For Isiah and FIU, There's Always Next Season

February 28, 2010

A record of 7-24 is not what FIU had in mind when they brought in Isiah Thomas to lead their basketball team to the next level. With no shot at the NCAA tournament, the hoops program must turn its attention to next season and their recruitment efforts. While patience is a virtue and Miami is not know for such virtue, FIU's hoops program is progressively improving.

The time for FIU may not be now, but the shining beacon in the distance is steadily growing brighter and inching closer.

The allure of South Florida and the notoriety of Coach Thomas is drawing interest from four and five star recruits across the country, something that was not possible just a year back. High caliber college basketball programs are established on the front-lines of recruitment, securing commitments and letters of intent from top-ranked high school prospects. With the impending recruiting classes for 2011 and 2012, expect a surprisingly impressive class for the Golden Panthers.

With a chip on his shoulder, Coach Thomas will be out to prove that his mishaps in New York were an anomaly and college coaching has brighter days ahead for him. The last thing the NBA Hall of Famer would want is the tainted image of a disastrous coaching and management career.

As for those who are into march madness betting, keep FIU in mind as they are just a season or two away from banking home some key upsets in the big tourney. And perhaps the sports betting world will soon see the Golden Panthers in the sweet sixteen, elite eight, final four or the NCAA championship. But that is all wishful thinking if commitments fall through, chemistry goes sour and Coach Thomas does not deliver. With that said, FIU's strong push for excellence in athletics and Isiah's drive to regain glory are factors that should not be bet against.

A Lukewarm Argument Against Erik Spoelstra

February 26, 2010

In a recent opinion editorial in the Miami New Times, Luther Campbell (AKA Uncle Luke of 2 Live Crew) denounced Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra with statements such as:

...when you get a guy who is young and inexperienced like Spoelstra (who never played or coached in the NBA), players are not going to respect him.

and

Today, Riley is the one holding back the Heat, but it will be hard to move him. You have to do it in stages. First, get rid of Spoelstra and bring in an experienced coach. Then, you gotta bring in some help for Dwyane Wade. If the Heat is not successful after that, Riley needs to go.

This blame-all-fault on Coach Spoelstra is just one of many weak attempts at pinpointing the Miami Heat's struggles this season. In a previous article, factors relating to the Heat's woes were discussed at length, hinting at other significant elements that deserved blame beyond the coach. And it's not to say that Spo is the next coming of Red Auerbach, but clearly the man has not had an opportunity to prove his coaching skills in terms of success.

Take this into account, on April 24, 2004, Doc Rivers was named Boston Celtics Head Coach. In his first three seasons, the Celtics win count progressively declined from 45 to 33 to 24. In that 2006-07, 24-win season Boston held the second worst record in the league behind the Memphis Grizzlies. Similar to the Heat, Boston had their star in Paul Pierce, but was unable to build a contending supporting cast around him. Thus, the questions began to pour in: is Doc Rivers fit for head coaching?

The following season, with ample cap room and nifty trading chips, Boston acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. With the 2007 NBA Champions banner hoisted up at TD Garden Arena, the rest is history.

So, was it a matter of Doc Rivers inability to coach that the Celtics performed poorly in his first three seasons, or was it just a lack of talent? The latter seems to be the most accurate answer.

The same can be said about Coach Spoelstra.

The outcry for top-tier players beyond Dwyane Wade has been in media headlines for two seasons now. And with Miami's wide open checkbook for the 2010 offseason, perhaps that outcry will be muffled by quality acquisitions this summer; leaving Spoelstra in charge of a more talented group of athletes.

Let us not forget, Pat Riley was making the courtside calls during the 2007-08, 15-win season. It's doubtful that his ability to coach was at the heart of that disastrous year. Had it been Spoelstra in Riley's shoes, "Wanted" posters with his mug shot and name would be plastered across Miami.

In essence, the accusations of players not giving Spo "respect" are far-fetched and premature. In fact, Spoelstra, in his assistant role, helped Dwyane Wade develop his now-deadly jump shot; working numerous hours to achieve perfection with Miami's star guard. It is doubtful that Wade would not respect such dedication.

