Greg Cote's Random Evidence of a Cluttered Blog

Did no A.C., LeBron cramping cost Heat G1 win? New poll. Vote now!; plus "Frustration and anger," says James; updated Heat MVP table & more

1) It is FRIDAY, JUNE 6. In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): NFL concussion poll, NBA Finals odds, LeBron all-league, Pacers parting gifts, Marino's flip-flop, Roman numerals & more. 2) Join us on Twitter @gregcote. Also Vine and Instagram.

POLL: DID STEAMY CONDITIONS, LEBRON'S CRAMPING COST MIAMI A GAME 1 WIN? VOTE NOW: No air-conditioning = LeBron's cramping and early exit = Heat loss in Game 1 last night? Nothing is that simple. But it seemed like it to me. Click on The Heat Is On for my sweat-soaked column from San Antonio off last night's bizarre Miami loss. (And click on Legacy & Revenge for my earlier column previewing the Finals). Do you think the strange circumstances cost Miami LeBron, the lead and the game? Vote now and say why.

HEAT GAME 1 POSTGAME VIDEO WITH MYSELF AND JOE "GOODY" GOODMAN:

 

FINALS G1: SAN ANTONIO 110, HEAT 95: How thoroughly bizarre! No air-conditioning in the San Antonio arena due to an electrical outage affecting the AC tonight, and it had a direct bearing on the Heat's NBA Finals Game 1 loss. Miami led by seven early in the fourth quarter when the conditions led to LeBron James cramping and having to leave the game. He played only five minutes in the final quarter and sat out the final 3:59 as the Spurs stormed into the lead. Not saying anyone is to blame here or that they should have stopped the game, but the AC fiasco absolutely did affect this result and possibly cost Miami the game. "It sucks in this point in time in the season," James said. "I mean, it's frustration and anger. I lost all the fluids that I was putting in. It was extrenmely hot in the building." Click on The heat is on for my sweat-soaked column from San Antonio, now online. Original post: The NBA hasn't had a three-peat champion since the Lakers in 2000-02 or a Finals rematch since Chicago-Utah in 1997-98, so the best-of-seven commencing tonight in San
Antonio feels special. Feels big. The fact it's considered an even series, or perhaps the Spurs the slightest favorite, adds to the intrigue. So does what lies just beyond for both franchises. Might Tim Duncan retire? Might LeBron James leave in  free agency? (The latter drum won't stop pounding, the latest a pile of LeBron-to-Clippers speculation on ESPN.com). Meantime Duncan's Spurs try to avenge last year's crushing Finals loss to Miami slight -- with what seemed a certain title snatched away on Ray Allen's miracle 3. And LeBron's
Heat try to make a third straight championship parade happen. Beyond those broadest themes the series will turn on how smaller questions are answered. Will Kawhi Leonard's defense limit LeBron? Which team's 3-point sharpshooters will be better? Is Tony Parker fully healthy? Does Dwyane Wade have a big series in him? Can Chris Bosh keep Duncan from layup range? How much will each team get out of Manu Ginobli and Mario Chalmers? So many small answers together will create for somebody four huge wins and one championship. So who wins? We had a big poll (admittedly skewed to Heat fans) and 76 percent of you picked Miami. ESPN experts says it'll be Spurs by a 12-6 vote. My pick: In LeBron I trust. Heat in 6.

Heat Postseason MVP Standings (updated): We name 'Heat 3 Stars' after every playoff game and award points on 3-2-1 basis. Tonight: 1. LeBron James (you saw his value in his absence), 2. Chris Bosh, 3. Dwyane Wade. The standings through 16 playoff games, including Finals Game 1: LeBron James 37 points, Dwyane Wade 24, Chris Bosh 17, Ray Allen 8, Chris Andersen 3, Rashard Lewis 3, Norris Cole 2, James Jones 2.

Poll result: Limited sympathy for ex-NFL players on concussions: We asked and 49.2 percent said former players should quit complaining, versus 23.9% who believe they deserve compensation. The other 26.9% can see both sides or are undecided.

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Players vs. NFL: Pick a side on concussion issue. New poll. Vote!; plus Marino un-sues NFL, Finals odds, 76% pick Heat, Pacers parting gifts & more

1) It is WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4. Howard Schenellenberger Tweeted out the photo at right. Gotta love Howard. Go Owls! 2) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat-Spurs Finals prediction poll, me and the 'orange jumpsuit', Marino/Kelly, Caroline on the rebound, MLB division races & more. 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote. Also Vine and Instagram.

Rome is burning: Super Bowl announced a break from Roman numnerals sof rits 50th Super Bowl logo.

Ho hum. LeBron first-team All-NBA: Heat's LeBron James is first-team All-NBA for the seventh straight season, with 623 of a possible 625 overall votes. Joining him: Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, James Harden and Joakim Noah. No Heater on 2nd or 3rd team. Dwyane Wade (6 votes) and and Chris Bosh (1) barely mentioned among "others receiving votes." 

Oops. Marino un-sues NFL: Yesterday morning it was reported Dan Marino had joined the latest lawsuit by ex-players against the NFL over long-term affects of concussions. By afternoon his lawyers said Marino has not joined that lawsuit. Alrighty then. 

WHAT SHOULD BE SYMPATHY LEVEL FOR EX-NFL PLAYERS ON CONCUSSION AFTER-EFFECTS?: We briefly interupt our blog's takeover by the Heat playoff run to bring you an unrelated lead item. This admittedly is a complicated, amorphous issue hardly lending itself to a simple, either/poll question. But why should that stop us! The question is how responsible the NFL is for players' post-career after-effects of an inherently violent, body-jarring sport? Player lawyers argue medical care was lacking back in the day, and the fact there wasn't the concussion protocol there is today put players at long-term risk. An opposing view might be that players were well-compensated for a line of work they chose and knew involved physical pounding. I'll admit I'm torn on this subject but am inclined to not hold the sport overly liable for not having in place, 30 years, ago, a protocol that is now standard. Medical advancement moves at its own pace. I'd use an as example the fact cigarettes once had no government warning labels and were routinely smoked in office buildings. Just as concussion risk once had no warning label. I don't think it was an NFL conspiracy. I think it was medical science catching up to risk and long-term effect. Likewise, equipment and helmets are safer today than they once were. Anyway, we stuff this complicated topic into our blog grinder and come out with this poll. It simply solicits your general, overall view. I'm curious how you feel and also whether the involvement of Marino weighs on that in any way. Vote and say why.

