Tyreek Hill discusses being handcuffed by police before helping lead the Miami Dolphins to a comeback win against the Jaguars.

Pressure Point: Tyreek Hill, Dolphins shed cuffs in time for dramatic win over Jaguars

/0 Comments/in , /by

Getting this Miami Dolphins season off on a winning note was an adventure like never seen before.

Certainly there was no precedent for an opening day that began with a star receiver in handcuffs on the way to the stadium who then went on to help spark a dramatic comeback victory with an 80-yard touchdown catch and run.

Which led to the surreal celebration in the end zone with Tyreek Hill holding his hands behind his back so Jaylen Waddle could pantomime putting his fellow receiver in handcuffs for the second time Sunday.

There are numerous questions to be answered about why Hill was cuffed and taken to the ground following a minor traffic incident near Hard Rock Stadium a couple hours before the game. Miami-Dade Police Department director Stephanie Daniels said the department is investigating and that one of the officers involved in the incident was placed on administrative duty. I suspect this story is going to blow up as more becomes known about what happened.

The day ended a lot happier than it began for the Dolphins after they turned a 10-point deficit into a 20-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Jason Sanders’ 52-yard field goal as time expired.

That wouldn’t have been possible without safety Jevon Holland knocking the ball out of Travis Etienne Jr.’s hands just short of the goal line and Kader Kohou’s recovering for a touchback to prevent the Jaguars from taking a 17-point lead. On the very next play, Hill took a pass from Tua Tagovailoa on a crossing route and danced along the sideline on an 80-yard jaunt that completed a stunning 14-point turnaround in a matter of seconds to cut the deficit to three.

Dolphins have issues to address before facing Bills

The outcome masked some glaring shortcomings that the Dolphins must try to address quickly with the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills due in four days for a Thursday night showdown.

Throughout the first half Sunday the Dolphins seemed intent on reprising their inept effort when last seen in a playoff defeat at Kansas City. Except they weren’t playing on the road in sub-freezing conditions against the champion Chiefs.

Give the Jaguars credit, they played like their offseason efforts to improve were a lot more productive than those by the Dolphins’ front office.

The Jaguars had the Miami offense handcuffed until well into the third quarter.

Watching the ineptness of the Dolphins’ running game, I kept wondering if general manager Chris Grier is still amused by concerns expressed in South Florida media about his offensive line.
Tagovailoa was sacked three times, although at least one of those was on the quarterback. But he had little time to look downfield and was often relegated to screens and short dump-offs, that were generally well covered.

Dolphins’ O-line remains a liability

Holes to run through were nonexistent most of the game. After leading the league last season with an average of 5.1 yards a carry, the Dolphins managed only 3.2 yards a crack against the Jags.
De’Von Achane, who led the league with a 7.3-yard rushing average as a rookie, found little room as a ball carrier, struggling for 24 yards on 10 carriers. Raheem Mostert, who has a career average of 5.2 yards, managed a mere nine yards on six carries.

The speedy Achane was used effectively out of the backfield as a third receiver. He matched Hill with a game-high seven receptions, the longest for 39 yards.

Ultimately, the speed of Hill, Waddle and Achane enabled the offense to gain traction in the second half.

But before Hill’s game-changing play, which came more than halfway through the third quarter, the Dolphins had only 170 yards of offense.

On the bright side for Miami, the defense pitched a shutout in the second half. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips made a triumphant return from last year’s Achilles tendon injury with a third-down sack that ended the Jaguars final possession and led to the winning field goal.

“I think collectively as a group, offensively, it was just one of those deals where we needed to get our heads out of our ass,” Tagovailoa said. “We got punched in the mouth. … It’s how are you going to respond?”

Tagovailoa rallies Dolphins in second half

Considering how little the first-team offense played during the preseason, some rustiness on offense was not surprising. Tagovailoa wasn’t as accurate as usual; among several off-target throws he missed Hill on a deep route in the first half.

What he did do, in addition to leading the comeback, was show leadership qualities expected of a $212.4 million quarterback, which haven’t always been on his calling card.

According to Hill, Tagovailoa had some pointed words at halftime for the offense, including the star receiver.

“The thing that really motivated me the most was when we came in during halftime, and this is the first time I heard Tua’s Hawaiian accent. He was like turned up and animated in the locker room,” Hill said.

“He called me out. I’m like, I’m loving this. I love accountability at its finest. I grew up on my dad telling me, ‘Reek, need you to be better,’ not patting me on the back. For my quarterback to call me out in front of the offense, I had to step up.”

Hill acknowledged to also finding motivation from his run-in with the police. It remains to be seen what the department’s internal investigate will reveal.

Teammates support Hill during stop by police

Hill was restrained in his criticism of the action by the police. But he was shaken by the thought of what could have happened, particularly if has wasn’t a celebrity athlete in that situation.
“What if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? It’s hard. Still trying to figure that out. It’s all across the world. You see it. I don’t want to bring racism into it, but …”

Hill did appreciate that several teammates showed up on the scene in support, including defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who was also handcuffed and detained.

