Sunday Brunch Rant Week 11

Today I'm really ticked off. If you saw last night's game between the Cavs and the Magic, you know what I'm talking about. I'm not upset that Cleveland lost. I'm upset about how Lebron James acted after the game.

Last night Lebron James showed he isn't ready to be "King of the NBA." He's not ready to be the face of a League, City, or Team. He showed immaturity, selfishness and a lack of professionalism.

I don't care how good he is. Character makes a person. Michael Jordan would have never left the court after a loss, no matter how painful and embarrassing, without shaking hands with his opponents. It's a lack of respect to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. If it was Delonte West who acted like that I wouldn't mind, but coming from the league MVP it is unacceptable.

Lebron's actions suggest that he can't handle the pressure of being a leader yet. He can't handle the pressure of being a superstar yet. He did not have the guts to face the media and explain how the best regular season team (the one that cruised through the first two rounds of the playoffs) could not advance to the NBA Finals.

If it wasn't for a miracle shot in Game 2 the Cavs would have been swept by the Magic.

Here's an idea Lebron: The next time you have 10 days to prepare and practice before the start of a series, how about you actually practice instead of throwing up trick shots from different places on the court. For your next trick shot you should figure out how to go back in time to beat Orlando.

Throwback Saturday: O.J. McDuffie

Twenty five picks into the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins stared at the card of a Penn State University Wide Receiver by the name of McDuffie. He came to the Miami Dolphins in an effort to sure up the Wide Receiver unit and expand the passing offense under legendary head coach, Don Shula.

After all, 1992 was the last year that the Mark Brothers (Clayton and Duper) played for the Dolphins. O.J. McDuffie had to live up to their level of play and replace what once was a formidable receiving duo.

He did not disappoint.

O.J. was the first and only Dolphins receiver to catch 90 passes in a season, thanks in part to his great hands and a great Quarterback by the name of Dan Marino. He finished his career in Miami with over 5,000 receiving yards, 415 receptions and 29 touchdowns.

The Fins were his first and only NFL team and he lasted with them from 1993 to 2001 – a long, enjoyable 8-year tenure. It was only a toe injury in the 2000-01 season that ended his otherwise lengthy career, but only after he left his mark in Miami.

Through three coaches (Shula, Johnson and Wannstedt), McDuffie made a lasting impression on Dolphins history and is still known by most of today’s Dolphans. It’s a shame that he never was able to compete for a Super Bowl ring as most of his seasons were stunted by first or second round exits.

Either way, McDuffie is still good ole’ number 81 in the memories of the Miami faithful and will forever be a part of a bitter sweet era of Dolphins history; A team good enough to reach the playoffs, but never great enough to win a title.

To see what O.J. McDuffie has been up to recently, check out his blog at Open Sports, where he’s an active blogger and keeps many of his fans up-to-date with the happenings in his life: http://www.opensports.com/community/user/641479

Marlins Win Second Series in May

The Florida Marlins were able to take two out of three games from the Philadelphia Phillies on May 27th, recording only their 2nd series win in May.

It's been a tough road for the Marlins and it didn't look good after they finished their 10-game home stand with three wins and seven losses. Coming into a division rival's home turf, it did not seem like it was going to get any better. Surprisingly, the Fish took the series with an improved offense and stabilized pitching performances.

Marlins fans have been turned off by the recent downturn in the team's play and have not had many reasons to cheer for their home team. Now, if the Marlins capitalize on defeating a division rival, they can once again give the fans something to shout about.

The team has won three of their last four games and has only allowed an average of 3.5 runs during that stretch. Before this stretch they had allowed an average of 6.3 runs in the entire month of May, including four games with 10 runs or more. Let's hope the Marlins don't revert to their early May pitching form.

As for offense, Dun Uggla has hit 5 home runs in the last 10 games and is beginning to lift himself out of the atrocious slump he was in since the season began. Cody Ross found his offense during the series against the L.A. Dodgers and has recorded at least one hit in 10 of the last 12 games.

Although Jorge Cantu has now cooled off, other players have picked up where he left off. Let's not forget that Hanley Ramirez still has not gotten on a hot streak - something that is bound to happen at any moment.

We all knew that the Marlins would recover from the losing syndrome that plagued them after their booming start, now we must pray that they pile on another good streak in order to keep them in the NL East race.

There will be ups and downs all season long - that's a given. What is unknown is the identity of this Florida team: are they the 11-1 Marlins or the post-hype 11-27 Marlins?

Something in between would not be too difficult to imagine.

Miami Heat Better Off Without Mo Williams

Throughout the regular season, Pat Riley and the Miami Heat saw what Mo Williams brought to the table in Cleveland. A solid second scoring option, a decent defender and an overall great pickup by the Cavaliers. Two series swept and the Cavs looking unstoppable, there were no questions about how well the team was doing.

Then came along a formidable Orlando Magic team. This is where Heat fans can say, "maybe it wasn't worth it."

Mo Williams has not scored over 20 points since the first game versus the Atlanta Hawks. In the meantime, LeBron James has averaged 42 points per game with barely any other teammate recording half that amount each game. It's tough to win a series when you're running a one man show.

Had Mo come to Miami, the Heat might be worse off than they are now. They probably wouldn't have traded for Chalmers in the draft and would still have exited the playoffs in the early rounds. All this assuming that Mo Williams would be struggling in the playoffs with Wade putting up numbers similar to King James.

So, now the Cavs face elimination and the Heat continue their rebuilding efforts and at the end of the day both teams could be in the same position - out of the playoffs and into the fishing season.

