thedenverpost--2020-09-05--Grading the Week: Paul Millsap, you are loved. Paul Millsap, it’s time you take a seat

Welcome to the state of Colorado , where 3-1 deficits produce triumph and heartbreak in equal measure .
Twice we saw teams go down to their last life after four games — Nuggets vs. Jazz in the NBA , and Avalanche vs. Stars in the NHL .
Twice we saw them fight back and force a Game 7 .
One survived and advanced .
The other is flying back home .
The Grading the Week staff have always been ardent supporters of Millsap .
The Nuggets veteran ’ s crafty , YMCA basketball junkie game appeals to us on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebounding .
We adore the edgy off-ball screens .
We … uh … put up with the shaky 3-point shooting .
The effort has always been there .
The smarts have always been there .
The requisite athletic ability ?
Sadly , it appears that ’ s been sapped .
Millsap was roasted on defense in Game 1 of the Nuggets ’ Western Conference semifinal series against the Clippers .
And his contributions on the other end have been spotty at best — especially when he ’ s running his patented one-man break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those minutes off to someone capable of staying in front of Marcus Morris Sr .
Someone whose post-up game hasn ’ t devolved into “ fling and hope for a whistle.
” Mr. Millsap , you served your purpose in helping transform Denver from playoff hopeful to fringe contender .
Consider your duty done .
Now , please , take a seat .
Remember earlier this season when Colorado ’ s starters were dealing and the bullpen was shooting laser beams out of its eyes ?
Oh , how long ago that seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but while the Nuggets were completing a historic comeback from down 3-1 to the Jazz , the Rockies pitching staff was getting blasted for 23 runs by the San Francisco Giants .
Yup , that ’ s right , three touchdowns and a couple of two-point conversions .
To the ( baseball ) Giants .
What ’ s worse : In the other five games on the Rockies ’ recent six-game homestand , the Padres and Giants scored 41 runs combined ( 8.2 per game ) .
So this wasn ’ t just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a trend .
On a related note : Colorado ’ s tenuous hold on the final playoff spot is in serious jeopardy heading into the weekend .
For the better part of two playoff series in the Edmonton bubble , the Avs ’ biggest offseason acquisition was magnificent .
Nine goals , five of which were game-winners .
Nine assists , one of which led to the Avs ’ first score Friday .
But that giveaway near the end of the third period at Colorado ’ s blue line — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ score 10 seconds after the Avs surged ahead 4-3 — was absolutely brutal .
An unkind end to what had been a month-long coming out party for Kadri .
And another Game 7 loss for the Avs — their fifth in a row .
Finally , some good news from the Pac-12 .
The conference announced Thursday afternoon that it will soon have rapid COVID-19 testing available with the potential to provide athletes test results within 15 minutes .
That would be a major win for those of us who will legitimately miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it makes us wish the conference had waited a little longer to postpone the 2020 football season .
At the very least , it means this : We ’ re one step closer to having Bill Walton in our lives .
If that isn ’ t worth celebrating , we don ’ t know what is .

Welcome to the state of Colorado, where 3-1 deficits produce triumph and heartbreak in equal measure.
Twice we saw teams go down to their last life after four games — Nuggets vs. Jazz in the NBA, and Avalanche vs. Stars in the NHL. Twice we saw them fight back and force a Game 7.
One survived and advanced. The other is flying back home.
Gotta love the playoffs.
Gotta hate the playoffs.
Paul Millsap — C-
The Grading the Week staff have always been ardent supporters of Millsap.
The Nuggets veteran’s crafty, YMCA basketball junkie game appeals to us on a personal level. We love the physical rebounding. We adore the edgy off-ball screens. We … uh … put up with the shaky 3-point shooting.
The effort has always been there. The smarts have always been there. The requisite athletic ability? Sadly, it appears that’s been sapped. Millsap was roasted on defense in Game 1 of the Nuggets’ Western Conference semifinal series against the Clippers. And his contributions on the other end have been spotty at best — especially when he’s running his patented one-man break.
It’s time to hand those minutes off to someone capable of staying in front of Marcus Morris Sr. Someone whose post-up game hasn’t devolved into “fling and hope for a whistle.”
Mr. Millsap, you served your purpose in helping transform Denver from playoff hopeful to fringe contender. Consider your duty done.
Now, please, take a seat.
Rockies pitchers — F+
Remember earlier this season when Colorado’s starters were dealing and the bullpen was shooting laser beams out of its eyes?
Oh, how long ago that seems.
You may not have noticed, but while the Nuggets were completing a historic comeback from down 3-1 to the Jazz, the Rockies pitching staff was getting blasted for 23 runs by the San Francisco Giants.
