Scenes from a Miami Heat lottery party

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We didn’t win….

But we didn’t lose!

The Miami Heat had about the same chance to jump into the top 4 of Tuesday’s NBA Draft lottery as they did to drop from No. 13 to 14. And they didn’t do either. They stayed at No. 13. Which should count as a small victory for our beleaguered Five Reasons Sports Network.

But you won’t let us. So call it 0-10 for watch parties. Even so, we had a great time at Tap 42 in Midtown Miami, and will be back if they will have us. The Miami Heat Beat guys even recorded a rambling 55-minute podcast that I crashed.

You can find that here……

Here are some scenes from the party, as we filled up a back room with some overflow.

Harold Ramírez y su oportunidad de oro con los Marlins

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Harold Ramírez llegó a punta de batazos a Grandes Ligas. Esa es la realidad.

La poca fanaticada que aún sigue a los Marlins ha sufrido de una de los peores comienzos ofensivos de una alineación que se recuerden en la corta historia de esta franquicia.

Ramírez ganó el título de bateo en Doble A la temporada pasada con la sucursal de los Azulejos de Toronto, y luego fue campeón bate en Venezuela con los Leones del Caracas.

Harold Ramírez conversa con el dominicano Willy Adames, de los Rays de Tampa, antes del primer duelo de la serie entre Marlins y Rays en el Marlins Park, en el juego que marca el debut en las Grandes Ligas del colombiano Ramírez en su estadio / Foto de Alejandro Villegas

Llegó en Febrero con la oportunidad de ganarse un puesto en el roster del equipo grande, pero tuvo que volver a las menores con el pesar de que al parecer, todavía no estaba listo.

Sin embargo, su actuación con los New Orleans Baby Cakes le abrió la puerta al big show, y finalmente pudo hacer su debut en la capital del mundo: Nueva York.


Ramírez recibió el llamado como medida de urgencia de la gerencia de los Marlins para tratar de brindar algo de producción ofensiva, que ha sido un lamento en lo que va de temporada.

Si quiere deprimirse, puede leer este trabajo que hicimos al respecto:

El colombiano de Cartagena es el nuevo integrante de los Marlins de Miami. El tercer jugador de esa nacionalidad en unirse al roster activo de los Marlins, un record para los colombianos en la gran carpa.

Tuvimos la oportunidad de conversar con Harold Ramírez antes del primer duelo de la serie de dos juegos ante los Rays de Tampa.

Harold nos contó todo sobre su llamado, su debut en Grandes Ligas en Nueva York, lo que pensó al enfrentar a Jacob DeGrom, ganador del premio Cy Young de 2018, en su primer turno como grandeliga y lo que significa para Colombia la presencia de tres colombianos en el roster:

Ramírez ya se sacudió los nervios, y afirma no sentir presión, a pesar de que es bastante claro que su presencia en este nivel se debe a que puede ser productivo con el bate.

Los Marlins lo necesitan. O necesitan un bate productivo como lo ha sido Ramírez en todas las ligas que ha jugado antes de llegar a las mayores.

Creo que pocos lo colocamos en el lineup del futuro de los Marlins, pero si logra producir en esta oportunidad que está recibiendo, es probable que sea considerado para las temporadas siguientes, cuando sea el momento de competir de verdad para Miami.

 

Disfruta de nuestro episodios en Cinco Razones Podcast haciendo click en este link.

Latest 3 Yards Per Carry: Thrones, Howard, Twitter Q&A

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Three Yards Per Carry: episode 2.74

Simon Clancy, Chris Kouffman and Alf Arteaga dove into season eight of Game of Thrones, Xavien Howard’s record breaking contract extension and answered some Twitter questions in Monday’s episode of 3 Yards Per Carry.

