CORAL GABLES, Fla.—

As the Miami Heat’s lone representative at the Monday meeting that led to a hardened players’ stance in the NBA lockout, James Jones insisted he did not stand alone.

Instead, as secretary-treasurer of what formerly had stood as the players’ union, Jones said Tuesday that he cast the Heat’s vote against the NBA’s latest proposal after canvassing almost the entire roster.

“I spoke to the majority of the guys, just about all of ‘em,” Jones told the Sun Sentinel.

Jones said at no point in the process, which ended with the union electing to file a “disclaimer of interest” and disband, did he act against the interest of any of his Heat teammates.

“Our players elected our team officials and our reps to go up there and speak on their behalf and that’s what I did,” Jones said.

Forward Chris Bosh, who attended Tuesday’s University of Miami-Rutgers game and spoke to a pair of South Florida reporters during the first half, said he also understood the Heat’s vote to be unanimous.

“I don’t like it,” Bosh said of the nasty turn in the negotiations that led to the filing of antitrust complaints Tuesday in Minnesota and California. “I don’t think anybody likes it. But sometimes when you’re doing business it’s so hard to kind of draw the line and work together.”

Bosh praised Jones’ efforts, but said it still is difficult to comprehend an entire season could be lost.

“It’s still kind of weird not playing, because I’ve always played in November,” he said. “So it’s feeling real out of place.”

He said it would not be a stretch to believe the Heat’s signing of himself, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in the 2010 offseason contributed to the league’s belief that the work rules had to change.

“I think so,” he said.

But he said efforts to block such an approach are misguided.

“I mean, if you look at the free agents coming up in the same situations, with Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, they can control their own fate,” he said. “They have the power to control that and I think that’s a great thing. In any job you want freedom to negotiate.

“With us doing what we did, and Carmelo going to the Knicks, I think that has a lot to do with it. Hopefully we can keep that and guys can come and go and make the deal that’s best for them and their family.”

Bosh said he is not currently considering overseas options.

“I guess for me personally, it’s probably when the whole season is (lost), if it gets to that point,” he said. “If it gets to that point where there is no chance there is a season, then I might consider it. But even then a lot of things have to happen.”

Instead, his next overseas appearance could come in the 2012 London Olympics, with Wade and James already having committed.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to the experience ever since we had it the last time. We’ve been talking about it for years and it’s been four years already.”

Jones said his work with the players’ association is essentially over.

“It’s out of our hands now,” he said. “It’s in the lawyers’ hands now. And anything regarding that stuff is best answered by them.”

iwinderman@tribune.com, Twitter @IraHeatBeat

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DALLAS — LeBron James made another decision Tuesday night, and because of it, the Miami Heat finds itself no closer to the NBA championship he promised the team’s fans when he signed on 11 months ago.

James’ puzzling choice in Game 4 of the NBA Finals to completely detach himself from the proceedings weighed heavily in the Heat’s 86-83 loss to the host Dallas Mavericks, evening the best-of-seven series at 2 heading into tonight’s Game 5 at the American Airline Center.

And contrasted against the heroic effort of a flu-ridden Dirk Nowitzki, who soldiered on despite a fever and visible fatigue, James again Wednesday found himself on the defensive against assertions that he’s evading the responsibility that comes with such grandiose declarations as those he made in South Beach about winning eight championships.

While Nowitzki was being lauded for his efforts — “He did everything he could possibly do,” said Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle — James’s puzzling performance was damning evidence of his apparent indifference.

Dallas swingman DeShawn Stevenson, who has an acrimonious history with James, said that James “checked out” of Game 4.

Explaining the context of that thought, Stevenson added: “Dwyane Wade had it going, and sometimes you get like that when a player has it going.”

Over and over again, television replays of James’s disconnection from the offensive flow throughout the game — especially in the fourth quarter — gave credence to pundits who a day earlier questioned James’s commitment to winning and his leadership abilities when the game was on the line.

On Tuesday, James attempted one shot in the fourth quarter. It missed.

He scored only four points in the second half on 2-of-7 shooting, and for the first time in his playoff career failed to score in double digits, finishing with an anemic eight points. James didn’t reach double figures in scoring for the first time in 90 career playoff games; it also was his poorest outing since scoring eight points Jan. 5, 2007, at the Milwaukee Bucks.

On Wednesday, James, who has played 835 1/2 minutes in 19 postseason games this season, and almost 46 minutes in Game 4, attempted to illuminate the reasons why he seemed so dispassionate on the offensive end Tuesday night.

