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While in East finals, Heat also on road preparing for draft: ‘For us, it’s business as usual’

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While in East finals, Heat also on road preparing for draft: ‘For us, it’s business as usual’


The offseason has already begun for many of the NBA, however the Miami Warmth is one in every of 4 groups nonetheless chasing a championship.

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Which means the Warmth contingent that attended this week’s NBA Draft mix was smaller than common. The group was represented by assistant normal supervisor Adam Simon, director of participant personnel Eric Amsler, director of faculty and professional scouting Keith Askins, and scouts Bob McAdoo, Jack Fitzgerald and Bob Staak on the mix.

Often that group additionally contains Warmth president Pat Riley, normal supervisor Andy Elisburg and coach Erik Spoelstra. However not this season, with the Warmth at the moment in Boston for Video games 3 and 4 of its Japanese Convention finals sequence in opposition to the Celtics.

“For us, it’s enterprise as common,” Simon stated to the Miami Herald from Chicago, with the Warmth holding the No. 27 choose within the June 23 draft. “Individuals prefer to ask me, ‘How come you’re not on the video games?’ However our job is to arrange for the draft and be prepared. That is the place to do it. So we’re right here doing what we do yearly.

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“We’ve interviewed 37 gamers this week between the G League Elite Camp and the NBA mix. That’s enterprise as common. Then we go consider the exercises and the video games, after which there’s the agent exercises at night time with the professional days. So every thing is identical. In all probability the one factor completely different aren’t any dinners with Pat. However we alter and that’s it. Every part is identical.”

The Warmth brass in attendance nonetheless evaluated draft prospects as they took half in taking pictures, power and agility drills, watched five-on-five scrimmages carefully and interviewed a protracted checklist of gamers. However there’s no each day replace for Riley, Elisburg and others again in Miami.

“We’re simply doing draft intel,” Simon stated. “We’re gathering. On the finish of the day, we’re liable for data and being ready. Then in June, we’ll have these conferences and the knowledge we’re gathering now might be utilized and might be utilized in these conferences then.”

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As for the pre-draft interviews performed over the past week on the mix, Simon famous that these are recorded and may be shared with the remainder of the Warmth’s entrance workplace if wanted within the coming weeks.

“We’ve got them documented after which we are able to share them when wanted or reference them down the street to return and have a look at them,” Simon stated. “That is simply part of the method of what’s supplied right here. Then we are able to deliver gamers all the way down to Miami and work them out and interview them there, as properly.”

The Warmth plans to start out inviting prospects for pre-draft exercises at FTX Enviornment at the beginning of June.

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For now, Simon will proceed his two-week journey that started this previous Sunday when the Warmth contingent arrived in Chicago for the mix. Simon then headed to Boston this weekend to hitch the Warmth for Video games 3 and 4 of the East finals earlier than flying to Los Angeles on Tuesday for agency-run professional days after which returning to Miami late subsequent week.

“You wish to be there to really feel it, be part of the highs and lows,” Simon stated of lacking Video games 1 and a couple of of the convention finals in Miami whereas on the mix. “Whether or not you win, to have a good time and benefit from the one recreation or sequence victory. And for those who lose, to be there to assist and be along with your workforce. We win and lose collectively.”

Simon and the group of Warmth scouts watched Video games 1 and a couple of of the sequence from a Chicago restaurant.

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“The factor was I used to be going to go house this weekend,” Simon defined. “However I had pre-FOMO [fear of missing out] and determined to go over to Boston for Video games 3 and 4. Then from there, I’m going to LA. So I really ended up packing for a 12-day journey. … I used to be like, if I don’t go to those video games, then I gained’t be there till a doable Sport 7. So I made a decision to go to Boston for a pair days after which fly from Boston to L.A. on Tuesday for the professional days on the market on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.”

So whereas many of the Warmth group is concentrated on the duty at hand of discovering a well beyond the Celtics to advance to the NBA Finals for the seventh time in franchise historical past, Simon is working to search out one other participant who can assist the Warmth in future seasons.

Among the many prospects anticipated to be chosen this 12 months across the Warmth’s spot at No. 27, in keeping with ESPN’s newest mock draft, are Auburn middle Walker Kessler, Ohio State ahead E.J. Liddell, Baylor ahead Kendall Brown, guard Jaden Hardy of the G League Ignite, Duke guard Trevor Keels, Kansas wing Christian Braun, Nebraska guard Bryce McGowens and Michigan ahead Caleb Houstan.