Yup, that’s right, three touchdowns and a couple of two-point conversions. To the (baseball) Giants.
What’s worse: In the other five games on the Rockies’ recent six-game homestand, the Padres and Giants scored 41 runs combined (8.2 per game). So this wasn’t just a bad day at the office. It was a trend.
On a related note: Colorado’s tenuous hold on the final playoff spot is in serious jeopardy heading into the weekend.
Nazem Kadri — B
For the better part of two playoff series in the Edmonton bubble, the Avs’ biggest offseason acquisition was magnificent.
Nine goals, five of which were game-winners. Nine assists, one of which led to the Avs’ first score Friday.
But that giveaway near the end of the third period at Colorado’s blue line — the one that set up Dallas’ tying score 10 seconds after the Avs surged ahead 4-3 — was absolutely brutal.
An unkind end to what had been a month-long coming out party for Kadri.
And another Game 7 loss for the Avs — their fifth in a row.
Again, brutal.
Pac-12 — B+
Finally, some good news from the Pac-12.
The conference announced Thursday afternoon that it will soon have rapid COVID-19 testing available with the potential to provide athletes test results within 15 minutes. That would be a major win for those of us who will legitimately miss #Pac12AfterDark this fall, even if it makes us wish the conference had waited a little longer to postpone the 2020 football season.
At the very least, it means this: We’re one step closer to having Bill Walton in our lives.
If that isn’t worth celebrating, we don’t know what is.


thedenverpost--2020-09-06--Rockies rookie Sam Hilliard hitting his stride, could help spark offense

Sam Hilliard is starting to find his groove , which is a very good thing as the Rockies enter the final three weeks of the season with a playoff spot still in view .
The team could certainly use an offensive boost from the rookie outfielder .
The left-handed-hitter entered Saturday night ’ s game in Los Angeles having slugged five home runs and a triple in his last 11 games .
Over his last 13 games , he ’ s hitting .325 ( 13-for-40 ) .
Plus , he ’ s made some history .
According to the Elias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visiting player to ever hit five home runs at Dodger Stadium as a rookie .
He mashed two at the iconic ballpark in 2019 and had homered in each of his past three games in Los Angeles .
“ I definitely believe that it ’ s a combination of getting more reps and more opportunities , as well as just really trying to relax out there , ” he said Friday night after hitting a solo home run in Colorado ’ s 10-6 loss to the Dodgers .
“ I kind of remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the plate .
It was really just a conscious decision that I made to not put so much pressure on myself and remind myself to have fun.
” Hilliard , batting .250 with a .848 OPS , credits veteran first baseman Daniel Murphy for reminding him to keep things light .
Manager Bud Black credits hitting coaches Dave Magadan and Jeff Salazar for working with Hilliard to whittle down his high strikeout rate , though it still sits at 32 % .
“ Sam continues to shorten his swing , ” Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level is decreasing a little bit , too .
That doesn ’ t mean that he ’ s not swinging with authority .
But sometimes , with aggressiveness , you can get too big and your effort a little bit of longness in your swing .
And that ’ s where Sam was a little bit earlier this year.
” Dahl ’ s close .
David Dahl , on the injured list since Aug. 18 with lower-back soreness , is on the cusp of returning .
He joined the Rockies in L.A. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
“ I just saw him in the cage and he ’ s swinging the bat , ” Black said .
“ So we ’ ll see how it looks , but it ’ s a good sign that he ’ s here with us .
He ’ s out of satellite camp , feeling healthy.
” Once Dahl returns , he needs to produce .
When he went on the IL , he was in the midst of a career-worst 0-for-17 hitless streak that dropped his average to .189 .
Dahl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Footnotes .
Right-hander Wade Davis through a bullpen session Saturday , and though Black continues to say that Davis is making progress there is no timetable for Davis ’ return .
… Utility player Chris Owings has played two games at the alternative site but he ’ s still experiencing some soreness with his left hamstring and his return is not imminent .
On Deck Rockies RHP Ryan Castellani ( 1-2 , 4.81 ERA ) at Dodgers LHP Julio Urias ( 3-0 , 3.27 ) 8:10 p.m. Sunday , Dodger Stadium TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KOA 850 AM/94.1 AM Castellani will make the sixth start ( seventh appearance ) of his rookie season .
The 24-year-old has impressed manager Bud Black with his poise and his ability to attack hitters .
Black says , however , that the next step for Castellani is pounding the strike zone early and avoiding four-pitch walks and 3-0 counts .
The right-hander pitched two scoreless innings of relief on Wednesday in Colorado ’ s 9-6 victory over San Francisco at Coors Field .
