Greg Likens Of WQAM In Miami Joins Toucher & Rich
BOSTON (CBS) - The Miami Heat have a 2-0 lead on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals after a 115-111 Game 2 victory Wednesday night.
In Boston, while the talk should be on Rajon Rondo's amazing performance, eyes are on the officials. From the Heat taking 47 free throws to the Celtics' 29, to the no-call on Rondo getting hit in the head on a layup attempt with the game tied in overtime, fans are literally crying foul.
98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich wanted to get a perspective from the other side, so they invited Greg Likens from WQAM in Miami on Thursday morning. Likens understands why Celtics fans are upset, but has a feeling things will even out as the series shifts to Boston Friday and Sunday.
"I understand why Boston Celtics fans would be upset; I think Miami Heat fans would be upset if it was the other way around. The only thing I would say to that is six of the free throw attempts were in the last 18 seconds for the Heat," said Likens. "I would assume, based on how the playoffs have gone with the home court advantage with the series shifting back to Boston, that free throw advantage will probably go in the Celtics favor Friday and Sunday."
Read: Celtics Won't Let Foul Discrepancy Become Distraction
"But if I'm a Celtics fan, I'm upset as well when you see Rajon Rondo get hit in the face late in the game in a very crucial situation, and they don't get a foul call. You have a right to be upset."
In general, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade play a very aggressive game, but never seem to get whistled all that often. Is there a bias among officials towards this Miami squad?
"I don't know if it's necessarily towards the Miami Heat. I think there is a bias towards star players, and I don't think there are two bigger stars than LeBron James and Dwyane Wade," said Likens. "The star players get the benefit of the doubt, especially when they're on their home court. I agree with you guys, there have been some questionable calls that have gone in the Heat's favor."
"The only thing I would say if you watched the flow of the game last night, it felt me that Paul Pierce in the first half was very aggressive and got to the free throw line, and didn't do that late in the game," he said. "Rondo was the guy initiating that. Wade and LeBron were pretty consistent from the third quarter on going to the hoop and forcing the action, putting it in the refs hands. The Heat did earn some of those calls, but I'm not going to say all of them though."
As for LeBron James, it's safe to say most of Boston doesn't like him. How does Miami look at their super star? Are they at all critical of his performance in the clutch?
"It's a tough one, because down here everyone is very defensive of LeBron James," said Likens. "The evolution of the team from last year to this year has been interesting because Dwyane Wade has said he's taken a back seat to LeBron, and said he's the top player not only on the team but he's the best player in the world. You look at the numbers he put up this year, and even last night, it's almost like we take for granted what he does over the course of a game where he is filling up the stat sheet. If he doesn't get it done in crunch time, that's where the criticism comes. I get that, because with great players comes great expectations and you have to come through in the clutch situations. Last night was the perfect example."
"He is ultimately going to be judged how he comes through in late-game situations, but also if he wins not one championship but multiple championships," Likens added. "I agree with the vibe out of Boston, but at the same time look at what he's doing over the course of the game. He's so talented and so spectacular that I think, at times, we take it for granted."