“I feel like I’m in condition where I can still be effective,” James said, referring to his heavy minutes. “I just have to figure a way I can be effective on both ends of the floor. Last night, you know, eight points is definitely inexcusable for myself.

“I hold myself up to a higher standard than that. I had to do a better job of putting myself in situations where I can benefit myself and my team, no matter how many minutes I’m out on the floor.”

James insisted his disappearing act Tuesday night was a result of his absence of “rhythm.”

“You’re at a point where you just not in a good rhythm. You start aiming shots; you start thinking about plays too much,” he said. “You start thinking about the game too much … instead of going out and reading and react and playing the game. It happens to all of us where you get to a point where you feel so out of rhythm, you try to impact the game some other way than offensively.

“I try to rebound the ball, try to defend. When you’re out of rhythm, it’s tough to get back into the flow in that particular game. I guess the best thing about it is you try to watch that film, see the things you can do better the next game and then go after it.”

James admitted he was bothered by his efforts, or lack thereof, Tuesday night.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I criticized myself. I was hard on myself all last night. Any time I feel like I could have played better and the team loses, that’s what it’s all about. If I have a bad game and we win, I’m hard on myself — but at the end of the day, we win the basketball game.

“That’s ultimately what it’s all about. When we lose and I don’t play well, and I feel like I could have did one or two more things to help our team win or get over the hump, you’re definitely hard on yourself. That’s just me. That’s just the make up of who I am.”

Miami Coach Erik Spoelstra predicted that, with the Heat planning offensive adjustments to get James more involved, James’ play tonight in Game 5 should quiet his critics.

“He will be more aggressive and have more of an attack mentality,” Spoelstra said. “He doesn’t need to overthink it. He’s a great player; he’s a proven player. He knows how to be aggressive and how to pick his spots. I don’t want him to necessarily overthink it.

“The aggressive mentality will be enough. We will do some things to help him, put him in positions to be aggressive — and then the last thing would be that the ball has to move. And sometimes he can get involved from execution, other guys being aggressive, and he’s off the ball and impacting in different ways. So we anticipate it will be different (tonight).”

James didn’t go so far as to guarantee that, but he seems to believe it could be an evening of redemption.

“Both series, the Boston series and the Chicago series, there was a couple of games I didn’t play well,” he said. “You come back and you just do better the next game.

“I understand that I have the ability to go out there, my teammates give me all the confidence in the world to go out there and try to help them win a basketball game. You definitely relish the next moment. I’m looking forward to it.”

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CHICAGO —
Laughs from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on Tuesday here likely did little to ease the nervous tension of their fans back home.

Trailing for the first time in a series this postseason, the Heat plays the Chicago Bulls at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at United Center in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Sunday’s series opener was a rout, with the Heat looking truly vulnerable for the first time in these NBA playoffs, but James and Wade brushed off any notion of panic from a team built to win multiple championships.

“I’ve been behind before,” Wade joked before the Heat’s practice Tuesday at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

“I have, too,” James added during a joint interview session with Wade.

The players laughed. They did a lot of that Tuesday while being surrounded by a swarm of local, national and international reporters.

“We’ve been behind before in our careers and you understand that you got to approach every game, every possession, as its own,” Wade said. “You can’t think about, ‘Oh, we’re down one game.’

“It’s a seven-game series. So, we’ve moved on from Game 1 and we approach it totally different than we did Game 1.”

The approach: Just play better. As simple as it sounds, that was the message delivered repeatedly by coach Erik Spoelstra and his superstar players for two days after Sunday’s 21-point loss. Wade and James combined to deliver their worst efforts of the postseason during Game 1. They combined for just 33 points and nine rebounds.

“This series will be less about adjustments than aggressiveness and toughness and who’s able to endure and get to their game more consistently,” Spoelstra said. “They certainly were able to do that more than we were able to do that in Game 1.”

But adjustments could be in store for the Heat. Spoelstra activated center Jamaal Magloire for Game 1 to help counter the Bulls’ tough-minded frontcourt. The reasoning behind playing Magloire and deactivating center Zydrunas Ilgauskas stemmed from the Heat’s three regular-season games against the Bulls. The Bulls outrebounded the Heat in each contest — 42-30, 53-39 and 36-30.

The strategy had no effect, though. Magloire had two rebounds in 10 minutes and the Bulls outrebounded the Heat 45-33, including 19-6 on the offensive end. The second-chance opportunities led to 31 points for the Bulls. The Heat managed just six. In the second half, Chicago outscored Miami 17-0 in second-chance opportunities.