I'll take a salary-friendly promising point guard over a solid regular season point guard that can't live up to the role of second-hand man. Maybe I'm being too harsh and giving Mo a tough time since he technically is new to the playoffs (i.e. Milwaukee never took him to the post season), but he's been in the league long enough to build the poise, composure and leadership necessary to be a the sidekick they hired him to be.

If Cleveland Loses, So Does Miami?

There has been some rumor going around regarding the series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic and how it relates to the Miami Heat. Some say if Cleveland loses it's a bad thing for Miami, hinting at an eventual departure of LeBron James and a follow-up by Dwyane Wade. Others say that Heat fans should root for an Orlando victory, except this time they see a King James departure as good for the Heat (i.e. Cleveland would be a dismantled Eastern Conference contender).

So is a Cleveland loss a good thing or a bad thing? How about we let the series finish before we go ahead and start some rumors.

Whether LeBron stays or goes is up in the air and we all know it. Many just want him to leave for the sake of creating drama and theater in the NBA. They believe that he is the first domino to fall in a series of NBA stars that will tag along and switch jerseys. I'm not about to go that far and assume such things.

Pat Riley is set on signing Dwyane Wade to an extension this off season in order to secure the franchise's future. Wade has made statements regarding his current contract and how he enjoys having the flexibility of deciding whether to stay or go. That may be troubling to hear for Heat fans, but he reassured that it does not mean he is leaning towards packing up and shipping out. In reality, it's probably just a leverage manuever where Wade and his agent can look at the best offers available instead of binding him to another multi-year contract.

The final results of this year's Eastern Conference Finals may have free agency and trade implications, but none of which most of us will be able to foresee. We only know that on the Cavaliers end they have some role players in their contract year and the same goes for Orlando. We can only wait and see what each team deems as a necessary re-signing or a disposable contract.

As for now, why don't we sit back and watch the NBA playoffs and talk about what they mean to the Miami Heat later. I'm already grabbing my popcorn for the surprisingly close series that is Cleveland and Orlando and the smashmouth duel between Los Angeles and Denver. So, let's turn off the typewriters (what's that?) and turn on the tube (ancient term for television).

Hurricanes Looking Foward to Tourney

The Miami Hurricanes Baseball team will be making a NCAA record 37th consecutive appearence at the NCAA Division 1 Tournament that begins May 29. They are slated to begin their road to Ohmaha in the Gainsville Regional along with No. 8 Florida, Bethune-Cookman and Jacksonville.

There is nothing like playing at home but Gainsville should be a nice alternative. Miami swept Florida early in the season at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium at Perry Field. They will play their first game against Jacksonville and hopefully play the winner of the Florida and Bethune-Cookman game.

The Canes might be pulling to play against Florida since they did not play well against Cookman earlier this month. Bethune Cookman took 2 out of 3 from the Canes in Coral Gables.

This will be a double elimanation round where the winner will play the winner of the Atlanta Regional that includes No. 1-seed Georgia Tech, No. 2-seed Elon, No. 3-seed Southern Miss and No. 4-seed Georgia State.

Miami has reached the College Baseball World Series 3 times since their last championship in 2001. Now they are in search of their 5th national title.

Marlins Bringing Out the Big Socks

In times like these when nothing goes your way, teams look towards unorthodox ways of changing up their approach, even if it means changing up their socks.

Cody Ross has notoriously been known to wear the big black socks with the Florida Marlins this season, but recently it has become more and more common to see other Marlins stylin' the high socks - namely, John Baker and Ronny Paulino.

When the sled keeps slipping down hill, you'll do anything to stop the drop and head back to the top. In this case, knee-high black fabric socks are that change.

Don't be surprised if more players on the roster catch on to this trend and begin to switch things up for the sake of good luck. The Marlins will need all the luck they can take as they will be facing a back-to-back series versus NL East rivals (the Phillies and Mets).

It's going to take a collective effort from the starters and relievers, as well as from the position players in their batting and fielding. Sounds pretty obvious, but the Fish typically do not excel in pitching, batting and fielding on a game by game basis.

It's time to flat out play the game of baseball in its entirety and end the one-sidedness that has run this Marlins team lately. The team is 9-24 after the 11-1 start, but only 45 games have been played in 162 -game season. It's time to hike up those socks and head out on that field for nine innings of sweat, struggle and hustle.

The Answer to the Marlins Pitching Woes?

Who would have thunk it? Ross Gload pitched a scoreless ninth inning Saturday night versus the Tampa Bay Rays in an effort to stop the dismantling of the Marlins at 15 runs. This was the worst loss all season long and at the end of the day Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco was optioned to Triple A New Orleans for his erratic pitching thus far.

One thing is constant, and that is that the Florida Marlins have actually received good pitching outings from their position players in Cody Ross and Ross Gload. I'm not hinting that Freddi Gonzalez should add them to the bullpen, but if they aren't starting one night and you don't need their bats - don't be afraid of using their arms. 

The Marlins continue their epic struggles and it seems as though playing at Land Shark Stadium is not helping them out (maybe they feel like their in Margaritaville 24/7?). Out of the eight games they've played at home this week, they've only won two. And I hate to say it, but if you can't win at home how do you expect to win away?

There definitely needs to be some shake ups in the organization as I had previously hinted at. Whether its a change in manager, restructure of the batting lineup or a switch in the starting pitching rotation, the Fish need to wake up. This problem is more than just a "streak of bad luck," it's an internal problem that is impeding them from returning to their early season form.