He has never faced the Dodgers but is 1-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts .
Urías is coming off a strong performance vs. Arizona — allowing one run over six innings , with five strikeouts and one walk .
He had been struggling in the first inning , having allowed seven runs in the first inning over his first six outings .
But he set down the Diamondbacks in order in the first inning on Tuesday , needing just 12 pitches .
In eight games ( five starts ) vs. the Rockies , he ’ s 0-1 with a 5.92 ERA and a 1.562 WHIP .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the starting lineup Saturday night , first baseman Josh Fuentes is riding a six-game hitting streak .
He had started five of the Rockies ’ past nine games at first base , batting .333 ( 7-for-21 ) .
During his six-game streak , he ’ s hit .364 ( 8-for-22 ) .
At issue : Entering this weekend , Colorado had not won a series vs. the Dodgers since 2018 when they took three of four games at Coors Field from Aug. 9-12 .
Pitching Probables : Monday : Rockies LHP Kyle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Padres RHP Dinelson Lamet ( 2-1 , 2.62 ) , 7:10 p.m. , ATTRM Tuesday : Rockies TBD at Padres RHP Mike Clevinger ( 1-2 , 3.14 ) , 7:10 p.m. , ATTRM Wednesday : Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela ( 3-1 , 3.33 ) at Padres RHP Zach Davies ( 6-2 , 2.23 ) , 6:10 p.m .

Sam Hilliard is starting to find his groove, which is a very good thing as the Rockies enter the final three weeks of the season with a playoff spot still in view.
The team could certainly use an offensive boost from the rookie outfielder.
The left-handed-hitter entered Saturday night’s game in Los Angeles having slugged five home runs and a triple in his last 11 games. Over his last 13 games, he’s hitting .325 (13-for-40).
Plus, he’s made some history. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Hilliard is the first visiting player to ever hit five home runs at Dodger Stadium as a rookie. He mashed two at the iconic ballpark in 2019 and had homered in each of his past three games in Los Angeles.
“I definitely believe that it’s a combination of getting more reps and more opportunities, as well as just really trying to relax out there,” he said Friday night after hitting a solo home run in Colorado’s 10-6 loss to the Dodgers. “I kind of remember when things started to turn for me at the plate. It was really just a conscious decision that I made to not put so much pressure on myself and remind myself to have fun.”
Hilliard, batting .250 with a .848 OPS, credits veteran first baseman Daniel Murphy for reminding him to keep things light. Manager Bud Black credits hitting coaches Dave Magadan and Jeff Salazar for working with Hilliard to whittle down his high strikeout rate, though it still sits at 32%.
“Sam continues to shorten his swing,” Black said. “I think the effort level is decreasing a little bit, too. That doesn’t mean that he’s not swinging with authority. But sometimes, with aggressiveness, you can get too big and your effort a little bit of longness in your swing. And that’s where Sam was a little bit earlier this year.”
Dahl’s close. David Dahl, on the injured list since Aug. 18 with lower-back soreness, is on the cusp of returning. He joined the Rockies in L.A. and took batting practice with the team on Saturday.
“I just saw him in the cage and he’s swinging the bat,” Black said. “So we’ll see how it looks, but it’s a good sign that he’s here with us. He’s out of satellite camp, feeling healthy.”
Once Dahl returns, he needs to produce. When he went on the IL, he was in the midst of a career-worst 0-for-17 hitless streak that dropped his average to .189. Dahl’s on-base percentage is just .258.
Footnotes. Right-hander Wade Davis through a bullpen session Saturday, and though Black continues to say that Davis is making progress there is no timetable for Davis’ return. … Utility player Chris Owings has played two games at the alternative site but he’s still experiencing some soreness with his left hamstring and his return is not imminent.
On Deck
Rockies RHP Ryan Castellani (1-2, 4.81 ERA) at Dodgers LHP Julio Urias (3-0, 3.27)
8:10 p.m. Sunday, Dodger Stadium
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 AM
Castellani will make the sixth start (seventh appearance) of his rookie season. The 24-year-old has impressed manager Bud Black with his poise and his ability to attack hitters. Black says, however, that the next step for Castellani is pounding the strike zone early and avoiding four-pitch walks and 3-0 counts. The right-hander pitched two scoreless innings of relief on Wednesday in Colorado’s 9-6 victory over San Francisco at Coors Field. He has never faced the Dodgers but is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two road starts. Urías is coming off a strong performance vs. Arizona — allowing one run over six innings, with five strikeouts and one walk. He had been struggling in the first inning, having allowed seven runs in the first inning over his first six outings. But he set down the Diamondbacks in order in the first inning on Tuesday, needing just 12 pitches. In eight games (five starts) vs. the Rockies, he’s 0-1 with a 5.92 ERA and a 1.562 WHIP.