In all likelihood, the blame game will end next season when a revamped Heat roster will be in Spoelstra's arsenal. As Abraham Lincoln once said, "I will prepare and some day my chance will come." Next season will be that chance for Erik Spoelstra.

Mockeration 1.0: Dolphins 2010 Mock First Round

February 24, 2010

At this point not even Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland or Tony Sparano know who they will be drafting on April 22-24, 2010, instead their focus is on the NFL Combine. Nevertheless fans love hearing what experts and Average Joes alike have to say about their team's draft. Thus, we venture into the world of mock drafts and explore what analysts, writers and bloggers believe Miami's first round pick will be. Let the "mockeration" begin.

And with the 12th pick in 2010 NFL Draft the Miami Dolphins select...

• ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr. - Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
• RealGM Football, Jeff Risdon - C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson 
• WalterFootball.com, Walter Cherepinsky - Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
• Draft Countdown, Scott Wright - Jason Pierre-Paul, LB, South Florida
• NFLDraftDog.com - Jason Pierre-Paul, LB, South Florida
• NFL Draft Blitz, J.R. Glymph - Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State 
• NFL.com, Bucky Brooks - Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas
• Draft King, Lou Pickney - Jason Pierre-Paul, LB, South Florida
• FanHouse, Chris Burke - Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State 

The general consensus amongst outsiders is that the Dolphins will be taking a linebacker in the first round. A few still believe that Dez Bryant is the player of choice if he's available at the 12th spot, while one outlier believes that C.J. Spiller is the answer.

Like building a fortress, the Trifecta believes in establishing a team from the inside-out. The groundwork is laid in the trenches on both the offensive and defensive lines. Knowing that considerable investment was poured into the offensive line and the defensive line holds its own, the attention turns to the linebacking core. 

Wide receiver is still a position in need of significant improvement, but only from the standpoint of a legitimate number one receiver. The linebacker unit is in flux with Joey Porter's departure, Jason Taylor's uncertainty and the mediocre play from the rest of the group. Hence the reason why a solid LB selection is the most plausible choice in the first round. 

For one thing, drafting a receiver usually does not translate into instant impact, although 2009's WR draft class seemed like an exception to the rule (i.e. Percy Harvin, Austin Collie, Hakeem Nicks and Mike Wallace). But even when it does, those impact players do not necessarily come in the first round. In the 2009 draft, Collie was a fourth round pick and Wallace was a third round pick. And looking further into history we find top receivers in the later rounds, such as Terrell Owens (third round, 1996), Cris Carter (fourth round, 1987) and Steve Smith (third round, 2001).

Who's to say that Miami can't steal a hidden gem with their 43rd or 74th pick overall? While Miami's WR options for 2010 have already been discussed, now it's just a matter of digging deeper and making every pick count. And you can trust the Trifecta with that task as ten players from the last two drafts have already played significant roles in the past two seasons.

Fins Focus: Update on Prospective Free Agents

February 23, 2010

 

The Carolina Panthers have announced that they will allow DE Julius Peppers to walk. Peppers had been the focus of Miami Dolphins trade rumors in recent years and is now available in the free agent market. At age 30, Peppers is still a dominant force in the league and can impact the outcome of a game, no matter what uniform he wears next season. The Dolphins could use some help with their front seven as Joey Porter's departure is imminent and Jason Taylor's future uncertain.

* * *

The New England Patriots dubbed DT Vince Wilfork with their franchise tag and hope to find a long-term agreement with the 6'2, 325-lb. D-lineman. While it was a distant dream and Wilfork himself stated he would like to play in the Dolphins, Miami showed some interest in the Florida native, but knew that their chances were slim to none. According to the rules, the only way another team can sign Wilfork is by signing him to an offer sheet, and if the Patriots decline to match the receive two first-round draft picks. With that said, the Dolphins can expect to see Wilfork on the opposing sideline at least two times next season, and perhaps for many more to come.

* * *

After bringing home the Lombardi Trophy and providing the New Orleans Saints with veteran experience in the secondary, the Super Bowl Champs have decided not to franchise tag S Darren Sharper and allow him to test the free agent market. This is a move of interest to the Dolphins as they received poor play from S Gibril Wilson last season after paying him over $9 million in salary. With two young, developing CBs in the secondary, Miami needs a consistent and dependable presence to lead the unit; Sharper can be that guy. While it seems likely he'll stay in the NFC, there is a chance he can land elsewhere. The only factor going against him is his age, 34, and the reluctance of teams to sign players past their early-30s.

