Sports Agenda For Friday (5/11/12)
Big Story:
Sometimes players say things before they really think about them…I'm looking at you Roy Hibbert. The Marlins return home tonight to see if they can stay hot and knock out the Mets. And the Eastern Conference is lined up perfectly for the Heat.
Quote of the Day:
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." – President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Miami Heat: (next game – Sunday, vs. Pacers, 3:30 p.m.)
Question: Do you really want to motivate the Miami Heat to play out of their minds?
Answer: Apparently you do if you're Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers
HIbbert said this when comparing the Heat to the Pacers…
"We didn't do this the easy way," Hibbert said. "It took time. But Larry Bird and (general manager) David Morway drafted well. We got (David) West. We got George Hill, Leandro (Barbosa) and Lou (Amundson) for almost nothing. We didn't do this by signing a couple of superstars.''
Uh, yeah, about that boss.
You didn't sign any superstars…funny, I'm sure David West would like to think he's a star.
I seem to remember last year the Pacers struggling before West came into the fold, missed the mark with that one chief.
You got George Hill, Leandro Barbosa, and Lou Amundson for almost nothing?
That's a heckuva way to talk up your teammates there boss.
While we're at it, let's measure something Chris Bosh vs. David West
Um, advantage Bosh, even if he does cost more.
But seriously, this was going to be boring and now between Hibbert and the Pacers coach saying the Heat are a bunch of floppers, this could be good.
FYI, calling someone a flopper in the NBA means that at the slightest hint of contact they fall to floor like they just got hit by a runaway Shaq.
So let me get this straight….
The Pacers plan is to talk trash to the NBA MVP and a former Finals MVP, an All-Star power forward, and the rest of the Heat team.
I don't want to say that's dumb, but that's like betting NBC will have a number one show..
It's like betting Charlie Sheen won't fall off the wagon.
It's akin to coating your hand in blood and putting it into a lion's cage.
Dang, where's that commercial when I need it…BRILLIANT!!!
Eastern Conference Playoffs:
If you missed it last night, some more fun happened around the NBA's Eastern Conference.
The Bulls are no more, meaning Miami has home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Yup, the 76ers turned the Bulls into cows last night and advanced to the second round where they will face….
The Boston Celtics who disposed of the Atlanta Hawks.
It's setting up to be a Celtics vs. Heat Eastern Conference Finals.
Again, the Heat will be doubly motivated for that one with the Celtics having handled the Heat easily the last two times they faced them.
But first things first for the Heat, move past the Pacers.
If you'd like a full statistical breakdown of the Pacers series check out this link.
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2012/05/10/heat-face-larger-challenge-with-pacers/
Miami Marlins: (vs. New York Mets, 7:10 p.m., Fox Sports Florida)
Welcome home Marlins, your first test?
Beat Johan Santana.
Yikes.
The Marlins have been the hottest team in baseball in the month of May and have done it on the road.
Now, the team has to come home and prove they can do it in what so far has been the unfriendly confines of Marlins Park.
If the Marlins hitters remember to not swing for the fences and just swing for solid contact, they'll be good.
There's plenty of room to the alleys to do some serious damage, especially when Reyes or Bonifacio are on the base path.
Bonifacio has 15 stolen bases this season already and Reyes is right behind him with 8.
If they get on base, they'll most likely score if Ramirez, Stanton, and others can simply put the ball in play to the outfield or down the lines.
The Marlins have stunk at home thus far, but they should, key word SHOULD, be able to deal with the Mets.
If the Fish can sweep the series, they'll jump into third place in the NL East and just out of first place.
C'mon Fish, attack this like Rosie O'Donnell does a buffet.
Follow me on Twitter @timkephart33
