THEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDS!: San Antonio's own Big 3 is on a regional Sports Illustrated cover this week, and is labeled 'The Biggest 3.' Ouch. Take umbrage, Heat Big 3. Take umbrage and seethe. Take umbrage, seethe and be fueled.
1) It is THURSDAY, JUNE 6. Watch for Heat-Spurs Finals Game 1 preview post in the blog by early afternoon today. 2) A Panthers/Sunrise arean source told me this Saturday's Fleetwood Mac concert has been canceled. 3) R.I.P. Deacon Jones, iconic name, QB-plunderer who coined the word "sack." 4) In The Previous Blogpost (ITPB): Heat Game 7 win, List: Home Game 7s, Marlins Sad-O-Meter.
TWITTER: @gregcote. INSTAGRAM: upsetbird. VINE: Greg Cote.
"A Florida woman, Gloria C. Mackenzie, 84, has claimed that $590 million Powerball jackpot. The happiest people on Earth today? Her heirs." --Greg Cote
Click Heat: Rising for my column off team's Game 7 victory.
THE NBA FINALS POLL: HEAT OR SPURS? HOW MANY GAMES?: Yes, I know. A Heat poll appearing in a Miami Herald blog will obviously skew toward Heat fans and hardly be a scientific cross-section. Sort of like taking a favorite-fast-food survey in a McDonald's. Nevertheless! Our polls generally draw about a 50/50 breakdown of votes from Florida and from elsewhere; more than just fans of Miami teams are readers here. In addition, you all have shown an impressive ability to answer honestly when I put out a call -- as I do here -- to please vote what you honestly predict will happen, not what you hope will. Besides, it's just a blog poll! Vote and say why.
Heat, LeBron top Finals betting odds: Our friends at Bovada have Heat a 5-12 NBA Finals betting favorite, with Spurs 2-1. LeBron James is a huge MVP pick at 4-9, followed by Tony Parker 9-2, Tim Duncan 7-1 and Dwyane Wade 8-1. Series scoring over/unders include LeBron 27.5, Parker 21.5, Wade and Duncan both 17 and Chris Bosh 14.5.
MIAMI AT CENTER OF LATEST BASEBALL SCANDAL: Various reports are that stars Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun are among some 20 players who will be suspended by MLB for their involvement in the Biogenesis Clinic scandal. A-Rod of course is Miami-raised, Braun is a UM alum and the clinic was located in Coral Gables. This story has us written all over it. Rodriguez, near the end of what should have been a first-ballot Hall of Fame career, could see that Cooperstown future obliterated by steroids. Braun, nearer the beginning of a promising career, also will never fully overcome the stain. Sad, sad.
CANES FOOTBALL A RISING DARKHORSE FOR NATIONALTITLE: It's funny. The Dolphins are getting the hype this offseason but the betting odds (7.5 over/under on wins) says it's unjustified. That's a non-
playoff number. The Miami Hurricanes have gotten far less local hype, but these numbers suggest they merit much more: Bovada's new national-title odds have UM tied for 11th at 28-1. Alabama a big frontrunner to repeat at 3-1, then it's Ohio State and Texas A&M at 13-2 and Oregon at 7-1. (Florida is 20-1, FSU 33-1). Canes also making noise in Heisman Trophy odds, with RB Duke Johnson (pictured) at 14-1 (tie/8th) and QB Stephen Morris 25-1 (tie/15th).
Adjusted baseball odds: Also from Bovada, Tigers now the World Series fave at 13-2, ahead of Braves and Cardinals at 8-1 and Rangers at 17-2. Marlins dead-last at 5,000-1. Any takers?
UPDATED SAD-O-METER: MARLINS BACK ON LOSING TRACK: We have this new blog feature we update as
long as Marlins' winning percentage is under .300 -- as long as the New York Mets' infamous 1962 record of 40-120 (.250) is within dubious reach. Now, three straight losses have set things wrong, putting the team back near pace to challenge the Mets' loss record. Updated Sad-O-Meter: Current record, 16-44 (.267). Season projection, 43.2 wins, 118.8 losses.
Click back. Will be updating/adding to this latest blogpost...





