WATERCOOLER CHAT: HEAT DISAPPOINTING, BUTLER AND TIKI BACK
BASKETBALL
In the NBA, the Miami Heat have been disappointing as of late. After losing to the Bulls recently, there were reports of crying in the locker room. So… could they get their act together against a Portland team that has been on fire as of late? The Heat put on their typical spectacle — amazing Dwayne Wade dishes and dunks, your nightly monster slam from LeBron, but when it came down to it, Portland just wanted it more. They got fantastic bench play from their former all-star Brandon Roy, and their new addition Gerald Wallace put up 22 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. The Heat trailed by 6 with over a minute to go, but an off-balance 3-pointer from the Blazers’ Wesley Matthews put the dagger in their hearts. The losing continues for Miami. So, who will send them packing in the playoffs? Portland 105, Miami 96.
In college basketball, the top seeds better watch their backs. Why? Because BUTLER’S back. That’s right, last year’s runner-up (who almost won the National Championship short of an in-and-out long range 3-pointer from Gordon Hayward) is back in the tourney. Last night, they beat the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Horizon league championship. The Butler heroes this year are Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack (who was essential to last year’s team). Matt Howard finished this game with 18 points and Shelvin popped on an additional 14. It’s uncertain what seed they will get, and you most likely can’t expect another miracle run, but guaranteed nobody wants to play them in the first round. Butler 59, Milwaukee 45.
FOOTBALL
In the NFL, it looks like an old veteran will suit up again. It’s rare for players to come out of retirement in football (or in professional sports in general), but every now and then… they get the itch. Tiki Barber retired 4 years ago, opting to maintain his health as opposed to taking brutal hits on the field. He immediately got a cushy job as an NBC desk announcer for prime-time football. Now at the ripe age of 36, he will put on the gear again. BUT — it will not be Giants gear. Remember, the Giants won the Super Bowl the year he retired. It’s unsure if he’s not welcome back, but Tiki won’t be wearing Giants blue. There’s a chance he could wind up in Tampa Bay with his brother Ronde. We should know soon.
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