Sports Buzz

Notes, quotes, postscripts from Heat's Game 4 romp

Postscripts on the Heat’s 88-65 Game 4 thumping of the Bulls, which left Miami with a 3-1 lead in this playoff series heading back to SoFlo for Game 5 at 7 p.m. Wednesday:

### How abysmal was Chicago’s offense? The Bulls set franchise records for fewest points and lowest shooting percentage (25.7)…. Chicago shot 2 for 17 on threes…. The Bulls’ nine third quarter points were their fewest in franchise history….

Nate Robinson --- looking nothing like the player who scored 27 points in the opener -- went scoreless and shot 0 for 12 from the field. By the way, the worst 0-for in a playoff game was 0 for 14 by two players, most recently Dennis Johnson in 1978. (Second-worst: Ray Allen, who was 0 for 13 in a 2010 Finals game vs. the Lakers.) So Robinson avoided that ignominious distinction. But this is a player who historically can shoot you in or out of games….

Meanwhile, Carlos Boozer (14 points) shot 3 for 14, Joakim Noah 1 for 6. Richard Hamilton, taken out of mothballs with Marco Belinelli in foul trouble, shot 4 for 11…. The Bulls barely had more field goals (19) than turnovers (17)…. Chicago’s only lead of the night? 2-0.

“You’ve got give them credit – they’re a great defensive team,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Nate is a tough guy. He’ll bounce back. He’s a shot maker. You’ve got to make shots against these guys.”

### The Bulls’ point total and shooting percentage weren’t opponent Heat playoff lows. New Orleans holds those marks (63, 24.1 percent) in a 2004 playoff game against Miami.

### LeBron James’ final numbers were typical for him: 27 points (9 for 20 shooting), 7 rebounds, 8 assists.

“He has great feel for what we need, and he felt we needed a strong start and a good burst,” Erik Spoelstra said. “He reads the game as well as anybody in this league.”

### The Heat wasn’t gloating about Robinson’s nightmarish game, which also included four turnovers. “He’s a tough guy to trap,” Spoelstra said. “You don’t know which way he’s going to go. Finally, we had a handful of timely traps on him.”

James’ take on the defense on Robinson: “We’re lucky enough to have Norris Cole, who has strength, quickness and speed.” And Mario Chalmers’ defense has been significantly better since the opener of the series.

### Robinson, on his forgettable night: “You make half [my] shots, we’re in the game. You have games like that where you can’t make a shot. We work on our shots so much. For them not to fall in a game that means so much, it sucks.”

### Chris Bosh again played well, with 14 points (7 for 10 shooting) and six rebounds, plus four blocks.

“He’s giving us what we need,” Spoelstra said. “This series is not about trying to get your averages. You can throw your averages out the window. He’s been aggressive for giving us that presence at the rim. Rebounding, shot blocking, changing shots.”

Bosh said other players have to be assertive because "Dwyane [Wade] is having a tough time getting in the flow of some of the games. Anytime you have a guy that's not 100 percent you have to give more effort."

### Bosh confirmed his wife tweet's that they are having another child. "We've known for a while," Bosh said. "We're very excited. [Timing] is never ever perfect. As long as the woman's happy."

### Already nursing a bruised right knee that has required extensive treatment the past two days, Dwyane Wade left briefly in the second quarter after banging that same knee with Jimmy Butler’s knee. He again had a quiet night offensively with 6 points (3 for 10 shooting).

Wade said the Butler collision caused "shooting pain." He said of the injury: "sometimes it feels good, sometimes it doesn't."

Asked if it would help if he rested Wednesday, when the Heat can close out this series, Wade said: "Nah."

“He’ll fight through it,” Spoelstra said. “He’s giving us everything he got. I know everybody is looking at how many shots he’s getting, how many points he scores. The whole point is help us win and he’s doing it."

Wade didn't get to the free throw line for the second time in this series. In games in which Wade appeared during the regular season, there wasn't a single game in which he didn't attempt a free throw.

But he had three rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block. “He’s creating a lot of good things for us defensively, competing. Offensively, he’s making the right plays," Spoelstra said. "Often times, that’s to throw it back and let the ball keep moving. He’ll continue to get in better rhythm.”

Said LeBron: "We know D-Wade is battling a knee injury. He's nowhere near 100 percent."

### TNT's Charles Barkley had to get in a shot at Wade halftime, saying: "I tried to tell you [a few months ago] he's not the same guy." Shaq responded: "Leave him alone!"

Someone needs to tell Barkley that Wade this year joined Michael Jordan, Monta Ellis, Andrew Toney and Rolando Blackman as the only shooting guards in the past 30 years to average at least 20 points while shooting at least 52 percent in a season.

### Joakim Noah’s take: “We’re disappointed with the way we played. We know we can compete with this team. We can’t put our heads down. We’ve got a lot left in the tank. It’s exciting to play against the best. They put a lot of pressure on us with their defense. They execute very well.”

### Miami closed the third quarter with a 15-3 run to drain any drama out of this one. That run included threes from Shane Battier and Ray Allen. That was Battier’s only basket in six attempts.

### Meaningless stat of the night: The Bulls outrebounded the Heat, 46-36, after Miami won the battle of the boards the previous two games.

### A more meaningful number: The Heat is 44-3 over its past 47 games. And the Heat has won 22 of its past 23 on the road, including 4-0 in the playoffs away from home. 

UM adds a QB; Tannehill loves his new weapons, speaks of his improvement;Fins, Heat, Marlins chatter

Quick Monday update: West Hills Chaminade (Cal.) three-star quarterback Brad Kaaya orally committed to UM today, choosing the Canes over San Diego state. He's the second QB oral commitment in this UM class, but it's not certain if the other (Hialeah's Alin Edouard) will be part of this class.

Kaaya is rated the 19th-best pro style quarterback prospect by rivals.com.

UM offensive coordinator James Coley called Hialeah coach Mark Berman this morning to tell him the offer to Edouard still stands. Berman said Coley and Edouard will talk soon, perhaps this week. Edouard wants to make sure UM still really wants him; he said he has doubts because UM coaches haven't reach out to him.

"If there's a logjam of quarterbacks and he doesn't have the opportunity to compete," then he might need to go elsewhere, Berman said. Edouard remains an oral commitment,but he is listening to other schools just to protect himself.

Eduouard was recruited to UM primarily by Mario Cristobal, who then left for Alabama.

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SUNDAY BUZZ COLUMN  

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill will look you in the eye and tell you that “last year wasn’t good enough,” that he simply must improve his completion percentage (23rd in the league) and third-down performance (30th).

But there is so much encouragement in his voice now, optimism rooted in the personal growth he expects from studying “every one of my [rookie] snaps more than once” during the past two months, from identifying his shortcomings and correcting them, and from the shiny new toys general manager Jeff Ireland has given him.

Quick story: Receiver Mike Wallace was running routes recently when Tannehill – impressed by his blazing speed  - told him he should go only half speed.

“I am going half speed,” Wallace responded, according to Tannehill.

“Everything I heard about him coming in has proved to be true – he’s as advertised,” Tannehill said. “He’s the fastest guy I’ve ever thrown to. It’s exciting.”

