The Pacers failed to complete another signature, improbable comeback after being dropped into a large fourth-quarter crater, starting with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s right-side triple. Bennedict Mathurin’s rim attacks and trips to the line kept the Pacers’ faint heartbeat pumping, yet the Thunder triumphed thanks to drawing cheap fouls and holding their guests to 33.3% shooting late. The hosts were subsequently crowned champions in front of their passionate supporters, most of whom refused to sit for the entire Game 7.
Tyrese Haliburton stood on crutches, saluting his teammates in the tunnel as the podium was quickly assembled on the court for the championship presentation. Confetti rained as the players raised and surrounded the Larry O’Brien trophy, and SGA lifted his Finals MVP prize as the crowd screamed in adulation for the second-youngest group to win it all.
SGA said winning took “so much weight off my shoulders; so much stress relieved. No matter what, you go into every night wanting to win, and sometimes it doesn’t go your way. And tonight could have been one of those nights [but] we found a way.” He also said the Thunder have room to grow.
Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury following three made triples in the first quarter as he attempted to dribble past SGA. The Pacers led 48-47 at halftime as four of them logged three shots apiece. Mathurin later started the second half for them while Alex Caruso did, in place of Isaiah Hartenstein for OKC. The Pacers followed through, giving up control and wasting TJ McConnell’s 12-point blaze with seven turnovers courtesy of tight pressure. Jalen Williams also got his licks in, dribbling through the lane for a left-handed scoop and connecting on a mid-range jumper over Myles Turner.
OKC’s skittish finish included SGA plus Williams shooting 11 blanks in the fourth quarter. Yet there were some overwhelming factors: two of Cason Wallace’s steals were in Indiana territory and he made two treys; Chet Holmgren had four blocks in the second half after getting attacked a few times before intermission; 22 second-chance points; 23 points off turnovers.
The Thunder used their last timeout with four minutes left trying to inbound the ball against full-court pressure. Next, Aaron Nesmith fouled out by falling onto SGA while trying to hound the ball as the Thunder were up 10 late and it was curtains. OKC won 103-91 and held Indiana’s half-court attack to 81.9 points per 100 plays, good enough for the 13th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass.
Williams said it would take him a couple of days to get back to Earth as he addressed reporters with the trophy seated to his left on the table.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4565.jpeg17512890Mateo Mayorgahttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgMateo Mayorga2025-06-23 00:24:522025-06-23 00:36:02Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Thunder triumph in Game 7, capturing the NBA title
As the Miami Heat gear up for the NBA Draft and brace for potential trade season shakeups, the Five on the Floor crew dives into an intriguing question: would Niko Jović or Kel’el Ware be selected higher than the 20th pick if they were prospects in this draft?
In this episode, Ethan Skolnick, Greg Sylvander, and Digital Adel weigh each player’s upside, the league’s current scouting tendencies, and what that says about how Miami should value its own assets. With speculation swirling and front-office decisions looming, this conversation arrives at the perfect time.
Miami Heat Once Again in Trade Rumors
The Miami Heat are always thrown in trade rumors for numerous superstars, and this year it comes back once again with rumors swirling around Kevin Durant (who was just traded to the Rockets). Today’s discussion is whether or not Kel’el Ware or Nikola Jovic are worth more than the upcoming 20th overall pick in regard to assets.
So, who has more value?
Adel’s POV
Available at pick 20- Jase Richardson (Greg says), Nolan Traore, Danny Wolf (received a green room invite, unicorn like phenomenon), Thomas Sorber (strongest hands, 7’6 wingspan, dawg). Adel believes that if Jovic was next to Bam in the starting lineup it is cleaner on the offensive end, Jovic isn’t sturdy in post defense as he is more of an outside big. His improvements were seen in using his length and proper angles, yet he believes the inside defense is worse. Believes Danny Wolf is the perfect one for one switch with Jovic.
“My contention that no one can really answer is the teams biggest need last season was a primary ball handler and facilitator. Niko was on the team. He wasn’t that type of guy to solve that issue. He has the opportunity to showcase that part of his game especially when all the guards were injured and we didn’t see it. How can we say it’s the team holding him back or he’d pop somewhere else when he has all the opportunity in the world to display that all season”
20, if Sorber is there
Ware
Niko
Greg’s POV
Says Ware has more value to the Heat due to upside play. Claims Niko would be as impactful in a different system as the Heat haven’t added an engine to change the offensive scheme. Ware and Adebayo need more run together and is more valuable to a contending starting lineup for the Heat. Greg reiterates that they are talking about the importance to Miami, any player that is going to get paid a lot more money is less worthy in the trade market than a rookie salary, in regard to Niko (least value). Ethan adds that he also has less value to your team due to tax brackets and aprons. Greg thinks Niko has more value than pick #20.
