Miami Heat: Chris Bosh Has Given the Team Confidence Since Dwyane Wade’s Injury
Although he stands at 6’11″ and weighs in at more than 230 lbs, Chris Bosh is undoubtedly the smallest member of the Miami Heat‘s power trio.
Bosh is one of the game’s premier big men, but he has always been regarded as the “other” star of the Big Three. His status around the league pales in comparison to his superstar teammates, as he trails LeBron James in MVPs (2) and Dwyane Wade in championship rings (1).
Perhaps people overlook the fact that Chris is the best third option in the league, for he has endured a myriad of criticism and is often the focal point of trade speculation involving the Heat.
Facing a great deal of negative feedback is never good for a player’s confidence, but I feel that Bosh has responded well and he is currently in the process of silencing his critics. Whilst many players began the year out of shape, Bosh spent the extended offseason bulking up, and the six-time All-Star has returned to the league as a better player and a humbled man.
His stellar play this year, particularly in the absence of Dwyane Wade, is a big reason why Miami are currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 13-5 record. And while Wade’s health is small cause for concern, Bosh’s level of production should give the Miami Heat and their fans confidence going forward.
Wade’s absence is due to an ankle injury that has caused him to miss a total of nine games this year. Interestingly, Miami is 8-1 without Wade in the starting lineup. In the nine games that he has played, the Heat are a mediocre 5-4. How is it possible that the Heat are faring better without Wade? I accredit the difference to Chris Bosh and LeBron James, who have both stepped up their level of play while Wade watches from the sidelines.
I gathered these statistics from http://www.basketball-reference.com/:
Bosh with Wade in the Lineup:
17.7 PPG, 49.6 FG%, 8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1 BPG
Bosh without Wade in the Lineup:
25.7 PPG, 59.1 FG%, 7.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG
As you can see, Bosh is significantly more efficient scoring the ball when Dwyane Wade does not play. This is a great sign for Miami, because it shows that he is willing to step up and is capable of playing a versatile role within the offense. In the one game that both LeBron and Wade did not play, Bosh recorded his best performance of the season, proving that he can carry the offensive load. In a road game against the Atlanta Hawks, he scored 33 points, pulled down 14 boards and passed for five assists in the 116-109 victory. The game went to triple overtime, with Bosh hitting several big shots down the stretch.
Contrary to popular belief, Miami’s 8-1 record without Dwyane Wade does not prove that they are a better team when he sits. It does, however, prove that Chris Bosh needs an expanded role on the offensive end. It’s clear that they play their best when the Big Three are firing on all cylinders—and right now, Bosh has given the Miami faithful something to feel good about.
This season the Heat are 11-1 when Bosh shoots over 50 percent from the floor. This is a clear indication that he, not Wade or LeBron, holds the key. When he plays well, Miami usually come out on top. And if No. 1 plays his best deep into the playoffs, opposing teams should be fearful.
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Mavs given permission to deal with Dwight
DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks have been dealt into the high-stakes Dwight Howard game as Orlando is granting negotiation permission to three teams: The Lakers, the Nets and the defending champs, who are attempting to reload quickly as they start camp with discussions with Vince Carter, more tinkering with Tyson Chandler’s departure to the Knicks, offers to Orlando for Howard and an eye toward adding another premier puzzle piece in Deron Williams.
Sources confirm to DallasBasketball.com and FOXSportsSouthwest.com the on-the-record report from SI.com that Howard agent Dan Fegan has permission to explore an exit from Orlando with the three franchises atop his wish list.
If you are a Mavs follower and your first cynical thought is, “Aw, Dallas doesn’t have enough to give,” you are thinking too small and you are thinking too fast. Don’t get ahead of yourself here.
First, take a breath. Next, consider the title your hungry team just captured. Third, note that the sky is not falling. And then note owner Mark Cuban’s recognition of this as The SuperTeam Era and note his distaste with him being one of its 25 “Washington Generals,” as Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert termed the league’s have-nots.
This aggressive approach is not new to the Mavs, who played polite with LeBron last summer and failed (before settling on Chandler as the acquisition that helped them win the franchise’s first-ever title). The Mavs are trying to bully their way into being players this time around. Earlier this week, they were offering Chandler a contract with the intention of dealing him to Orlando for Howard. Those efforts are being accelerated now that Orlando is realizing Howard has no intention of remaining there long-term.
