Yahoo Front Page: Josh Smith Showboat dunk goes wrong

[HMFFL]

The Josh Smith dunk attempt doesn't bother me and now it's on the main page of yahoo. He was going to dunk no matter what, so why not give the crowd a show, but maybe next time he will decide to just lay it up. I watched Denver up by 20 points racing to shoot more 3 pointers during the final minutes.

Heat Daily: "Josh Smith is obviously a mediocre athlete who is only good for highlight reels. This is his chance to become a leader, but he ruins it with childish and immature behavior.

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[evildallas]

If he didn't do attempt a slam he disappoints the crowd (we've seen it before the crowd sighs if he just lays it in). He bites off more than he can chew and misses it. If you go back to the TNT coverage as the Hawks push the ball up the court Dick Stockton says excitedly "Watch this!" They wanted something flashy as well. Josh saw an opportunity to do something memorable and grab the spotlight and he failed to close the deal.

As for Heat Daily, mediocre athlete? What? You can question his maturity or his intelligence, but his physical athletic abilities have never been in question. As for the chance to become a leader and ruining it. It doesn't really come down to one blown showboat attempt (more on that later). Sure I wish he was consistent and mature in his actions, but no one's perfect. But fans of another team really don't get to decide leadership for another team. Over the course of a series you see so much of the opposing team that their players get on your nerves. It didn't take much of Dwayne Wade berating officials after being called for fouls in game 1 for Atlanta fans to start booing him every time he touched the ball. He's still a leader of the Heat. Last year Kevin Garnett's intimidation tactics earned him a lot of detractors in the Hawks fan base (well a lot of haters), but he's still an unquestioned leader of the Celtics. Every playoff series is a chance to establish yourself as a leader within your team, but it's the totality of your actions. Josh Smith had already burned his bridge with Heat fans earlier in the series by complaining about non-calls so much that Bibby had to tell him to shut up and get back on defense. If Josh just does a layup it isn't going to buy him any respect within the Heat fan base, it just becomes forgettable. If Josh makes an effort to not complain about calls the rest of the series, it won't make Heat fans think that he's learned something finally. They'll still go back to game 2 and hate him for being whiny. Their hatred was set long before that missed dunk attempt.

[JoshB914]

I had to leave a comment on that Heat Daily article. Calling Josh Smith a "mediocre athlete" immediately takes away someone's credibility as a educated fan (or one with even any semblance of a clue).

I hope he throws down a 360 to put the icing on the cake tomorrow. But I think we all know he won't because Woody is so old school with that type of stuff.

[conleyorbust]

I had to leave a comment on that Heat Daily article. Calling Josh Smith a "mediocre athlete" immediately takes away someone's credibility as a educated fan (or one with even any semblance of a clue).

I hope he throws down a 360 to put the icing on the cake tomorrow. But I think we all know he won't because Woody is so old school with that type of stuff.

I'm not sure if Woody even cares, he didn't seem to mind yesterday. Obviously though he can't actively encourage it.

Yeah, if we are together enough to win tomorrow, I'd like an exclaimation mark on it.

[tontoz]

I think this will actually work in the Hawks favor. The Heat fans are sure to be on Smith's case and they don't know him. I think he would thrive off that and it would make him more aggressive and look to dunk on someone's head every chance he gets. he will be flying all over the place on defense trying to send their shots into the stands.

He almost had a really nasty dunk on JO and Beasley last game. It was nice to see him go up with bad intentions. he used to do that all the time as a rookie.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

The fact that it was on his homecourt... doesn't totally excuse him imo, but makes it less of an offense. Its true, the crowd wanted to see him do something special. The crowd also took pleasure in seeing Dwyane Wade injured though, so not sure how much weight that argument holds.

However, if he tries anything like that in Miami, I sincerely hope Haslem, O'Neal or Magloire do something about it. It shows a lack of respect for the opponent when you do stuff like that, thats a Ricky Davis type move.

Whoever it was claiming that Smith should be doing that in the playoffs has it backwards.
That type of shenanigans is reserved for the regular season, when nobody really cares whats going on. You do that stuff in the playoffs, and you provide the other team with bulletin board material (although I find the concept of outside motivation in sports to be overrated, what more do you need than the motive to win the game?).