On a good note, Dan Uggla and Cody Ross have picked up their offense in this home stretch and have taken the load off of Jorge Cantu. We'll see how the Marlins decide to use their newfound pitching phenoms Cody and Gload in their attempt to right the ship and turn their season around.     

Presenting the All-NBA Funky Name Team...

You got to admit that the NBA has some players with pretty funny names (at least in American standards). In order to poke some fun at what the funkiest combination of player names on one team would be, we've constructed the All-NBA Funky Name Team. Some of these names just roll off the tip of your tongue or leave it in knots. Either way, I'm sure you can gain some form of useless amusement out of this "elite" list.

Starting at guard, swingman out of France - Yakhouba Diawara (Yuh-coo-buh D-uh-wah-raw).






At the other guard position, he's the mysterious Croation/Yugoslavian - Roko Ukic (Row-ko U-keech).






At forward, the quick striking London-born Englishman - Kelenna Azubuike (Kelly-nuh Aza-bookie).






Out of Gaziosmanpasa, Istanbul, you heard right, at the other forward spot - Hedo Turkoglu (He-dough Turk-galoo).






Playing center, the big Lituanianian, AKA "Big Z," - Zydrunas Ilgauskus (Zidroo-nus Ill-gao-skus).






Coming off the bench we have:

The one, the only ZP27 - Zaza Pachulia (Pronunciation = Self-Explanatory).







He goes by one name and resides in the mile-high city; 4-letters, one man - Nene (Last name = Hilario - and that's not a typo).






Iran's best. The H2 7'2 big man from the Mid East - Hamed Haddadi (Just sound it out).






The prince from Cameroon standing tall at 6'8 - Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Luke Ree-shard Bah Moo-tay).






He's the human Swiss army knife from the land of Switzerland - Thabo Sefolosha (It's pretty straight forward).






The Buffalonian with Nigerian roots, presenting ID3 - Ike Diogu - AKA Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu (We're not even trying to pronounce that one).






Another Nigerian descendant born in the great state of Oregon - Ime Udoka (E-may U-dough-kuh).






And last but not least, the fan favorite, Big Pops - Pops Mensah-Bonsu (You get the point).

NBA Finals Match-Ups by Category

Some already have their reservations as to which two teams will be playing in the NBA Finals. In an attempt to look outside the box, we categorize the potential Finals match-ups in order to foresee what kind of series each one would be like. The categories will include: 1) The High Octane Series, 2) The Bright Lights Series, 3) The Finals Block Party, and 4) Battle of the Giants.

The High Octane Series

Although it isn't the highly anticipated math-up between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, this would involve the Cavs and the Nuggets in a Finals confrontation. Why call it high octane? Because these two teams arguably have the most athletic, bucket-scoring players out of the crowd of four. Can you imagine all the alley oops that LeBron James would be receiving on the Cavs end and the slashing dunks that Nene, K-Mart and Birdman that the Nuggets would be getting on the other? That's a pretty exciting match-up for any run-and-gun basketball enthusiast.

The Bright Lights Series

This indeed is the Kobe v. LeBron duel that fans and media outlets are dying for. The bright lights will be shining in Cleveland and L.A. as analysts reminisce on the days of Larry Bird versus Magic Johnson (or Jordan). Two Superstars would be leading their teams into a battle for the ages. Kobe draining shots, LeBron slamming dunks, and their deep supporting casts doing their job to assist their star player. I don't think that the NBA can ask for a better series and a better marketing tool than having these two stars playing on the biggest stage in basketball. David Stern must be loosening his tie from the excitement that must be running through his veins.

The Finals Block Party

This is the probably the least likely scenario for the NBA Finals - a match-up between the Denver Nuggets and the Orlando Magic. This would be the "block party" series because of how much defense (particularly blocked shots) you would see in such a series. Dwight Howard and Marcin Gortat would be teaming up with their hand swatters, while Birdman, Nene and K-Mart combine for a block fest trifecta. You would see about 6-8 blocked shots a night (and pretty forceful ones at that). I'm not sure how well these two would match-up against each other, but we do know that suffocating defense would be a part of the series.

Battle of the Giants
















The Orlando Magic have a total of six players that are 6'10 or above on their roster. On the same token, the Los Angeles Lakers have three 7-Footers of there own. Hence the name, Battle of the Giants. Dwight Howard versus Pau Gasol, Marcin Gortat versus Andrew Bynum and a bevy of other potential big men match-ups would be the highlight of the series. Kobe might be a small factor in the series (sarcasm?), but the Magic have the bigger lineup and could create problems for the Lakers. The Magic still have to prove that they can beat the Cavs, before they even ponder the thought of a west coast trip. The Lakers also have their hands full with as surging Nuggets team that is no easy cookie. Either way, the prospect of such a series would paint a towering skyline from Orlando to L.A.

* * *

Prediction:
We believe that the Cavaliers will come out of the East in 6 games or less, while the Lakers pull it out in a 7-game series. We don't want to count out the underdogs because both have the capability of edging out their opponents, but we are choosing talent and experience over the passion of the underdogs this time around. In all reality, any Finals match-up combination will be exciting to watch and worthy of our attention.

Where Will the Marlins End Up?

As I dusted off my 2003 World Series Marlins cap while I prepared for a hot Sunday afternoon at the ballpark, I realized how long it's been since the last time we tasted championship victory. Six years with a promising 11-1 start to the season, it seemed like this might just be our year, but then the streak struck a wall and it all began to turn upside down.

The May 17th game between the Dodgers and Marlins emphasized the problems that the Fish had faced after their hot start fizzled out. Lackluster pitching, inconsistent batting and a missing element of confidence. It was frustrating to watch a no-hitter in the making against your own team on your own field. Believe me, I was there.

