Why is Pat Riley assisting the enemy?

One of the remarkable things about the late-career Pat Riley story is that he keeps getting asked for his advice about other franchises — even as he’s uncharacteristically struggling to fix his own.

First, there was all that Los Angeles Lakers chatter, following the resignation of Riley favorite Magic Johnson — and reports that owner Jeannie Buss wanted to bring Riley back aboard.

And now, the organization that supplanted the Heat as the power brokers in the NBA apparently has consulted with Riley as well.

This was an interesting nugget from the only person on ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, in reference to scuffling Warriors guard Klay Thompson who, like Kevin Durant, is due to become a free agent.

“Even folks like Pat Riley have spoken to folks within the Warriors organization to say, ‘Your priority had better be keeping the Splash Brothers together. Not only have they heard that from Pat Riley, they’ve heard it from Jerry West, they’ve heard it from others. Keeping the Splash Brothers together. Obviously you know that Kevin Durant is the best player on the team, he’s one of the top two players on the planet. But the point is they anticipate — although they hope otherwise — they anticipate that he may leave….”

That is typical Riley thinking, it would seem, not wanting to sink to the bottom. Recall that after the Heat added Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger in the summer of 2014 — and then watched LeBron James walk — Riley immediately maxed out Chris Bosh to top a competing offer from Houston, while giving Dwyane Wade just enough to stay. (Riley has later said he regretted the decision not to max Wade first, which ultimately contributed to the fractious negotiations in 2015 and the ugly departure of 2016).

But there’s a deeper question here:

Why is Riley, the man who would fine his players for picking opponents off the floor and scowled every time BFF’s Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing went to dinner during a Heat-Knicks series, helping the team he and the rest of the NBA have been chasing? West, Riley’s mentor, isn’t even with the Warriors anymore, but now with the Los Angeles Clippers, who are far better positioned than the Heat. Did anyone — save perhaps Riley pal Gregg Popovich — offer the Heat advice during the Big 3 run?

No. They were all too busy legislating against the Heat, voting through punitive luxury tax penalties to ensure the Heat’s eventual breakup. If the Warriors are dying their last breaths, let them die Pat. Don’t throw them a lifeline. Or just tell them to sign a contract equivalent to James Johnson’s.

Rundown of Miami Dolphins draft grades

The final round of the 2019 NFL Draft concluded eight days ago.

Which should give draft gurus adequate time to dive into each team’s rookie class, and give their completely unbiased opinion of each player.

Oh and don’t worry, your parents won’t be eagerly waiting for you to get home from school with this report card.

Here are what the ‘experts’ are saying about the Miami Dolphins 2019 draft class.

Mel Kiper, ESPN

Draft Grade: B

Top needs: Quarterback, defensive line, offensive line

Draft Analysis:
Miami is undergoing a complete rebuild this offseason. It might have the least-talented roster in the league after Ja’Wuan James, Robert Quinn, Cameron Wake, Danny Amendola and Ryan Tannehill, among others, departed. It has needs at almost every position. New GM Chris Grier has started the rebuild in the right way, though, stripping spare parts (and big contracts) and starting fresh while picking up future assets, like a 2020 second-round pick from the aggressive Saints on Friday.

And since we thought the Dolphins were more interested in the 2020 quarterback class — they passed on both Dwayne Haskins and Drew Lock in Round 1 — the low-risk trade for Josh Rosen makes an awful lot of sense. They gave up just a late second-round pick (No. 62) and a 2020 fifth-rounder to add a supertalented signal-caller who went No. 10 overall a year ago. He’s also on a cheap deal for the next few years with his signing bonus already paid, so even if he’s not the long-term answer, it will be easy to move on. I wouldn’t rule out Miami still being in the 2020 QB sweepstakes, but I like the Rosen deal.