Trending: Although he wasn’t in the starting lineup Saturday night, first baseman Josh Fuentes is riding a six-game hitting streak. He had started five of the Rockies’ past nine games at first base, batting .333 (7-for-21). During his six-game streak, he’s hit .364 (8-for-22).
At issue: Entering this weekend, Colorado had not won a series vs. the Dodgers since 2018 when they took three of four games at Coors Field from Aug. 9-12.
Pitching Probables:
Monday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-1, 4.09) at Padres RHP Dinelson Lamet (2-1, 2.62), 7:10 p.m., ATTRM
Tuesday: Rockies TBD at Padres RHP Mike Clevinger (1-2, 3.14), 7:10 p.m., ATTRM
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-1, 3.33) at Padres RHP Zach Davies (6-2, 2.23), 6:10 p.m.


thedenverpost--2020-09-06--Kiszla: Whether Broncos can be NFL’s best defense depends on tricky question linebacker Bradley Chub

Kiszla: Whether Broncos can be NFL’s best defense depends on tricky question linebacker Bradley Chubb has yet to answer

The Astronaut is the X-factor .
For the Broncos to be truly dominant on defense , they need outside linebacker Bradley Chubb wreaking havoc in the pass rush from Week 1 .
We know Chubb possesses the skills to do it .
But in this violent sport , where is the Astronaut ’ s mindset after missing 12 games in 2019 , when a cornerstone of Denver ’ s defense tore the ACL in his left knee on the last Sunday of September ?
“ Chubb , we have to get him going .
That , I think , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he can do , ” football operations chief John Elway said Saturday .
During a year in which COVID-19 has altered how we all go about our business , the pandemic has added a layer of uncertainty to Chubb ’ s recovery from a serious injury .
This has been a training camp unlike any we ’ ve seen , as NFL teams have placed emphasis on player health over preparation for the season .
After an August in which the preseason schedule was canceled , how much confidence can Chubb really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until he takes that first big hit at full speed against the Tennessee Titans ?
Learning to fully trust the knee probably will require more than one snap .
It might take more than a month .
And how long before he ’ s the Astronaut again will go a long way to determining how good Denver ’ s defense can be .
Modern sports medicine can make Chubb ’ s knee as good as new .
But it ’ s not unusual for the recovery process from ACL surgery to require more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player like Chubb , whose explosive burst is among more dangerous items found on his pass-rushing menu of attack .
I asked Broncos coach Vic Fangio : Will Chubb be on a “ pitch count ” that limits his snaps early in the regular season ?
“ He may be on one .
He may not be .
We ’ re going to see how he does .
He ’ s not 100 percent yet , ” Fangio said .
“ There ’ s a lot to overcome when you ’ re dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s had , particularly the position he plays , where he ’ s leaning on people a lot and taking on the offensive linemen .
It could be a pitch count , but I don ’ t think it ’ s a conditioning pitch count .
We ’ ll just see how it goes.
” How slow will the Broncos go with Chubb ?
It could reveal much about whether protecting Chubb ’ s long-term health needs to take priority over Fangio ’ s natural desire to get the Broncos off to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach .
As a rookie in 2018 , Chubb played 844 snaps .
He was on the field for 78.4 % of Denver ’ s defensive plays , evidence that reveals how integral the Broncos viewed their young linebacker to the team ’ s success .
One of the more interesting mysteries as the Broncos head toward their home opener on Sept. 14 revolves around how much Chubb will play .
Will he be on the field 50 % of the time ?
I ’ d be pleasantly surprised if it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Denver decides it ’ s wiser to break Chubb in cautiously , as a situational pass-rusher when the Titans are likely to throw the football .
For all the X ’ s and O ’ s and video analysis in pro football , sometimes coaching is more about pure gut instinct than 21st century science .
The Broncos ’ early schedule allows the team no time to ease into the season , with four games that will go a long way to determining whether they should be taken seriously as a playoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slim 1.5-point favorites against Derrick Henry and the rush-heavy Titans in a game that feels like a toss-up in no small measure because no fans will be allowed in Empower Field at Mile High as a safety precaution in these pandemic times .
And the road rises steeply uphill from a season opener whose final play won ’ t be until nearly midnight .
There ’ s a trip to Pittsburgh , where Ben Roethlisberger will be intent on proving he ’ s not washed up , on a short week that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the last Sunday of September , how much can Chubb hassle our old pal Tom Brady , wearing his new Tampa Bay Bucs uniform ?
