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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Greg Cote's Hot Button Top 10: Messi vs. PSG, Cats, Heat, red-hot Marlins & more
Note to readers: Hot Button Top 10 and the Poll Dance are taking next Sunday off for the long holiday weekend. See you back here with a new edition of each on July 13! GREG COTE'S HOT BUTTON TOP 10 (JUNE 29): 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 109th edition of your HB10: 1. INTER MIAMI: Team Messi on biggest stage vs. PSG in Club World Cup final 16: It's Lionel Messi and Inter Miami repping Major League Soccer today/Sunday from Atlanta vs. reigning European champion Paris Saint-Germain in a marquee round-of-16, knockout-stage match in the FIFA Club World Cup. Added spice: Messi, of course, played two seasons for PSG (2021-23) after leaving Barcelona and before coming to Miami. His leaving Paris was less than harmonious. Team Messi is a decided underdog today, with the winner advancing to a July 5 quarterfinals match vs. survivor of Brazil's Flamengo and German power Bayern Munich. 2. HEAT: Big loss (Durant) but then big win (Draft) for Miami: Heat lost out again on Kevin Durant when it came down to Miami or Houston as the Rockets outbid Heat to seal trade with Phoenix. But then came the NBA Draft and Miami hit big in getting Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick. He'd been rated No. 10 by ESPN and fits a big Heat need for a playmaking shot-creator. Also loved getting Russian center Vlad Goldin as a top unsigned free agent. Miami's kid-roster opens NBA Summer League July 10. Lots of summer shopping left, too, with prize bigger than Durant maybe still available. Maybe a run at Giannis Antetokounmpo? 3. PANTHERS: Bennett, Zito, Bobrovsky, Draft: No surprise: Sam Bennett re-signed just as he drunkenly promised he would at E11even nightclub. Bill Zito got passed over yet again for NHL general manager of the year -- a travesty! The Stanley Cup champions swung a pre-draft trade to acquire goaltender Daniil Tarasov, 26, from Columbus to groom as eventual heir to Sergie Bobrvosky. (It was an emotional gift, as Bob now gets to mentor the son of Vadim Tarasov, a fellow Russian goalie whom Bobrvosky idolized growing up.) Meanwhile the '25 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles was quiet for Florida, as team sent its first-round pick to Calgary as part of the Matthew Tkachuk trade. Panthers had no pick 'til fourth round. Top pick: a person named Mads Kongsbak Klyvo. 4. MARLINS: The Fish are red-hot! No, seriously...: Miami has now won a season-best six games in a row, 11 of the past 15 and, perhaps most remarkable, eight straight on the road. The season record still is only 36-45, but the low-spending, no-name Fish have climbed out of the NL East cellar ahead of Washington and are now shouting from third-place Atlanta. Marlins close a road trip at Arizona today before heading home to what should be a hearty holiday reception. 5. SOCCER: Proving continues for U.S. in Gold Cup quarterfinals: United States breezed 3-0 through the Gold Cup group stage vs. weaker foes but could be tested today/Sunday vs. Costa Rica in a knockout-stage quarterfinal match in Minneapolis. Based on World Football Elo Ratings (more up-to-date than FIFA World Rankings), U.S. is No. 40 men's team internationally to Costa Rica's 47th. Americans are without captain Christian Pulisic, who controversially skipped the Gold Cup to rest this summer. U.S.-C.R. winner will face today's Canada-Guatemala winner the semifinals July 2. The USMNT is out to prove to doubters it will be capable of surviving group play in the 2026 World Cup the U.S. is hosting with Canada and Mexico next summer. 