Ballin: Miami Can’t Score and the Clippers Can’t Defend. Does Either Have a Chance?
Miami 75, Indiana 94: It all fell apart in the 3rd quarter. Miami couldn’t score. Then D Wade blew up at his coach, Erik Spoelstra, shouting, “Get out of my fucking face!” LeBron (10-of-22) settled for jumpers instead of attacking the basket. Mario Chalmers (25 points, five assists, zero turnovers) was the only effective Heat player at the offensive end, and he wasn’t nearly enough. Indiana leads 2-1, and at this juncture, it appears as if LeBron will go another season without getting a title. Where is the scoring going to come from? Battier was 0-7. Jones was 1-6. But Wade’s 2-for-13 hurt the most.
Roy Hibbert, who some of us loved back in the 2008 NBA draft, was dominant inside for Indiana with 19 point, 18 rebounds and five blocks. George Hill added 20, and Studio Gangster Danny Granger scored 17. Without Chris Bosh, the series kind of feels like Dallas-Miami in the Finals last year. Everyone’s waiting for LeBron to take over … but will he? Why can’t he channel the 2007 LeBron from this performance? The legendary 48/9/7 performance happened five years ago this month. Does that LeBron even exist anymore?
San Antonio 105, LA Clippers 88: The Spurs won their 16th in a row by rolling in the second half (again). Here’s what’s scary about the winning streak – 13 of the 16 wins are by double digits. Maybe the Clippers have wilted in the second half of consecutive games because they’re tired (seven games in 13 days), or perhaps because the Spurs are the most complete team in the league. It looks like both, but likely more the latter. The Spurs have no weaknesses. How are the Thunder going to beat them?
Chris Paul had eight turnovers, and now leads the NBA with 38 in the postseason. The Clippers made 9-of-13 three-pointers, but 18 turnovers were a killer. Blake Griffin scored 20 points, but only took one rebound. He was also whistled for perhaps the worst “flagrant foul” of the postseason. Way to sell the foul, Tony Parker.

- Chris Bosh Blocked Two Shots in the Final Moments to Help Miami Force Game 7 [Video]
- Ray Allen Forced Overtime By Hitting the 3-Pointer the Miami Heat Signed Him to Hit [Video]
- Mike Miller Hit a Huge 3-Pointer While Wearing Just One Shoe [Video]
- Jozy Altidore Scored Fourth Goal in Four Matches, Gave U.S. 1-0 Lead Against Honduras [Video]
- Tim Duncan Scores 25 in the First Half Against the Heat, Miami in Trouble

- Liquor on Chris Bosh Blocked Two Shots in the Final Moments to Help Miami Force Game 7 [Video]
- orly57 on Chris Bosh Blocked Two Shots in the Final Moments to Help Miami Force Game 7 [Video]
- Some Random Old Dude on Kawhi Leondard Slapped Mike Miller in the Face as He Dunked on Him in Game 6 [Video]
- vajayjay redick on Kawhi Leondard Slapped Mike Miller in the Face as He Dunked on Him in Game 6 [Video]
- resolutedefense on Kawhi Leondard Slapped Mike Miller in the Face as He Dunked on Him in Game 6 [Video]
96 Responses to “Ballin: Miami Can’t Score and the Clippers Can’t Defend. Does Either Have a Chance?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.






May 18th, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Wade, Howard, and Garnett running neck and neck as to who’s the biggest asshole in NBA. He could’ve easily played off the whole exchange with Spoelstra at post-game interviews, yet chose to continue to act like a dick.
May 18th, 2012 at 10:56 AM
I got this text from JF at 9:22PM last night:
“Damn, I wish I didn’t retire.”
He later told me that a player on the Pacers told him after the game (he wouldn’t say who) that he had never seen Lebron look so defeated on the court.
May 18th, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Wade. Such a little bitch.
Tony Parker was flopping almost every play last night. That flagrant call was really bad, and it better get reduced.
May 18th, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Clippers & Heat win the highlights…
I would expect the Heat to come out with guns blazing next game to salvage their season, may not be enough to overcome their atrocious frontline.
