Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Chicago

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The Miami Heat fell short to the Chicago Bulls this time around, after some fourth quarter struggles on both ends of the floor, due to the spaced out minutes of Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. The Heat were without Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, and Andre Iguodala, but it was still a very winnable game. Anyway, here are five takeaways from this game…

#1: Miami increases the pace early on, and that leads to good things.

The Heat’s early half-court offense was quite awful, but luckily, another element picked that back up. One thing that is known with this team is that they are defensive minded, which transition offense can be their specialty. The pace began to increase in that starting lineup with Goran Dragic, running the floor time and time again, with Jimmy Butler leading the way in that area. Most of their half-court sets were leading to absolutely nothing for a good amount of stretches, meaning the constant contested threes were fluid. But one positive is that if Miami can continually lock up on the defensive end and turn that into offense, that will be crucial to truly know what the team’s offense really is.

#2: Bam Adebayo switching onto guards is tough against two big lineups.

For starters, this is not to downplay the scheme in anyway, since it’s shown to be pretty effective with Bam Adebayo bitzing, while Butler and Trevor Ariza swarm on the back-line. The only issue is that Adebayo getting caught onto guards like Coby White creates problems when a team has Nikola Vucevic and Daniel Theis sharing the floor for long stretches. The Bulls basically wanted the Heat to make that switch each possession, so they can get into their post play without Adebayo getting in the way. Another aspect of that switching is that the Bulls also have a big small forward in Patrick Williams, meaning Chicago was prepared to attack that match-up of Duncan Robinson on the first possession in the interior. Once again, this isn’t an Adebayo issue or scheme issue, but it might be a bit of an awareness issue at times when playing a team that is front-court heavy.

#3: Jimmy Butler doing Jimmy Butler-like things.

When walking away from that first half in particular, aside from offensive or defensive evaluations, Jimmy Butler was the true focal point. He had 16 points at the half, while going 7 for 8 from the field, and this traces back to the first takeaway in a lot of ways. When he is running the floor like he was tonight, he’s tough to stop. Really tough to stop. Not only was he punishing them in transition, though, since he was very comfortable with that mid-range jumper throughout. One thing this points toward is Butler in the big picture. When he says just get me to the playoffs, he means it, due to the fact that he’s shown time and time again that he can score the basketball whenever he chooses, while continuing to compete on the defensive end. The first half wasn’t his only time of offensive impact, since he exploded even more in that third quarter as him and Adebayo scored 25 straight points for Miami.

#4: Heat missing bench production even more than usual.

Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, and Andre Iguodala were all out of tonight’s game, meaning the bench would look a lot different than usual. Even though players like Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and KZ Okpala were leading those lineups, it was much worse than originally expected. Miami’s entire bench didn’t have a made field goal until late in the third on a Dewayne Dedmon layup, which just shows the offensive holes that were waiting to be filled. Although the bench unit will be harped, which is filled with two-way guys and players who could be in the G-League, that offensive vacancy was also shown with the starting lineup counterparts. It’s not important to harp on the bench tonight in particular, but they will need some level of production with a full roster. These issues have been occurring even when Herro, Iguodala, and company were playing, and that’ll be the moment this team takes that next step forward.

#5: Bam Adebayo continues to have his flashes of aggression and impact, but it wasn’t enough to win.

Even though I touched on the earlier run with Adebayo and Butler, it’s necessary to mention Adebayo’s continued flashes of realization. With guys out and Butler resting on the sideline, the early fourth quarter minutes were truly going to come down to Adebayo. And well, he had his flashes in that stretch. Running the floor and taking the contact in transition after a Vincent deflection and Bjelica dive comes to mind first. It’s important for him to get to the free throw line when he’s looking to dominate, due to that unlocking that next level for him. He also began to wait on the block, instead of facilitating on the elbow, which is another sign of realization. Although this was all great, he was then subbed out as Butler entered, which is a main reason for Miami falling late. They didn’t have that additional boost, and it’s harder to gain rhythm when they’re forced to lead lineups on their own.

How to Prevent Terrible Weather from Ruining Your Golf Game

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We’ve certainly all been there. The long-awaited weekend on the golf course is finally here and what happens. Terrible weather sets in, and suddenly the course is all wet and slippery, the ball goes smaller distances, and you wish you’d never left the bed. However, you can either choose to be defeated or you can be smart about it and prevent terrible weather from ruining your golf game with these simple tips. 