NBA FINALS BETTINGS ODDS: Bovada has it dead even, in that Heat in 6 and Spurs in 7 are the betting faves at 7-2 each, followed by Heat in 7 and Spurs in 5 at 5-1 each. Finals MVP picks are LeBron James 6-5, Tim Duncan 5-2, Tony Parker 13-5 and Dwyane Wade 8-1. Selected scoring-average over/unders are LeBron 28.5, Wade 18, Chris Bosh 15, Parker 17, Duncan 16.5, and Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobli both 13.5. 

Poll result: 76 percent say Heat over Spurs: We asked in the previous blogpost how you see the NBA Finals turning out (you may still vote), and 76.46 percent overall predicted a Heat championship. The top three vote-getters of eight choices were Heat in 6 games (54.92%), Heat in 7 (15.49%) and Spurs in 6 (12.17%). As you'd imagine the second-most votes after Florida came from Texas, where 73.48% foresaw a Spurs championship.

PARTING GIFTS FOR PACERS: Can't let Lance Stephenson and the Pacers slip off into the offseason without a couple of parting gifts, can we? One is the terrific, Rat Pack-styled artwork by @RobCabrera presented at right. The second is LE BATARD'S EPIC RANT, which I provide here because I'm tired of being Pacers fans' most hated Miami media guy and it's time for Dan to take his turn.

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Predict Heat-Spurs NBA Finals. Who wins and in how many? Poll. Vote!; plus my 'orange jumpsuit' regret, Marino/Kelly, jilted Wozniacki & more

1) It is MONDAY, JUNE 2. Click on Random Evidence for our latest Sunday notes-column package, leading with Heat-Pacers. 2) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Spurs-or-Thunder poll, Heat-Pacers Game 6, vote Stanton, Dolphins forecast, Scout Willis & more. 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote. Also Vine and Instagram.

HEAT-SPURS FINALS REMATCH: SAME RESULT, OR DIFFERENT?: The NBA prepares for its first Finals rematch since Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls met (and twice beat) Karl Malone's Utah Jazz in 1997-98. Can the Heat repeat for a three-peat? The oddsmakers doubt it. Miami is a 3 1/2-point underdog for Thursday night's Game 1 in San Antonio, and generally a narrow underdog in the series -- although Las Vegas Hilton and a few other sports books have the betting odds dead even. It should stay close, with the Spurs' superior record and home-court advantage offsetting Miami's double-champion pedigree. San Antonio has the revenge factor -- "We'll do it this time," said Tim Duncan -- and also is seen as a tough matchup for Miami, which may not have the low-post presence to contend with Duncan, Tiago Splitter and Boris Diaw. The Spurs also have been shooting well from 3-point range this postseason.But do you really ewant to underestimate LeBron James and Miami's chase at history. We've done this poll before every round. How do you expect the NBA Finals to turn out? Not what you hope but what you honestly predict. Vote and say why.

Poll results: Heat fans wanted Thunder, not Spurs: We asked in the previous blogpost and 59.2 percent preferred Miami face Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals, versus 40.8% who preferred San Antonio. Notably, the vote for OKC was running closer to 70-30, but votes for San Antonio flooded in once the Spurs won last night to clinch a spot in the Finals.

I WAS WRONG ON 'ORANGE JUMPSUIT' REFERENCE: A quick backgrounder for those unaware. My column off the Heat's clinching Game 6 win over Indiana the other night spent a good deal of time eviscerating the Pacers' Lance Stephenson for his dirty play and buffoonish antics, and the column included the following paragraph: "Stephenson’s egregiously dirty streetball gives one the impression that if his skills hadn’t put him in NBA clothes, his uniform by now might be an orange jumpsuit, county-issue." It was one sentence, low in the column, but it was seen as racially charged in a way I did not intend. I initially stood behind what I wrote against a backlash on Twitter, but upon reflection I was wrong to make the orange-jumpsuit reference and wish I had not. I say this not because my boss ordered me to or because of any Tweeted outcry, but because I realized I'd made an assumption about Stephenson that made me uncomfortable defending. Neither Stephenson's behavior in the Heat series nor his past off-court incidents, including a charge he threw his girlfriend down a flight of stairs, justifies a presumption he might be in jail if not in the NBA. The fact I'd have made the same reference to a white player who had that history and behaved like that in the series also does not justify the presumption. Anybody who has done what I do for a living for this long has been guilty of an occasional lapse in judgment. For me, this was one.

MARINO VISITS KELLY: Once, rivals. Now, old friends, one reaching out to the other. Former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino visited former Bills counterpart Jim Kelly in the hospital Sunday as Kelly continues to battle oral cancer and undergo radiation treatment in upstate New York. Click here for a brief video. Pictured, Marino with Kelly in the hospital. (Howard Schnellenberger, Kelly's old UM coach, and ex-Bills GM Bill Polian also were visiting Kelly on Sunday).