May 18th, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Goddammit I love this Miami debacle. Wade and LeBron continue their quest to be the biggest assholes on the planet. LeBron clearly wants no part of Granger either. Pussy.
May 18th, 2012 at 10:59 AM
It’s shit like this that makes me glad I am an internet acquaintance with Jay V.
May 18th, 2012 at 10:59 AM
“Get out of my face fucking!”
Peter North to the clumsy and wayward boom operator.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:00 AM
So when does this NASCAR event happen? Because I’m tired of its ad crashing Safari on my iPhone.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:00 AM
After game 1, I got Indiana +1200 to win the series. Awesome.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Agreed, that was no flagrant on Blake’s foul on Parker. I like Manu’s on Blake though. Fuck Blake Griffin. Shaping up to be a huge douchebag.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:02 AM
I just threw some money on them to make the Finals before Game 3 (+950), so I make out like a bandit if either the Celts or Pacers can make it…
May 18th, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Brutal. Hit a freaking shot, you are professional basketball players.
Chris Paul should send DWade a thank you card for distracting everyone.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Go Pacers and Spurs.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:09 AM
He sure as hell didn’t come by his name by accident.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:09 AM
LeBron was smirking and joking around on the sideline while the game was winding down. I just don’t get that guy at all.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:09 AM
dwade’s vagina is covering for the fact that once again lebron is content to act like adam morrison. drive the fucking lane you fucking hoops adonis
May 18th, 2012 at 11:10 AM
I am enjoying the “Why doesnt LeBron just score 50, whats so hard about that?” line of analysis.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:10 AM
There is no God.
Oil Executives are more ethical than the Facebook people.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:11 AM
He doesn’t have considerable influence for nothing.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:13 AM
I haven’t seen this yet. That quote is inherently stupid, but there’s no doubt LeBron needs to be more aggressive offensively in light of Wade’s struggles and Bosh’s absence.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:13 AM
He’s a flopper. No heart.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Studio Gangster
This title was retired in 2008 with the conclusion of Chris Webbers NBA career.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:15 AM
I bet them to win the EC at +3500 in March. If they win this series, I will hedge with either the Celts or Sixers and ensure a tidy little profit either way.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:15 AM
It’s a slight exaggeration, but I have heard the argument, “Why doesn’t Lebron just take over the end of every game?” Like it’s that easy to do. I know he has the ability to do so, but it’s a bit harder than just deciding, “Ok, here I go.”
May 18th, 2012 at 11:15 AM
TBL tweeted this last night and added himself to my Fight Club list.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Well done sir.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:17 AM
Average margin of victory has been around 17 points a game for the Spurs.
Regarding the Blake flagrant foul, I don’t it should have been one, but was because:
1) He clipped Parker’s head in his follow thru
2) He stared down the ref or Parker after wards
3) He has spent the better part of both these games bitch and glaring at the refs looking for fouls. I think was essentially asking for a T/Flagrant, even if it was a weak one.
Griffin needs to spend more energy trying to get more than 1 rebound, less worrying about what the refs call.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:17 AM
That’s funny. Seems to have no fear of LeBron though.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:18 AM
OT
Is Ben going to get to do a guest post on this?
/OT
May 18th, 2012 at 11:18 AM
glad to see the the two biggest narcissistic assholes in the nba could be going down together. i didnt have much of an opinion on wade until now. the guy is an asshead, he and ledouche deserve each other.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Real shame that the refs handed Wade that 2006 title because otherwise everyone would be ripping on him the same way they do LeBron.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Am I only one that can’t come up with who JF is?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:23 AM
I agree, it’s not that simple. However, he’s the best player in the league right now. If he drives the lane, he’ll either have a good look at the basket or an open player he can pass to if he gets double teamed. Yes that’s an oversimplification but him just standing around the 3 point line is a waste of his talent.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:23 AM
It’s a slight exaggeration, but I have heard the argument, “Why doesn’t Lebron just take over the end of every game?” Like it’s that easy to do. I know he has the ability to do so, but it’s a bit harder than just deciding, “Ok, here I go.
