Published: April 30, 2009
The game was well in hand, but Atlanta’s Josh Smith wanted to leave his mark on the night with the dunk that made Isaiah Rider famous in the 1994 Slam Dunk Contest.
And he missed. Then the Miami Heat began to complain about it.
Was Smith showing up the Heat? Or was he just enjoying himself in front of his home crowd?
I’m not too sure, but I do know one thing – if you don’t like that Smith even tried the dunk, then don’t put yourselves in that position. Play some defense and win the game. I highly doubt that if the game was close that Smith was going to attempt anything remotely close to that.
He would have simply – I use that word loosely considering how hard it is – done a tomahawk for the two points.
“We were very insulted by it,” Dwyane Wade said after the game.
“There at the end it turned into a highlight show,” Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra told the media after the Heat were thumped 106-91 to go down 3-2 in the series. “A pickup game highlight reel, really trying to embarrass us. Now we’ve played five games against each other. I don’t think anybody on either side likes each other anymore.”
If you don’t want Smith, a 23-year-old human pogo stick, to ‘embarrass’ you, then don’t put yourself in that position to begin with. The Hawks have long been the laughing stock of the Eastern Conference and are just trying to make a name for themselves amongst the likes of the Cavaliers, Lakers, Celtics and Magic.
I’m sure if you polled the average basketball fan and asked who was the higher seed in the series, most would assume the Heat were just because they boast Wade in their lineup. The Hawks might be the least known 47-win team in the past few years and, quite possibly, even longer.
For a franchise looking for respect within the league, the idea of a flashy dunk like that at the end of the game might not be the best idea. But, let’s realize how young Smith truly is. How mature were you really when you were 23? And, if you were on that type of stage in front of your home crowd, wouldn’t you want to leave them with something special? Not to mention, a spot ESPN’s Top 10 is still something to shoot for.
The missed dunk attempt overshadowed what was a bruising game with hard fouls, some pushing and referee Dick Bavetta boxing out Wade at one point. All of a sudden the Eastern Conference Playoffs are turning back the clock and throwing out the rule book.
They’re going Olivia Newton John on everyone (see also: physical).
Much like the Celtics and Bulls series, this one has the feeling like it will go the distance. The Heat should be feeding off the ‘disrespect’ they saw in last night’s game for Game 6 tomorrow night. The Hawks will be trying to get into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1998-99 and the first round used the best-of-five format.
The NBA needs rivalries that stem further than just individual players. There are a handful of rivalries that the league tries to market, such as LeBron vs. Kobe and Deron Williams vs. Chris Paul, but the league needs more rivalries that approach the entire teams.
Last year it was the Hawks and the Celtics. We’re slowly forming one with the Bulls and the Celtics. And we might now have one with the Heat and the Hawks.
“I’m not trying to make any friends out there,” Smith told the media.
Judging by the way the game went no one is trying to exchange cell phone numbers to hangout in the offseason. This is the playoffs and there is no way that you should give an inch to your opponent. Smith might have crossed the imaginary line that separates respect and disrespect, but I have a hunch that he doesn’t care. He plays the game the only way he knows how at this point in his career.
“I spoke to Josh, and that’s something that we keep in house,” Atlanta coach Mike Woodson said. “Hopefully, Josh wasn’t trying to show anyone up. He was just trying to make one of his plays at the rim.”
Before this series started I was a firm believer that Wade would have enough in his bag to get the Heat through to the second round for a much anticipated series with the Cavaliers. I’m starting to realize that a series between the Hawks and Cavaliers would be much, much better. And at that point, maybe the Hawks will begin to get the respect and recognition they deserve.
“After five games, I don’t think anybody on either side likes each other,” Spoelstra said in his postgame presser. “The only thing we can do is bring this back for a Game 7.”
Make it happen.
One Comment on "Hawks Not Concerned With Making Friends"
MMA Gloves on Thu, 4th Jun 2009 11:05 am
I dun recall how I got here LOL but cool blog