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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Greg Cote's Hot Button Top 10: Dolphins open camp, Marlins & Messi stay hot & more
Note: Hot Button Top 10 and the Poll Dance will be off next Sunday on vacation. Both will return on Sunday, August 3. GREG COTE'S HOT BUTTON TOP 10 (JULY 20): WHAT IN SPORTS HAS GRABBED US THIS WEEK: Our Sunday Hot Button Top 10 notes column brings you what's on our minds, locally and nationally but from a Miami perspective and accentuating stuff that's big, weird, damnable, funny or otherwise worth needling as the sports week just past pivots to the week ahead. Welcome to the 111th edition of your HB10: 1. DOLPHINS: High-pressure season unfurls as training camp begins: The temperature around coach Mike McDaniel is rising as he begins his fourth season, after an 8-9 record last year and a betting over/under of only 7 1/2 wins in '25 as the full squad reports for camp on Tuesday. (First open-to-the-public practice is next Saturday.) Purely speculative at this point, but I predict Miami must make the playoffs -- and likely end the club's embarrassing 25 years without a playoff win -- for McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier to keep their jobs. And so much of that depends on the health and success of QB Tua Tagovailoa entering his sixth NFL season. 2. MARLINS: Fightin' Fish stay hot after All-Star Break: The Marlins are within five games of .500 (46-51) and within 6 1/2 in the NL wild-card race after starting the second half 3-0. Miami has now won four straight overall and is on a 16-6 run entering today's series-ender vs. Kansas City. Sizzlin' Fish then have three more at home vs. San Diego before hitting the road. Might Miami be a buyer before the July 31 trade deadline? The question itself was preposterous before the recent streak. 3. INTER MIAMI: Another Messi braces leads big Herons win: Miami is 12-4 (with five ties) and fifth in the MLS East after Saturday's big 5-1 road win at New York Red Bulls followed a 3-0 Wednesday loss at Cincinnati. Lionel Messi had two more goals -- extraordinarily his sixth brace in the last seven games. The Herons are at home next Saturday in a rematch vs. Cincy before league schedule pauses for Leagues Cup play starting July 30 in Fort Lauderdale vs. Mexican side Atlas. 4. HURRICANES: UM preseason launches with ACC Football Kickoff: ACC Football Kickoff (a.k.a. annual Media Days) is this Tuesday through Thursday in Charlotte, N.C., with Canes training camp to soon follow. Mario Cristobal drew an early Tuesday slot and will be the second of 17 head coaches to speak. Meantime the Walter Camp Preseason All-America first team includes two Canes: offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa and kick returner Keelan Marion. Miami, off a 10-3 season and narrowly missing the 12-team playoff, debuts at home Aug. 31 in a marquee season opener vs. Notre Dame. 5. GOLF: Scheffler in command, chasing 4th major at British Open: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, the pre-tournament betting favorite ahead of Rory McIlroy, owns a big 4-shot lead entering Sunday's final round of the British Open in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Scheffler is chasing his fourth major win after two Masters triumphs and the PGA Championship trophy earlier this year. He recently said, 'I'm not out here to inspire someone to be the best player in the world, because, what's the point? This is not a fulfilling life.' Please. C'mon, Scott. If you aren't fulfilled dominating your profession as crowds cheer and money rolls in, that's on you. 6. SOCCER: England, Spain lead mammoth semis in Women's Euro '25: The 14th iteration of the UEFA women's European Championships is down to the semifinals in Switzerland: Reigning champ England vs. Italy and Spain vs. Germany. The championship match is next Sunday. England won its first crown in '22 on home turf. Italy is a two-time runnerup. Betting favorite Spain is in its first Euro final. Germany is a record eight-time champion but not won since 2013. 7. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Stirring the pot on Saban return ... to Dolphins?: Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, in an interview with ESPN's Paul Finebaum during SEC media days, said 'somebody notable' whom he has 'lots of respect for' told him Nick Saban isn't done coaching. The legend stepped down after the '24 season and replacement Kalen DeBoer went a disappointing 9-4 in his first year. Asked, DeBoer said politely, 'Well, he's one of the greatest to ever do it, and so he's earned the right to do what he wants.' Finebaum suggested Nick Saban 'go down to Miami, shake that system up' by returning to the Dolphins, who he coached in 2005-06. For what it's worth, Saban's daughter said on Instagram that Dad's not coming back. 8. HEAT: Miami misses NBA Summer League playoffs: Heat's kiddie corps finished a blah 2-3 in main NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, though ending with a one-point win over Milwaukee led by Vladislav Goldin's 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in 22 minutes. From a four-team playoffs it's Sacramento vs. Charlotte Sunday night in an unlikely final for the Summer crown ... but does it matter? Anyone recall the Heat won the 2024 Summer League title? Probably not. Did it foretell a big season for Miami? Um, no. 9. WNBA: Caitlin's injury deflates All-Star Weekend: The WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis went on Saturday night with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark a cheerleader in street clothes because of a groin injury -- a massive letdown. Such is the impact of the league's most popular star. Clark has missed 10 of the Fever's 23 games with various injuries. Clark and Napheesa Collier were All-Star team captains; Team Collier won 151-131 in a defensive struggle (!) led by Napheesa's 36 points. In other news, WNBA star rookie Paige Bueckers confirmed she is dating former UConn teammate Azzi Fudd. So there. 