Sonics Whine about Wade

Bob Hill's comments about Wade's game and treatment by the officials could be more damaging to his Sonics than to Wade.

After the Heat's 90-87 victory over the Sonics the other night, Seattle's head coach had a few things to say about the loss - more specifically, about the player most responsible for handing them that loss, Dwyane Wade.

Bob Hill called the officials' treatment of Wade "unbelievable" and he asked how he could coach under such a situation? He cited as an example Wade's ability to carry the ball, palming it, and attack the basket.

Even Ray Allen agreed with Hill, saying it was "lopsided" and even commented that anytime they touched Dwyane Wade they got whistled for a foul. In fact, he said,"There was pressure up on the ball whenever I got the ball, and on the other end, we got whistled any time we touched Dwyane."

Now, not to seem a devil's advocate here, but if there was only "pressure" and no contact, that wouldn't be a foul (and Riley should be credited for teaching his players the proper way to play defense). Consequently, if the Sonics did make contact with Wade, as Allen says, then yes, they should be called for a foul.

So, I don't see the problem here. But, let's for argument's sake take the observations of Hill and Allen as valid. Let's say that Wade is getting away with palming. That shouldn't be a shock, especially if you ask a basketball fan over the age of 40 if he or she thinks players today get away with traveling, palming, etc. Just remember to stand back a few feet before they unleash their response to your question.

If anything, Wade is only getting away with what the league has allowed and has been allowing for well over a decade now, and - yes, you old timers should pay attention - it is something that even the great Jordan himself got away with. (Anyone still think Jordan didn't push off Bryon Russell in that Finals against the Jazz?)

That really isn't the point here, however. I am not trying to be a Dwyane Wade apologist - the guy attacks the basket hard and earns his fouls. If the league decided to take away this alleged palming arsenal in his attack, so many other players would be affected that the point would be moot.

But make no mistake, the NBA is to blame here. They let this wolf into the sheep's pen a long time ago. There isn't any incentive to stop it now, but it would be good for purifying the game again.

And that is the point I am trying to make. Right now, Hill has no one to blame but the NBA as a whole. They let this happen and let it get to this point, but it is a catch 22 for Hill and his Sonics team as well. Because right now, the NBA officials are allowing a game to flourish that aids teams with a perimeter oriented attack.

By allowing guys to carry, travel, et cetera, they are able to initiate their attacks to the basket. And of course, not all of these attacks utilize a foul. But another rule that is more important to look at is the interpretation of contact. As Allen was saying, Wade gets touched, he gets a foul. Allen gets pressured, there is no foul. Well, that is how it is supposed to be, thanks Ray, but to a point. Not all contact by a defender is a foul.

In fact, a lot of what has been going on in the NBA these days should not be called a foul. And by that, I invoke the Chauncey Billups rule - you cannot jump into a defender, initiating contact, and draw a foul. The offensive player is initiating contact and therefore should be called for the foul, not the defender.

If Hill is not aware of this, he should be. He is actually not only drawing attention to Wade's alleged carries, travels, and anything else he can gripe about, but also the officials' interpretation of contact.

By creating space through the conditioning of defenders not being allowed to be physical or even make contact at all with players on the perimeter, teams with perimeter offenses are finding more space to score. Teams like the Suns, Pistons, Bulls (who can't seem to score anyway), Nets and yes, the Sonics.

So Bobby Boy, you're better off complaining about Ray Allen's 5-17 night and citing that as a reason why your team lost. And not Wade's gameplay - because after all, it is the same set of benefits that is applied to your players like Allen, Lewis and even Ridnour.

But that doesn't make the front page, does it...

Wright Time

It's about time, that is all I have got to say. For three long, agonizing years - as a fan, of course - we have all sat and watched the Heat grab success on the court with Wright on the bench.

Ok, so I shouldn't act like a spoiled brat here, but how many of us can honestly say that this was the right choice back in 2004 when Riley selected Dorrell Wright with the 19th pick? And can we honestly look the other way when cross-state rival Magic have watched Jameer Nelson, available to the Heat back in that draft, blossom?

No, we can't. But we can focus on Wright and his potential - and for once, it isn't just talk for overly-positive Heat fans. We no longer have to make excuses for the kid and for Riley, and frankly, we couldn't any more anyway.

