Entries by Ethan Skolnick

NBA GMs love Spoelstra, like Miami Heat a little

The NBA’s general managers have spoken. The annual polling of teams’ primary decision-makers was released today on NBA.com and, as usual, there are some surprises. What comes across most is how balanced the league is this season, compared to recent seasons. We’ll get to thoughts on other teams and players in a minute but, first, […]

Josh Rosen out, Ryan Fitzpatrick in for Dolphins

Brian Flores clearly wants to win, even if the Miami Dolphins organization does not. And in that context, he’s gone back to Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter at quarterback, as the Dolphins travel to Buffalo. That means Josh Rosen, after three starts and an overall 52.0 passer rating for the entire season, is back on […]

Looks like the Miami Heat have a lineup

We sort of called this one. No, it wasn’t expected quite this early, but Tyler Herro joined two other newcomers — Jimmy Butler and Meyers Leonard — in Miami’s starting lineup Monday against Atlanta. Herro-Adebayo-Leonard-Winslow-Butler Get used to it.@5ReasonsSports pic.twitter.com/CGGiKFJSjT — Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) October 14, 2019 And you shouldn’t expect it to change, […]

Did Dolphins coach Brian Flores make the right call?

When intentions are unclear, it’s difficult to assess decisions. Take, for instance, the choice by Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores to go for two, rather than tie the game, after his team rallied to within 17-16 against the Washington Redskins with just six seconds left in regulation Sunday. And then the actual play that […]

The numbers-crunchers (kinda) like the Miami Heat

While 538 is best known for its political predictions, the statistical website runs plenty of models on sports too. And it has run one on the Miami Heat and other NBA teams. Here’s the entire article, which we will explore in more detail — zeroing in on specific Heat players — in future posts here. […]

Butler and the Bucket: the Love Affair continues

We first saw this Butler affair flourish in Chicago. That’s where Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro started posting Instagram love letters to each other, shooting and sneering together in workouts. Now, though, their affection is in full bloom. Jimmy Butler clearly likes guys who get it. Who not only can play, but play really really […]

Miami Heat scrimmage showcases team’s new look

The Dolphins couldn’t lose Sunday. Neither could the Hurricanes. And of course, neither could the Heat. They were playing themselves, after all, for the Red, White and Pink Scrimmage to benefit breast cancer research. Naturally, not much defense was played. But the energy was different — as in better — than it’s been the past […]

A South Florida team wins! Panthers take home opener

Some team needs to save us. The Miami Heat may do it. They feel better about this particular roster than any since the Big 3 era. Erik Spoelstra couldn’t stop smiling all week at training camp at Keiser University in West Palm Beach. But the Florida Panthers may have more talent, as ranked in its particular […]

Jimmy Butler: “Who says I’m the best player?”

It’s odd to think of Jimmy Butler as especially modest. He’ll openly tell you that he will beat you at just about anything, whether it’s dominoes or paddleball. Basketball? Well, he’s willing to concede a bit. Pat Riley called him a top-10 player. Erik Spoelstra declared him “one of the 15 best players on the […]