“I’m just glad that my teammates were there to support me in that situation because I felt alone,” he said. “But when they showed up, it made me realize that we got a fuckin’ good team this year, dawg.”

It wasn’t the sort of bonding agent any of them saw coming or would care to repeat.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Jamal Murray’s contract extension plus other Nuggets notes

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Denver Nuggets extended Jamal Murray’s contract. It’s a hefty four-year, $208 million deal at age 27. While never receiving All-Star honors, he may be the no.1 veteran player in the NBA without it on his résumé because of his Playoff work.

 

He has been one of the most accurate snipers over the past five seasons. Considering Murray’s status as the team’s second-best player and how key pieces have left in the past two summers (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green), the group will need his highest attendance since 2018-19 and the top efficiency of his career. 

 

This deal needed to get done, despite Murray not looking like himself while playing for Team Canada in the Olympics and laboring through a calf injury in the postseason. When he is healthy, the Blue Arrow is one of the top guards in the league because of his elusiveness, post-game, ball protection, strength and deep jumper. 

 

Last season, 66.3% of Murray’s two-pointers were logged without the help of a teammate. The other Nuggets assisted on 60% of his trifectas. This is a premium because it takes pressure off the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokić, from creating something through a handoff or absorbing a double team.

 

Additionally, he spent 63.8% of his time checking guards on defense, holding them 41.8% shooting, per the NBA’s matchup data. 

 

His connection with Jokić makes them the best duo in the league, too. Losing half of that down the line would have been devastating. In Nuggets all-time Playoff history, Murray is fifth in rebounding (318), fourth in steals (72), second in minutes (2,522), second in points (1,571), second in assists (401) and first in 3-point makes (172). Don’t forget the countless big-time moments, either. 

 

Another reason the deal was important: Jokić is at his apex and shouldn’t have to carry the group through another season without a no.2 option. He had to in 2021-22, resulting in his second MVP crown. But the Nuggets tasted champagne in June 2023—strong regular seasons won’t cut it anymore as long as the generational center is on board.

 

Furthermore, the Nuggets need elevated accuracy from Murray at the rim. Only 16.6% of his attempts came there last season, but he made 65.2%, which is slightly below average. 

 

And when Jokić sits, he needs to get more out of his teammates. Twenty-and-a-half of his passes went to the Serbian, but next on the list was Aaron Gordon at 5.8 and Michael Porter Jr. at 4.8 feeds per game. Keep in mind, AG converted 52.6% of his two-pointers on Murray’s passes, and MPJ made 43% of his trays. Yet, these dishes aren’t resulting in enough field goal attempts. The Nuggets’ offense- 11th in total feeds and third in assists- could be a factor, but he needs a secondary go-to partner. 

 

Christian Braun needs a third-year leap:

 

Murray said Braun was his project in April because the vet has high expectations for his teammate who is likely the starting shooting guard. The latter is entering his third season, a pivotal one for himself and the Nuggets.

 

At this point, he is a durable release valve. Braun made 37.7% of his catch-and-shoot triples in 2023-24 and over two-thirds of his twos were assisted. 

 

Adding to his offensive arsenal and emerging as the point-of-attack pest is essential. His accuracy drops significantly on attempts with at least two dribbles or more. This needs to improve because the Nuggets need another dribble threat to get to the rim so Murray and Jokić don’t get burnt out.  

 

On defense, he will likely get put on the other team’s best perimeter player since KCP left for the Orlando Magic. This role will require constant communication plus will use lots of his energy. It’s one of the most consequential jobs on the squad.

 

What can Russell Westbrook bring?:

 

The backup point guard role is locked up by a former MVP (2016-17) with plenty of juice left. He’s not as fast as he used to be, but still quicker than most. He’ll be a transition weapon after grabbing a defensive rebound or when catching a pass from Jokić while running a vertical route. 

 

In 2023-24, Westbrook was still creating separation,  generating 6.9 paint points, which was a higher average than All-Stars (Damian Lillard), Tyrese Haliburton (6.5), Stephen Curry (5.9) and Paul George (5.6).  Also 1.7 of his digits came on the break.

 

Presumably, Westbrook and Murray’s minutes will be staggered since the former’s deep and mid-range jumper is not dependable. Opponents can sag off Westbrook and trap the pass. 

 

Westbrook is capable of playing well on defense but has gambling habits. If they persist, he won’t be a consistent option late in matches. 

 

Yet, his experience, work ethic, and leadership qualities make him a positive influence on the Nuggets’ young, developing players, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther. 


—

For more info on the Miami Heat, subscribe to Off The Floor.

Jalen Ramsey discusses his Miami Dolphins debut iwth an interception.