“There were five wide-open threes that were the most open looks the entire night for either team on offensive rebounds,” Spoelstra said. “We have the ability to get to people even if there is a bad bounce and something happens.”

Udonis Haslem could be an option for Game 2. Haslem played four minutes in Game 1 and said Monday that he’s ready to contribute if called upon. Known for his energy inside, Haslem could be a difference-maker if his repaired left foot responds well against the quickness of Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and reserve Taj Gibson.

“[There is] only one way to find out,” Haslem said.

Bulls reserves outrebounded the Heat’s bench 14-6 in Game 1 but Spoelstra said Tuesday that improving those numbers will not be the difference should the Heat even the series. Spoelstra said it’s up to the Heat’s stars to match the Bulls’ effort.

“We’ve been able to bounce back in the regular season and postseason to learn from our mistakes in the previous game and then move on,” James said. “We’ve done that. So we’re looking forward to the challenge. We’re excited about the opportunity to be here and try to steal home-court [advantage].”

There is the quick update of the day.

MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James speaks often of his appreciation for NBA history.

On Wednesday, he’ll likely make some history.

James needs only two points to reach 2,000 for the season, which would put him on another yet list alongside some of the game’s greatest players. The NBA’s two-time reigning MVP will become the eighth player to score 2,000 points seven times — and at 26, he will be the youngest member of that elite club.

“It means a lot,” James said. “It means I’ve stayed healthy over the years. It also means the teammates and coaching staffs that I’ve had have given me the leeway to go out there and score. I’ve just tried to take full advantage of it. There’s a lot of hard work that goes into it and I just try to go out on the court and be the best player I can every night.”

There’s bigger issues for Miami (54-23) to tackle against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, namely trying to stay in position for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. The Heat entered Tuesday a half-game ahead of Boston (53-23) in the East race; the Celtics were playing Tuesday night at home against Philadelphia.

Plus, there’s the not-so-small matter of Dwyane Wade’s health. The 2006 NBA finals MVP sat out practice Tuesday with a bruised right thigh, and isn’t certain if he’ll be able to play against the Bucks in a game that Miami probably can’t afford to lose if it wants to hold home-court advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Still, James’ latest accomplishment is one that Miami is noticing.

“You have to really catch yourself and not take his talent for granted,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We say it all the time, that greatness is consistency. You can book his numbers every single year against the best competition. And he does it every single night, to the point where I think a lot of people do take it for granted.”

Every other player with seven seasons of scoring 2,000 points — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Alex English, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Oscar Robertson and Dominique Wilkins — is in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

James will be the eighth person in that seven-timers club, and Kobe Bryant needs only 85 points in the Lakers’ final six games to get to 2,000 again and join as well. Of that group, James will get there two years faster than anyone else; Robertson was 28 when he scored 2,000 for the seventh and final time.

Everyone else on that list, except Abdul-Jabbar, joined James as having seven consecutive 2,000-point seasons. Malone is the only one with more, 11 straight and 12 in 13 seasons, the exception being only the 50-game season in 1998-99.

And Jordan reached 2,000 points in 10 consecutive full seasons, but that stretch was broken by his brief retirement for baseball.

“Knowing where I come from, knowing where I just was — I mean, in 2000, 2001, I was still in high school back in Ohio with a lot of dreams to become great — the fact that my name gets put with the great is definitely a testament to my work ethic and the people around me,” James said.

One of the common thoughts around the NBA was that James, Wade and Chris Bosh all would have their stats plummet by playing together in Miami.

Even to their own surprise, that wasn’t exactly the case.

James may lead in the NBA in total points for the first time this season, after finishing second on that list in each of the last six seasons. He entered Tuesday three points ahead of Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant.

James’ scoring average of 26.6 this season is only a little more than a point down from his average during seven seasons as Cleveland’s primary offensive threat. Wade is averaging 25.7 points, just 0.9 points shy of what he managed a year ago. Bosh averaged 20.2 points in seven years with Toronto; he’s at 18.7 this season as Miami’s No. 3 option.

“You automatically think when you bring three guys together that are used to having the ball, it’s going to take a lot away. … It’s just a testament to us figuring it out,” Wade said. “A lot of people questioned, ‘Can we play together?’ I think we’ve done a great job.”

The numbers, naturally, support Wade’s words.

“Just trying to stay above the curve,” James said.

Not much else going on in the NBA world today.

CLEVELAND – Heat forward Udonis Haslem is progressing faster than even he expected, but coach Erik Spoelstra indicated Tuesday that Haslem’s return still might be a month away.