10. MEDIA: ESPYs fail to honor double-champ Panthers: No shock or issue with U.S. gymnast Simone Biles and NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning best female and male athlete at the latest annual ESPY Awards. And South Florida's Coco Gauff winning best tennis player was a nice surprise. But 'best team' to the Philadelphia Eagles? After the Florida Panthers won a second straight Stanley Cup? Plain football bias by voting fans and the erstwhile Worldwide Leader in Sports. THE LIST: DOLPHINS & CANES' SHARED 10-WIN SEASONS: As 2025 training camps are set to begin, only eight times in their shared 59-year history -- and not for more than 20 years -- have the Miami Dolphins and UM Hurricanes both won at least 10 games the same season: Year Dolphins and Canes Head coaches 2003 10-6 and 11-2 Wannstedt, Coker 2001 11-5 and 12-0 Wannstedt, Coker 2000 11-5 and 11-1 Wannstedt, Davis 1994 10-6 and 10-2 Shula, Erickson 1992 11-5 and 11-1 Shula, Erickson 1990 12-4 and 10-2 Shula, Erickson 1985 12-4 and 10-2 Shula, Johnson 1983 12-4 ans 11-1 Shula, Schnellenberger Note: Dolphins have had 24 10-win seasons in 59 years; Canes have had 16 in 88 seasons. The longest streaks of double-digits wins have been six by the Fins (1970-75) and eight by UM (1985-92). Other select most recent stuff from me: Why Miami staunchly remains a Football Town even as Dolphins and Canes disappoint // Strobe lights? Trajekt Arc? How Marlins' trust in youth, player-development is paying off // Previous HB10 // Jalen Ramsey, now Asante Samuel drama = Dolphins mess at cornerback // Heat getting 3-point ace Powell a pickpocket-win for Riley // Champion Panthers keep revving this summer while Heat stays quiet // Dolphins' gamble on Waller after Ramsey & Smith for Fitzpatrick was net loss // Inter Miami falls to PSG but won big to reach Club World Cup final 16 // Poll Dance: Pat Riley // Panthers celebrate as 1 of 4 South Florida sports dynasties -- with no end near // Champions! Panthers crush Edmonton, McDavid, make history with 2nd straight Stanley Cup // Stanley Cup preview: On Connor 'McOverrated,' dream Cup rematch, Panthers as face of changed NHL // Major news on future of Dan Le Batard Show, Meadowlark Media, DraftKings // Giannis? Durant? Embarrassed Heat need major help after 55-point loss and playoff sweep // Miami Dolphins should be fed up with Tyreek Hill, but team is too desperate to trade him // To owner Bruce Sherman of low-hope Marlins: Spend more on payroll, or sell team // Dolphins' 18-month decline, quiet offseason heap pressure on Tua, coach, GM in '25 // A tribute to Miami sports legend Jimmy Johnson as he retires from Fox TV // 15 years later, Dolphins Cancer Challenge is the life-saving legacy of Jim Mandich // Unprofessional Jimmy Butler quit on Heat, ruined his legacy in Miami // And my latest podcast:
Miami Herald
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Greg Cote's Hot Button Top 10: Panthers celebrate, Messi rises, NBA Game 7 & more
GREG COTE'S HOT BUTTON TOP 10 (JUNE 22): WHAT IN SPORTS HAS GRABBED US THIS WEEK: Our Sunday Hot Button Top 10 notes column brings you what's on our minds, locally and nationally but from a Miami perspective and accentuating stuff that's big, weird, damnable, funny or otherwise worth needling as the sports week just past pivots to the week ahead. Welcome to the 108th edition of your HB10: 1. PANTHERS: Lord Stanley sunning on the beach; Bennett says he's staying: Rain is expected but the Florida Panthers again are celebrating a championship with particular South Florida style -- with a day the beach. So they'll be back on stage on the sands off the Atlantic Ocean for a second straight year today, after a parade down A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Thutsday night at Miami nightclub E11even, pending free agent and Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett told a cheering crowd, 'I ain't [bleepin'] leaving!' Fourth straight great season, third straight Stanley Cup Final, second straight championship. That's a dynasty, or close enough for a toast. 2. INTER MIAMI: Messi leads rise in FIFA Club World Cup with win over Porto: Lionel Messi cashed a trademark left-footed free kick into the upper right corner Thursday to lead a 2-1 victory over Portugal's Porto FC in Atlanta -- a needed three points after an opening 0-0 draw with Egypt's Al Ahly. Messi's 50 goal for Inter Miami in 63 matches across all competitions made Herons the first MLS club to beat a top-tier European opponent in an official competition. Miami faces Brazil's Palmeiras in a final group-stage match Monday and will advance to the round of 16 with a win or a draw, or even with a loss if Porto and Al Ahly tie. 3. NBA: Indiana roars back big, forces Sunday Finals Game 7 in OKC: Pacers led by as many as 31 Thursday night in a 108-91 rout of Thunder that forces a Finals Game 7 -- the NBA's first since 2016 and only the fifth this century -- Sunday night in Oklahoma City. Indy had nobody top 20 points but was ferocious on D, holding Thunder to 8-for-30 on 3's. But the Thunder is 18-2 this season and playoffs following a loss. The nontraditional small-market Finals has been a low ratings draw so far but expectation is Game 7 will lift the average to respectability. [Quick aside: Indiana's playoffs T-shirt slogan -- Yes 'cers -- is pretty awful.] 