Ware
20, salary purposes
Niko
“It’s a shame because I think Nico is a project that they thought if that pick hit it could really be transcendent to a lot of things that they were trying to do”
Ethan’s POV
Believes Jovic has the strong upside as well just not sure Miami will play in to it. Claims Jovic and Bam look better together than Ware and Bam so far. If Niko or Ware is not including in the deal for KD Ethan believes Jovic would start over Ware because KD has not played the 3 and has played more 5 than the 3 over the last bunch of years. Guys guard up when they get older. Believes the fit with Jovic would be easier and Ware coming off the bench would bring a perfect rotation. Wants Ware to work on his physicality.
“I think Niko is going to be a really good player, just not here.”
Ware
20
Niko
Notes
Jovic is only 22.
Jovic is almost up for an extension.
Ware better than Whiteside to start and doesn’t have the same concerns, processes faster.
Pick 20 gives Miami their choice for their future schemes.
So for me the value of each player depends on who Miami is getting in return and if the direction of the team itself. Say Miami trades for Giannis, any and everything is on the table, Ja Morant, then Ware has more value. But as for who currently has more value for the Miami Heat, I Will agree with Ethan and Greg. Miami will have a plethora of options available at 20 whether it is in the front court or the back court and for Ware, he has massive upside and has shown flashes of being a high impact player in this league, especially next to Bam Adebayo. To their points many aspects of Ware’s game need touched up, but you can’t teach athleticism and raw talent. I trust Miami’s coaching staff to develop Ware into one of the leagues next dominant bigs. As for Jovic the opportunities have been there but also hindered as Ethan and Greg pointed out minutes with Rozier, injury troubles, and other rotational/scheme issues. But Adel brings a fair point in regard to the fact Jovic has been given the opportunities and rather needs work in refining thinks such as his handles and overall consistency in his play.
🐬 Dolphins Fan? Join the exclusive OnlyFins Discord for all things Miami Dolphins.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/JOVWare.webp234401Austin Dobbinshttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgAustin Dobbins2025-06-22 13:05:112025-06-22 13:05:11Breaking Down the Pod: Miami Heat: Most Valuable, Jovic, Ware or 20th Pick?
The Miami Dolphins have been looking for a trade partner for former All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey for a little over two months now. Ramsey’s tenure as a Dolphin was quite underwhelming as he only produced 5 interceptions in 27 games, and one pro bowl appearance.
One Dolphins star is trying to make sure Ramsey’s time in Miami isn’t over just yet.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill who has circulated around trade rumors himself had this to say at Fanatics Fan Fest in New York City.
While reports continue to indicate that Ramsey is likely to be moved—possibly even back to the Rams—Hill’s comments offer a glimpse at the kind of locker room pull he still believes he has. Whether it’s wishful thinking or a genuine effort to keep one of the league’s top corners in Miami, only time will tell.
That wasn’t Hill’s only headline of the day.
He also took a shot at a division rival.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill: “Whenever we play the Bills, those guys typically play Cover Four because they’re a bunch of [expletives].”
Miami has only got one win off Buffalo in the Tyreek Hill/Mike McDaniel Era.
Hill also hasn’t had the best efforts,
TyreekHill against the Bills (9 games) – 45 receptions – 470 yards – 2 touchdowns.
Tyreek constantly finds himself catching headlines and has done his best to earn back the respect of his coaches, teammates, and fans after presumably quitting on the team after the Dolphins loss to the Jets in their season finale.
Entering his third season in Miami, Hill will be looking to bounce back and reclaim his place as one of the most feared playmakers in the league. As always, he’s going to make sure people are paying attention.
Fans can find more highlights from Hill’s appearance on his Snapchat story.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/hill-fanatics.webp234345Austin Dobbinshttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgAustin Dobbins2025-06-21 22:09:182025-06-21 22:09:18Tyreek Hill Has a Lot to Say at Fanatics Fan Fest
Paige Bueckers led the Dallas Wings to their third win of the season, chopping down coverages like The Bride in Kill Bill against the Connecticut Sun. They sent doubles at her, and she wasn’t fazed by the pressure, either. It’s their second straight win, coming after a seven-game skid, and it was her fifth time leading her team in shots.
Coach Chris Koclanes hasn’t been so relieved at pressers since training camp. His bold move of having DiJonai Carrington come off the bench paid off as she supplied seven offensive rebounds and extended the lead to seven with 45.1 seconds left on a driving right-side layup.
