Miami Heat forward LeBron James is in full playoff mode, so this is his time to think team success and not individual honors.
James was in no mood Wednesday to talk about finishing fourth in this year's defensive player of the year voting. New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler won the honor, receiving 45 of the 121 first-place votes.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said James wasn't concerned with the award, preferring to focus on his defensive value to the team.
"Well, Tyson Chandler is a heck of a defensive player," Spoelstra said. "It's a tough award to vote for. We think LeBron could have easily won but all we're concerned about is the contribution he's been making for us."
James received seven first-place votes, finishing behind Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka and center Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.
James averaged 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks a game while defending all five positions this season.
"I've never played point center and guarded centers, but I'm happy that I'm able to do things for our team and help our team win," James said. "That's what it's all about."
Teammates say James will eventually earn recognition for his defense.
"We know he's a great defensive player," forward Chris Bosh said. "It's only a matter of time before he gets it. It's not always about numbers, it's not about blocks and steals, but he's in the top of the league in those categories. He's a tough-nosed defender and he does his job. There's nobody else like him."
Bosh said maybe James will receive the consolation prize if the Heat wins the NBA title next month.
"If not this year, maybe next year," Bosh said. "But he'll probably get that other trophy."
Road worries no more
The Heat were 3-8 in their final 11 road games, but have no intention of letting that carry over into the postseason.
They say it has no bearing on how they perform in their first playoff game this season as the visiting team.
"I'm not talking about March anymore," Spoelstra said. "We're beyond that. We're dealing with now. We put that way behind us."
Two of the Heat's road losses came the final week of the regular season. They played without Bosh and guard Dwyane Wade.
"The regular season is over with," James said. "We're focused now on Game 3."
More activity for Haslem
Forward Udonis Haslem isn't expecting things to be any easier with the Knicks playing without forward Amar'e Stoudemire.
He said it just means he will have to chase around Steve Novak and Landry Fields.
"It's not easier, I'll tell you that," Haslem said. "You think that because Amar'e is not playing, you have the night off. You really don't have the night off."
Haslem expects a busier night having to account for Novak and Fields in the paint and on the perimeter. Novak is the league's top 3-point shooter while Fields creates matchup problems because of his quickness.
"Like I said, Novak is hunting down shots and he's knocking them down at a high pace right now," Haslem said. "Landry Fields is probably one of the best cutters in the league. I put him up there with guys like (Bulls forward) Luol Deng or (Celtics guard) Avery Bradley. Those are guys that people just kind of forget about and those guys are always making plays to the basket and getting easy buckets."
Quick reaction
Wade said he empathized with Stoudemire, who punched the glass casing of a fire extinguisher following Monday's Game 2 loss. The incident will cause Stoudemire, who cut his hand, to miss Thursday's Game 3.
Wade said it's easy to get caught up in the moment.
"I'm just like every other player," Wade said. "You've done some things, you've asked yourself later, 'Why did I do that?' It's called the emotions of not only basketball but of life. We all get into situations. Sometimes you don't hurt yourself, sometimes you do." It's not your fault, it's in the moment."
White hot rally
The Heat will host their White Hot Road Rally Thursday at Duffy's Sports Grill in North Miami Beach. The event, which features the Heat dancers and other franchise personalities, begins at 7 p.m.
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