Miami added an underrated interior pass-rusher in Christian Wilkins at No. 13 overall, and for a team desperate for sacks, he will provide a boost. He’s also going to be a great locker-room presence. Michael Deiter (No. 78) was my third-ranked guard, but he started games at tackle, center and guard for the Badgers. Isaiah Prince (No. 202) is a sneaky candidate to start at one of the tackle spots. Myles Gaskin (No. 234) was extremely productive in college, but you wonder what all those carries have done to his body.

Again, this is going to be a long process for the Dolphins, and they’re just beginning. This draft will be remembered for the Rosen deal, but Wilkins could be a steal.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

Miami Dolphins: B

Best pick:  It was their first one, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. He will be a star. He got my only A+ in my first-round grades.

Worst pick: They really didn’t have any, but fifth-round linebacker Andrew Van Ginkelwas probably taken a little too high.

The skinny: Landing Wilkins was a great move and fills a major need, but I also loved that they traded their second-round pick to land Josh Rosen from Arizona. He could be their long-term quarterback.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com

Draft picks: Clemson DT Christian Wilkins (No. 13 overall); Wisconsin OG Michael Deiter (No. 78); Wisconsin LB Andrew Van Ginkel (No. 151); Ohio State OT Isaiah Prince (No. 202); Auburn FB Chandler Cox (No. 233); Washington RB Myles Gaskin (No. 234)
Overall grade: A-
Draft analysis: Wilkins is a quality person and an excellent player with the versatility to play anywhere on the line. The team never really replaced Ndamukong Suh, and Wilkins has the ability to be really disruptive inside.

We absolutely take the Friday acquisition of Josh Rosen into account in this grade. Landing the second-year QB for a late-second-round pick this year and 2020 fifth-rounder was an absolute bargain. Trading down in Round 2 in a deal with the Saints before making the Rosen deal was also a great move. Deiter meets an important need at guard, especially with Rosen in place.

Van Ginkel is still growing as a player, but he has real potential as a pass rusher. Prince will get a chance to play at right tackle as a rookie, though he’ll need to be more consistent to earn the job. Gaskin is not exceptional in any area but will be tough to cut.

Andy Benoit, Sports Illustrated

MIAMI DOLPHINS

1 (13). Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
3 (78). Michael Deiter, OL, Wisconsin
5 (151). Andrew Van Ginkel, LB, Wisconsin
6 (202). Isaiah Prince, T, Ohio State
7 (233). Chandler Cox, FB, Auburn
7 (234). Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington

There really was no wrong direction for the Dolphins to go in this draft—with an all-new coaching staff and mediocre roster, the team is undergoing personnel overhauls on both sides of the ball. First-time head coach Brian Flores, having spent his entire career until now in New England, is expected to employ a Belichick-style scheme which would mean an emphasis on size and strength along the D-line. Interestingly, Christian Wilkins, though a highly regarded first-round talent, doesn’t completely fit this profile. Wilkins’s game is built more on movement than force. He can, however, align at multiple spots, which is key in Flores’s system.

Getting Josh Rosen with the 62nd overall pick (plus a fifth-rounder next year) is incredible value. Rosen was in a no-win situation with the Cardinals last year and should not be viewed any differently than he was coming out of UCLA. He will almost certainly start right away and play behind Michael Deiter, who started every game the last four years at Wisconsin and fills a left guard spot that was devoid of any starting caliber options prior to this draft.

GRADE: A

Dan Parr, NFL.com

Dan Kader, SBNation

The Dolphins fleeced the Cardinals. First Miami dropped down from No. 48 to No. 62. Then it used the No. 62 pick to trade for quarterback Josh Rosen, a potential franchise quarterback. If he’s not, he’s cheap and the Dolphins can move on easily.

In the first round, the Dolphins helped fortify their defensive line with Christian Wilkins at No. 13. He specializes at getting pressure. Guard Michael Deiter, taken at No. 78, fills a big need. He’s experienced, playing four years at Wisconsin, and should step into the starting lineup. He’s one of the better picks inside the top 100.

Miami’s last pick, running back Myles Gaskin, has a real chance to stick on the roster. He’s a slippery back who will make tacklers miss.