The most interesting part of the game is how it told a story of the past, present and possibly the future. The Dodgers displayed an all-around dominance versus the Marlins and took the Fish out of the game early and often. It was 6-0 after three innings with no signs of run support on the way.

The replacement for Anibal Sanchez (John Koronka) let everyone know that he wasn't ready to play in the Majors just yet as he allowed four runs in two and 2/3 innings. Not to mention, Dodgers' pitcher (Clayton Kershaw) wasn't making it any easier for the Marlins. It was an across-the-board breakdown by the Marlins for just about the entire game.

And then the 8th inning came around and we saw that glimpse of hope that could very well be the signal of what's to come.

Cody Ross stepped up to the plate in the 8th inning and brought Kershaw's no-hitter to a screeching halt. He eventually scored the Marlins first run on a sacrifice fly by Emilio Bonifacio. Satisfied with a hit and a run in what seemed to be a nightmare, many fans including myself headed to the parking lot.

We figured that a run on the board was as far as the Fish could take us just one inning away from the end of the game.

We were wrong.

About an hour after I left, I became aware of the mini comeback that the Marlins had compiled in the 9th and was proud to know that the team played the game down to the final inning. A series of hits, walks and unexpected scenarios led to a bases juiced grand slam by none other than Cody Ross.

That singular act of hitting a ball over the fence with two outs and a full count left me with one thing in mind - just when you think the ride was over, the Marlins still have the will to win inside themselves. The ashes of confidence still exist and Cody Ross may have just sparked the fire to a rejuvenated run of success. Only time will tell.

* * *

We've had a running poll on the Florida Marlins for a while now and 38 games into the season we've gotten plenty of responses from our readers. The results have shown a considerable bias towards the Marlins reaching the playoffs for obvious reasons, but the season thus far has pointed in another direction. The upside is that there is still a whole season to play and enough time to see the real Florida Marlins develop and prove to the world their identity as pretenders or contenders.

The final results are as follow:

THE FLORIDA MARLINS WILL...

fail miserably	1 (2%)
fall short of the playoffs	10 (26%)
reach the playoffs	10 (26%)
go deep	8 (21%)
go all the way	9 (23%)

Throwback Saturday: Livan Hernandez

Back in 1995, rumors were swirling about a young pitcher who they called the next phenon. There was only one problem - he lived 90 miles south of the sea border in a Communist country where moving away was not an easy thing to do.

Dreams became reality when Livan Hernandez became one of the first Cuban baseball players to defect and join the Major Leagues.

Plenty of teams casted off to the Dominican Republic to try to reel in players. In the end, the Florida Marlins were the team with the big prize. For $6.5 million a year and a $2.5 million signing bonus, Hernandez became the future of the Franchise.

Livan's lack of literacy in English caused an inability to communicate with coaches, so they put him in the minors under the wing of current Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Livan got his chance to shine in 1997. He was called up from AAA on June 28th to face America's team, the New York Yankees, in front of a sold out crowd of 42,153 in Miami. Hernandez gave up 3 runs in 5 innings and received a no decision. He went on to win his next 6 starts and 9 out of his first 12 Major League apperances. He entered the month of September undefeated before he suffered his first loss against the San Francisco Giants, 1-0. Livan went on to lose his next 2 games and finish the regular season 9-3.

Livan began the playoffs out of the bullpen in a best out of 5 series against the San Francisco Giants. He had three strikeouts in his only inning of work for the series.

Hernandez started the Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves in the bullpen. He made an appearence in Game 3 where he pitched the 6th and 7th innings and earned his first career playoff victory. Manager Jim Leyland was so content with his young rookie that he gave him the starting nod for game 5. Livan did not make Jim regret his decision.

Hernandez pitched a complete game giving up 3 hits, 1 run and striking out 15 batters to earn his second playoff victory. His preformance earned him the NLCS MVP award as he propelled the Marlins to their first World Series.

Livan got the start for game one and five of the World Series. Both games resulting in a win for Hernandez and the Marlins. The Marlins went on to win their first World Series in great part to the strong pitching of their rookie pitcher. Livan became the first and only Major League rookie to be awarded the World Series MVP. He became notorious in the world of baseball as he slid in front of the mound after game seven and proclaimed in front of national television:

"I Love You Miami"

Jason Taylor: "My Heart Has Always Been in Miami..."

Jason Taylor signed a 1 year contract with the Miami Dolphins worth $1.5 million. This comes after the Washington Redskins cut him earlier this off-season.

Taylor told his agent that he didn't want to negotiate a contract and sign for whatever fit their budget.

Jason reportedly turned down movie deals to play for the Dolphins. He biggest priority was to not be away from his family.

I thought that Bill Parcells had a personal vendetta against Jason, but I guess this proves that I was WRONG.

Taylor's signing fills the need for another pass rusher. He is the active career stats leader with 120 1/2. The only problem is the last time he lined up with Joey Porter they both struggled. Joey flourished after Jason's departure, leading the AFC with 17 1/2 sacks. Jason struggled his only year with the Redskins and suffered a knee and calf injury.

After last season's Dancing with the Stars fiasco, we have to see how this plays out. He was released after telling the Redskins that he has not going to attend off season work-out or camp.

Jason Taylor is a great person on and off the field and was the face of our franchise for 11 years. He was selected to 6 Pro Bowls and was named the defensive player of the year in 2006.

Only time could tell how Jason's return is going to improve this defense that struggled against the run last year. One thing is clear. He brings a great deal of leadership to a familiar place. He will move right into the role without any hesitation or objection.

