thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Colorado Attorney General calls for federal investigation into Frontier Airlines

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch an investigation into Denver-based Frontier Airlines after receiving more than 100 complaints about what he called deceptive and unfair practices during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The complaints center on Frontier ’ s unwillingness to provide refunds , its failure to promptly redeem flight credits or vouchers given in lieu of a refund , and not helping customers when they call to resolve problems .
“ We urge you to carefully review Frontier ’ s practices and , if you find such practices to be unfair or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect consumers .
Our office is prepared to work with you to support a thorough examination of Frontier ’ s practices and ensure consumers are protected during this precarious time , ” Weiser wrote in a letter to DOT Secretary Elaine Chao on Tuesday .
Federal regulations require airlines to provide refunds when they cancel or significantly change or delay flights , even when the reasons are outside the airlines ’ control .
Weiser said consumers from Colorado and 29 other states have contacted his office about Frontier ’ s failure in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has offered credits for future flights to be used within 90 days of the cancellation of the original flight .
But when consumers tried to redeem their credits , they couldn ’ t because of an error-prone website and unresponsive call center , which placed customers on hold for hours or regularly disconnected them mid-call .
Others were reassured that if they needed to extend the 90-day period , they could call back closer to the expiration date .
When they actually did that , Frontier refused to extend the credit period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manage to redeem credits weren ’ t allowed to carry over any remaining value after booking a flight , forcing them to forfeit significant amounts of money .
“ The law requires airlines like Frontier to treat consumers fairly and honestly .
During the COVID-19 pandemic , we received more complaints about Frontier ’ s conduct — failing to honor its commitment to provide refunds — than any other company , ” Weiser said in a news release Tuesday .
Although a federal investigation could harm a significant Colorado employer , Weiser said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take advantage of consumers during this time and must be held accountable for deceptive and unfair conduct.
” He urged the DOT to use its authority , including civil penalties of up to $ 2,500 per violation , where appropriate .
Frontier Airlines “ strongly disputed ” the allegations Weiser made in his letter .
“ Throughout the pandemic , Frontier Airlines has acted in good faith to care for our passengers compassionately and fairly , ” said spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz .
“ At all times we have remained in full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight changes , cancellations and refunds.
” The federal government set aside $ 25 billion in loans to passenger carriers , including Frontier Airlines , to help them cover revenue losses because of the pandemic , which in theory should have cushioned the blow that comes with providing refunds .
But the money isn ’ t enough to cover the losses the industry is facing .
Numerous airlines have announced significant layoffs starting Oct. 1 , when restrictions on large job reductions are lifted .
Frontier Airlines has said it plans to furlough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Denver .

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch an investigation into Denver-based Frontier Airlines after receiving more than 100 complaints about what he called deceptive and unfair practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The complaints center on Frontier’s unwillingness to provide refunds, its failure to promptly redeem flight credits or vouchers given in lieu of a refund, and not helping customers when they call to resolve problems.
“We urge you to carefully review Frontier’s practices and, if you find such practices to be unfair or deceptive, to use your authority to protect consumers. Our office is prepared to work with you to support a thorough examination of Frontier’s practices and ensure consumers are protected during this precarious time,” Weiser wrote in a letter to DOT Secretary Elaine Chao on Tuesday.
Federal regulations require airlines to provide refunds when they cancel or significantly change or delay flights, even when the reasons are outside the airlines’ control. Weiser said consumers from Colorado and 29 other states have contacted his office about Frontier’s failure in that regard.
Instead of refunds, Frontier has offered credits for future flights to be used within 90 days of the cancellation of the original flight. But when consumers tried to redeem their credits, they couldn’t because of an error-prone website and unresponsive call center, which placed customers on hold for hours or regularly disconnected them mid-call.
Others were reassured that if they needed to extend the 90-day period, they could call back closer to the expiration date. When they actually did that, Frontier refused to extend the credit period, according to Weiser.
Consumers who did manage to redeem credits weren’t allowed to carry over any remaining value after booking a flight, forcing them to forfeit significant amounts of money.
“The law requires airlines like Frontier to treat consumers fairly and honestly. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we received more complaints about Frontier’s conduct — failing to honor its commitment to provide refunds — than any other company,” Weiser said in a news release Tuesday.
Although a federal investigation could harm a significant Colorado employer, Weiser said “companies cannot be allowed to take advantage of consumers during this time and must be held accountable for deceptive and unfair conduct.” He urged the DOT to use its authority, including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, where appropriate.
Frontier Airlines “strongly disputed” the allegations Weiser made in his letter.
“Throughout the pandemic, Frontier Airlines has acted in good faith to care for our passengers compassionately and fairly,” said spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz. “At all times we have remained in full compliance with DOT rules and regulations governing flight changes, cancellations and refunds.”
The federal government set aside $25 billion in loans to passenger carriers, including Frontier Airlines, to help them cover revenue losses because of the pandemic, which in theory should have cushioned the blow that comes with providing refunds.
But the money isn’t enough to cover the losses the industry is facing. Numerous airlines have announced significant layoffs starting Oct. 1, when restrictions on large job reductions are lifted. Frontier Airlines has said it plans to furlough about 1,500 workers, including nearly 400 in Denver.


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Colorado proposes color-coded dial to guide counties on reopening schools, bars and more

Remember those rubrics your teacher used to grade your essays ?
Colorado ’ s looking at something like that , but to determine whether counties can open their bars or school buildings .
The proposed framework would put each county into one of five levels on a dial based on how many COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations they have , the percentage of tests coming back positive and whether those measures are improving or getting worse .
Counties with the worst level of spread could be put back on stay-at-home orders , and those with little viral activity could move into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid out earlier this summer , which would allow some events to have up to 500 people .
Counties that are in between would be at different levels of “ safer at home , ” with gradually decreasing restrictions .
Jill Hunsaker Ryan , executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , said part of the plan was to create a framework that ’ s easy for the public to understand .
People could look up where their county sits on a color-coded dial , from red areas under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
“ We need to empower local communities with easy-to-follow guidance , if we are to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 , ” she said in a news release .
“ We hope the dial will help provide local communities with the flexibility to move throughout the different levels of guidance as necessary to protect public health.
” John Douglas , executive director of the Tri-County Health Department , said the framework would make decisions more transparent , so residents could see why their county has some restrictions and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variability clearer and more predictable , and will allow communities to understand the ‘ rules of the road ’ more clearly — and hopefully create greater incentive to work together to keep rates as low as possible , ” he said in a written statement .
• No more than 25 new cases per 100,000 people • No more than 5 % of tests come back positive • Must have sufficient hospital capacity , personal protective equipment , testing capacity and ability to trace infected people ’ s contacts • Almost all other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the beginning .
That could rise by 5 % each week until events reach 100 % or a cap of 500 people • No more than 75 new cases per 100,000 people • No more than 5 % of tests come back positive • K-12 classes could be remote , in-person or blended • Offices , religious facilities , stores , personal service providers and restaurants can operate at 50 % of capacity • Indoor events limited to 175 people and outdoor events limited to 250 • Gyms limited to 25 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 50 participants • No more than 10 % of tests come back positive • K-12 classes could be remote , in-person or blended • Offices , religious facilities , stores , personal service providers and restaurants can operate at 50 % of capacity • Indoor events limited to 100 people and outdoor events limited to 175 • Gyms limited to 25 % of capacity and group sports can have up to 25 participants • No more than 15 % of tests come back positive • Offices , religious facilities , stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of capacity • Gyms and group sports only allowed outdoors and with no more than 10 people • 350 or more new cases per 100,000 people • Offices and religious facilities can only operate remotely • Restaurants can only offer takeout or delivery • No in-person shopping , except for essentials like groceries • Gyms and group sports only allowed outdoors and with no more than 10 people • Residents ordered not to travel to other counties In a response to emailed questions , a CDPHE spokeswoman said the framework gives K-12 schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than other facilities because younger children often struggle with remote learning , and schools can keep students with the same “ cohort ” of classmates to limit their exposure to others .
A county ’ s local public health agency , elected officials and law enforcement have to be on board before that county can move to a less-restrictive level , even if the metrics are all favorable .
If a county ’ s numbers start worsening again , they get two weeks to correct their course before possibly being ordered to tighten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can decide to have more restrictive rules than those under the state framework .
You can comment on the proposal via an online form through noon Thursday .
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox .

