No, Miami Hasn't 'Resorted to Thuggery'

Radio announcers for the home team are supposed to be homers, but Hawks announcer Steve Holman stooped to a new low earlier this week with his over the top calls from Game 5, from sarcastically chiding Dwyane Wade for getting hurt early in the game to blowing out of proportion routine fouls.

On the eve of Game 6, Holman's comments have created a minor furor in South Beach, even as both though the league and the Hawks have (indirectly) admitted that Holman was full of hot air.

When Dwyane Wade blocked Maurice Evans from behind, Holman yelled, "He did not go for the ball, he hit him right in the back and knocked Mo Evans down!" Holman yelled. "Dwyane Wade tried to hurt Mo Evans!" The league apparently disagreed, rescinding Wade's flagrant foul on Thursday, just as I predicted following the game.

Later in the game, Al Horford was fouled when making a move to the basket, turning his ankle as he landed and writhing in pain. "Oh my goodness, the Heat have resorted the thuggery!" exclaimed Holman. Actually, no; as Horford later admitted, "I just came down very awkward, that's all." (So awkward, incidentally, that he's been ruled out for tonight's game.)

Biased radio announcers have their place -- I'm not sure anyone would enjoy a broadcast that's completely impartial. But is it too much to ask for guys to stay professional? Or at least off the opposing team's bulletin board?