The guys kicked off the podcast with a fiery debate about Game of Thrones’ latest episode and season eight, in general. The guys have been supporters of the controversial season despite backlash from fans. Chris had trouble with how Daenerys became the Mad Queen, citing the bell-tower scene where her emotions boiled into madness and the burning of Kings Landing didn’t seem satisfying enough. Despite this, Simon was fascinated with the symbolism of the final scene regarding Arya and the white horse. He believes Arya is death, and the scene is foreshadowing a final showdown between her and Dany. Expectations are high for the final episode of the series, with predictions from the guys varying from Jon Snow returning north of the wall to Bran sitting on the Throne. The guys finish the segment with a few NFL and Game of Thrones comparisons: Arya is Bill Belichick, Dany is Urban Meyer, Tyrion is Adam Gase and Cersei is Nick Saban.

The guy’s shifted gears to the Dolphins and Xavien Howard’s recently signed five-year, $75,250,000 contract. All were in agreement that the deal for the first-team All Pro cornerback was a good deal for Miami. His trajectory continues rising and if he can stay healthy, the deal could be well worth the cost in the coming years. Chris goes into Brian Flores’ coaching tactics in New England and how he can bring his matchup heavy defense to Miami with Howard as a focal point at corner.

From Howard to mail time, the guys went straight into Twitter and took questions from fans about the Dolphins future, the coaching staff and what they’re most excited about this season. Minkah Fitzpatrick, recently drafted Christian Wilkins and Howard were seen by the guys as the only locks on the defense that Miami can build around long-term. Bobby McCain was a fourth player mentioned by Alf who could flourish in a Flores’ system and could be used down the line.

The guys dove into Dave DeGuglielmo and his return to the Dolphins’ coaching staff as an offensive line analyst, where he’ll assist offensive line coach Pat Flaherty. They agreed it was a good addition to the staff, and his presence could only help Miami moving forward. They shifted to the skill positions and debated just how good this Dolphins’ wide receiving corp could become under the new offense. Albert Wilson seems like the guy with the highest ceiling for a breakout season, while DeVante Parker is given another chance to prove that he can compete at the high level he’s expected. With a rebuild brewing, the guys agreed that this offseason has them most excited for next season with a potential top-pick, around $100 million in cap space, and two picks in every round, except the first round, of next year’s draft coming Miami’s way in 2020.  

To listen to Monday’s episode, check out the link below.

https://threeyardspercarry.podbean.com/e/3ypc-got-howard-twitter-qa-episode-274/

Josh Rosen discusses overcoming the negative perception about him during his introductory news conference with the Miami Dolphins. (Craig Davis)

All Hail the Hebrew Hammer… or Chosen Rosen

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A new era of Miami Dolphins football starts Tuesday in Davie.

P.T.

That doesn’t stand for Post Traumatic, though it could.

It stands for Post Tannehill.

Ryan is in Tennessee, failing to feel pressure in the pocket, and a new sheriff is in town.

A sheriff who may celebrate the Sabbath.

Tuesday, the media will get their first close-up look at Josh Rosen in a Dolphins uniform, and we will have full coverage from camp. Hopefully, he will not express his concern for protecting the environment, for fear of angering a Dolphins beat writer.

Rosen is the strong favorite to be the starter this season, because he cost the Dolphins a second-round pick and because it doesn’t make much sense to start a 37-year-old like Ryan Fitzpatrick who might go on one of his weird hot streaks that cost draft spots. His new coach, Brian Flores, has welcomed him with some carefully crafted words, speaking last week about how he wants players to “want to know the why,” a trait that has been attributed to Rosen by many as a negative.

Also, Rosen has the best nickname on the team, better than even FitzMagic.

Or Chosen Rosen.

Well, it’s not really his nickname — it’s Ryan Braun’s — but who cares?

Let our Chris Joseph of Ballscast introduce it.

Tuesday, at last, it’s Hammer Time.

NBA Lottery Watch Party! Tuesday, 7 p.m.

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We will win one of these eventually.

It probably won’t be Tuesday night, when the Miami Heat have a 4.8 percent chance to get in the top 4 of the 2019 NBA Draft — and a 1 percent chance of the top pick, which could mean Duke forward Zion Williamson.