Remember those rubrics your teacher used to grade your essays? Colorado’s looking at something like that, but to determine whether counties can open their bars or school buildings.
The proposed framework would put each county into one of five levels on a dial based on how many COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations they have, the percentage of tests coming back positive and whether those measures are improving or getting worse.
Counties with the worst level of spread could be put back on stay-at-home orders, and those with little viral activity could move into the “protect our neighbors” phase laid out earlier this summer, which would allow some events to have up to 500 people.
Counties that are in between would be at different levels of “safer at home,” with gradually decreasing restrictions.
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said part of the plan was to create a framework that’s easy for the public to understand. People could look up where their county sits on a color-coded dial, from red areas under stay-at-home orders to blue areas with few restrictions.
“We need to empower local communities with easy-to-follow guidance, if we are to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19,” she said in a news release. “We hope the dial will help provide local communities with the flexibility to move throughout the different levels of guidance as necessary to protect public health.”
John Douglas, executive director of the Tri-County Health Department, said the framework would make decisions more transparent, so residents could see why their county has some restrictions and not others.
“This will make the variability clearer and more predictable, and will allow communities to understand the ‘rules of the road’ more clearly — and hopefully create greater incentive to work together to keep rates as low as possible,” he said in a written statement.
The proposed levels are:
Protect our neighbors (blue):
No more than 25 new cases per 100,000 people
No more than 5% of tests come back positive
Stable or declining hospitalizations, case numbers and positivity rates
Must have sufficient hospital capacity, personal protective equipment, testing capacity and ability to trace infected people’s contacts
In-person classes suggested for K-12 schools
Bars can open at reduced capacity
Almost all other activities limited to 50% of capacity at the beginning. That could rise by 5% each week until events reach 100% or a cap of 500 people
Safer-at-home Level 1 (green):
No more than 75 new cases per 100,000 people
No more than 5% of tests come back positive
Stable or declining hospitalizations, case numbers and positivity rates
K-12 classes could be remote, in-person or blended
Offices, religious facilities, stores, personal service providers and restaurants can operate at 50% of capacity
Bars remain closed
Indoor events limited to 175 people and outdoor events limited to 250
Gyms limited to 25% of capacity and group sports can have up to 50 participants
Safer-at-home Level 2 (yellow):
75-175 new cases per 100,000 people
No more than 10% of tests come back positive
Stable or declining hospitalizations, case numbers and positivity rates
K-12 classes could be remote, in-person or blended
Offices, religious facilities, stores, personal service providers and restaurants can operate at 50% of capacity
Bars remain closed
Indoor events limited to 100 people and outdoor events limited to 175
Gyms limited to 25% of capacity and group sports can have up to 25 participants
Safer-at-home Level 3 (orange):
175-350 new cases per 100,000 people
No more than 15% of tests come back positive
Increasing hospitalizations, case numbers and positivity rates
Remote classes suggested in K-12 schools
Offices, religious facilities, stores and restaurants can operate at 25% of capacity
Bars remain closed
Indoor events and personal service providers limited to 25 people
Outdoor events limited to 75 people
Gyms and group sports only allowed outdoors and with no more than 10 people
Stay-at-home (red):
350 or more new cases per 100,000 people
Increasing hospitalizations, case numbers and positivity rates
Remote classes in K-12 schools required
Offices and religious facilities can only operate remotely
Restaurants can only offer takeout or delivery
Bars are closed
No in-person shopping, except for essentials like groceries
No personal services or group events
Gyms and group sports only allowed outdoors and with no more than 10 people
Residents ordered not to travel to other counties
In a response to emailed questions, a CDPHE spokeswoman said the framework gives K-12 schools an option of returning to normal faster than other facilities because younger children often struggle with remote learning, and schools can keep students with the same “cohort” of classmates to limit their exposure to others.
A county’s local public health agency, elected officials and law enforcement have to be on board before that county can move to a less-restrictive level, even if the metrics are all favorable. If a county’s numbers start worsening again, they get two weeks to correct their course before possibly being ordered to tighten their rules.
Counties and municipalities also can decide to have more restrictive rules than those under the state framework.
You can comment on the proposal via an online form through noon Thursday.
Subscribe to bi-weekly newsletter to get health news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Denver weather: Sunny, dry and hot through Labor Day weekend

Sunny and dry weather , with unseasonably high temperatures , will elevate fire concerns in northeastern Colorado through the weekend @ @ @ @ @ will be sunny through Sunday , according to the National Weather Service forecast .
High @ @ @ @ @ be 89 on Wednesday , 85 on Thursday , 91 on Friday , 95 on @ @ @ @ @ .
The seasonable high temperature for Denver in the first week of September is about @ @ @ @ @ temperatures in Denver through the weekend will be in the upper 50s to the lower @ @ @ @ @ be clear to mostly clear , the weather service said .
On Monday , Labor @ @ @ @ @ a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms as the high temperatures tops out at @ @ @ @ @ according to the weather service .

Sunny and dry weather, with unseasonably high temperatures, will elevate fire concerns in northeastern Colorado through the weekend.
In Denver, skies will be sunny through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service forecast. High temperatures in the city will be 89 on Wednesday, 85 on Thursday, 91 on Friday, 95 on Saturday and 88 on Sunday. The seasonable high temperature for Denver in the first week of September is about 84 degrees.
Overnight low temperatures in Denver through the weekend will be in the upper 50s to the lower 60s. Nighttime skies will be clear to mostly clear, the weather service said.
On Monday, Labor Day, Denver will have a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms as the high temperatures tops out at a seasonable 83 degrees, according to the weather service.


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Ranking NFL’s 32 starting quarterbacks, from Dwayne Haskins to Patrick Mahomes

Who ’ s the best starting quarterback in the league ?
That question is easy to answer .
Trying to rate the next 31 ?
That gets a little harder .
Luckily for you , our dear readers , the Grading the Week staff has come up with an ironclad formula to rank all 32 — from Haskins to Mahomes .
There ’ s some hits ( Drew Lock at 20 ! )
and some misses ( Derek Carr at 10 ? )
, but no system is perfect .
For a more detailed accounting of everything that went into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a very real possibility Haskins isn ’ t the worst starting quarterback in the NFL .
Unfortunately for the Ohio State product , he was drafted by the worst-run organization in the league , so we may never know .
The No .
1 overall pick of the 2020 draft , and reigning Heisman Trophy winner , has yet to throw a pass in the NFL .
But we ’ re still confident he ’ s better than Haskins — so confident he ’ s the lone QB placed above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranking formula .
The league ’ s lone ginger starting QB had his moments when he wasn ’ t battling mononucleosis last season ( 7-6 record ) .
While he has yet to live up to his status as the third overall pick of the 2018 draft , he still has time to turn things around .
Props to Fitzpatrick for holding down an NFL job this long despite never making a single trip to the playoffs .
The Fitzmagic experience is a rollicking good time .
But , let ’ s face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping the seat warm for Tua Tagovailoa .
Josh Allen is a competitor .
Josh Allen just wins football games .
Josh Allen … is a wildly inaccurate passer .
You take the good with the bad with the Wyoming wunderkind .
Add it all up , and it ’ s probably a little better than where this ranking puts him .
Jones is on his second play-caller in as many seasons after Pat Shurmur got the boot ( and landed in Denver ) .
There are some things to like about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giants running back Saquon Barkley .
Give Baker this much : When he plays poorly , he owns it .
( Or shaves his mustache at halftime . )
The Browns were everyone ’ s sleeper pick last season .
Maybe they were just a year early ?
The talent is there .
But what about that head ?
We ’ re just going to assume Trubisky holds off Nick Foles for the starting job .
After a general manager trades up one spot to nab you with the No .
2 overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick Mahomes ) , you tend to get the benefit of the doubt .
A successful five-game cameo in New Orleans ( 5-0 ) produced a three-year contract and a starting job in Carolina .
Bridgewater has the league ’ s best running back beside him ( Christian McCaffrey ) .
Time to prove 2019 was no fluke .
The NFL ’ s annual leader in on-field spaz-outs has left the West Coast for the verdant fields of Indiana .
Could a change of scenery revitalize the aging signal-caller ?
Rivers has plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explosive offense .
In a ranking of best hangs in the NFL , Minshew wins in a landslide .
Unfortunately , this is about production .
And despite flashes of brilliance as a rookie , Minshew remains a work in progress .
Plus , the Jags are clearly tanking for Trevor Lawrence .
Remember how this guy took a team to the Super Bowl ?
Remember how he face-planted in said Super Bowl ?
It ’ s safe to say this is a big year for Goff , whose been both spectacular and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past three seasons .
The local boy could make a big leap after all the new toys GM John Elway added to the offense .
What we know after five games : Lock rarely takes sacks , he ’ s great on third down , and he doesn ’ t make many back-breaking mistakes .
Arizona is loaded with offensive talent , including new addition DeAndre Hopkins on the outside .
If you ’ re searching for a fantasy stud , look no further than Murray .
Just don ’ t expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Cardinals .
Don ’ t let anybody fool you .
Tyrod Taylor is a perfectly fine NFL quarterback .
Not only can he make plays with his legs , he rarely gives the ball to the other team .
Still , we ’ re putting the over/under for Justin Herbert ’ s first start at Week 10 .
One can only imagine the maniacal cackling coming out of Foxborough when Bill Belichick found out he ’ d get Cam for $ 1.75 million .
Bill ’ s playing chess .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Watch Cam detonate this season — even with all the Pats ’ opt-outs .
How often do you think Matty Ice plays back Super Bowl LI in his head ?
Four , maybe five times a week ?
The good news for Ryan : Now he gets to see Tom Brady twice a year in the flesh with the Golden Boy playing for division rival Tampa .
After missing all but two games last season , it ’ s starting to look like the end is near for Big Ben .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him — including a defense that is among the league ’ s best .
Can he go out with a bang ?
The North Dakota State product is a favorite of football guys everywhere .
But are we sure he ’ s elite ?
Last year ’ s stats didn ’ t jump off the page , and he never seems to make it through a season intact .
One of the most electric playmakers in the NFL , Watson is a proven winner and leader .
Unfortunately , he has two major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacks and turns the ball over more than he should .
Losing Hopkins doesn ’ t help , either .
Weep for Stafford — a talented QB who ’ s spent his entire career languishing in Motown .
Some might ding him for a lack of playoff success , but even the great Barry Sanders couldn ’ t deliver Lions fans more than one postseason victory .
The record was great in 2019 ( 13-3 ) .
The numbers ?
Not so much .
The Packers offense was a hair above mediocre , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger .
That said , is there anyone you ’ d rather give the ball to trailing with two minutes left ?
There may be no greater indictment of this ranking system than this guy landing at 10 — eyeliner and all .
But say this for Carr : he completes passes at a high rate and takes care of the ball .
Put him on the 49ers , and he probably wins 12 games .
Nobody is more accomplished .
Nobody is cooler under pressure .
Nobody is … quite so old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final year in New England .
With all the weapons at his disposal in Tampa , however , TB12 could make serious noise in 2020 .
Not only is Jimmy G damn handsome , he ’ s good enough to not screw up one of the most loaded offenses in the NFL .
Could you put just about any competent QB into this situation and watch them succeed ?
Yes .
Some guys have all the luck .
Do we like rating Cousins this high ?
Of course not .
But even with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota remains chock full of talent .
And last year ’ s fourth-rated passer ( 107.4 ) knows how to use it — in the regular season .
Give this man a running game , and good things happen .
Tannehill ’ s rating off play-action ( 143.6 ) was the best in the league last year , as was his yards per attempt ( 14.1 ) .
Amazing how much better Derrick Henry makes a quarterback .
Too high , you say ?
Prescott was second in the league in passing yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passes ( 30 ) and third in net yards per pass attempt ( 7.68 ) in 2019 .
The man makes plays .
He just needs to make more of them in big games .
Outside of one shortcoming — he takes sacks , lots of ’ em — Wilson has it all .
Accuracy , mobility , smarts , poise .
The big question now is when will Pete Carroll finally hand over the keys to the offense and let an artist paint ?
Last year ’ s league MVP has answered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uber-athletic , big-play machine win when it matters most ?
After back-to-back playoff duds , the pressure is on for Jackson to exorcise his postseason demons .
Brees may be on the wrong side of 40 , but his production remains as good as ever : he led the NFL in completion percentage and was second in QB rating in 2019 .
Still , that ’ s a lot of tread on those tires .
How much longer does he have ?
As if anyone else could top this list .
Even with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Mahomes ’ combination of accuracy , playmaking and pocket awareness remains unmatched — and he ’ s still only 24 .
Translation : The best is yet to come .