The fourth stop in the opening stretch will present another short week for Chubb , with a Thursday night tilt at the Jets , where the Broncos need to steal a road victory .
“ We should be the best defense in the league , no question , ” defensive end Shelby Harris said during camp .
The best ?
While I admire Harris ’ lofty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long time ago .
Fangio was hired to do a rebuilding project that took that championship defense down to the foundation and studs .
Compared to his first game as coach in 2019 , there will be no fewer than five new starters on the defensive side of the ball when the Broncos take the field against Tennessee .
A dominant Denver defense would hide many of the inevitable growing pains for young quarterback Drew Lock .
But how soon will this Denver defense be able to make Brady feel old and Patrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again feels like his dominant self , and the Astronaut takes flight .

The Astronaut is the X-factor.
For the Broncos to be truly dominant on defense, they need outside linebacker Bradley Chubb wreaking havoc in the pass rush from Week 1. We know Chubb possesses the skills to do it. But in this violent sport, where is the Astronaut’s mindset after missing 12 games in 2019, when a cornerstone of Denver’s defense tore the ACL in his left knee on the last Sunday of September?
“Chubb, we have to get him going. That, I think, will take some time. But we know what he can do,” football operations chief John Elway said Saturday.
During a year in which COVID-19 has altered how we all go about our business, the pandemic has added a layer of uncertainty to Chubb’s recovery from a serious injury.
This has been a training camp unlike any we’ve seen, as NFL teams have placed emphasis on player health over preparation for the season. After an August in which the preseason schedule was canceled, how much confidence can Chubb really have in his surgically repaired knee, until he takes that first big hit at full speed against the Tennessee Titans?
Learning to fully trust the knee probably will require more than one snap. It might take more than a month. And how long before he’s the Astronaut again will go a long way to determining how good Denver’s defense can be.
Modern sports medicine can make Chubb’s knee as good as new. But it’s not unusual for the recovery process from ACL surgery to require more than 12 months, especially in a player like Chubb, whose explosive burst is among more dangerous items found on his pass-rushing menu of attack.
I asked Broncos coach Vic Fangio: Will Chubb be on a “pitch count” that limits his snaps early in the regular season?
“He may be on one. He may not be. We’re going to see how he does. He’s not 100 percent yet,” Fangio said.
“There’s a lot to overcome when you’re dealing with an ACL injury that he’s had, particularly the position he plays, where he’s leaning on people a lot and taking on the offensive linemen. It could be a pitch count, but I don’t think it’s a conditioning pitch count. We’ll just see how it goes.”
How slow will the Broncos go with Chubb? It could reveal much about whether protecting Chubb’s long-term health needs to take priority over Fangio’s natural desire to get the Broncos off to a fast start in his second season as coach.
As a rookie in 2018, Chubb played 844 snaps. He was on the field for 78.4% of Denver’s defensive plays, evidence that reveals how integral the Broncos viewed their young linebacker to the team’s success.
One of the more interesting mysteries as the Broncos head toward their home opener on Sept. 14 revolves around how much Chubb will play. Will he be on the field 50% of the time? I’d be pleasantly surprised if it’s more.
And nobody would be shocked if Denver decides it’s wiser to break Chubb in cautiously, as a situational pass-rusher when the Titans are likely to throw the football.
For all the X’s and O’s and video analysis in pro football, sometimes coaching is more about pure gut instinct than 21st century science.
The Broncos’ early schedule allows the team no time to ease into the season, with four games that will go a long way to determining whether they should be taken seriously as a playoff contender.
Denver opens at home as slim 1.5-point favorites against Derrick Henry and the rush-heavy Titans in a game that feels like a toss-up in no small measure because no fans will be allowed in Empower Field at Mile High as a safety precaution in these pandemic times.
And the road rises steeply uphill from a season opener whose final play won’t be until nearly midnight. There’s a trip to Pittsburgh, where Ben Roethlisberger will be intent on proving he’s not washed up, on a short week that will test Chubb’s powers of recovery.
On the last Sunday of September, how much can Chubb hassle our old pal Tom Brady, wearing his new Tampa Bay Bucs uniform? The fourth stop in the opening stretch will present another short week for Chubb, with a Thursday night tilt at the Jets, where the Broncos need to steal a road victory.
“We should be the best defense in the league, no question,” defensive end Shelby Harris said during camp.
The best? While I admire Harris’ lofty ambition, Super Bowl 50 was a long time ago.
Fangio was hired to do a rebuilding project that took that championship defense down to the foundation and studs. Compared to his first game as coach in 2019, there will be no fewer than five new starters on the defensive side of the ball when the Broncos take the field against Tennessee.