Talking Miami Heat Trade Scenarios - 2009 Off Season

Using RealGM's Trade Checker and ESPN's NBA Trade Machine, we've taken a look at some of the potential trades that could occur during the off-season under the direction of Pat Riley and his ambitious mindset. We look at some of the more rumored trades options as well as some of the less publicized alternatives that the Heat can look at.

Although I don't expect major moves this off-season, you can never anticipate Pat Riley's moves from one season to another. We will still try and poke at his mind and see what could possibly be a viable option for Miami.

Acquisitions: Chris Bosh (PF/C)
Departures: Udonis Haslem (PF), Michael Beasley (PF/SF) and Dorell Wright (SF)

This is a trade that I would not like very much because of the amount of depth and potential that Miami would lose for just one player. There may be a second player included with Bosh in a package like this, but I don't think it would be anyone equivalent to Haslem or Beasley. Mark Blount can't be a part of this deal, mainly because a restriction in his contract and the Toronto Raptors probably would not care for him. In essence, Miami would have traded half their team for half of Toronoto's team - kind of like a switch off. I think that we should roll the dice and wait for 2010 if we want Bosh because even if he is not available, plenty of others will be.


Acquisitions: Amare Stoudemire (PF/C)
Departures: Udonis Haslem (PF), Michael Beasley (PF/SF) and Dorell Wright (SF)

Here's a similar scenario wherein Miami receives Amare instead of Bosh. I am not any more satisfied with this trade than I am with the Bosh trade. I think we would be worse off with Stoudemire than with Bosh, if anything. Bosh was on the Olympic Basketball team and shows maturity and poise, whereas Stoudemire has shown signs of immaturity and openly complains about his role on the Suns on occasion. I don't think Riley would be naive enough to make such a blockbuster trade on the idea that Amare is the "end all, be all." Maybe if Leandro Barbosa was in the package it could be bearable, but as it stands he is out of our budget.

Acquisitions: Josh Howard (SF)
Departures: Udonis Haslem (PF) and Dorell Wright (SF)

This trade has probably never been mentioned by anyone yet, but the numbers line up and both teams receive something they want. Miami receives a legitimate 2nd scorer behind Wade, while Dallas receives toughness and depth. This deal would drastically improve Miami's offense and by alleviating the load off Wade and Beasley. The Mavs would be getting a scrappy defender and rebounder in Udonis Haslem that will set the tone on the defensive end in Dallas. Dorrell Wright could also excel in their run-n-gun style offense which plays to his athleticism. In all, both teams could come out winning in this scenario.



Acquisitions: Caron Butler (SF)
Departures: Udonis Haslem (PF) and Dorell Wright (SF)

This would be a bitter sweet trade off between two beloved players in Miami. On one hand, Miami reunites with the dynamic Caron Butler while parting ways with hardwood warrior Udonis Haslem. I'm sure Riley would love to see Caron back in a Miami uniform running the floor with a more experienced Dwyane Wade - a throwback to the 2003-'04 days. The Wizards would be receiving a valued piece in Haslem that can solidify their front court. Theoretically, it's a great fit for both teams.

* * *

Here's where we get a little bit creative and begin to think outside the box. Let's not forget about the non-traditional three team trades that are at the foundation of some of the biggest blockbuster trades in NBA history.

Since three team trades can be so unpredictable, we chose not to create a specific scenario, but rather poke at the possibilities of which teams and significant players could be involved in such trades.

Teams Involved: Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks
Heat Players: Udonis Haslem (PF) and Dorell Wright (SF)
Phoenix Players: Steve Nash (PG)
Knicks Players: Chris Wilcox (PF) and Chris Duhon (PG) and Wilson Chandler (SG)

A trade between the Knicks and Suns would probably occur without the Heat involved, but Riley could find a way of sticking is foot in the door and getting some value. Steve Nash has expressed some interest in playing for his coach Mike D'Antoni in New York before. If the numbers get set straight and Nash asks to be traded, this is definitely an option. Phoenix would receive Duhon, Haslem and Wright. Miami would receive Wilcox and Chandler. Draft picks could also be in the mix, especially towards Phoenix as they would be sending away a world class PG. It all may seem a bit iffy and unlikely, but if there is any reasonable possibility in your mind, then don't brush it off completely.


Teams Involved: Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks
Heat Players: Udonis Haslem (PF) and Dorell Wright (SF)
Warriors Players: Jamal Crawford (PG)
Hawks Players: Joe Johnson (SG)
Update (June, 2009): Jamal Crawford has been moved to the Atlanta Hawks already

The Warriors' GM has voiced his dislike of Crawford in the past and the Hawks have not thrown out the possibility of dealing swingman Joe Johnson. With that said, the Hawks could replace Johnson in the form of Crawford plus another player(s) and/or pick(s). The Heat would receive Johnson, while Golden State receives Haslem and Wright. Sounds too good to be true, but I'm sure some picks and developing players would be included. If the Hawks think that Johnson is not the answer, then expect him to be dealt with the right pieces in place.


Final Word:

There are plenty of other trade options out there, many of which may be more feasible than the ones we just propose, but like a broken record we must remember Pat Riley's unpredictable nature. Expect the unexpected, believe the unbelieveable, and most of all be prepared for a revamped Miami Heat team.

Marlins Look Forward to 10-Game Home Stretch

Home sweet home, or we hope it is so. The Florida Marlins have been on a rocky road of ups and downs after their premature early season surge. If there is any time to settle down and get back on track to victory it is now.