Breaking Down Miami’s Blockbuster 2024 Offseason Extensions

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Miami Dolphins made waves this offseason with a series of massive contract extensions that lock in their core talent for the foreseeable future.

 

Jalen Ramsey

This morning, the Dolphins extended Jalen Ramsey’s contract to a three-year, $72.3 million deal, securing him as the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL for the second time. This contract comes with $55.3 million guaranteed, ensuring the Dolphins keep one of the most elite defensive backs in the game locked down through the 2028 season.

Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro, has consistently been a game-changer, even when playing through injuries. Despite a knee injury that sidelined him last season, Ramsey returned and immediately made an impact with three interceptions in just 10 games. His ability to single-handedly eliminate one side of the field is a rare asset, and this extension reflects both his current value and the Dolphins’ expectation that Ramsey will continue to be the cornerstone of their defense as they compete for AFC East dominance.

 

Jaylen Waddle

Star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle also secured a long-term commitment with a 4-year, $84.75 million extension, which includes $76 million guaranteed. This deal positions Waddle among the top-paid receivers in the league and locks him in through 2028, further securing the continuity of the Dolphins’ offensive powerhouse.

Waddle’s speed, agility, and chemistry with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa have made him one of the most dangerous receivers in the league. He posted over 1,300 receiving yards last season and his ability to stretch defenses complements the Dolphins’ offensive strategy, particularly with fellow wideout Tyreek Hill also on the roster. The Dolphins’ focus on retaining their dynamic receiver corps sends a clear message that they are building a long-term offensive juggernaut designed to compete in the ultra-competitive AFC East.

 

Tua Tagovailoa

The Dolphins didn’t stop there. Their biggest financial commitment this offseason was to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who signed a four-year, $212.4 million extension, making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history. The deal includes a whopping $167 million guaranteed and is structured with incentives that could push the total value even higher, ensuring Tagovailoa remains the face of the franchise through at least 2028.

Tagovailoa’s 2023 season was a breakout year, finishing with 4,624 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. The Dolphins have invested heavily in their offensive weapons around him, and now with this extension, they’ve shown full confidence in Tagovailoa’s leadership and ability to bring playoff success back to Miami. The faith Miami has shown in Tua, coupled with a fully healthy roster, raises the stakes for the 2024 season, where both team and player are expected to push for postseason breakthroughs.

 

Mike McDaniel, the mastermind behind Miami’s offensive resurgence, also received a well-deserved contract extension. In just two seasons, McDaniel has transformed the Dolphins into a playoff-caliber team. His innovative offensive schemes, built around Tagovailoa, Waddle, and Tyreek Hill, have established Miami as a serious contender in the AFC. By extending McDaniel’s contract, the Dolphins are signaling a commitment to stability and long-term success under his leadership.

Miami Dolphins Thursday Injury Report and Updates

/0 Comments/in /by

The Miami Dolphins released their second injury report on Thursday, providing key updates ahead of Sunday’s game.

Jalen Ramsey: The star cornerback was again listed as a DNP (Did Not Participate) in Thursday’s practice, putting his availability for Sunday in serious doubt. Ramsey has been sidelined with a persistent hamstring injury and has not participated in on-field activities for the past 16 days. If he is unable to suit up on Sunday, the Dolphins are likely to turn to Ethan Bonner or Storm Duck to fill the gap.

Aaron Brewer: The Dolphins’ center is expected to make his season debut this Sunday after missing nearly the entirety of training camp due to a hand injury. While his absence from camp wasn’t ideal—particularly in terms of building chemistry with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa—Brewer’s return still provides Miami with a true center for the opening week. Brewer revealed that he required surgery after injuring his hand during a preseason clash with a Falcons linebacker.

Here is the full list…

Miami Dolphins 2024 predictions: The 5RSN Fins Team

/0 Comments/in , /by

Here are the predictions from some of the members of the Five Reasons Sports Network (5RSN) Dolphins coverage team, across our platforms….

 

@CKParrot (3 Yards Per Carry podcast)

“My official prediction for 2024 is 11 wins, which is a step back from last year’s projection of 12 wins. I think the early schedule sets up favorably for Miami to run out to an 8-3 record before having to traverse what looks (on paper) like a brutal six-game back stretch. As one of the oldest teams in the NFL this season, Miami could yet again find itself beset by injuries at an unforgiving point in the schedule. However, several of the teams in that back stretch, e.g. the Jets (twice), 49ers, and Browns, also feel susceptible to injuries. So fate could just as easily take Miami thru that gauntlet to 12 wins as it could to 10 wins. I will split the difference at 11-6 with a playoff berth, followed by Mike McDaniel accomplishing his obsessive, explicit goal of giving Miami its first playoff win since Bill Clinton was still in office.”