Make Use of the Wind

More often than not, you can use the wind during terrible weather to improve your shot. Just go with the flow. To do this, you have to understand the direction and speed of the wind. If it’s blowing in the direction you need to take the ball, just ride along with it. This can be very beneficial if you’re on the edge of the grass and need to bring your ball back in while maintaining distance, especially if you’re playing in a tournament. Alternatively, if you need to hit a straight shot, make sure to hit the ball with sidespin which should be the opposite to the direction of the wind, of course. Who said terrible weather had to ruin your golf game?

Accept the Limitations

When terrible weather sets in it’s probably wet and also cold too. What this means for your ball is that it travels less far, so you should allow for this in your club selection. If you’re going after a 150-yard shot or close, for example, take at least an extra club (let’s say a 4-iron instead of the 5-iron). The reason why this is recommended is that there will be little ball roll on impact with the green. In addition to this, you should remember to adjust your stance if the conditions are wet and slippery. The last thing you should do is to get annoyed at the weather and lose your concentration. Simply take a deep breath and a wider stance for extra stability and precision.

 

Bring the Right Gear

One of the surest ways to prevent terrible weather from ruining your golf game is to dress well for the weather. The rain is the most common bad weather there is that can annoy you when you’re playing, but the right gear should help you pay no attention to the terrible weather. This is why special efforts have been put in making the right golf clothing for all kinds of weather that will help you keep playing with no interruptions. As a rule of thumb, good rain clothing should provide good coverage, keep you dry, and above all it should be comfortable. The most commonly used golf gear for rain is either a jacket or a full rainproof ensemble, it’s only up to you to pick which suits you best.

Know the Rules

Another very important thing to know about playing in bad weather is to make sure you know the rules for playing during these conditions. Aside from the main golf rules, you should make sure you know these especially if you’re playing in an outing or a tournament. These rules are usually rules of the local club and most of them allow a lift, clean, and place rule if your ball is “plugged” due to the wet conditions. You should be aware that it’s only allowed through the green. Simply put a tee behind your ball, pick it up and clean it, and then drop it as close to the divot as possible and hit your shot (without penalty). 

Tips for Extreme Heat

More often than not, when we talk about terrible weather conditions we imagine rain and thunder across the golf course. While this is true for most people, what many fail to realize is that extreme heat falls under terrible weather, especially in some states where the climate is warmer. 

 

To prevent extreme heat from ruining your golf game (and your health), make sure you’re wearing lighter colors, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. These will protect you from a heat stroke, and will significantly make you feel more comfortable which will, in turn, help you focus. In addition to this, you should also remember to hydrate during extreme heat, as many golfers tend to get lost in the game and risk passing out from heat exhaustion.

 

These tips will guarantee that the terrible weather doesn’t ruin your golf game. It also includes some precious advice that you may find to be life-saving during tournaments when the weather is the worst. However, you should always try your best to get the appropriate golf clothing and gear that will keep you dry during the game and will ultimately, help you be more focused.

Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo Aren’t Your Traditional Duo, and That’s a Good Thing

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Let’s just be honest, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are not your normal star duo. They just aren’t. And that’s a good thing.

They aren’t looked at in the same light as many other top duos, not just because of their current seeding, but also their skill-sets. Two stars leading the way for their team without a consistent three ball in the arsenal. When a three-point shot is needed with the clock running down, the team is looking toward their 3rd, 4th, or even 5th best player to knock it down.

But still, is that the only measuring stick?

Obviously shooting is needed in today’s NBA, but a non-shooter is basically looked at in a much more negative manner than a non-defender, which is odd to say the least. Defense sometimes goes under the radar when discussing individual abilities, and well, Butler and Adebayo are two players that love when things they’re involved in go under the radar.

The numbers are a hard thing to point toward when looking at Adebayo and Butler’s on court effectiveness, since that side of the ball just has been all over the place from a team perspective. But when watching game after game, there’s just a different level of disruption when both of them are on the floor together.

