Five On The Floor: Miami Heat/NBA

Jeff Zillgitt, lead NBA writer for USA Today, stops by to discuss NBA commissioner Adam Silver's plan for the league amid the Coronovirus crisis.  Zillgitt and Ethan J. Skolnick debate the merits of playing the playoffs; the work Silver has done to stem the crisis; and whether a charity event makes sense. Also, what would be the biggest shames of a lost season, from Vince Carter to the Bucks&#...

With the NBA sidelined for at least 60 days due to the Coronavirus, Ethan J. Skolnick and Alphonse Sidney welcome Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated to discuss the business of basketball. Should the owners be doing more? Why is it up to Giannis and Kevin Love to help workers?  When will the NBA resume, if at all, this season? And what would that look like? Sponsored by Seltzer Mayberg law firm (...

There was some Miami Heat news this weekend (really)... Are the Heat ready to pay Goran Dragic for one more season? Did they make a play for DeMar DeRozan at the trade deadline? And how will they handle 2020 free agency and the luxury tax if the Arisons continue to lose money on the cruise business due to Coronavirus. Ethan J. Skolnick, Alex Toledo and special guest Nekias Duncan discuss. Sponsore...

The day after the NBA suspended its season due to the coronavirus, Ethan J. Skolnick and Alphonse Sidney return with more detail about everything happening (and not happening) in sports, including Ethan's report about the NBA's plan going forward. Is it the league's intention to play some regular season games? Also, news on plans for Five on the Floor going forward. Sponsored by Doral...

During the Miami Heat's stunning loss to the Charlotte Hornets, even more disturbing news: The NBA is suspending the season due to the Coronavirus. Ethan J. Skolnick was at the arena, and dials up Alphonse Sidney to discuss the merits of the league's decision, and what might happen to the rest of the NBA season. A night for more than sports.  Thanks to our sponsors: Seltzer Mayberg law fir...

Jae Crowder, acquired by the Miami Heat at the trade deadline, has been much more than a throw-in. He's been one of the Heat's key rotation players since the deal. Crowder joined Ethan J. Skolnick and Alphonse Sidney over the weekend to openly discuss his love for the city of Miami; his unconventional route to the NBA; the doubts that fuel him; his relationships with Jimmy Butler (includin...

After two more big games from Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson, the Heat escaped a bad loss with a 20-3 run in crunch-time to secure their 41st win of the season. Ethan J. Skolnick and Alex Toledo come on to discuss what led up to that and how the Heat responded after multiple injuries and after Jimmy Butler left the game in the 2nd half. We discuss the home and road splits for certain players and...

Ethan J. Skolnick and Alex Toledo come on to discuss a crunch-time win for the Heat, in which Duncan Robinson sank 9 threes, but also in which the Heat allowed for 50% shooting from the field and 40% from three from the Magic, a bottom-ranked offense in the league. Is this just more of the same from the Heat at home? We also go over the team's crunch-time offense as well as a couple of differe...

After a rousing home win against the reigning MVP and league-best Milwaukee Bucks, Ethan J. Skolnick and Alex Toledo come on to discuss what went right for them in the game, specifically the defensive effort. Also, how viable would a [likely] second round Bucks matchup be for the Heat?   Sponsored by: Doral Toyota, Seltzer Mayberg (OneCallLegal.com) and Sirvanti Men's Custom Clothier Advertisi...

With Giannis in town with the rolling Milwaukee Bucks, Ethan J. Skolnick and Alphonse Sidney ponder three questions: 1. Would Giannis leave Milwaukee? 2. Are the Heat a serious threat to get him? 3. Should they keep cap space available to make sure they have a shot? Sponsored by Sirvanti Men's Custom Clothiers and Seltzer Mayberg law firm.  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands P...

Ethan J. Skolnick and Alex Toledo hop on to discuss the Heat getting their act together over the weekend, as they defeated the Dallas Mavericks and the Brooklyn Nets. We talk about what set their effort apart in these games compared to the recent stretch of bad losses. Then, Ethan gets into some more information he heard on what went down with Justise Winslow towards the end of his time in Miami. ...

Alex Toledo joins Ethan J. Skolnick again, but this time they bring in some help from way Down Under: Simon Smith (@SimonSperling) of Hoops Habit stops by from Australia, to provide some statistical context to the Miami Heat's struggles down the stretch. A deeper look at what's happening with Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler and others. Plus, putting Bam Adebayo's progress in perspective. Sp...

Another big lead? Another awful loss, this one at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves. What's wrong with the Miami Heat? And who exactly was on the floor for Minnesota, other than D'Angelo Russell?  Ethan J. Skolnick and Alex Toledo assess the damage.  And we introduce our "You Have the Floor" segment with some instant Facebook comment reaction. Sponsored by Sirvanti Men's Custo...