A dominant Denver defense would hide many of the inevitable growing pains for young quarterback Drew Lock. But how soon will this Denver defense be able to make Brady feel old and Patrick Mahomes feel mortal?
Not until Chubb again feels like his dominant self, and the Astronaut takes flight.


thedenverpost--2020-09-06--Dustin Johnson turns rough day into 1-shot lead at East Lake

ATLANTA — The final hole at East Lake brought two strange sights Saturday at the Tour Championship .
First , Rory McIlroy hit a shot that toppled out of thick rough right into the water in front of him , a distance laser cameras estimated at 85 feet , 8 inches , not accounting for how far it sank to the bottom .
Then , Dustin Johnson reached his drive and could see the entire golf ball in the grass .
It was in the first cut , sure , but a relief considering he didn ’ t hit a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a rare green light for Johnson , and he hit 5-iron to 30 feet for a two-putt birdie and an even-round 70 , allowing to escape with a one-shot lead over Sungjae Im at the halfway point of the chase for the FedEx Cup and the $ 15 million prize .
Johnson headed straight to the range to try to figure out why he hit only two fairway , though he was satisfied to have so few chances and still stay in front .
“ Two different golf courses if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing from the rough , ” Johnson said .
“ Playing from the fairway you can attack the course , you can shoot a good score .
Playing from where I did , it ’ s not so much fun .
But I managed my game pretty well , and pleased with the score that I shot , especially the way I drove the ball.
” McIlroy also shrugged off his shot , in which he tried to do too much with a gnarly lie , not so much to get over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side .
It cost him a bogey for a 71 that left him five behind , though he could see a bigger picture .
“ It doesn ’ t look like I ’ m going to lose any ground today anyway , which is some sort of consolation , ” he said .
That might have been the best take after a second round filled with birdies and blunders .
The next 36 holes are all about opportunity for the nine player separated by just five shots .
As well as Johnson has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 11-shot victory in his last three starts — there was a chance he could have taken his two-shot lead at the start of the tournament and run away with it .
Johnson , with rounds of 67-70 along with starting at 10 under as the No .
1 seed in the FedEx Cup , was at 13 under .
Im , the budding star from South Korea whose game had gone lukewarm coming out of the three-month shutdown , birdied three of his last four holes for a 64 and will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Xander Schauffele , who won the Tour Championship as a rookie in 2017 , ran off three straight birdies late in his round for a 65 and was two shots behind .
Another big move came from PGA champion Collin Morikawa , whose 66 put him four shots out of the lead .
Johnson hit the fairway on the first and fifth holes — both pars .
He still managed a birdie on No .
8 when he drove into a bunker , came up short of the green and chipped in from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on No .
3 , where he made a 40-footer .
“ I feel like I got my two bad rounds out of the way and I got two good ones coming , where the other guys , they ’ ve shot some good scores , ” Johnson said .
“ My game feels good .
I ’ ve still got a lot of confidence in everything I ’ m doing .
Just I ’ ve got to hit it in the fairway .
That ’ s pretty simple.
” He wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justin Thomas pulled within one shot until he couldn ’ t convert birdie chances and then drove so far left on the 18th that he had to pitch out sideways , leading to bogey and a 71 .
Jon Rahm again was keeping stride with Johnson until he found the water off the tee at the par-3 15th and made double bogey , followed by a wild drive that led to bogey on the 16th .
He shot a 74 , nine shots worse than his opening round .
That left him four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what was so maddening for Thomas , who felt like he was hitting it well enough from tee to green .
He ranks last in the 30-man field in putting , which would not surprise him .
“ I should have never shot over par today with how well I played , ” he said .
“ I just made absolutely nothing.
” That much was evident when his 6-foot par putt swirled in and out of the cup , and Thomas gave it a sarcastic thumbs-up .
Rahm was frustrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t capitalize when he was in the fairway and felt it was another round at East Lake that would cost him .
Now , however , he ’ s still only four shots behind with 36 holes remaining and $ 15 million still very much up for grabs .
“ The closest I came from the fifth hole on to make a birdie was that bunker shot on 18 , ” he said of his third shot from behind the green .
“ That ’ s the best look I had all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those days .
But like you said , the mentality is right now we ’ ve played two days of the tournament .
I ’ m four back going into the weekend .
Anything can happen .
”

ATLANTA — The final hole at East Lake brought two strange sights Saturday at the Tour Championship.
First, Rory McIlroy hit a shot that toppled out of thick rough right into the water in front of him, a distance laser cameras estimated at 85 feet, 8 inches, not accounting for how far it sank to the bottom.