Bueckers drilled 11 second-quarter points, curling around a stagger screen for a triple and made four mid-range jumpers. Her partner on four of those baskets was Li Yueru, who helped with screening and passed to her after offensive rebounds. Bueckers said after the game, “It’s super fun to play with her. She is super smart and has a high IQ…”
Bueckers is the leading rookie scorer (18.0) by 4.4 points. She is notably making 53.5% of her shots in the paint non-restricted area, which is one of the hardest spots to score because defenses collapse there against penetration. Additionally, she’s nailing 46.6% of her middies, which is her favorite look.
She still isn’t taking enough 3-pointers, but the team should change that immediately because she’s a deadeye despite her splits hovering at 33%. The most she’s hoisted is seven versus the Phoenix Mercury (71.4%) and five against the Minnesota Lynx (40%) and Golden State Valkyries (0%). She and Arike Ogunbowale can help each other here by running more two-woman sets, taking advantage of the separation they create on the dribble to make corner feeds or above-the-break passes. Defenders naturally overload on the ball.
Bueckers’ confidence is rising with every match and it only took her 11 games to hit 35 points and three to record her first double-double of 12 digits and 10 offerings. She’ll doubtlessly continue on this pace and run away with the rookie of the year award because she’s a much deadlier threat to score and create for others than all her drafted peers.
The Wings are logging the second-highest pace, but have the second-worst record in the WNBA as they are three games out of the eighth spot with 30 outings left. They can still turn things around, but their defense will have to protect the 3-point line better and be sharper against screen rolls.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/1642784.png10801920Mateo Mayorgahttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgMateo Mayorga2025-06-21 12:11:192025-06-21 12:15:43Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Paige Bueckers is separating herself for the Rookie of the Year crown
The Pacers defiled the Thunder, sparing their followers the indignity of a rival championship ceremony at home. The fourth quarter was garbage time thanks to a cascade of 3-pointers, a healthy dose of fastbreak points, and Pascal Siakam plus TJ McConnell lighting up schemes at short and mid-range.
Game 7, the first of the Finals since 2016, is for all the marbles on Sunday in OKC. Coach Rick Carlisle didn’t want to reminisce, saying it was meaningless because only one thing mattered.
The Pacers failed to launch on time and were down eight early after missing their first eight shots. Jalen Williams grilled Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner on the dribble, but Pascal Siakam’s second-chance jumper in the middle ignited the firing squad’s nine first-half trifectas. It was like watching children thrash a cheap piñata. Tyrese Haliburton, whose status was in question before the game with a calf strain, contributed a dozen points, plus made the feed to Siakam for the booming dunk over Williams on the break. Siakam also nailed a left-side turnaround jumper over Alex Caruso, sending the Pacers to halftime ahead by 22.
Turner failed to register a field goal in six tries, but it didn’t matter because Chet Holmgren was invisible in OKC’s offense, the Thunder had only one made triple in 11 attempts and had committed 12 turnovers by intermission.
Then Indiana’s defense was as tight as stainless steel handcuffs, contesting drives and jumpers promptly, and it didn’t allow a field goal for five minutes. Additionally, Siakam extended possessions with four offensive rebounds, and four Pacers connected on five 3-pointers, including Ben Sheppard’s 26-footer to end the period up 30.
None of OKC’s starters played the fourth quarter. Haliburton was the only one for Indiana that didn’t, but the others were on the bench after a few minutes.
The Pacers won 108-91, holding their guests’ half-court offense to 81.7 points per 100 plays, good enough for the 13th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass.
Carlisle said Game 7 would be a monumental challenge. Home teams win Game 7 of the Finals 78.9% of the time, per the NBA’s Facts and Figures. After the game, Siakam was asked what it takes to win one. He said there are no secrets between teams this late in a series, but that it’s about “who wants it more.”
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4527.jpeg9801436Mateo Mayorgahttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgMateo Mayorga2025-06-20 01:07:592025-06-20 01:09:01Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Pacers crushed the Thunder, forcing Game 7 for the championship
There’s no other way around it: it has been an underwhelming start to the campaign for Inter Miami. Having won the U.S. Open Cup in 2023 and set a league record for the most points in an MLS season in 2024, expectations were higher than ever for the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners. But whilst they enjoyed an undefeated start to the campaign under new manager Javier Mascherano, the wheels started to come off in April as the Herons drew to Toronto FC and Chicago Fire in league play. They would close out the month of April with three straight defeats, losing to FC Dallas and exiting the Concacaf Champions Cup in humiliating fashion at the hands of Vancouver Whitecaps. Miami bounced back by defeating the New York Red Bulls 4-1, only to end up taking two points from their next four matches – a run that saw them concede a whopping 13 goals in four matches.