Tannehill’s rookie metrics offer promising signs about his ability to hit Wallace on deep routes.

Consider: According to ProFootballFocus.com, Tannehill completed 43.1 percent of passes thrown 20 yards or more, which was seventh best in the league,  trailing only Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan.

The caveat is only 10.5 percent of his passes were so-called deep passes – compared with 17.3 for Joe Flacco and 16.3 for Wilson. Among starters, only Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matt Schaub threw a lower percentage of deep balls among all their attempts. But with Wallace on board, those deep throws will increase.

And what about his other new receiver, Brandon Gibson?

“I really like Brandon,” Tannehill said. “He moves well. He’s a really natural pass catcher, catches with his hands [not his body]. Smooth in and out of routes. I’m excited we got him. And he really understands, so that you’re able to make a correction the first time and not worry about it again.”

So what did Tannehill notice from studying every one of his rookie snaps?

“There were a lot of throws where my feet were not set, fundamentally not sound, and the ball isn’t as accurate as you want it to be,” he said. “You look at the reasons for that and I hope to correct it, so it’s not an issue going forward.”

There’s no sugarcoating this: His 65.3 rating on third down was lowest among qualifying quarterbacks – a number driven down by seven interceptions. He said that must improve.

He also expects more of himself in the red zone, where Miami scored touchdowns on 55.3 percent of its trips. That was 13th best, but well behind the Patriots’ 70 percent.

But there are some encouraging under-the-radar numbers:

### Tannehill ranked seventh in completion percentage when under pressure, at 50.8.

### Pro Football Focus said that if you take away drops, spikes, batted passes and throwaways for all NFL quarterbacks, Tannehill had a 72.1 accuracy percentage – 13th in the league and well ahead of Eli Manning, Flacco and Andrew Luck, among others. Keep in mind Tannehill had 36 passes dropped (11th most) and 13 batted down (tied for fifth most).

“This young man will be the most improved quarterback in the NFL from year one to year two this year,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman told WINZ-940. “I promise you that.”

Teammates rave about how he ran off-season voluntary workouts.

“He’s becoming a leader,” receiver Brian Tyms said. “He would take us into the bubble [throughout March], for an hour and a half or so every day, and we would go through our route tree. He works like hasn’t made it yet.”

CHATTER

### Amid the disappointment of the stadium setback, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross tells us he has received no inquiries to sell the team and has “no interest in selling.” If he changes his mind, a group led by Panthers minority owner Jordan Zimmerman, who owns one of the nation’s largest ad agencies, remains very interested, according to an associate.

### After Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford helped torpedo the Dolphins stadium bill by not allowing the House to vote on it, ProFootballTalk.com speculated that Weatherford has statewide political aspirations and stadium opponent Norman Braman may have promised to assist him.

We asked Braman if he offered such assistance, and he declined to answer, saying it’s “over and done” and that commissioner Roger Goodell’s belief that the stadium needs major upgrades “is nonsense. The stadium is not third rate.”

### The Dolphins were very impressed by how rookie rookie cornerbacks Jamar Taylor and Will Davis looked in rookie minicamp. One source said they appeared more polished than Vontae Davis and Sean Smith in their first minicamps.

### One of the amazing things about Norris Cole’s three-point growth (28 for his past 47, including 8 for
his past 8) is this: Before this run, he was a 32 percent three-point shooter at Cleveland State and began
his NBA career 31 for 152 on threes (20 percent).

“I get up 500 shots a day, from everywhere,” he said, noting that several opposing players and coaches have gone out of their way to approach him this season to compliment him for his overall improvement. Cole does some of his shooting late at night, going back to the gym with his shooting coach, when nobody is around.

### Though Bulls guard Derrick Rose has said he’s not ready to play, you couldn’t tell from his vigorous pregame workout before Game 2, when he drove hard for reverse layups, then swished eight three-pointers in a row from different spots on the floor before missing a few. Rose enjoyed the South Florida trip, anyway, securing a private room at Prime 112 to dine and watch the Oklahoma City game with his family.

### UM, which already has an oral commitment from Hialeah High’s three-star Alin Edouard, also has made offers to several other quarterbacks. Mobile, Ala.-based two-star quarterback Malik Rosier – who ran for 12 touchdowns and threw for 20 last season - told Canesport.com there’s a good chance he will accept UM’s offer over Arkansas State, Southern Mississippi and others.

And California-based Brad Kaaya, rivals.com ’s 19th-best pro style quarterback who has been compared to former FSU starter E.J. Manuel, said UM is “far ahead” of San Diego State and other suitors.

### UM coach Jim Larranaga, who has been speaking to NBA general managers about his five departing players, expects Shane Larkin to be a first-round pick in the draft --- and possibly a lottery-pick (top 14) -- and Kenny Kadji to be a second-rounder. Larranaga also has been getting questions about Reggie Johnson (who needs to lose more weight) and Durand Scott (who needs to prove to teams he can consistently hit three-pointers).

### Marlins players like how manager Mike Redmond has handled the team, including the fact that he hasn’t loudly admonished them at all. “Everything has been positive,” reliever Mike Dunn said. “He hasn’t yelled. He’s not going to embarrass a guy. He talks to guys individually. He has everyone’s back.”

Redmond said there’s no need to yell “because I’ve been so happy with guys’ effort and attitude.”

### I’m on Twitter now: @flasportsbuzz 

Heat-Bulls Game 3 postscripts

Postscripts from the Heat’s 104-94 Game 3 playoff win against Chicago: 

### Chris Bosh was terrific with 20 points and 19 rebounds. "It was important," Erik Spoelstra said. "He knows he has to anchor the paint for us and do it in a lot of different ways."

Bosh said: "When I got here, my biggest problem was I was trying to force everything. After a while, I feel I have to start making some strides and being a lot better. I can't talk about it. I have to show up in these games and do my job."

### Splendid finish by LeBron James, who shook off a tough shooting night to score 12 of his 25 in the fourth. He closed only 6 of 17 from the field but 11 for 11 from the line. "I wasn't shooting like I did all year," he said. "To have seven assists to one turnover shows I'm playing good basketball."

LeBron probably relied a bit too much on his jumper early, “but he certainly bailed us out with the big time three” late, as Spoelstra noted.

LeBron said Bosh "and Norris Cole were the reason we won the game."

### Smart move by Spoelstra to play Cole and not Mario Chalmers in crunch time. Cole had 18 points for the second consecutive game, meaning in the past two games, he has topped his scoring output for the entire postseason last year (36 to 34). And he’s 8 for 8 on three-pointers in this series.

Cole says his shooting has improved because of “the constant reps.” He said he takes shots with his shooting coach late at night. “Being balanced and shooting the same shot over and over” has been the key.

### Odd plus/minus number of the night: The Heat outscored the Bulls by a game-high 17 when Ray Allen was on the floor, even though Allen shot 0 for 5 on threes and finished with just four points. Allen, who usually plays every minute of crunch time, was replaced for a short time by Shane Battier late before Battier fouled out.

### The Heat’s bench outscored Chicago’s 36-8. That was huge. And Chicago lost some of its depth when Nazr Mohammed was ejected for pushing James.  Spoelstra called Mohammed’s ejection “inconsequential.” 