Who’s the best starting quarterback in the league? That question is easy to answer. Trying to rate the next 31? That gets a little harder.
Luckily for you, our dear readers, the Grading the Week staff has come up with an ironclad formula to rank all 32 — from Haskins to Mahomes. There’s some hits (Drew Lock at 20!) and some misses (Derek Carr at 10?), but no system is perfect. For a more detailed accounting of everything that went into it, see the box below.
32. Dwayne Haskins, Washington
Age: 23
Career record (postseason): 2-5 (0-0)
There’s a very real possibility Haskins isn’t the worst starting quarterback in the NFL. Unfortunately for the Ohio State product, he was drafted by the worst-run organization in the league, so we may never know.
31. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati
Age: 23
Career record (postseason): 0-0 (0-0)
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 draft, and reigning Heisman Trophy winner, has yet to throw a pass in the NFL. But we’re still confident he’s better than Haskins — so confident he’s the lone QB placed above Haskins in The Post’s patented ranking formula.
30. Sam Darnold, N.Y. Jets
Age: 23
Career record (postseason): 11-15 (0-0)
The league’s lone ginger starting QB had his moments when he wasn’t battling mononucleosis last season (7-6 record). While he has yet to live up to his status as the third overall pick of the 2018 draft, he still has time to turn things around.
29. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami
Age: 37
Career record (postseason): 55-83-1 (0-0)
Props to Fitzpatrick for holding down an NFL job this long despite never making a single trip to the playoffs. The Fitzmagic experience is a rollicking good time. But, let’s face it, the Bearded One is just keeping the seat warm for Tua Tagovailoa.
28. Josh Allen, Buffalo
Age: 24
Career record (postseason): 15-12 (0-1)
Josh Allen is a competitor. Josh Allen just wins football games. Josh Allen … is a wildly inaccurate passer. You take the good with the bad with the Wyoming wunderkind. Add it all up, and it’s probably a little better than where this ranking puts him.
27. Daniel Jones, N.Y. Giants
Age: 23
Career record (postseason): 3-9 (0-0)
Jones is on his second play-caller in as many seasons after Pat Shurmur got the boot (and landed in Denver). There are some things to like about the second-year signal-caller. The main one: Giants running back Saquon Barkley.
26. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland
Age: 25
Career record (postseason): 12-17 (0-0)
Give Baker this much: When he plays poorly, he owns it. (Or shaves his mustache at halftime.) The Browns were everyone’s sleeper pick last season. Maybe they were just a year early? The talent is there. But what about that head?
25. Mitch Trubisky, Chicago
Age: 26
Career record (postseason): 23-18 (0-1)
We’re just going to assume Trubisky holds off Nick Foles for the starting job. After a general manager trades up one spot to nab you with the No. 2 overall pick (ahead of Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes), you tend to get the benefit of the doubt.
24. Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina
Age: 27
Career record (postseason): 22-12 (0-1)
A successful five-game cameo in New Orleans (5-0) produced a three-year contract and a starting job in Carolina. Bridgewater has the league’s best running back beside him (Christian McCaffrey). Time to prove 2019 was no fluke.
23. Philip Rivers, Indianapolis
Age: 38
Career record (postseason): 123-101 (5-6)
The NFL’s annual leader in on-field spaz-outs has left the West Coast for the verdant fields of Indiana. Could a change of scenery revitalize the aging signal-caller? Rivers has plenty of tape showing he can lead an explosive offense.
22. Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville
Age: 23
Career record (postseason): 6-6 (0-0)
In a ranking of best hangs in the NFL, Minshew wins in a landslide. Unfortunately, this is about production. And despite flashes of brilliance as a rookie, Minshew remains a work in progress. Plus, the Jags are clearly tanking for Trevor Lawrence.
21. Jared Goff, L.A. Rams
Age: 25
Career record (postseason): 33-21 (2-2)
Remember how this guy took a team to the Super Bowl? Remember how he face-planted in said Super Bowl? It’s safe to say this is a big year for Goff, whose been both spectacular and subpar while piloting a loaded Rams offense the past three seasons.
QB ranking formula explained In order to rank the NFL’s 32 starting quarterbacks, The Post put together a formula that is a composite of ratings indicating each quarterback’s accuracy, decision making, mobility, offensive talent around them and age in relation to prime. We did this using a total of 11 data points based on the 2019 season or career performance, depending upon whether or not the QB played. Here are the 11 stats: + Completion percentage
+ Touchdown percentage
+ Interception percentage
+ Rushing yardage
+ Net yards per attempt (factors in sacks)
+ Sack percentage
+ Fumbles per game
+ Traditional QB rating
+ Playoff wins
+ Age in relation to peak (28)
+ Team per game scoring
20. Drew Lock, Denver
Age: 23
Career record (postseason): 4-1 (0-0)
The local boy could make a big leap after all the new toys GM John Elway added to the offense. What we know after five games: Lock rarely takes sacks, he’s great on third down, and he doesn’t make many back-breaking mistakes.
19. Kyler Murray, Arizona
Age: 23
Career record (postseason): 5-10-1 (0-0)
Arizona is loaded with offensive talent, including new addition DeAndre Hopkins on the outside. If you’re searching for a fantasy stud, look no further than Murray. Just don’t expect it to translate into a playoff berth for the Cardinals.
18. Tyrod Taylor, L.A. Chargers
Age: 31
Career record (postseason): 23-21-1 (0-1)
Don’t let anybody fool you. Tyrod Taylor is a perfectly fine NFL quarterback. Not only can he make plays with his legs, he rarely gives the ball to the other team. Still, we’re putting the over/under for Justin Herbert’s first start at Week 10.
17. Cam Newton, New England
Age: 31
Career record (postseason): 68-55-1 (4-6)
One can only imagine the maniacal cackling coming out of Foxborough when Bill Belichick found out he’d get Cam for $1.75 million. Bill’s playing chess. The rest of the NFL is playing checkers. Watch Cam detonate this season — even with all the Pats’ opt-outs.
16. Matt Ryan, Atlanta
Age: 35
Career record (postseason): 109-80 (3-4)
How often do you think Matty Ice plays back Super Bowl LI in his head? Four, maybe five times a week? The good news for Ryan: Now he gets to see Tom Brady twice a year in the flesh with the Golden Boy playing for division rival Tampa.
15. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh
Age: 38
Career record (postseason): 144-71-1 (13-8)
After missing all but two games last season, it’s starting to look like the end is near for Big Ben. The two-time Super Bowl winner has talent around him — including a defense that is among the league’s best. Can he go out with a bang?
14. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia
Age: 27
Career record (postseason): 32-24 (0-1)
The North Dakota State product is a favorite of football guys everywhere. But are we sure he’s elite? Last year’s stats didn’t jump off the page, and he never seems to make it through a season intact.
13. Deshaun Watson, Houston
Age: 24
Career record (postseason): 24-13 (1-2)
One of the most electric playmakers in the NFL, Watson is a proven winner and leader. Unfortunately, he has two major bugaboos: He takes a lot of sacks and turns the ball over more than he should. Losing Hopkins doesn’t help, either.
12. Matthew Stafford, Detroit
Age: 32
Career record (postseason): 69-79-1 (0-3)
Weep for Stafford — a talented QB who’s spent his entire career languishing in Motown. Some might ding him for a lack of playoff success, but even the great Barry Sanders couldn’t deliver Lions fans more than one postseason victory.
11. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Age: 36
Career record (postseason): 113-60-1 (10-8)
The record was great in 2019 (13-3). The numbers? Not so much. The Packers offense was a hair above mediocre, and Rodgers isn’t getting any younger. That said, is there anyone you’d rather give the ball to trailing with two minutes left?
10. Derek Carr, Las Vegas
Age: 29
Career record (postseason): 39-55 (0-0)
There may be no greater indictment of this ranking system than this guy landing at 10 — eyeliner and all. But say this for Carr: he completes passes at a high rate and takes care of the ball. Put him on the 49ers, and he probably wins 12 games.
9. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay
Age: 43
Career record (postseason): 219-64 (30-11)
Nobody is more accomplished. Nobody is cooler under pressure. Nobody is … quite so old. The production was unspectacular in his final year in New England. With all the weapons at his disposal in Tampa, however, TB12 could make serious noise in 2020.
8. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco
Age: 28
Career record (postseason): 21-5 (2-1)
Not only is Jimmy G damn handsome, he’s good enough to not screw up one of the most loaded offenses in the NFL. Could you put just about any competent QB into this situation and watch them succeed? Yes. Some guys have all the luck.
7. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota
Age: 32
Career record (postseason): 44-42-2 (1-2)
Do we like rating Cousins this high? Of course not. But even with Stefon Diggs out of the picture, Minnesota remains chock full of talent. And last year’s fourth-rated passer (107.4) knows how to use it — in the regular season.
6. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee
Age: 32
Career record (postseason): 49-49 (2-1)
Give this man a running game, and good things happen. Tannehill’s rating off play-action (143.6) was the best in the league last year, as was his yards per attempt (14.1). Amazing how much better Derrick Henry makes a quarterback.
5. Dak Prescott, Dallas
Age: 27
Career record (postseason): 40-24 (1-2)
Too high, you say? Prescott was second in the league in passing yards (4,902), fourth in touchdown passes (30) and third in net yards per pass attempt (7.68) in 2019. The man makes plays. He just needs to make more of them in big games.
4. Russell Wilson, Seattle
Age: 31
Career record (postseason): 86-41-1 (9-6)
Outside of one shortcoming — he takes sacks, lots of ’em — Wilson has it all. Accuracy, mobility, smarts, poise. The big question now is when will Pete Carroll finally hand over the keys to the offense and let an artist paint?
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore
Age: 23
Career record (postseason): 19-3 (0-2)
Last year’s league MVP has answered every question but one: Can the uber-athletic, big-play machine win when it matters most? After back-to-back playoff duds, the pressure is on for Jackson to exorcise his postseason demons.
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans
Age: 41
Career record (postseason): 163-111 (8-8)
Brees may be on the wrong side of 40, but his production remains as good as ever: he led the NFL in completion percentage and was second in QB rating in 2019. Still, that’s a lot of tread on those tires. How much longer does he have?
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City
Age: 24
Career record (postseason): 24-7 (4-1)
As if anyone else could top this list. Even with a down regular season (for him), Mahomes’ combination of accuracy, playmaking and pocket awareness remains unmatched — and he’s still only 24. Translation: The best is yet to come.