“Miami are victims of their own success,” argued ex-USMNT international Jimmy Conrad. “They’ve had success, of course, but they are kind of victims of their philosophy, because they’re trying to be the Galácticos of MLS in some ways. And there’s a sacrifice when you have a salary-capped league, there’s a sacrifice to that philosophy. You can go out and get the biggest names, you can get Messi who’s been tremendous, and you can get all of his buddies, too. But then, something’s gonna give. If this wasn’t a salary-capped league, then I think that that could probably work, and they could go out and get big names defensively. But right now there’s a distinction.”
Miami nevertheless responded by beating Montréal 4-2 before beating Columbus Crew 5-1. But whilst they boast an exhilarating arsenal of attacking options with the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, question marks remain with regards to their defensive caliber. Going into the FIFA Club World Cup, Miami had failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous 11 fixtures.
“They have enough going forward where they know they’re going to score, but there’s a bit of imbalance defensively because of how much they’ve front-loaded their money on attacking players and how thin they’ve become in other areas,” added Conrad. “When you’re you’re expecting Noah Allen, who’s not even a center back, to play center back, that pretty much says all you need to know. I’m concerned for Inter Miami.”
Miami kicked off the Club World Cup on Saturday by facing off against Egyptian side Al Ahly, a match that, despite not producing any goals, was rife with excitement. Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy produced five saves, whilst his counterpart Óscar Ustari made eight saves and was given the Man of the Match award for his trouble. With all four of the teams failing to find the back of the net, the group remains wide open going into the final two fixtures of the group stage.
Miami will travel to Atlanta and face off against a Porto side featuring the likes of Fábio Vieira, Rodrigo Mora and Samu Aghehowa. After taking on the Portuguese giants, Miami will then return to Hard Rock Stadium and meet a Palmeiras side that is rife with attacking talent. Boasting Felipe Anderson, Allan, and Vítor Roque, the Brazilian giants will likely be heavily favored against the hosts, but if Miami can find a way to start combining defensive solidity with the kind of free-flowing attacking football that we’ve grown accustomed to over the past few years, they may just have a fighting chance of advancing from Group A and booking their ticket for the knockout round.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_20-6-2025_11157_www.google.com_.jpeg281543Zach Lowyhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgZach Lowy2025-06-19 10:59:592025-06-20 11:02:40Inter Miami Need to Wake Up, and Fast
Who Will Represent the Marlins at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game?
We’re just under a month away from the 2025 MLB All-Star Game (July 15), and unfortunately, the Marlins aren’t getting much love in fan voting. Not a single Marlin currently ranks in the top 10 at any position. Miami enters today 13 games under .500, remains one of the youngest rosters in baseball, and ranks near the bottom in attendance. But despite the struggles, a few young standouts have made a strong case for All-Star recognition—if only the process wasn’t driven so heavily by fan votes.
Reminder: Every MLB team must have at least one All-Star representative. Rosters will be filled out after fan voting concludes. All-Star FAQ: How players are selected
Dane Myers – OF
Myers has quietly put together a breakout campaign and should be the leading candidate to represent the Marlins. A true five-tool player, he’s showing off elite defense, solid power, and speed. Myers has swiped eight bags and owns a 136 OPS+ (league average is 100). He ranks in the top 70th percentile in defensive run value and has tallied a team-leading 1.4 WAR—even while bouncing in and out of the lineup.
If he qualified, Myers would rank:
6th among NL outfielders in OPS
1st in batting average
3rd in on-base percentage
If he keeps it up through early July, Myers should be Miami’s All-Star.
Stowers has arguably been the Marlins’ most consistent hitter this season. He leads the team in home runs (10), RBIs (34), and triples (3), while posting a strong .803 OPS—top 10 among National League outfielders. His season has had ups and downs (including a walk-off grand slam and a few three-strikeout games), but he’s been a steady presence in the lineup.
Sometimes the All-Star rep comes from the bullpen, and Bender fits that mold perfectly. With a 2.45 ERA and only nine runs allowed over nearly 30 innings, Bender has quietly become one of the most reliable Marlins. His breaking ball is elite, with an 8-run value on Statcast. While he may not be a household name, he’s certainly earned consideration—and could be trade bait for a contender in July.
Hernandez has been electric in limited action. Acquired after the Rays released him this winter, he’s slashing .353/.405/.500 with a 148 OPS+. The sample size is small, but his impact has been big. If he keeps hitting and stays in the lineup through June, Hernandez could be a dark horse All-Star—and a fan favorite for years to come. Check out Heriberto’s Baseball Savant Page.
The Marlins are guaranteed at least one All-Star, and while Myers is the best story so far, Stowers and Bender are right behind him. Hernandez is one to watch. Either way, these players represent hope for the franchise’s future—whether they stay to build it or are moved at the deadline.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/dane-myers.webp234397Austin Dobbinshttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgAustin Dobbins2025-06-18 21:15:242025-06-18 21:15:24Who Will Represent the Marlins at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game?