The sunny tropical South Florida weather should set the scene for a laid-back approach for anybody strolling into town. As for the Marlins, there's no time to kick back and take a back seat in this home stretch. On the contrary, it's time for the Fish to strap on those cleats and sweat it out in each and every game; all 90+ innings of them.

Jorge Cantu cannot be the sole offensive force on this squad and Hanley has picked up as well, but where is the production from Dan Uggla, Emilio Bonifacio, Cody Ross and company? I think the front office sent a message by sending Cameron Maybin down to Triple-A and calling up Chris Coughlan.

The move on Maybin my be a forewarning to Bonifacio, letting him know that the patience is running out and his spot is not guaranteed in stone. In case Bonifacio does get sent down, we expect Gaby Sanchez to be given a shot at 1st base while Jorge Cantu moves back to 3rd base.

If we take anything positive as of the Marlins recent performances, we can say that the pitching has temporarily regained its potency during the Colorado Rockies series. The Fish only allowed a combined 7 runs in the series and gave up no more than 3 runs in any of the games. This comes from a collective effort from the starters and the relievers. Now all that's needed is consistent scoring.

For the season, the top hitters on the team (Cantu, Ramirez, Uggla, Bonifacio, Hermida and Ross) are only batting .256, with Cantu leading (.348) and Uggla slumping (.189). It's tough to see such a talented team fizzle out so early in the season after starting so hot.

What needs to be regained is not the long balls and multi-base hits, but rather the small ball tactics that got the Marlins ahead in the first place. Back to the basics.

To sum up the story, the Marlins have still not returned to early season form (although we don't expect any more 11-1 win streaks), but they have not continued on the path towards destruction. A little shaking up might not be such a bad thing and could keep the players on their heels, so that they wont feel complacent with where they stand. It's all about taking your game and your team to the next level.

This Day in Florida Marlins History: May 11, 1996

On May 11, 1996, Al Leiter recorded the first no-hitter in Florida Marlins History. Leiter ate up the Colorodo Rockies line-up like chum as the Marlins won 11-0. He struck out six and walked two, while retiring the last 20 batters in a row. He finished the year 16-12, a 2.93 ERA and a career high in strick outs (200) and innings pitched (215.1).

Al Leiter went on to help the Marlins win their first World Series Title in 1997.

He was the first no-hitter in Marlins history, but definitely not the last. Three others have followed in his footsteps and bolstered Florida's uniquely impressive pitching history - they were Kevin Brown, AJ Burnett and Anibal Sanchez. We can only wait and see who will be the next to make the no-hitter club and round off the Marlins' elite pitching group to five.

Sunday Brunch Rant Week 10

For our 10th edition of Sunday Brunch Rant we will discuss the topic that has flooded the sports airwaves ad nauseam. Oh yes, Brett Favre. The man of the hour(s). Whether you love the guy, are sick of the guy, or don't give a flying monkey about him, we are being spoon fed a daily dosage of Favre-Mania. To tell you the truth, it's driving me insane and actually diminishes my respect for networks like ESPN.

Is it really about reporting the stories that are "most important" to the sports fan? Or is it an obsession with the highest paid and most regarded players in the sports universe? It seems like the latter and it basically sets everyone else in the sports profession aside in a barrel of unimportance. For instance, A-Rod, Favre, Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and other big names get more coverage than the rest of their respective sports.

I'm not sure what bothers me more, the fact that Brett Favre can't make up his mind about playing football or the fact that ESPN is telling me that he can't make up his mind every other segment. Maybe we should let the guy do his own thing without reporting on it like some mad paparazzi organization. 

Just as I write this, I hear in the background a "Developing Story with Rachel Nichols" about Favre once again. With that said, I do not think I am overreacting to this craziness. 

Here's my two cents: Let Brett Favre seek revenge versus the Packers with the Vikings and risk tainting his legendary image with the Packer nation. As for the media, stop exploding every action he takes and avoid treating the story like its an ongoing high speed chase. We can wait for the answers once he decides to sign or not - that's all. 

May the real sports coverage please stand up?

P.S. Happy Mothers Day to all those lovely moms who bend over backwards for their children day in and day out. Too bad we only take one day to respect the people who virtually make this country move.

Throwback Saturday: Dan Majerle

The man, Thunder Dan. I remember the wing duo of Dan Majerle and Eddie Jones raining threes on opponents with Sun Sports' announcer, Eric Reid, shouting "Kaboom!" left and right. It was a fun time in Heat history and Dan was a fan favorite. 

Majerle is mostly known for his time in Phoenix, but his five seasons in Miami were well spent and brought the city to new levels of NBA excitement as Mourning, Hardaway, PJ Brown and Eddie Jones were all studs at the time.

From the '96-'97 up to the '00-'01 season, Thunder Dan recorded a total of 444 three-pointers while wearing a Heat jersey. But beyond his perimeter shooting, Dan was just an all around solid basketball player. He could dish out assists, rake in some rebounds and steal a few passes from time to time. In essence, he was a great role player and was an asset to just about any team in the league. 

While Majerle was a part of the Heat, they won no less than 61% of their games each season. Their best showing was in his first year in Miami as they went 61-21, winning 74% of their games. He was part of some of the contender years in Miami, which unfortunately were stunted by a pesky Knicks team or by a highly dominating Bulls squad. Nonetheless, he was part of an intricate time in Miami Heat history.

Since his tenure in Miami, Dan has gone back to Phoenix to pursue a career in sports broadcasting for the Suns. And if you thought he was a great shooter before, you should see his pre-game routine before every Phoenix Suns home game. I'm sure some of you have seen this already, but it's always amazing to watch over-the-back half court shots from a chair. Dan has become an expert at it and we've got the video clip to show it.