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Rockies Mailbag: Why is Jake McGee succeeding with the Dodgers when he couldn’t with Rox?

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag .
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag .
A recent story from another media outlet noted Jake McGee ’ s much-improved performance this year with the Dodgers and his increased fastball usage .
Is that a reflection of the Coors Field effect on pitchers ?
Or is it a reflection on the Rox organization that such a seemingly simple tweak escaped notice for his four years in Denver ?
— Dave G. , Fort Collins Dave , the article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Athletic by Nick Groke , my former colleague at The Denver Post .
It was a very interesting piece , noting that McGee ’ s fastball usage is up this year , but also explaining that his fastball velocity has increased .
According to FanGraphs , McGee ’ s fastball this season is averaging 95.1 mph as opposed to 93.4 mph with Colorado last season .
He ’ s still not throwing as hard as he did in 2014 with Tampa Bay when he was almost exclusively a fastball pitcher , thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Rockies originally signed McGee primarily because they thought his fastball would play at altitude .
Sometimes it did , sometimes it didn ’ t .
Last season , he allowed 17 of 26 inherited runners to score ( 65.4 % ) , which was the highest percentage in the majors ( minimum 25 inherited runners ) .
That is one of the big reasons why the club released McGee .
But back to your basic question .
The Dodgers just might have discovered a tweak to McGee ’ s mechanics that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magic of his fastball .
“ It was kind of cool to have that feeling again , to be on the mound and be my old self again , ” McGee told The Athletic .
“ When I get feedback like that , swings and misses , it ’ s hard for me to go to something else , even though they know I ’ m throwing a fastball 98 percent of the time right now.
” At sea level in Los Angeles , McGee ’ s fastball does appear to have more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a swing-and-miss pitch .
But I don ’ t think the Rockies “ misdiagnosed ” McGee .
I think part of the problem was a painful and troublesome left knee that at times plagued McGee last season .
For the record , as I write this , McGee is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA for the Dodgers , striking out 17 and walking only three over 11 2/3 innings .
His WHIP is an impressive 0.943 .
However , his last outing was not good .
He took a loss against Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four hits and notching one strikeout in just one-third of an inning .
We ’ ll see how this plays out .
Paraphrasing Clint Hurdle , “ This is not the try-hard league ; it ’ s a do-good league.
” I get the sense these fellows have got themselves all tensed and tangled up trying too hard .
They ’ ve got to be a better team than they ’ re showing us lately .
It can ’ t be Buddy ’ s fault ; he ’ s pretty easy going .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the media get to be in the press box or in the stands for home games ?
Can you share some of how the job works day today in the 2020 COVID season ?
— John , Denver John , I agree with you that the Rockies are too tight .
Part of that is a byproduct of losing , so it then becomes a vicious cycle .
But the veteran leaders on the team — Nolan Arenado , Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon — are all grinders .
They lead by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I get the sense that they are kind of islands unto themselves .
Of course , I don ’ t get to see the team in the food room , weight room , team plane , etc.
, so I can ’ t accurately gauge the internal mood of the team .
I do wonder if it would do the Rockies some good to get really ticked off , and that includes Black , who tends to be very even-tempered .
That said , I found it interesting that general manager Jeff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personality and spark he believes new outfielder Kevin Pillar will bring to the team .
As for the second part of your question , I find it interesting that you ’ re interested in “ ink-strained wretches ” such as myself .
But thanks for the question !
Things have changed a lot this season .
I am not traveling to watch the Rockies when they play on the road .
I watch road games on TV from my home office , keeping score as I always do , while tweeting and following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
The Rockies media relations folks set us up with several pregame Zoom sessions before each game and then a few after the game .
I want to say — once again — that the Rockies media relations crew has been amazing getting the players to talk to us .
When the Rockies are at home , I cover the game from the press box at Coors Field .
There were quite a few people there for the home opener but now there are usually only seven or eight writers in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games in person .
I get a much better feel for the game and you can see things that aren ’ t captured by TV cameras .
Of course , having access to TV replays is essential , too , so there is a TV in the pressbox close at hand .
What I miss the most during this weird season is the personal interaction with the players in the clubhouse .
I can gather news on my own and I don ’ t have to rely on Zooms and share everything with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more difficult to be a reporter this season and get a true sense of what ’ s going on with the team .
Do the Rockies seriously think ( and do you as well ) that Wade Davis has something left and can be a closer again ?
— Gary J Gaudin , Thornton Gary , Davis is still on the injured list and the Rockies aren ’ t telling us much about his sore shoulder .
For him to be out this long suggests that it ’ s a pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of right-hander Mychal Givens at the trade deadline is another indication that Davis probably won ’ t be counted on this season .
He might pitch , but I can ’ t see him as a closer .
Frankly , I was surprised that Davis was essentially given the closer role during the abbreviated spring training .
I thought Scott Oberg had earned the role and was a much better choice , but now he ’ s been lost for the season with reoccurring blood clots in his right arm .
Garrett Hampson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situations .
Why don ’ t other players bunt more frequently , especially when the shift is on ?
— Judy Frieman , Denver Judy , that ’ s a great question .
The simple answer is that most players are terrible bunters and they don ’ t do it very often .
They practice it as an afterthought at the beginning of batting practice .
Hampson learned to bunt in high school and at Long Beach State , where all players were required to be decent bunters .
I wish Raimel Tapia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hilliard , too .
But it ’ s just not part of contemporary players ’ skill set .
The current thought is that by bunting , you are essentially giving away an out .
With the emphasis on home runs , that ’ s a no-no .
If you want to read more , take a peek at this story in Sports Illustrated entitled “ Bunting for Dummies .
”