Who Should the Dolphins Draft? An Outsider's Perspective

February 18, 2010

 When it comes to draft time, local media members and fans alike begin to speculate on which collegiate prodigies are best for their team. Despite mostly good intentions, we find draft suggestions that are often biased and blurred by individuals that are too close to the team. That is why we are traveling outside the box to find the perspective of someone with no relation to the Miami Dolphins, but considerable experience covering college and professional football. His name, Mike Kranzler. All the way from the west coast - San Diego, California to be exact - he's covered the San Diego Chargers through Scout.com, the San Diego Union-Tribune and is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist. Let's get his take on who would best fit the Dolphins in the 2010 NFL draft:

Miami Sports Generation: Based on your perceived strengths and weaknesses of the Dolphins, what positions should they address in the opening rounds?

Mike Kranzler: The Dolphins are interesting because they are a very strong team relative to where they are picking in the first round as a function of injuries and an extremely difficult schedule in 2009. The Dolphins' two biggest needs are definitely wide receiver and inside linebacker, and they are in the perfect spot to get the top prospect at one of those positions.

If Chad Henne is going to be successful, they will need to give him some talent at wide receiver, and the Dolphins are sorely lacking in that department. I have been a huge fan of Greg Camarillo since he was on the Chargers' practice squad a few years ago, but he is not a top receiver. At linebacker, they could stand to upgrade over Channing Crowder, who may be the league leader in the obscure statistic of trash talk-to-actual talent ratio, and his late interception of Tom Brady at home will only further fuel his ego.

The Dolphins could also use some help at safety, but WR and ILB are definitely the first priorities.

MSG: Much hype has been placed on the WR position, which receivers do you think are within reach of the Dolphins including sleeper picks?

MK: Depending on what happens with Brandon Marshall in Denver, Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant could be there for the picking at No. 12. He is the consensus top WR in the draft despite sitting out most of last year after lying to the NCAA about his interactions with Deion Sanders. But scouts don't see him as a character concern, and he is head and shoulders above everyone else in this draft class. If the Broncos part ways with Marshall, I don't see them passing on Bryant at No. 11, but they look to be the only threat at this point to pick him before the Dolphins. Later on, I really like Eric Decker of Minnesota, who I see as a combination of Ted Ginn, Jr. and Greg Camarillo in that he is a quick guy who is a polished route-runner and catches everything in sight. A player in that similar mold is Jordan Shipley out of Texas. He won't wow anyone at the Combine, but he is the kind of guy who will just do his job every day, and is also a weapon in the return game.

In terms of sleepers, you can't find a deeper sleeper than Terrence Jeffers-Harris of Vanderbilt. He originally went to UConn, where he transferred after a sophomore season in which he was their leading receiver. After sitting out for a year, he was unable to become eligible for the Commodores, and has since decided to forgo the junior college route and jump straight into the draft. Normally, I wouldn't advocate a player who hasn't seen the field in two years, but Jeffers-Harris is a special athlete. He was so dominant on the practice field that he was selected to several preseason All-SEC squads by the coaches and media despite having never played a snap in the conference. He also has the seal of approval from Jesse Johnson of the Rivals Network, who I trust more than almost anyone when it comes to this kind of analysis. Jeffers-Harris will likely fall to the end of the draft or possibly go undrafted, but I promise you that whoever takes a chance on him will be extremely pleased with what he brings to the table.

MSG: Miami has the 12th overall (first round), 43rd overall (second round) and 74th overall (third round) picks to open up their draft selections, who would you pick in those spots? Why?

MK: In the first round, there are really only two players they should consider in Bryant and Alabama ILB Rolando McClain. I could see McClain having the same kind of impact as a rookie as players like DeMeco Ryans and Patrick Willis (especially with the addition of Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan), and he would fill a major need with the Dolphins. If both are available it is probably a toss-up (at least until the Combine), but the Dolphins can't go wrong with either of them.

Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody is as much as a "boom or bust" pick as you'll find in this draft, as he is a dominating talent who struggles to maintain his weight and also doesn't play hard on every snap. I'm not completely sold on him, but if there is anyone in the NFL who can whip this guy into shape both physically and psychologically, it is Bill Parcells. Whoever drafts him will be getting a first-round talent at a reduced price, but he is definitely a "buyer-beware" pick. Additionally, there is enough talent in this draft at defensive tackle that the Dolphins could grab a player like Penn State's Jared Odrick or Tennessee's Dan Williams if they fall out of the first frame.

Depending on how the Combine and his Pro Day go, an intriguing prospect could be Florida State safety Myron Rolle. He graduated early and spent last year as a Rhodes Scholar in Oxford, but his performance at the Senior Bowl showed that he is still a legitimate prospect and can really play the game. His ball skills aren't ideal, but he is an extremely smart centerfielder who takes good angles and is a sure tackler. Basically, he is everything that Gibril Wilson isn't. The biggest issue with Rolle will be how committed he is to a career in football, because his goal is to become a neurosurgeon and NFL teams will want to find out if they will only be renting him for a few years before he decides to move on with his goals. Because of these questions, he grades out as a second or third rounder right now.

MSG: With three sixth round picks and two seventh round picks, who would you suggest the Dolphins pursue late in the draft?

MK: The Dolphins should look to fortify the trenches in the later rounds (you can never have too many linemen), and possibly pick up an outside linebacker to replace Joey Porter after he gets his $1 million to leave the team. If the Dolphins are willing to be patient, Wisconsin pass rusher O'Brien Schofield is expected to fall significantly in the draft after suffering a knee injury during Senior Bowl practices. But given a year or two to recover, he could be a steal after a strong final campaign with the Badgers. Another position they could seek to fortify is running back due to Ronnie Brown's health and Ricky Williams' impending retirement. A player like USC's Stafon Johnson (now that he looks to be fully recovered from his horrific weight room injury) would be a good fit on the Dolphins, and could use a year behind Brown and Williams to learn and prepare for an expanded role in 2011.

However, another angle would be for them to use those picks as ammunition to trade up in the earlier frames to get their biggest targets. The Patriots did this to perfection last year and are set up for a huge draft this year because of it, and the Dolphins would do well to follow that model.

MSG: Do you have any bold predictions to make about the opening round as a whole?

MK: Right now, I don't anticipate any major surprises in the first round other than the Raiders possibly drafting a punter in case Shane Lechler gets hurt (hey, you never know with Al Davis), but I do think that Tim Tebow will eventually be a decent quarterback in the NFL for whoever picks him. He is nowhere near ready to play right now and should not be picked before the third or fourth round, although I guarantee someone will reach for him. But if he takes the Tony Romo route and spends a several years learning the position as a reserve, I think he can make an impact if called upon. He has a lot of things that need fixing, but his attitude and athleticism lead me to believe that he will do whatever it takes to make himself a better player. Everything I've seen on film tells me he won't be successful, but there's just something about him that makes me believe that he will not allow himself to fail.

* * *

To read some of Mike Kranzler's editorials, check out his Bleacher Report site here.

2010 WR Options for Dolphins

February 17, 2010

Whether through draft or free agency, the Miami Dolphins need to address their wide receiving core in order to attain the status of an elite offense. Now, management has voiced its preference towards acquiring a majority of their talent via the draft, but do believe that free agency can be used to bolster particular positions. With that said, we will review the available free agent wide receivers in the market followed by those found in the draft pool.

Free Agents

Jason Avant - Avant is no game-changer nor a legitimate number one receiver, but his connection with Chad Henne at the University of Michigan and progressive improvement in the NFL could add some depth to Miami's WR depth chart. In their last two seasons together at Michigan, Avant and Henne connected on 202 receptions for 2,493 yards and 19 TDs. The bond created between those two at the collegiate level could translate into good things in the NFL, but that is obviously uncertain. Nevertheless it is a key aspect that should not be ignored.

Steve Breaston - Breaston is another Michigan alumni that took passes from Henne in his college days. As a member of the Cardinals he has played alongside WR studs Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin with significantly less targets than the aforementioned players. Despite that, Breaston still broke the 1,000-reception yards mark in the 2008 season during Arizona's Super Bowl run. His potential for making a greater impact on a less-loaded NFL offense is evident and a fit in Miami seems ideal.