How the Panthers’ Back-to-Back Cups Compare to the Dolphins’ Perfection and the Heat’s Star Power
A dynasty — a team with sustained success, usually capped off by multiple championships. In South Florida, dynasties seem to prefer symmetry. The region now joins Boston (Bruins, Patriots, Red Sox) and Chicago (Bulls, Cubs, Bears [pre-merger]) as one of just three U.S. cities where three different major sports franchises have gone back-to-back.
Winning one championship is hard enough — winning another, in a different year, in a different locker room, with different pressure? That’s something special. Since the Super Bowl era began, only 8 NFL teams have repeated as champions. In the NBA, 14 dynasties have done it. The NHL has seen 17 repeat champions, while in Major League Baseball, it hasn’t happened since the Yankees of 2000.
Now, in South Florida, we’ve seen it happen three times — in three different ways. The perfect Dolphins. The star-driven Heat. And now, the gritty and relentless Panthers.
So the question isn’t just whether the Panthers belong in the dynasty conversation — it’s whether they’ve already surpassed some of South Florida’s legends. And maybe, just maybe, whether they’re not done yet.
🐬 The Gold Standard — 1972–73 Miami Dolphins
The only perfect season in NFL history isn’t just a football milestone — it’s a cultural artifact. Don Shula’s Miami Dolphins didn’t just win — they ruled. Their dominance in the early ’70s, particularly over the course of the 1972 and 1973 seasons, still looms over pro football like a monument carved in granite.
In 1972, the Dolphins went 17–0 — sweeping through the regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl VII with methodical, physical, mistake-free football. In 1973, they came back hungrier, going 15–2 and winning back-to-back Super Bowls. That made it three straight Super Bowl appearances, two rings, and an unblemished legacy.
Key names: Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Mercury Morris, the “No-Name Defense” — and of course, Shula, the NFL’s all-time wins leader.
Legacy: These Dolphins didn’t just win. They embodied perfection. In an era without a salary cap, where dominant teams could keep their rosters intact, they stood out even among greats. No excuses, no losses.
Shula’s Dolphins were perfect. Almost nothing can top that. That’s why, even in 2025, they remain South Florida’s dynasty gold standard.
🏀 The Big Three Heat — 2012–13 Miami Heat
Fast forward four decades and you find a completely different kind of dominance. Where the Dolphins imposed their will through structure and toughness, the Miami Heat of the early 2010s took over through star power, speed, and cultural gravity.
The Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh changed the way teams were built. They weren’t just playing for Miami — they made Miami the center of the basketball universe. With Erik Spoelstra at the helm, the Heat reached four straight NBA Finals and brought home back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.
In 2012, they beat a young Oklahoma City Thunder team led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. In 2013, they survived one of the most legendary series in NBA history — a seven-game battle with the San Antonio Spurs, punctuated by Ray Allen’s miracle three-pointer in Game 6.
Legacy: Culturally, no South Florida team had a bigger spotlight. The Heat were villains, then heroes. They were expected to win — and they did. But they also lost two of those four Finals, which dims the dynasty shine slightly.
While the Dolphins were dominant and disciplined, the Heat were brilliant and burning hot — a flash of electricity that changed the game.
🏒 The Newest Dynasty — 2024–25 Florida Panthers
And now, the Panthers.
If the Dolphins were perfect and the Heat were powerful, the Panthers are persistent. They’re the least flashy of the bunch — but maybe the most resilient. And unlike the Heat or Dolphins, the Panthers have done this in the modern era of maximum parity — where repeating is nearly impossible, and where no team can buy a dynasty.
In 2024, the Panthers went up 3–0 in the Stanley Cup Final against the Oilers — then nearly collapsed, dropping three straight before winning Game 7 at home. In 2025, they faced the Oilers again — and this time won in six. Three of those games went to overtime. The Panther’s led for the majority of the series and in a way it was a “six game sweep.”
These last two years have been survival. And survival is a kind of dynasty all its own.
Core stars: Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sergei Bobrovsky, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and a key veteran addition in Brad Marchand.
Coach: Paul Maurice, a quiet master of emotional balance and system discipline.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice “… this is the best team I have ever coached.”
GM: Bill Zito, now firmly in the conversation as one of the best general managers in all of sports. His blend of analytics, scouting, and locker room intuition has built a team that’s deep, structured, and ruthless.
Notable moves made by Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito to build this dynasty: – Claimed Forsling off waivers – Traded for Tkachuk – Traded for Reinhart – Traded for Bennett – Traded for Montour – Traded for vets at deadline (Marchand, Tarasenko) – Traded for Seth Jones
Why they’re different:
Thriving in a salary cap era
Most of their core is under contract through 2026–28
Bobrovsky is coming off his best season yet
Zito keeps winning trades, extending the window
This team isn’t a Cinderella — they’re a juggernaut in work boots. And they’re not done yet.