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said: "I saw a guy basically flop. I don't think it warranted an ejection." LeBron chose not to challenge Thibodeau's comment.

At least one Bulls player also suggested LeBron flopped.

"You can see LeBron in a lot of commercials," Nate Robinson said. "He's a good actor."

Mohammed's reaction? "You can't push a guy down. I was wrong. But to get kicked out, I don't get that."

### James said the series "has not been dirty." James said would never put himself at risk of being ejected because of his value to the team. "I'm too cool, my mind is in another place [to get kicked out]. If I get kicked out and Nzar Mohammed gets kicked out, they win. I ain't even going there."

### Bosh averaged fewer than six rebounds in his first six games against the Bulls this season before grabbing 19 tonight.

Spoelstra: “He has to be big for us and be a presence at the rim. He committed to do that tonight.”

Bosh also had two blocks and a steal. "We knew being at home they were going to be more aggressive, passionate and intense," he said.

"We did a good job of focusing on the game. The refs will call the game the way they see it. You can't win a championship playing pretty and shiny. You have to get on the floor. Just because we have moved to a more free-flowing offense doesn't mean we're a run and gun team. We can't worry about the perception of the team."

### Dwyane Wade attempted just one shot in the first half, but Spoelstra wisely called for him to get the ball in the post several times in the third quarter. He shot only seven times, making five on a 10-point night.

### The Heat outrebounded Chicago for a second consecutive game, this time by a 39-37 margin.

### Spoelstra: “Nothing is going to be easy in this series. We didn't play particularly well. We have to commit to play better. We’re going to need to play better.”

Of the physicality in the series, Spoelstra said: “I don’t think it’s over the top. It’s just physical basketball.”

### Carlos Boozer: “I don’t know if we were worn down. We have to close out quarters better.”

Media column: Dr. Jack needs medical treatment, says career likely over; Heat notes

FRIDAY MEDIA COLUMN

Former Heat broadcaster Jack Ramsay, a Hall of Fame coach and one of the most popular announcers in South Florida history, said he needs to begin immediate medical treatment and his broadcasting career is likely over.

Ramsay, 88, declined to discuss the nature of his medical condition. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999 and received treatment, several years ago, for melanomas “all over my body.”

Ramsay said Thursday that the looming treatment will prevent him from working the remainder of the NBA playoffs, including The Finals, for ESPN Radio. He had been scheduled to announce Game 3 of the Heat-Bulls series on Friday. And he said he’s not planning to do broadcast work next season, barring a change of heart.

“I’m going back to Naples and will start the treatment on Monday there,” Ramsay said by phone Thursday. “I have a specific time period where I must have this and cannot do it if I’m traveling around. I’ll miss doing the broadcasts.”

Of his spirits, he said, “I’m fine. I’ve been through all this many times.”

Even before learning this week that he needs treatment, Ramsay said this season very likely would be his last in the booth.

“I’m not enjoying it like I used to, and travel is difficult,” he said. “Before this season, I did the games mostly with Jim Durham, and then he passed away after the first game this season.

“I enjoyed working with him, which is why I extended my [stay with ESPN]. I will miss the association with the players and coaches. It has been a great ride.”  

Affectionately known as “Dr. Jack,” Ramsay --- who has a doctorate degree in education from Pennsylvania -- has distinguished himself throughout his life: for his class and integrity; for his coaching --- he guided the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA title and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 – and finally, for his substantive, authoritative analysis as a broadcaster.

He has announced games since retiring as a coach early in the 1998-89 season and worked as the Heat’s TV analyst from 1992 through 2000.

Ramsay endeared himself to Heat fans not only with his cogent commentary but also his playful expressions, such as “Slamma!” after dunks and “Lenard!” after big baskets by former Heat guard Voshon Lenard.

Ramsay and Hubie Brown worked as co-analysts on last year’s Finals broadcasts on ESPN Radio. ESPN hasn’t named a replacement, but Chris Mullin will fill in Friday.

AROUND THE DIAL

### ABC will end up airing only one Heat game before the NBA Finals (Game 4 of the Milwaukee series), but that’s partly because of factors beyond ABC’s control. ESPN/ABC said the networks did not ask the league to schedule Game 3 of Heat-Bulls on Saturday night, when ABC has a prime-time window.

That’s because ABC is content airing Knicks-Pacers on Saturday night, and ESPN is pleased to get Game 3 of Heat-Bulls on Friday.

ABC would have preferred Game 4 of Heat-Bulls on Sunday -- instead of Spurs-Warriors -- but the Heat game was scheduled for Monday instead because of a potential NHL conflict in the United Center on Sunday. Meanwhile, TNT gets the entire Eastern Conference Finals this season.

### Heat ratings keep soaring, with Game 1 of the Bulls series generating an 18.2 in Dade/Broward homes and Game 2 a 19.5 (317,000 homes). Both ratings are well ahead of the 13.5 for the Dolphins’ opener against the Texans last season.

### Among the winners at this week’s Sports Emmys: NBC’s Bob Costas (studio host), NBC’s Al Michaels (play-by-play), TNT’s Charles Barkley (studio analyst) and NBC’s Cris Collinsworth (game analyst).

### More migration of sports to cable: CBS this week announced that TBS will carry the Final Four’s two national semifinal games in 2014 and 2015, with CBS airing the championship game both years. But in 2016 and every other year through 2024, TBS will carry all three games of the Final Four.

### The Atlantic Coast Conference is exploring the launch of its own TV network.

### ESPN president John Skipper predicts “in the future, you’re going to be able to see every game your school plays” – partly through ESPN3’s broadband service.

### Fox Sports 1, a new all-sports network that is currently operating as Speed Channel on many cable systems, has set Aug. 17 for its launch, with programming including studio shows, college sports, auto racing, soccer and Major League Baseball, among other fare.

“We’ve got a long head start,” Skipper said of other sports networks challenging ESPN. “We’ve never minded competition.”

### Skipper told us he wants more women in the booth for men’s events. Beth Mowins calls college football and Doris Burke routinely works as an analyst on NBA and men’s NCAA games.  

### Bomani Jones, who has a weekly stint on Dan Le Batard's 790 The Ticket radio show, tweeted that he's moving to Miami and will appear daily on Le Batard's weekday ESPN show. Jones also will do writing and other TV work for ESPN.

### I'm on Twitter now at @flasportsbuzz

Thursday 5 p.m. Heat report: News, notes, quotes from Heat, Bulls practices

Two Thursday afternoon Heat stories:

Heat players and coaches departed Thursday on their most important business trip since last June.

And it took no space in the overhead bins for one of the most important things they say they must take with them to Chicago: the assertive, physical, impose-our-will mentality that set the tone in the Game 2 thumping of the Bulls that evened this series at one win apiece.

“I would like to think our game travels,” guard Dwyane Wade said Thursday. “We’re not a team that played one way at home, one way on the road. We played consistent. They did their job. They took home court from us. We’ve got to go up there and try to get it back.”

Center Chris Bosh said the effort the Heat mustered in Wednesday’s 37-point win might not even be enough in Game 3: “We’ve got to turn it up a lot more. They have something to prove now.”

