Miami Heat’s draft night gets busier

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Refresh our memories.

When is the last time the Miami Heat were the team giving up cash considerations?

Maybe it’s happened recently, but it doesn’t come to mind. The Heat have been in cost-saving, more than cost-adding, mode since the middle of the Big Three era — but apparently they like some of the prospects in this draft enough to pony up a little.

Here’s the trade they just made:

What’s interesting about this deal is that the Heat have done such an incredible job of developing undrafted players of late that it hasn’t seemed necessary to stockpile second round picks.

But apparently, the Heat scouts are intrigued by the depth in this year’s draft. And they also may see a need. The team’s depth, particularly in the backcourt, has already been thinned by the cost-related subtractions of Rodney McGruder, Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington — plus the retirement of Dwyane Wade.

Look for coverage from American Airlines Arena — on this website and on podcasts — from myself (Ethan Skolnick) and Alphonse Sidney. That will include a recap of Pat Riley’s remarks, which now figure to occur early Friday morning, when everything is over.

Lionel Messi and Barcelona will play in Miami again this summer

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Lionel Messi and Barcelona will play at Hard Rock Stadium once again, two years after we witnessed a summer edition of El Clasico in Miami.

Barcelona will face Napoli at Hard Rock Stadium on August 7th and soccer fans in our city will have the opportunity to see two of the best teams of European club soccer.

The last time Barcelona played here, they still had Neymar in their roster, and there have been a lot of rumors that the Brazilian striker could be back with the team by the end of this summer.

So, maybe, we get to see Neymar here too again.

James Rodriguez will not stay at Real Madrid, and many Colombians are not happy because of that. However, there have been many reports linking James to Napoli, Barcelona’s rival in that friendly match at Hard Rock Stadium in August.

Barcelona coming back to the US

The club informed that FC Barcelona preseason will be divided into two parts this summer. Several months ago it was announced that the first team will be playing two games in Japan against Chelsea in Tokyo (July 23) and Vissel Kobe in Kobe (July 27), and it has now been announced there will be two further games in August in the United States against Napoli for a newly created trophy, the LaLiga Serie A Cup, to be contested between teams from the Spanish and Italian leagues, in this case the champions of the former and the runners-up from the latter.

This will be the ninth time that FC Barcelona visits the United States, and the third year in a row. In 2017, the team played three games in New York, Washington and Miami, and last year switched from the east to the west coast and played in Los Angeles, Dallas and San Francisco, as well as a training camp in Portland, where they were joined for the first time on tour by the women’s team.

More News:

David Beckham is still one of the owners of Inter Miami

David Beckham no ha vendido sus acciones en el Inter Miami

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David Beckham sigue siendo uno de los dueños del Internacional de Miami.

Jurgen Mainka, chief business officer, desmientió el rumor sobre la venta de acciones de David Beckham en el Internacional de Miami en el programa radial Rush Deportivo con Ricardo Montes de Oca y Leandro Soto en la 990 ESPN Deportes

“Es simple y claro. El diario AS está incorrecto. Beckham no ha vendido ninguna de sus acciones. Ya conversamos con el diario, y ya ha publicado nuestro punto de vista. No lo han impulsado igual, pero pueden verlo en su portal. Según ellos, les llegó por una fuente, pero es totalmente incorrecta, errónea,” dijo Mainka.

David Beckham había estado en Miami hace unas semanas en los primeros duelos interescuadras en Broward, y ahora se encuentra en Europa trabajando en conseguir posibles jugadores para el equipo, que debuta en la MLS en 2020.

Estos veranos hay mucha acción de futbol y estamos siguiendo de cerca todas las competiciones que se están disputando

David Beckham y los planes en el Freedom Park

Hace una semana el Inter le envió la propuesta de contrato a la ciudad de Miami para lo que será el Miami Freedom Park.

