Miami, FL
ASK IRA: Can Heat’s Pat Riley pull a Brad Stevens this summer?
Q: Ira, if anyone had any questions on if the Heat are a player or two away from winning an NBA championship, Boston’s destruction of teams should be sobering. They are nine deep and any five on the floor can pass, rebound, score, defend, and are all selfless. Simply beautiful basketball and they are playing chess with their ball movement seeking the best shot, while the Heat have been an isolation-style team for decades. Danny Ainge’s fingerprints remain as the blueprint for amassing picks and building core talent through the draft. Fans need to buy into the need for the Heat to move off of an aging Jimmy Butler’s contract for draft picks/draft capital. – Brian, Fort Lauderdale.
A: Or you could look at it another way, that Boston for years had been searching for the final pieces to move to the next level and that it was Brad Stevens just this past summer who put together the deals that allowed for this next step. Considering all it took to complete the makeover was Marcus Smart, Rob Williams, Malcolm Brogdon and some cap bits and pieces, it’s not as if a massive makeover was required for Boston to wind up landing Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. And while Porzingis has not been a Finals factor, his regular-season contributions allowed for this ridiculously easy playoff path to a title. This is why the Heat hunted Damian Lillard and why there remains the belief of being a move or two away. Brad Stevens last summer showed the path to that next step. Now it is the Heat’s front office that is in chase mode to the Celtics.
Q: I know Derrick Jones Jr. viewed the playoffs as his takeoff for free agency, but the way the Finals are going, the Heat should circle back. – Sammy.
A: And that door could well wind up opening again. But it also could come down to whether the Heat opt to spend on what already is in place, in Caleb Martin and/or Haywood Highsmith, or instead shop in free agency. Unless Derrick Jones Jr.’s price tag again comes down to another minimal contract, he likely will be priced out of the Heat’s range. If anything, Derrick likely would be a later-rather-than-sooner consideration, and only after the Heat fully sort through their current free agents.
Q: Omer Yurtseven was 7-0, 275. Erik Spoelstra didn’t like playing him unless forced. Zach Edey is not a fit with Bam. – Al.
A: While it’s not the highest of bars, you certainly could argue that simply based on his schooling at Purdue that Zach Edey is a defensive upgrade on Omer Yurtseven. But putting that aside, players selected at No. 15 are just as likely to emerge as quality reserves. And there could be something to be said about having a changeup when Bam Adebayo goes out, as well as a big body to battle opposing big bodies. In that regard, consider the Edey possibility as a rotation complement to Bam as opposed to necessarily a lineup complement.
Joe Lunardi’s has released his second early predictions his 2025 NCAA Tournament projections and he has the Hurricanes as an eighth seed.
The Miami Hurricanes missed the tournament last season, after finishing the previous year in the Final Four. That year they lost to eventual champions UConn Huskies and had most of its roster either was drafted in the NBA, graduated, or transfered. This season they have a chance to return with an impressive resume.
The Hurricanes in Lunardi’s first prediction had the Jim Larrañaga lead squad as a sixth seed before dropping them in the recent predictions. The Hurricanes have many expectations to come back after their disappointing season. This could be the chance to get back in toe national light for what they can be.
No games scheduled.
No results.
66 Days.
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On Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium, the Kansas City Royals (43-37) are set to face the Miami Marlins (27-51). With the Royals currently in contention for an AL Wild Card spot, every game holds significant weight as they aim to build on their recent successes against a lower-ranked opponents.
Seth Lugo takes the mound for Kansas City, boasting an impressive 10-2 record with a stellar 2.42 ERA and 87 strikeouts. Lugo’s consistency and dominance on the mound have been instrumental for the Royals this season, providing stability in crucial games.
The Marlins will counter with Yonny Chirinos, who recently joined their roster. Chirinos brings a 0-0 record and a 3.60 ERA with six strikeouts. His role in Miami’s rotation marks an opportunity for him to establish himself and contribute to the Marlins’ efforts to disrupt the Royals’ offense.
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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Miami Dolphins fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Miami Dolphins are about a month away from training camp starting, bringing together the full roster and starting the build-up toward the 2024 NFL season. This year’s roster saw some major changes as players like defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel left in free agency while the team signed free agency defensive lineman Calais Campbell and drafted edge rusher Chop Robinson. It has been a busy offseason in South Florida.
Was it enough? Where are your concerns about the team and the roster they have built? We bring back our SB Nation Reacts fan poll today to get your thoughts on the Dolphins’ roster. We want to know where you think the biggest hole remaining on Miami’s roster is.
Vote in the poll below and head to the comments to share why you voted the way you did. We will be back with the results later this week.
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