 

 

@Alf_Arteaga (@3YardsPerCarry podcast)

We make these predictions assuming complete health, and if they even get reasonable health, they should beat their 11 win total from last season.  This team has improved itself in every single position unit except the interior Offensive line, and interior defensive line.  Both will be compensated for and possibly improved via scheme.  I expect Miami to win 12 games, and at least a playoff game.  A Super Bowl berth would not surprise me for a team, who’s baseline expectation is the Division title and a playoff win.
Prediction:  12-5, Division Title, AFC Championship game berth.
@RonCanniffFins (Pulse of Fins Nation)

Miami’s injuries got the best of them down the stretch last year. But more costly was the late collapse at home versus the Titans. With that win they would have avoided playing KC in the cold on the road and likely would have earned their first playoff win in almost a quarter century. I believe the team is more talented than last year and has the right mindset, especially on the defensive side with many additions this offseason. Be prepared for more ingenuity in the run game and better use of the tightends with the addition of Jonnu and the emergence of Julian Hill. Achane will start fast this year and could be the best back in football.

Fins go 11-6, win the East – and finally get that playoff monkey off their back with two playoff wins!

@TheEarl007 (The Extra Yard)
I’m not picking them to beat Buffalo until they can do it. The Green Bay game will be tough and should be a close affair. Houston will be a tough out. I think they take San Fran at home & I think Cleveland will have QB issues that cost them that game. Playoff positioning will be locked up by week 17 & McDaniel rests the starters as Thompson takes an L while the Jets are fighting to stay alive. 12-5 should be enough to win the division & get a home playoff game.
Overall record: 12- 5
@EricWiedeke (The Extra Yard) 

Expectations are sky high for the 2024 Miami Dolphins. Despite the lasting image being a shellacking at Arrowhead in arctic conditions, and an arguably worse roster top to bottom, the Dolphins and their fans come into the ‘24 season as confident as ever. Featuring an offense led by newly extended HC-QB duo in Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa (Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle say hello, as well), and a defense that still features prolific names like Jalen Ramsey, Jaelan Phillips, and Jevon Holland despite the departure of Christian Wilkins in the offseason, the Dolphins will come in at 12 wins. This will be good enough for the Dolphins to snatch the AFC East crown in the process this season thanks in part to an MVP campaign by the aforementioned QB and a soft early season schedule that should set the team up to rack up early victories before seeing the likes of Green Bay, New York, and Cleveland on the road in week 12 onwards, though those matchups could well be indicative of the types of playoff hopes the Dolphins will have this season.

Record: 12-5

 

@OLCoachSmith63: The Scouting Combine

Miami is known for starting fast. I don’t see that changing in year 3 of McDaniel’s quick-strike offense with even more offensive firepower. Weaver takes over the defense and seems to be destined to be a head coach in the not so distant future. As always, health is a major factor for the Dolphins – but they have key players such as Bradley Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr. and (maybe) Isaiah Wynn looking to provide a mid-season boost as they cycle onto the active roster. After a late regular season collapse and (another) road playoff loss, I believe this is the year that Miami handles business and earns a couple home playoff games where they’ll be tough to beat.
13-4 AFC East Champs. AFC runner-up.
@LuisDSung: Pulse of Fins Nation, The Extra Yard
With the Miami Dolphins riding high thanks to the extension of both their franchise quarterback and head coach, the team is going to improve on their 2023 campaign, if ever so slightly. Miami will go 11-6 by continuing their dominance at home, with key victories on the road. As a result, they will just barely edge out their weakened rivals the Buffalo Bills for the division title.
@haitianDOLPHAN1 (Inside Leverage show)

I believe this Miami Dolphins team is set to take things to the next level this 2024 NFL season. In order for them to succeed, a few factors must come into play. Factor 1: Staying relatively healthy through this season. Injuries can’t be helped but the Dolphins have faced an extreme amount of injuries last year that hindered them in certain games. It will be important for the Dolphins to manage and stay healthy to set themselves up for the playoff. Factor 2: Implementing and growing in this New Defenses. Another year in a new scheme for the defense, how quickly can they learn and adapt to the scheme. We can assume there will be some learning curve and growth. Factor 3: Mike McDaniel next step in his head coaching Career. As we approach year three under this system and head coaching regime, it’s important that continued growth overall is shown from our head coach. With so much to learn from last year, The team has done a good job to address some of the needs to bring in a potentially Awesome year for the Fin Nation.
12-5 record

 

@MikeHernandezDD (FiveReasonsSports.com)

Hard Rock Sports-betting has the Dolphins over/under regular season win total at 9.5. And this seems to be on-point.

Where would that 10th win come from?

Tyreek Hill says this 2024 Dolphins team is the best he’s been on since arriving in Miami in 2022.

But how could that be?

The Fins lost high-caliber starters on the offensive line like center Connor Williams and right guard Robert Hunt, and replaced them with serviceable players, but none of them near the status of Williams or Hunt. Some of those replacements are already banged up, and even at full strength don’t appear as good as the 2023 starting offensive line.