Coach Erik Spoelstra reminded his players that “we’re still in the hole. It doesn’t matter how much we won by [in Game 2]. It doesn’t change the fact we lost the home court.”

The Heat will need to do it at the raucous United Center, where it suffered its only loss in its past 21 road games: a 101-97 setback in late March, a defeat that ended Miami’s 27-game winning streak.

But this was also the same arena where the Heat closed out the Bulls in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, and where Miami routed them, 86-67, on Feb. 21 this season.

“I love those atmospheres,” LeBron James said. “It’s a madhouse. Great crowd.”

Wade, a Chicago native, agreed but said: “We’re able to deal with more things [now] because we have dealt with some things individuals or teams haven’t dealt with in professional sports. We’ve had rattled moments, but we feel like we bounce back quickly.”

How do teams on the losing end of blowouts typically respond in the playoffs? According to Elias, 18 teams have lost a non-elimination playoff game by 37 points or more. Those teams are 7-11 in the next game.

Paramount for the Heat Friday is maintaining the same maniacal defensive intensity and not playing passively on offense.

In Game 2, the Heat amassed the most lopsided advantage in paint points (56-18) of any team in the past 17 NBA postseasons.

Some of those punctuated fast breaks, but also consider this: The Heat had 33 drives to the basket on half court plays, and shot 68 percent on those shots, according to ESPN. Only five times during the regular season did Miami score more paint points than it did Wednesday.

The Heat shot 28 for 34 in the paint --- remarkable productivity against a Bulls defense that excels at obstructing opponents’ forays to the basket.

And it also helped that the Heat made 9 of 18 three-pointers after missing 17 of 24 in Game 1.

The Heat scored more points on corner three-pointers than any team since 1996-97, but the Bulls were holding the Heat to 37 percent shooting on those attempts this season heading into Game 2. On Wednesday, the Heat shot nine of those corner threes and made five.

This is encouraging, too: Even in the streak-busting March loss in Chicago, the Heat played aggressively, outscoring Chicago, 54-40, in the paint and shooting 48 percent, with James leading the way with 32.

But the Heat that night had no answer for Luol Deng, who scored 28 but is doubtful for Game 3.

The Heat expects continued physicality after a Game 2 marred by nine technical fouls (six against the Bulls and the most combined in a playoff game since 1995), 51 fouls (including one flagrant, by Chris Andersen) and two ejections (Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson).

“Because of the technicals and ejections, there might be a perception it’s going above and beyond basketball [but] it’s not,” Spoelstra said. “You have two physical teams – Type A personalities.”

Said James: “We have to carry that same aggression, that same attitude into Game 3…. They don’t like us. We don’t like them.”

Bosh insisted Game 2 “wasn’t that physical” but “there was a lot of talking back and forth. I’m sure as the series goes on, it will turn up a lot more. We have to keep our composure no matter what happens.”

Wade has played plenty of games in his hometown but said it still “feels weird in a different way. I can’t really explain it.”     

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While the Bulls still won’t rule out a return by Derrick Rose, it became clear on Thursday that Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich aren’t close to fully recovered from their ailments.

Deng, who had a bad reaction to a spinal tap, said Thursday he has lost 15 pounds during the ordeal: “I’m weak. When I’m moving around, my headaches increase. I want to play, but I don’t know what I can do. I haven’t done anything. I tried to shoot a little bit and I struggled. I couldn't do it.”

Hinrich underwent a second MRI on his bruised calf, and coach Tom Thibodeau said his condition is “not great.”

Thibodeau said Rose’s status has not changed, but neither he nor Rose have specifically addressed a Hoopsworld report, or speculation on TNT, that he might be in uniform Friday.

Erik Spoelstra said he discussed the possibility of Rose's return with his team on Thursday and added it could give the Bulls “a real emotional boost.”

### The NBA said Thursday no decisions have been made regarding any discipline stemming from personal fouls, technical fouls or ejections in Game 2.   

Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson were ejected in the fourth quarter for complaining vociferously to referee Scott Foster.

Gibson cursed at Foster, then said afterward, “I should have conducted myself in a better way.” Noah said he also deserved to be ejected.

But a couple of Bulls players suggested their anger was justified, even though the final foul count (27 for the Bulls, 24 for the Heat) wasn’t lopsided.

“Some of the calls we didn’t feel were fair,” Bulls forward Carlos Boozer said. “If you feel like you’re being cheated, you’re going to say something about it.”

Bulls guard Nate Robinson said of Noah and Gibson: “They are not robots. They have feelings. I don’t blame them.”

But Spoelstra said he wishes point guard Mario Chalmers had not mentioned “cheap shots” after the game. “I would rather him not say anything about it,” Spoelstra said. “Physical basketball is to be expected. We’re not going to make any complaints to the league or the officiating.”

Chalmers was quoted in the Palm Beach Post as saying: “We got guys that are going to get cheap shots every night – LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and [Chris Bosh]. Us, we want to get a cheap shot back.”

James said with how the game has changed, “what happened last night was the equivalent of a couple guys getting punched in the face in the 1980s.”

### Pat Riley finished fifth in the NBA Executive of the Year voting. Denver's Masai Ujiri won it.

### Chalmers was pleased with his Game 2 defensive work against Bulls guard Nate Robinson, who shot 3 for 10 and had more turnovers (four) than assists (two).

“It was personal for me just for the fact that I let my man score that many points,” Chalmers said. “My mindset was just to cut off the head of the team.”

Chalmers also surpassed Tim Hardaway to become the franchise leader in three-pointers in the playoffs. He has 82, on 231 attempts.

### Wade said he is regaining his rhythm after missing a game with a knee injury: “I felt better second quarter on. It’s coming.”

### Bosh said the Heat draws motivation from critics who say they aren’t as effective in a physical game.

 “We’re good at every game,” he said. “We’re good at the slow, grind it out pace. We’re good at fast break. We’re good at everything. This is the perfect team for us to play.”

### For all of the praise Jimmy Butler received for his defense on LeBron James in Game 1, James is now shooting 12 for 18 in this series when defended by the second-year Marquette player.

### Notable: The Heat’s 55 bench points in Game 2 were its most ever in a playoff game…. Allen has made all 25 of his free throw attempts this postseason… Chris Andersen is shooting 80 percent (16 for 20) in the playoffs.

      

Heat-Bulls Game 2 postscripts; Noah said Bulls still have advantage

Postscripts from the Heat’s 115-78 Game 2 thumping of the Bulls:

### Miami’s 37-point win was its largest margin of victory in a playoff game (topping a 35-point win against Orlando in 1997) and the largest margin of defeat in Bulls playoff history (26 had been the old record).

“We flat out sucked,” Bulls guard Nate Robinson said. “They are world champs for a reason and they played like it.”

### The nine technical fouls were the most in a playoff game since Pacers-Knicks in 1995, according to ESPN. "We tried to keep our composure," LeBron James said. "Chicago is very physical. We're not going to shy away from it."

### Joakim Noah was ejected in the fourth quarter after yelling at the refs and said he probably deserved it. “I just wanted to let the referee know how I felt about the game,” he said.