6. PANTHERS 2.0: Panthers = Partyers as champs redefine celebrating: How does one team run up a $500,000 party bill? Gleefully! Florida Panthers toasted their second straight Stanley Cup by running up (drinking up) that bill at Miami's E11even nightclub -- which picked up the tab. Revelry included a 15-liter bottle of Belaire champagne (retail $3K) donated by rapper Rick Ross. Tables at the club cost the commonfolk up to $4,000 and bottles of alcohol start at about $700. Team supped earlier that night at Miami's trendy Maple & Ash. Fitting name, as en route to the repeat crown the Cats turned the Maple Leafs and then Edmonton to ash. 7. NBA: OKC celebrates Thunder's first championship: Speaking of championships and 500,000, Oklahoma City held a bus parade for its new NBA-champ Thunder that drew an estimated half-million fans. The Thunder became youngest NBA champs since Portland in 1977, their youth evident as postgame videos showed players appearing to have difficulty uncorking champagne bottles. We suspect that's because their servers generally do that for them, but, should the Thunder need tips in how to properly celebrate, the Florida Panthers are more than qualified to give seminars. 8. SOCCER: Women's Euro on deck with Spain, England out front: The 2025 UEFA European Women's Championship begins this coming Wednesday and runs through July 27 in Switzerland. England beat Germany in the previous edition three years ago in a final that set viewership records for women's soccer. Reigning FIFA Women's World Cup champion Spain is the betting favorite this time among the 16 teams at 2-1 odds, followed by England at 3-1, France 9-2 and Germany 5-1. 9. TENNIS: Wimbledon unfurls, reflects sport's new competitiveness: Wimbledon gets underway for real today/Sunday and bunched betting odds are a refreshing change for the sport. Reigning men's champ Carlos Alcaraz is narrow favorite at +150 to Jannik Sinner's +162, with old warhorse Novak Djokovic lurking at +450. Aryna Sabalenka tops women's side at +333 with Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina both +500 and then America Coco Gauff a reasonable longshot fresh off her French Open crown. Serena Williams was the last American woman to win in London, in 2016. A U.S. man last won Wimbledon in 2000 when Pete Sampras reigned. 10. NFL: Now, Justin, maybe an apology or show of contrition?: The NFL suspended disgraced former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 regular season after finding he violated its personal conduct policy related to sexual misconduct allegations by 16 Baltimore-area massage therapists. Suspension is largely ceremonial, as Tucker was cut and at 35 is a tainted free agent unlikely to be signed. But the NFL probe substantiating the 16 women is yet another reason Tucker owes his accusers an apology or at least a hint of contrition? THE LIST: MIAMI HEAT'S BEST 20-AND-LOWER DRAFT PICKS: Heat this week picked Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis 20th overall in NBA Draft. Team's top five selections at No. 20 or lower in club history, based on career scoring average with Heat: Pts. Player Pick Year 16.0 Sherman Douglas 28th 1989 12.2 Kevin Edwards 20th 1988 11.6 Grant Long 33rd 1988 11.6 Josh Richardson 40th 2015 8.7 Nikola Jovic 27th 2022 Note: Jovic is still with team. Other select most recent stuff from me: No Durant, but might Miami Heat have summer blockbuster with Giannis? // Panthers celebrate as 1 of 4 South Florida sports dynasties -- with no end near // Previous HB // Champions! Panthers crush Edmonton, McDavid, make history with 2nd straight Stanley Cup // Poll Dance: Panthers playoff MVP // 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
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Greg Cote's Poll Dance: What's your level of support for Heat's Pat Riley? Vote now!