Grade: B

Evan Silva, Rotoworld

Grade: C+

Overview: 
Josh Rosen is part of this haul after the Dolphins acquired him for the 62nd pick. They will owe Rosen just $6.3 million over the next three years. The extreme low-cost flyer makes all kinds of sense for a rebuild-committed team that has properly self diagnosed. GM Chris Grier pulled off another forward-thinking deal by flipping No. 48 for No. 62, No. 202, and the Saints’ 2020 second-round pick. Wilkins projects as a high-floor building-block up front, and Deiter earned 2018 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year after making starts at guard, center, and left tackle in his career. He should not struggle to win a rookie-year starting job on Miami’s talent-poor offensive line. None of the Dolphins’ day-three picks jump off the page as steals or obvious duds, but I think we should appreciate this team’s overall approach. The Fins have set themselves up to lead the league in 2020 draft capital with a realistic chance at the top pick in each round next year, including No. 1 overall. Short-term sacrifices for long-term gains.

 

How did you think the Dolphins did in this year’s draft?

Comment below.

Dolphins going after veterans now?

There has been a certain clarity and coherence to the Miami Dolphins’ offseason that was not the norm during the tenure of deposed chief Mike Tannenbaum or other general managers and team presidents.

Let high-priced older players go.

Don’t chase any in free agency.

Build through the draft and take a shot on some fliers — some from the quickly-defunct AAF.

So this news, originally reported by the Miami Herald’s Adam Beasley, was a bit of a surprise:

Perry, recently released by the Packers, is 29, which isn’t especially old — not when compared to Cam Wake — but still doesn’t seem to fall into the range of players the Dolphins have pursued. So it’s a little out of step with what we’ve seen. Also, though, the Dolphins’ defense could be awful unless they get some pass rush, and Perry — like 2018 flop Robert Quinn — has provided some of that during his career.

This is push and pull, between trying to be bad but not wanting to embarrass yourself.

And it appears to some degree that GM Chris Grier (pictured above) and the rest of the front office are attempting to toe that weird line.

BREAKING: Inter Miami’s Lockhart Stadium Plan Clears Legal Hurdle

Inter Miami ihas had 3 better months in Fort Lauderdale than they’ve had 6 years in Miami. Today, the nascent MLS team clearing a legal challenge from FXE Futbol, whose motion for temporary injunction of the demolition of Lockhart Stadium was denied.

Inter Miami, through attorney John Shubin, released a statement: “Today’s decision confirms that the process that is bringing world class soccer to the City of Fort Lauderdale was both lawful and fair. Our client will continue to move forward in good faith with the hard work that needs to be accomplished to convert this process into a reality. We also hope that we have seen the end of this meritless litigation.”

For a bit of background, Inter Miami submitted an unsolicited proposal to the City of Fort Lauderdale to build a stadium and their soccer HQ at the site that current holds Lockhart Stadium and Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Their plan was to demolish both stadiums and build an entirely new facility.

When Inter submitted their plan, FXE Futbol submitted their plan within the 15 days required for a response for an unsolicited proposal. According to leader JP Reynal, they had been working on a redevelopment plan for years which called for a USL Championship team and a TopGolf to replace the two stadiums.

However, FXE’s plan called for a refurbishing of Lockhart while Inter’s called for a total demolition. Demolition of the stadium has already begun, with light poles being taken down at the stadium. FXE filed an emergency motion for injunction saying that any demolition of the stadium would make their plan impossible to deliver

Today, that injunction was denied. Here is the ruling from Judge Raag Singhal of the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

FXE has released a statement through attorney David Winker saying “I respect Judge Singhal very much, but disagree with his conclusions as to our right to temporary injunction and will be appealing.  We also look forward to continuing to pursue our underlying case.”

The full text of the ruling can be found here

Mario Chalmers, GOAT, gets a new gig

In what seems like another tremendous accolade for Mario Chalmers getting drafted in the 3rd round of the Big 3 basketball draft to the Three Headed Monsters; You can’t help but feel this is a familiar feeling for Chalmers.