CAROLINE ON THE REBOUND: Dumped unceremoniously by fiance golfer Rory McIlroy in a brief phone call, jilted tennis star Caroline Wozniacki bounced back impressively on Saturday with some fun on the sands of Miami Beach. Nice touch on the 'Lover' T, too. Her throwing motion may be somehwat suspect but (Mildly Sexist Comment Alert) her form otherwise seems quite good, actually. Rory, Rory, Rory. Quick aside: My son and I, over golf on Sunday (96 at Davie Golf Club to his 87), were discussing how Rory had dropped Caroline after wedding invitations already had gone out, in a move so sudden and unexpected that Caroline at first thought the phone call was a joke. My in-his-20s son was defending Rory. Drawing on experience, I suggested he deftly omit his defense of Rory should the topic of the breakup ever happen to arise in a conversation with his girlfriend. Fore!

THE LIST: MLB DIVISION RACES: The Marlins' division, the NL East, is the most competitive in baseball this season, based on fewest combined games behind (CGB) the frontrunner, entering Monday's games:

Division        CGB (2nd)

NL East        16.5 (3.0)

AL Central    22.5 (4.5)

AL East        24.5 (3.5)

AL West       28.5 (4.5)

NL Central    31.0 (4.0)

NL West       42.0 (7.5)

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9 Heat Playoff Truths We May Hold to Be Self-Evident; plus James, Wade, Allen spark G3 win, Barkley top Heat Hater, playoff MVP table (updated) & more

1) It is SUNDAY, MAY 25. Click on Random Evidence for today's latest Sunday notes-column package, leading with Heat and the good noise/bad noise forever surrounding LeBron James. 2) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat Hater poll, Mark Cuban's firestorm, Landon Donovan's exclusion, Dolphins rookie camp, illegal parking & more. 3) Join us on Twitter @gregcote. Also Instagram and Vine.

Click on The Closing Kings for my column from the arena off last night's Heat win. The start was sluggish but the ending sublime. Again.

THESE HEAT PLAYOFF TRUTHS WE MAY HOLD TO BE SELF-EVIDENT: Taking stock a dozen games into the Heat's postseason run and in the heart of the Eastern finals, with Miami up 2-1 on Indiana:

1. LeBron James (28.6 points) is the NBA's postseason MVP if Tim Duncan isn't, and the two are headed for a Finals rematch showdown. The team tends to mirror LeBron's slow starts, but also his big finishes.

2. Dwyane Wade looks as good the past four games as in any such stretch we can recall of late, a testament to the team's season-loing "maintenance" strategy. He isn't doing much on the defensive end, but offensively he is recalling his vigorous prime.

3. If anybody sees Chris Bosh, please turn him in to Lost & Found. Corner 3's have replaced the low post for him; no matter. How can a man that tall get so few rebounds? Wake up, dude.

4. Ageless Ray Allen earns every penny and every ounce of his Hall of Fame cred with bursts like last night's. What a gift for the Heat.

5. Norris Cole is more valuable to the team right now than starting point guard Mario Chalmers.

6. Not always sure why, but Miami is very good with Rashard Lewis rotated in. Last night the Heat was plus-21 in his 17 minutes even though Lewis himself had zero points.

7. Chris (Birdman) Andersen is averaging more rebounds and blocks than Bosh in barely over half the minutes. Tattoo You, as the Stones once said.

8. Michael Beasley and Greg Oden should hold daily CA meetings. Commisserators Anonymous. 

9. Erik Spoelstra is really, really good.

G3: HEAT 99, INDIANA 87: BIG SECOND HALF LIFTS MIAMI: LeBron James' 26 points, Dwyane Wade's 23 -- his fourth straight big offensive game this postseason -- and Ray Allen's 16 off the bench carried Miami in its second-half rally tonight. I'd also mentiom Rashard Lewis. He had zero points, but Miami was plus-21 in his 17 minutes; him in the game sparked the team. Heat now up 2-1 and in charge entering Game 4 back here Monday night. The resolve and resourcefulness of this team continues to amaze. Miami trailed 17-4 early, never led until the third quarter, but found a way, as it usually does. Click on The Closing Kings for my column off the game. ..... Original post: Series came out of Indiana 1-1 but Miami is 5-0 at home in this postseason. Keep that record pristine and the Heat will be sitting 3-1 and in control after tonight's and Monday's bayside dates. That would put Miami in great shape to make this the NBA-record fifth series in a row they've won after losing the opener. Charles Barkley said this week that Miami's fans aren't very good in explaining why he hopes LeBron James returns to Cleveland. Hmm. Here's betting Heat fans will look and sound pretty damn good tonight inside the downtown bayside arena. Paul George, who had a mild concussion, is OK'd to play for the Pacers. That's big because Indiana without him (maybe even with him) just does not have the offensive firepower to match the Heat when Miami is playing well. LeBron James is having an MVP-caliber postseason and, after a three-day series rest, it says here he is due a breakout game offensively. Thinking mid-30s-plus. Dwyane Wade also has strung together three straight games that are vintage, all of that regular season "maintenance" paying off. It'll be interesting to see what coach Erik Spoelstra does with that fifth starting spot -- whether Udonis Haslem or Shane Battier is called. We also could see Greg Oden deployed briefly in his first playoff appearance since April 30, 2009. He back spasms have gone away; "I'm ready," he said. Not sure if that will matter much tonight. Also not sure the Pacers' impressive showing on the road in this postseason will bear fruit. Home-floor adrenaline and a big night from LeBron should carry the Heat.

Heat Postseason MVP Standings (updated): We name 'Heat 3 Stars' after every playoff game and award points on 3-2-1 basis. Tonight: 1. Dwyane Wade, 2. LeBron James, 3. Ray Allen. The updated standings through 12 playoff games, including tonight: LeBron James 28 points, Dwyane Wade 21, Chris Bosh 9, Ray Allen 8, Chris Andersen 2, Norris Cole 2, James Jones 2.

Poll result: Barkley leads Anti-Heat parade: In the previous blogpost we invited you to name the biggest Anti-Heat person in the national media (you may still vote), and Charley Barkley was the choice of 50.5 percent, followed by Bill Simmons at 23.9% and Skip Bayless at 15.8%. Jon Barry, Michael Wilbon and "other" split the remaining votes.