An Adebayo switch onto a star point guard while Butler is awaiting on the backside for the double on the big has been quite the formula so far this season, even though that switching seems to only be highlighted in a negative manner.

When I asked Butler about Adebayo’s defensive impact last night, he said, “He takes the challenge of being able to guard whoever in this league, and he’s actually pretty good at it…Around here, we know he’s very good at it. And it’s not always him getting a stop or a block or something like that, it’s tough to have to be in a spot and help, then close somebody out and have to guard them. That’s what people really overlook and how he’s everywhere for us on the defensive end of the floor and he never complains.”

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The funny thing about that Butler quote about Adebayo, is that it sounds like he could actually be describing himself as well, which is the exact thing that makes this duo so unique.

Even when looking at the Chicago game on Saturday night, where Miami was in an unexpected spot late in the game, Butler and Adebayo took matters into their own hands to takeover in a different way than others.

It isn’t Jayson Tatum side-steps or Kyrie Irving dribble-moves into a pull-up. It consists of doubles and deflections and steals leading to transition offense for great looks at the basket for both of Miami’s physically gifted stars.

An interesting element when looking at the current stage is the inability to truly play the two of them together for the amount of minutes that they would like. Of course they play together for stretches, but there is absolutely no way they can be on the bench at the same time, meaning there minutes must be staggered.

Looking at the Bulls early fourth quarter comeback, when buckets were needed for Miami, offense consisted of Adebayo surveying the defense on the elbow, awaiting a back-cut for many of the role players. Or even Butler’s time on the floor consisted of bulldozing to the basket, then kicking it out for contested threes. It’s not their fault, but it’s the Victor Oladipo factor.

That third guy allows them to do different things with lineups, meaning the game wouldn’t have gotten to that point after running some empty side Butler-Adebayo PnR’s to close that thing out.

Everything is magnified when watching a seventh seed team go through the nightly inconsistencies, but there is a certain confidence level in that locker room when they get to that final stage. Since Butler and Adebayo have done it before, and it’s clear they aren’t afraid to do it again.

Once again, these two guys aren’t the traditional stars when evaluating it in the big picture, but that’s exactly how they like it. They want to be the underdogs. They want to be doubted.

They also love to hold each other accountable, since after last night’s game, Bam Adebayo said, “We cursed each other out in the huddle.” And that quote right there just completely sums up what these two guys are. When Adebayo was asked to expand on what was said, Butler responded jokingly in the background, “That’s between me and Bam. Stop being nosy, next question.”

The only task at hand now is that they have to chip away to secure a decent seed in the Eastern Conference before the post-season. But the key point is: you have to be different to win in this league.

And well, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are very different.

5 Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Bulls

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The Miami Heat got a win over the Chicago Bulls, but it ended in a much closer fashion than originally expected. What looked to be quite the blowout, turned into a nail biter late, as Miami allowed Chicago to claw back into it in the second half. But at this point in the season, a win is a win, so here are five takeaways from this game….

#1: Duncan Robinson. That’s it. That’s the takeaway.

It’s nothing new when Duncan Robinson is on one of these takeaway pieces, but this game was unlike the past ones. Beginning the game 4 for 4 from beyond the arc, and finishing the half with 6 triples can’t even fully explain the level of shooting that was being displayed. When he shot 2 for 10 from deep on Friday night, many labeled that as a bad game, but in reality, he played a pretty great game overall. Tonight though, he just showcased his primary attribute and deadliest skill, which is clearly the outside shooting. One major difference tonight was the dribble hand-offs were easier to flow into, even though he was being blanketed. That comparison takes us back to last season, since that’s where all of his looks were generated, but it just shows how many things open up when he has that as an option.

#2: Jimmy Butler’s play-making abilities are noticed and discussed, but still somehow underappreciated.

It’s widely known that Jimmy Butler is a crafty passer, but more importantly, a huge play-maker in Miami’s unselfish and motion offense. But when offense is flowing and shots are falling, that ability is magnified greatly, due to doubles on Duncan Robinson leading to open cutters. There are a few elements to this that make it so special. For one, he is such a patient player which is known with his scoring, but he’s such a calm play-maker. He doesn’t watch his teammate, he watches their defender, and that is the pure definition of a good play-maker. A main reason that his passing isn’t discussed enough is due to it being linked in a negative way at times, when people are mentioning him over-passing instead of trying to score. But once again, games like this put that all to the side, especially when he didn’t have a made field goal until a couple minutes into the third.

