I don't pretend to be a huge Pacers fan. I haven't consistently watched the team since #31 retired. I didn't like the team of thugs they had after that and simply didn't watch them anymore. To be honest, most of the people I know (and Hoosiers in general) stopped watching them as well. Even now, only a handful of my friends watch the NBA anymore. Even with the Pacers in the playoffs, most people here aren't tuning in to watch. Tonight is only the second game I've watched all year. The NBA simply isn't a big deal here. Purdue vs. IU would get better ratings than a Pacers playoff game. Professional basketball will never be a bigger deal here than high school and college ball.
That being said, I do enjoy watching the Heat lose. I suppose that's my main rooting interest when the playoffs roll around. Lebron and even D-Wade now are just little bitches. I don't care who beats the Heat as long as somebody does. I'd like to see the Pacers do well, but it's not really a big deal to me if they win or lose. I do like the young team that the Pacers have now. The fact that they play good defense (or at least what passes for defense in the NBA) is especially interesting to me. I'm much more a fan of team play and defense than I am of scoring and flashy, individualistic play.
The play at the end of this half is exactly why I'm not really a fan anymore. Why the fuck is Granger is getting a technical foul for running his mouth with twelve seconds left in the half? He was popping off last game too. Just shut your fucking mouth and play the game. There was no need to foul Wade like that, and there was no need to jaw with him afterward. I hate shit like that. Let your performance on the court do the talking.