🎯 Coaching the Greats
All three dynasties had a legendary leader:
Coach
Team
Legacy
Don Shula
Dolphins
NFL wins king. The architect of perfection.
Erik Spoelstra
Heat
NBA’s top tactical mind. Still evolving.
Paul Maurice
Panthers
Finally crowned. Quietly brilliant.
📈 Ranking the Dynasties — For Now
Rank
Team
Titles
Context
Legacy
🥇 1
Dolphins (1972–73)
2
No cap, perfect run
Only perfect season in NFL history
🥈 2
Panthers (2024–25)
2
Cap era, repeat grind
Built-to-last in parity-heavy NHL
🥉 3
Heat (2012–13)
2
Superteam peak
Cultural icons, 2–2 Finals record
🐾 Final Thought: This Dynasty Isn’t Done
The Dolphins will always be first until someone adds a third title. But the Panthers? They’re not just challenging for first — they’re building a case for something bigger. A modern dynasty that wins with culture, not stardom. With depth, not hype. With persistence, not perfection.
If they go back-to-back-to-back?
We’ll have a new conversation.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/panthers.webp234375Austin Dobbinshttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgAustin Dobbins2025-06-18 19:24:392025-06-18 19:24:39South Florida’s Greatest Dynasty? The Panthers Are Coming for the Crown
Whether or not Brad Marchand and several other key players suit up again for the now two-time champion Panthers, the images of them skating the Stanley Cup around Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday night will remain indelible.
Just like Shula’s “Perfect” Dolphins and the Lebron-led Big Three Heat.
Along with joining the ranks of back-to-back champions in the major pro team sports, the Panthers cemented their place among South Florida’s greatest dynasties.
In addition, the Panthers’ three consecutive Final appearances with back-to-back titles follows on the heels of the Tampa Bay Lightning achieving the same feat.
The Lightning–Panthers handoff of dominance appears to be the first of its kind in major U.S. team sports. That is, two franchises from the same state each reaching three straight finals and each winning back-to-back titles in a span of six consecutive years.
“It’s so emotional. Because you have a childhood dream of winning the Stanley Cup. To do this back-to-back times, go to three straight finals, win two of them … I mean, we’re a dynasty,” said Matthew Tkachuk, who scored the second goal Tuesday.
The grit of this team was exemplified by Tkachuk, who revealed after game in a TV interview on TNT the severity of the injury he suffered in the 4 Nations Cup tournament that caused him to miss the last quarter of the regular season.
“I tore my abductor [muscle] off the bone and had some hernia thing, all on the same side. I wanted to throw in the towel a bunch of times,” said Tkachuk, who thanked the doctors, trainers and other medical people who got him ready to play in the playoffs. “I’ve got to thank a lot of people for getting me healthy again. This is for them.”
How about a Three-peat?
While immediate attention turns to celebration and another Summer of Love with the Stanley Cup, you can be sure the thought of a three-peat is already on the mind of the man who will try to put together the pieces to make it happen, general manager Bill Zito.
That has been achieved twice since the NHL expanded from the original six teams. The Montreal Canadiens (1976-79) and New York Islanders (1980-83) won four in a row.
Zito faces another challenging offseason with eight unrestricted free agents – most notably Marchand, Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad – plus one restricted free agent and insufficient salary cap space ($19 million) to satisfy all of them.
Bennett got the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs (15 goals, 22 points).
“It’s harder than I ever imagined to win the Stanley Cup once, and twice was even harder,” Bennett said.
The situation was similar last year with $20 million in cap space and a number of expiring contracts. Zito managed to sign forward Sam Reinhart to a long-term contract and add economical replacements for the players who left to get paid.
Just know that in Pantherland the motto is, “In Zito we trust.”
More discussion about the roster situation for next season below. First, more about what these Panthers have achieved.
The Panthers’ second Cup also made South Florida one of seven markets with multiple championships in the big four sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL); the Marlins won the World Series in 1997, 2003. The others are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Detroit.
Like the Dolphins in their second Super Bowl win, the Panthers were more impressive in claiming their second Cup, seizing it by outscoring the Oilers 10-3 in the final two games, including 5-1 in Tuesday’s clincher.
Back-to-Back Titles: Rare feat in major sports
Winning consecutive championships is unusual across the major U.S. sports leagues:
NFL: Only 8 repeat champions since the Super Bowl era began (most recently the 2003–04 Patriots)
MLB: Last repeat champion was the Yankees in 2000
NBA: 14 instances, most recently the 2017–18 Warriors
NHL: 17 back-to-back champs, including the 2016–17 Penguins and 2020–21 Lightning
What are the odds against it?
