Josh Smith apologizes to Heat for fancy dunk attempt

[HMFFL]

Josh Smith apologized to Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra moments before tipoff of Friday’s pivotal Game 6 matchup at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Smith said he just wanted to make sure Spoelstra knew he wasn’t trying to show anyone up with the dunk.

“That was for our fans,” Smith said of the move he tried. “They’ve been great to us all season, and they were out in full force Wednesday, so I was rewarding them for helping us get the win. I was just trying to show our fans some love in return for what they’ve given us all year. It was nothing more than that.

“So when I hear people questioning why’d I do something like that or wondering if I was trying to mock the other team, I just wanted coach Spoelstra to know that wasn’t the case.”

Smith and Spoelstra shook hands after talking.

Link

Good for Smith to clear the air.

[jzmagik]

You never saw VC get crap for doing 360s on fastbreaks, or Kobe either. The attention over the missed dunk was overblown.

[MrSimCity]

You never saw VC get crap for doing 360s on fastbreaks, or Kobe either. The attention over the missed dunk was overblown.

Heard alot of people say it wouldn't be such a big deal if he did a 360...yes ofcourse not...a BETWEEEN THE LEGS DUNK >>>> 360 IN AN ACTUAL NBA GAME...360 happens wayy more frequently and is easier to pull off during an NBA Game..so yeah, your right - if he missed on a 360, no one would have said much whether it be kobe, vc or josh...but a between the legs is ALL ABOUT the show

[dms269]

This is only due to the media taking this story and blowing it out of proportion by feeding Wade's ego.

[MikeeV9]

He shouldn't have cleared anything up.....Stay tough...

[fo_o_fo_404]

He shouldn't have cleared anything up.....Stay tough...

EXACTLY! WTF is he apologizing to Spoelstra...a rookie coach....for? He should have never done that!
I can see if it were Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan or some other tenured/respected coach.

What he should have done is apologize to his teammates/Woody for every ill-advised three jacked up, for thinking he's a PG and running fast breaks, and pretty much being dayum near uncoachable.

Never "stand down" to an opponents in the heat of battle....reaks weakness all over! I'm pissed he did that ish!

[HMFFL]

I don't feel Josh needed to apologize, but I believe he helped himself by doing it, and maybe next time he actually makes the dunk. Not exactly sure what the media wanted Josh to do on an open break, layup perhaps? At this point I just want to see Josh mature and by approaching Coach Spoelstra it was a way of doing that.

[TiKusDom]

now that is maturity , class , and professionalism. Hopefully this incident will help Josh along the way in the maturation process.

[Heat3]

I don't feel Josh needed to apologize, but I believe he helped himself by doing it, and maybe next time he actually makes the dunk. Not exactly sure what the media wanted Josh to do on an open break, layup perhaps? At this point I just want to see Josh mature and by approaching Coach Spoelstra it was a way of doing that.

How about just a regular dunk? He could have thrown down a nasty dunk without resorting to dunk contest theatrics. Even if it's a blowout you should respect your opponent and the game. It's about sportsmanship. When show boating takes precedence over scoring is when you cross a line. If the Hawks lose game 7 how is that clowning around gonna look?

Anyway, I'm glad he apologized. I think it was a class move on his part.

[evildallas]

On the ESPN telecast, Jeff Van Gundy said that he should have told Spoelstra that if we're up by 20 again I'm going to do it again and make it this time. Now saying that would have been immature, but it was a funny line.

The failed attempt gave Spoelstra the opening to criticize and he used it to play mind games and the media ran with it. If Josh had made the dunk, Spoelstra could have made the same comments, but it would have come across differently in the media (in my opinion). The difference between Showman and Showboat is basically making the shot which also separates whiny loser from offended professional. As for the mind game aspect as an opponent, you want Josh Smith thinking about what he's doing rather than just doing it. Excessive thinking leads to mistakes. If Josh shoots a three in rhythm after squaring up, it has a reasonable chance of success (mid-30%s probably). If Josh pauses to consider whether he should shoot the ball before releasing that same 3 it's odds will fall greatly (probably less than 10%). If he's on a break you want that extra hesitation as he ponders what everyone will think about his actions. It makes a bobbled handle or defensive recovery more likely. A little hesitation is probably the difference between a dramatic slam and attempting two free throws. On the bright side, the time for hesitation has passed and the mind game shouldn't have a place in a game seven.

[betta1]

On the bright side, the time for hesitation has passed and the mind game shouldn't have a place in a game seven.

I really hope you're right. I don't think he had to apologize, but whatever.

[parson]

How about just a regular dunk? He could have thrown down a nasty dunk without resorting to dunk contest theatrics. Even if it's a blowout you should respect your opponent and the game. It's about sportsmanship. When show boating takes precedence over scoring is when you cross a line. If the Hawks lose game 7 how is that clowning around gonna look?

Anyway, I'm glad he apologized. I think it was a class move on his part.

And then the Heat respond to Smoove's apology with a "no-look dunk" when the game's out of reach.

Ah, aint class wunnerful.

Personally, I'm getting fed up with the hordes of Heat fans coming over here to lecture/flame/berate us, all the time believing that their crap doesn't smell.

Is Spoelstra gonna apologize, now, to Smoove?

[Tim_Hardawayy]

And then the Heat respond to Smoove's apology with a "no-look dunk" when the game's out of reach.

Ah, aint class wunnerful.

Just an FYI, Magloire always does that no-look dunk, regardless of score, situation, whatever. He's done it his whole career. He's more likely to do the peek-a-boo dunk than just dunk it regular.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjm0aB5tXYE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k293YtEY7RY
http://www.miamisportsgeneration.com/20 ... 3732300000

[parson]

Don't know why I'm reasoning wid'cha, Tim_Hardawayy, but did you just say his dunk - in THAT situation, at THAT time, after Spoelstra and Wade publicly complained - did you just say it didn't stink because he always does it?

Did you have to work hard to find a way to prove my point?

[Adobozz]

Smoove apoogized for the dunk to the Heat?

He used to be dumb, but now he is even dumber...

[cavsfan_osiris]

great classy move by smoove

[johnny878]

Wades s howboating at the end of game 6 was alot worse than Smith's. And the media didnt say a peep.

From not taking the ball upcourt to the high 5 in evans face. dont see many high 5's today lol

[TiKusDom]

Smith took the high road by apologizing and his team won, no matter what happened, hes the one who comes off looking like a true professional and a class act . My regards to Mr. Smith.

[LL Cool Scott]

There's no apologizing in basketball.