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ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony initiatives the Warmth to take Keels as a result of he “brings the kind of toughness, really feel for the sport and profitable spirit the group covets.” Keels, who turns 19 in August, averaged 11.5 factors, 3.4 rebounds and a couple of.7 assists as a freshman in his lone season at Duke.

“We really feel good the place we’re choosing at 27. I really feel just like the choices might be good,” Simon stated. “Then on the finish of the day, each workforce has to decide between a participant that’s slightly bit extra superior and slightly bit extra prepared versus a participant that’s youthful of their profession and that wants improvement and could also be a pair years away. There’s no proper or fallacious reply.

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“I feel for those who’re this draft, there’s gamers which are extra prepared and there’s gamers that want slightly bit extra seasoning. However I feel it’s a great draft general.”

The Warmth can be eligible to commerce its first-round choose on this 12 months’s draft. However even when Miami does find yourself shifting the choice, the knowledge gathered on the mix continues to be very helpful when evaluating prospects who could possibly be added if the workforce buys its means into the second spherical or could possibly be obtainable after they go undrafted.

“I’d prefer to be there,” Simon stated of being away from the Warmth for many of the East finals “However similar to I miss video games throughout the 12 months, my accountability is to be ready for the draft. That’s my job.”

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Associated tales from Miami Herald

Anthony Chiang covers the Miami Warmth for the Miami Herald. He attended the College of Florida and was born and raised in Miami.





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Miami, FL

Massive yacht rented by legendary hip-hop producer bursts into flames outside popular Miami strip club

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Massive yacht rented by legendary hip-hop producer bursts into flames outside popular Miami strip club


A massive yacht allegedly rented out by legendary hip-hop producer Metro Boomin burst into flames while docked outside one of Miami’s most popular strip clubs early Sunday morning, according to reports.

The fire broke out on the 95-foot-long vessel outside Booby Trap On The River only about 30 minutes after it docked at the adult entertainment club at around 3 a.m., Local10 reported.

Workers at the club immediately sprung into action to help evacuate about 10 people onboard the boat, including Metro Boomin and five crew members, according to the director of security at the Booby Trap on the River, Michael Marhefka.

A yacht rented by iconic rap producer Metro Boomin in flames outside a Miami strip club on Sunday morning. NBC6

“The boat pulled up and they were on the boat maybe 30 minutes at the dock and we noticed what sounded like fire alarms going off,” Marhefka told the local outlet.

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“When we looked at the boat we did see some smoke inside the boat. We made the determination to evacuate the boat immediately.”

After everyone was safely removed from the boat, the flames continued to grow, engulfing the vessel and prompting a massive response from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue at around 4 a.m.

Fire officials said more than 30 units — some responding from land and others in fire rescue boats — were called to the scene to help extinguish the growing inferno, according to NBC 6.

The blaze, which officials said was challenging to put out because of the yacht’s size and fuel load, became so large that it drew a large crowd of onlookers in awe of the flames.

The fire broke out on the 95-foot-long vessel outside Booby Trap On The River only about 30 minutes after it docked at the adult entertainment club at around 3 a.m. NBC6
After everyone was safely removed from the boat, the flames continued to grow, engulfing the vessel and prompting a massive response from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue at around 4 a.m. NBC6

An unnamed witness at the scene told NBC 6 that the fire was “unexpected” and that she had never seen “anything like this.”

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Another said the fire “scared” her and others because of its size.

The yacht ultimately sank into the Miami River. No injuries were reported, according to officials.

Metro Boomin receives the key to the city of St. Louis on Dec. 14, 2023, in St. Louis. AP
The boat eventually sank into the Miami River. NBC6

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said they tried to limit the fuel runoff with “specialized oil spill response equipment that entails an oil-absorbent boom” after the fire was extinguished, according to the Miami Herald.

“This strong mesh-like sleeve encases a highly absorbent material that soaks up oil and surface sheen,” MDFR spokesperson Nicholas DiGiacomo told the outlet.

An investigation has been launched to determine what caused the blaze.

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Metro Boomin, who has collaborated with artists such as The Weekend, Young Thug, Future, and Travis Scott, has not released a public statement about the incident.



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Miami, FL

Makayla Timpson breaks FSU's double-double record in win over Miami

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Makayla Timpson breaks FSU's double-double record in win over Miami


The Florida State women’s basketball team welcomed rival Miami to the Tucker Center on Sunday, amidst the upcoming winter snowstorm that is expected to hit Tallahassee in the coming days. The Seminoles stayed hot and buried the Hurricanes 88-66.