Chalmers, a 2-time NBA champion and a member of the 2009 All-NBA rookie team, has always been stigmatized for his erratic play and occasional mistakes. What people fail to mention is the consistent winning mentality, hard work and resilience the Alaskan native has shown throughout his basketball career.

Chalmers often gets dubbed as the chew toy of the “Big 3” era for the Miami Heat, yet the facts of his career would suggest he was integral part in a run that included 4 NBA Finals Appearance, 4 Eastern Conference Championships and countless memories.

When LeBron James went down with cramps in the critical moments of Game 4 of the 2012 NBA Finals, it wasn’t Dwyane Wade who stepped up, not Chris Bosh, not Shane Battier: It was Chalmers. Chalmers finished with 25 points on 9 of 15 shooting that led to one of the more memorable Heat moments that featured Wade screaming Chalmers’ name with a specific expletive in front of it.

In the 2013 NBA Finals, Game 2’s leading scorer? Chalmers. In the critical Game 6 when the Heat’s back was against the wall and on the brink of defeat: A clutch 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assist and a +13 mark.

Some would call this Cherry picking, but there’s more evidence to suggest Chalmers is one of the greatest Miami Heat point guard, If not THE Greatest.

Lets examine franchise leaders for the Miami Heat franchise to truly prove Rio’s greatness. All-Time Games Played: Chalmers is only behind Wade, Haslem and Mourning. All-Time Minutes played: 6th, All-Time 3-Pointers made: 4th, All-Time Assists: 3rd, All-Time Steals: 2nd, All-Time Steals Per Game: 5th, All-Time Steal PCT: 1st and All-Time Defensive Win Shares: 9th.

When we look back on the incredible history the Miami Heat has had we’re always going to remember the tremendous impact Mario Chalmers had on this franchise. He’s been doubted and second guesses his whole career, but he’s won a championship at every level and there’s few in sports that can say that.

So the next time someone makes an uneducated joke about Mario Chalmers, take the time to remind that peasant that Chalmers is one of the greatest to ever don a Heat jersey and the facts prove it.

So congratulations to Mario Chalmers, for not only making it to the Big 3 Basketball league, but also on his illustrious basketball career that can’t be replicated.

Leonys Martín y Carlos González: dos nuevas oportunidades en Cleveland

Leonys Martín y Carlos González están disfrutando de un segundo aire en sus vidas con los Indios de Cleveland.

El cubano y el venezolano viven situaciones diferentes, pero tienen algo en común.

Viven junto a los Indios de Cleveland la oportunidad de tomar un segundo aire en sus carreras.

Leonys Martín y su batalla por la vida

Martín sufrió la temporada pasada de una condición de salud, una infección bacteriana que le provocó una falla multiorgánica casi fatal que incluso llegó a amenazarle la vida seriamente.

El cubano pudo regresar con más fuerza, y desde el primer día ha sido titular de los Indios de Cleveland, favoritos para llevarse nuevamente la División Central de la Liga Americana.

Leandro Soto y un grupo de periodistas conversaron con Martín durante su paso por Miami, durante la serie en la que los Indios de Cleveland y los Marlins de Miami dividieron honores.

El cubano habló de lo que le tocó vivir, la posibilidad de un acuerdo entre Grandes Ligas y la dictadura cubana para abrirle el paso a jugadores cubanos jóvenes para evitar el tráfico de peloteros, y su sueño de representar a Cuba en un Clásico Mundial antes de retirarse.

Carlos González y su segunda oportunidad

El venezolano Carlos González ha lidiado con algunas molestas físicas durante las últimas campañas, aunque ninguna de la gravedad de lo que vivió Martín.

Sin embargo, para Carlos González, estar con los Indios de Cleveland también representa una segunda oportunidad.

CarGo ha sido uno de los jugadores más afectados por el cambio de dinámica durante los dos últimos períodos de agencia libre.