### Taj Gibson, who was also ejected in the fourth quarter for yelling at the refs, said: “I’ve got to hold my compsure. It’s a real chippy series. Playoff basketball at its best.”

### But Carlos Boozer said: “If you feel like you’re getting cheated, you’re going to say something about it.”

### Noah said the Bulls "no question" still have the advantage in this series. "We came here. We did our job," he said. "We won a game. We got the home court. Now I think we're a confident group. We got punched in the mouth tonight. We'll be back in two days."

### Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau suggested factors beyond the Bulls' control are working against them: "We showed a lot of frustation to carry over to the next play. You have to have poise under pressure. You come in here, you're not going to get calls. That is the way it is. That's reality."

### The Heat had a 56-18 advantage in points in the paint – the largest points in the paint difference in a playoff game in 15 years.

### Also noteworthy: Miami had a 20-2 edge in fast break points.

### From the box score: LeBron had 19 points, eight assists and three steals; Ray Allen 21 points (5 for 7 from the field and 10 for 10 from the line), Norris Cole 18 (career-high in postseason), Dwyane Wade 15 (7 for 11), and Chris Bosh 13. The Heat's bench scored 55 points, a franchise playoff record.

### The Heat closed at 60 percent from the field, just the second playoff game they've shot at least 60 percent. Their all-time playoff high: 61.4 vs. Indiana last May.

### Wade's take afterward: "Going three months without any adversity is not what we're used to. This is the first of the season since [starting] 11-11 on the road. We just had to look in the mirror and.. say, 'What reason are we here for?" Tonight, we did a good job of setting the tone."

### Heat coach Erik Spoelstra suggested Wednesday the fact he didn’t win the Coach of the Year -- he finished second to Denver’s George Karl -- was actually a good thing.

Why?

Four of the previous seven coaches to win the award were fired within two years of winning it, though none of the past three lost their jobs.

"It’s not quite as definitive as the [Sports Illustrated] jinx, but pretty close,” he said, jokingly wiping his brow in relief when he learned he didn’t win it. “I congratulate George Karl. I know he didn’t want it, either. I’m probably more pleased this morning than George Karl. I’m not very superstitious.. but [coaches] are aware of the stigma.”

The winners of the award in 2006 (Avery Johnson), 2007 (Sam Mitchell), 2008 (Byron Scott) and 2009 (Mike Brown) were all eventually dumped by their teams. The previous three winners – Oklahoma City’s Scott Brooks, Chicago’s Tom Thibodeau and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich – have excellent job security, however.

Spoelstra was not close to Karl in the final vote count. Karl had 404 points, Spoelstra 190. Karl had 62 first-place votes, Spoelstra 24. New York's Mike Woodson finished third.

“I’m not surprised,” Wade said. “I kind of knew Spo wasn’t going to get it because they expect us to be the team that we are. The good thing about it is he doesn’t care.

“George Karl did a hell of a job. I thought [Golden State’s] Mark Jackson did a hell of a job this year and really deserved some consideration.”

Jackson finished seventh, and Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was eighth.

### Bulls forward Luol Deng remained in Chicago as he continues to recover from a bad reaction to a spinal tap, and his status will be re-evaluated Thursday. Thibodeau said Deng “is still not feeling great” and declined to speculate whether he would play Friday.

### Kirk Hinrich missed his fifth game in a row with a bruised calf.

### Hoopsworld.com said Bulls point guard Derrick Rose – who hasn’t played all season because of last April’s knee injury – might dress for Game 3. The Bulls did not specifically address that report, with Thibodeau saying there’s no change in his status.

Asked if Rose might play in this series, Thibodeau smiled and said: “We’ll see. You never know.”

Rose told TNT this week he wouldn’t be working this hard before games and during practices if he didn’t believe he had a chance to play in the playoffs.

### James made significant changes to his free throw routine and delivery this week, implementing an approach used by Ray Allen. With the new approach, he made 7 of 9 free throws in Game 1 (77.8 percent) after shooting 75.3 during the season.

“That’s the 75^th time changing free throws as an NBA player,” he said. “If I miss four or five, then I’ll change against My mind is crazy sometimes.”

### Heat point guard Mario Chalmers said Wednesday of Robinson: "I can stop him. I know what I’m capable of.” Chalmers and the entire Heat defense did good work on Robinson in Game 2, holding him to 11 points on 3 for 10 shooting. Also, Robinson had four turnovers, two assists.

### Game 5 of the series has been set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

### Noah, asked if it’s fun to play for Thibodeau: “I wouldn’t… eh, no. Let’s not get carried away.” 

Heat finishes 2nd in award; Analysts speak out on Heat; Heat, Fins, UM/NCAA notes

Quick Wednesday morning update: Erik Spoelstra finished second in Coach of the Year, announced minutes ago, behind Denver's George Karl. Karl had 404 points, Spoelstra 190. Karl had 62 first-place votes, Spoelstra 24. New York's Mike Woodson was third.

 

WEDNESDAY BUZZ COLUMN

Mostly Heat chatter -- entering Game 2 Wednesday -- and a couple football notes:

### So was Monday night’s loss a blip (as most assume), or could the Bulls actually win this series? Network analysts opted for the blip theory.

ABC’s Jeff Van Gundy said off the air Tuesday he cannot see any realistic scenario in which the Bulls win the series, despite having the utmost respect for Chicago. “I don’t think there is a concern,” he said. “It’s a bump in the road. It breaks a rhythm to have that much time off as Miami did. They missed makeable shots.”

Former NBA coach and NBA TV analyst Sam Mitchell said by phone: “Miami was stagnant, no ball movement, too much one-on-one and they can’t get beat by 14 on the boards again. But I would still be shocked if Chicago won this series. It would be one of the greatest upsets in NBA history. But if Miami can’t beat them one game in Chicago, they don’t deserve to move on. And if they lose Wednesday, then Oh my God, it’s going to be interesting.”

Since the playoffs were expanded to 16 teams in 1983, a road team that won Game 1 went on to win 56.1 percent of those series. But when the home team won Game 2 after losing Game 1, it won 85.5 percent of those series.

So is there any concern Chicago could actually win this series?

“I don’t think it’s going to happen, but it better be a concern,” TNT’s Steve Kerr, who’s calling the first two games with Marv Albert, said off air Tuesday. “I was shocked [by Game 1]. Miami has the greatest player on Earth. They’ve been here before. They’ll be fine.”

### Kerr noted the Bulls are better equipped than most to defend the Heat’s small lineup because Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson are versatile enough to guard multiple positions. “And Gibson guarded Ray Allen most of the fourth quarter,” Kerr said.

In fact, the Heat’s “smaller” lineup was outscored by 16 in the second half Monday.

### Noah essentially said earlier this year that if Heat wants to play small against them, good luck with that.

“I was young and immature when I said those comments,” Noah cracked Tuesday. But “we’re more than capable of guarding it.”

### Wade not only settled for an ill-advised pull up three-pointer with the Heat down two and 1:08 left, but consider this: Monday was the first game all season he did not attempt a free throw.

“It’s one of the tougher matchups for Wade because of their length,” Kerr said. “The Bulls are all long-armed, rangy guys and create all this traffic in the lane. Their whole defensive game plan is to keep you out of the paint and run you off the three-point line in the corners.”