Well, that was a disaster. The Miami Heat lose again on the road, this time to the worst team in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers.  And just about everyone was at fault. Ethan J. Skolnick and Alphonse Sidney record as soon as the final buzzer sounds, to assess the Heat's closing options, and why this keeps happening. Also, they read your tweets.  Sponsored by Seltzer Mayberg law firm (OneCallL...

Now that the Miami Heat have had a few games with Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala, how do they fit? Ethan J. Skolnick and Alex Toledo ponder that question, while also assessing Crowder's future following his fast Heat start. Would you keep him over Goran Dragic, Derrick Jones Jr or Meyers Leonard after the season? Is DJJ now the odd man out of the rotation with everyone healthy, especially once...

Ethan J. Skolnick, Alphonse Sidney and Alex Toledo come on to talk about what happened at the 5 Reasons Watch Party (and in Atlanta) last night. The Watch Party record is now at 3-2 for the season. Is it time to sound the alarm given what we know about this team's issues? What are the problems with the Heat's defensive personnel? What are their best paths to finding enough two-way balance...

A double episode to set up the post-All-Star break portion of the Miami Heat season. First, Ethan J. Skolnick, Nekias Duncan and Alex Toledo look at the Heat's schedule, and whether the Heat can chase down the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.  Then, Vinnie Goodwill of Yahoo Sports joins Ethan for a look at how Jimmy Butler has fit with the Heat.  Sponsored by DoralToyota.com and OneCallLega...

Ethan J. Skolnick, Nekias Duncan and Alex Toledo are all back home from All-Star Weekend in Chicago, and so they come on (along with Alphonse Sidney) to talk about the eventful, and surprisingly exciting weekend of events. We talk about Bam's ascension, the Derrick Jones Jr. dunk contest debate raging on, as well as the All-Star Game and we touch on Chris Bosh getting passed up for this year&#...

Ethan J. Skolnick and Alex Toledo hop on the mic live from NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago. Before we got into the Saturday night events, Ethan gave out some more insight and information on what went down at the trade deadline with Justise Winslow and Danilo Gallinari.   After a Bam Adebayo upset win in the Skills Challenge and Derrick Jones Jr.'s double OT win over Aaron Gordon in the Dunk Co...

Ethan Skolnick and Nekias Duncan caught up at the Rising Stars practice in Chicago to discuss... -- Tyler Herro's injury disclosure -- Kendrick Nunn's tasks for rest of season -- The Iguodala and Crowder fits  -- Should the Heat rest Jimmy Butler more? Sponsored by Seltzer Mayberg law firm and Sirvanti Men's Custom Clothiers Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy &...

The Miami Heat slumped into the All-Star break, but are still better than most expected. As Ethan J. Skolnick heads off to Chicago with Alex Toledo and Nekias Duncan to cover All-Star weekend, Ethan and Alphonse Sidney give their hopes for every rotation player the rest of the season. Everyone from Jimmy Butler to Bam Adebayo to Tyler Herro to Kendrick Nunn. Sponsored by Sirvanti Men's Custom...

The Miami Heat broke a 3-game losing streak in Golden State, even with Kendrick Nunn struggling, as the new players supported Jimmy Butler. But that's not all Ethan J. Skolnick and Alphonse Sidney are talking about. Is Joel Embiid trying to get his way to Miami? And how much is Jimmy Butler agitating? Sponsored by Sirvanti Men's Custom Clothiers and Seltzer Mayberg law firm.  Advertising I...

As the Heat drop another game without Jimmy Butler (and Tyler Herro), Ethan J. Skolnick and Alex Toledo hop on to talk about what they saw from new acquisitions Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder (Solomon Hill didn't play). How will they fit in?    Sponsored by: Sirvanti Men's Custom Clothiers, Seltzer Mayberg law firm (OneCallLegal.com) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Priv...

The trade deadline has come and gone and, while the Heat didn't get Danilo Gallinari, it was still eventful. Ethan J. Skolnick and Alex Toledo discuss the trade with Memphis that sent Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters and James Johnson out and brought Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill in. How do they grade it?  And what will the lineup and rotation look like? Sponsored by BetDSI.com (FI...

We weren't expecting to pod tonight but... Then came the reports of Justise Winslow's trade to Memphis for Andre Iguodala - with other teams (OKC?) and pieces (Danilo Gallinari, Jae Crowder, Dion Waiters, James Johnson?) possible.  So we did, as we wait for more news.  Sponsored by Sirvanti Men's Custom Clothiers and Seltzer Mayberg law firm.  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.c...