#3: Gabe Vincent’s immediate description was the wrong one.

Gabe Vincent was a part of the back-up back-court tonight due to Goran Dragic and Tyler Herro being out, but this type of game really shows his actual description. The original label he got with the Heat was a shooter, and it almost felt like that was all he could give them, since that’s all he showed in his short stints last season. The difference with his minutes this season is that shooting is the only element that he hasn’t shown. He’s a very active defender that never stops moving, and really knows how to scrap which is quite the Miami Heat description. Another interesting part about him that wasn’t known was his ability to get downhill at a pretty good rate, which looks to be his biggest strength in his offensive package. He’s been a spot guy with this Heat team this season, and he’s played that role to perfection whenever he’s been inserted.

#4: Trevor Ariza’s deep balls aren’t falling, but everything else is looking as good as ever.

Trevor Ariza went on a pretty unexpected run recently shooting the ball from the oustide, but the thing about 3 and D guys like him or Jae Crowder, is that there will be plenty of ups and downs. The thing about the role on this Heat team is that it truly doesn’t matter, since that element is just an add-on. The real impact is the defensive impact that Ariza has given Miami out on the perimeter, which was really shown early in this game tonight. The amount of deflections he accounts for is outstanding, which just highlights his intangibles of great length and quickness to clog the passing lanes. While this doesn’t seem like a game to give Ariza positive comments when looking at the stat-sheet, he actually deserves it which just furthers the point about Ariza as a player.

#5: The staggering of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo hurting Miami nightly.

Something that has to be done with Miami on a nightly basis is stagger Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, due to their inability to survive when both are off the floor, but it seems to hurt them nightly. When the team needs a boost early in the fourth or late in the third, it always becomes Adebayo looking for a hand-off or back-cut, while Butler looks for a drive and kick opportunity. The only thing is that Miami should be running Butler-Adebayo PnR’s at that point in the game, but just plainly can’t due to rotations. Not to make any excuses, but it’s the Victor Oladipo factor, since his short stretch with the team allowed Miami to run different lineups than the ones they’re forced to run now.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Depleted Hawks Team

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The Miami Heat were looking to expand their winning streak to four games against a Hawks team without Trae Young and Clint Capela, but Atlanta just seemed to want it much more in simplistic terms. These type of losses just further magnify the issues of this current Heat team, which leads us right into the five takeaways from this game…

#1: Miami’s first half defense was not their strong suit.

On a night that Atlanta was without two starters, in Trae Young and Clint Capela, it seemed like defense wouldn’t be as much of an issue. John Collins would have to see Bam Adebayo for valued minutes, instead of him being glued onto Capela, but he got his way anyway. The Hawks were forcing switches leading to mismatches time and time again, and did a great job of taking advantage of Miami’s blitzing, swinging the ball to the open shooter. And the thing about that open shooter is that this Atlanta team didn’t miss much in that first half. Lucky for Miami though, they were knocking down shots as well, but it’s not ideal that you’re identity is the point of inconsistency against a depleted Hawks team.

#2: Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn take turns generating offense.

There have been some discussions lately about the long term options of Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro, which has caused these two to be compared constantly. But something that must be noted, is that they can actually be impactful together. Nunn kept them going early by knocking down some shots from the outside, but an interesting element is him becoming the Trevor Ariza of the three-guard lineups, when he should actually be the Kendrick Nunn. Goran Dragic and Tyler Herro struggled on blow-by’s, while it shined light on the fact that Nunn should be the on-ball option. Herro got into a flow in the second quarter, once again, as an off-ball option. Some of his movement led to open space on the perimeter, which is what he will have to do until he becomes comfortable again on drives to the basket.

#3: Duncan Robinson doing the same thing he does every night. Oh, except shoot the deep ball well.