Lee Evans - Evans has game-breaking speed similar to Ted Ginn, minus the chronic case of the "dropsies." In Buffalo he has not had much of an opportunity to flourish with a very poor offensive system and a revolving door at the QB position. Evans is not considered a bonafide premier receiver, not would Miami consider him one if they were to acquire him, but once again he can add depth and a new facet to Miami's wide receiving unit. In essence, they would be getting Ted Ginn with hands.

Nate Burleson  - Here's one of the underrated receivers in the league that is commonly obscured by the mediocre offenses that he plays on. When healthy, Burleson is a dependable and versatile target that can run fly routes, slant patterns and quick outs with equal effectiveness. All in all, Miami would be receiving a solid veteran receiver to add poise and stability to their young core. Right now Greg Camarillo is the elder statesman of the unit at 27 years old.
 

Antonio Bryant - Bryant is perhaps the Dolphins best bet if they are searching for a veteran acquisition to supplement their draft search for a receiver. While he regressed a bit from his 2008 performance, Bryant recorded two 1,000-receiving yards in two of the last four seasons. Miami has not seen a 1,000-plus reception yards performance from one of their own since the Chris Chambers era, and that seems like an eternity in the eyes of DolFans. 


Draft Prospects

Dez Bryant - Considered the best receiver in the draft Bryant would seem to be the best possible pick for the Dolphins if he's still available at the number 12 pick. Prior to his removal from the NCAA, Bryant was on pace to record a second consecutive 1,000-reception yards season, and perhaps matching his 2008 1,480 yards performance. According to scouts, this young gun has it all and is readily capable to play at the next level, standing at a staunch 6'2 and boasting great hands akin to Randy Moss. The only possible concern teams could have regarding Bryant is his extended time away from the game, but most of those concerns are lessened by the innate talent the kid has for playing receiver.

Damian Williams - Coming out of USC's pro-style offense could help Williams seamlessly enter the NFL. He was a great help to Trojans rookie QB Matt Barkley and exhibited his good hands and textbook route running skills. In his final game as a Trojan, Williams recorded 189 yards on 12 receptions in the Emerald Bowl, ending his collegiate career on a high point. NFL scouts aren't completely sold on his ability to match the speed and toughness at the pro-level, but his outstanding talent and potential are definitely not in question.

Golden Tate - Listed around 5'11 to 6'0 and about 195 lbs, this Fighting Irish receiver is slightly small in stature and size. But Tate proved that he can make up for those aspects with his elusive agility, great speed and sure hands. In his senior season at Notre Dame, Tate raked in 93 receptions and almost 1,500 receiving yards for 15 TDs. Even with such prolific production, Tate is listed as a late-first round to second round pick, which places him within reach of the Dolphins draft selections. The toughness and passion this kid brings to the table without the diva attitude seems very fitting for a Bill Parcells team.

Mardy Gilyard - Gilyard stands above the 6-foot mark and weighs approximately 180 lbs; placing him at a tall, yet slender size. Despite his slim frame, most scouts are labeling him a top ten receiver in the draft with considerable upside at the next level. Gilyard produced almost 1,200 receiving yards on 87 receptions accounting for 11 TDs in 2009 with the Bearcats. His strengths include agility, acceleration, vision and hands. Weaknesses would include weight/bulk, route running, vertical leap and character. Definitely a work in progress, but overall a solid pick-up if he goes in the second round. A big question is if he'll bring attitude issues to the locker room, which won't fit well in Miami.

Arrelious Benn - Perhaps one of the most underrated WRs in the draft, Benn presents many qualities that are transferable to the pros. While he did not post outstanding numbers last season, Benn exhibited flashes of greatness throughout his final two seasons at Illionois. He played a bit of running back along with his receiving duties and was an all-purpose kind of guy for the Illini. At 6'2, 220 lbs Benn is a physical specimen that isn't afraid of contact and has surprising speed. Don't expect to hear his name called in the first round, or maybe even the second round, but he's projected to be gone by the third round. That makes him a plausible choice for the Dolphins if they choose to address the WR spot late. Only conflicting issue is Benn's documented off-the-field problems.