4. HURRICANES: Miami being sued for tampering to get football transfer: University of Wisconsin has filed a lawsuit alleging Miami Hurricanes football broke the law by tampering with a Badgers player -- a groundbreaking legal shot at enforcing the financial contract between player and school. The suit refers to 'Student Athlete A' but reports are it involves the offseason transfer of freshman defensive back Xavier Lucas, who renolled at UM in January after saying Wisconsin refused to add his name in the transfer portal. Suit claims a Miami staff member and a prominent alumnus met with Lucas and his family and offered him money to transfer. 5. SOCCER: U.S. men calm doubts, sail into Gold Cup knockout quarters: The USMNT and coach Mauricio Pochettino were under fire with five straight losses in the runup to the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament, but advanced to the quarterfinals Thursday with a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia that followed a 5-0 spank of Trinidad & Tobago. [The Saudis were neither from North or Central America or the Caribbean when last I checked a map but are guests of CONCACAF.] The Americans face Haiti in a meaningless group-stage match Sunday before awaiting their yet-unknown quarters foe. 6. POLITICS: U.S. immigration crackdown seeping into sports: We have seen it during games in the FIFA Club World Cup including at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, with a presence by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) there lloking for undocumented immigrants. Now, federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security set up outside Dodger Stadium this week, sparking outrage on social media and more protests against immigration enforcement in L.A. The Dodgers say they denied the feds access to the stadium's parking lot. 7. DOLPHINS: Ready or not, football's near as Fins set camp dates: Players will report July 22 for start of full preseason training camp, with the first of 10 open-to-the-public practices on July 26. Miami will have joint practices with their three preseason foes prior to those games Aug. 10 at Chicago, Aug. 16 at Detroit and home Aug. 23 vs. Jacksonville, with Fins' NFL regular season opening Sept. 7 in Indianapolis. Off an 8-9 season, '25 ushers in a year of possible win-or-out pressure on coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier, and the latest chance for QB Tua Tagovailoa to try to stay healthy. 8. COLLEGE BASEBALL: It's LSU-Coastal Carolina in CWS in Omaha: LSU won 1-0 Saturday behind Kade Anderson's gem to open the best-of-3 men's College World Series championship series in Omaha. Coastal Carolina had prior won 26 straight games. Game 2 is today/Sunday and Game 3, if needed, is Monday. LSU is playing for its second national championship in three years. Careful casting Coastal Carolina as a Cinderella. The Chanticleers were national champs in 2016. (Google the word 'chanticleer.' I did, and was more confused than ever.) 9. MARLINS: Shutout loss dampens Miami's warm(ish) streak: Marlins are a dispiriting 30-45 on the season but had won six of previous 10 games before Saturday's 7-0 home loss to Atlanta, whom they face again today. Can Fish leap Washington and escape the NL East cellar? You take the bright spots where you find them ... like manager Clayton McCullough being named by the Dodgers' Dave Roberts to his coaching staff for the upcoming All-Star Game. 10. NFL: Time to wonder ... does football even need cheerleaders?: In the second season of the Netflix series, 'America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders,' it is revealed the women will be getting a 400 percent rise, after a previous hike to $400 per game. For me, cheerleading, like beauty pageants, is a rather antiquated throwback. Almost quaint. It leads one to wonder if NFL teams benefit from cheerleader squads. I have never met a sports fans who was not adept at cheering and needed leading in that category. Almost a quarter of teams, seven of 32, presently do not have cheerleaders. Trend? THE LIST: South Florida's major sports champions: A timeline of the 14 times South Florida has celebrated a championship in the traditional Big 4 American pro leagues and major college football: Year Team How title was won 1972 Miami Dolphins d. Washington, 14-7, in Super Bowl 1973 Miami Dolphins d. Minnesota, 24-7, in Super Bowl 1983 Miami Hurricanes d. Nebraska, 31-30, in Orange Bowl 1987 Miami Hurricanes d. Oklahoma, 20-14, in Orange Bowl 1989 Miami Hurricanes d. Alabama, 33-25, in Sugar Bowl 1991 Miami Hurricanes d. Nebraska, 22-0, in Orange Bowl 1997 Florida Marlins d. Cleveland, 4-3, in World Series 2001 Miami Hurricanes d. Nebraska, 37-24, in Rose Bowl 2003 Florida Marlins d. N.Y. Yankees, 4-2, in World Series 2006 Miami Heat d. Dallas, 4-2, in NBA Finals 2012 Miami Heat d. Oklahoma City, 