Friday at Magic camp, Howard was asked about his future in Orlando and he replied, “I’m here for now.”
It has long been Dwight’s stated desire to play in a big-market and warm-weather city. Also in play: Joining a SuperTeam where he isn’t singularly carrying the load.
The Lakers, with Kobe and maybe Chris Paul, obviously qualify. They can give up Bynum in what might be the most attractive package to Orlando. The Nets are offering center Robin Lopez as the trade centerpiece, and Dwight goes there, he’s in immediate concert with superstar pal Deron Williams.
But the Mavs have a relationship with agent Dan Fegan. They also have a relationship with DFW native Deron. And now you can go back to getting ahead of yourself.
Don’t Dwight and Deron want to play together?
What can Dallas create as a package to offer? They can try to gain a Trade Exception from the Knicks (rather than Chandler going for nothing). They can offer to Orlando the same “Kitchen Sink” package they’ve made available to the employers of Paul since July 12, 2010. (An educated guess specific to Orlando: center Brendan Haywood and guards Roddy Beaubois and Dominique Jones.)
Dallas is willing to give up everything beyond Dirk Nowitzki to bring a second superstar to town, could pitch in a Trade Exception its eligible to receive from New York, and could be beefed up in talent but also stripped down in budget to then pursue Deron Williams to complete a North Texas edition of a SuperTeam .
Anyone saying or writing that Dwight-to-Dallas is impossible is wrong. They were likely the same skeptics who never accepted the possibility that the Mavs would even end up in the conversation. Efforts are being made and so are alternative plans (ESPN is reporting that the Mavs might chase the Kings’ Samuel Dalembert with the TE is gets from the Knicks.)
But listen to Nowitzki’s review of his own front office and his history of wheeling-and-dealing:
“Donnie (GM Nelson) has the knowledge and Cuban always has got some stuff (up his sleeve),” Dirk said. (Cuban) finds ways to get around the rules. … We’ll have to wait and see.”
What we’re seeing is Dallas getting itself into the conversation and pulling up a chair at the table.
It’s too early to know what the Magic and Howard think of Dallas’ hand. But Dallas has been dealt in.
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Demps given OK to make new deal for Paul (AP)
The Hornets have resumed trade talks for Chris Paul, opening discussions with anyone who is interested. “We’re talking about everything. Everything is on the table,” general manager Dell Demps said Friday. When asked if he was working with Los Angeles or Houston to resurrect the trade that would have sent Paul to the Lakers but was rejected by the NBA Thursday night, Demps would not…
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Third Fine accuser’s case given to U.S. attorney
Police have turned over the investigation of alleged sexual abuse charges against former Syracuse coach Bernie Fine to the U.S. Attorney.
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Missouri chancellor given authority to weigh league options
Tigers will look at Southeastern Conference but say it’s possible they will remain in the Big 12.
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Ron Artest: Metta World Peace Not Given a Chance on Dancing with the Stars
He threw up a brick, dribbled one off his leg and clanked one off the rim. Whatever the sports euphemism, Ron Artest failed at Dancing with the Stars. It’s the nation’s loss as Metta World Peace would have been the most memorable star ever to hit the show.
On Tuesday night, the vote was in. The first couple to sidle up to the chopping block was Metta World Peace and rookie pro, Peta Murgatroyd.
All the signs for a memorable year were there, all except the dance moves. Peace had the look and zany personality that would have had viewers puzzled and captivated for months.
They even had a catchy name that would have been the hottest new cultural phrase, “Metta Peta.” All they really needed was time.
Time was not afforded to the couple that scored the lowest on night one, notching a 14. The other start that netted a low score was Nancy Grace, the famed legal expert. She and Tristan MacManus scored a 16.
With two low scores, I was hoping America would err on the side of entertainment. Instead, the vote went to Grace, who was far more stiff in personality than Peace ever could be.
Now the show has a couple that will be ignored by fans in Week 2. Conversely, Peace would have ignited the show with hilarious quotes and odd actions that would have made Season 13 one of the best yet.
