According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel blogger - Omar Kelly,things got a little testy during mini camp practice this afternoon;a squabble broke out among the Big Fish!
When it comes to sports, especially football, practices usually get and keep players on edge. But considering today's practice was no-contact, some believe the NFL may investigate today's incident, and 'put-the-smack-down' on the four linemen, who could easily blame their heightened passion(s) on the Miami Heat's explosive performance during the 2K12 NBA finals...or not.
But league involvement, and possible disciplinary action(s), isn't head coach - Joe Philbin's primary concern; he dislikes what this all means for players' who are unable to control their emotions, not only in practice, but moreover during [actual] game situations.
"You have to be able to keep your poise and play. It’s great to be tough, it’s great to be physical. . . . It’s 15 yards, loss of down, clock, all those things. So yeah, there was good competitiveness, but you’ve got to be smart."-Coach Philbin
For those who've played the gridiron game, a lil' extra pushin'-n-shovin' is a harmless and inevitable occurrence.
The NFL and Coach Philbin make an excellent point, however. Poor practice habits ultimately makes for bad business on the field. Maybe the Dolphins are just getting caught-up with all the hype in Miami, and their new celebrity -- Hard Knocks -- status on HBO. Hit em up!
This year's NBA 'b-ball' finals, between theMiami HeatandOklahoma City Thunder, is allball-n-swagg, baby!Finallythe game 'b-ball' fans have been longing to see, a battle of young NBA greats and future champions will feature, arguably, the game's best two talents:
Lebron JamesandKevin Durant!
While some odds and prediction makers seem eager to give Miami the nod in a seven game series, it might be a mistake to count OKC, the underdogs, out so soon and so easily.
The Big3 in Miami -- King James, D. Wade and Bosh -- may be too hot to handle for the Boston Celtics, but getting into the paint won't be an acceptable proposition for the lengthy-likes of Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and a defiant Kendrick Perkins.
If OKC can keep, either, King James or D. Wade out of the box, forcing them to take perimeter shots, Oklahoma will likely earn their first NBA title.
Considering Chris Bosh is just getting back to business, helping Miami advance to the finals with a solid performance against Boston in game seven, it's too soon to expect CB to remain healthy, as the series against the Thunder becomes more turbulent and physically challenging.
The Thunder are a tight crew of young, hungry, athletic, fast, and way-too-talented bunch to be intimidated by Miami's brand of heat-game. No doubt, Batman and Robin (James and Wade) and the rest of the Heat can put-it-down with great athleticism and skill, too, but the bulk of Miami's "heat" is generated by these two heroic stars.
If just one of them, Bosh, James or Wade, isn't on-point throughout a series of fast-breaks served-up by OKC's thunder & lightening speed, the Heat's dynamic duo, along with their starting center, may just have to settle for champions of NBA-swagg-fashion.
And the 'X' factor no one seems to notice, except Oklahoma's coaching staff; the veteran leadership, experience, game I.Q., and poise of 5-Time NBA champ, Derek Fisher (aka: D-Fish), who is just as determined to help his team earn [the] bling...and sport another NBA Championship ring on his 6th finger.
Had it not been for Fisher's, "as usual", clutch play and court leadership, during an entire 4th quarter of game seven against the Spurs, the inexperienced Thunder were looking to self-destruct and possibly see another opportunity to be known as Kings of The Court, slip through their fingers.
Against a Miami offense fully heated and healthy, mental toughness and focus, fueled by a will-to-win and 'gotta-get-mine' attitude, must be OKC's most potent invisible weapon against the 'zone' factor, or rhythm & flowof [the] D. Wade-King James connection.
Perhaps their "connection" will be disco'd by OKC's "quiet storm", represented by two young bolts of lightening:
Russell Westbrook and James Harden
Hands down, Miami getsBallerswagg'snod for Team with Most Swagg, but OKC...them boys look like they want it more, andcould care less about swagg; they want that title. But to get it, they will have to take it fromKing JamesandPrince Wade-- who probably assume they deserve it more. Square Biz, Ballerswagg will be in the buildin'!
'Deez-am', Ron! Just when we all thoughtMetta World Peacewas finally on the road to non-violent court conduct, L.A. Lakers forward - [Ron Artest] showed up in the second quarter of a double over time defeat of the Oklahoma City Thunder. After completing a critical [dunk] play, Artest 'gives-it' to Thunder's shooting guard -James Harden, causing Harden to suffer a concussion -- boo!
As a result of Ron's (no dis', Metta, but we gotta call you Ron Artest when it's like that) shockingly violent flagrant foul, intentional or not, apology or not, and violation of league conduct rules -- he has earned a seven game suspension.
NBA Commissioner -David Sternsaid regarding the unfortunate incident, "The concussion suffered by James Harden demonstrates the danger posed
by violent acts of this kind, particularly when they are directed at the
head area."He also stated, "We remain committed to taking necessary measures to protect the safety
of NBA players, including the imposition of appropriate penalties for
players with a history of on-court altercations."
Unfortunately for Artest and the Lakers, missing seven games of hustle, muscle rebounding, and dunking and stealing balls will be hard to replace, but the Lakers have shown a knack for adjusting to difficult situations. This is one tight jam, though, that is no doubt a concern for Laker management.
"Metta has for the most part been a model citizen both on and off the court since joining the Lakers. Still,
his most recent lapse in judgment is not to be condoned or accepted.
His actions could have seriously injured another player, and his absence
during this suspension will hurt our team, as well. While we accept the
league's decision, we will be supportive of Metta and try to help him
be more professional on the court."-Mitch Kupchak
While fans appreciate Metta's passionate style of 'b-ball'swagg, they don't want to see cats take shots, especially to the 'dome', that could seriously hurt or fatally wound players. Considering Metta's apology to his teammates, the league, fans and Harden, no doubt, if he could do it all over again, just after dunkin' overKevin Durant, 'MWP' would have pounded his chest (all good), then headed down court to 'D-Up' without incident.