SEMINOLES DOMINATE KIPER'S FIRST '15 BIG BOARD: Mel Kiper Jr.'s first top-25 "Big Board" previewing the 2015 NFL draft is out, and No. 1 on it is Florida State quarterback Jameis "Crab Legs" Winston. Florida Gator DE Dante Fowler is 8th. Three other Noles make it: OG Tre Jackson, 15th; CB P.J. Williams, 17th; and DEMario Edwards, 23rd. Nary a Hurricane to be found.

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It's Heat-Pacers in Eastern finals!; plus the 4 candidates to replace Van Gundy on Le Batard, Dolphins '15 draft, hero cat & more

1) It is THURSDAY, MAY 15. Patriots continue to dominate AFC East. On the bright side, no Dolphins player is under indictment for three murders. That we know of. 2) Pictured right, for no good reason, the original Godzilla. 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat-Nets Game 5 as Miami advances, NBA boycott talk, Van Gundy leaving Le Batard, Dolphins post-draft odds, Bob Dylan & more. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote.

IT'S HEAT-PACERS IN EASTERN FINALS: Indiana won at Washington tonight 93-80 to advance to meet Miami in the Eastern Conference finals. Game 1 will be Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in Indianapolis.

Click on What Champions Do for my column off last night's series-clinching Heat victory.

Newly added below: Surveillance video of Jameis Winston crab leg heist.

News: Dolphins name Eric Stokes assistant general manager. He'd been Tampa Bay's director of college scouting past two seasons, working there with new Miami GM Dennis Hickey.

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: CANDIDATES TO REPLACE STAN VAN GUNDY ON LE BATARD SHOW: Four names being considered are basketball coach-turned-ESPN announcer Jeff Van Gundy, Stan's younger brother; actor Alan Thicke;






Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo; and former Dolphins great Jason Taylor. JVG and Thicke are pictured left and Izzo and Taylor right. It is not yet certain if one of them will be chosen as a regular once-a-week cohost or if there will be a rotation. The opening arose with SVG taking the Detroit Pistons job this week. The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz airs weekdays 3-7 p.m. on 104.3 & 790 The Ticket and 4-7 on ESPN Radio. Van Gundy had been one of three once-a-week cohosts. The others are Bomani Jones and, inexplicably, me.

DEAR JOE JOHNSON...: After the Heat's series-clinching 96-94 win over Brooklyn last night the Nets' Joe Johnson noted, "There were some questionable calls down the stretch." Really, Joe? So it was the officiating? It wasn't that your team choked with a late 4:37 scoreless stretch that fostered Miami's miracle rally? It wasn't that your team missed nine of its last 10 field goal tries? It wasn't that you had the ball stripped on the last play and couldn't even get off a shot off? Geez, Joe.

Should Heat prefer Indiana or Washington?: Vote now!: Miami moves on next against the Indiana-Washington winner, with Pacers leading 3-2 entering tonight's Game 6 in D.C. The eventual machup presents an interesting dilemma for the Heat and for Heat fans. Who do you want? Do you want the more anticipated, sexier matchup and rival in Indiana? Or do you want the perceived softer matchup and easier path to the Finals in Washington? (I say that knowing the Heat was 3-1 vs. Indiana this season and 1-3 vs. Washington. I think Brooklyn just reminded us regular-season records don't matter much). Miami would have home-court advantage vs. the Wizards but not against the Pacers. Still, I sense Indiana is the foe we hope for. Not sure I'm right, though. Hence, this poll! Vote and say why.

DOLPHINS/NFL PROJECTIONS FOR '15 DRAFT. NO, SERIOUSLY: Todd McShay has this up on ESPN.com today, because nobody told him how ridiculous it was and to not do it. His overall No. 1 pick is Southern Cal defensive lineman Leonard Williams, and he has a Florida DE, Dante Fowler, going fourth. Six -- six! -- FSU Seminoles are projected as first-rounders: QB Jameis "Crab Legs" Winston, 5th, to the Stinkin' Jets; DE Mario Edwards Jr. (pictured), 9th, to the Dolphins; CB P.J. Williams, 13th; WR Rashad Greene, 14th; OT Cameron Erving, 17th; and OG Tre Jackson, 26th. Two observations: 1. The Dolphins are seen drafting 9th after a 7-9 season (sigh). 2. The Hurricanes' 1R drought continues. Next week: McShay projects the 2037 draft. Miami's first pick will be wideout who'll be conceived in July in a Port-a-Potty during a Phish concert in Saratoga.

Jameis Winston surveillance video: I just saw the Publix surveillance video that show FSU QB Jameis Winston heisting crab legs. You can too by clicking here. Video via Leon County Sheriffs Department and Tallahassee.com. 

HEROIC CAT RESCUES BOY FROM DOG ATTACK: You may have heard of this, If you haven'g seen it yet, you need to. This is the Feline of the Year!

 

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G5: Heat 96, Brooklyn 94: Early Wade surge, late miracle rally carry Miami to East finals; plus Heat 3 Stars named, new Dolphins odds, Van Gundy & more

1) It is WEDNESDAY, MAY 14. In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): LeBron hits 49 in Heat-Nets Game 4, Jose Fernandez injury rocks Marlins, Dolphins draft vote. 2) Join us Twitter @gregcote.

Note to Blog Family: Civility, please? Respect? If your discourse slinks into racism or hate, this is the wrong blog for you. Please don't make me play Censor/Cop and ban people. Play nice!

Click on What Champions Do for my column from the arena off tonight's series-clinching Heat win.