It may become a bit repetitive when reading about Duncan Robinson on everyone of these pieces, but truly, that just showcases his level of consistency since the trade deadline. He obviously didn’t shoot the ball well from deep tonight, but it’s so intriguing when watching the differences in his offensive sets. He’s running much more stuff out of the high pick and roll, which gives him much more room to navigate, and ultimately, forces him to drive more. And a driving Robinson isn’t the worst thing in the world, since he seems to be getting more and more comfortable in that area every night. When I asked Bam Adebayo about his decision making in those spots, he highlighted Robinson’s level of work everyday to improve, and that seems to be exactly it with this level of improvement.

#4: Mistimed third quarter decisions led to Miami’s drought.

It’s hard to pick out some of the small things when a team is just absolutely shooting the lights out, but there definitely were some signs in that third quarter that played a part. Bam Adebayo was having trouble on the boards, which led to an early insertion of Dewayne Dedmon, who always seems to give them good minutes offensively around the basket. The only issue with that was it was clear Miami was heading toward that surprising 2-2-1 press into a 2-3 zone, but they may have gone into that a bit too late in the quarter. When going zone, Dedmon probably isn’t the best big man option due to limited mobility, which forces the lower tier defensive assets to have more of a load. And that right there is the point of the zone, meaning that exact timing of subbing and defensive adjustment was a bit off in that stretch.

#5: This game was……well, predictable.

If there’s anything that is widely known about this Heat team, it’s that they truly rise up when facing the best teams in the NBA, while fall short against depleted rosters or lower tiered teams. Well, that’s what happened tonight, since they played like the team without two starters. The main theme of this game tonight was to instill a certain level of consistency after finally getting into a rhythm over the last few games. And even though shots were falling at a good rate throughout, everything else basically fell apart. A bad defensive performance, tough time on the boards, and an odd passing display with a team that usually looks so crisp with their ball movement. Jimmy Butler said a few weeks ago that you don’t know what team you’re going to get whenever they play, and that once again shows to be the case.

Five Takeaways from Chris Grier’s Pre-Draft Press Conference

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There are few things more pointless than an NFL general manager’s press conferences eight days before the draft. But that’s not stopping us all from trying to weed through the smoke like Ricky Williams trying to find any hint as to what Dolphins might do in the 2021 NFL draft. So without further ado, here are some of Chris Grier’s most notable comments from his 4/21 press conference..

Warning | All of this was said 8 days before the 2021 NFL Draft. Like EVERYTHING this time of the year, please take it with a grain of pink Himalayan sea salt.

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Grier’s opening speech was phenomenal.

I really don’t believe words can do it justice. So please, take a listen for yourself.

 

Trade up? Trade down? The Miami Dolphins are always open for business.

I will never pretend to know what the Miami Dolphins’ draft plans are, especially now that there’s a new regime in town. But one thing that was clear when the Dolphins traded up with the Philadephia Eagles, at least in my opinion anyway, is that they had their eye on a particular player or players that they believe will be drafted between picks 5-10. Grier reiterated that earlier today when he suggested it was important to get back up into the top-10.

But that doesn’t mean the team is done trading. Not one bit.

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Opt-Outs Don’t matter to Chris Grier and the Dolphins.

Rumblings were going around that the Miami Dolphins may or may not be interested in players that chose to sit out the 2020 season. That always seemed a bit silly, but Chris Grier himself decided to go Mythbusters when asked the question earlier today.

Sure, maybe this is all smoke and mirrors. But to think that Chris Grier or Brian Flores would pass on Micah Parsons, Penei Sewell, Ja’Marr Chase, or any talented player that may have opted out and fits what the team believes in because they didn’t play collegiately in 2020, is sadly mistaken. Nevertheless, it had to be asked and should give those Ja’Marr Chase stans plenty of hope if the Cincinnati Bengals were to pass on him at No.5.

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KVN is gone, and the youth movement has started

When the Dolphins released Kyle Van Noy, many people wondered why–including Kyle Van Noy himself. Some thought maybe there was more to the story, while others saw it for what it was–an opportunity for players like Andrew Van Ginkel, Vince Biegel, and even Jerome Baker to see more opportunities rushing the passer. Add in newly signed linebacker Brennan Scarlett and the inevitable rookie or two they add in next week’s draft. The position should be more than fine moving forward.