4-1, in NBA Finals 2013 Miami Heat d. San Antonio, 4-3, in NBA Finals 2024 Florida Panthers d. Edmonton, 4-3, in Stanley Cup Final 2025 Florida Panthers d. Edmonton, 4-2, in Stanley Cup Final Other select most recent stuff from me: Champions! Panthers crush Edmonton, McDavid, make history with 2nd straight Stanley Cup // Poll Dance: Panthers playoff MVP // Panthers one win from repeat Stanley Cup as Marchand shines again for 3-2 series lead // Panthers blow lead, command of Final as Edmonton's 5-4 OT win ties series // Panthers crush Edmonton 6-1 for 2-1 Final lead. Is McDavid's dream slipping? // Previous HB 10 // Hated to hero: Marchand's Panthers goal in second OT beats Edmonton 5-4, ties Stanley Cup Final // Road magic fails Panthers in 4-3 OT loss to open Stanley Cup Final rematch // Stanley Cup preview: On Connor 'McOverrated,' dream Cup rematch, Panthers as face of changed NHL // Florida Panthers oust Carolina in five, reach 3rd straight Stanley Cup Final // Major news on future of Dan Le Batard Show, Meadowlark Media, DraftKings // Game 7 magic as Panthers rout Toronto 6-2, reach 3rd straight East finals // Panthers' 4-1 ouster of Tampa declares intent, and ability, to repeat as champs // Giannis? Durant? Embarrassed Heat need major help after 55-point loss and playoff sweep // Miami Dolphins should be fed up with Tyreek Hill, but team is too desperate to trade him // To owner Bruce Sherman of low-hope Marlins: Spend more on payroll, or sell team // Dolphins' 18-month decline, quiet offseason heap pressure on Tua, coach, GM in '25 // A tribute to Miami sports legend Jimmy Johnson as he retires from Fox TV // 15 years later, Dolphins Cancer Challenge is the life-saving legacy of Jim Mandich // Unprofessional Jimmy Butler quit on Heat, ruined his legacy in Miami // And my latest podcast:
Miami Herald
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Greg Cote's Hot Button Top 10: Panthers 1 win away, Messi tie, U.S. Open, Durant, Fins culture-reboot
GREG COTE'S HOT BUTTON TOP 10 (JUNE 15): WHAT IN SPORTS HAS GRABBED US THIS WEEK: Happy Father's Day my fellow padres! Our Sunday Hot Button Top 10 notes column brings you what's on our minds, locally and nationally but from a Miami perspective and accentuating stuff that's big, weird, damnable, funny or otherwise worth needling as the sports week just past pivots to the week ahead. Welcome to the 107th edition of your HB10: 1. PANTHERS: Marchand lifts Cats one win from second straight Stanley Cup: Brad Marchand's two goals sparked Saturday night's 5-2 Game 5 win in Edmonton for a 3-2 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final -- and a chance to win the Cup on home ice Tuesday night ... or face a Game 7 in Edmonton. Marchand became the first Marchand player in NHL history to score at least five goals in two separate Stanley Cup Finals with two different teams. He also scred five goals in seven games for Boston in 2011 to beat Vancouver. Asked what the 2011 Marchand would think of this Marchand still doing it at 37, he said, 'Man, that guy's good-looking. That'd probably be it. Sometimes you get bounces, sometimes you don't.' 2. INTER MIAMI: Team Messi settles for tie as FIFA Club World Cup begins: Inter Miami and Lionel Messi settled for a 0-0 draw with Egyptian power Al Ahly on Saturday night, with goalkeeper Oscar Ustari saving Miami from an embarrassing defeat. A near-sellout crowd of just over 60,000 filled Hard Rock Stadium as thousands of tickets were sold cheap to pad attendance amid fears of U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) presence at games and threat of arrests of immigrant fans Up next in Cup group play, Inter Miami will m set to take on Portugal's Porto FC in Atlanta this coming Thursday afternoon. 3. GOLF: OAKMONT WINNING U.S. OPEN AS PLAYERS STRUGGLE: Sam Burns at 4 under par leads J.J. Spaun and Adam Scott by one shot each entering Sunday's final round of a U.S. open in which only four golfers have beaten par on the difficult Oakmont course in western Pennsylvania. Burns and Spaun are after their first career major win. Scott won the 2013 Masters but has not won a major since. Pre-tournament betting favorite Scottie Scheffler is tied for 11th at plus 4, eight shots back. Sunday miracle, anyone? 4. NBA: Indy Thunder-struck by SGA; OKC back in Finals command: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bucketed 35 points to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder into a 2-2 NBA Finals tie with the Indiana Pacers. OKC, favored going in, now seems back in control, with Game 5 Monday night and a Game 7, if needed, both in the Sooner State. Thunder is now a clear Finals fave at -590 via FanDuel and -450 at DraftKings. Both have SGA out front as Finals MVP. 5. SOCCER: 1 year 'til World Cup, woes mount for U.S., Pochettino: One-year countdown is on for '26 FIFA World Cup being hosted by U.S., Canada and Mexico. Team USA is in automatically as host, but USMNT is mired in four-game losing streak under new coach Mauricio Pochettino and was booed off the field in Nashville after a 4-0 friendly loss to Switzerland in a last tuneup for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which is underway at 12 U.S. stadiums and in Vancouver. Desperate for a good show, U.S. opens today (Sunday evening) vs. Trinidad & Tobago -- but sans several stars including Christian Pulisic who are regrettably not competing in the Gold Cup. Pulisic was blistered for a recent social media post that said, 'Just what the doctor ordered' as he enjoyed a family vacation. 