  

Jimmy Buffet Rocks a Deal with Dolphin Stadium

On Friday, May 8th, Jimmy Buffet officially kicked off the newly dealt sponsorship between Dolphin Stadium and Land Shark Lager. The result: Land Shark Stadium. Whether you like the name or not, the title sponsorship is just another source of revenue that "helps pay the bills" for Steven Ross. We all know that's a necessity in this economic climate, even professional sports teams are hurting.

The deal is rumored to only be a one-year stint, but could always extend to a multi-year contract if things go well for both parties. At the event, a famous faces were in attendance including former Dolphins players (i.e. Nat Moore, Kim Bokamper, and more), Alonzo Mourning, Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland - just to name a handful. The crowd stood around and enjoyed two of Buffet's classics, leading off with the theme song for laid-back living, "Margaritaville."

In essence, we were able to experience the stadium's newly manufactured sections, an exclusive mini-concert, the presence of other athletes and notables, as well as a goodie bag full of freebies. While many still like the old names (to the point that it will forever be called Joe Robbie in their minds), Land Shark Stadium is just a name and should not affect the sports experience in a significant way.

As I heard one lady say, "Yesterday I didn't like the name, but today I did. It probably had something to do with Jimmy Buffet." And what can you say, he's a lovable guy and a clever businessman. Cheers to a fresh start to 2009 at Land Shark Stadium!

Super Bowl XLIV and Pro Bowl 2010 Logos Unleashed

On Wednesday morning at 10:30 AM, the NFL in conjunction with the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee unveiled the latest logos for the two upcoming NFL prime-time games in South Florida; Super Bowl XLIV and Pro Bowl 2010.

For those who don't know, South Florida will be setting a record for hosting Super Bowls by being the home for America's most watched sporting event for a 10th time. Not to mention, the Pro Bowl will be held the week before Super Bowl weekend in Miami for the first time in 35 years. The location will be newly dubbed Land Shark Stadium, formerly known as Dolphin Stadium, Pro Player Stadium and Joe Robbie Stadium.

South Florida has big things coming its way in terms of the sports world, already hosting the World Baseball Classic, CA Golf Championship, McDonald's All-American Game, and other top-notch sporting events. On top of that, a new baseball stadium is underway and the NFL football season will be rounded up with a football fan's dream.

To stay up to date with the latest news and info surrounding South Florida's upcoming football bonanza, follow the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

Volunteers are always on demand for Pro Bowl and Super Bowl events. So if you're interested you can surf the Host Committee's site and get all the info you need to be a part of this historic event.

I may sound like a pitchman, but I'm genuinely excited for the Super Bowl coming back into town and showcasing Miami to the entire international world once again. I hate to jinx our chances even before the season starts, but what a pleasure it would be to see the Miami Dolphins coming out of that tunnel at Land Shark Stadium on February 7th, 2010.

It's a long road ahead, but it's never to early to start dreaming.

Miami Heat Eye 2009 Off Season

After watching the Miami Heat reach their limit in their 7-game first round departure, we've began to hear the talks of "what's next" for the team. On that topic, we have a few opinions of our own and some suggestions as to what we believe the Heat could do this off season.

The biggest issue here is, will Miami go another season with the same roster? I find that hard to believe when you have two things in mind. One, Pat Riley is always looking to improve his team and does not take any seasons off. Two, Dwyane Wade can only take so much weight on his shoulders and a repeat 08-09 season might begin to wear him down.

Before the season even started, we had written about Miami's options in the free agent market once the year was over. Looking back at that and building on the knowledge we have after the regular season, we have compiled a list of players that would be of value to the Heat.

After reviewing the season as whole, we have decided that if the Miami Heat are going to shop for new acquisitions they should focus on these three player types: 1) a consistent scoring option, 2) a veteran point guard, and 3) another big body (i.e power forward or center).

Although Michael Beasley, Daequan Cook and James Jones can score, they have not been consistent enough to properly facilitate Dwyane Wade's scoring burden. Maybe some of this had to do with Beasley's low playing minutes and James Jones' early season injury. Whatever it was it is still nice to have a shooter that you can count on just about every night.

A veteran PG would have helped develop Mario Chalmers this season even further. Whether we sign a starting or bench PG, that does not matter too much - as long as Chalmers learns from veteran experience and knowledge. The truth is that a Mike Bibby or Andre Miller might not be in our best interest with 2010 right around the corner. Does Miami really want to clog up the salary cap amidst the "Off Season of all Off Seasons?"

Another big body is necessary just to assist our height problems. Whenever Jermaine O'Neal is injured or in foul trouble we need a go-to big man that can body up the Yao Mings and Dwight Howards of the league. Mark Blount just can't cut it anymore and Jamaal Magloire has his height limitations on certain match ups.

In essence, our list addresses each of these needs and gives fans an idea of who is available for Miami. Here are the players we chose according to ESPN's 2009-10 free agent list:

Also, check out our Miami Heat trade scenario analysis by viewing our article called,"Talking Miami Heat Trade Scenarios - 2009 Off Season."

Key: (U) = Unrestricted, (R)= Restricted, (P) = Player Option, (T) = Team Option

Scoring Option

Player: Marvin Williams (R)

Position: Small Forward

Stats: 13.9 PTS, 6.3 REB, 1.3 AST

As we briefly saw in the Heat-Hawks series, Marvin Williams is a great 2nd or 3rd scorer. He brings size, athleticism, and a shooter's mentality. I doubt Atlanta will allow him to slip their hands without a contract offer, but you never know what can happen with all these teams looking to clear up space for 2010. A Wade, Beasley and Williams lineup sounds like a good offensive combo to me.