Note to readers: The Poll Dance and Hot Button Top 10 are taking next Sunday off for the long holiday weekend. See you back here with a new edition of each on July 13! Pat Riley since joining the Miami Heat in 1995, first as head coach and later as club president, has drafted Dwayne Wade, promoted Erik Spoelstra, signed LeBron James, and overseen three NBA championships -- among other successes and accomplishments that over 30 years have made him a towering figure in South Florida sports history. But he is not above criticism. Now 80, Riley's Heat have not won it all since 2013, and the misses have outnumbered the hits lately in the whale-hunting category, most recently going after but failing to close a trade for Kevin Durant. I would hope Riley might still have the broad faith and support of most Heat fans. But you also see and hear lots of game-has-passed-him-by rhetoric on social media. So you be the judge, right here. Take our latest Poll Dance and vote for which option best reflects how you feel about Riley today. Vote as many times as you'd like or until your fingers ache. GREG COTE POLL DANCE: ON PAT RILEY: Previous Poll Dance verdict: It's Bob in close vote for Panthers playoff MVP: We asked, 'Who was the MVP of the Florida Panthers' postseason championship run?' With 10 on the ballot including two non-players and a big response, you said: Sergei Bobrovsky 25%; Sam Bennett 23%, Brad Marchand 22%, Aleksander Barkov 11%; GM Bill Zito 10%; and coach Paul Maurice 6%. Note: Gustav Forsling, Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk split remaining 3%. Carter Verhaeghe received no votes.
Miami Herald
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Greg Cote's Hot Button Top 10: Immortality or ignominy: Can Rory hold on? Plus Messi, Tyreek & more
Note: Around two years ago we decided to bring back the Sunday notes column, coining ours the Hot Button Top 10. They said it wouldn't last. Today we celebrate our 100th edition. Thanks for joining us each week! GREG COTE'S HOT BUTTON TOP 10 (APRIL 13): 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 100th edition of your HB10: 1. GOLF: Can McIlroy hold on for elusive first Masters green jacket?: The 89th Masters wraps Sunday with Rory McIlroy up two strokes on Bryson DeChambeau atop a starry leaderboard entering the final round. The 18 former Masters champs playing did not include Tiger Woods, who had March surgery to repair an Achilles tendon. The list did controversially include Angel Cabrera, who served a two-year sentence in Argentina for violent abuse against an ex-girlfriend. He missed the cut. The big story: Can Rory hold on for his first Masters win. The Irish star, 35, needs the ugly, beautiful green jacket to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger as the only golfers with a career majors Grand Slam in the Masters era. This will be Rory's 11th try at that Slam. 2. HEAT: Miami wraps season today, faces must-win road play-in Wednesday: A disappointing regular season dragged down by the Jimmy Butler drama and trade ends today at home vs. Washington with the Heat at 37-44 and No. 10 East seeds for a must-win Wednesday play-in game at Chicago. Miami had huge home win Friday, 153-104, over depleted New Orleans, with 10 players in double-figures to tie NBA record. But a road loss to Bulls before that was a critical defeat that has Miami now needing two straight play-in wins to extend its season into the proper playoffs. 3. INTER MIAMI: Messi drives Herons to CCC semis; De Bruyne joining?: King Leo! Lionel Messi magic is still a thing. Miami rallied for a 3-1 win over MLS rival Los Angeles FC on a pair of goals by Messi to reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament -- a big deal. Team Messi next faces another MLS squad, Vancouver, April 24 (there) and April 30 (in Fort Lauderdale). Meantime Miami is a still-unbeaten 4-0-2 in MLS as league play resumes Sunday in Chicago. Herons also now own MLS 'discovery rights' to Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, raising a possibility the Belgian midfield playmaker, 33, could join Messi after the Premier League season ends in late May. De Bruyne already has said he plans to leave Man City. 4. DOLPHINS: TDs and trouble. Tyreek Hill's latest off-field issue: It was the latest domestic violence allegation as the mother of his wife Keeta Vaccaro Hill called police when an agitated Hill reportedly carried their infant child onto their high-rise balcony. No arrest has been involved. The