6. HEAT: Will fourth time be a charm for Miami and Durant?: Pat Riley has tried (and tried, and tried) to acquire Kevin Durant over the years, and try No. 4 may be in works as rebuilding Phoenix shops its aging superstar. Durant turns 37 in September but averaged 26.6 points this season in a LeBron-esque defiance of time. And ESPN reported Saturday night that K.D.'s preferred trade destinations are Miami, San Antonio and Houston, the order not given. The Spurs are the betting favorite to land him. 7. DOLPHINS: Fins tout new and improved 'culture' as offseason wraps: Miami's three-day minicamp this past week put a bow on offseason work, now the countdown begins to the start of full preseason training camp expected the week of July 21. Coach Mike McDaniel's minicamp messaging hit hard on the notion of a new and improved Dolphins 'culture' ... a de facto admission that said culture had eroded across his first three seasons in charge. 8. NFL: Latest trouble in the troubled life of Antonio Brown: A too-long list of legal, domestic and financial issues dogged Miami-born former star receiver Antonio Brown in an NFL career that ended in 2021. Now, nearing his 37th birthday, Brown faces his biggest trouble yet. Miami police have issued a warrant for his arrest on a charge of second-degree attempted murder with a firearm after a May shooting at a celebrity boxing event. Brown reportedly is out of the country in the Asia or the Middle East. Videos posted on social media appear to show Brown being jumped by trying to steal his jewelry. Stay tuned. 9. WNBA: Caitlin does Caitlin things in return from injury: Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark returned from a five-game injury absence Saturday with 32 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds in a 102-88 win over the previously-unbeaten New York Liberty. She hit seven 3's. Clark had not played since May 24 as her team (and TV ratings) sagged without her. 'Don't we always expect that kind of game from Caitlin?' said Indiana coach Stephanie White. 'I knew her adrenaline was going to be high to start. She's been itching to get back out there.' 10. MARLINS: Fish en fuego, seek season-long win streak!: Low-spending Miami is on a two-game win streak to hoist the season record to 27-41 entering today's game at Washington before returning home for seven vs. the NL East rival Phillies and Braves The Marlins' only better streak all season was a three-game run April 20-22. Let's make a deal: If Fish win a third straight today, they return home to a less-than-pitiful crowd. Let's go! THE LIST: GOLFERS WITH MOST U.S. OPEN WINS: Twenty-three men have won multiple U.S. Open titles. The only six with three or more crowns: No. Player Years won 4 Willie Anderson 1901, 1903, 1904, 1905 4 Bobby Jones 1923, 1926, 1929, 1930 4 Ben Hogan 1948, 1950, 1951, 1953 4 Jack Nicklaus 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980 3 Hale Irwin 1974, 1979, 1990 3 Tiger Woods 2000, 2002, 2008 Note: Two-time winners in this week's U.S. Open field were Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018) and Bryson DeChambeau (2020, 2024). Koepka is nine shots back entering Sunday. DeChambeau missed the cut. Other select most recent stuff from me: Panthers one win from repeat Stanley Cup as Marchand shines again or 3-2 series lead // Panthers blow lead, command of Final as Edmonton's 5-4 OT win ties series // Panthers crush Edmonton 6-1 for 2-1 Final lead. Is McDavid's dream slipping? // Previous HB 10 // Poll Dance: Favorite South Florida team // Hated to hero: Marchand's Panthers goal in second OT beats Edmonton 5-4, ties Stanley Cup Final // Road magic fails Panthers in 4-3 OT loss to open Stanley Cup Final rematch // Stanley Cup preview: On Connor 'McOverrated,' dream Cup rematch, Panthers as face of changed NHL // Florida Panthers oust Carolina in five, reach 3rd straight Stanley Cup Final // Major news on future of Dan Le Batard Show, Meadowlark Media, DraftKings // Game 7 magic as Panthers rout Toronto 6-2, reach 3rd straight East finals // Panthers' 4-1 ouster of Tampa declares intent, and ability, to repeat as champs // Giannis? Durant? Embarrassed Heat need major help after 55-point loss and playoff sweep // Our 34th annual Official Herald NFL Mock Draft // Miami Dolphins should be fed up with Tyreek Hill, but team is too desperate to trade him // LeBron vs. Michael, now Ovechkin-Gretzky. Our obsession with ranking greatness // NCAAs crescendo with exciting Final Fours, but college basketball is broken. Let's fix it // To owner Bruce Sherman of low-hope Marlins: Spend more on payroll, or sell team // Dolphins' 18-month decline, quiet offseason heap pressure on Tua, coach, GM in '25 // A tribute to Miami sports legend Jimmy Johnson as he retires from Fox TV // Must-win MLS season for Messi, Inter Miami a tough climb, as opening 2-2 home draw shows // 15 years later, Dolphins Cancer Challenge is the life-saving legacy of Jim Mandich // Unprofessional Jimmy Butler quit on Heat, ruined his legacy in Miami // And my latest podcast:
Miami Herald
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Greg Cote's Hot Button Top 10: Panthers face next ‘must-win,' Inter Miami skids, Riley talks & more