La temporada pasada se conformó con un contrato por una temporada con su equipo de toda la vida con el que jugó 10 temporadas, los Rockies de Colorado, cuando ya no tenía más opciones.

Este año tuvo que esperar hasta que la temporada ya estaba por empezar para firmar con Cleveland, que le dio una oportunidad con un contrato de ligas menores.

Carlos González se quedó en el Spring Training extendido y le tocó debutar con su nuevo equipo una semanas después del Opening Day.

Escuche lo que dijo el outfielder venezolano sobre esta nueva oportunidad que le dieron los Indios de Cleveland:

 

Esperamos que hayas disfrutado esta noticia sobre Leonys Martín y Carlos González. Disfruta de todos los episodios de Cinco Razones Podcast en este link

 

 

FC Barcelona goleó al Liverpool y ya tiene pie y medio en la final de Madrid

El FC Barcelona venció 3 a 0 al Liverpool inglés en el juego de ida de la segunda semifinal de la Liga de Campeones de Europa.

Un gol de Suárez tras una habilitación quirúrgica de Jordi Alba abrió el cerrojo para los dirigidos por Valverde, que intercambiaron golpes con los ingleses en una primera mitad bastante movida.

El Liverpool dominó los primeros quince minutos del segundo tiempo, y ahí fue cuando emergió la figura de Ter Stegen.

El alemán le tapó un derechazo esquinado a Milner, y luego se estiró cuan largo es para sacar un peligroso disparo rasante de Mohammed Salah, para evitar el empate de los reds.

La suerte del campeón

El Barcelona estaba sufriendo el asedio del Liverpool y el segundo gol llegó en el momento perfecto para ellos.

Jugada elaborada de los de Valverde, que terminó con un rodillazo del uruguayo al poste.

La suerte, típica de los campeones, le permitió que el rebote le cayera a Messi en el pecho, con el arco vacío.

El golazo de Messi

Tras una falta polémica llegó el gol que terminó de tumbar al Liverpool.

Otro zurdazo monumental de Lionel Messi, que puso una distancia que se ve bastante complicada de remontar para Kloop y compañía.

 

La mala suerte del Liverpool

El Liverpool no solamente chocó con Ter Stegen. También se estrelló con el poste en el Camp Nou.

Mohammed Salah falló solo con el arco semivacío luego de un despeje sobre la línea de la defensa del FC Barcelona, cuando parecía inminente el descuento de los ingleses.

 

Dembelé perdonó el cuarto con un fallo increíble

El Liverpool se fue con todo a buscar el gol del descuento, y se descuidó en el fondo.

El resultado fue una contra peligrosísima del Barcelona con una descolgada típica de Dembelé.

Messi le devolvió el pase al francés para dejarlo solo frente al portero Allison Becker.

Dembelé se apuró, y definió manso a las manos del brasileño.

¿Está definida la eliminatoria con este triunfo contundente del FC Barcelona?

Ricardo Montes de Oca, Leandro Soto y Alejandro Villegas lo analizaron en una Edición Especial de Cinco Razones Podcast:

Caleb Smith le ganó el duelo a Corey Kluber

Caleb Smith sigue siendo el stopper de los Marlins, y sigue venciendo a aces contrarios.

Hace cinco días los Marlins vencieron a los Filis de Filadelfia en extrainnings en un duelo emocionante entre Smith y Aaron Nola.

Esta vez, le tocó a Corey Kluber ser la víctima de los Marlins, que se inspiran cuando tienen al zurdo en la lomita.

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Caleb Smith sigue ganándose el mote de as de la rotación de los Marlins tras dominar a la poderosa ofensiva de los Indios de Cleveland en siete innings de labor la noche de este miércoles.

Le siguen dando jonrones

La única carrera que aceptó, tal y como sucedió en aquel duelo ante el número uno de Filadelfia, vino producto de un cuadrangular.

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Esta vez, del bate del boricua Robert Pérez.