very simplistic take, but i mean the entire game, not just crunch time. his leadership skills are taking another massive hit. inexplicable how he lets it happen. he’s not stupid or is he?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:23 AM
And Dallas/Dirk would be looked at quite differently.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:24 AM
with who JF is?
jay knows a front office or assistant coach type, i think
May 18th, 2012 at 11:24 AM
I’m really beginning to believe that he may be that stupid.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:25 AM
I was under the impression it’s Jeff Foster.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Or more likely naive. Like he just expects all the plays and everything to come to him without having to ask or push the issue.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Wade is the most annoying studio gangster since Puffy circa 1997.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:29 AM
this goes back to the killer instinct discussion me and spence were having about the PGA now that tiger seems to be waning….who is a cold-blooded performer in the NBA?
jordan and woods and bird were legendary competitors who had great talent to make it work. are we ever going to see great talent go with great heart and toughness and an almost cruel application of those on opponents? ever is too strong but you understand
we see a lot of great talent seemingly cruise
May 18th, 2012 at 11:29 AM
He didn’t leave it all, but Lebron left some of his game in Cleveland. Outside of those final two games vs Boston that concluded his Cavs career, I can barely recall him not being the the best player on the floor almost every game.
I think a rift between him and Wade could almost help them at this point. The point was to have TWO alpha dogs that could alternate killings. Now they just defer.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:29 AM
I realize now that I kind of dislike LeBron because I can’t comprehend him. I’m the type of person that gets irritated if they lose one game of Connect 4 or some shit like that. I fucking hate losing, and it doesn’t seem to bother him all that much. It’s not all that fair to LeBron, but I can’t help it.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Jenna Fischer?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:31 AM
He’s been doing it since he got in the league. After a while, refs go out of their way to not call fouls in your favor even when you deserve them. That’s what happened to Rasheed Wallace. You can’t expect to get those 50-50 calls in your favor if you constantly bitch out the officials.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Like he just expects all the plays and everything to come to him without having to ask or push the issue.
i don’t buy it. a few years ago he was much more aggressive. it’s like the argument about major leaguers not understanding fundamentals…what was happening through high school and college/minors?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:31 AM
FB opens at $42 and change.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Imagine if we could combine Kobe’s mind with LeBron’s talent. Holy hell.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Real shame that the refs handed Wade that 2006 title because otherwise everyone would be ripping on him the same way they do LeBron.
And Dallas/Dirk would be looked at quite differently.
You could then say Miami would have won last year and Dallas might not have had the urgency to play the way they did last year. Goes both ways.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Their natural abilities overwhelmed the competition and hid the minor stuff?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Sometimes the game calls for you to put up 30 shots to give your team the best chance to win when you’re a superstar. Last night was one of those games for LeBron and he didn’t do it. He has fallen for the YMCA philosophy that some fall into that lots of shots automatically equals selfishness. The biggest thing the Heat have going against them is they’ve shown the bad habit of being frontrunners who can’t fight back from adversity. Wade is to the point where he is looking for the refs to bail him out. LeBron only shot 2 free throws last night. This ain’t the Knicks series.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:33 AM
You could also say LeBron never goes to Miami without Wade already having the title. Maybe he even stays in the Cleve. GASP!
May 18th, 2012 at 11:33 AM
He’s been doing it since he got in the league. After a while, refs go out of their way to not call fouls in your favor even when you deserve them. That’s what happened to Rasheed Wallace. You can’t expect to get those 50-50 calls in your favor if you constantly bitch out the officials.
human element gets helmets and beer thrown at you
May 18th, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Jeff Foster retired after the 2011 season from the Pacers, so I figure that’s the connection.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Whoops– 2012, not 2011.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Their natural abilities overwhelmed the competition and hid the minor stuff?
maybe in HS, but only the superstuds can get away with that in major college and the minors. plus, there’s plenty of longtime baseball people around them who have seen it all, and know that coasting on talent is a danger. it’s a cliche
May 18th, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Is Ben going to get to do a guest post on this?