Player: Ben Gordon (U)

Position: Shooting Guard

Stats: 20.7 PTS, 3.4 AST, 41% 3-PT%

Update: Ben Gordon was signed by the Detroit Pistons.

Player: Steve Novak (T)

Position: Small Forward

Stats: 6.9 PTS, 1.8 RPG, 41% 3-PT%

This guy does not get much attention or playing time in "the other Los Angeles team," but is a worthy shooter and a nice off-the-bench piece. He was known for his perimeter shooting ability coming out of college, but nobody really gave him a shot. He could develop into a Kyle Korver of Jason Kapono type player. If the Clippers do not use their team option, this could be a cheap pickup that can improve Miami's offensive depth.

Player: Trevor Ariza (U)

Position: Small Forward

Stats: 8.9 PTS, 4.3 RPG, 1.8 AST

Update: Trevor Ariza is officially a Houston Rocket.

Player: Matt Barnes (U)

Position: Small Forward

Stats: 10.2 PTS, 5.5 RPG, 2.8 AST

In Phoenix and Golden State, Matt Barnes has been a part of run-and-gun style teams that have facilitated his offensive capabilities. Barnes is a dynamic forward with the ability to shoot threes, put the ball on the floor and dish the rock. His athleticism will fit well in Miami and can help open up the offense via fast breaks and spreading the court. Currently he gets paid under $800,000 and can be a cheap option for Miami.

Veteran PG

Player: Lindsey Hunter (U)

Position: Point/Shooting Guard

Experience: 8 Seasons

Update: The Chicago Bulls have re-signed Lindsey Hunter

Player: Damon Jones (U)

Position: Point Guard

Experience: 10 Seasons

If you were following the Heat during the Shaq-era you must remember "DJ." He was a savvy shooter who thought he belonged on the cover of GQ every other month. He's a lovable character around the locker room and although his potential peaked a while back, he is still a valuable asset in terms of veteran poise and mentorship. This would only work if he is willing to take a pay cut from his current $4.46 million contract. It's an unlikely acquisition, but a possibility nonetheless.

Player: Tyronn Lue (U)

Position: Point Guard

Experience: 10 Seasons

Here's a traveling man whose been around the league and experienced many different teams and their accompanying systems. With his NBA experience alone, Lue can offer some words of advice and teach the Miami youth about the NBA game. He used to be a surprisingly solid PG in his hay-days in Atlanta, but time has caught up with him (as it does with any NBA veteran). I think his biggest contribution can be in teaching Mario Chalmers some PG decision-making skills.

Player: Brevin Knight (U)

Position: Point Guard

Experience: 11 Seasons

Here's one of the most underrated point guards in the past decade. Knight isn't a legit scorer but he can rack up assists with the best of them. During the Steve Nash MVP seasons he averaged close to 10 assists per game. Knight can be another option to teach Chalmers about being successful as an NBA PG. He's earned his job for over a decade and knows the game well. Two million dollars is a bit much to add him to the roster, but Riley may open up some cap space with by dropping expiring contracts.

Big Body

Player: Mikki Moore (U)

Position: Power Forward

Height: 7'0

Mikki may not look like a "big body," but his height and athleticism are what make him valuable. He had more playing time in Sacramento than he has had in Boston, so his stats have definitely taken a hit. With that said, he still can give you more than five rebounds a night and few occasional put back lay ups. His energy and activeness make him elusive to some of the bigger, bulkier guys in the league. The biggest problem here is his contract numbers; $5 million is definitely a stretch and I doubt we would take so much cap on a reserve player.

Player: Anderson Varejao (P)

Position: Center/Power Forward

Height: 6'11

Another energy guy with tendencies to slash and cut through the lane. He has the height and strength to go toe-to-toe with the taller centers and power forwards in the league. I think he would make a great fit in Miami and would temporarily patch up our height issues which is only being addressed by Jermaine O'Neal. He can clean up the glass and help fix Miami's rebounding woes. Varejao gets paid $5.7 million in Cleveland, but may be worth the price if enough room is cleared.

Player: Chris Andersen (U)

Position: Power Forward/Center

Height: 6'10

Update: Chis "Birdman" Andersen has signed a 5-year deal with the Denver Nuggets.

Player: Chris Mihm (U)

Position: Center

Height: 7'0

Some may laugh, but I still see the double-double Chris Mihm from a few seasons ago. His height, strength and rebounding ability are what matter here. Remember that the additions made this off season are likely temporary and minor improvements that will get Miami over the hump and set them up for 2010. Mihm is an option that meets the criteria and would be a nice big man off the bench. His salary stands at $2.5 million, which leaves him on the fence as an iffy option.

Player: Marcin Gortat (R)

Position: Center

Height: 6'11

Update: Gortat was offered a contract by the Dallas Mavericks and the Orlando Magic matched the offer sheet.

Final Analysis

There are other valuable players out there which could definitely help out the Miami Heat instantly, such as the aforementioned Mike Bibby and Andre Miller. The only reason why we did not include them is due to the nature of their heavy contracts and the low probability that they would sign onto a one-year contract.

Not to mention, these pick ups do not thoroughly consider the possibility of trading for another player, such as the Chris Bosh rumors that have been made. These are only based on the idea that no blockbuster moves will be made this off season, just minor and temporary ones. We'll see which direction Pat Riley decides to go in once it's all said and done.

Disclaimer: All player images are courtesy of NBA.com. All rights are reserved by NBA.com.