G5: HEAT 96, BROOKLYN 94: MIRACLE RALLY LEADS MIAMI TO EAST FINALS: Do you believe in miracles? Well you do now, dammit. The Heat rallied from eight points down with less than three minutes left, rallied with a closing 14-3 run to eliminate Brooklyn 96-94, win this playoff series 4-1, and advance to the NBA's Eastern finals for the fourth straight year. Dwyane Wade (28 points) provided the early spark and LeBron James (29) was a bulldog, struggling on 6-of-14 shooting but bulling to the rim through tough, tough defense to earn 17 free throws. Ray Allen also came up huge again, when it mattered, hitting the late go-ahead three -- after he'd been 0-for-6 on 3's before then -- and knocking the ball from Joe Johnson's hand on the Nets' last-second possession. Watch for my column from the game, posting online soon. Original post: Miami's 3-1 second-round series lead after LeBron James' 49-point show in Brooklyn Monday means the Nets must win three games in a row, starting tonight here, to take this series.The odds of that happening are roughly akin to those of Donald Sterling launching a successful one-man show at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The Nets are done; I think it will end tonight as Miami moves on in the NBA playoffs to await the winner of the Indiana-Washington series now led 3-2 by the Pacers. The Heat are assured more rest than their next foe by winning tonight. The guess is that LeBron will take on a much lesser role offensively tonight and that Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh (or both) will have their chances for a 20-point night. Pictured: LeBron, with eyes on the prize. The first quarter may be telling tonight. It will indicate whether Brooklyn has fight left or has come to South Beach to lay down.

LeBron/NBA boycott? Threat = pressure: NBA Players Association vice president Roger Mason Jr., a former Heat sub, tells Showtime's Jim Rome in an interview airing tonight that NBA players including LeBron James have told him there will be a player boycott if the L.A. Clippers' Donald Sterling remains an NBA owner when next season begins. It is obvious posturing intended to galvanize and hurry along owners' intentions to oust Sterling. Predictably, dutifully, like a complicit partner, Your Friend the Media has played along with its "LeBron threatens boycott!" scare-headlines. 1) The issue is likely moot because Sterling likely will be gone before next season starts. 2) Even if he isn't, a boycott is extremely unlikely. (Update: LeBron today already began distancing himself from the boycott talk. He said before tonight's game, "A long discussion needs to be held. We'll see what happens.")

Heat Postseason MVP Standings (updated): We name 'Heat 3 Stars' after every playoff game and award points on 3-2-1 basis. Tonight: 1. Dwyane Wade; 2. LeBron James; 3. Ray Allen. Updated standings through nine games, including tonight: LeBron James 22 points, Dwyane Wade 12, Chris Bosh 9, Ray Allen 7, James Jones 2, Chris Andersen 1, Norris Cole 1.

LE BATARD FAILS TO MATCH DETROIT OFFER FOR VAN GUNDY: Stan Van Gundy has accepted a job as Pistons coach and president of basketball ops -- despite the job requiring him to live in or around Detroit. The 5-year, $35 million deal means SVG will be leaving his regular Wednesday radio co-host role on the Dan Le Batard Show. The show failed to keep Van Gundy when he turned down Le Batard's counteroffer of a raise to $100 per week, a free lifetime ESPN The Magazine subscription, limitless 790 The Ticket bumper stickers and a Highly Questionable T-shirt.    

DOLPHINS, NFL POST-DRAFT ODDS: On winning the Super Bowl, via Bovada, it's now Seahawks 6-1, Broncos 7-1, Patriots and 49ers both 15-2 and Packers 12-1, with Miami tied for 21st at 50-1. (Guess Ja'Wuan James has not lit up the wagering public). Offensive rookie picks are Mike Evans at 3-1, Sammy Watkins 4-1 and Johnny Manziel 15-2. Defensive rookie frontrunners are Jadeveon Clowney 2-1 and Khalil Mack 4-1. Michael Sam is expected to make the Rams' opening-day roster, at 2-1.

DYLAN COVERS SINATRA: Bob Dylan on his forthcoming album covers an old and somewhat obscure Frank Sinatra song, Full Moon & Empty Arms. Maybe it is not your flavor. It really isn't mine. But Sinatra was an American original and I'm a big Dylan fan and admirer, so for me it's worth a listen. Here it is:

 

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G2: Heat 101, Charlotte 97: LeBron's 32 lifts escape to 2-0 series lead; plus Arison's bravado, Heat's Game of Thrones, Jose Fernandez chases history & more

1) It is WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23. King Sport unleashes its 2014 schedule in an NFL Network show tonight. It's much ado about not much considering teams' opponents already are known, and tonight just attaches dates. 2) Record Store Day just passed. Support your local indie music shop. Long live vinyl! 3) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat-Charlotte preview and Game 1, Typepad issues hold blog hostage & more. 4) Join us on Twitter @gregcote.

Blog note about recent issues: You know how you never really stop to appreciate how good you feel until you're sick? I go forth with renewed appreciation for the simple act of being able to post in this blog whenever I wish. That was taken away for several recent days as Typepad fought denial-of-service cyber attacks. Thanks for the patience and understanding, all.

G2: HEAT 101, CHARLOTTE 97: NARROW ESCAPE AS LEBRON NETS 32: LeBron James' game-high 32 points lifted Miami tonight in a narrow escaoe for a 2-0 series lead. Chris Bosh had 20 including some clutch shots late. Dwyane Wade was off offensively (4-for-10 shooting, 15 points) but had a victory-sealing steal with 1.2 seconds left. A very hard foul against James by Josh McRoberts with just under a minute left was not called a flagrant but will be subject to league review and possible discipline. Maybe that play is what is needed to fire up the Heat, which has not shown its best or most intense effort these first two games of the postseason. ..... Game 2 Heat Players of the Game: 1. James, 2. Bosh, 3. Wade (edging the early spark of Mario Chalmers). ..... Original post: Tonight's Game 2 of the Heat-Charlotte first-round series is the 100th home playoff game in Heat history. (Hallmark make a card for that?) More important, it's likely to be the stage for Miami taking 2-0 series command following that 99-88 opening win on Sunday and before the series swings up to North Carolina for Game 3 Saturday night. Mario Chalmers (shin) is game-time decision for Miami tonight. More significantly, Bobcats star Al Jefferson (foot) says he'll play but surely will be limited. Charlotte is 13-4 following losses since mid-January, but a far weightier 17-game sample is that Miami has won 17 in a row over Charlotte including five this season. Dwyane Wade's continued progress will be a watch-point again tonight after an encouraging and efficient 23-point game in the opener. He referred to himself Tuesday as still "working my way back." It'll also be interesting to see if James Jones' heroics off the bench in Game 1 (12 points in 14 minutes) was a one-off thing or portends a steady rotation role.