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
A recent story from another media outlet noted Jake McGee’s much-improved performance this year with the Dodgers and his increased fastball usage. Is that a reflection of the Coors Field effect on pitchers? Or is it a reflection on the Rox organization that such a seemingly simple tweak escaped notice for his four years in Denver?
— Dave G., Fort Collins
Dave, the article you are referring to was written in The Athletic by Nick Groke, my former colleague at The Denver Post.
It was a very interesting piece, noting that McGee’s fastball usage is up this year, but also explaining that his fastball velocity has increased. According to FanGraphs, McGee’s fastball this season is averaging 95.1 mph as opposed to 93.4 mph with Colorado last season. He’s still not throwing as hard as he did in 2014 with Tampa Bay when he was almost exclusively a fastball pitcher, thanks to a heater that averaged 97.5 mph.
The Rockies originally signed McGee primarily because they thought his fastball would play at altitude. Sometimes it did, sometimes it didn’t. Last season, he allowed 17 of 26 inherited runners to score (65.4%), which was the highest percentage in the majors (minimum 25 inherited runners). That is one of the big reasons why the club released McGee.
But back to your basic question. The Dodgers just might have discovered a tweak to McGee’s mechanics that enabled him to “rediscover” the magic of his fastball.
“It was kind of cool to have that feeling again, to be on the mound and be my old self again,” McGee told The Athletic. “When I get feedback like that, swings and misses, it’s hard for me to go to something else, even though they know I’m throwing a fastball 98 percent of the time right now.”
At sea level in Los Angeles, McGee’s fastball does appear to have more life and movement, making it more of a swing-and-miss pitch. But I don’t think the Rockies “misdiagnosed” McGee. I think part of the problem was a painful and troublesome left knee that at times plagued McGee last season.
For the record, as I write this, McGee is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA for the Dodgers, striking out 17 and walking only three over 11 2/3 innings. His WHIP is an impressive 0.943.
However, his last outing was not good. He took a loss against Texas last Friday, allowing four runs on four hits and notching one strikeout in just one-third of an inning.
We’ll see how this plays out.
Paraphrasing Clint Hurdle, “This is not the try-hard league; it’s a do-good league.” I get the sense these fellows have got themselves all tensed and tangled up trying too hard. They’ve got to be a better team than they’re showing us lately. It can’t be Buddy’s fault; he’s pretty easy going. Right? Also, do you guys in the media get to be in the press box or in the stands for home games? Can you share some of how the job works day today in the 2020 COVID season?
— John, Denver
John, I agree with you that the Rockies are too tight. Part of that is a byproduct of losing, so it then becomes a vicious cycle. But the veteran leaders on the team — Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon — are all grinders. They lead by example and by their work ethic, but I get the sense that they are kind of islands unto themselves. Of course, I don’t get to see the team in the food room, weight room, team plane, etc., so I can’t accurately gauge the internal mood of the team.
I do wonder if it would do the Rockies some good to get really ticked off, and that includes Black, who tends to be very even-tempered.
That said, I found it interesting that general manager Jeff Bridich talked quite a bit about the personality and spark he believes new outfielder Kevin Pillar will bring to the team.
As for the second part of your question, I find it interesting that you’re interested in “ink-strained wretches” such as myself. But thanks for the question!
Things have changed a lot this season. I am not traveling to watch the Rockies when they play on the road. I watch road games on TV from my home office, keeping score as I always do, while tweeting and following the game on MLB.com’s Game Day. The Rockies media relations folks set us up with several pregame Zoom sessions before each game and then a few after the game. I want to say — once again — that the Rockies media relations crew has been amazing getting the players to talk to us.
When the Rockies are at home, I cover the game from the press box at Coors Field. There were quite a few people there for the home opener but now there are usually only seven or eight writers in the press box. I much prefer covering games in person. I get a much better feel for the game and you can see things that aren’t captured by TV cameras. Of course, having access to TV replays is essential, too, so there is a TV in the pressbox close at hand.
What I miss the most during this weird season is the personal interaction with the players in the clubhouse. I can gather news on my own and I don’t have to rely on Zooms and share everything with the rest of the media. It’s more difficult to be a reporter this season and get a true sense of what’s going on with the team.
Do the Rockies seriously think (and do you as well) that Wade Davis has something left and can be a closer again?
— Gary J Gaudin, Thornton
Gary, Davis is still on the injured list and the Rockies aren’t telling us much about his sore shoulder. For him to be out this long suggests that it’s a pretty big deal. The Rockies’ acquisition of right-hander Mychal Givens at the trade deadline is another indication that Davis probably won’t be counted on this season. He might pitch, but I can’t see him as a closer. Frankly, I was surprised that Davis was essentially given the closer role during the abbreviated spring training. I thought Scott Oberg had earned the role and was a much better choice, but now he’s been lost for the season with reoccurring blood clots in his right arm.
Garrett Hampson has been very successful bunting in inopportune situations. Why don’t other players bunt more frequently, especially when the shift is on?
— Judy Frieman, Denver
Judy, that’s a great question. The simple answer is that most players are terrible bunters and they don’t do it very often. They practice it as an afterthought at the beginning of batting practice. Hampson learned to bunt in high school and at Long Beach State, where all players were required to be decent bunters. I wish Raimel Tapia was a better bunter, and Sam Hilliard, too. But it’s just not part of contemporary players’ skill set.
The current thought is that by bunting, you are essentially giving away an out. With the emphasis on home runs, that’s a no-no.
If you want to read more, take a peek at this story in Sports Illustrated entitled “Bunting for Dummies.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Ask Amy: Woman’s investment might not reach maturity

Dear Amy : I am a 38-year-old ( divorced ) woman .
I have been dating a wonderful 43-year-old man ( never-married ) for the past five years .
We fell in love quickly , and he spoke of me being his wife someday .
We have taken several trips over the years , but unbeknownst to me , he charged the majority of his expenses on credit cards ( he makes plenty of money to not have to do this ) and racked up around $ 30,000 in debt .
He never was good with money , but is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just became aware of this , and we have started to make plans for the future , i.e .
buying a rental property overseas ( and eventually retiring there ) .
I have no debt , and I am wise with my spending .
I offered to help pay down his debt in order to get our future on track .
The thing is , talk of marriage has ceased , and whenever it comes up , he says , “ You aren ’ t planning on having children , so there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I told him I am happy to help pay his debt down as long as we have a future .
I ’ ve stopped subtly bringing up marriage because I feel foolish .
I know he wouldn ’ t respond well to an ultimatum .
I don ’ t want to lose him , but don ’ t want to feel like he has one foot out the door .
I don ’ t know what kind of status he would need to feel safe , but I don ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You equate marriage with having a stable future , but marriage itself does not transform people , and does not guarantee a specific outcome .
You also seem to think your bailout money will be better invested if you two are married , but that is not the case .
If you were married , you might end up responsible for his debts , and if he hid this debt , there could be more .
Your guy obviously does not intend to get married .
Ever .
You should make any big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also shows poor judgment regarding his finances , and so co-investing in property seems like a bad bet .
Stop thinking about whatever “ status he would need to feel safe.
” You are a grown woman .
You ’ ve been to the puppet show and you ’ ve seen the strings .
Advocate for yourself !
State your own wants and needs , and then watch his behavior , and believe what you see/hear .
No matter what , regardless of your marital status , if you choose to entangle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer , get everything in writing , and make your transaction , if not your union , legal .
Dear Amy : You have consistently advised individuals to share the “ family secrets ” of loved ones , explaining that it is a healing event and would be welcome by existing family members .
That is not always the case , and it is very distressing to read your recommendation .
My 90-year-old aunt was informed of a child fathered by her deceased husband .
This information has destroyed her life , her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onto her husband ’ s ashes with instructions that when she dies , both their ashes would be scattered jointly .
She was so distraught she threw his ashes in the trash .
Her family has been torn apart .
My cousins no longer speak to each other , half supporting the half-brother , and the other half supporting their mother .
Not all “ family secrets ” result in rainbows and flowers .
Many are destructive and serve no purpose .
— Secrets are to be Kept I have never claimed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flowers , far from it .
Ideally , people would be truthful about their lives during their lives , reducing the trauma of a long-buried secret being disclosed .
When disclosure could be traumatic for an elderly family member , that person ’ s immediate welfare should come first .
And any dramatic disclosure should be handled with sensitivity and a thorough and empathetic witnessing .
Dear Amy : I would like to add to your response to “ Disappointed ” whose longtime neighbor and friend “ hit on ” her .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that he has never behaved in this manner before .
My first concern would be that perhaps he is experiencing mental changes due to dementia .
I would cautiously observe his behavior to see if there are any other unusual behaviors .
If there are , a supportive discussion with his wife would be in order .
I have seen this many times .
Dear Concerned : Many readers suggested that this neighbor might be experiencing some cognitive decline .