This is a cause of concern for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who may not have the same level of pass protection from a year ago. Most of the replacement linemen have higher grades in the run blocking department than they do in pass protection. Although Tua can get the ball out quickly, many are concerned that Tua gets lost after his first read is taken away. And if that first read is eliminated, and he has to move to read No. 2 while under pressure, it could spell trouble.

McDaniel was also criticized for not being able to adapt his play-calling in the late stages of last season, when it appeared that opposing defenses were taking away what the Fins offense did well.

The Dolphins face tough defensive fronts this year from projected playoff contenders and the Jets have Aaron Rodgers returning to make the AFC East more competitive. Even if Miami goes 3-3 in the division, they will have to win a dogfight or two against some of the stronger teams or defenses on their schedule.

This includes:

— Houston Texans

— LA Rams

— Cleveland Browns

— San Francisco 49ers

— Indianapolis Colts

The top questions about this Miami Dolphins team are:

Can they beat teams with winning records and playoff contenders?

Can the offense perform when Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are not on the field?

Can they win games late in the season?

It remains to be seen.

The Miami Defense lost some pieces but I would loosely say it broke even with their positional replacements — cornerback Kendall Fuller is replacing Xavien Howard; Jordan Poyer is a veteran safety addition; Calais Campbell and Emmanuel Ogbah add depth to the defensive line after Christian Wilkins departed for the Raiders; and rookie first-round selection Chop Robinson seems to be coming along to add to the pass rushing unit of Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb.

The Dolphins went 10-7 in 2023, and with a lesser-talented offensive line, the same lingering questions about the offense and playcalling, and a question-marks about Tua in big games and who can be the third receiving option after Hill and Waddle…

I’m betting the UNDER — 9-8.

5 Key Miami Dolphins for the 2024/2025 Season

/0 Comments/in /by

As the Miami Dolphins open Sunday at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars, here are five of the most important players for their upcoming season.

 

5: Terron Armstead

Terron Armstead’s impact on the Dolphins is undeniable, even if injuries have been a recurring issue. When he’s on the field, Armstead is a cornerstone of Miami’s offensive line—its most talented and seasoned veteran, the captain. The line runs through him, and his absence is keenly felt. Despite Tua Tagovailoa’s quicker release last season, the second half saw Miami’s offense struggle against tougher pass rushes, with holding penalties and sacks becoming more frequent. While it’s almost certain that Armstead won’t play all 17 games, the success of Miami’s O-line could hinge on how many games he can stay healthy for.

4: Kendall Fuller

With Xavien Howard no longer with the team, the Dolphins needed a strong presence opposite Jalen Ramsey. Enter Kendall Fuller, tasked with filling the shoes of a beloved, multiple-time Pro Bowler. The Dolphins’ cap situation limited their options, but Fuller’s arrival brings hope. While Ramsey is expected to lock down one side of the field, much attention will be on Fuller and his ability to step up. This secondary could use a strong, reliable Kendall Fuller to maintain its strength.

3: Aaron Brewer

The Dolphins’ center position has been a revolving door of injuries and makeshift solutions, almost cursed like Hogwarts’ Defense Against the Dark Arts position. High snaps, low snaps, and turnovers at critical moments have plagued the team. General Manager Chris Grier has tried to address the issue for years, with little success. Aaron Brewer’s arrival brings new hope, but his ability to stay healthy and perform under pressure will be crucial for Miami’s offensive stability.

 

Tyreek Hill tries to get the ball to his mother after a touchdown against the Giants, but fans intervene.

 

2: Tyreek Hill

Not much needs to be said about Tyreek Hill. He accounted for 37% of the Dolphins’ total offense last season, leading the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Hill came close to breaking the single-season receiving yard record, even while battling injuries late in the season. The Dolphins’ offense runs through Hill, and if he can stay healthy, Miami’s offense will remain one of the league’s most potent.

1: Tua Tagovailoa

The Dolphins have fully committed to Tua Tagovailoa as their franchise quarterback. He led the league in passing yards last season and was in the MVP conversation at one point. However, his performance in the second half of the season raised concerns, particularly against top-tier defenses and in adverse weather conditions. Despite these issues, Miami chose to invest in Tua this offseason, banking on his potential to lead the team on a deep playoff run. The 2024 season will be yet another defining one for Tua as he looks to prove he can carry the Dolphins when it matters most and take the next step in his career.

 

******

For daily fantasy sports throughout the NFL season, play PrizePicks using the code “five” at signup.

Atlantic Division teams take page out of Panthers’ book this offseason

/0 Comments/in , /by

To be the champs, it’s not a bad idea to learn from the champs first. 

 

Quite a few Atlantic Division teams took that same approach when building their teams this offseason. 

 

For the past two years, the path to the final in the East has run through Sunrise as the Florida Panthers made back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2023 and 2024 — winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup last June. 