News Flashes: February 16, 2010

February 16, 2010

Miami Heat

• The Miami Heat take the court tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers at Oracle Arena, tipoff is at 7:00 PM EST. Just one game under .500, Miami hopes to break even tonight and work their way back up the Eastern Conference standings; they currently hold the 7th seed. 

• Dwyane Wade earned his first ever All-Star MVP award after posting 28 points, 11 assists and 5 steals in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 108,000 spectators. Wade now adds another accolade under his belt and continues to prove that he is part of the NBA's elite stars.

Florida Marlins

• The Florida Marlins and Cody Ross, unable to reach an agreement on a contract dispute, head to arbitration to determine Ross' paycheck for the upcoming season. Ross is asking for $4.45 million as opposed to the Marlins $4.2 million offer.

• The Marlins had avoided arbitration with a host of other players, including Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu, but were unable to prevent an arbitration-free offseason.

Who's on the Block?

February 14, 2010

Every time this year the breeze of trade speculation begins to churn up and form into a full blown wind storm of who is expected to be dealt before the NBA trade deadline (February 19th). While the still-lucrative 2010 free agency awaits at the end of the season, many key players are currently on the block. We weigh in on those players, what teams are in search of their services and the likelihood of the player's departure.

Amar'e Stoudemire, F, Phoenix Suns - How many times have people heard this name emerge in trade rumors over the last few seasons? It's fair to say lots of times. The intriguing part of this go-around is that the Miami Heat, which built their roster for the 2010 free agency, are allegedly the strongest pursuers of Stoudemire. Yahoo! Sports reports that Pat Riley has offered players such as Michael Beasley, Dorrell Wright, Jermaine O'Neal and Quentin Richardson in return for Stoudemire. It seems that the most enticing aspect of Amar'e's coming to Miami is his expiring contract and instant impact (i.e.another attempt to please Dwyane Wade and keep him beyond this year). But this may backfire if executed, as Wade is very close to both Wright and Richardson. Likelihood of Departure: 50%

Antawn Jamison, F, Washington Wizards - With Caron Butler gone, Jamison is also likely on his way out of D.C. He has been highly sought after by elite teams, such as the Cavaliers and Celtics, and could be an immediate impact anywhere he goes. Rumors had him departing the Wizards in a package deal with Butler, but Washington might now receive more value from trading of each separately. Jamison has traveled around the league in the past, so don't be surprised if his bags are pre-packed and ready for a flight to Cleveland or Boston. Likelihood of Departure: 80%
   

Tracy McGrady, G/F, Houston Rockets - He's still in the league? Hard to believe, but not only is McGrady still in the NBA, but he's of interest to certain teams. Most notably the New York Knicks have come up in trade discussions for T-Mac as they continue to fix the mess left by Isiah Thomas. McGrady has been in trade rumors for quite some time, but has never been dealt. This may be another boy-who-cried wolf situation and the reality is the T-Mac will either stay a Rocket or eventually be bought out. His prime has come, gone and filed for social security. Likelihood of Departure: 20%

Ray Allen, G, Boston Celtics - With Boston not playing up to their expectations this season, speculation potential roster shuffling has become more evident. Similar to the Shaq-era Heat, the Celtics have now been plagued with being "too old" to win. Allen is 34 years old and is clearly a part of the elderly stigma that has been placed on the Celts. With Boston considering Antawn Jamison, Allen could be the piece that makes such a deal happen. Allen is not a part of the Celtics future and his $19.7 million expiring contract are surely to be a lucrative bargaining chip. Despite this, Boston could very well stick with him until season's end. Likelihood of Departure: 40%

Tyrus Thomas, F, Chicago Bulls - The athletic swingman of the Bulls has been caught in perhaps the most rumors of all as his dynamic talent is appealing to many teams. A list of interested parties include the Bobcats, Trail Blazers, Knicks, Kings, Spurs, Nuggets and Hornets (just to name more than a few). Thomas' defensive ability, freakish length and high flying vertical leap all provide great incentives for teams of interest. With the Bulls still in flux, Thomas is ideal trade bait for revamping key roster spots on the team. Teammate Kirk Hinrich has been mentioned in the same breath in what could be a combo trade. Likelihood of Departure: 70% 