But we’re trying anyway.

We will hold our 11th official Five Reasons Sports watch party, this one co-sponsored with Miami Heat Beat.

This one will start at 7 p.m., at Tap 42 in Midtown Miami.

tap 42 midtown 2

The address is 3252 NE 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33137.

The lottery is 8:30pm., with the start of the Western Conference Finals (Warriors vs. Blazers) after.

We will have free appetizers. You buy your own beer to drink away your sorrows, when the Heat slip from No. 13 to No. 14 simply because we are there (that happens if the Boston Celtics, via the Sacramento Kings, jump into the top 4).

To follow the event, go to….

Facebook-  Tap 42 MIAMI
Instagram – @tap42bar
twitter- @tap42bar

NBA’s Final Four followed the path Heat taking

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The Miami Heat, as currently constituted, are nowhere near the NBA’s Conference Finals.

They weren’t as good as any of the bottom four teams in the East’s playoff bracket — and none of those teams, after Victor Oladipo was injured for Indiana, were all that good.  But, at the very least, there is some validation of Miami’s recent approach, which has been to build from the middle rather than break it all down and sink to the bottom.

Toronto, Milwaukee, Portland and even Golden State rose to prominence with picks outside the top 5.

The Raptors started their rise with the drafting of DeMar DeRozan ninth overall in 2009; eventually DeRozan was flipped for Kawhi Leonard, taken 15th by San Antonio. New star Pascal Siakam was taken 27th.

The Bucks? Giannis was 15th also. Khris Middleton, scrapped by Detroit, was a second rounder. Brook Lopez went 10th to the Nets. Eric Bledsoe was 24th.

The Blazers? Their excellent backcourt came into the league at No. 6 (Dame Lillard) and No. 10 (CJ McCollum).

Then there are the Warriors. And we know it’s unfair now, as long as former No. 2 overall pick Kevin Durant is healthy. But the original base of the squad was constructed with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, all of whom should have been drafted higher than they were, with Curry (7) the highest.

The point is, you can build through the middle. Denver, which nearly got to the West Final, has done it as well as anyone. Philadelphia, which was a shot from the East Final, has done it the other way — but Phoenix has tried that way and its only elite player is a guy the Suns took 11th (Devin Booker). None of the other players, picked higher than the players in the posted tweet, are as good at the moment as anyone on that list.

And Miami has done well in the middle with three picks, all of which have outperformed their draft slots as compared to the other players in that draft, whether Justise Winslow at 10, or Bam Adebayo at 14, or especially Josh Richardson at 40 — Richardson has been the third most productive player in his draft so far.

So even if our Lottery Draft Party (at Tap 42 in Midtown Miami) is a spectacular failure, and Miami slips from No. 13 to No. 14 rather than moving up, it still can land a quality player. And get the narrative of team-building back in its favor.

 

Tropicana Field lights out in Yankees-Rays series finale

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Tropicana Field wanted to celebrate Mothers Day before Sunday’s game between Yankees and Rays.

Lights in the stadium went dark while Rays reliever Austin Pruitt was warming up to face the Yankees in the top of the ninth inning in the third game of the weekend series in St. Petersburg.

These are some of the videos of what happened while the lights were out. Enjoy:

Spo’s Old Rival now Coaching LeBron? Fun.

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During the battles of the Big 3 era, Erik Spoelstra tended to trade platitudes with other coaches, particularly during the playoffs.

He didn’t trade many with Frank Vogel.

Even though they came from similar backgrounds — the video room — there was little warmth. Talk to former Heat players and they’ll tell you that Spoelstra had an occasional expletive for the then-Pacers coach. And you may recall that Spoelstra — and even Pat Riley, in a statement — objected to the Pacers’ tactics against LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in particular. (None of those tactics worked, of course, as the Heat beat Indiana in three straight playoff series.)