### That the Bulls outscored the Heat, 20-10, during clutch time (final five minutes with a margin of five or less) was stunning considering this: In 176 “clutch” minutes, this season, the Heat outscored opponents by 131 points, easily the NBA’s best.

### And there’s this: The lineup that the Heat used during the last five minutes of Game 1: The Big Three, with Allen and Mario Chalmers, outscored teams by an absurd 36.9 points per 48 minutes this season (second best in the league) and shot 57 percent.

### Still, a case could have been made to use Norris Cole instead of Chalmers to close the game, because Nate Robinson was giving Chalmers fits. Opposing players shot 41.1 percent against Chalmers this season, 36.6 against Cole, according to synergysports.com. And that doesn’t even take into account blow-bys.

“When Cole came in, the Bulls could barely get it across halfcourt,” Kerr said.

And Van Gundy said: “I would suspect we’ll see LeBron James on Robinson.” James said that wouldn’t surprise him, either.

### Noah, on Robinson: “You tell me a player under six foot ever better than him! Nate Robinson is the best.”

When a writer suggested Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy, Noah said, “I don’t know who that is.”

### Troubling: Shane Battier's shooting accuracy has sunk to 24 postseason in postseason (7 for 29).

“There’s nothing like the morning after a playoff loss,” he said. "When I retire from this game, I'll never forget this feeling. It's not a fun feeling. It's not a fun feeling for anybody, for my dogs, for my kids, for my wife, for my teammates, for the coaches."

Battier cracked that losing Game 1 makes him act like “an [expletive] hole.”

What was “most upsetting” about Game 1, Battier said, “were so many mental mistakes and breakdowns in defensive principles. Lack of communication… on rotations.”

### Noah, asked about the talent difference between the two teams, responded: “People underestimate chemistry a lot.”

And Gibson cited this underrated key to Chicago’s success: “We hide our weak points well on both sides of the ball.”

### In Heat-Bulls matchups this season, Noah is now averaging 10.4 rebounds, Chris Bosh 5.6.

Bosh closed his interview session Tuesday with this: “I’m tired of talking about Joakim.”

### Noah predicted James will be more aggressive offensively early on. James disputed that, saying his mindset would not change.

### We've heard positive feedback on tight end Dion Sims during rookie minicamp, and it would be surprising if he doesn’t emerge as the Dolphins’ No. 2 tight end right away.

“I don’t want to pigeon-hole Dion as a blocking tight end because he’s got a different skill set,” general manager Jeff Ireland said. “He can catch, can run. He’s got very good hands, big hands.”

### Jake Long and Bryant McKinnie weren’t the only offensive tackles the Dolphins tried to land and couldn’t. We hear Miami made a serious run, early in the free agency, to try to sign Gosder Cherilus, but he opted for a five-year, $34 million contract with Indianapolis. He canceled a visit here when Detroit made the big offer.

### Besides excluding testimony of Kyle Wright, the NCAA informed UM that it will toss the testimony of Brodie Waters, the No. 2 official at Nevin Shapiro’s former sports agency, because part of it may have resulted from Sean Allen’s excluded testimony. Waters’ interview wasn’t believed to be horribly damaging.

### Please see the last post for a Marlins development.... And I'm on Twitter now: @flasportsbuzz

Marlins reducing capacity for some games

Quick Tuesday night item:

The Marlins, whose attendance ranks last in the National League five weeks into the season, have decided to close the upper bowl at Marlins Park for at least some weeknight games – an approach the team used at times at Sun Life Stadium.

The upper bowl will be closed for six dates in the team’s nine-game homestand that begins next Tuesday. Fans can sit only in the lower bowl for games May 14-16 against Cincinnati and May 20-22 against Philadelphia. The upper bowl will remain open for May 17-19 games against Arizona.

Marlins representative P.J. Loyello said the team has not decided whether to close the upper bowl for all Monday through Thursday home games, and decisions will be made before each home stand.

Less than 500 people own season tickets in the upper bowl, and those fans are being moved --- with no additional charge -- to seats in the lower bowl for all Monday through Thursday games.

Upper bowl tickets to weeknight games will continue be sold on Marlins.com. Fans who buy single-game upper deck tickets will be moved to the lower bowl if the Marlins decide to close the upper bowl on those particular nights.

Closing the upper bowl some games “will give an overall better fan experience,” Loyello said, adding from a standpoint of concessions, restrooms and other services, “it will be better for fans” than if they were scattered in a larger area.

The Marlins began this approach during their home stand that was completed last week. They did not close off the upper deck for any home games last season, their first in Marlins Park.

The closing of the upper bowl for some games will mean fewer hours for some stadium employees, but none will lose their jobs, Loyello said.

The Marlins are averaging 18,864 fans per game, fourth-lowest and ahead of only Seattle, Kansas City and Cleveland. That number includes people who bought or received tickets, not those who actually show up.

Capacity at Marlins Park is 37,442, and will be about 27,000 on nights the upper bowl is closed.

The Marlins averaged 27,401 fans last season, but the team said an average of only about 17,000 attended each game.

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

A dozen postscripts from Heat-Bulls Game 1; Rose, LeBron notes; NCAA news

Twelve postscripts from this stunning Heat loss in Game 1:

### The Bulls are 9-8 against the Heat in the Big Three era - the only Eastern Conference team with a winning record against Miami since LeBron came aboard, according to ESPN. That includes a 3-2 record this season.

### This was just Miami's third loss in its past 44 games (two have come against the Bulls) and its fifth loss all season in 44 home games.

### The last time the Heat lost Game 1 of a series at home was in 2006, vs. New Jersey (100-88). The Heat won that series, four games to one.

### Dwyane Wade became the 29th player in NBA postseason history to make 1000 field goals, moving past Bill Russell for 28th place. But he went 0 for 3 in the fourth quarter on a 7-for-16 shooting night, including a miss on an ill-advised pull up three pointer with the Heat down two and 1:08 left.

"A lot of our shots were short," Wade said. "The fourth quarter was uncharacteristic of a Miami Heat team, giving up 35 points [Miami scored 24]. We had a lot of shots that we normally make and we didn't. When I fell in the crowd, I just had some little cuts, and I wish somebody would of grabbed me. It would have been kind of nice especially at home, but I guess I was coming too fast." 

### The Bulls outrebounded the Heat, 46-32, which Chicago players cited as a big key afterward. This should very much concern the Heat: Chicago has outrebounded Miami by 58 in the five games this season. 

"They're a physical team, a great offensive rebounding team -- that's one of our weaknesses," Mario Chalmers said.

### After a three-point first half, 5-9 Nate Robinson had 24 points in the second half -- despite needing 10 stitches at halftime because of an upper lip laceration. "Nate, to be that small, to do the things he does give us a lot of confidence," Joakim Noah said.

And Jimmy Butler was terrific: 21 points, 14 rebounds, and excellent defense on LeBron, while playing all 48 minutes. "He's better than a lot of people think," Wade said.