Dear Amy: I am a 38-year-old (divorced) woman. I have been dating a wonderful 43-year-old man (never-married) for the past five years.
We fell in love quickly, and he spoke of me being his wife someday.
We have taken several trips over the years, but unbeknownst to me, he charged the majority of his expenses on credit cards (he makes plenty of money to not have to do this) and racked up around $30,000 in debt. He never was good with money, but is turning over a new leaf.
I just became aware of this, and we have started to make plans for the future, i.e. buying a rental property overseas (and eventually retiring there).
I have no debt, and I am wise with my spending.
I offered to help pay down his debt in order to get our future on track. The thing is, talk of marriage has ceased, and whenever it comes up, he says, “You aren’t planning on having children, so there’s no point in getting married.”
I told him I am happy to help pay his debt down as long as we have a future.
I’ve stopped subtly bringing up marriage because I feel foolish. I know he wouldn’t respond well to an ultimatum. I don’t want to lose him, but don’t want to feel like he has one foot out the door.
I don’t know what kind of status he would need to feel safe, but I don’t want to be the forever-girlfriend.
— Lady in Waiting
Dear Waiting: You equate marriage with having a stable future, but marriage itself does not transform people, and does not guarantee a specific outcome. You also seem to think your bailout money will be better invested if you two are married, but that is not the case. If you were married, you might end up responsible for his debts, and if he hid this debt, there could be more.
Your guy obviously does not intend to get married. Ever. You should make any big personal decisions based on that reality. He also shows poor judgment regarding his finances, and so co-investing in property seems like a bad bet.
Stop thinking about whatever “status he would need to feel safe.” You are a grown woman. You’ve been to the puppet show and you’ve seen the strings. Advocate for yourself! State your own wants and needs, and then watch his behavior, and believe what you see/hear.
No matter what, regardless of your marital status, if you choose to entangle your money with his, see a lawyer, get everything in writing, and make your transaction, if not your union, legal.
Dear Amy: You have consistently advised individuals to share the “family secrets” of loved ones, explaining that it is a healing event and would be welcome by existing family members.
That is not always the case, and it is very distressing to read your recommendation.
My 90-year-old aunt was informed of a child fathered by her deceased husband.
This information has destroyed her life, her memories and her health. She held onto her husband’s ashes with instructions that when she dies, both their ashes would be scattered jointly.
She was so distraught she threw his ashes in the trash. Her family has been torn apart.
My cousins no longer speak to each other, half supporting the half-brother, and the other half supporting their mother.
Not all “family secrets” result in rainbows and flowers. Many are destructive and serve no purpose.
— Secrets are to be Kept
Dear Secrets: This is heartbreaking.
I have never claimed that disclosing family secrets results in rainbows and flowers, far from it. Ideally, people would be truthful about their lives during their lives, reducing the trauma of a long-buried secret being disclosed.
When disclosure could be traumatic for an elderly family member, that person’s immediate welfare should come first. And any dramatic disclosure should be handled with sensitivity and a thorough and empathetic witnessing.
Dear Amy: I would like to add to your response to “Disappointed” whose longtime neighbor and friend “hit on” her.
She stated this is an elderly man, and that he has never behaved in this manner before. My first concern would be that perhaps he is experiencing mental changes due to dementia.
I would cautiously observe his behavior to see if there are any other unusual behaviors. If there are, a supportive discussion with his wife would be in order. I have seen this many times.
— Concerned
Dear Concerned: Many readers suggested that this neighbor might be experiencing some cognitive decline.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--Gary Harris’ clutch Game 7 stop saves Nuggets’ season: “He’s the best defender I know”

Gary Harris ’ offense can wait .
After nearly six months away from NBA basketball , thanks to the COVID pandemic and a nagging hip injury , it would ’ ve been foolish to expect his rhythm to return , in an elimination game in the playoffs no less .
Instead , over the course of Game 6 and Tuesday ’ s thrilling Game 7 , Harris did what he does best ; he put the clamps on whoever had the unfortunate task of trying to take him off the dribble .
Up 80-78 with 13 seconds left , Game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Harris played brilliantly .
As Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell stepped into the backcourt and bought himself a head of steam , Harris looked around and made sure no screens would blindside him .
It was just him vs. Mitchell , the NBA ’ s postseason scoring leader at over 36 points per game , on an island .
Mitchell spun to his right , momentarily created separation , and it was then that Harris came from nowhere and poked the ball away from Mitchell ’ s grasp .
“ The reason I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is because I feel he ’ s one of the better two-way players in the NBA , ” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said .
“ … Even in the huddle before that last play , he knew what Donovan was going to do.
” That set off a wild sequence that nearly ended in disaster , but ultimately , punched Denver ’ s ticket to the conference semifinals .
“ Some people will look at this box score and say Gary Harris struggled , he was 1-of-9 from the field , ” Malone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t win this game without Gary .
We only scored 30 points in the second half but our defense was phenomenal and Gary was a big part of that .
… His offense is going to come in this next series , that is the next step in terms of getting back and playing .
But his defense , his containment , his one-on-one pride is outstanding.
” Ask Jazz reserve Jordan Clarkson , who before Harris returned in Game 6 had carved up the Nuggets ’ second unit .
Against Clarkson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After suffering a hip strain shortly after arriving in Orlando , Malone wasn ’ t even sure Harris would be able to return in the first round .
He made sure not to put any pressure on Harris , even as the Nuggets ’ perimeter defenders were getting torched from the 3-point line .
Finally , Harris gave him the word .
“ I kept on telling him , ‘ Gary , when you ’ re ready to play , I ’ m ready to play you , ” Malone said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the form of two blocks and that game-saving steal .
Harris ’ play was emblematic of a larger theme .
Whenever the Nuggets defended , they won .
Over the final three games of the series , when the Nuggets became just the 12th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit , the Jazz averaged 97 points on just 44 % from the field .
In the first four games , Utah averaged 125 points on 51 % shooting from the field .
But as much as Malone gushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praise came from his teammate Jamal Murray , who ’ d himself gone ballistic on the offensive end .
“ Defense , to not play for six months , come back and make that kind of impact in two games , that ’ s first team ( All-Defense ) right there , ” Murray said .
“ He ’ s the best defender I know .
When he guards me in practice , there ’ s nobody in the NBA that guards me better than Gary .
And you can see it when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s like a football player the way he moves his feet .
… His anticipation , he ’ s got quick hands , he ’ s got the whole package on defense .
He was a game-changer for us.
” Whatever Harris can offer on offense against the Clippers is a bonus .
His defense , even after nearly half a year off , is so devastating it can swing a series .

Gary Harris’ offense can wait. After nearly six months away from NBA basketball, thanks to the COVID pandemic and a nagging hip injury, it would’ve been foolish to expect his rhythm to return, in an elimination game in the playoffs no less.
Instead, over the course of Game 6 and Tuesday’s thrilling Game 7, Harris did what he does best; he put the clamps on whoever had the unfortunate task of trying to take him off the dribble.
Up 80-78 with 13 seconds left, Game 7 flipped on a defining defensive sequence that Harris played brilliantly. As Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell stepped into the backcourt and bought himself a head of steam, Harris looked around and made sure no screens would blindside him. It was just him vs. Mitchell, the NBA’s postseason scoring leader at over 36 points per game, on an island.
Mitchell spun to his right, momentarily created separation, and it was then that Harris came from nowhere and poked the ball away from Mitchell’s grasp.
Here's Gary Harris poking away Utah's season. pic.twitter.com/8td50Wl6lO — Mike Singer (@msinger) September 2, 2020
“The reason I have such an affinity for Gary Harris is because I feel he’s one of the better two-way players in the NBA,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “… Even in the huddle before that last play, he knew what Donovan was going to do.”
That set off a wild sequence that nearly ended in disaster, but ultimately, punched Denver’s ticket to the conference semifinals.
“Some people will look at this box score and say Gary Harris struggled, he was 1-of-9 from the field,” Malone said. “But we don’t win this game without Gary. We only scored 30 points in the second half but our defense was phenomenal and Gary was a big part of that. … His offense is going to come in this next series, that is the next step in terms of getting back and playing. But his defense, his containment, his one-on-one pride is outstanding.”
Ask Jazz reserve Jordan Clarkson, who before Harris returned in Game 6 had carved up the Nuggets’ second unit. Against Clarkson, Harris turned into a 6-foot-3 boa constrictor.
As fantastic as Gary Harris' defense was on Mitchell with 13 seconds to go, I can't get over what he did to Clarkson right here. His closeout looks like it's in fast-forward. pic.twitter.com/y1dSzKugyq — Mike Singer (@msinger) September 2, 2020
After suffering a hip strain shortly after arriving in Orlando, Malone wasn’t even sure Harris would be able to return in the first round. He made sure not to put any pressure on Harris, even as the Nuggets’ perimeter defenders were getting torched from the 3-point line. Finally, Harris gave him the word.
“I kept on telling him, ‘Gary, when you’re ready to play, I’m ready to play you,” Malone said.
Malone’s patience paid dividends in the form of two blocks and that game-saving steal.
Harris’ play was emblematic of a larger theme. Whenever the Nuggets defended, they won. Over the final three games of the series, when the Nuggets became just the 12th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit, the Jazz averaged 97 points on just 44% from the field. In the first four games, Utah averaged 125 points on 51% shooting from the field.
But as much as Malone gushed about Harris’ effort, the most praise came from his teammate Jamal Murray, who’d himself gone ballistic on the offensive end.
“Defense, to not play for six months, come back and make that kind of impact in two games, that’s first team (All-Defense) right there,” Murray said. “He’s the best defender I know. When he guards me in practice, there’s nobody in the NBA that guards me better than Gary. And you can see it when he’s out on the court. He’s like a football player the way he moves his feet. … His anticipation, he’s got quick hands, he’s got the whole package on defense. He was a game-changer for us.”
Whatever Harris can offer on offense against the Clippers is a bonus. His defense, even after nearly half a year off, is so devastating it can swing a series.