Lástima que solamente 7,262 tuvieron la oportunidad de presenciar este bonito duelo, con una actuación majestuosa de Smith, la mas larga y efectiva de su carrera.

Así, Smith puso su record en 3-0, con una efectividad de 2.00, entre las mejores de las Grandes Ligas.

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Con sus ochos abanicados de esta noche, el zurdo llegó a 45 en 36 innings de labor.

El juego salvado fue para Sergio Romo, quien permitió un cuadrangular de Carlos Santana, pero pudo dominar a Carlos González y Jason Kipnis, quien significaba la carrera del empate, para adjudicarse su quinto salvado de la temporada en igual número de oportunidades.

Sergio Romo closing a game for the Miami Marlins in 2019. Picture by Tony Capobianco

Te invitamos a leer un análisis del primer mes de la temporada de los Marlins haciendo click en este link.

 

Dwyane Wade continues telling the tale of 2010

There will be a 30 for 30 someday — and maybe a book, if I can find all my notes — but in the meantime, the story of the formation of the Big 3 Miami Heat continues to take shape.

There’s long been a question of whether Dwyane Wade or Pat Riley was more responsible for the formation of the Heat’s villainous superteam. Riley got the majority of the credit early, but those more aware of the process knew that — while Riley’s presence as the grand poobah of a successful, structured organization was a plus — it was always more about two things:

— The cap space the Heat created, which was Riley’s vision yes, but which Andy Elisburg actually was most responsible for executing.

— LeBron James and Chris Bosh wanting to play with Wade.

This credit question became a point of contention for Wade — and even more for the people in his circle — during the difficult summers negotiating with Riley in 2015 and 2016. (Just trust us on that.)

Wade and Riley have appeared to largely reconcile, with Riley doing something unusual and actually spending time at an All-Star Weekend (Wade’s last as a player) and then gushing about Wade again in the post-season press conference.

But Wade is still on the interview circuit, and this was interesting.

Miami wasn’t initially even second on he and James’ list when they were deciding where they could play together in 2010.

Click on it to listen to the clip.

Riley deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done with the Heat over the past 24 years. He made basketball matter here, and the Heat’s record of sustained success is second to only the Spurs during his tenure.

But there’s some mythology that gets in the way of the truth.

 

 

Sandy Alomar aún recuerda Miami con dolor

Sandy Alomar era el receptor de los Indios de Cleveland cuando estos perdieron la Serie Mundial de 1997 ante los entonces Marlins de Florida en siete juegos.

Para el ex receptor boricua, y actual coach de primera base de los Indios de Cleveland, Miami siempre le trae recuerdos dolorosos.

“Fue tremenda experiencia, una muy buena serie. No fue en este mismo estadio, pero cada vez que uno viene a esta ciudad se acuerda de esa serie,” le dijo Alomar a Leandro Soto en el dogout de la derecha del Marlins Park.

Una Serie Mundial de mucha ofensiva

“Nosotros tuvimos otras series basante duras con los Yankees y con Baltimore, y nos costó mucho detener a la ofensiva de Florida. Todos los juegos, menos el último, fueron de muchas carreras,” afirmó Alomar. “Pensábamos que iba a ser una serie de pitcheo, pero la ofensiva fue la que lució”.

Sandy Alomar y el beisbol moderno

Alomar conversó con Leandro Soto sobre la nueva era del beisbol, en la que los peloteros y cuerpos técnicos tienen mucho más acceso a la información.”La preparación es mucho mas alta. La zona de strike ha cambiado también. Los equipos tienen una mejor idea de qué clase de atletas tienen,” dijo el boricua, antes de responderle a Leandro Soto su característica pregunta sobre el uso de los shifts defensivos en Grandes Ligas.

Vea qué dijo Alomar sobre este tema, y sobre la nueva generación de peloteros boricuas en la Gran Carpa:

Disfrute de los episodios de Cinco Razones Podcast y de las constantes quejas de Leandro Soto sobre los shifts defensivos utilizados por los Marlins haciendo click aquí.