GREG COTE'S HOT BUTTON TOP 10 (MAY 11): WHAT IN SPORTS HAS GRABBED US THIS WEEK: Our Sunday Hot Button Top 10 notes column -- back after a week off -- brings you what's on our minds, locally and nationally but from a Miami perspective and accentuating stuff that's big, weird, damnable, funny or otherwise worth needling as the sports week just past pivots to the week ahead. Welcome to the 103rd edition of your HB10: 1. PANTHERS: They're aliiiive! Game 3 OT thriller rescues Florida's season (for now): Champion Panthers were down 2-0 in games and 2-0 and then 3-1 in goals Friday night at home to Toronto -- at risk of falling into an 0-3 series hole that has been escaped only four times in 212 tries in NHL history. But they won on a Brad Marchand overtime goal and now can tie the series in Game 4 back in the Sunrise barn Sunday night. Thriller of a game to keep hope alive. But tonight feels like another (all but) must-win 2. INTER MIAMI: Team Messi in worst skid as Club World Cup nears: Still reeling from its disappointing semifinals ouster from the CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament, Inter Miami resumed MLS action Saturday with a 4-1 loss at Minnesota -- the Herons' fourth loss in the past five matches. Messi cashed Miami's only goal in the 48th minute. IM is now 6-2-3 in league play, and down to sixth in the Supporters' Shield standings. The Herons have five more MLS matches to solve their lull before their league schedule pauses for their first three games in the FIFA Club World Cup starting June 14. 3. HEAT: Did Riley wrapup talk hints at roster changes ... sort of?: Was Miami getting routed by a margin of 131 combined points and swept by Cleveland in the playoffs' first round enough to convince Heat president Pat Riley that major changes were needed? In other words, are fans who are clamoring for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade going to be rewarded? Or will it be an offseason of tinkering around the Tyler Herro/Bam Adebayo core. 'I'm glad that we got Tyler, him and Bam,' said Riley. 'I hope [Herro] can stay here the rest of his career.' Riles also spoke of the need for change, but, bottom line: If Giannis wants Miami and Heat can work a multi-team deal to make it happen, it likely will. Odds? Bet on it? Your guess. [See poll below.] 4. DOLPHINS: Offseason work underway for critical '25 season: After tumbling to 8-9 last year, coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier are fighting for their jobs as work begins building to the new season. Rookie minicamp wraps up today/Sunday for top pick Kenneth Grant, the Michigan defensive tackle, and other newbies. Allotted official team practice days will be spaced out May 27 to June 12, with mandatory full minicamp June 10-12 ahead of the start of full training camp. 5. MARLINS: Miami vs. Pope Sox; Fish survey fans on team (but not really): The online fan survey mainly sought opinions on which insurance and home-security advertisers you liked best. There were questions about how important the Marlins are in your life -- but zero chance to tell the club why you don't go to games. They're afraid of the answer. Miami is last in the NL in attendance and 28th of 30 overall because they notoriously don't spend on payroll and field a low-budget minor-league team. Result: A 15-23 record, 3-10 skid and last in the NL East entering Sunday's game at the Chicago Pope Sox. 6. NFL: It's schedule release week! Woo-hoo!: King Sport is so big even the release of its season schedule is gobbled heartily and discussed ad nauseum by fans and Your Friend the Media. Wednesday is the day. We already know Miami's non-AFC East schedule will be home vs. Ravens, Bengals, Saints, Buccaneers, Chargers and Commanders, and away at Falcons, Panthers, Browns, Steelers and Colts. But Wednesday fills in dates, prime-time games and so forth. 7. AUTO RACING: NASCAR season-championship race returns to Homestead: Oscar Piastri just won the F1 Miami Grand Prix, but auto racing had even bigger news in store for us: NASCAR Championship Weekend, a November fixture at Miami-Homestead Speedway for 18 years from 2002-2019 before dumping us for Phoenix, will return to decide the season title in 2026 and periodically thereafter in a rotation with Phoenix and other unnamed cities. 8. GOLF: Rory one of two clear favorites as PGA Championship tees off: Scottie Scheffler at +400 and Masters champion Rory McIlroy at +475 are runaway betting picks to win the PGA Championship that tees off in four days and wraps next Sunday at Quail Hollow in Charlotte. Next in betting odds is +1400. Rory would make history if he won all four majors the same year; only Ben Hogan in 1953 and Tiger Woods in 2000 have won three in a year. 9. HORSE RACING: Derby winner Sovereignty ruins Triple Crown season: Sovereignty won a muddy Kentucky Derby at 7-1 but will not be entered in next week's Preakness Stakes -- the fifth time since Justify won all three races in 2018 that the Preakness will run with no shot at a Triple Crown. Bummer. Simple solution: The Derby and Preakness are too close at 14 days apart. Space out the races, let Triple Crown season breathe and make the Derby winner more likely to run all three races. 10. LEGAL SILLINESS: The most hopeless lawsuit ever: A Colorado football fan who lives in Georgia filed a $100 million lawsuit against the NFL for 'emotional distress and trauma' over Shedeur Sanders sliding to the fifth round of recent Draft. 