### LeBron, who closed with 24 points (8 for 17 shooting), with eight rebounds and seven assists, had this take afterward: "This is what the playoffs are all about.We're going against a really good team and we know that. I think we gave ourselves a chance to win. They just put themselves in a better position. They got us into the penalty early in the fourth quarter. It's tough. We played some really good basketball but they made a couple more shots and grabbed a couple more offensive rebounds."

### LeBron led the NBA in plus/minus during the regular season. But on Monday, the Heat was outscored by 15 during his 43-plus minutes on the court.

### This, too, was key: The Bulls committed only one turnover in the fourth quarter after going to halftime with 11.

### Erik Spoelstra's take: "We can play better. Our guys are veteran enough that we know it is always tough. They imposed their identity in the first game. We did not. Our offense was not as fluid and efficient as it normally is and you have to credit their defense for that. We need to show more poise, patience and aggressiveness. Shooting 39 percent and scoring under 90 points is not our style."

### After shooting 2 for 7 on Monday, Shane Battier is just 7 for 29 in postseason. Spoelstra opted for Mike Miller for six first half minutes, and he shot 2 for 5.

### Chris Bosh also had an offnight, with nine points and six boards. He closed 3 for 10 from the field. He hasn't rebounded well against the Bulls all season.

Scroll down lower in this blog for some other Heat notes, on Derrick Rose and the voter who kept LeBron's MVP from being unanimous.

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We'll have a story up on the site shortly with another NCAA twist, more affecting Frank Haith than Miami.

The short version: Haith's attorney is asking a judge to allow them to issue subpoenas to determine if Bank of America handed over microfishe copies of three $3300 checks that Haith made out to his former assistant coaches. The NCAA suspected that money was used toward securing Dequan Jones' commitment; Haith has repeatedly denied that, and the NCAA didn't have proof to include that in the notice of allegations.

The NCAA hasn't said if it has microfishe copies of those checks, but some are suspicious they might. Haith's camp says the NCAA has information it would have only if it had microfishe copies, which are clearer and more detailed than the images of the checks that Haith gave the NCAA.

If so, the NCAA had no business asking the bank for them, and the bank would be violating federal laws if it handed it over to the NCAA. So Haith's camp is basically trying to get to the bottom of this. The bank has been uncooperative with Haith and his wife.

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HEAT NOTES

Some Heat notes entering Game 1 of the Heat-Bulls series:

### All-Star point guard Derrick Rose said Monday that he won't rule out playing in this series against the Heat, but also indicated that he doesn’t believe he’s ready yet to appear in a game.

“Right now, I’m not ready,” said Rose, who suffered the knee injury in last year’s first-round playoff loss to the 76ers. “I’m trying to take my time and be really smart.”

Asked his chances of playing in this series, Rose said: “Still in the air. I might have a chance. Who knows what tomorrow night brings? You never know.”

The Bulls also remain non-committal. Asked if there’s any chance of Rose playing in this series, coach Tom Thibodeau said only: “We’ll see.”

Rose was cleared medically to play two months ago and has scrimmaged 5-on-5 against teammates since Feb. 18. But he doesn’t feel his body is ready for game action.

TNT’s Steve Kerr said recently that Rose owes it to his team to play if he’s healthy. Asked if he agrees, Rose said: “Everybody has their own opinion. The key words that he said is, “If I’m ready.’”

Does he feel more pressure to play because forward Luol Deng remains sidelined because of a bad reaction to a spinal tap?

“No, it’s no pressure at all,” Rose said. “I haven’t had any pressure from anyone. Not in the organization, not from my teammates. They know they I’m putting everything I have on trying to come back as fast as possible. But just trying to be smart with the whole situation and take my time.”

Of this series, Rose said: “No one is giving us a shot.”

Deng, meanwhile, remained back in Chicago today, with his status uncertain for Game 2 on Wednesday. Deng tweeted Friday that he was taken to the emergency room on Wednesday with symptoms associated with meningitis. He took a spinal tap, but that caused leaking spinal fluid “and the worst headache I’ve ever experienced and… the weakest I’ve ever felt.”

Thibodeau said Deng went to the hospital for more tests but is home now. “He’s is still not feeling as well as he would like,” Thibodeau said.

### Bulls point guard Kirk Heinrich is a game-time decision with a sprained ankle.

MVP CONTROVERSY

Boston Globe writer Gary Washburn wrote on Monday that he was “flabbergasted” to learn that he was the only person among 121 voters who did not give a first-place vote to LeBron James in MVP balloting. Washburn voted for Carmelo Anthony instead. Washburn’s vote prevented James from becoming the first unanimous MVP in league history.

“When I placed my NBA MVP vote a few weeks ago, I knew I would be in the minority,” Washburn wrote in The Globe. “I knew LeBron James was the prohibitive favorite to win his fourth award because he unquestionably is the best player in the game. I voted for Carmelo Anthony based on his importance to the New York Knicks, who, if you haven’t been paying attention the past decade, have failed to be relevant.”

Washburn defended his decision this way: “This isn’t the Best Player in the Game award. It’s the Most Valuable Player award, and I think what Anthony accomplished this season was worthy of my vote. He led the Knicks to their first division title in 19 years…. Anthony led the league in scoring average and basically carried an old Knicks team to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference…. If you were to take Anthony off the Knicks, they are a lottery team….

"If LeBron was taken away from the Heat, they still would be a fifth or sixth seed. He is the best player of this generation, a multifaceted superstar with the physical prowess of Adonis, but I chose to reward a player who has lifted his team to new heights.”

Washburn added that “the perception that I knew the other 120 voters cast their first-place votes for LeBron and that I went against the grain as some kind of statement is inaccurate.”

THIS AND THAT

### Dwyane Wade said the Bulls “have had a little hatred towards us” since losing to the Heat in 2011 playoffs “and we dislike them as well from that standpoint as a team.”

### Chris Bosh, asked if the Bulls play the Heat harder than anyone, said no, and instead cited competition provided by Heat backups in practice.

### Though ABC would have loved having Game 4 of the Heat-Bulls series next Sunday, it was scheduled for next Monday instead (on TNT) because a potential Game 7 in an NHL playoff series is booked for the United Center on Sunday. 

Fins to sign Clabo; Golden quantifies NCAA damage; Shapiro explains K. Wright move; Fins, Heat, Marlins

The Sunday buzz column is below. First, some breaking Dolphins news:

The Dolphins addressed their void at offensive tackle on Sunday by agreeing to terms with veteran Tyson Clabo on a one-year deal.

Clabo, 31, has started every game at right tackle for the Atlanta Falcons over the past five seasons and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2010.

His signing means Jonathan Martin will shift to left tackle to replace Jake Long, who signed with St. Louis.

Clabo signed a five year, $25 million deal in 2011, but the Falcons released him last month in a move designed to give them additional salary cap space to sign their draft picks. “Tyson was a valuable contributor to our team,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said at the time.

Clabo, who auditioned for the Dolphins on Wednesday, graded out well the past two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus, which analyzes every play in every game. His 2012 performance ranked 14th among 80 tackles, and fifth-best among right tackles, behind Andre Smith, Gosder Cherilus, Anthony Davis and Sebastian Vollmer.