It varies by league, but here’s a rough sense of probability and rarity:
League
Odds of Repeat (Estimated)
Reasoning
NBA
~1 in 8 (12–13%)
Dominance by superstars and continuity
NHL
~1 in 15–20 (5–7%)
Depth, injuries, parity
NFL
~1 in 25–30 (3–4%)
Single-game elimination, injuries
MLB
~1 in 25–30 (3–4%)
Randomness of short series, deep playoff field
Comparing South Florida’s legendary runs
Here’s how the Panthers’ repeat compares to the multi-title runs of the Dolphins and Heat.
Miami Dolphins (1972–73)
Titles: Super Bowl VII (1972), Super Bowl VIII (1973)
Era: Pre-salary cap, fewer playoff rounds, 14-game regular season
Back-to-back titles: 1972: Only perfect season in NFL history (17–0); 1973: Repeated as Super Bowl champions with a near-perfect 15–2 record
Key Players: Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, “No-Name Defense”
Don Shula: Legendary coaching figure
Legacy: The 1972 team still has the NFL’s only perfect season (17–0). A dominant, run-heavy team led by coach Don Shula, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, and a stingy defense. The Dolphins’ repeat was part of an era-defining run— they went to 3 straight Super Bowls and were dominant, not just gritty.
Impact: Set the gold standard for perfection and dominance.
Comparison: The Dolphins had more aura and dominance. The Panthers repeat is more about resilience and overcoming modern parity.
Miami Heat (2012–13)
Titles: NBA championships in 2012 and 2013
Big Three: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh
Back-to-back titles:
2012: Beat OKC
2013: Edged Spurs in 7-game classic
Cultural impact: Massive media spotlight, villain-to-hero arc, one of the NBA’s defining modern dynasties.
Legacy: The Big Three era Heat was glamorous and polarizing, but dominant. Four straight Finals was a massive achievement in a league built on superstar gravity.
Comparison: While the Heat were expected to dominate, the Panthers built slowly, and success feels more like a validation of grit over star power.
Florida Panthers (2024–25)
Titles: Stanley Cup Champions in 2024 and 2025
Back-to-back titles:
2024: Defeated Oilers in seven games after winning the first three and losing the next three.
2025: Defeated the Oilers in six games in a closely contested Final series that featured three overtime games.
Legacy: A gritty, structured team led by Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Sergei Bobrovsky with historic playoff performances by Sam Bennett and veteran newcomer Brad Marchand. No superstars in the traditional sense, just a deep, relentless squad built for playoff battles.
Impact: These Panthers represent a triumph of team culture over star-centric models in a parity-heavy NHL. This is a grittier, lower-profile dynasty — less glitz, more grind.
Dynasty comparison at a glance
Team
Title Years
Key Players
Style of Play
Legacy
Miami Dolphins
1972, 1973
Griese, Csonka, Warfield, Buoniconti
Dominant, physical, run-heavy
Only perfect season in NFL history
Miami Heat
2012, 2013
LeBron, Wade, Bosh
Star-driven, fast-paced
4 straight Finals, global spotlight
Florida Panthers
2024, 2025
Barkov, Tkachuk, Bobrovsky, Bennett, Marchand
Gritty, structured, deep roster
Modern NHL repeat in parity era
Final word
While the Dolphins dominated with perfection and the Heat dazzled with star power, the Panthers will go down as South Florida’s most gritty and resilient dynasty. And in today’s NHL, that might be the toughest type of dynasty to build.
Henrik Lunqvist, TNT analyst and Hall of Fame goalie said during the second intermission, ” I haven’t seen the Panthers make a mistake. They always make the right decision. It’s a master class right now.”
These Panthers were built for playoff hockey and they never strayed from their approach in the run to their second title. They succeeded by getting production up and down the roster.
Going into Game 6, the Panthers had 11 players with double-digit points this postseason, and five players with at least 20 points: Sam Bennett (22), Matthew Tkachuk (22), Brad Marchand (20), Carter Verhaeghe (20) and Aleksander Barkov (20).
Veteran Marchand, a former Panthers adversary, was acquired at the trade deadline and fit in seamlessly on the third line with Anton Lundell (17 points – six goals, 11 assists) and Eetu Luostarinen (18 points – five goals, 13 assists).
Seth Jones, the other trade deadline acquisition, fortified the defense and was third among the team’s defensemen in points (9) and tied for first in goals (4) during the playoffs.
About next season
In his greatest act of roster wizardry, Zito was able to fit the two veterans, Marchand and Jones, under the cap with Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve, then bring back Tkachuk for the postseason when the salary cap is moot.
