HoopsHype.com Rumors

KC Johnson: Thibodeau on Nazr/LeBron play: "From my angle, I just saw a guy basically flop. And I’m going to leave it at that." #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Tom Thibodeau, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

KC Johnson: Thibodeau on Nazr: "I didn’t think it warranted an ejection. I understand a flagrant foul. But an ejection nope." #Bulls Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Tom Thibodeau, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

When everyone else watched Chicago's Nazr Mohammed make a run at James, shove him tumbling onto his back on Friday night, the Bulls witnessed something else: confirmation of a conspiracy. Mohammed earned the ejection, and the rest of these Bulls earned the indignation and outrage that they need for public retaliation. "We're well aware of what's going on," Thibodeau seethed late Friday. "I'm watching how things are going. I watch very closely. What I'm seeing is… "…We'll adjust accordingly." Yahoo! Sports

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Tom Thibodeau, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

KC Johnson: Nate Robinson: "You see LeBron in a lot of commercials. He's a good actor." #Bulls #Heat Twitter @KCJHoop

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nate Robinson 

Tim Bontemps: Nazr on ejection: "It’s a different league from when I got into the league. I see a lot of things I didn’t see years ago. I was surprised." Twitter @TimBontemps

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

“It’s a different league,” Mohammed said. “I see a lot of things that I didn’t see years ago. That’s the way I was taught to play ball. … You checked people cutting to the rim, you didn’t give away layups, fastbreaks or dunks. You didn’t try to hurt people, but at the same time, you have to earn the two points.” CBSSports.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

“I’m sitting back here looking at the play and I’m just disappointed,” Mohammed said. “I wanted to be out there so bad. I wanted to help my teammates win the game, and to be back here watching over something like a push … I’m disappointed I let somebody else cause a reaction like that when I knew there was going to be so much of a microscope on the game and the physicality.” CBSSports.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

His disappointment was genuine, but it was not strictly self-directed. “I’m disappointed because my son was probably watching the game, and I don’t want him to see that type of behavior on the court,” Mohammed said. “But I’m also disappointed that it warranted an ejection for something like a push when I got pushed down first.” CBSSports.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

Nazr Mohammed: For the kids who were watching... That not the way to react on the basketball court. Twitter @NazrMohammed

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

Nazr Mohammed: Hopefully if I'm in the same situation again I will control my emotions but u never know what ur instincts will do. #SeeRed Twitter @NazrMohammed

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nazr Mohammed, Referees 

The Heat evened the series with a 115-78 victory that was both the most lopsided playoff win in franchise history and the largest postseason loss by the Bulls. "I understand the refs are going to try to control the game as much as possible, so you have to adjust to it," James said Thursday, as the Heat wrapped up preparations in Miami before flying to Chicago for Game 3 on Friday. "We know definitely this game is going to be physical and we look forward to it. It's a rivalry with this (Bulls) team. They don't like us. We don't like them. That's how it is." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Referees 

"We have to carry that same aggression, that same attitude to Game 3 and Game 4 (Monday) that we took into Game 2," said James, who scored all 19 of his points in the first half Wednesday and also had nine assists. "They're back in their own building, and we have to be ready for it." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Referees 

Russell Westbrook is out of the playoff picture, but plenty of other competitors are stepping up in his place in NBA fashion wars. Dwyane Wade, not wanting to be outdone by LeBron James’ rainbow shoes, took the same approach to his jacket following the Miami Heat’s Wednesday blowout of the Chicago Bulls. There’s a lot going on here. It’s colorful, and there are cartoons on it. The lensless glasses are sorely missed, though. For The Win

Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook 

Ethan J. Skolnick: LeBron was wearing a t-shirt that says "Up to Me." Twitter @EthanJSkolnick

Miami Heat, LeBron James 

Carmelo Anthony defended and then thanked Boston Globe writer Gary Washburn for giving him a first-place MVP vote, one that prevented LeBron James from being a unanimous winner. “As far as the guy in Boston, I don’t know why he catches so much flak for that,” Anthony said following Game 2. “He has the right to vote for whoever he want. LeBron won the MVP. Why is everybody so mad that he didn’t win it unanimously? . . . Thank you.” New York Daily News

Miami Heat, New York Knicks, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Media 

One adjustment Miami has to make is the way it defends Robinson. The 5-foot-9 Bulls guard scored a game-high 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter. James, who stands 6-foot-8, was asked about the possibility of matching up one-on-one against Robinson. "Wouldn’t be surprised if I matched up with him," James said with a shrug of the shoulders. "I’ll take the challenge with him." Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Nate Robinson 

Additional auction highlights include a 1980’s sideline chair from Chicago Stadium, used as part of the Chicago Bulls team bench, game used and signed by Michael Jordan; Jordan’s 1992 game worn and signed shoes; LeBron James’ 2002-03 Saint Vincent-Saint Mary High School game worn uniform Artdaily.org

LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Merchandising 

LeBron James insisted that the Heat had full respect for the Bulls entering Game 1. “We knew it wasn’t Milwaukee and we knew it wasn’t a 27-game winning streak,'' James said. "We understand our opponent, we respect our opponent. We got to get into the fight and understand what they’re going to bring to the table.’ Sulia

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, LeBron James 

Chris Tomasson: Shane Battier: “I like watching Steph Curry. That’s the only guy I’d pay to watch. And LeBron.’’ Twitter @christomasson

Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Shane Battier 

Chris Tomasson: LeBron James: “I wasn’t concerned about me. I think I was 1-of-6 in the first half I didn’t really worry about that.'' Twitter @christomasson

Miami Heat, LeBron James