Riley has to play Wright. He has no choice. The Heat are banged up, and getting older and have very little athleticism on this team among their starters (of course, excepting Wade). This is a good thing because Riley would probably have Wright shackled to the bench still if Jason Williams was healthy. Heck, Wright wouldn't need a warm up jersey, but a set of diapers.

And so the injuries free Wright from the bench, and this is the right time to see him log some minutes.

Tonight, against the tough perimeter offense of the Supersonics, Wright was able to log 27 minutes and score 9 points on 3-6 shooting. He also grabbed 5 rebounds, dished 6 assists, had a steal and blocked 2 shots.

This kid's length and athleticism is what has drawn comparisons to Tracy McGrady, but now he is maturing into his body and his role. The expectations are there for him to produce, not just from the hopeful fans who have circled him as their sleeper picks for their respective fantasy teams, but also for his head coach who seems to be up for the challenge of entrusting a young player with a larger piece of the pie.

Several pundits have proclaimed the Heat all but dead and citing their increasing age and lack of athleticism as reasons for their demise. A player like Wright is the key component to squashing such talk as he is a skilled, yet raw, player that can help the Heat overcome certain mismatches along the perimeter.

And he is only going to stand to get better.

Wright is still raw, like a puppy that hasn't quite grown into his body yet, but he has the instincts of a pedigree NBA killer. He makes plays. His best friend on the team is Dwyane Wade, who wants to see him grow up more than anyone.

Now, is the Wright time. Time to get answers on what the Heat drafted on that fateful day back in 2004.

A Desert Rose - Jalen Rose to Phoenix

Jalen Rose has opted to play for the Phoenix Suns, according to his official blog:

Jalen Rose's blog link

It isn't surprising that he chose the Suns, they are obviously a quality team and with Amare Stoudamire coming back this season, they look to get beyond the Western Conference Finals this season. I just doubt the possibility that they will be able to get out of the West while the Heat have a better chance to get out of the East to the Finals.

That said, perhaps this will cement what needs to be done for Pat Riley. His inability to bring in a fresh, young guard to play some backup PG and provide some depth for matchups could be glaring. That is, unless he decides to give Dorrell Wright the minutes he needs to develop and prove himself. The Heat still have the option of bringing back Shandon Anderson, but at this point there doesn't seem to be much upside to that possibility.

Stay tuned - the Heat welcome the Nets to Miami tonight for game 2 of the season. It will be interesting to see how Riley manages his bench now that Rose is no longer a possibility.

Is Jalen Rose serious?

Phoenix or Miami...Phoenix or Miami...Miami or Phoenix...

C'mon Jalen, PICK ALREADY!

The choice is obvious - MIAMI!

Micheal Finley made this same mistake last year - don't you go and repeat it. Miami is the team, the place, the time. It is the sizzle in the steak, the umbrella in the pina colada. Sure, they took a butt whoopin on their season opener, but their arms were tired from trying to hold up those big ol' championship rings!

In fact, some of the Heat players complained that they couldn't see for the first half, the bling from their rings was so great it actually scolded their retinas!

So weary-armed and bleary-eyed, they took the court against a young and hungry Bulls team that was being pushed by ultra-competitive, inferior complexed and short-man syndromed Scott Skiles.

It was a recipe for disaster.

But don't think for a second that Miami has a lesser chance of contending than Phoenix. Miami has the best player in the game in Wade, and still has a two-headed dominating beast at center with Shaq and Zo. They have hall of famer Gary Payton, who can teach you a thing or two about talking trash. They have one of the hardest working big men in Udonis Haslem. They have the offensive firepower of the erratic Antoine Walker. The defense and shooting of James Posey. The magic of a healthy Jason Williams - probably the most important piece to this team's success after Wade and Shaq.

Your numbers may not improve in terms of scoring, but your efficiency will. Phoenix cannot make either guarantee. Playing with Shaq, you will have more real estate to work with than Donald Trump. Just ask #3.

You also benefit from having one of the greatest basketball minds on your bench in Pat Riley. Shaq said he would not play for anyone else at this stage of his career. And he has won, what, 4 championships now?

How many Finals appearances does Shaq have again?

And the entire Suns team?

Yeah, you think about it - as if there is anything to think about. In the meantime, I will bring the sunscreen and will be waiting for you in the Coconut Grove.