Heat Postseason MVP Standings (through 1 game): Entering Game 2 tonight: Dwyane Wade 3 points; LeBron James 2; James Jones 1. (We name 'Heat 3 Stars' after every playoff game and award points on 3-2-1 basis).

HEAT OWNER SORT OF GUARANTEES RETURN OF BIG 3, ALMOST!: Well, he did. Sort of. Not that he can be sure, really. So this might be big news, or it might not be news at all. Welcome to Journalism 2014, where sometimes news can be a casual aside in a Tweet, and sometimes it can be Micky Arison, on ESPN Radio Monday, answering, "100 percent," when host Dan Le Batard asked the Heat's owner for a percentage likelihood "this thing stays together next season." (Dan didn't say what he was referring to, but all know This Thing meant the Big 3 era). Micky (pictured far right with Pat Riley) could have said "we're hopeful" or some other vaguary but he took Le Batard's bait with the one percentage that sounds like all but a guarantee. The one problem: Whatever Micky thinks in April is trumped by whatever LeBron James thinks and decides this summer. Clearly nothing about this is 100 percent, but I don't think Arison is far off in his optimism. If Miami wins a third straight NBA title it almost guarantees the Big 3 stays intact. If Miami falls short I think the likeliest scenario is that the Big 3 all extend for one more season with the option to test free agency in 2015. I'd put that likelihood at a solid, um, 78.4 percent.

Heat = Lannisters in NBA Game of Thrones: I don't watch HBO's Game of Thrones. But I know many do, and may enjoy this piece drawing parallels between the popular show and the 2014 NBA playoffs. Pat Riley is cast as Tywin Lannister and his team as the Lannisters, which must mean something to somebody.

 

Bobcats enlist Jesus, fail anyway: The Charlotte Bobcats, who ran like hell from the depravity of South Beach after their Game 1 loss, fell in the opener despite Jesus playing for the team. And on Easter no less! (I'm surprised this was not a bigger national story, and thanks to Twitter follower @mancard1 for pointing it out to me). Jesus, pictured right, scored 15 points in the 99-88 Miami win while playing under the earthly name "Josh McRoberts."

MARLINS POSITIVITY: Miami is 10-11 right now after Jose Fernandez's 14-strikeout gem last night, but only six teams in MLB have a better run-differential than the Marlins' plus-12. As for Fernandez's dominance, see The List directly below.

THE LIST: KID K, JOSE FERNANDEZ: Fernandez so far in his young career averages 10.307 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. The only two pitchers in history to average more are Randy Johnson (10.610) and Kerry Wood (10.317). How Fernandez ranks in strikeouts-per-inning vs. the eight pitchers with 500-plus career strikeouts for the Marlins:

Pitcher                K's-per-Inning    Strikeouts / Innings

Jose Fernandez       1.145             234 / 204.1

Josh Beckett            0.997             607 / 609.0

Josh Johnson          0.908             832 / 916.2

A.J. Burnett            0.882              753 / 853.2

Anibal Sanchez       0.851              676 / 794.1

Ryan Dempster       0.827             628 / 759.2

Ricky Nolasco         0.817             1001 / 1225.2

Dontrelle Willis       0.740              757 / 1022.2

Brad Penny             0.729             570 / 781.2

YES, MEBRAHTOM KEFLEZIGHI IS AN AMERICAN: The Boston Marathon ran in peace Monday one year after the terrorist bombings -- a triumph of American resolve and spirit -- and, fittingly, in the storybook style sports so often delivers, an American man won for the first time since 1983. The American is named Mebrahtom "Meb" Keflezighi, and you could almost hear a million Americans snorting, "What!? That's no American!" Well, Meb emigrated from his native Eritrea in 1987 at age 12. (I know. Eritrea sounds like the dog in Scooby Doo mispronouncing a word, but it's a small country in the horn of Africa). Anyway, Keflezighi is now 38, living and raising a family in San Diego, and a U.S. citizen. His is a very American story, and a particularly sweet one for this year's Boston race. Congrats, Mebster!

R.I.P., RUBIN (HURRICANE) CARTER, 1937-2014: He was the former middleweight boxer who was framed, wrongly convicted of murder and spent 19 years in prison before his conviction was overturned. He died this week in Toronto. His story was the subject of the Bob Dylan song, "Hurricane," which we offer below. This is not Dylan singing (sorry), but is briefer than the original, includes lyrics (some adult language) and well-represents the tale.

 

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Thu pm 4-10: Who is now Heat's main obstacle in East? Poll. Vote!; plus Kaepernick cop report, Dolphins draft, Hank Aaron, U.S. World Cup soccer vid & more

1) It is THURSDAY, APRIL 10. Quick question after watching Marlins blow a 5-0 lead at Nationals last night: What's the point of having a relief pitcher who isn't big on control or throwing strikes? Talkin' about you, Carlos Marmol. 2) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): NFL Draft/QB poll, Heat-Nets, UConn, Masters odds, Mickey Rooney, Bob Coy & more. 3) Follow on Twitter @gregcote.

Miami cops investigating Kaepernick: Miami police are investogating 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick for an alleged sexual assault. Backgrounder HERE. Police report HERE.

Dolphins' latest first-round projection: This via Todd McShay's Mock 4.0 today on ESPN.com: Miami at No. 19 drafts Virginia offensive tackle Morgan Moses. (There is a growing consensus that Notre Dame OT Zach Martin will be gone by 19 and it might take a trade-up to get him).