[tbhawksfan]

I'm with you Tontoz. Smoove needs to just go up and over whoever and smash on em. He can get up and he's tough enough. He'll get slam or foul.

[tontoz]

The fact that it was on his homecourt... doesn't totally excuse him imo, but makes it less of an offense. Its true, the crowd wanted to see him do something special. The crowd also took pleasure in seeing Dwyane Wade injured though, so not sure how much weight that argument holds.

Wade absolutely deserves the treatment he is getting from the fans. He is a drama queen. Every time he gets off the bench he has someone help him up as if he can hardly move. Then he chases down Evans trying to block his shot and nearly sends him into the seats. After the play he pops up fresh as a daisy. Of course if he was trying to draw a foul he would have stayed on the ground grimmacing for effect.

If he is going to flop on the ground constantly he deserves to get dogged by the fans.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

The fact that it was on his homecourt... doesn't totally excuse him imo, but makes it less of an offense. Its true, the crowd wanted to see him do something special. The crowd also took pleasure in seeing Dwyane Wade injured though, so not sure how much weight that argument holds.

Wade absolutely deserves the treatment he is getting from the fans. He is a drama queen. Every time he gets off the bench he has someone help him up as if he can hardly move. Then he chases down Evans trying to block his shot and nearly sends him into the seats. After the play he pops up fresh as a daisy. Of course if he was trying to draw a foul he would have stayed on the ground grimmacing for effect.

If he is going to flop on the ground constantly he deserves to get dogged by the fans.

So if Josh Smith is going to attempt showboat dunks, and Horford is going to get in the face of the inbounder everytime he scores, and Pachulia is going to take cheapshots at players on every loose ball... you would understand if Miami fans cheered if one of them were to be injured?

Besides the fact that half of what you're saying is basically an opinion... you don't know the extent of Wade's injury. I'd imagine its pretty uncomfortable playing basketball with back spasms, fortunately haven't had to experience it myself.

[tontoz]

[So if Josh Smith is going to attempt showboat dunks, and Horford is going to get in the face of the inbounder everytime he scores, and Pachulia is going to take cheapshots at players on every loose ball... you would understand if Miami fans cheered if one of them were to be injured?

Besides the fact that half of what you're saying is basically an opinion... you don't know the extent of Wade's injury. I'd imagine its pretty uncomfortable playing basketball with back spasms, fortunately haven't had to experience it myself.

Stupid analogy. Smith and Zaza aren't constantly falling on the ground like Wade. If Wade is always on the floor how are the fans supposed to know when he is faking and when he isn't? They already know he is playing up his back injury. 60% my ass.

I have had plenty of problems with back spasms and i know that you aren't going to make a play like he made on Evans if you struggle to get out of your seat.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

He hit his head on the court, it wasn't back spasms that caused the injury last night. Pretty obvious too. Anyways if you think there is any circumstance its ok to cheer a player's injury than there's really nothing else to say to that.

[HeatFanSince87]

The MORE HATE the better..

LOL.. obviously most of you havent seen in past playoff games/series when Wade is disrespected/mocked how he comes back and goes OFF and carries us to victory.

Go ask Piston and Maverick fans about it..

See you Sunday for game 7..

[tontoz]

He hit his head on the court, it wasn't back spasms that caused the injury last night. Pretty obvious too. Anyways if you think there is any circumstance its ok to cheer a player's injury than there's really nothing else to say to that.

Please. When i saw the replay i thought he was exaggerating it myself. He was diving sideways when he hit the ground. It wasn't like he had a long way to fall. I have seen plenty of guys hit their heads far worse then that and get up much quicker. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for any reports of a concussion. He might have a bruise the size of a dime, if that.

If you are going to cry wolf all the time people aren't going to pay much attention when a wolf finally shows up. He should probably be playing in a skirt since he is such a drama queen.

[tontoz]

The MORE HATE the better..

LOL.. obviously most of you havent seen in past playoff games/series when Wade is disrespected/mocked how he comes back and goes OFF and carries us to victory.

Go ask Piston and Maverick fans about it..

See you Sunday for game 7..

We have seen Wade in the playoffs for 5 games already and the only time he has exceeded his season average is when he made a fluke 3 off the glass.

[HeatFanSince87]

^

LOL.. Keep telling yourself that..

Ahh, this is going to be fun...very fun.