Mainka dio los detalles del nuevo parque, que va mas allá del estadio de fútbol profesional, e invitó a la fanaticada del Sur de Florida a visitar la página miamifreedompark.com para conocer todos los detalles.

Ricardo Montes de Oca y Leandro Soto are breaking news nowadays, and you can check them out listening to Cinco Razones Podcast with Alejandro Villegas clicking here. 

Marlins’ Zac Gallen to Make MLB Debut Tomorrow

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The Miami Marlins are calling up one of their top pitching prospects in Zac Gallen to pitch in place of Pablo Lopez who will be placed on the injured list. The report came from a reddit post found by @r_LetsGoFish on twitter and was later confirmed by reporter and radio host @Craig Mish.

Gallen has been absolutely dominating the Pacific Coast League which, in all fairness, is known for hitting their home runs. In 91.1 innings this year in Triple-A New Orleans, Gallen has only given up ten home runs to opposing hitters. That’s not his only impressive stat from his time down in Triple-A.

Gallen holds a 9-1 record with a 1.77 ERA in 14 games started for the Baby Cakes. He has a 112 to 17 strikeout to walk ratio and opposing hitters are hitting for a measly .155 average when he’s on the mound.

He’s very effective in limiting traffic on the base paths as he holds a 0.71 WHIP during his tenure in the minors.

Gallen’s last start came on June 14th so the sudden trip to the injured list for Pablo Lopez works out conveniently for Gallen and for the Marlins. He will have had the full five days of rest. Lopez did miss time at the beginning and towards the end of the season last year with a shoulder issue and seems as if he will be placed on the IL with possibly another shoulder issue.

Although not confirmed yet of the extent of the injury, it looks like it will be an unfortunate stay on the injured list for Lopez.

Gallen was traded to the Marlins along with Sandy Alcantara and Magneuris Sierra in the trade that sent Marcell Ozuna to St. Louis. He is the Marlins’ #5 ranked prospect in their top 30 and we are going to see a glimpse into the future tomorrow night. Who will Gallen be facing tomorrow? None other than his old organization in the Cardinals.

He will go head to head with long time veteran Cardinals’ pitcher Adam Wainwright and it’s going to be a fun one to watch.

Miami Dolphins 2019 – Best Case Scenario: Offensive Position Players

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People say Miami is in a ‘rebuild year’, but does a ‘rebuilding team’ have an Offense like this?

  • Josh Rosen: Josh Rosen outplays Ryan Fitzpatrick and wins the starting job for Week 1 after an impressive Preseason. Rosen makes the Pro Bowl thanks to leading Miami to a 9-win season and because Tom Brady was forced to bow out for the Super Bowl.

    Pro Bowl or Bust for Josh Rosen who knows Miami is not afraid to Draft a QB in Round 1 of next year’s draft.

  • Kenyan Drake: Drake finally becomes the leading tailback that Adam Gase was reluctant to unleash. Drake rushes for 1,500+ yards with 12 TDs and finishes as a Top 10 Fantasy Running Back.
  • Kalen Ballage: Ballage mixes in well with Kenyan Drake, spelling him after his monster gains. Ballage plays the role of ‘goaline back’ while handling short-yardage situations and even vultures himself into 6+ TDs.
  • Kenny Stills: Stills gets his best passing teammate since Drew Brees. With all-around ability, Stills proves early that he’s capable of catching 100+ balls and 10+ touchdowns and is traded mid-season to the Steelers for a 3rd Round pick.
  • DeVante Parker: DeVante finally catches 100+ balls, plays all 16 games and gets NFL-wide buzz for his highlight reel catches and for being compared to A.J Green.
  • Preston Williams: Defenses cant keep up with the Parker + Williams tandem. Williams, reminiscent of a young Randy Moss, gets loose after the catch by creating space, breaking tackles and plays seamlessly. Miami fans become very excited about their Free Agent steal and soon to be star.

    Kenny Stills becomes a luxury for Miami after standout performances from his teammates.