couple is reportedly now headed for divorce. Trade speculation swirls. Two things: 1) Hill's age (31), disappointing 2024 season and the off-field stuff has cratered his trade value; 2) Coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier need Hill to help save their jobs. 5. PANTHERS: Cats win third straight, seek health as playoffs near: Defending NHL champ Florida has chased a season-long five-game losing streak with three straight wins and is 47-33 as the regular season ends with a home finale Monday vs. the and Tuesday at Tampa Bay. Playoffs begin April 19, with rival Tampa the near-certain first round foe for the Cats. Depleted Panthers hope and expect to have Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett back from injuries and Aaron Ekblad back from his PEDs suspension by the first round. 6. UFC: Volkanovski reigns in UFC 314 in Miami: Miami hosted a UFC numbered event for the third straight year and fourth time overall Saturday at the Heat arena as Alexander Volkanovski beat Diego Lopes by unanimous decision in the main event in UFC 314 to win the featherweight belt for the second time. 7. MARLINS: Miami has lead host-role (again) in 2026 WBC: Marlins Park again will be main host of '26 World Baseball Classic next spring. One of four cities to host pool play, Miami has drawn Dominican Republic, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua and Venezuela for 10 games next March 6-11, then will host five elimination games -- including the championship March 17. Miami also hosted previous WBC finale in 2023, Japan beating the U.S., 3-2. Meantime, the low-budget Marlins are off to a (relatively) good start in MLB at 7-7 entering Sunday, after ace Sandy Alcantara (2-0) was not sharp Saturday but won. 8. NHL: Ovechkin passes Gretzky in goals, 'greatest' debate underway: Wayne Gretzky reigned 31 years as the NHL's top career goals scorer until Washington's Alexander Ovechkin surpassed him this week with his 895th in the regular season. But does that mean 'The Great One' is no longer the greatest? Dubious. Debatable. Gretzky continues to comfortably lead in career assists and total points, and also in total goals, because he has 122 in the playoffs to Ovechkin's 72. 9. COLLEGE HOOPS: Florida rides portal to men's crown: A day after Paige Bueckers and UConn made Geno Auriemma national champion for the 12th time but first time since 2016, the Florida Gators proved the power of the transfer portal in a taut 65-63 win over Houston in which the Cougars' botched final play helped gift UF its third crown and first since 2007. Neither men's finalist had a single freshman play, riding with older teams. Gators star Walter Clayton Jr. was among four key transfers under the now fittingly-named coach Todd Golden. 10. WNBA: Champion UConn star Bueckers fronts Draft: WNBA gathers Monday night at The Shed, a New York City cultural center, for its '25 Draft, with a drop in TV ratings foreseen from last year's ballyhooed Caitlin Clark coronation. This time it'll be newly minted UConn champ Paige Bueckers expected to go No. 1 overall followed by three rounds of young women you likely haven't heard of (yet). The Miami Hurricanes could (sort of) see a player drafted late. Guard Ja'Leah Williams was a three-year Canes starter until portal-ing to Louisville for her senior year. Note: Miami Hurricanes' football Spring Game was Saturday. (Spoiler: Canes won.) This fails to make today's HB10 because Spring Games -- a glorified practice 4 1/2 months before the season -- are among most over-covered things in all of sports. THE LIST: HISTORY OF UFC FIGHT CARDS IN FLORIDA: UFC numbered fight cards in South Florida, all at what is now Kaseya Center (Miami Heat arena): Card / Main bout / Date UFC 314 / Volkanovski vs. Lopes / Apr. 12, 2025 UFC 299 / O'Malley vs. Vera 2 / March 9, 2024 UFC 287 / Peirara vs. Adesanya 2 / Apr. 8, 2023 UFC 42 / Sudden Impact / Apr. 25, 2003 Notes: Jacksonville hosted UFC 249, 261 and 273 from 2020-22. Other (non-numbered) UFC events in South Florida were held in Hollywood in 2006, '07 (2) and 2015; and in Sunrise in 2012 and '19. Other most recent stuff from me: 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 // Previous HB10 // Poll Dance: College hoops better worse with transfer portal? // 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 // Unraveling NFL free agency mysteries: Aaron Rodgers' next team ... and Zach Wilson to Dolphins!? // 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:
