Indiana Pacers reserve Lance Stephenson has made a name for himself twice in his NBA career. First, in 2010, he was arrested after shoving his girlfriend down a flight of stairs and then slamming her head against the bottom step as he left the home. While that’s hard to top, he reminded us that he still exists during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, as he wrapped his hands around his throat to tell LeBron James what he thought of him.

As many people expected, Stephenson’s tactics had two results: 1) He caused James to explode for a combined 70 points in Games 4 and 5 to push the Heat to a 3-2 series lead, and B) The Heat’s role players were going head-hunting. Sure enough, Udonis Haslem and Dexter Pittman reminded the Pacers that they’re going to be disrespected underdogs for just a little bit longer.

First, Haslem laid a vicious hit on Tyler Hansbrough that earned the Heat big man a flagrant 1, but Pittman took the top prize with less than 20 seconds left in the game and a 27-point lead. Pittman could have just gone for an easy rebound, but he instead decided to rock Stephenson in the shoulder and neck with his elbow for a little, as the kids call it, how-do-you-do.

Needless to say, Pittman will likely be enjoying the rest of the playoffs from a couch, otherwise Metta World Peace might destroy a village.

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One week after the Miami Heat threw a lavish surprise birthday party with more than 200 guests for free agent forward Udonis Haslem, the Miami-Dade County (FL) commissioners voted unanimously to rename the county Miami-Wade, a tribute to the Heat’s superstar free agent Dwyane Wade. The change will occur from July 1-7, coinciding with the beginning of the NBA’s free agency, but Wade has already made it clear that he plans to stay in Miami so long as the team puts winning pieces around him. The commissioners also voted unanimously to laugh at whichever team signs Jermaine O’Neal.

The decision recalls the playful nickname that was created after Wade led the Heat to the NBA Championship in 2006. Wade has been very open over the past few days about his desire to return the Heat to the NBA Finals, and he has been actively recruiting other NBA free agent superstars not named Shaquille O’Neal to join him in Miami to make that happen.

Make a motion to accept me by acclamation, Miami Herald:

The resolution was written “in recognition of all that Dwyane Wade has done for the visibility, stature and national image” of the county.

Wade will become a free agent before July 1, which means he could leave the Miami Heat. Wade has repeatedly said he hopes to stay in Miami, but only if the Heat roster is upgraded.

The Heat have been a rumored destination for most of the current elite free agents, but mostly Amar’e Stoudemire, whose agent recently expressed the Phoenix star’s dismay over the Suns’ decision to fire GM Steve Kerr. Carlos Boozer has also declared his intent to play anywhere but Utah, and said that he’d prefer to land in Miami or Chicago. The Heat had also been long linked with Chris Bosh trade rumors, and just for fun we’ll say that Joe Johnson bought a boat and named it “The Heat Is On.”

Meanwhile, Tom Izzo and the Cleveland Cavaliers were reportedly unable to contact LeBron James directly during their entire negotiation period, of which Izzo said wasn’t a factor… so that means it was a factor. At this rate, the Cavs, Knicks, Clippers, Nets, Mavericks and Bulls will have an easier chance of signing Osama Bin Laden or Kim Jong-Il.