  • Mike Gesicki: Gesicki averages 8 catches a game, becoming Rosen’s #1 safety blanket. Gesicki’s Redzone awareness and acrobatic ways earns him 8+ touchdowns and a Pro Bowl nod.
  • Jakeem Grant: Not just a Kick Returner, Grant will make his money off freakish speed, improved hands, big gains and season-long durability.
  • Albert Wilson: Wilson was on pace for a Pro Bowl season last year before his season-ending hip injury. Look for Wilson to be the glue that keeps the entire Dolphins offense flexing. Wilson will be clutch on 3rd down, hit multiple long runs and continue to improve the team’s culture.
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick: ‘FitzMagic’ will see the field when he relieves Rosen in blow out Wins against his former teams: Jets, Bills and Bengals.

Many (including myself) believe Preston Williams is a candidate to become your new favorite player.

  Where will you be when this all plays out?

Hurricanes’ Running Backs big on Potential, Short on Experience

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The Miami Hurricanes enter the 2019 season with many questions, as do a lot of teams.

Uncertainty at the quarterback position looms, but there is time to figure out the starter.

Meanwhile the running back room has seen a lot of transition.

Beyond entrenched junior DeeJay Dallas there are many unproven underclassmen.

Dallas led the team with 1260 all-purpose yards in a breakout sophomore campaign, and will likely be a larger part of the offense this year.

 

Then Who?

After Dallas on the depth chart there are many questions, but the answers could be exciting and productive.

Sophomore Lorenzo Lingard showed flashes in limited action as a true freshman, averaging eight yards per carry in six games. A leg injury derailed his season but the big play potential is there.

Lingard finished 2018 with 17 carries for 136 yards and two scores. including a 64-yard scamper. He was a top recruit from not only the state of Florida but nationally as well, Lingard can be an excellent compliment to Dallas with his quickness.

Camron Harris enters the year with a similar profile to Lingard, except that his season ended better than it started. Another local product out of Carol City High, Harris was a four-star prospect when he committed to the Hurricanes, he finished with 166 yards on 28 carries (5.9 avg) last season and came on late in the year.

Latest UM Hurricanes Recruiting Outlook

Lingard and Harris should compete for the carries that don’t go to Dallas, each brings a change of pace to the offense. Their inexperience may be a factor, especially with a new quarterback trying to find his way as well.

Dallas is an exemplary teammate and should help mentor both, along with sophomore Robert Burns who fills out the depth chart. Burns is another highly recruited player from Miami out of Gulliver Prep.

If the Hurricanes can get complimentary contributions from their depth backs, along with another productive season from Dallas, this could be a group to watch.

 

 

Five Reasons

LeBron James again dumps young players, gets his guy

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Somewhere Andrew Wiggins is chucking a bad shot, and smiling.

Just as he did in Cleveland, LeBron James has traded in the future for the present. Patience, as he’s admitted, is not his thing. This time, he did give his new young teammates a season, and it was a brutal one. This time his role in the departure of said young players was more direct, since his agent Rich Paul engineered Anthony Davis’ exit from New Orleans. But just as was the case when the Cavaliers dumped Wiggins for veteran Kevin Love upon James’ arrival, the Chosen One has chosen to go for the now rather than the later.

And who can blame him.

He’s bionic, but he’s now 34, and we saw him start to break down just a bit last season, even if his numbers were exceptionally strong.

Here are the details of this deal, and the devil is in those, since  two of the three first round picks shouldn’t be very high.

It’s not forever, however, even if you’d assume Davis would want to stay.

Why didn’t Boston get him?

Well, you knew this was coming.

Danny Ainge is the king of close calls, and somewhat questionable refusals.

Now James must deliver. The Warriors are reeling, the Rockets have holes (and may move Chris Paul) and there doesn’t seem to be another clear power in the West.

James went to Los Angeles for reasons beyond basketball.