thedenverpost--2020-09-02--PHOTOS: Bandimere Speedway holds “Stop the COVID Chaos” rally

Hundreds turned out Tuesday evening to Bandimere Speedway for a rally titled “ Stop the COVID Chaos ” .
A @ @ @ @ @ as an expression of “ our God given right to demand a stop to the @ @ @ @ @ inflicted upon all of us with his Executive Orders and Public Health Orders.
” Ashley @ @ @ @ @ Jefferson County Public Health — which previously took the racetrack to court to enforce social @ @ @ @ @ ’ s events — said in a statement that the department was concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ a right to express their opinions and grievances , and we fully respect freedom of @ @ @ @ @ the statement said .
“ At the same time , we are concerned about public @ @ @ @ @

More than a thousand people turned out Tuesday evening to Bandimere Speedway for a rally titled “Stop the COVID Chaos”. A press release billed the event as an expression of “our God given right to demand a stop to the COVID Chaos Governor Polis has inflicted upon all of us with his Executive Orders and Public Health Orders.”
Ashley Sever, a spokeswoman for Jefferson County Public Health — which previously took the racetrack to court to enforce social distancing requirements at the speedway’s events — said in a statement that the department was concerned about the rally.
“People have a right to express their opinions and grievances, and we fully respect freedom of speech and expression,” the statement said. “At the same time, we are concerned about public health and safety.”
Read the full story here.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Rockies’ starters slumping as Kyle Freeland pitches only two innings

The Rockies ’ offense finally got on track Wednesday , pounding out 14 hits in a 9-6 comeback win over San Francisco .
But now it ’ s the starting pitching that ’ s under the microscope .
Lefty Kyle Freeland was gone after just two innings , having allowed four runs on eight hits .
Freeland opened the season with six consecutive quality starts but has allowed eight runs across 6 1/3 innings in his past two starts .
Manager Bud Black said he pulled Freeland Wednesday primarily because of his high pitch count , 61 .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyle and his next four or five starts , ” Black said .
“ He ’ s got to bounce back for his next start and be as fresh as possible.
” Black said he thought that Freeland stuff was pretty good but noted that the Giants battled Freeland and made him throw a lot of pitches .
“ There had to be a foul ball record today , ” Black said .
Gray ’ s slump .
Freeland isn ’ t the only Colorado starter who is struggling .
Right-hander Jon Gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hits in 2 2/3 innings in a 23-5 loss to San Francisco on Tuesday night .
His ERA has ballooned to 6.69 , he has a 1.44 WHIP and batters are hitting .281 against him .
“ I ’ ve got to find a way to get my ( velocity ) back up .
I ’ ve got to find a way to snap my slider off , ” Gray said after Tuesday ’ s game .
His average fastball velocity has dipped , from 96 mph last season to 93.9 mph this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea that Gray has a sore arm , is fatigued , or that he ’ s lost weight , something which might have sapped his energy and power .
Rather , Black said he ’ s fine with the speed of Gray ’ s fastball but wants to see better pitch command and more sharpness with his slider .
“ A lot of times with a good pitcher , when they don ’ t have the feel for the breaking pitches , they have a tendency to overthrow it and you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Black said .
“ A lot of times you can try to create more breaking , and it has the opposite effect .
So there ’ s a feel to it.
” Footnotes .
Black said rookie infielder Brendan Rodgers does not have a serious shoulder injury .
Rodgers suffered a right shoulder capsule injury when he slid awkwardly and became entangled with San Diego third baseman Manny Machado on Saturday .
Black said the Rodgers should only need a few more days before he can resume full baseball activities .
Rodgers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed the rest of the season .
… Right-hander Mychal Givens , acquired in a trade with Baltimore on Sunday , pitched a scoreless seventh inning Wednesday with one strikeout and earned his first win of the season in his Rockies debut .
… Rookie outfielder Sam Hilliard has four home runs over his last eight games played .

The Rockies’ offense finally got on track Wednesday, pounding out 14 hits in a 9-6 comeback win over San Francisco. But now it’s the starting pitching that’s under the microscope.
Lefty Kyle Freeland was gone after just two innings, having allowed four runs on eight hits. Freeland opened the season with six consecutive quality starts but has allowed eight runs across 6 1/3 innings in his past two starts.
Manager Bud Black said he pulled Freeland Wednesday primarily because of his high pitch count, 61.
“I’ve got to be conscious of Kyle and his next four or five starts,” Black said. “He’s got to bounce back for his next start and be as fresh as possible.”
Black said he thought that Freeland stuff was pretty good but noted that the Giants battled Freeland and made him throw a lot of pitches.
“There had to be a foul ball record today,” Black said.
Gray’s slump. Freeland isn’t the only Colorado starter who is struggling. Right-hander Jon Gray was charged with seven runs on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings in a 23-5 loss to San Francisco on Tuesday night. His ERA has ballooned to 6.69, he has a 1.44 WHIP and batters are hitting .281 against him.
“I’ve got to find a way to get my (velocity) back up. I’ve got to find a way to snap my slider off,” Gray said after Tuesday’s game.
His average fastball velocity has dipped, from 96 mph last season to 93.9 mph this season. Black, however, rejected the idea that Gray has a sore arm, is fatigued, or that he’s lost weight, something which might have sapped his energy and power.
Rather, Black said he’s fine with the speed of Gray’s fastball but wants to see better pitch command and more sharpness with his slider.
“A lot of times with a good pitcher, when they don’t have the feel for the breaking pitches, they have a tendency to overthrow it and you can sort of throw through the spin,” Black said. “A lot of times you can try to create more breaking, and it has the opposite effect. So there’s a feel to it.”
Footnotes. Black said rookie infielder Brendan Rodgers does not have a serious shoulder injury. Rodgers suffered a right shoulder capsule injury when he slid awkwardly and became entangled with San Diego third baseman Manny Machado on Saturday. Black said the Rodgers should only need a few more days before he can resume full baseball activities. Rodgers had shoulder surgery in July 2019 and missed the rest of the season. … Right-hander Mychal Givens, acquired in a trade with Baltimore on Sunday, pitched a scoreless seventh inning Wednesday with one strikeout and earned his first win of the season in his Rockies debut. … Rookie outfielder Sam Hilliard has four home runs over his last eight games played.
On Deck
Trending: Utility player Garrett Hampson hit his fifth home run of the season Wednesday vs. the Giants, his third homer in his last two games.
At issue: Lefty starter Kyle Freeland pitched just two innings and allowed four runs on eight hits with one walk and two strikeouts. It was the fourth time in his career that he pitched two or fewer innings in a start, but the first time he got such an early hook when it was not due to an injury.
Pitching Probables:
Thursday: OFF
Friday: Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-1, 3.32 ERA) at Dodgers RHP Dustin May (1-1, 2.83), 7:40 p.m., ATTRM
Saturday: RHP Germán Márquez (2-5, 4.88) at Dodgers RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-0, 0.51), 7:10 p.m., ATTRM
Sunday: Rockies TBD at Dodgers, 8:10 p.m. (3-0, 3.27), 8:10 p.m., ATTRM


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Gun burglar who looted Littleton store is sentenced to federal prison

A Denver man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for a smash-and-grab robbery of a Littleton gun store in which 13 AR-15 style rifles were stolen .
Justin Vigil , 31 , was sentenced to 39 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release , according to a U.S. Attorney ’ s Office , District of Colorado , news release .
On January 18 , 2018 , Vigil and five others , burglarized Murdoch ’ s gun store after throwing a rock through a glass window to gain entry , the release said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the store .
That same evening investigators served a search warrant at the Denver home of Jonathan Estrada .
Estrada , a co-defendant in the case , was sentenced in February to eight years in federal prison .
“ Prosecuting gun crimes is a top priority for my office and the Department of Justice , ” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn , in the release .
“ The theft of 13 AR-15 style rifles causes a substantial community safety concern because they likely end up in the hands of violent criminals , gangs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 there were 135 firearms stolen in nine separate burglaries in Colorado , according to Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives statistics .
In 2018 , there were 64 firearms stolen in eight separate burglaries ; and in 2017 , there were 427 firearms stolen in 28 separate burglaries .
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn .
Multiple local law enforcement agencies assisted the ATF in the investigation .