Awesome
May 18th, 2012 at 11:35 AM
jodi foster
jeff fischer
May 18th, 2012 at 11:36 AM
This. Take today’s conditioning/training/etc., Jordan’s talents and hyper competitiveness, and LeBron’s God-given physique. Every year would be a 40-10-10 triple double and he’d already have 2-3 titles.
I wish, but I doubt the Bee Signal will go up. I wouldn’t mind doing it as a contribution to Yardwork. The Rockies staff actually called and wanted me to go down to the stadium and take care of it but I was too far from the stadium and in the middle of hive maintenance.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:36 AM
March 2012
May 18th, 2012 at 11:36 AM
AFter the Heat choke and puke this year, Spoelstra has to be gone, right?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Riley takes over! It would be also to see him bench Wade.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Every time I refresh the page there’s been another million trades. Lotta action…
May 18th, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Correct impression.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:39 AM
A 100% chance I would think.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:42 AM
AFter the Heat choke and puke this year, Spoelstra has to be gone, right?
A 100% chance I would think.
what coach could fix the wade/lebron douche problem? seriously? are they getting outcoached?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Could that NASCAR ad possibly be more annoying?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:45 AM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1198491/5/index.htm
Popovich had a great quote about timmay in this article.
“He commands that type of respect because he doesn’t demand it, if that makes sense.”
Perfectly sums up Duncan. I’ve seen Coach Pop yell and bitch out Timmy during game and Duncan never talks back or goes into a shell. He can take criticism well because he is so damn confident about who he is as a person. When role players see your superstar get yelled out by the coach and he doesn’t fight back, they also get it line. Watching some of these players disrespect their own coach, own players, opposition etc etc, it’s clear that they are so insecure about themselves.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:45 AM
Spoelstra isn’t going anywhere unless Riley plans on replacing him, and I don’t see that happening. What big name coach is going to come in and have Riley over his shoulder?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:46 AM
OT -
Did anyone catch Willie Roaf saying the reason he left New Orleans for KC was because a teammate was diddling Mrs. Roaf?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:47 AM
“He commands that type of respect because he doesn’t demand it, if that makes sense.”
i love that quote.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:48 AM
I think you trade Wade for a couple key pieces. The Heat were clearly better off without him earlier this season. Here’s hoping they are too stupid to figure this out, or no one will give them anything of value for Wade.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:52 AM
It wouldn’t be for a fix, it would be a scapegoat situation IMO
May 18th, 2012 at 11:54 AM
DOn’t you think they’d shuck Bosh before Wade?
May 18th, 2012 at 11:57 AM
No, for a couple of reasons. The role he plays on the floor is critical to their success, while Wade just duplicates what LeBron does, except not as good. Without Wade look how they did, and look at how they are doing without Bosh.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Jackie Ftreehon. The F is silent.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Different personalities. It doesn’t make one better or worse, just different. Maybe Duncan doesn’t argue back because he isn’t secure enough in who he is, who knows, and in the aftermath of the seemingly jovial Junior Seau suicide, who can say?
May 18th, 2012 at 12:02 PM
I think we’re currently witnessing how that would work out.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Ofcourse you can dismiss any of this by saying “we don’t really know what they are like as a person”. Especially after we’ve seen athletes who we thought were one thing get exposed as complete opposite in later part of their life.
But this is a familiar theme with Duncan that’s been consistent for solid 20 years now. Everyone around him says the same thing over and over again in all the articles.
And in my opinion, it does make one better or worse. Wade is someone who’s always been sort of an ass. Dirty plays, constant shots against Dirk including the reprehensible “cough-gate”, problems in personal life etc. That’s my opinion. Doesn’t make me wrong. It doesn’t make you wrong either if you choose not to take these things at face value.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Given that I’ve only ever seen evidence that he is a very secure individual intensely focused on succeeding in his career choice, I go with no on that one. Why would he be insecure by not arguing back? Trusting a coach, someone who you should trust (within reason) for the benefit of the team, is insecure now?