Now maybe, with arguably the best sidekick he’s ever had (different than Dwyane Wade, with less duplication) he can get back to it.

And it means that Miami is still the only place where he wasn’t engineering personnel moves. At least not so many of them.

Marlins Possible Trade Candidates Hurt or Not Producing

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The Marlins recently placed infielder Martin Prado (hamstring) and starting pitcher Jose Urena (herniated disc) on the injured list and it’s not looking good for trade possibility at the July 31st deadline. The Marlins now have a total of 10 players on the injured list, half of them being pitchers and the rest being position players.

 

The biggest blow being felt by the Marlins is the loss of Jose Urena. Urena was gaining trade interest from multiple teams that are considered to be contenders for a postseason run this year. With him being moved to the 60-day IL, it makes it practically impossible to move him and to receive a return well worth it. (Credit to @DuseReport)

In 13 games started this season, Urena is 4-7 with a 4.70 ERA in 74.1 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts. Teams are most likely looking at Urea’s ability to accumulate innings throughout the season. During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, he pitched more than 165 innings and started more than 30 games.

 

Neil Walker who is also on the IL with a right quadriceps strain, is also a very possible trade candidate. His injury is less significant than Urena’s so it’s possible he comes back before the July 31st deadline. In 51 games played this season, Walker is batting a .295 average with four home runs and 14 RBIs. He is one of the three veterans that was brought in on a one year deal so it could be a very productive trade when the time comes to deal him.

 

The other two veterans just simply aren’t producing enough to get back a good enough prospect package. Sergio Romo in 23 games has a 5.48 ERA, not the production you want from a possible trade candidate and Curtis Granderson has been pretty bad too. In 58 games, Granderson is batting an awful .184 average with seven homers and 17 RBIs. (Credit to @DuseReport)

The only true value these guys have brought to the young team is their experience. They can help the younger players get through the hiccups that they may face throughout the long season by being their mentor. Perfect example of Curtis Granderson giving insight to Marlins’ 2019 2nd round draft pick Nasim Nunez. (Credit to @FernandezAndreC)

Another thought on Miami Heat’s draft options

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From our new contributor Jaccare Givens, as we continue to engage the Five Reasons Sports community. We will be compiling these and posting them leading up to the NBA Draft on June 20:

 

With the NBA draft seven days away let’s look at 3 prospects for the Miami Heat to draft at number 13 in the 2019 NBA draft. The Miami Heat’s main objectives should be to draft the right player, but also to avoid drafting guys who are redundant to what they already have on the current roster. For example, the Heat should stay away from a player like P.J. Washington because he has a lot of characteristics of a Bam Adebayo or Derrick Jones Jr. and that was one of the Heat’s major problems last year with the roster too many alike players at the same position.

I do understand that this draft class isn’t deep but players such Kawhi Leonard and Giannis have been drafted in the back end of the lottery and turn into great players. In my opinion, the Heat need to take a high potential player who can be an All- Star or a player who can be instant offense an average 20-25 points per game. In general, they just need a player who can develop into the next D-Wade as a franchise player and can be the best player on a championship team.

 My top 3 prospects for the Heat in the 2019 NBA draft are:

 

1. Cam Reddish: 6’8 Guard with a 7-1 wingspan, who can flat out shoot the basketball he has an effortless shooting stroke and at times can be a great defender. He was very overlooked at Duke but I think he has the most potential out of all of the Duke prospects in the draft to be a immediate contributor, he can be a better version of Paul George because he’s already a better offensive talent then Paul George was as a rookie. My biggest concern with Reddish is that he’s very aloof at times on the court but I think being in a system like the Miami Heat he can develop into a superstar level player because they have the foundation and coaches to get the best out of their players.

