[Join us at Twitter.com/gregcote. Hey sorry we missed our online chat Wednesday. Thought I'd be back in time from interviewing Tiger Woods but was not].
IT'S STILL EARLY TO PORTRAY HEAT AT CROSSROADS, IN CROSSHAIRS: Kobe and his smokin'-hot Lakers in town to face a Heat squad that has dissolved to five straight losses. Time for what we haven't seen or heard much of: moderation. Even a sixth straight loss won't mean the sky is falling. Neither will a win mean everything is great again. I'm glad that Chris Bosh is barking for a bigger offensive role because that could be one of the ways out. The bottom line is, judge this team by how it does in the playoffs. I thought that at 9-8. I think that now. Too many in the media are knee-jerking. Handy example: Jason Whitlock of Foxsports.com writes that Erik Spoelstra should be fired, right now, and replaced by old Larry Brown. Whitlock concludes his column with, "The Big 3 will outlive Erik Spoelstra, but not by much." So let me get this straight. What the Heat has built should be stamped a failure and exploded and Season 1 isn't even to the playoffs yet? Breathe deeply, please. Exhale slowly. Repeat. The playoffs are when everything about this team -- coaching, players and plan -- should be judged. Not now. Not even if the Lakers walk out of here happy and it's the Heat and their fans who feel like crying.
TIGER BRINGS HIS COMEBACK TOUR TO DORAL: Tiger Woods' latest attempt to revive his game (as well as mend his name) comes in this week's WGC event at Doral's Blue Monster. In my latest column, online and in Thursday's pulp edition, I explore the similarities in Woods' struggles and the Heat's, and Tiger's image-hit to LeBron's. Click on Tiger Feels The Heat to read. I also suggest fans are ready to embrace Woods again and cheer his comeback -- although you'll tell me, in the poll below, how right or wrong I am about that.
KIPER'S LATEST MOCK: INGRAM TO MIAMI, HANK TO PATS: Mel Kiper's latest NFL mock draft for ESPN sticks with Alabama RB Mark Ingram going 15th overall to the Dolphins, and it's hard to disagree. Other notables: 1st--Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert to Carolina; 4th--Auburn QB Cam Newton to Cincy; 19th--Florida G/C Mike Pouncey to Giants; 25th--Washington QB Jake Locker to Seattle; and 28th--Canes WR Leonard Hankerson to New England.
BETTING ODDS SAY TIKI NOT OUT OF QUESTION FOR DOLPHINS: Hey I don't make this s--- up, folks. Bodog.com has Miami a reasonable 15-2 longshot to sign unretired RB Tiki Barber. The only teams seen as more likely are Bucs 2-1, Broncos 5-2, Saints 3-1 and Redskins 5-1. I'm doubting Tiki here but if it did happen it could affect that NO. 15 first-round pick, of course.
BRIEF VACATION NEWS: You get a short break from me. Wife and I are meeting another couple in San Antonio for a long weekend. It's OK, though. My 23- and 19-year-old sons are watching the house so I'm not worried. Wait. I think that's why I am worried. Last time I did this I came home to find vague indications of mass partying, such as a mountain of spent cardboard beer boxes about the size of one of the Great Pyramids. I'll be back writing and blogging on Monday.
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