We'll see which star players rise these next 2 games... Wade or JJ.

If we can even consider JJ a star that is..

[tontoz]

^

LOL.. Keep telling yourself that..

Ahh, this is going to be fun...very fun.

We'll see which star players rise these next 2 games... Wade or JJ.

If we can even consider JJ a star that is..

That is all i heard before the series from Heat fans, about how Wade would step up his game so much for the playoffs. What is he averaging in the series? What is his season average? Thought so.

I didn't see any Hawks fans saying that JJ would go off against the Heat though. I am getting used to seeing dumb analogies from Heat fans.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

He hit his head on the court, it wasn't back spasms that caused the injury last night. Pretty obvious too. Anyways if you think there is any circumstance its ok to cheer a player's injury than there's really nothing else to say to that.

Please. When i saw the replay i thought he was exaggerating it myself. He was diving sideways when he hit the ground. It wasn't like he had a long way to fall. I have seen plenty of guys hit their heads far worse then that and get up much quicker. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for any reports of a concussion. He might have a bruise the size of a dime, if that.

If you are going to cry wolf all the time people aren't going to pay much attention when a wolf finally shows up. He should probably be playing in a skirt since he is such a drama queen.

Have you ever smacked the back of your head against concrete before? I have, and I was almost out cold when it happened. Now I didn't do it playing basketball, more because I'm a clumsy ****, but don't try to tell me that doesn't hurt.

Anyways once again, not much there to be said between us, you obviously feel Wade is faking everything and its ok to cheer a possibly serious injury because he's a faker. Nothing I can say will change that opinion. Good luck in game 6.

[tontoz]

He hit his head on the court, it wasn't back spasms that caused the injury last night. Pretty obvious too. Anyways if you think there is any circumstance its ok to cheer a player's injury than there's really nothing else to say to that.

Please. When i saw the replay i thought he was exaggerating it myself. He was diving sideways when he hit the ground. It wasn't like he had a long way to fall. I have seen plenty of guys hit their heads far worse then that and get up much quicker. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for any reports of a concussion. He might have a bruise the size of a dime, if that.

If you are going to cry wolf all the time people aren't going to pay much attention when a wolf finally shows up. He should probably be playing in a skirt since he is such a drama queen.

Have you ever smacked the back of your head against concrete before? I have, and I was almost out cold when it happened. Now I didn't do it playing basketball, more because I'm a clumsy ****, but don't try to tell me that doesn't hurt.

Anyways once again, not much there to be said between us, you obviously feel Wade is faking everything and its ok to cheer a possibly serious injury because he's a faker. Nothing I can say will change that opinion. Good luck in game 6.

I didn't realize they were playing this series on concrete. I guess i learned something new today.

So where is the link reporting on Wade's concussion? I assume he must have a concussion since he was on the ground longer than Horford.

[betta1]

^

LOL.. Keep telling yourself that..

Ahh, this is going to be fun...very fun.

We'll see which star players rise these next 2 games... Wade or JJ.

If we can even consider JJ a star that is..

Keep your diva, I mean star player and we'll take the series win.

[HoopsGuru25]

^

LOL.. Keep telling yourself that..

Ahh, this is going to be fun...very fun.

We'll see which star players rise these next 2 games... Wade or JJ.

If we can even consider JJ a star that is..

It's really not about which star players rise. Joe has had one above average game out of 5 but the Hawks lead the series.

Wade is great but I thought the "you don't want to disrespect Wade" and the "Wade won't allow us to lose at home" thing ended with game four. I think while most Hawks fans are confident against Miami but we still realize that this is a pretty flawed team that has a long way to go to be a contender. I'm starting to suspect that alot of Miami fans think that they have a legit shot in any series regardless of the opponent because of what Wade did in 2006 in supposedly his only "healthy"(although I've already heard some excuses on this front) year in the playoffs...but the reality is that the Heat were a much better team when he had those great performances vs Detroit and Dallas. It's time that Miami fans realize that the 2008-2009 are just a very ordinary team led by a top 3 player with a very weak supporting cast.

Now it's very possible they can still win the series since the Hawks aren't much more than ordinary...but please use some logic in your arguments instead of blind faith in what happened 3 years ago when he was on a much better team..especially since he has been contained for the most part through 5 games.