Haslem participated in a high-energy shooting drill Tuesday after the Heat’s morning shootaround at Quicken Loans Arena, moving well through drills and situations. He had a more extensive workout Monday but reported pain in his surgically repaired foot to the Heat’s medical staff. Currently, Haslem’s routine consists of one heavy workout day followed by a light day.

“It’s a little sore [Tuesday], but I’m definitely making strides, heading in the right direction,” Haslem said. “Way further along than I anticipated right now.”

Haslem’s return isn’t imminent, though.

Spoelstra said before Tuesday’s game that Haslem will be evaluated on a weekly basis, meaning he might not be ready for the start of the playoffs.

“We’ll just have to see how the next month goes and then reevaluate,” Spoelstra said. “Only he can tell us how his foot and body is responding.

“We’re having daily discussions with the training staff. None of us really know at this point.”

Haslem said the next step in his rehabilitation “is trying to run up and down” with his teammates.

As for rebounding, he said, “I still got to continue to strengthen my leg so I can get up a little higher and a little quicker,” Haslem said.

Milestones have come slowly for Haslem during his recovery from an injured foot sustained during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies in November. One of the those important markers occurred Monday by simply traveling with the team for the four-game trip. Haslem said he felt like “a kid in a candy store” just by being on the team plane.

“I missed that camaraderie, being around these guys,” Haslem said. “It’s good to be back.”

Infection scare

Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ foot infection was more serious than initially reported by the Heat.

The 7-3 center, who missed eight games, tested positive for MRSA infection and was admitted to an emergency room two days after the Heat defeated the Lakers on March 10.

“It was scary,” Ilgauskas said. “I’ve had a lot of broken bones and everything and I can deal with that but with something inside, it’s hard and it wasn’t getting better for a while. We had a hard time getting it under control at first.”

Ilgauskas spent three days in the hospital. Initially, he was treated with IVs but needed stronger antibiotics to rid his body of the bacterial infection, which started in his foot and moved up his leg.

Ilgauskas first told doctors that he thought the infection was caused when he stepped on a nail at his house but he said Tuesday that wasn’t the case.

Upon further review, Ilgauskas said the nail did not break the sole of his shoe.

“They said it might have been an insect bite or something,” Ilgauskas said.

Miller out

Heat shooter Mike Miller sat out Tuesday with an injured knee and isn’t expected to play Wednesday against the Washington Wizards. Miller sustained the injury Sunday against the Rockets. Spoelstra initially called the injury a bruised knee but Tuesday said it was a slight sprain.

Not much else going on in the NBA world today.

MIAMI—

Heat center Zydrunas Ilgauskas could rejoin the team early as Thursday.

Ilgauskas did not travel to Detroit for Wednesday’s game, but continues to improve after being sidelined because of foot infection. Ilgauskas has missed six consecutive games.

“He should be back in a basketball shoe [Wednesday],” Spoelstra said. “Hopefully, he’s able to resume when we get back.”

The Heat originally thought the infection occurred when Ilgauskas stepped on a nail at his home. On Tuesday, he said doctors told him it happened before the incident.

“I’m on my way back, probably a couple days away,” Ilgauskas said. “It was uncomfortable for a while but now it’s getting better. … Hopefully, this weekend.”

Without Ilgauskas, the Heat have turned to center Jamaal Magloire as one the backups to starter Erick Dampier. Magloire has split the minutes with Joel Anthony.

Anthony did not practice Tuesday, but is expected to play against the Pistons. Spoelstra said he sustained a minor nose injury during Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.

“He got hit the other night,” Spoelstra said. “But he’s fine. We just wanted to make sure he could fly.”

Heat assist bulls?

The Chicago Bulls are in position to surprisingly grab the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls and Boston Celtics are both 50-19, with the Celtics owning the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Guard Dwyane Wade said the Bulls may owe the Heat a “Thank You” card. With much of the national attention on the Heat, the Bulls have played without a spotlight.

“It’s easier for them,” Wade said.”

“So much focus has been on us, they’ve been able to fly under the radar and they’re a very good team. Derrick Rose is having an MVP season and they’ve had a lot of guys step up. It’s a little bit easier when you’re flying under the radar to do that.”

More running for Haslem

Injured Udonis Haslem continues to make progress in his recovery from foot surgery.

Haslem has been out since November, but was able to run sprints and shoot jumpshots after Tuesday’s practice. He also dunked and planted on the injured left foot during his post-practice workout.

“He’s doing more each week,” Spoelstra said. “He’s starting to do some light running now on the court.”