Then, Dustin Johnson reached his drive and could see the entire golf ball in the grass. It was in the first cut, sure, but a relief considering he didn’t hit a fairway over the final three hours.
It was a rare green light for Johnson, and he hit 5-iron to 30 feet for a two-putt birdie and an even-round 70, allowing to escape with a one-shot lead over Sungjae Im at the halfway point of the chase for the FedEx Cup and the $15 million prize.
Johnson headed straight to the range to try to figure out why he hit only two fairway, though he was satisfied to have so few chances and still stay in front.
“Two different golf courses if you’re playing from the fairway or playing from the rough,” Johnson said. “Playing from the fairway you can attack the course, you can shoot a good score. Playing from where I did, it’s not so much fun. But I managed my game pretty well, and pleased with the score that I shot, especially the way I drove the ball.”
McIlroy also shrugged off his shot, in which he tried to do too much with a gnarly lie, not so much to get over the water but a bunker on the right side. It cost him a bogey for a 71 that left him five behind, though he could see a bigger picture.
“It doesn’t look like I’m going to lose any ground today anyway, which is some sort of consolation,” he said.
That might have been the best take after a second round filled with birdies and blunders. The next 36 holes are all about opportunity for the nine player separated by just five shots.
As well as Johnson has been playing — two runner-up finishes and an 11-shot victory in his last three starts — there was a chance he could have taken his two-shot lead at the start of the tournament and run away with it.
Johnson, with rounds of 67-70 along with starting at 10 under as the No. 1 seed in the FedEx Cup, was at 13 under.
Im, the budding star from South Korea whose game had gone lukewarm coming out of the three-month shutdown, birdied three of his last four holes for a 64 and will be in the final group with Johnson.
Xander Schauffele, who won the Tour Championship as a rookie in 2017, ran off three straight birdies late in his round for a 65 and was two shots behind. Another big move came from PGA champion Collin Morikawa, whose 66 put him four shots out of the lead.
Johnson hit the fairway on the first and fifth holes — both pars. He still managed a birdie on No. 8 when he drove into a bunker, came up short of the green and chipped in from 40 feet, both the par 5s and on No. 3, where he made a 40-footer.
“I feel like I got my two bad rounds out of the way and I got two good ones coming, where the other guys, they’ve shot some good scores,” Johnson said. “My game feels good. I’ve still got a lot of confidence in everything I’m doing. Just I’ve got to hit it in the fairway. That’s pretty simple.”
He wasn’t alone in his struggles.
Justin Thomas pulled within one shot until he couldn’t convert birdie chances and then drove so far left on the 18th that he had to pitch out sideways, leading to bogey and a 71.
Jon Rahm again was keeping stride with Johnson until he found the water off the tee at the par-3 15th and made double bogey, followed by a wild drive that led to bogey on the 16th. He shot a 74, nine shots worse than his opening round. That left him four shots behind at 9 under.
That’s what was so maddening for Thomas, who felt like he was hitting it well enough from tee to green. He ranks last in the 30-man field in putting, which would not surprise him.
“I should have never shot over par today with how well I played,” he said. “I just made absolutely nothing.”
That much was evident when his 6-foot par putt swirled in and out of the cup, and Thomas gave it a sarcastic thumbs-up.
Rahm was frustrated as ever, mainly because he couldn’t capitalize when he was in the fairway and felt it was another round at East Lake that would cost him. Now, however, he’s still only four shots behind with 36 holes remaining and $15 million still very much up for grabs.
“The closest I came from the fifth hole on to make a birdie was that bunker shot on 18,” he said of his third shot from behind the green. “That’s the best look I had all day. It’s just one of those days. But like you said, the mentality is right now we’ve played two days of the tournament. I’m four back going into the weekend. Anything can happen.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-06--27 arrested as Portland protests reach 100 consecutive days

PORTLAND , Ore. — As unrest continues in Portland amid 100 straight days of protests , authorities released additional court documents late Friday detailing the moments before the slaying of a right-wing protester last weekend .
The documents included shots of security footage that showed the suspect , Michael Forest Reinoehl , ducked into a parking garage and reached toward a pocket or pouch at his waist before emerging to follow the victim , Patriot Prayer supporter Aaron “ Jay ” Danielson .
Danielson was holding bear spray and an expandable baton and had a loaded Glock handgun in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the documents .
The shooting happened moments later and wasn ’ t captured on security video .
Witnesses told police that just before they heard gunshots someone said something like , “ wan na go , ” which is frequently a challenge to a fight .
Danielson was shot in the chest and died at the scene .
Authorities have said they believe Reinoehl , who was fatally shot by law enforcement officers late Thursday in Washington state , killed Danielson .