As a leader of your team, you shouldn’t be telling your coach to “get the fuck out of my face” in front of all your teammates/media. It’s bad leadership, highly unprofessional, and not productive in any conceivable way.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Also, I don’t think it’s bad to argue/disagree with a coach. But do it under control and in a productive manner. I phrased it weird before.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:19 PM
That Duncan article is brilliant work. Not always a huge fan of Chris Ballard’s stuff, but he hit a home run with that one. My only beef is that they put Jabari Parker on the cover instead of Duncan.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:21 PM
If any of the Big 3 in Miami get traded, it’s gonna be some cold-blooded back-stabbing shit. I look forward to it, but I still put it at 50/50 Miami wins this series.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:23 PM
I still think Miami pulls it out. Or I hope they do. I would like to see a Boston-Miami conference finals.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:26 PM
It was a regional thing. Duncan/Spurs were on the cover in the Southwest I believe.
I really enjoyed that article. Loved this line as well:
May 18th, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Jay V you follow horse racing correct? I am going to be in Vegas for the weeekend and want to bet the Preakness looking at mainly Tris and supers since the exacta won’t pay anyhing? Who would you bet looking at Brodemister and Ill have another up top with 3 or 4 below it and want to bet around 100 on the race thoughts?
May 18th, 2012 at 12:29 PM
I still think Miami pulls it out. Or I hope they do. I would like to see a Boston-Miami conference finals.
what sign have you seen the past two games that is positive?
May 18th, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Especially when there’s nothing to be insecure about. I mean, we’re not talking about Carmelo Anthony or someone like that here – Tim Duncan has won titles.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Doc:
Trifectas:
IHA/Bode
IHA/Bode
ALL
IHA
Creative Cause/Went The Day Well
ALL
IHA/CC/WTD
IHA/CC/WTD
ALL
Superfecta
IHA/Bode/CC/WTDW
IHA/Bode/CC/WTDW
IHA/Bode/CC/WTDW
ALL
May 18th, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Jay V Thank You I was thinking about throwing in Daddy knows Best as well?
May 18th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
None. But as much as I dislike Wade and Lebron, they’ve shown in the past that they can take over series at any time. Wade had a historically bad game yesterday. It’s not unreasonable to think he will bounce back. He certainly has the talent for it. Teams have had couple of bad games and still manage to pull out a series win. I believe the Lakers have perfected this “art”. Bottom line, best two players in this matchup plays for the same team. Unlike other sports, team with the best player often pull out victories in much more regular fashion in basketball.
May 18th, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Bosh might be more valuable, but do people actually think they would get rid of Wade, the guy who brought Lebron and Bosh to Miami? Riley isn’t that cold.
Odds are Wade won’t score 5 and the Heat will hit a few threes, this one is going 7. I thought 6 or 7, but now I’m not sure the Heat come out on top. Spoelstra needs to show something in the battle of the nerds who became head coaches.
May 18th, 2012 at 1:16 PM
I’m not a fan. I’d add in Tiger Walk before I added him.
May 18th, 2012 at 1:23 PM
The same thing is true about Wade. Also comparing Duncan’s interactions with Pop to Wade’s with Spoelestra isn’t valid. Pop has been Duncan’s coach Duncan’s entire career with a few rings along the way. On top of that, just as these role players get to witness Pop riding Duncan with impunity, Duncan got to witness Pop riding David Robinson the EXACT same way when he was a young player. There is a trust Duncan has in Pop from those experiences that will allow him to accept what he does from his coach. That doesn’t mean that Duncan is going to accept that from any person who happens to carry the title coach, and that wouldn’t make him any less of the person that he is.
May 18th, 2012 at 1:25 PM
Duncan has openly admitted that he takes the yelling from Pop because it shows that even the top dog on a team is not above getting yelled at when deserved. Duncan just sets the example for the rest of the team.
May 18th, 2012 at 1:26 PM
Wade only takes over series when he has another guy taking some pressure off him. Outside of now and the years with Shaq, Wade didnt do shit in the playoffs