 

When the 2024 NHL free agency period opened on July 1, a few of the Panthers’ divisional opponents jumped at the opportunity to bring in players from the champions. 

 

Florida lost nine members from their Stanley Cup winning team, five of which signed with Atlantic Division teams. 

 

Here’s where they went.

 

Toronto 

The Toronto Maple Leafs and their GM Brad Treliving made the biggest dent out of all the teams this offseason when it came to adding former Panthers.

 

When free agency opened, the Leafs acquired two of the more underrated players from the Stanley Cup winning team, signing defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a four-year, $14M deal and Florida’s backup goaltender Anthony Stolarz to a two-year, $5M contract.

 

Ekman-Larsson was a stalwart on the Panthers blueline, specifically at the beginning of the season when he took on an increased role in the absence of Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour. 

 

Between the pipes, Stolarz had the best season of his career. He appeared in 27 regular season games, posting a 16-7-2 record with a 2.03 GAA and a .925 save percentage. 

 

On Sept. 3, it was reported that the Leafs would also be offering 28-year-old forward Steven Lorentz  a professional tryout offer (PTO), per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. 

 

Lorentz, an Ontario native, played in 16 of Florida’s 24 playoff games, scoring two goals and three points — mostly as a fourth-line winger.

 

Detroit 

The Detroit Red Wings narrowly missed the playoffs last year.

 

They finished tied for eighth most points in the East alongside the Washington Capitals, but lost out on the final wildcard spot due to a tiebreaker. 

 

In July, GM Steve Yzerman got to work, signing two-time Stanley Cup champion Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year, $9.5M deal. 

 

A Stanley Cup champion with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, Tarasenko brought championship pedigree and more offensive firepower to a deep Panthers squad when he waived his no-movement clause to join the team at the 2024 trade deadline.

 

The 32-year-old had five goals and nine points during Florida’s Stanley Cup run. 

 

Ottawa 

Nick Cousins will be on the opposite side of the ‘Tkachuk Bowl’ next season as the 31-year-old Belleville, ON. native signed a one-year, 800k deal with the Ottawa Senators last week.

 

Cousins spent two seasons with the Panthers, putting up 42 points in 148 games. 

 

As he heads to Ontario, Ottawa’s cross province rivals in Toronto won’t forget Cousins for his Game 5 overtime winner in the 2023 playoffs — which eliminated the Leafs in the second round.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Greg Oden’s sit-down with The OGs

/0 Comments/in , /by

Former Miami Heat backup center Greg Oden stopped by Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller’s studio for the latest episode of The OGs podcast. It was another bitter-sweet stroll down memory lane.

 

The 2007 Big 10 Freshman of the Year and NBA’s first overall pick is one of the “what-if?” stories. His work at Ohio State distinguished him as the next great big man. Yet injuries and a pit of depression savaged his career.

 

He recorded 88 outings for the Portland Trail Blazers in the regular season and Playoffs in five years. Next, Oden spent three years rehabbing before making his comeback. He had three teams in mind: the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. 

 

The word is the Kings offered a three-year deal on the condition that he plays at least 75 games. He said the Mavericks presented a two-season contract with a player option and they didn’t want him to play the first campaign. And the Heat extended the same pact, but when he got to Miami, kept him waiting five days for a deal.

 

He joined the 2013-14 Heat. He remembers feeling nervous because of his time away. Norris Cole and LeBron James made him comfortable, but he says he was “scared as fuck” of Haslem, who was mean-mugging in the locker room. 

 

The big man was still on a minutes restriction with them. “If I practice, I can’t play the next two days,” Oden said. “Or if I played, I can’t practice the next two days.”

 

The Heat were the back-to-back defending champions then. Notably, that squad exchanged Christmas gifts at Tootsies Cabaret, one of Miami’s most famous strip clubs. Haslem said, “We needed that bonding” because the group played on national TV often and was constantly scrutinized. 

 

That year, the Heat went to their fourth consecutive NBA Finals but were demolished in five games by the San Antonio Spurs. This was a rematch of the previous season’s championship series, which ended in seven games with the Heat victorious. 

 

Oden shared that losing at the end hurt, and he had already picked his middle finger to bear his championship ring. 

 

He added, “I was hoping we [were] going to get it, and I never talked about it, but Kawhi [Leonard] got it cause of Game 3.” Leonard erupted for 29 points on 10 of 13 shots. One of his top moments was posterizing Chris Bosh, a sequence that Oden admits left him visibly startled. 

 

The last time he touched the floor as an NBA player was in Game 4 of the 2014 Finals. He recorded 80 seconds in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss. 

 

Incredibly, after the Spurs waxed the Heat in Game 5, he shared that LeBron was practicing in the Heat’s facility early the morning after the flight back with his mother, Gloria, in attendance. Oden was there for a workout and exit meetings. He was amazed at his teammates’ commitment to excellence. 