Tua Tagovailoa, No Matter What

Speaking of year two jumps, This saying has been going around Twitter for the better part of two years, and now with the draft eight days away, truer words have not been spoken. To hell with rumors of Deshaun Watson or PFF mock drafts suggesting Justin Fields or Zach Wilson at #3, this is Tua Tagovailoa’s team. And he’s been working hard AF all offseason long.

 

Chris Grier even went as far as admitting he saw some of the thirsty pictures of Tua, despite not really paying attention to social media. Good one, Chris. You and I both know your wallpaper is a photo of Tua Flexing like Big Poppa Pump. AND I’M SURE GRIER SHOWED ALL YOUR FRIENDS the video of Tua catching heavy wands while balancing on a skateboard as if he were Rodney Mullen or Tony Hawk.

 

I don’t remember what the point is anymore. Oh yes, Tua Tagovailoa is the Dolphins starting QB, whether you like it or not.

The Franchise

 

Dolphins Cardinals

Miami’s hopes all rest on Tagovailoa in 2021 and beyond

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The Miami Dolphins recorded a solid season in the 2020 campaign, taking a significant stride forward in Brian Flores’ second year at the franchise.

In his first term, Flores overcame a difficult start to end the 2019 season with a 5-11 record. The Dolphins snapped up Tua Tagovailoa in the 2020 Draft, with an eye to the future at the quarterback position, despite the presence of Ryan Fitzpatrick. After starting the 2020 season 0-2, Miami won 10 out of their remaining 14 games and narrowly missed out on a place in the playoffs. The franchise now has the opportunity to build behind Tua at quarterback.

And although the former Alabama Crimson Tide man endured struggles in his rookie term after overcoming a hip injury, Flores and company have staked their futures in the left hand of the quarterback to allow the franchise to become a competitive force in the AFC.

However, it will be far from straightforward, given the talent of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East and the potential return to prominence of the New England Patriots after a down year in 2020. The Dolphins are backed at +330 to win the AFC East in the Space Casino betting on football odds, with the Bills considered the leading contenders to retain the crown.

Miami has acquired further capital in the 2021 Draft that will allow them to bolster their roster after trading back from the third spot overall with the Houston Texans. The franchise has notched further first-round picks over the next two years, which will only stand them in good stead to add quality to a team that was stripped back to the screws in Flores’ first season.

The Dolphins are developing strength across their roster. The draft will demand an influx of talent at running back and wide receiver if the right player sits on the board. Will Fuller was signed during free agency to present Tagovailoa with a burner to stretch the field as he enjoyed during his college days. Allen Hurns and Albert Wilson should also return to the fold after missing the 2020 campaign. DeVante Parker is one of the best wideouts in the NFL when healthy, and an off-season of recovery may allow him to return to his peak form in the 2021 campaign.

The tight end room has promising talent led by Mike Gesicki, although a dream scenario could play out for the franchise to snag Florida Gators’ Kyle Pitts with the sixth-overall selection in the 2021 Draft. Pitts is widely regarded as the best player available in the selection process, and Miami could land a steal with a move for the tight end.

Surrounding Tagovailoa with talent has to be the key for the franchise. Miami were solid enough on their offensive line, while their defense under Flores has been stout. The NFL is trending towards powerhouses on the offensive side of the ball, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Bills highlighting the requirement to put 30 points on the board on a regular basis.

There will be a lot of pressure on Tagovailoa to live up to the billing at quarterback. The Dolphins have made sound moves around him and could bolster their roster still with exciting prospects, not only this season but in the years to come, too.

However, it all hinges on the play at the quarterback position. Flores and general manager Chris Grier made the bold move to trade away the third selection, which would have landed them one of the best quarterbacks in the 2021 Draft. They have put their faith in Tagovailoa, and he will need to deliver in the new campaign to drive the franchise into prominence in a tough AFC Conference.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Spurs

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The Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, expanding their win streak to 3 games. Bam Adebayo early on to Jimmy Butler mid-way through to Tyler Herro closing it out, while Herro’s fourth quarter explosion was very important for his near future. Anyway, here are five takeaways from this game…

#1: An early aggressive Bam Adebayo sighting.

