MIAMI (AP) -- When Chris Andersen does something particularly impressive for the Miami Heat, a heavy metal guitar riff blares through their arena. Some children have shown up for games with replicas of his tattoos drawn upon their bodies. Others have gotten their hair gelled and shaped to match his Mohawk 'do.
Deciding who plays, and when they don't, is one of the toughest parts of coaching.
Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert expressed his displeasure Thursday with Miami Heat forward Shane Battier in a tweet about a foul in the first quarter of Wednesday night's playoff game.
Miami Heat superstar LeBron James received 119 votes and was named first-team All-NBA on Thursday.
In the immediate aftermath of Wednesday night's bonkers Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers, discussion has focused on the failings of Pacers head coach for not having center Roy Hibbert in the game to protect the rim on LeBron James's game-winning, buzzer-beating lay-up. Analysis has covered how LeBron was able to finish so easily , various alternate realities in which Vogel did put Hibbert on the floor, and the Pacers' own reaction to the situation . Even those who have provided some explanation of Vogel's decision-making process ? or at least argued that he was choosing between a bunch of insufficient options ? have discussed the issue in terms of how Indiana was to contend with the Heat in this scenario.
This approach makes a great deal of sense, because Hibbert is one of the NBA's top defenders and just recently stonewalled Carmelo Anthony on a dunk attempt . Yet, while digging into the Pacers' side of the play is eminently reasonable, it also ignores the most readily apparent fact of the game-winner, which is that LeBron James did something really incredible.
Thankfully, we have the NBA's Phantom Cam to help us focus on LeBron's exploits. The clip is bereft of context ? it's entirely LeBron making his move. The lack of perspective communicates the visceral experience: James catches, turns, dribbles, explodes, and finishes. No Pacers can stop him, because he is a unique basketball force.
MIAMI (AP) -- Losing a game at the final buzzer, no less than a playoff game on the road against the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat, would seem to have potential to demoralize the Indiana Pacers.