By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
Despite all the turmoil surrounding Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat, the team is positioned to win the relatively weak Southeast Division as they currently sit in first place with a 24-23 won/ loss record, followed by the faltering Orlando Majic, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards.
Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro have assumed leadership roles on and off the court. Other players contributing on the court include Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, Jamie Jaquez, Nikola Jovic and Kel’el Ware, a 7’ center with an enormous upside. Hopefully, the draft will provide or gift the Heat with another D- Wade.
The Heat have feverishly attempted to trade Jimmy Butler, even reducing their compensation demands, while Jimmy Butler has made it crystal clear that he wants to play in Phoenix with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. A trade to the Suns is problematic because of Bradley Beal’s large, no trade contract. Golden State has shown sincere interest, but Jimmy has nixed that option, stating that he wouldn’t sign a contract extension if traded there.
Of course, much could happen between now and the trade deadline, which is Thursday at 3:00pm.
Inserting 7-footer Kel’el Ware into the starting lineup has freed Bam Adebayo to play at his more natural position, power forward. Bam referred to the change as “liberating” prior to Tuesday’s game against the Bulls in Chicago. Coach Eric Spoelstra’s hand was coerced because of the ongoing suspension of Jimmy Butler for repeated conduct detrimental to the team. Miami is seeking to deal Butler ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
The Florida Panthers
After 54 games, our defending National Hockey League champion Florida Panthers stand in first place in the tough, competitive Atlantic Division with a 32-19-3 record and 67 points. Following closely in the division are Toronto, Ottawa, Detroit, Boston, Tampa Bay and Montreal, all with winning records. Buffalo sits last with a 21-26 record in the 8 team division.
Top Panther players are Aleksander Barkov, center; Sergei Bobrovsky, goalie; Aaron Ekblad, defenseman; Dmitry Kulikov, defenseman; Carter Verhaeghe, center and Matthew Tkachuk.
The ‘24 Stanley Cup champions visited the White House this week as is customary with professional sports champions. A championship repeat is certainly a realistic possibility and expectation.
The Panthers play the Washington Capitals, led by Alex Ovechkin, who is chasing Wayne Gretzky’s all time scoring record. The Capitals have a sterling 34-11-7 record. ESPN will televise the Tuesday game with a 7:00pm starting time. On Thursday they travel to St. Louis to play the Blues before returning home on Saturday to play the Ottawa Senators at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.