Other Notable Players in Trade Talks:

• Troy Murphy, F, Indiana Pacers
• Marcus Camby, C, Los Angeles Clippers
• Kevin Martin, G, Sacramento Kings
• Kurt Thomas, F, Milwaukee Bucks
• Andris Biedrins, F/C, Golden State Warriors

Wizards Make First Move

The Wizards and Mavericks have agreed to exchange Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson for Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, Quinton Ross and James Singleton. The deal provides Howard with the opportunity to step in as the Wizards' new star player. Realistically, Gooden, Ross and Singleton were only thrown in to match salaries, but will have a shot at being impact players on the team. On Dallas' end, Butler and Haywood are instant improvements that will fit nicely into the roles they will be assigned. Stevenson was not a desired pick by the Mavs, but he does provide offensive sparks from time to time. Both teams benefited from this trade, but only one team increased their chances to make a playoff run, and that team is owned by Mark Cuban.

Coaching in Question?

February 9, 2010

Youthful and poised, Erik Spoelstra took the helm as Miami Heat head coach with the support of his peers and players just one season ago. But Miami's recent turmoil has raised many questions on his play-calling ability, game management, and worse of all his legitimacy as a professional coach. Like many other NBA coaches, Spoelstra is beginning to feel the media scrutiny that comes at the peak of any low-point in a given team's season.

The recent five-game losing streak by the Heat has shifted reporters' attentions toward the man in the big seat; primarily inquiring into a potential schism between he and the team's star, Dwyane Wade. Contrary to many beliefs, all reports indicate that Coach Spo and D.Wade are not on bad terms and are ardently working to end the team's recent struggles.

But other questions are lurking regarding his decisions thus far. The point guard position has been one that has come under great criticism with the volatile playing distribution amongst Miami's three point guards. Whereas Mario Chalmers started all 82 games last season, he is rarely seen on the court today. In the month of January, Chalmers was utilized for 18.6 minutes per game on average. Prior to that, his playing minutes averaged out to 28.3 for the season; almost 10 minutes less. Mid-December marked the time that Carlos Arroyo took the role of starting point guard, but only for a brief stint as Rafer Alston was brought in to eventually take that spot. These changes have left the Heat with a major question mark looming above their point guard production.

Some will say that Coach Spo has not found the proper balance at the number one spot and is creating friction amongst his players as a result. That is yet to be determined.

Other factors must be taken into consideration before placing the blame on the head coach. Pending roster moves and trade deals are typically out of the control of the head coach, and with the trade deadline approaching there could be some negotiations in the works. It is plausible that the Heat are looking to move either Chalmers or Arroyo and Coach Spo is left with managing minutes with the trio until the trigger is pulled.

Team chemistry has also been brought to the lime light as Miami has yet to perform consistently and fluidly. Amidst a brief case of "bipolar disorder" the Heat have been very sporadic in their performances; dominating one night by 20 points and faltering the next by 30.    

Only three elements can be at the heart of this issue: 1) Coach Spo is not motivating and uniting the team effectively, 2) co-captains Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem are not acting as leaders in the locker room, or 3) the team is simply not good enough. The jury is still out on this one, but fans and members of the press are urgently asking for a verdict.

In essence, there is blame to spread beyond Miami's young head coach. In a league that has fired coaches in the double-digits over the past two seasons, its clear that much pressure is placed on the man with the clipboard. In this case, blame can be be spread throughout the Heat organization, from the tops of the front office to the bottoms of the locker room.

Super Bowl XLIV: The Day After

February 8, 2010

Today all newspaper headlines are filled with Bourbon Street flavor as the New Orleans Saints won one for their beloved city. And underneath a cool balmy night in South Florida, the teams and the fans could not ask for a better environment. It was a picture perfect setting for the game of football as the Saints marched into Super Bowl XLIV and emerged with the Lombardi Trophy held firmly in their grasps.

We've heard all the analysis of the game by now; with commentators questioning Peyton Manning's intercepted pass, the Indianapolis Colts' play calling and every other mistake that could have possibly gone the other way. If you were to speak to a Saints player they would simply tell you that it was destiny. Whichever way you choose to look at it, there is no doubt that the passion and pride of New Orleans was felt every step of the way down the path towards Super Bowl. It was a force that eventually could not be stopped by even the playoff-tested Colts.