Spoelstra did take up for Vogel a couple of times, first when there was speculation about Vogel’s job following the Heat’s win in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, and later when Vogel was fired by the Pacers…

Vogel moved on to Orlando, and it was a disaster, as it’s been for most coaches until Steve Clifford there. LeBron, of course, moved on as well, and now he’s moved again, to Los Angeles.

And now Vogel is his coach???

Someone he never really praised — like he praised, say, Brad Stevens or Doc Rivers — while he was with the Heat?

This doesn’t seem sustainable, given LeBron’s history but also given the presence of world class backstabber Jason Kidd, someone LeBron admires.

With Magic Johnson out, Rob Pelinka rising, Kurt Rambis contributing and now Kidd lurking behind Vogel, the Lakers situation does not seem salvageable for LeBron — unless his former Cavs GM David Griffin trades him Anthony Davis. Which Griffin is too smart to do for nothing.

Demand a trade to Miami, Bron. We left a key for you.

Brian Flores keeps QB door open at first rookie minicamp

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Josh Rosen isn’t on the field yet.

Neither is Ryan Fitzpatrick.

That will happen Monday, for the first official day of OTAs, when two quarterbacks 15 years apart compete for a job that should go to Rosen, unless he’s awful.

Still, new coach Brian Flores — in typical Patriots style — isn’t giving anything away yet.

Asked prior to the first day of rookie minicamp whether Fitzpatrick would get a fair shot to start, Flores indicated the journeyman — last of Tampa Bay — would.

Flores doesn’t say a whole lot — he likes first round pick Christian Wilkins’s energy, for instance — but he did have a really good sound bite at the very end.

One of Adam Gase’s issues was that he knew everything, and that wore on players and media. He could not be questioned. If something went wrong, there was some silly excuse. Finally, the Dolphins front office got as tired of that as the players did.

Flores seems to take a different approach.

Here’s an example:

He added that if players aren’t asking why the Dolphins are doing something, that means they are disengaged, and that’s not what he wants.

It may take some time for the Dolphins to be competitive, but the mindset appears to be better — at least at the start.

Moves are coming in the shaky Marlins outfield

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Harold Ramírez could be finally getting the call to make his debut in the majors sometime soon.

The Miami Marlins keep struggling offensively after losing three out of four games at Wrigley Field in which they scored only 11 runs, and hit just five extra-base hits (four doubles and a homer).

Colombian outfielder Harold Ramírez could be the answer to those problems.

The Marlins outfield has been really unproductive in these first 37 games of the season.

The addition of Brian Anderson playing a few games in right field has helped a little, but the numbers are outrageous.

The only hitter above .200 is Austin Dean, who’s only played six games and is not even with the team anymore.

No one in the Marlins outfield is close to .300 of OBP, which is unbelievable.

Craig Mish and Jeremy Tache, of Swings and Mishes, talked about this subject in their most recent episode.

For Mish, Harold Ramírez “will see some action in the majors soon”.

Ramírez, who could play both corner outfields, is hitting .358/.414 OBP in 30 games with the New Orleans Baby Cakes.

If they call Harold Ramírez up the Marlins will have to add them to the 40-man roster, which would force them to take somebody out.

You can check his stats in the minors and playing winter ball in Venezuela here.

Who will get CF?

Harold Ramírez played winter ball in Venezuela with Leones del Caracas and got to play a couple of games in center field, but that is definitively not the best position for him.

Especially with that huge outfield the Marlins have at Marlins Park.

As Craig Mish and Jeremy Tache discuss, the Marlins have to sort out the centerfield position, and either Herrera or Galloway would have to go.

They can’t have both of these guys on the roster.

Granderson in left field, Herrera in center and Ramirez in right, with O’Brien as a fourth outfielder playing against lefty pitchers.

Listen to Swings and Mishes to hear the latest news about Garrett Cooper, a complete analysis of the moves the Marlins could make and a reaction to Ken Rosenthal’s article about Gary Denbow in The Athletic.