 

Also, Oden thought he was healthy enough to keep balling, but no opportunities presented themselves.

 

He is currently an assistant coach for the Butler Bulldogs. He transitioned into that role after being the director of basketball operations. 

 

Of note: Oden said Yao Ming was the toughest player he guarded, praising his fadeaway. 

 

Nikola Jokić, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Nikola Vucevic and Brook Lopez are his favorite big men today.

 

He recently graduated from Ohio State University with his master’s degree.

 

Oden introduced Haslem to a potent, mixed and chilled elixir of Patron and Hennessy. It’s called Patrenessy and was developed by former NFL running back Marshall Lynch. Haslem said it ”can start a jet.”

 

LeBron James was a fan of his when both were Heatles. 

 

And Oden still keeps his playbook from his lone season with the Heat. “I take it to a lot of the coaches and show them things from that year.”

—

For more info on the Miami Heat, subscribe to Off The Floor.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Notes for the Connecticut Sun, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Mitchell

/0 Comments/in , /by

The WNBA is in the final phase of the regular season as teams have seven or eight games left. The MVP race is likely over, courtesy of A’j Wilson’s historical campaign. Rookie of the Year was decided months ago- Caitlin Clark is one of the best in the league and better than any perimeter player on America’s Olympic team.

But there are others who deserve praise, too. Let’s review.

Connecticut Sun peaking 

 

In August, the Sun went 5-2 and registered 15.1 fastbreak points and 21 off turnovers, first in the W in both categories. The record is 24-8 overall.

 

DiJonai Carrington is a game-changing defender. Her work guarding the point of attack slows down the other squad’s offense and generates transition for the Sun.

 

Marina Mabrey supplies shot creation off the bench, taking pressure off Alyssa Thomas to organize everything. Mabrey’s integration has helped the Sun rise from a good to a great team. She was the difference maker in the Sun’s trip to New York on Aug. 24, registering 15 points, six rebounds and four dimes. Mabrey and a 2025 second-round pick were traded by the Chicago Sky to the Connecticut Sun on July 17th for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, two first-round picks, and one pick swap. 

 

Thomas impacts the game as a playmaker, rebounder and high-impact defender. 

 

DeWanna Bonner is still a top-notch scorer, functional as a pick-and-pop sniper and eats at the rim. 

 

And Brionna Jones is an efficient paint scorer and disruptor at an All-Star level. Last year, Jones played in 13 of 40 games because she tore her right Achilles tendon.

 

On top of that, the Sun get to the line and convert more than any other squad (22.3, 16.8) and are tied with the New York Liberty for the strictest defensive rating (94.9). 

 

The Sun, Lynx and Liberty are the top teams in 2024. 

 

Buy stock on Angel Reese

 

Angel Reese is having a record-setting season and, with some polishing, will become an elite player. 

 

Her screening and rebounding prowess are winning assets. Others want to play with someone that extends or denies possessions and gets them open. Reese’s defense is potent and so is her one-on-one coverage plus helping. And she’s powered by an unrelenting motor.

 

But she’s not a scoring threat. Over three-quarters of her tries come within five feet of the cup, yet she converts  43.6% at close range. 

 

Her offseason focus should be fixing her moves near the basket. She must raise that mark to at least 68%. In time, she and Kamilla Cardoso could be one of the top tandems in the W.

 

As a rookie, she’s set the new standard for rebounding and has 10 outings with at least 15 boards. A’ja Wilson was on pace to break Sylvia Fowles’ rebounding record, but Reese passed her, claiming it herself. 

 

Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman recently gave her thoughts on Reese on the Stephen A. Smith Show.  Lieberman said, “She’s not the biggest player on the court. She’s not the fastest player on the court. She is tenacious.”

 

Wilson’s season for the ages

 

Wilson is a combo of strength and finesse. She’s a post and face-up monster. Without a double team, the opponent doesn’t have a chance. Barring some apocalyptic-level collapse for the Las Vegas Aces, she should secure her third MVP crown.

 

Some of her efficiency has dropped, but it’s from the increased usage (second in the WNBA) and putting the team on her team shoulders. 

 

Most of her attempts come in the paint non-restricted area (37.1), and she’s still taking 7.5 freebies nightly, the most in the league, and making 85.8%. Keep in mind that she takes more mid-range shots than at 0-3 feet, too. Her work at the line is outstanding and leads to wins- when a player gets to the stipe at high volume, they are punishing the opponent with foul trouble. Plus players like Wilson give their team a breather and if the last charity shot goes in, it usually prevents the now retreating squad from getting taken on the break. 

 

While some teammates performed below standard, Wilson took her game to Mt. Olympus. She is recording 4.8 points per contest more than the second-leading scorer in the league, Arike Ogunbowale. She is also tied with Cynthia Cooper for the highest points-per-game average of all time (21). Notably, Wilson’s done it, shooting 3.9% higher for her career. 