You only have to listen to Peace speak for a couple of moments to realize that he is a huge kid at heart. The self-professed loon knows that he has his issues, but he is channeling his energy for good and positivity.
That kind of emotion comes out at every turn. Peace wore a smile every second he was on DWTS. The fact that there weren’t that many seconds is a shame.
Trust me America. You just missed out on some worthwhile moments. I am sure your legal expert will infuse the show with much more laughs and entertainment.
When two stars can’t dance, you take the one that will make you smile. That was Metta World Peace.
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President given authority to move Texas A&M from Big 12
The president of Texas A&M was given sole authority to move the Aggies out of the Big 12 if he wishes.
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President given authority to move Aggies out of Big 12
The president of Texas A&M was given sole authority to move the Aggies out of the Big 12 if he wishes.
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NBA Trade Rumors: Have New Jersey Nets Given Up on Travis Outlaw?
NBA lockout be damned, the New Jersey Nets refuse to not be in the news!
Between Deron Williams potentially playing in Turkey during the lockout to free agent power forward Kris Humphries preparing for his celebrity wedding with Kim Kardashian, the team from across the Hudson has not failed to keep things interesting, as one might expect from an organization run by Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov.
Furthermore, Nets management have already begun to game plan for roster moves in the event that there is time for signing free agents and swapping players before the curtains go up on the 2011-12 NBA season. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, the Nets will be in hot pursuit of a small forward once the players and the owners have come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement, though they would prefer to do so via trade rather than in free agency.
Which begs the question, what about Travis Outlaw?
New Jersey signed the former Portland Trail Blazer to a five-year, $35-million deal in what appeared to be a last-ditch effort to sign a free agent after striking out on all the big names on the market last summer, including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire and Joe Johnson.
As one might expect, the 26-year-old forward didn’t exactly live up to the money, averaging 9.2 points on 37.5 percent shooting from the field, though, to his credit, Outlaw didn’t miss a single game.
And, in a strange twist, Outlaw’s father, John Outlaw Sr., recently told the Starkville Daily News that he expects his son to take on an even bigger role next season, claiming that he overheard Nets coach Avery Johnson telling his staff that he wants Travis to take around 17 shots per game this season.
That notion seems fishy in and of itself, with Deron Williams and Brook Lopez already on the roster, and it becomes even fishier when considering the notion that the Nets are looking to upgrade at his position.
Things only figure to get more interesting in New Jersey once the current lockout is finally lifted.
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Connecticut Basketball: Calhoun Given Delayed Benching By NCAA For Violations
The NCAA issued its findings from their investigation into the Connecticut basketball program.
The program was placed on probation from Feb. 22, 2011 through Feb. 21, 2014. There were bans on recruiting calls, reductions in recruiting days and scholarships, but the team missed being placed on a postseason ban.
In addition to the team penalties, coach Jim Calhoun was cited today for his failure in creating an atmosphere of compliance within the Connecticut program. His punishment for his role was a suspension for three Big East games in 2011-2012.
It took almost two years for findings to come out from the NCAA, as an investigation into Josh Nochimson, a former team manager, helping guide recruit Nate Miles to Connecticut began shortly a report was posted by Yahoo! Sports in spring 2009.
And what is sad is that because of the timing of this, which one can say was not overlooked by the powers that be, the penalty is lessened because of when it will take place. Dennis Thomas, the chair of the infractions committee, said that the suspension would be next year because the school could appeal the decision.
Of course, if things were done sooner, maybe the punishment could be applied this year. I guess being a star has its advantages, just ask the Ohio State Football players who were given multi-game suspensions for NEXT season or Basketball’s Teflon coaches: Denny Crum, Norm Stewart and Eddie Sutton, who avoided real punishment while their teams were punished in the 1980s and 1990s.
If the NCAA could have completed their investigation in a timely fashion, the punishment could have been put into place and might actually mean something. But that might impact the Huskies run to the NCAA tournament and that could impact ratings, which would impact the all-mighty dollar and the NCAA would not want to do that, now would it?
Thanks NCAA for showing that the Linsey Lohans of the NCAA community will get punished—just in their own special way.
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