Bam Adebayo came out in this game in a way that many people would want. Attacking the basket, trying to get to the line, and most importantly, capitalizing on the mid-range jumper. When playing against a drop scheme like this, that free throw jumper was available time and time again. Although Jimmy Butler’s passive ways early didn’t take advantage of that open space, Adebayo did, which ultimately allowed Duncan Robinson to flow in nicely per usual from the outside. Even smaller moments, like the second quarter poster dunk that was changed to a charge, shows the initiation he’s taking as the offensive focal point to play some “bully ball,” as Butler likes to call it.

#2: Getting a look at the Butler-Dedmon duo.

After Jimmy Butler missed the last two games and Dewayne Dedmon got significant minutes for the first time in that span, it meant tonight would be the first time we would see those two in action together. And as I talked about before the game, it didn’t disappoint, since the initial set when he checked in was a Butler-Dedmon PnR, leading to a Dedmon slam and a Butler assist. Miami has needed to stagger Butler and Adebayo’s minutes more and more lately, but adding a consistent back-up big for Butler to rely on is a much bigger deal than originally expected. Dedmon once again gave them some solid minutes, while showcasing his current shape due to the extra minutes Spoelstra is playing him game by game.

#3: Duncan Robinson improving decision making on the move.

It’s time to discuss the undercover areas of Duncan Robinson’s game, instead of talking about the obvious abilities with his shooting. I’ve also dove into his solid defensive rotations, the off-ball screening importance for their offense, and much more. But something that must be noted is his growing decisiveness when moving downhill. It wasn’t as important to bring up in the past since he didn’t get to the rim much, but that number has been increasing as time goes by. The 2 on 1’s created by PnR’s lead to Robinson choosing between that lob pass or laying it up with confidence, which he’s surprisingly been pretty good with around the rim. The reason this is so essential is due to him gaining that trust in his own abilities, which can spark even more growth in his game throughout the season.

#4: A defensive third quarter gets Miami back into this game.

The offense seemed like it was finally tailing off in the third quarter, just like it has in many spurts throughout this season. But during those stretches, it’s time to rely on your team’s identity, and that’s exactly what Miami did. Other than Adebayo’s continued dominance in this quarter, the headline was their defense locking in after the Spurs went on a run. The Spurs did not have a made field goal for about 5 minutes of basketball, which has a lot to do with the coaching side of things. Miami went into a soft press for many possessions, which then flowed into a 2-3 zone. An intriguing element to this zone tonight was that Robinson found himself at the top of it, which may seem to be an issue in the big picture, but it was the complete opposite tonight.

#5: A rough night for Trevor Ariza, but next man up mentality comes into play.

Trevor Ariza has found himself on most of these takeaway pieces since joining the team, but this was the first night that there were some down moments. He didn’t have the same offensive impact that he’s had lately, which is expected from a role, 3 and D player, but the issues actually came on the defensive end at times. Some blown rotations, lack of effort at times, and more seemed to jump off the screen, which is when KZ Okpala came into play. Okpala got minutes tonight due to Andre Iguodala being out, and the eye test said more about his performance than the stat-sheet. Shots weren’t falling throughout, but he really had some great defensive possessions and knocked down an important triple early in the fourth. It’s the motto of this team, and next man up was in full effect tonight.

Chris Grier isn't a perfect general manager, but he does not deserve to be fired.

Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier Addresses 2021 NFL Draft, Chauvin Verdict 

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In the windup to the 2021 NFL Draft, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier took time to address the media. A conversation that many expected to be exclusively about draft picks and free agency started off, however, with Grier’s prepared statement about the verdict in the (in)famous trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who killed George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by kneeling on his neck for nine minutes.

“For me, as an African-American, there was a sense of relief and sadness,” Grier, who is one of only five Black GMs in the NFL, said. “It’s 2021 and yet people of color are still asking for equality and justice… The justice system worked for people of color yesterday. However, we cannot forget that a life was lost.”

He went on to note the work that the Miami Dolphins organization has done in the South Florida community, specifically mentioning owner Stephen Ross, head coach Brian Flores (who is also Black), Dolphins CEO and President Tom Garfinkel, and Dolphins’ players as a whole. 

“We have the opportunity to make things better for everyone in our country,” Grier said. “It’s encouraging to hear the number of white people in big companies willing to be uncomfortable and speak out against systematic racism. There are a lot of good law enforcement officials who want change for the better…. We need to support them as well.”

