I was "some kind of pirate?" I think she kind of had a pirate fetish. The same reader also asked what we thought the best moment of the season was. That is a dumb question; obviously it was the game on the national network TNT when a crazed Heat fan stood directly behind Doug Collins and did a serial killer-esque mock clap at Collins for the entire duration of one on-camera Collins report. Second best? When another reader became involved in a difficult personal situation, somehow blamed the blog, and then essentially vowed never to read us again. By the way, it wasn't Michael Beasley. That was bizarre, but excellent in its own way. Third best? In about two weeks, when the season is over.
6) Big debate in Casa Dos tonight during the American Airlines Arena commercial advertising upcoming concerts. Two of the acts coming up in the AAA - which, for you non-Miami people, is where the Heat plays - the Backstreet Boys and Maxwell. First of all, Jax or Eric Reid - I can't remember which - read the copy for the Backstreet Boys which claimed that they had been entertaining America for over two decades. Except, really, as M.Minutos pointed out: 1) not that entertaining, and 2) really haven't been a group for most of the 2000s. Not that she would know that, or anything. Also worth pointing out - as Plumber, I am sure, will happily attest to - in college I dated a girl who also, at one time, dated a Backstreet Boy (Joe McIntyre, for those scoring at home). That didn't go well - as Plumber would even more happily attest to, I am sure. Then, just to cap it off, I dated her roommate, and that, predictably, went even worse, to Plumber's eternal delight..Anyways, the debate: who could sell more tickets now, the Backstreet Boys or Maxwell? To me, it's the Boys. I figure they can draw 8,000 36 year old moms who put on clothes that are now too tight for them, get together with their other girl friends for dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp in Bayside before the show, then have one Appletini too many and trip on the way up the four thousand steps leading up to the Triple A's entrances, breaking a heel and tearing a stocking in the process. M.Minutos claimed I was underestimating how large Maxwell was in the late 1990s "because you're white." It's a strong point. Let's be honest: combined it seems unlikely the two of the them can fill The Trip. If I had to pick one show to go to, I'm picking the Backstreet Boys because 1) I have a history with them, even if it is bad; 2) "Step by Step" is a crazy great song: "Step One - we can have lots of fun!!!"; and 3) nothing personal against Maxwell, but like a lot of these black fella soul singers he needs to pick up the pace by a few dozen bpms.
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Tomorrow night in Philly, trying to wrap up the sixth spot. If you get into any unpleasant personal situations, remember, it probably didn't have anything to do with this blog. But, if you feel compelled to use as a scapegoat, go right ahead - we're here for you.
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