'John Doe,' apparently too ashamed to use his name, has zero chance for this case not to be tossed. I'd be embarrassed to be the lawyer who took the case. This is an example why the U.S. court system moves like molasses down a snow bank. THE LIST: WORLD'S STRANGEST MOTHER'S DAY SALUTE: We set out looking for greatest sports mothers in major American team sports, meaning athletes whose last name began with the word 'mother,' but found none. No sports equivalent of music group Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh. So we settled for names beginning with 'mom,' but found none as perfect as Ethan Mom of Australian soccer club Floreat Athena. We scanned the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WNBA and MLS all-time rosters, and here's the full list of mom-starting names, alphabetically: Name League Years played Ifeanyi Momah NFL 2016-17 Sergio Momesso NHL 1984-97 Beatrice Mompremier WNBA 2020-22 Bob Momsen NFL 1951-52 Tony Momsen NFL 1951-52 Note: Momesso was notable with 152 career goals. The others above were flash-in-the-pan types. (No offense, Momsen bros.) Other most recent stuff from me: Sudden death to new life: Marchand OT goal wins Game 3 thriller, gives Panthers renewed hope // Florida Panthers are desperate, doubted, down 2-0. Now the series gets good // Panthers drop Game 1 in Toronto, but don't dare doubt the Cup champions // Panthers' 4-1 ouster of Tampa declares intent, and ability, to repeat as champs // Giannis? Durant? Embarrassed Heat need major help after 55-point loss and playoff sweep // Previous HB10 // Poll Dance: Grade Dolphins draft // NFL Draft Live! Pick-by-pick analysis, Cote vs. Kiper mock results // Our 34th annual Official Herald NFL Mock Draft // Miami Dolphins should be fed up with Tyreek Hill, but team is too desperate to trade him // LeBron vs. Michael, now Ovechkin-Gretzky. Our obsession with ranking greatness // NCAAs crescendo with exciting Final Fours, but college basketball is broken. Let's fix it // To owner Bruce Sherman of low-hope Marlins: Spend more on payroll, or sell team // Dolphins' 18-month decline, quiet offseason heap pressure on Tua, coach, GM in '25 // A tribute to Miami sports legend Jimmy Johnson as he retires from Fox TV // Must-win MLS season for Messi, Inter Miami a tough climb, as opening 2-2 home draw shows // 15 years later, Dolphins Cancer Challenge is the life-saving legacy of Jim Mandich // Unprofessional Jimmy Butler quit on Heat, ruined his legacy in Miami // Our Top 10 biggest Miami/South Florida sports stories of 2024 // And my latest podcast:
Miami Herald
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Greg Cote's Hot Button Top 10: NFL Draft Week in America, Heat & Panthers turn it up, Messi and more
GREG COTE'S HOT BUTTON TOP 10 (APRIL 20): WHAT IN SPORTS HAS GRABBED US THIS WEEK: Our Sunday Hot Button Top 10 notes column brings you what's on our minds, locally and nationally but from a Miami perspective and accentuating stuff that's big, weird, damnable, funny or otherwise worth needling, as the sports week just past pivots to the week ahead. Welcome to the 101st edition of your HB10: 1. DOLPHINS/NFL: Draft Week in America! Top-pick CB looms for Miami amid Ramsey trade talks: Cam Ward is all but sure to be only the Hurricanes' third overall No. 1 pick ever. If only the Dolphins' first-round plans were as certain. Miami is shopping veteran star cornerback Jalen Ramsey in trade talks, so a CB to Fins at 13th overall is likely. At 30 and coming off a so-so year, Ramsey won't fetch more than a third-round pick. It signals a budding rebuild by the Dolphins, with vets Terron Armstead and Calais Campbell also gone. Is problem-child WR Tyreek Hill next? Meantime Ramsey's departure would perhaps nudge cornerback ahead of guard as Miami's biggest 1R need Thursday night, with Michigan CB Will Johnson a popular mock-draft guess for Dolphins. 2. HEAT: Two big road wins have resurgent Miami in playoffs vs. Cavs: After a 37-45 down season hijacked by the Jimmy Butler drama and trade, the Heat has saved two of its best performances for when they mattered most: On the road, in must-win play-in games at Chicago and Atlanta. Two wins fueled by fierce defense and Tyler Herro's 38- and 30-point shows have Miami as the No. 8 seed at No. 1 Cleveland in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs' first round tonight/Sunday. Miami is a longshot to beat Cleveland, but the past two games alone will see a more encouraged Heat team enter the offseason. 3. PANTHERS: Tkachuk back as Cats' title-defense opens Tuesday at rival Tampa: Panthers ended the NHL regular season 47-35 and third in their division after a late grind of nine games in 15 days and hobbled by injuries. But now Matthew Tkachuk is back as Florida regains health and guns for a Stanley Cup repeat beginning Tuesday night with Game 1 in the playoffs' first at rival Tampa Bay. Cats expect to also have back Aaron Ekblad from a PEDs suspension sometime during the opening round. 4. INTER MIAMI: Team Messi is last unbeaten in MLS; CCC semis next: Inter Miami won Saturday at previously unbeaten Columbus 1-nil on a goal by home-grown Benjamin Cremaschi to stay undefeated in MLS at 5-0-3 -- the only team yet to lose. Lionel Messi played the full match. Giant games ahead as IM plays CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals this Thursday at Vancouver and April 30 vs. the same foe in Fort Lauderdale, with an MLS home match vs. Dallas in between next Sunday. 