On Hank Aaron, 40 years later: This week is 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's career home run record. In today's latest column I reflect on how Aaron was a victim of the times -- then, and now. Click on The Real Home Run King to read. 

"Yes, that absolutely was a foul on LeBron James in the closing seconds the other night against Brooklyn. NBA officiating crew played by Three Blind Mice." --Greg Cote

NBA'S EASTERN LANDSCAPE SHIFTS, BUT HIERARCHY DOESN'T: Indiana was the hot pick to unseat champion Miami before the Pacers' recent fade. Brooklyn nominates itself as King-


slayer now with its newly minted 4-0 season record vs. the Heat. Chicago and Joakim Noah always seem to give Miami a tough time. (Toronto is pretty good, too). Point is, Miami could have a tough time from somebody getting to a fourth straight NBA Finals in search of a third straight title ... but from who? Click on Still Chasing Heat for my column off Tuesday's 88-87 home loss to Brooklyn preceding last night's loss at Memphis. I write how the East's landscape may shift, but the hierarchy has not. Now it's your turn. We asked this same poll question before the season, last September, and will be interested to compare results. Who, right now, looks Miami's toughest challenge in the Eastern Conference playoffs? Vote and say why.

DOLPHINS PRESEASON SCHEDULE: Kickoff times and most exact dates not out yet, but NFL and Dolphins announced the team's preseason exhibition schedule would be at Atlanta (wekend of Aug. 7-10), at Tampa Bay (Aug. 14-18), then home games vs. Dallas (Aug. 21-24) and St. Louis (Thursday, Aug. 28).

AWESOME U.S. WORLD CUP VIDEO: ESPN has a new promo for the summer World Cup in Brazil and it is entitled "American Outlaws," after a U.S. fan group. The name of the group and video is apt, because American soccer fans are sort of the outlaws of American sports, growing, but still cult-sized compared to football, basketball and baseball fans. There is also an element of "us against the world," given the enormous mass popularity of soccer elsewhere more than here. The video is awesome. Goosebumpy.

      

Poll result: UCF's Bortles is top QB in draft: We asked who among the three consensus first-round quarterbacks will go first in next month's NFL Draft (you may still vote), and it was 50.97 percent for UCF's Blake Bortles, 32.04% for Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, and 16.99% for Louisville's (and Miami's) Teddy Bridgewater.

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Tue pm 4-8: Who'll be first QB taken in NFL Draft? New poll. Vote now!; plus Heat tries to cut down Nets, Bob Coy, Mickey Rooney & more

It's Radio Tuesday!: I'm back in-studio today with the Dan Le Batard Show for my 18th national appearance. Airs 3-7 p.m. on 790 & 104.3 The Ticket, 4-7 on ESPN Radio. Ears welcome.

1) It is TUESDAY, APRIL 8. Click on Random Evidence for our latest Sunday notes-column package, leading with a week of heaven for basketball junkies. 2) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): UConn beats Kentucky, Zo talks Hall, Heat Drama Week, Ryan Williams injury & more. 3) Follow on Twitter @gregcote.

Betting odds for Tiger-less Masters: It's Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott co-faves at 10-1, then Phil Mickelson 12-1, Jason Day 14-1, Matt Kuchar 18-1 and Sergio Garcia 20-1. 

ONE MONTH FROM NFL DRAFT, WHICH QB GOES FIRST?: The first round of the NFL Draft is May 8, so let's start the one-month countdown with a poll question. Normally this would be Dolphins-related, like, what's the greatest need, but this year offensive line is such a no-brainer answer it's pointless to ask. The most interesting draft question, for me, is which of three 1R-stamped quarterbacks will be taken first, and when. Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater are pictured, left to right. There is great variance in the many mock drafts I've perused. Most but not all mocks have all three guys going in the top 10, and each has support as the likely first QB taken. What do you think? Take a dip in our poll (listing is alphabetical) and say why.

CUTTING DOWN THE (BROOKLYN) NETS: UConn just cut down the nets. Tonight it's the Heat's turn to cut down the Nets. Beating the Knicks Sunday got Miami's Drama Week off to a strong start, but this is a greater challenge. Brooklyn has been quite good (32-13) this calendar year, and is 3-0 this season against Miami. This also serves a preview of a possible-dare-say-likely second round playoff matchup. (Miami's supposed waltz into the Eastern finals may be tougher than many think). You know LeBron James and the Heat will bring their A-game tonight; question is whether they'll have their A-team available, especially Dwyane Wade, who could miss a seventh straight game with hamstring issues. I write about Wade's hobbled season in today's latest column; click Counting On Wade to read.

CUTTING DOWN THE (NCAA) NETS: I was happy last night the One & Done Kentucky Wildcats got their comeuppance and that the Won & Done UConn Huskies snipped nets after a 60-54 win. John Calipari runs an NBA factory, while Connecticut holds truer to what college sports are supposed to be about. Having said that, it was only a year ago that UConn was closer to You-Con, banned from the postseason for academic reasons. So it wasn't exactly a feel-good final. There was not a truly great team in it, and neither was there a classic Cinderella. Seventh-seed UConn was the highest seed to win it all since No. 8 Villanova in 1985, but both UConn and Kentucky had too much program pedigree to be true Cindys. Bottom line, the right result: Team 1, Individuals 0.

R.I.P., MICKEY ROONEY: Famed child star and entertainment legend Mickey Rooney passed away this week at 93, and here is a photo of Rooney taken on March 30, one week before he died. Rooney, seated, is flanked by fellow entertainment icons Dick Van Patten and Mel Brooks, at Santa Anita Park, the Los Angeles-area racetrack Rooney frequented. The picture is copyrighted by and courtesy of Benoit Photo.