Will that finally earn Zito his overdue Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award? He is a finalist for the third straight year.
Twice snubbed, but now a two-time Cup winner, and still dealing.
The Panthers are projected to enter the offseason with $19 million to work with. Top priority must be re-signing Bennett, who embodies the hard-nosed playoff warrior the Panthers covet.
Afterward, Bennett, acquired in a 2021 trade with Calgary, didn’t sound like he wants to be anywhere else.
“It’s a huge honor to be a part of this group. I’m not going to take it for granted. I love being here and I love this team,” Bennett said in his postgame media interview. “It’s a remarkable team to be a part of, just from the whole staff to the players to the management, the owner, the coaches. Truly everyone is world-class here.”
As much as Marchand earned the admiration of teammates and fans over the past six weeks, it may not be feasible to retain him and Bennett. At 37, Marchand will be seeking one more star-size contract, and indications are he will have plenty of suitors. But who knows?
“We’ll see what happens here soon,” Marchand said with a grin on TNT moments after skating with the Cup for the second time in his career.
Ekblad has been a Panthers lifer and has expressed wanting to finish his career as one. He will likely have to agree to a hometown discount to facilitate that.
The other unrestricted free agents are forwards Nico Strum and Tomas Nosek, defensemen Nate Schmidt and Jaycob Megna and backup goalie Vitek Vanecek.
Forward Mackie Samoskevich is a restricted free agent and should be retained.
However Zito chooses to play his hand, the only predictable variable is that he will come up with some surprises when he plays his cards.
That approach already has two Cups in hand. Why not a third?
Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Panthers, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/reino-cup-1.jpg22393172Craig Davishttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgCraig Davis2025-06-17 23:53:512025-06-18 15:22:48Pressure Point: Panthers give South Florida a Big Three of pro sports dynasties
The Thunder were the more macho and disciplined team, chopping down the Pacers in Game 5 of the Finals with 32 points off turnovers and Jalen Williams’ 40-digit discharge. He said after the match, “I’d be lying if I said I could imagine doing what I did tonight, but I definitely could have seen myself here a long time ago…” The winners of Game 5 of the Finals after a tied series win the championship 74.2% of the time.
Coach Rick Carlisle called a timeout as the Pacers went down 17-12 when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drove against Pascal Siakam in transition for a left handed layup. Carlisle then had to be restrained and earned himself a technical foul complaining to the ref as SGA zigzagged upcourt for another transition basket. His gripe was Lu Dort not getting flagged for contact on Andrew Nembhard on the previous possession but he did as the period went on.
Seven turnovers and weak corner protection also set Indiana back as they went down by 10 going into the second quarter. Their deficit briefly expanded to 18 before halftime as they couldn’t outmaneuver Chet Holmgren’s tentacles at close range or suppress Williams’ rim pressure. Tyrese Haliburton was no help to Indiana, laboring through a calf strain, missing all five attempts against tight coverage and went into the break with a donut on the stat sheet.
The Thunder had forced 10 turnovers and had a 12-0 advantage in fastbreak points at halftime.
Williams followed up with more damage to Indiana, cutting up the middle on an ATO play, making a transition layup and burying a 3-pointer. Subsequently, TJ McConnell extended the Pacers’ lifespan, shattering OKC’s coverages with screen rolls. Carlisle then made the mistake of holstering one of his best weapons, rolling most of the fourth quarter with Haliburton instead of McConnell. He said he was fatigued after the game.
Siakam’s rampage cut the deficit to two, but nonstop giveaways, pick-6s, plus Williams’ blow-bys through the middle and a shot over Aaron Nesmith at the nail spoiled Indiana’s comeback. Carlisle inserted McConnell back in during the last few minutes for Andrew Nembhard, but it was too late by then as the Thunder led by 14.
The Thunder won 120-109 while the half-court attack was slowed to 97.7 points per 100 plays, good enough for the 61st percentile, per Cleaning the Glass. They committed 11 less turnovers, outscored their guests in second-chance points (21-17) and made 14 triples to their 11. Four Thunder players logged at least three 3-pointers. The Game 4 win on Friday only had three logged for the group.
On the losing side, Carlisle said Haliburton was not “100%,” but he insisted on playing despite concerns at halftime. When asked about how the Pacers would stop Williams’ rim attacks, he answered, “Get in front of him. Keep him from driving. Communicate better. Help when necessary.”
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_4518.jpeg9911226Mateo Mayorgahttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgMateo Mayorga2025-06-17 05:22:002025-06-17 05:35:57Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Thunder separated themselves in the fourth quarter, taking a 3-2 lead in the Finals
Back-to-Back Titles: Rare feat in major sports