5. MARLINS: Reeling Fish lose fifth straight as Alcantara trade talk simmers: Miami is amid The Big Sag after a hopeful 3-1 start and is now 8-12 with a fifth straight loss on Saturday. Marlins are back at it Sunday in Philadelphia. Meanwhile Miami, forever looking to not spend, is widely expected to trade ace Sandy Alcantara before the July 31 MLB deal deadline in a continuing cycle of trading pricey talent for cheap prospects and building toward a future that never arrives. 6. WNBA: Bueckers top-drafted as new season and Caitlin Year 2 nears: UConn champion star-guard Paige Bueckers went No. 1 overall as expected to the Dallas Wings in the WNBA Draft as the regular season and Caitlin Clark Year 2 looms with a May 16 tipoff. Reigning champ New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces and Clark's Indiana Fever are preseason faves in betting odds. Woeful Dallas, even with Bueckers, inches up only to a longshot tie for 10th among 13 teams. 7. GOLF: Even in triumph, McIlroy's DeChambeau feud escalated: It was Rory's Masters Sunday, his first career green jacket and first major in 11 years to become only the sixth man to accomplish a career Grand Slam. It drew 13 million viewers, golf's most since 2018. But during his triumphant day McIlroy's icy relationship with Bryson DeChambeau continued as they played in the final pairing even as DeChambeau withered out of contention. 'Didn't talk to me once all day,' DeChambeau told It was McIroy's choice. Was it the height of competitiveness? Lingering animus from PGA Tour vs. LIV golf? His sports psychologist has since said it was 'part of the plan.' All that matters: One man soared as the other caved. 8. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Nine months early, Miami touts hosting '26 CFP title game: Next season's College Football Championship title game at Hard Rock Stadium isn't until January 19, 2026, but what better time to celebrate Miami as host than now, right!? The CFP staged a 'kickoff event' at Miami's Brownsville Middle School, recipient of a makeover by the CFP and Miami Host Committee, to tout local events in the buildup. No response yet to a request that the host-city Miami Hurricanes receive an automatic bid to play in the championship game. 9. BUSINESS: Belichick, girlfriend look to lock up trademarks: Jordan Hudson, who puts the girl in girlfriend at age 24, is behind efforts by coach Bill Belichick, 72, claiming trademark rights to various phrases he coined while with Patriots -- trademarks now owned by Robert Kraft and New England. Hudson's company has filed for 14 federal trademarks for phrases including 'Do Your Job,' and 'Ignore the Noise.' The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is expected to hear the petition, unless President Elon Musk fires those government workers, too. 10. MEDIA: Farewell, Lee Corso: From Miami to ESPN legend: Retiring Lee Corso's final broadcast on ESPN's College GameDay set will be August 30, three weeks after he turns 90. Corso, known for his popular headgear segment, has been a fixture of the network's college football coverage for 38 years. 'My family and I will be forever indebted,' he said. Less known: Corso grew up in Miami. His family moved here when he was 10 and he played quarterback at Miami Jackson High. THE LIST: Most championships won since 2000: Most league championships won in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS or WNBA since 2000: No. Team (League) Most recent 6 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) 2024 6 Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) 2020 6 New England Patriots (NFL) 2018 4 Golden State Warriors (NBA) 2022 4 Seattle Storm (WNBA) 2020 4 Boston Red Sox (MLB) 2018 4 Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) 2017 4 San Antonio Spurs (NBA) 2014 Note: Ten teams including Miami Heat have won three championships this century. Seventeen teams have won two. Other most recent stuff from me: Resurgent Heat win again, make NBA playoffs. Wait, do you believe in miracles? // Miami's stay-alive play-in win lets Heat smile after a hard, chaotic season // Previous HB10 // Poll Dance: Position Dolphins should target in 1st round // Miami Dolphins should be fed up with Tyreek Hill, but team is too desperate to trade him // LeBron vs. Michael, now Ovechkin-Gretzky. Our obsession with ranking greatness // Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders will own NFL Draft. But are they franchise QBs? There are doubts // NCAAs crescendo with exciting Final Fours, but college basketball is broken. Let's fix it // To owner Bruce Sherman of low-hope Marlins: Spend more on payroll, or sell team // After Miami Heat's lost season, urgency this summer will be Riley's epitaph to write // Dolphins' 18-month decline, quiet offseason heap pressure on Tua, coach, GM in '25 // New Hurricanes coach Jai Lucas' job: Make Miami college hoops matter like never before // A tribute to Miami sports legend Jimmy Johnson as he retires from Fox TV // Must-win MLS season for Messi, Inter Miami a tough climb, as opening 2-2 home draw shows // 15 years later, Dolphins Cancer Challenge is the life-saving legacy of Jim Mandich // Rivalry! Politics! Power shift? NHL is ice on fire with U.S.-Canada in 4 Nations final // Unprofessional Jimmy Butler quit on Heat, ruined his legacy in Miami // Our Top 10 biggest Miami/South Florida sports stories of 2024 // And my latest podcast:
