Monday, April 18, 2011
Posted: 2:57 p.m.
By Dei Lynam
CSNPhilly.com
MIAMIMigraine headaches are no laughing matter, but since Dwyane Wade was feeling significantly better on Monday as opposed to Sunday, when he could not practice because of the severe headache, people joked.
I am ready for tonight. I have a set of cymbals, Doug Collins jested. And every time he runs by the bench I am smashing them. And I went out and bought the brightest flashlight I could find and every time I get eye contact with him I am shooting it at him.
In the past Wade has worn goggles to dim the surrounding light, which he is sensitive to when these headaches occur. Collins has a long history with Wade.
Hes going to be great. He always is. He is a lot like Michael Jordan. I think his mental capacity to fight through these things is off the charts, Collins said. We expect him to be terrific. He is sure not going to miss any of these games and he will probably come out and play great tonight. I like to have fun with D-Wade because I have known him since he was at Marquette.
Collins added that you would be hard pressed to find a better player in the NBA than Wade right now.
NBA
Wade did light shooting at the Heats shootaround while wearing his goggles on Monday. He did not speak to the media. His coach and teammates commented on his return to the team and what it means.
The guys were calling him Blade, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. But he is feeling significantly better from yesterday and hopefully he will be ready to go.
Spoelstra did explain that Wade actually had a headache on Saturday and thought it may have contributed to his energy level being subpar. He said Wade wasnt quite himself, though he had no idea that the headache would lead to the migraine that Wade woke up with Sunday morning.
Coach speak
It was interesting to hear two coaches who watched the same game tape from Saturday have two totally different perspectives.
Spoelstra acknowledged that in every series there are always adjustments made between games but that they are small. After Game 1 he believes both teams no the other teams plays and tendencies.
We did not play our best basketball the other night. That is part of the chess match, Spoelstra said. Hopefully we can bring our best game, our best effort tonight and efficiency tonight but it will still come down to our will, our energy, getting to the ball first, winning the 50-50. Those are the things that will be the determining factors tonight; not the adjustments or Xs and Os.
Spoelstra thought in Game 1 the Sixers beat his Heat players to a lot of balls, especially in the first half and challenged his players to meet the Sixers speed and energy.
Collins was asked if he thought, like Spoelstra did, that his team won the 50-50 balls. His response revealed a difference of opinion.
I watched a different tape, Collins said. I guess it depends on what a coach views as a 50-50 ball. Offensive rebounding to me is a 50-50 ball and they had a huge advantage there.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com
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