2012-13 NBA Playoffs: Frank Vogel Was Wrong to Dismiss LeBron James, Miami Heat
LeBron James is like Michael Jordan in a lot of ways, and different in many others. But I am not here to discuss who is better at what and who is the greatest of all time—don’t worry. One similarity between James and Jordan, which has come to light in more recent years, is their method of motivating themselves. In his heyday, Jordan would watch and read all kinds of criticism of himself and his play, and use it as fuel for the next game. James is now doing the same thing.
After the Indiana Pacers knocked off the New York Knicks in six games, Frank Vogel dismissed the reigning champion Miami Heat, his team’s opponent in the Eastern Conference finals, by saying that they were “the next team that’s in our way.”
Frank Vogel said after last night’s game, “They’re the next team that’s in our way and that’s how we’re approaching it.”
Reporter to LeBron: “Vogel kept saying last night that you guys are just another team.”
LeBron: “We’re not just another team. I don’t understand what he’s saying. But we’re not just another team. It’s not true.”
Another reporter asked what he said.
LeBron: “He said we’re just another team in their way. We’re not just another team. We’re a great team. We’re very confident. We’ll be ready for them. But if we’re just another team, you really don’t prepare for just another team. We’re not just another team. You got to be prepared for us.”
A third reporter: “Did your ears perk up when your heard that [from Vogel].”
LeBron: “Absolutely. I’ll be ready.’ (Via Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida)
Miami is more than just some team simply standing between the Pacers and the NBA Finals. With James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh teamed up with a bevy of three-point snipers, they are a great team and have proven it over and over again.
This is the same team that set the record for the second longest winning streak in NBA history this season with 27 games, the same team that has a player who will go on to be one of the greatest to ever play the game and who won the 2012-13 Most Valuable Player award. This is the same team that finished this season with the best record in the NBA.
Vogel’s approach to the series shouldn’t have been dismissive of the Heat. He would have been wise to just go into the book of coach clichés and give his team the respect they earned against the Knicks while not disrespecting a team that is currently 7-1 in the playoffs and has won four in a row.
Now, Vogel did take a step back from his original comments, but the initial sting that resonated in James could be enough to put the reigning MVP in another zone.
“Sorry sports world, the words ‘just another team’ never came out of my mouth,” he said. “Great respect for LBJ and the champs. Looking forward to [a] great series.” (Via NBA.com)
Although James, and the reporter who asked him the initial question, misinterpreted Vogel’s quote, it doesn’t change the fact that the Pacers’ coach made a huge mistake in choosing his words in the post-game interview after Game 6 against New York.
This series may be over before it even starts. An inspired LBJ is the last things the Pacers want to see, but that is exactly what they coach has gotten them.
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LeBron James to Pacers Coach Frank Vogel: “We’re not Just Another Team”
Well it seems the opening salvos has been fired in what is sure to be a highly physical and competitive Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers. After eliminating the New York Knicks from the playoffs last night, Pacers head coach Frank Vogel made reference to the defending champs as “just the team” in his postgame remarks. Well, according to a story via Michael Wallace of ESPN, James didn’t appreciate the reference or Vogel’s condescending tone. “We’re not just another team,” James said. “I don’t understand what he’s saying. But we’re not just another team. That’s not true. He said we’re just another team in their way. We’re a great team. If we’re just another team, you really don’t prepare for just another team. You have to prepare for us.” The Pacers and Heat are familiar foes and have exchanged bitter words in the past. Vogel was fined $15,000 last year during their matchup in the playoffs for referring to them as a flopping team. LeBron says
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LeBron James Speaks Out on Pacers Head Coach Frank Vogel’s Comment
The Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers are set to do battle in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals beginning on Wednesday, May 22, and chatter between the two teams is already adding intrigue to the series.
As ESPN’s Michael Wallace reports, Pacers head coach Frank Vogel made a dismissive comment with regard to the defending NBA champions following his team’s closeout victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 on Saturday.
Vogel stated that Miami is “just the next team” in the way of Indiana’s quest for the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy, and Heat superstar and reigning MVP LeBron James took issue with that in Sunday’s practice.
Wallace documented James’ response to Vogel’s barb at AmericanAirlines Arena on Sunday:
We’re not just another team. I don’t understand what he’s saying. But we’re not just another team. That’s not true. He said we’re just another team in their way. We’re a great team. If we’re just another team, you really don’t prepare for just another team. You have to prepare for us. …
We’re very confident. We’ll be ready for them. We don’t need bulletin-board material. We’ve heard everything, we’ve seen everything. But I would say we’re not just another team, though.
Galvanizing a team as talented as the Heat doesn’t seem like the soundest bit of strategy for Vogel to deploy, despite James’ contention that his team doesn’t need any added fuel in its pursuit of a repeat.
However, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel‘s Ira Winderman, who covers the Heat beat, feels the apparent controversy is a manufactured storyline being blown out of proportion by the media:
The Pacers are a hard-nosed defensive squad that did take a 2-1 series lead on Miami in last year’s conference semifinals. They were the Association’s top rebounding team during the regular season, while the Heat finished last in that category.
For what it’s worth, Indiana also beat its impending opponent two out of three times throughout the 2012-13 campaign. As Wallace notes, though, the final double-digit loss drove the Heat to their 27-game winning streak—the second-longest in NBA history.
This series promises to be entertaining, and this exchange in the press between Vogel and James only increases the buzz.
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Scottie Pippen Takes LeBron James over Michael Jordan Via Chatty Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Mourning has no problems telling you what’s on Scottie Pippen’s mind.
Daily Backcourt spotted the most intriguing portion of a recent Microsoft store opening in Miami featuring the former NBA center.
As their report states, the 43-year-old spoke about “how important it was for Microsoft to stay a part of the community and translating that to the world of basketball.”
That’s all well and good, but I’m just concerned with the lack of Rony Seikaly at a Miami-area store opening.
The seven-time All-Star big man began fielding questions, which inevitably turned to LeBron James and Michael Jordan. That’s when Mourning decided to do some much-needed gossiping about his latest chill session with Jordan’s former teammate, Pippen.
Mourning, knowing his audience, brought the house down with the following: “I’m gonna tell you what Scottie said. Scottie said that LeBron would kick MJ’s ass.”
Mourning went ahead and agreed with Pippen’s assessment, so we have to think there is a two-on-one game being planned by Jordan at the moment.
Of course, these are the kinds of sound bites that happen a few times a year and spark the usual Jordan vs. (insert latest superstar name) discussions. Phil Jackson provided his own debate ice breaker with recent statements in his new book about Kobe Bryant and Jordan.
Now, from the middle of a Microsoft store opening, comes yet another wave of the Greatest Of All Time against the world.
Sound off in the comments section below, because I am confident you have thoughts. I am still trying to figure out who would win between Zo and Larry Johnson. I have my money on Grandmama.
Hit me up on Twitter, especially if you have answers: Follow @gabezal
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LeBron James wore an enormous pinky ring after Game 5
Now that LeBron James has won a NBA championship ring, he can wear big old diamond rings as jewelry without feeling the backlash from his haters.
After the Miami Heat eliminated the Chicago Bulls from the playoffs with a 94-91 win in Game 5 on Wednesday, the Heat star went fairly casual with his postgame attire. But he definitely dialed up his accessory game.
James was flossing an enormous diamond pinky ring to go along with a bracelet and watch.
Teammate Dwyane Wade wasn’t too far behind in the jewelry department. He was sporting a custom chain pendant that had his No. 3 jersey number:
Of course, all this talk about pinky rings has me in the mood for some Wu Tang.
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Knicks Owner James Dolan Falls Asleep out of Boredom at Game 4 vs. Pacers
This is just embarrassing. And hysterical. And so James Dolan.
While watching his New York Knicks get pummeled by the Indiana Pacers in Game 4, owner James Dolan fell…well, he fell asleep.
No, I’m not jerking your chain. There is photographic evidence to prove it (h/t Kevin Noschang):
You know your offense has reached new levels of anemia when your owner can’t even stomach its effort.
To be fair, Dolan could still be exhausted from the part he played in running the Knicks franchise into the ground over the last decade or so. And to be even more fair, I’m betting most of us wish we’d slept through that awful performance as well.
Of course, you’d like to think the owner of a billion-dollar franchise could stand to digest any display by his product, however horrific. Dolan is footing the bill for what is rapidly turning into a wildly expensive disappointment, after all. He should see what’s going on.
And you can’t do that with your eyelids closed. Squinting is fine, and even looking away is understandable. But a cat nap? At a playoff game? In an age where everything we do is captured on some sort of camera?
Tisk tisk, Mr. Dolan. We expected more from you.
Well, that’s not true. We actually didn’t. Most likely expected less. Perhaps we should just be thrilled that you showed up, because the Knicks’ offense sure didn’t.
Although, you do have to wonder, why was he so tired? While the Knicks’ performance was regrettable, it was more likely to bring you to tears than induce an obvious slumber.
Was Dolan painting the town blue and orange with J.R. Smith the night before after watching his New York Rangers win a Game 7? Just resting up for the fourth quarter? Dreaming about LeBron James?
Whatever the reason, Dolan must be thrilled that this series is headed back to New York in Game 5. Not because he has high hopes for his suddenly browbeaten troops, but because I’m guessing he keeps a spare pair of pajamas in his luxury suite. Probably a pillow, blanket and even a binkie too.
Sweet dreams, Jimmy. Here’s to four more quarters of a comatose-esque nirvana in Game 5.
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