Haslem suffered ligament damage against the Memphis Grizzlies Nov. 20. The Heat still have no timetable on his return. Haslem originally set the end of the month as the target date, but said he will not rush a comeback.

Home-court not a concern

If the Heat fail to catch the Bulls or Celtics, they say there is no concern about not having home-court advantage. They feel they are prepared to win on the road if put in that position.

“For us, we’ve played good basketball on the road and at home,” Wade said.

“It’s about playing consistent, closing out games. That doesn’t matter if you’re at home or on the road. You’ve got to do it, so we’re very confident no matter where we play.”

srichardson@tribune.com

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By Andrew Sharp – Editor

Read More: Gerald Wallace (F – POR), Chris Webber (C – GSW), Brandon Roy (G – POR), LeBron James (F – MIA), Dwyane Wade (G – MIA), Wesley Matthews (G – POR), Nate McMillan (H – POR), Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers

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Mar 9, 2011 - The Miami Heat welcomed the Portland Trail Blazers to town on Tuesday, and after 48 minutes and a fifth straight loss for the Heat, much of the talk centers on LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and what’s wrong with Miami. But let’s not forget Portland.

Yes, if we want to focus on Miami, Tuesday night was more proof that their struggles are real, and five games into a stretch of games that was supposed to be a litmus lest for the Heat’s legitimacy, Miami’s 0-5. Let’s see… Over the past 10 days or so, they’ve proven themselves clueless in the clutch, toothless in the face of toughness, and now, even Chris Webber is questioning their mental approach, which is sort of like having Andy Dick question someone’s masculinity. So, yeah: Things have gotten bad.

Tuesday, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James combined for 69 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists, but the rest of the Heat gave them nothing, and while “We Want Riley” chants rained down throughout the fourth quarter, the game was never really close. And to some degree, that’s on ‘Bron and Wade. Superstars are supposed to make role players better, not irrelevant. But that’s only part of the problem.

If people are going to talk about “What’s Wrong With The Miami Heat?” then here’s the simplest answer: they’re not having fun right now. It’s one of those cliched observations that can’t really be quantified, but you know it when you see it. And Tuesday night, you saw it.

Mainly because Portland is at the polar opposite of the spectrum. Nate McMillan signed a lucrative contract extension on Tuesday, and nobody in the league deserves it more. Despite all kinds of adversity and every excuse in the world, the Blazers haven’t quit, and at this point, Nate’s got them looking like one of the toughest teams in the West.

They have scary size on defense, and for the first time in his entire career, Gerald Wallace finds himself in a situation that makes sense. With Charlotte, he was asked to be the superstar that made everything else work. With Portland, he’s less the straw that stirs the drink, and more like the salt around the glass’ rim. Hasn’t this always been his basketball destiny?

On a good team, he’s great. On a bad team, he’s not good enough. But he’s finally found a good team in Portland, and next to Lamarcus Aldridge, Nicholas Batum, Wesley Matthews, and Brandon Roy, Wallace’s chaotic energy garnishes what Portland does well without taking anything away. So watching the Blazers last night, you got the feeling we were seeing something special coming together.

The offense goes through Aldridge, who’s suddenly one of the best big men in the league. Then there’s Andre Miller methodically running the point, with Batum and Matthews quietly coming through on the perimeter, and guarding stars on the other end. Off the bench, you have Wallace, and then Brandon Roy, the superstar that’ll probably never be the same after his injuries, but who might just be reborn as a spot-up shooter orbiting around Aldridge. Throw in Marcus Camby’s contributions on the glass and on defense and… Does this sound like a team you’d want to play in the playoffs?

They’re not quite a juggernaut, but there’s enough in play with the Blazers to make you wonder what’s possible in the playoffs. Their size makes them intriguing, and on offense, they’ve got enough weapons to hurt in a hundred different ways. One night it’s Aldridge, the next it’s Wesley Matthews, then Gerald Wallace, and maybe even Brandon Roy. Or like Tuesday night in Miami, when it was all of them, and you could see the Blazers blueprint come together looking better than ever. Maybe that’s just their best case scenario, and we shouldn’t read too much into it. But maybe it’s the sign of a team coming together at the perfect time.

Either way, Tuesday we got to see a team that actually likes playing together, clearly believes in themselves, and after a nightmarish stretch earlier this year, we saw a coach that’s finally found a formula that’s successful. It was refreshing to watch, and it’ll be fun to see what comes next.

‘Course, watching the other team on Tuesday, you just wonder if Miami will ever get there…

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