 

Kelsey Mitchell’s productive August 

 

Mitchell was the W’s second-leading scorer (25.2) and the Fever’s second-most important player in August as her team went 5-1. She’s one of the top open-court players because of her speed and shot making ability plus is the perfect partner for Caitlin Clark. Mitchell recorded 25 fastbreak digits over that span, 44% of the Fever’s production in that set.  Additionally, she was tied for second in fastbreak points in August with Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream) and Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury) behind DiJonai Carrington (Connecticut Sun, 34).

 

Furthermore, Mitchell had excellent 3-point accuracy on a  large monthly volume- 43.4% on 8.8 attempts. It was the second-leading mark on the team behind Lexie Hull’s grand sharpshooting- 70.8% on four hoisted deep looks per game. 

 

She is effective because she moves well without the ball and is elusive. When Clark is up top, Mitchell can easily slice up the baseline with a catch-and-score.  She’s a blur in the half-court and tough to track if she runs her opponents through stagger and flare screens.



Miami Hurricanes

Mario Cristobal Isn’t the Hurricanes’ Question, He’s the Answer

/1 Comment/in , /by

20 years of false starts, false hopes, false dawns.

The Hurricanes’ fan base has been subjected to more scandals (real or imagined) than wins of significance since Terry Porter’s egregious pass interference flag in the 2002 National Championship game forever altered the trajectory of the program.

And yet here we are, still standing. If perseverance strengthens, then the Canes are steel.

This weekend, many will make the drive north, exiting South Florida and entering whatever the rest of this state is. Whether their motivation is true belief, habit, or misplaced loyalty, the Canes’ Fans still show up.

But will the team?

Skepticism

I’m not Charlie Brown blindly swinging my leg at the football hoping that this time, for some reason, Lucy won’t pull it away. I understand that some, so weathered by years of losses, cannot conjure up the strength to rise up in hope this time.

But to them I simply say this team is not responsible for the failings of the last 20 years any more than they deserve credit for the successes of the 20 years prior to that. Each year brings with it a new opportunity to erase the vestiges of the yesterday and focus anew on the successes of tomorrow.

And so this Canes team will do just that, taking this road show to Gainesville, not just hoping for success, but having put in the work to enable success.

The Canes enter the 2024 season with the ACC’s best roster. This didn’t magically happen. Several years of roster building have put the Canes in a position to finally play the style they want to play, and more importantly, to finally overwhelm opponents.

The main reason for 20 years of false starts, false dreams, and ultimate disappointment is that the team flatly wasn’t good enough. The U on the helmet doesn’t win football games. And while the Canes might have had better players (and I do mean “might”) than some of the teams they have been losing to, there was not a significant talent gulf. The great programs outclass a majority of their opponents. Not all, but a majority. That has always has been and still remains the goal.

And the Canes have finally arrived at that talent-rich destination where they can accomplish that goal.

What About the Coaching?

Well, what about it?

Have their been some high profile missteps? Sure. Mario Cristobal has had to let go of multiple coordinators after his first year and in his second year infamously didn’t kneel the ball against Georgia Tech, which one could argue not only lost the Canes that game but also derailed the entire season.

While those are visible mistakes, there is no doubt that his overall track record prior to arriving at Miami has proven his ability to build programs. He did so at FIU and again at Oregon (check the record of those schools in the year prior to his takeover as head coach).

There is no reason for trepidation. None. It’s almost as if the entire fan base is afraid to believe for fear of disappointment.

But I ask you in what universe would the Canes having a poor season not be disappointing? To care about something is to risk disappointment. And if you’re still supporting this program no amount of pretending that the team is going to stink is going to soften the blow of losses.

So why not be optimistic instead?

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. – Helen Keller

This program was birthed in trying circumstances and has been repeatedly told what it can’t do, what it can’t achieve.

Stop worrying about what the Canes can’t do and look at what they can do.

Stop worrying about what the opponent is going to do to Miami and think about what they’re going to do their opponents.

Mario Cristobal has been building the program to reach this point, upgrading the talent, preparing it to dominate. It hasn’t always been smooth, but if you look at the roster without a negative lens, it is one of the most impressive 2-year roster rebuilds we’ve ever seen.

I do not believe in the fairy tale or magical thinking that wins will automatically arrive.

But I also do not believe in the contrary, that the program is cursed and forever destined to fail.

What I do believe in, ultimately, is the University of Miami.

It’s okay to believe, I assure you.

Give this team the opportunity they have earned through years of program building and they will make Miami proud.

Vishnu Parasuraman is a show host and writer for @FiveReasonsSports. He covers the Miami Hurricanes Football for @SixthRingCanes Miami Hurricanes Basketball for @buckets_canes , and Miami Hurricanes Baseball for @CanesOnDeck as part of the @5ReasonsCanes Network. You can follow him on twitter @vrp2003