 

2. Kevin Porter Jr.: Can be an elite scorer at the NBA level he’s a 6’6 SG crafty scorer and draws comparisons to James Harden.  He will be a lottery pick strictly based off potential because before he entered college many in NBA Draft circles had him going in the TOP 5. I will say this he can be one the big steals in the draft because he’s falling due to character concerns but I don’t have that issue with Porter JR. because he’s a young kid so yes he won’t make the best decisions at the present moment so we can give him a pass because he will mature as he gets older.

 

3. Bol-Bol: Based off purely measurables and game he should be a top 3 pick a 7’2 center who can stretch the floor and handle the ball with a 7’8 wingspan. He’s the definition of a boom or bust prospect because you can hit big with him or lose it all with the pick. If you can develop him, you have an unstoppable force at the 5 because his skill set would be unmatched and hard to defend for anyone. His length and height can make him an excellent defender and rim protector. He does have to develop his game more and also put on weight and he did have a foot injury that derail his college career and guys his size are know to have foot issues i.e. Yao Ming which foot injuries end his career and Joel Embiid did as well that stopped him from playing his first two years in the NBA. We do hope the kid has a healthy NBA career no matter where he lands. In all if Bol Bol lands in the right system that team gets a player with All-Star potential.

 

Marlins deal with more injuries but help is on the way

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For a time longer than any other team in baseball, the Marlins had the luxury of throwing out their Opening Day starting rotation without any interference. During the time they posted a 3.88 ERA, which puts them fifth in the National league behind only the Reds (3.68), Nationals (3.68), Cubs (3.67) and Dodgers (2.73), and a 1.82 ERA in the last 14 home games.

“I always say, you never have enough starting pitching,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “You know going into that stretch, we kept hearing, ‘The Marlins have only used five starters.’ It’s like, ‘I’m glad we only used five, but I wished they would stop tempting the baseball gods, because shortly thereafter, Caleb (Smith) comes up with the hip inflammation, and now Jose (Urena) with his back. It just speaks to the need of depth, and having guys ready to step in.”

Caleb Smith’s time on the injured list may be temporarily but Jose Urena has been extended to at least August by being moved from the 10-Day to 60-Day IL due to a herniated disc. It was originally reported as a lower back strain.

“Obviously, that’s not the news we wanted to hear, but we’ll get him taken care of and get him back on track,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “It’s something we’ll deal with — he’ll deal with. Once this this thing calms down, we’ll get him back and see where this thing goes.”

Urena was the Marlins Opening Day starting pitcher for both this year and last year. He went 4-7 with a 4.70 ERA in 74 2/3 innings during 13 starts before the injury. He was viewed as a potential mid-season trade piece but his time in the IL wont end until after the trade deadline.

Corner infielder Martin Prado was also placed on the 10-Day IL after he left Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals due to a tight hamstring. The 35-year-old captain was .239/.264/.303 with one home run and 12 RBIs in 51 games prior to the injury. He has not played more than 54 games since signing a three-year, $40 million extension after the 2016 season, his last healthy year.

In his place comes Yadiel Rivera. He batted .171 in 111 games as a rookie for the Marlins last season but was hitting .318/.333/.516 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs this season in Triple-A New Orleans. He went 1-for-4 in his season debut in a 11-0 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. He is more known for his glove than his bat.

There are other infielders in the injured list that are on their way to returning soon. Before Friday’s game, Neil Walker (right quad strain), Jon Berti (left oblique strain) and Peter O’Brien (bruised left rib) were going through infield drills and batting practice. A minor league rehab assignment will soon follow, with Walker likely being the first one to go.

This is where the advantage of having a minor league affiliate nearby comes into play. The Florida State League has its All-Star Game on Saturday in Jupiter at the Marlins spring training facility. Starting Monday, the Jupiter Hammerheads, the Marlins Single-A affiliate, play the Palm Beach Cardinals at West Palm Beach and host the next two series through June 27. That would be the perfect time to send Walker and the others up to Jupiter for a rehab assignment and then return to Miami as soon as the next homestand.