FSU was led by junior superstar guard Ta’Niya Latson, who ended the night with 30 points, three rebounds and three assists. Senior forward Makayla Timpson broke the school record for career double doubles, notching the 42nd of her career as she scored 10 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

After the talented forward got the record, she was subbed out of the game to a standing ovation and a big hug from coach Brooke Wyckoff.

“It felt great, I’m just grateful for this moment,” Timpson said. “I don’t want it to end, but just grateful for my team and my coaches. They encourage me each and every day and I’m just grateful to do it here at the university.”

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Senior forward Malea Williams got the scoring going for the Seminoles when she buried a 3-pointer off of the opening tip-off, followed by another 3-pointer from junior guard Sydney Bowles.

The next time down the court, senior guard O’Mariah Gordon, although small in stature, was able to get in the paint to grab a rebound while being surrounded by multiple bigger and taller Miami defenders for the put back to make the score 8-0. In the blink of an eye, the Seminoles were up big, but basketball is a game of runs.

Florida State and Miami settled into their games and what has become a trend for first quarters, the Seminoles began to struggle. Miami began a run of their own and took their first lead when senior guard Haley Cavinder buried a 3-pointer, followed by an uncontested layup by her twin sister, Hanna. Miami had the lead 13-10 and, at that point, Wyckoff had seen enough and took her first timeout with three minutes and 37 seconds left in the first quarter.

Wyckoff isn’t naïve about her team’s inability to start fast, especially during home games.

“I know they’re not trying to come out and have a slow start,” Wyckoff said. “They’re trying and there are just some things that we’ve got to adjust to, maybe adjust a little bit quicker and that’s on us to help them figure those things out, but I could sense that we we’re going to be OK.”

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FSU came out of the timeout with a little more focus. Sophomore guard Raiane Dias Dos Santos buried a 3-pointer to stop the bleeding and tied the game at 13. The talented guard finished the night with six points, three rebounds, five assists and gave the Seminoles extended minutes.

“The No. 1 thing about Raiane is that she just stays ready,” Wyckoff said. “There’s been games where she’s played one minute, and she had the same attitude every single day. She’s a sponge, she wants to learn, she’s a great teammate and she can play both sides of the ball. I’ve loved her growth on the offensive and defensive end, so she’s just ready and she stepped up.”

The Hurricanes led 22-18 at the end of the first quarter. Florida State scrapped with the Hurricanes and was able to tie the game at 28 with five minutes and 12 seconds left until half with Latson at the line for two shots. She buried both to give the Seminoles the lead.

Miami went cold from the floor the rest of the half and FSU extended its lead after going on a 7-0 run, forcing Miami to use a timeout. After a Latson 3-pointer gave FSU a 42-30 lead with one minute and 16 seconds left, the guard wanted more and heaved a half-court shot as the half expired only to see it hit the back of the rim.

The ’Noles went into halftime with a 42-32 lead and looked firmly in control.

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The second half belonged to the Seminoles, who came out hot with an 8-0 run capped off by back-to-back 3-pointers from Latson. From then on, it was tough sledding for the Hurricanes to get anything going offensively. Florida State let the Cavinder twins score a combined 15 points in the first half. In the second half, the Seminoles stymied them at every turn and the famous TikTok sisters were held to two points in the second half.

FSU put the Hurricanes away in the fourth quarter as a 12-2 run put the game out of reach, 85-61 with three minutes and 22 seconds left.

It doesn’t matter which sport, FSU fans, players and coaches will always cherish a win over the Miami Hurricanes.

“This one means just a little bit more,” Wyckoff said. “These women came out ready to go despite a little bit of a slow start in the first quarter. It was a full team effort today and that’s what you need against an in-conference rival, so just really happy with what we did today.”



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Dead man found inside car in Little Havana prompts investigation, police say

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Dead man found inside car in Little Havana prompts investigation, police say


Large police investigation underway in Little Havana

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Large police investigation underway in Little Havana

01:54

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MIAMI — An investigation is underway after a man was found dead inside a car in Little Havana early Sunday morning, police said.

Just after 1:50 a.m., City of Miami Police was called out to the area near NW 2nd St. 14th Ave. regarding a man who was found “unresponsive inside of a vehicle.”

Miami Fire Rescue also responded to the scene but the man was pronounced dead, Miami Police told CBS News Miami.

Miami Police detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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