ON BOB COY AND THE 'MEGACHURCH': Pastor Bob Coy (pictured) has resigned in disgrace from Fort Lauderdale's Calvary Chapel, a 20,000-member "megachurch," over a "moral failing" reported to include extramarital affairs. This reminds us that men of the clergy can be just as ethically bankrupt as the rest of us, and that anybody can throw on a robe and claim to speak for God. What interests me more about this story is the revelation that Calvary Chapel's assets are said to be around $135 million. Hmm. For me, the very idea of the "megachurch," the profiteering big business of of it, does more harm to the idea of religion than the occasional rogue infidel pastor. Of course, I may be wrong.

Poll result: You had NCAA final a razor's edge for Kentucky: We asked who'd win the NCAA Tournament men's championship and rarely have we had a closer blogpoll. It was 50.63 percent for Kentucky, 49.37% for Connecticut.

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Worst Super Bowl ever: Let me count the ways...

1) It is MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3. In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Smirk V, Hall of Fame, Pacers get Bynum, Jerry Seinfeld & more. 2) Follow us on Twitter @gregcote and also on Instagram, Vine and Facebook.

2015 Super Bowl odds: Never too early! Via Bovada, faves are Seahawks to repeat at 9-2, 49ers 15-2, Broncos 8-1, Patriots 14-1, Packers 16-1 and Saints 18-1. The Dolphins are 50-1, tied for 24th of 32 teams.

WORST SUPER BOWL EVER: LET ME COUNT THE WAYS: I had planned a special Super Bowl postgame poll, but what would be the point? I was going to ask how you rate this Super Bowl vs. other SBs based on the overall experience -- everything except the result. Would have asked you to consider the matchup and competitiveness of the game, the broadcast, halftime show, TV commercials, everything, then vote whether this was a better than average Super Bowl, average or below average. But, well, let's all just agree it was THE WORST SUPER BOWL EVER! Or at least close enough to not nitpick the difference between terrible and abysmal. Seattle's 43-8 rout of Denver had everything, or should I say nothing. Let me count the ways it sucked. 1) Not for a quarter or a series or a play or a second did the Broncos seem to be in the game. It was complete front-to-end domination. 2) The TV commercials sucked. Kept waiting for a classic or great one. The most memorable one to me was also the most depressing: Bob Dylan pimping Chryslers! Jesus. Deadhead Sticker On a Cadillac. The commercial itself was brilliant, but still. I know it wasn't his first commercial ever, but still again. 3) The halftime show (except perhaps to huge Bruno Mars fans) was not special. 4) The broadcast was ordinary. 5) The whole Super Bowl Sunday experience was a big disappointment, except for my gumbo! That was sublime. 

WHY I (FOOLISHLY) THOUGHT BRONCOS WOULD WIN: This is only the fifth Super Bowl of 48 that pits the No. 1 offense vs. the No. 1 defense in bottom-line terms of points scored and allowed — and only the second ever that is 1 vs. 1 based on yards gained and allowed. A very small sample size? Undeniably. But it is nonetheless worth noting that in those previous instances the teams that were No. 1 on the defensive side have been 4-1 on Super Sunday. That’s in case you don’t give Seattle much of a shot here (you should). Or in case you like Denver easily (you shouldn’t). So history props up the chances of Richard Sherman’s Seahawks defense prevailing. Here’s how great Seattle’s D is: Sherman might not even be the best player in his own backfield; Earl Thomas might be. Then again, there has never — ever — been an offense that scores more than Peyton Manning’s record-setting Broncos. Seattle has never had more to defend, all at once. The game could swing on which team handles the elements better. Peyton famously is only 4-7 when the kickoff temp is below 40, which it surely is likely to be Sunday evening in the Jersey swamp. All of this makes Seattle a trendy (and tempting) upset pick. But the real question is simply this: How much do you trust Peyton Manning? How much do you believe in him? Him against maybe the best defense he has ever faced. Him against the bitter cold. Him against the pressure of the stage and all the “legacy” talk. And the answer is, I trust him. It is Peyton’s time. His year. His season. His Sunday. Broncos, 24-20.

A personal note: Fox-TV revealed today that Terry Bradshaw would miss the game because of the death of his father. The lead to my Saturday "Super Bowl With a Smirk" notes column poked fun at Bradshaw, written obviously before the news of his situation. Condolences to the Bradshaw family.

WHY THE HALL OF FAME VOTE SUCKED: This was a weak class for Pro Football Hall of Fame voters to consider. No Jerry Rice/Barry Sanders-type legends in the crowd. Nothing close. In electing seven men last night, it's as if voters sough to make up for the lack of quality with quanitity. Seven was a generous number. But, curiously, one man who clearly, should have gotten in, receiver Marvin Harrison, did not. Andre Reed did, and he had 951 catches for 13,198 yards and 87 touchdowns. Harrison had 1,102 catches for 14,580 yards and 128 TDs. But Reed will wear the ugly yellow jacket while Harrison waits. Explain, please? My readers are smarter than Hall voters. In our Canton poll in the previous blogpost you all had Harrison No. 1 with 12.6 percent of the vote. Your next four highest vote-getters all got in: Derrick Brooks (11.4%), Michael Strahan (11.2%), Ray Guy (9.4%) and Reed (7.5%).

THE LINK BOWL: Here are the links to our Super Bowl-related stuff from throughout the week: Miami: Super Bowl City: We have hosted or played in more of these games than any other city, and there's plenty of Miami in today's game, too. Click Super Bowl City for today's 1A column. SB preview and prediction: Broncos-Seahawks looks like a classic matchup. Click on Preview Column and on Super Bowl Gem for the full predix capsule. Random Evidence: Click Random Evidence for today's Sunday notes column, leading with (of course) Peyton Manning and the Super Bowl. Super Bowl With a Smirk notes columns: Smirk V, Smirk IV, Smirk III, Smirk II, Smirk I, SB Top 10 Storylines.

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