Clabo was ranked 23rd in pass protection (he allowed five sacks) and 21st in run blocking.
In 2011, Pro Football Focus rated him second overall among all tackles.

By contrast, PFF ranked Martin 76th among 80 tackles last season.

Undrafted out of Wake Forest, Clabo began his career in Denver and spent the past seven seasons with the Falcons.

The Dolphins tried to sign left tackle Bryant McKinnie earlier this week, but he opted for a slightly better deal with Baltimore. The Dolphins also explored trading for Kansas City’s Branden Albert, but did not offer the second-round pick that the Chiefs were seeking.

The Dolphins signed Clabo instead of two other right tackleswho auditioned: Eric Winston and Winston Justice.

Martin played left tackle at Stanford but began his Dolphins career as a right tackle before shifting to the left side when Long was injured in the 12th game last season.

Martin played well against Jacksonville and Buffalo but struggled against San Francisco and New England.

He said previously that he is more comfortable at left tackle than right tackle and has gained 20 pounds this offseason while increasing his strength.

Clabo reached out to the Dolphins shortly after being released, but the Dolphins never called his representation until last week, when they booked a workout with him.

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SUNDAY BUZZ COLUMN

As we reported in our last post, the NCAA this past week essentially ruled out UM’s hopes of the case against it being dismissed before a full hearing in front of the infractions committee in mid-June.

Meanwhile, for the first time, Al Golden is quantifying – with numbers -- the impact this case has had on recruiting.

“If you just take the number of kids that flipped on us in the last two years, that’s a big number,” Golden told us. “But I’m talking about kids [that say]: ‘I really like Miami, but I don’t know what’s going to happen’ [with the NCAA]. That number is well over 40. Easily over 40.

    “The further they get along in the decision-making process, the attacks on us grow exponentially once we’re identified as one of the players in their picks.”

Golden said he doesn’t believe the investigation has hurt the perception of the program but “the toxicity is the problem, whether it’s through the media or things the kids are exposed to. There hasn’t been a time where we haven’t had negative recruiting. It’s been difficult.”

UM basketball coaches say the NCAA mess has hurt them, too -- it’s one of the first questions that recruits keep asking about.

UM discussed modest scholarship reductions during settlement talks in February before the NCAA abruptly ended those talks. Now, president Donna Shalala says publicly UM deserves no additional punishment.

If UM is given another bowl ban, an appeal would not be surprising. The problem is that the appeals process can take a long time – seven months in Central Florida’s just-completed case --- which would carry UM through National Signing Day next February. (UCF won its appeal of a bowl ban, which is unusal.)

“It’s really important for us when we go to camp that that’s all in the rearview mirror,” Golden said.

But even if UM doesn’t appeal, it might not know its punishment before the season starts. North Carolina waited four months after its hearing before receiving its penalty. UM’s hearing is June 14-16, with a verdict expected between July and October.

Of course, this should have been over by May or June. The NCAA now admits its investigation “was virtually complete” last September, but the process was delayed for four months while the NCAA realized it obtained evidence improperly and began sorting through it.

UM athletic director Blake James said at a  Hurricanes Club luncheon: “We’re all tired of dealing with it. There’s no one who has had to deal with it more than Al Golden.”

And ACC Commissioner John Swofford told ESPN on Thursday: “It’s dragged on long enough. That’s a sanction it itself, which something of this nature drags on literally for years without being brought to a conclusion. So hopefully, we’re near the end of it.

“I think Miami has handled its part of this in a quality way and a very appropriate way and has addressed it head-up with self-imposed sanctions.”

### The NCAA confirmed to UM last week that it’s throwing out all of Kyle Wright’s incriminating claims against the Hurricanes because they may have resulted from Sean Allen’s improperly-obtained testimony. But if Nevin Shapiro had his way, Wright never would become embroiled in this.

Shapiro never implicated Wright to the NCAA –  though he allegedly accepting trips from Shapiro’s sports agency (to the Bahamas, a concert in Detroit). Why?

“Kyle got [expletive] by UM and Randy Shannon specifically,” Shapiro said, explaining why Wright was the only player he excluded. “UM really did that kid bad. He came from California and gave up a lot to do so and they [expletive] all over him. They left him to defend for himself against a clown like Randy Shannon.

“Kirby Freeman ahead of him in the quarterback competition? Get the [bleep] out of here. Kirby couldn’t beat me out and I’m 44,” claiming he out-threw Freeman in a competition on UM’s practice field. OK then.

Wright declined to comment, through his father. The NCAA claimed Wright called the NCAA to report UM; Wright told UM it was the other way around.

### Turns out, most of the basketball violations were revealed to the NCAA (involving use of airlines miles for Durand Scott, his AAU coach and Reggie Johnson’s mother and sister), because UM gave the NCAA e-mails “from Jorge Fernandez’s institutional account” when asked by the NCAA.

### For more on why the NCAA has punted on UM’s motion to dismiss, please see our last post.

CHATTER

### UM remains firmly behind baseball coach Jim Morris and his job is safe barring a surprising change of heart. Morris, who has said it irritates him when anyone asks about the topic, is trying to lead UM to its 41^st consecutive postseason appearance.

UM knows it’s not playing on a level field with the state schools (UF, FSU, etc.) because of its high cost of tuition. With teams permitted to split 11.7 scholarships among 30 players, some players simply cannot afford to pay a lot to attend UM. Miami has been left with a roster bereft of power; its eight homers entering the weekend were tied for fewest in a major conference.

### Several Dolphins players privately have voiced displeasure about the team cutting Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett, but Joe Philbin on Friday explained the overhaul and decision to add faster linebackers Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler and Jelani Jenkins.

“This is a passing league at this point,” Philbin said. And Miami wants “to have linebackers with that ability to do more than just play the run, and be multidimensional. Play man, zone, blitz effectively. The more skills you have as an athlete, the better you’ll be.”

### The Dolphins have $10 million in cap space and will have another $10 million after June 1, but need about $8 million of that to sign draft pick. Miami can carry over some of that space to next year, when they likely will need to address right tackle and re-sign Reshad Jones, Paul Soliai and/or Randy Starks, among other moves.

### Former MLB commissioner Fay Vincent, living in Vero Beach, said watching the Mets-at-Marlins series last week “was so sad. I could almost count the people in the stands. It’s tragic – so few people in that ballpark, no buzz. Both teams are pathetic.”

But he said he doesn’t believe there’s anything commissioner Bud Selig can do, and the players union hasn’t tried to pressure MLB to intervene. “It’s not Bud’s job to tell owners how to run their business, but other owners aren’t happy with a weak franchise,” Vincent said.

### Though Udonis Haslem’s percentage on all shots beyond two feet has dropped from 43 to 36.7 percent over the past four years, nobody was surprised to see him nail four jumpers in a row to help close out Milwaukee. “When it’s most stressful, he’s at his best,” assistant coach David Fizdale said.

Haslem admits his shot has been affected the past couple years partly because his role changed on pick-and-rolls: “I wasn’t able to get that rhythm. Fans need to understand I might get only one shot. I’m not in the same role. I’m not the same player. My job is to set screens, go to basket” rebound, etc.  

### I'm on Twitter now: @flasportsbuzz