Grier also mentioned the recent attacks against Asia-Americans and Pacific Islanders in his speech, before the talk moved to the draft.

The GM didn’t hand out many interesting tidbits but did say that the ‘Fins would be willing to move out of the No. 6 spot if an “aggressive pitch” was offered to them. The Dolphins originally owned the No. 3 pick in the draft but dropped three places after two blockbuster deals with the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles that garnered them significant draft capital for years to come. Grier expressed “zero regret” about these trades, seemingly sure that whoever the Dolphins want at three will still be available at six.

“We’re not afraid to make picks,” he said. “We have great confidence that this coaching staff has shown that they can develop players and get the best out of them.”

He also added that the team will not be holding opt-outs against those college players who chose not to play in the 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns.  

Most analysts and fans seem to agree that Grier and co. will be using their No. 6 pick on Alabama receiver Devonta Smith, Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, or LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase, any of whom would provide sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with a much-needed offensive weapon. Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell has also been connected with the Dolphins.

The 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland will be televised on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network beginning with the first round on Thursday, April 29th at 8pm. 

The Immediate Rise of Dewayne Dedmon

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“They were in need of a big and a rim protector, so I felt this opportunity was right for me.”

That’s what Dewayne Dedmon said when he first spoke to media after joining the team less than two weeks ago. The initial takeaway when things like this were said, was that explosive rim protectors and interior forces aren’t usually found on the buyout market, especially when looking for immediate production.

But well, Dedmon has been all that and more in his first two games played with the team. In his first game as the back-up big against Brooklyn, he scored 10 points on 100% efficiency on 1 field goal attempt. Yes, you read that correctly.

Eight for eight from the free-throw line did not seem Dedmon-like, but getting to the charity stripe 8 times definitely did. He’s a force on the offensive boards, meaning those battles down low lead to many fouls, and more importantly, extra opportunities for their offense.

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In his second game in this role, it was clearly different than the night before. The Heat were without Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro, while still keeping his role as Precious Achiuwa slid up to that starting spot. Dedmon contributed 12 points off the bench on 75% shooting, this time around with 8 shot attempts. Although it’s a small sample size, the clear thing is that his stat-line will look pretty much the same every night, which is exactly what they’ve missed.

When I asked Dedmon about Adebayo before his first game, as well as filling his shoes when he exits the floor, he responded, “I’m not Bam. I’m not looking to come in here and do what Bam does. I come in here and try to fill a defensive void that I feel like they need.” And he’s filled much more than just a defensive void on this team so far.

When Miami was evaluating their back-up big spot a few months ago, the thought process was to have an Adebayo-like player, in Precious Achiuwa, who is also an undersized big with a lot of energy. That hasn’t progressed nicely up until this point, which led to Miami going into the total opposite direction. A lengthy, veteran, rebounding, rim protecting big, which is obviously not Achiuwa at this stage.

A huge issue for Miami throughout the season was the non-Adebayo minutes, which was why the on-off numbers for him were so outrageous. It partly has to do with Adebayo’s unique self, facilitating the offense whenever he’s on the floor, while switching 1 through 5 on the defensive end. But it mostly had to do with the drop-off behind him, since it seemed the team was just praying to stay afloat whenever Adebayo needed a breather.

But that’s not the worry anymore. They’ve got a guy that they seem to trust, and it hasn’t even been two weeks since he joined the team. When Erik Spoelstra talked about him after the last game, he said, “He’s a savvy veteran. He’s a big muscle defender, extra effort guy. He can fit into a lot of different systems like he has, and he’s been a starter for several years, so we were thrilled to get him at this time of year.”

The key word in that quote was “system,” since finding a guy that can plug into their schemes this late into the season was a very important element to rounding out this year’s roster. The next evaluation period for Dedmon will come when Butler finally hits the floor again, since we’ve yet to see that tandem work the offense when Spoelstra is staggering Butler and Adebayo.

And if there’s one thing that is known about Butler, it’s that he elevates high IQ veterans like Dedmon whenever he hits the floor. Obviously, Miami has some other issues to straighten out before getting into post-season mode, but at least they can check off one of those things with the latest Dedmon acquisition.