A Denver man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for a smash-and-grab robbery of a Littleton gun store in which 13 AR-15 style rifles were stolen.
Justin Vigil, 31, was sentenced to 39 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado, news release.
On January 18, 2018, Vigil and five others, burglarized Murdoch’s gun store after throwing a rock through a glass window to gain entry, the release said. The burglars spent three minutes in the store. That same evening investigators served a search warrant at the Denver home of Jonathan Estrada.
Estrada, a co-defendant in the case, was sentenced in February to eight years in federal prison.
“Prosecuting gun crimes is a top priority for my office and the Department of Justice,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn, in the release. “The theft of 13 AR-15 style rifles causes a substantial community safety concern because they likely end up in the hands of violent criminals, gangs, and drug trafficking organizations.”
In 2019 there were 135 firearms stolen in nine separate burglaries in Colorado, according to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives statistics. In 2018, there were 64 firearms stolen in eight separate burglaries; and in 2017, there were 427 firearms stolen in 28 separate burglaries.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn. Multiple local law enforcement agencies assisted the ATF in the investigation.


thedenverpost--2020-09-03--Keeler: Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is ready for whatever the Clippers throw at him. Even if

Keeler: Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is ready for whatever the Clippers throw at him. Even if it’s a fist.

The headless cadaver of Dallas rookie Luka Doncic was last seen Wednesday staggering blindly , like a basketball zombie , about the Magic Kingdom .
Eyewitnesses described the corpse as shuffling with a slight limp , thanks to a couple of Marcus Morris shots to the kid ’ s ankle during Game 5 of Clips-Mavericks .
“ I don ’ t want to deal with that kind of player , ” Doncic said later .
So , hey , welcome to the party , MPJ .
Here ’ s your helmet and your rosary beads .
Go get ‘ em @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Paul George are both superstar-level players , ” Michael Porter Jr. , the Nuggets ’ rookie forward , said in advance of Thursday ’ s first Western Conference semifinal showdown between Denver and the second-seeded Clip Show .
“ We can put together all the game plans we want .
But at the end of the day , it ’ s going to be ( about ) guys competing and guys playing hard if we want to win.
” It ’ s also going to be about finding a reliable auxiliary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Your Plan B if Jamal Murray winds up smothered , maimed or , ya know , accidentally decapitated .
Utah ’ s answer to Murray ’ s brilliance was to try and outscore him .
The finesse approach .
Clippers coach Doc Rivers doesn ’ t believe in cute .
He ’ s coming with the hammer .
Or rather , hammers , plural .
Kawhi Leonard , 6-foot-7 forward with a 7-3 wingspan .
Patrick Beverley , if he ’ s healthy .
Amir Coffey , who averaged 6.7 steals per 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Nuggets knocked down 15.1 treys per game against the Jazz at a conversion rate of 42.1 % .
Murray accounted for nearly a third of those makes ( 4.6 per game ) , bringing the rain at a clip of 53.3 % .
In three regular-season meetings against the Clippers , the Blue Arrow averaged only 10.7 shots , 1.3 makes from beyond the arc and 13.3 points while shooting 37.5 % overall and 30.8 % from beyond the arc .
Doc ain ’ t messin ’ around .
Quad or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Which brings us back to MPJ , the next tenderfoot on the Clippers ’ abattoir .
It ’ s not fair to hoist the fate of a series on the shoulders of a kid who ’ s played all of seven postseason games in his career .
But the fact remains : The more that No .
1 brings to the table , stretching the D , crashing the boards , boxing out , whatever , the more Rivers is going to have to think about .
The dude sounded about halfway there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brutal pass ( for us in the draft ) , ” Rivers said of MPJ earlier in the day .
“ Because everyone knew ( Porter ’ s ) talent .
But it was more the injury concern.
” Ah , yes .
See , Porter and the Clips , they got a history .
Kind of .
Long story short , the rookie wunderkind was on Rivers ’ radar coming out of Missouri in the spring of 2018 , a 6-foot-10 prospect who could jump out of any gym but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disks in his back .
The L.A. docs gave MPJ a long , long look .
And a brutally honest assessment .
One that never left the back of his mind .
“ Their doctor was the one that wrote the report on me , ” Porter recalled , somewhat acidly .
“ ( He ) wrote some stuff like he thought I would never play basketball again .
So I didn ’ t think they ’ d pick me.
” Nope .
With selection Nos .
12 and 13 , the Clips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Boston College guard Jerome Robinson .
The Nuggets snapped up Porter , who ’ d undergone surgery in November 2017 and would require another the next summer , with the No .
14 pick overall .
And ne ’ er the twain .
“ I didn ’ t expect them to pick me , ” MPJ continued , flashing a slight smirk .
“ But it ’ s going to be fun to play against them .
For sure.
” No hard feelings .
Or hard fouls .
Yet .
Although if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scoreboard is one heck of a way to return a compliment in kind .
And there ’ s no time like the present .

The Jazz leave bruises. The Clippers leave body parts.
Arms. Kneecaps. Spleens. The headless cadaver of Dallas rookie Luka Doncic was last seen Wednesday staggering blindly, like a basketball zombie, about the Magic Kingdom. Eyewitnesses described the corpse as shuffling with a slight limp, thanks to a couple of Marcus Morris shots to the kid’s ankle during Game 5 of Clips-Mavericks.
“I don’t want to deal with that kind of player,” Doncic said later.
“Cry me a river,” Morris replied via Instagram.
So, hey, welcome to the party, MPJ. Here’s your helmet and your rosary beads. Go get ‘em, tiger!
“Kawhi (Leonard) and Paul George are both superstar-level players,” Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets’ rookie forward, said in advance of Thursday’s first Western Conference semifinal showdown between Denver and the second-seeded Clip Show. “We can put together all the game plans we want. But at the end of the day, it’s going to be (about) guys competing and guys playing hard if we want to win.”
It’s also going to be about finding a reliable auxiliary outside threat, just in case. Your Plan B if Jamal Murray winds up smothered, maimed or, ya know, accidentally decapitated.
Utah’s answer to Murray’s brilliance was to try and outscore him. The finesse approach. Clippers coach Doc Rivers doesn’t believe in cute. He’s coming with the hammer.
Or rather, hammers, plural. Kawhi Leonard, 6-foot-7 forward with a 7-3 wingspan. Patrick Beverley, if he’s healthy. Amir Coffey, who averaged 6.7 steals per 100 possessions during that series win over Dallas.
The Nuggets knocked down 15.1 treys per game against the Jazz at a conversion rate of 42.1%. Murray accounted for nearly a third of those makes (4.6 per game), bringing the rain at a clip of 53.3%. In three regular-season meetings against the Clippers, the Blue Arrow averaged only 10.7 shots, 1.3 makes from beyond the arc and 13.3 points while shooting 37.5% overall and 30.8% from beyond the arc.
Doc ain’t messin’ around. Quad or no quad, Murray needs help. Which brings us back to MPJ, the next tenderfoot on the Clippers’ abattoir.
It’s not fair to hoist the fate of a series on the shoulders of a kid who’s played all of seven postseason games in his career. But the fact remains: The more that No. 1 brings to the table, stretching the D, crashing the boards, boxing out, whatever, the more Rivers is going to have to think about. The dude sounded about halfway there on Wednesday already.
“It was a brutal pass (for us in the draft),” Rivers said of MPJ earlier in the day. “Because everyone knew (Porter’s) talent. But it was more the injury concern.”
Ah, yes. See, Porter and the Clips, they got a history. Kind of.
Long story short, the rookie wunderkind was on Rivers’ radar coming out of Missouri in the spring of 2018, a 6-foot-10 prospect who could jump out of any gym but also had a set of nagging, bulging disks in his back.
The L.A. docs gave MPJ a long, long look. And a brutally honest assessment. One that never left the back of his mind.
“Their doctor was the one that wrote the report on me,” Porter recalled, somewhat acidly. “(He) wrote some stuff like he thought I would never play basketball again. So I didn’t think they’d pick me.”
Nope. With selection Nos. 12 and 13, the Clips instead selected Michigan State forward Miles Bridges and Boston College guard Jerome Robinson. The Nuggets snapped up Porter, who’d undergone surgery in November 2017 and would require another the next summer, with the No. 14 pick overall. And ne’er the twain.
“I didn’t expect them to pick me,” MPJ continued, flashing a slight smirk. “But it’s going to be fun to play against them. For sure.”
No hard feelings. Or hard fouls. Yet. Although if revenge is what MPJ wants, the scoreboard is one heck of a way to return a compliment in kind. And there’s no time like the present.