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No matter how the NBA league office eventually rules on whether to suspend John Wall after his second-quarter altercation with Miami Heat center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Coach Flip Saunders said the incident probably never should’ve reach the point where there were three ejections and two technical fouls. Wall said he swung at Ilgauskas in reaction to getting hit in the face with two elbows. “What I was disappointed in, you would think, you would hope out there, in a game, that when a guy throws two elbows and then a third, they would catch the first one, with three referees out there. And he’s got the ball. That’s what they’re watching, you know,” Saunders said with a chuckle. “If you nip it in the bud right away, it doesn’t escalate like that.” Washington Post

Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, John Wall, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Juwan Howard 

Michael Lee: JaVale McGee on Juwan Howard, who has been ejected from 2 games vs. #wizards: "I don't know, guess he wants to be a tough guy." Twitter

Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Javale McGee, Juwan Howard 

What do you think of some of the backlash that has come from the documentary? There were some disparaging comments made about Duke and some of its players, particularly African-American players like Grant Hill. What did you make of reactions from Hill and Jalen Rose? Juwan Howard: Honestly, I've been getting a lot of positive feedback. People see me in the street and they tell me they loved it. A lot of my colleagues, ex-teammates and even guys I haven't played with said they loved it. I've bumped into NFL players down here in Miami during their offseason and they gave me a thumbs-up. I understand that a lot of the comments have been made, with Jalen and of course Jimmy [King] and Ray [Jackson]. I include myself. I didn't say anything, use any derogatory language or comments, but that's not to say that I didn't think that during that time. ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Grant Hill, Michigan 

Should you guys have made it more clear that what you may have felt 20 years ago as teenagers at Michigan might be different than you feel now? Juwan Howard: You have to keep in mind that it was how people felt 20 years ago. And people are entitled to their opinion. I respect Grant, of course, taking the stand that he did. If it was me, would I have done it? No. But that's just me. I have a lot of respect for Grant as a person. And I have a lot of respect for Christian Laettner. If you really listen to the remarks, I think Jalen did an excellent job of not only telling how he felt at the time, but he also praised them. ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, Michigan, Duke 

Earl Barron: Just watched the Fab Five documentary start to finish finally. Bill Walton said they were under achievers and over rated. WTF. They made it to the Final Four as freshmen. How is that over rated? Everybody just hated on their style back then. Twitter

Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Earl Barron, Chris Webber, Bill Walton, Michigan 

The quote of the week is actually a nonquote, as in the silence offered by former Fab Fiver Juwan Howard on the Jalen Rose-Grant Hill controversy. Howard declined interview requests all week from Miami writers eager to get his thoughts on the documentary that aired last weekend on the Michigan freshmen. While Rose was left to squirm under intense criticism for remarks made about Duke recruiting only black players who were "Uncle Toms," Howard refused to come to his former teammate's defense. It's an every-man-for-himself approach that has come to define the Fab Five's legacy. CBSSports.com

Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Grant Hill, Michigan 

LeBron James: #FabFive S/O to @Jalen Rose, j Howard, C Webb, J King, and R Jackson. What they did for the game is unmatched!! All the way from tiny tots, grade school, high school, college to Pros Twitter

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Chris Webber 

To accommodate Bibby and Murphy, the Heat would have to waive two players. While veteran power forward Juwan Howard stood as a player likely to be released, he is represented by David Falk, who also represents Bibby, and an accommodation may have been negotiated to make sure he is safe on the roster. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Troy Murphy, David Falk, Juwan Howard, Mike Bibby 

Try to be as impartial as possible. LeBron James has got Dwyane Wade, he’s got Chris Bosh, he’s got all you guys there. A very good player, maybe the best in the NBA, but when it comes down to the most valuable player between Lebron James and D.Rose, who are you voting for? Juwan Howard: “Well for this season, that’s a tough call right there because I just had this conversation with my wife. (unsure what he says) …. But to be honest with you, D. Rose has done a phenomenal job this year for his team. I think if you take him off the Bulls team I believe, in my opinion that team would be a below average ball club. If you take LeBron off of our team we’re still an above average ball club because we still have Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Sports Radio Interviews

Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Juwan Howard 

"LeBron is having a phenomenal year and he’s doing a lot of the same stuff for the Heat and playing the same type the way he did when he was in Cleveland, which is great because he’s a phenomenal player. D. Rose I would have to say even though LeBron is my teammate, I’m not even being politically correct guys, you want me to say I would give it to LeBron but honestly I would give it to D. Rose if he still plays at this pace he’s playing on now he’s got my vote if I was a part of the committee.” D. Rose right? “D.Rose man.” Sports Radio Interviews

Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose, Juwan Howard 

If the playing field is equalized with a substantially better revenue-sharing system, and star players no longer have the power to dictate where they play and with whom, "There won't be a whole lot to complain about," one executive said. "That will never happen," Howard insisted. "Because you're always going to have freedom of movement in contracts; you're always going to have player movement. All that 'Bron and Dwyane did was exercise their free agency rights. That was a business move on their part -- and a smart business move. So I don’t think the NBA is so upset with the fact that those guys moved to the same team." CBSSports.com

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Trade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Juwan Howard 

Juwan Howard on whether the criticism seems to be wearing on LeBron James: “I haven’t seen it wearing on him at all because he’s a very tough-minded, strong individual. He’s got a lot of mental toughness. He’s still been, of course, just working hard, staying focused, doing what we have to do, as a team, to get better. And I respect him for that. … This could wear on you. It could get very upsetting or, more importantly, it could be a huge distraction, but I haven’t seen that from him at all.” Sports Radio Interviews

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Juwan Howard 

In Miami's eyes, Howard's hyper-professionalism, solidly maintained skills, veteran smarts and impeccable reputation add significant value to a lineup figured to stumble only if egos collide or dissension infects the court. Shortly after Miami landed megastars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in free agency this summer, Howard was summoned to be both a role model and a role player - playing behind Bosh and hometown Heat veteran Udonis Haslem at power forward. "I feel great about my decision," Howard said. "It was a no-brainer, going to Miami." Washington Post

Miami Heat, Juwan Howard 

Howard's eyes widened when told of the high praise from Riley, and, seemingly embarrassed, he stumbled over an appropriate response. Yet he grew comfortable fast when asked why he turned down offers from his hometown Chicago Bulls, the Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers to start anew in Miami. As soon as Wade, Bosh and James signed with the Heat, Howard told his agent David Falk he wanted to be there, too. "I have never won [a title] before, and that's always been my ultimate goal," Howard said. "This time I have a chance to get closer to one. Hopefully, my goal will come true." Washington Post

Miami Heat, Juwan Howard 

Q: Why is Riley so attached to Juwan Howard? I mean, I know Riley wanted him in the past, but that was 14 years ago. — Reno. A: I had a chance to talk to some people in the Blazers’ organization about Juwan, and they told me he was practically a revelation there last season, how he was ready whenever called upon. In some ways, that’s exactly what this roster needs, a 12th man who is content to bide his time for those two or three chances per month. Howard also has an infectious enthusiasm that should add life to any locker room. The more you consider Juwan, the more he makes sense. He had plenty of solid moments last season in Portland. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Juwan Howard 

Almost 20 years ago, as a member of Michigan’s Fab Five, forward Juwan Howard was steeled for this year’s carnival ride with the Heat. “Even though it’s on different levels - pro level, college level - to be honest with you, it’s prepared me for what’s about to happen this season as far as all the attention that this team is about to receive,” Howard said. “Here at home, and I know on the road, it’s going to be crazy.” FOXSports Florida

Miami Heat, Juwan Howard 

Five true freshmen - Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson - comprised the Fab Five, the most loved and hated team in college basketball. They became national celebrities with their long, baggy shorts, their black socks, and their, well, let’s call it confidence. “We weren’t liked,” Howard recalled. “What’d they nickname us? Arrogant? Trash-talkers? We weren’t a crowd favorite.” FOXSports Florida

Miami Heat, Juwan Howard 

The Miami Heat continued their radical roster reshaping on Tuesday by signing journeyman forward Juwan Howard. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported it is a one-year deal for the veteran minimum of $1.4 million. "This is a great addition for us," said Heat president Pat Riley. "We feel that Juwan's ability to play both the four and five spot will be complimentary to what we have put together. He also gives us incredible professionalism and is a perfect fit behind Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem." Miami Herald

The latest to formally put pen to paper was Cleveland Cavaliers free-agent center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who signed off on a two-year, $2.8 million deal Saturday, with a player option on that second season. By the end of Saturday, there is hope to also have Heat free-agent center Jamaal Magloire under contract. Expected to follow in short order are Portland Trail Blazers free-agent forward Juwan Howard and Heat free-agent point guard Carlos Arroyo. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Heat also is expected to close out its deal this weekend with Portland Trail Blazers free-agent power forward Juwan Howard, another player who has played in the middle over his career. South Florida Sun-Sentinel