As everyone sets sail back home and return to their daily lives, history has been set in South Florida; another Super Bowl that proved statistics, analysis and odds are worth nothing when the underdog harnesses the heart of a lion.   

News Flashes - February 4, 2010

February 4, 2010 

Miami Heat

• The Miami Heat fell to the Boston Celtics last night at the TD Garden by the score of 107-102, giving the Celtics a 3-0 season series sweep.

• The Heat are currently on a three-game losing streak and hold a record of 24-25, good enough for 7th place in the Eastern Conference.

• In other news, trade rumors are swirling from sources close to Dallas Mavericks swingman Josh Howard, stating that the "disconnect" between Howard and the team leads them to believe that a trade is eminent. Furthermore, those sources believe that the two possible teams at the receiving end of this trade are the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors.   

Miami Dolphins

• News out of the Chad Pennington camp is that he would like to remain a Miami Dolphin, even if it means playing the back-up role behind Chad Henne. If Pennington is not brought back, sources say that the Arizona Cardinals are among interested parties in Pennington's services.

• The Joey Porter saga continues as he appears on various media outlets and reveals the troubles he finds between the coaching staff and himself. No reaction from the Miami Dolphins front office has been heard, and none is expected for a while with the distraction of Super Bowl Sunday just a few days away.

Porter Wants Out

February 2, 2010

Not shy to speak his mind, Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter recently voiced his disappointment with the team and has told multiple media sources that he would like to be traded. This coming after an eight week disconnect between Porter and the coaching staff, which he felt made him an outcast.

On Miami radio 560 WQAM, Porter was asked about potential teams that he would like to join if he indeed is traded. He prefaced his choices by saying that in this stage of his career he would like to play closer to home and be near his family. Then he went on to mention a few enticing west coast teams, to the likes of the San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers, that he believes could be good suitors for his services.

Nevertheless, Porter claimed that he would not mind playing for any other team that plays a 3-4 defense, even if it means playing away from the west coast. And he also mentioned that returning as a Dolphin is not completely out of the question; he just does not see such a situation happening.

DolFans will have to wait and see what happens in the coming weeks or months as the Dolphins front office will begin focusing on roster adjustments for next season. With speculation that Miami could take a linebacker in the first round of the draft, Porter could very well be on his way out. Then again, many players on the defensive unit have vied for "J Peezy" all season long and enjoy his presence as a motivator in the locker room.

Bill Parcells is not very fond of talkers and when things go awry it could be the last time that the outspoken one opens his mouth in a Dolphin uniform. In the mean time, Porter will continue to address the media's trade questions without ever being at a loss of words.

Doomed from the Beginning?

February 2, 2010

We should have seen it coming. The Miami Dolphins were not destined to reach the playoffs and make it to Super Bowl XLIV on their home turf. It is a peculiar trend that has lasted ever since Super Bowl I: the host city has never been to the Super Bowl. In 2010, that trend continues.

Four years ago, when the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee bid for the 44th Super Bowl and emerged victorious, fate had been set. It must be a part of the old cliche, "You can't have your own Super Bowl and play in it too."

It was only once that a minor stipulation placed a host team in a Super Bowl near home. The year was 1985 when the San Francisco 49ers played the Miami Dolphins just 15 miles away from their stadium, Candlestick Park. Some argue that it was essentially a 49ers home game, minus their familiar stadium.

It's not to say that there is a deliberate conspiracy against host cities playing in their own town, but it seems to have become a curse akin to that of the Madden video game series. It's fairly intriguing that placing an image of a star athlete on a plastic casing could result in so many coincidental injuries of the featured players. Then again, in 44 Super Bowls not one team has played the big game at home, which is equally intriguing.

Guess the Dallas Cowboys (2011 Super Bowl hosts), Indianapolis Colts (2012 Super Bowl hosts) and New Orleans Saints (2013 Super Bowl hosts) better explore ways to counter act this ongoing streak. A collective effort to toss salt over the cities' borders may not be enough to reverse the curse.

Interesting enough this year's two Super Bowl teams are on deck in the upcoming years. Could they rise back to glory by then and bring an end to this madness?