The WG Sports Corner
By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
The Miami Heat currently sit in second place in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference with a 20-17 record, a half game behind the Orlando Majic and just ahead of the Atlanta Hawks in 3 team race for the division. The Charlotte Hornets and the Washington Wizards appear to be in a perpetual rebuilding mode as they sit at the bottom of arguably a weak though competitive division.
Standings
Southeast W L PCT GB L10
ORL 22 18 .550 0.0 4-6
MIA 20 17 .541 0.5 6-4
ATL 19 19 .500 2.0 5-5
CHA 8 27 .229 11.5 1-9
WAS 6 30 .167 14.0
The Jimmy Butler saga has created a palpable disruption in the Heat season coupled with the regression in play of Bam Adebayo, Terry Rozier and until recently Jamie Jaquez, Jr. Butler’s trade request and 7 game suspension has also forced a youth movement as several young players have seen increased playing time: Kel’el Ware, Haywood Highsmith, and Nikola Jovic. The one constant has been Tyler Hero, who has drawn comparisons to Steph Curry. Hopefully, any trade involving Jimmy Butler will benefit the team personnel wise and financially. One possibility involves the Heat, the Sun and the Rockets. Jimmy Butler goes to Phoenix, the Heat get Fred Van Fleet and Ryan Dunn from Houston and receive Bradley Beal and a first round draft pick via the Sun.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers have positioned themselves to challenge for a repeat based on team’s standings. They currently are in second place behind the Toronto Maple Leafs who lead the Atlantic Division by 3 points.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers have been involved in the playoffs the pass 5 years, the Lightning in’20-‘23 and the Panthers in ‘23 ‘24. Playing the Winter in Miami versus the New York Rangers may prove to be a PR nightmare Nevertheless, the same players that propelled the team to a Stanley Cup title are making an impact this season including Alexander Ekblad, Mathew Tkachuk, Gustav Forsling, Evan Rodriguez, Carter Vehaeghe and Sergei Bobrovsky.
After losing a hard fought game to the Boston Bruins 4-3, ending the Bruins 6 game losing streak, the Panthers travel to New Jersey to play the Devils on Tuesday night. Go Panthers
Standings
Atlantic GP W L OTL Pts
TOR 44 27 15 2 56
FLA 43 25 15 3 53
TB 41 23 15 3 49
BOS 45 21 19 5 47
OTT 42 21 18 3 45
DET 42 20 18 4 44
MTL 42 20 18 4 44
BUF 43 16 22 5 37