The court documents were filed to support second-degree murder charges against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antifa — shorthand for anti-fascists and an umbrella description for the far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events .
In a videotaped interview broadcast the evening of his death by Vice News , Reinoehl came close to admitting he shot Danielson , a supporter of a right-wing group called Patriot Prayer , on Aug. 29 after a caravan of President Donald Trump backers drove their pickup trucks through downtown Portland .
He claimed it was in self-defense , because he thought he and a friend were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate to say it , but I see a civil war right around the corner , ” Reinoehl , with a partially covered tattoo of a raised fist on the right side of his neck , said in the interview .
Late Friday and early Saturday morning protests continued in Portland , with police declaring an unlawful assembly and arresting 27 people .
A few hundred demonstrators had met at Kenton Park Friday before making their way to the Portland Police Association building , where officers warned protesters to stay off the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be subject to citation , arrest , the use of tear gas , crowd-control agents or impact munitions , police said .
Around midnight , police ran down the street , pushing protesters out of the area , knocking people down and arresting those who they say were not following orders — as some people were being detained , they were pinned to the ground and blood could be seen marking the pavement .
Law enforcement officers used smoke devices and shot impact munitions and stun grenades while trying to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Portland Police Bureau issued a statement Saturday morning , saying some officers reported that rocks , a full beverage can and water bottles had been thrown at them , prompting police to declare the gathering an unlawful assembly .
Police said at one woman who was detained was bleeding from an abrasion on her head , and she was treated by medics at the scene before being transported by an ambulance .
The Portland Police Bureau said she jumped out of the ambulance and ran away before it left the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were arrested on suspicion of interfering with a peace officer or disorderly conduct , police said .
Oregon State Police troopers assisted local police at the protest .
State police frequently helped police at the protests until early August , when they withdrew .
Their return on Friday came days after Gov .
Kate Brown announced the move .
Demonstrations in Portland , which started in late May after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , are reaching 100 straight nights of protests that have been marked by vandalism and violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nights of unrest that increasingly targeted a federal courthouse prompted President Donald Trump to dispatch U.S. agents to guard the building in July .
The presence of the agents from U.S .Customs and Border Protection , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S .
Marshals Service was intended to tamp down on the demonstrations but instead reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement .
The U.S. agents began drawing down July 31 under an agreement between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown .
But as the unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities have again said they may increase their presence in the city .

PORTLAND, Ore. — As unrest continues in Portland amid 100 straight days of protests, authorities released additional court documents late Friday detailing the moments before the slaying of a right-wing protester last weekend.
The documents included shots of security footage that showed the suspect, Michael Forest Reinoehl, ducked into a parking garage and reached toward a pocket or pouch at his waist before emerging to follow the victim, Patriot Prayer supporter Aaron “Jay” Danielson. Danielson was holding bear spray and an expandable baton and had a loaded Glock handgun in a holster at his waist, according to the documents.
The shooting happened moments later and wasn’t captured on security video. Witnesses told police that just before they heard gunshots someone said something like, “wanna go,” which is frequently a challenge to a fight. Danielson was shot in the chest and died at the scene.
Authorities have said they believe Reinoehl, who was fatally shot by law enforcement officers late Thursday in Washington state, killed Danielson. The court documents were filed to support second-degree murder charges against Reinoehl, who was a supporter of antifa — shorthand for anti-fascists and an umbrella description for the far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events.
In a videotaped interview broadcast the evening of his death by Vice News, Reinoehl came close to admitting he shot Danielson, a supporter of a right-wing group called Patriot Prayer, on Aug. 29 after a caravan of President Donald Trump backers drove their pickup trucks through downtown Portland. He claimed it was in self-defense, because he thought he and a friend were about to be stabbed.
“I hate to say it, but I see a civil war right around the corner,” Reinoehl, with a partially covered tattoo of a raised fist on the right side of his neck, said in the interview.
Late Friday and early Saturday morning protests continued in Portland, with police declaring an unlawful assembly and arresting 27 people.
A few hundred demonstrators had met at Kenton Park Friday before making their way to the Portland Police Association building, where officers warned protesters to stay off the streets and private property. Those who refused could be subject to citation, arrest, the use of tear gas, crowd-control agents or impact munitions, police said.
Around midnight, police ran down the street, pushing protesters out of the area, knocking people down and arresting those who they say were not following orders — as some people were being detained, they were pinned to the ground and blood could be seen marking the pavement. Law enforcement officers used smoke devices and shot impact munitions and stun grenades while trying to get the crowd to disperse, The Oregonian reported.
The Portland Police Bureau issued a statement Saturday morning, saying some officers reported that rocks, a full beverage can and water bottles had been thrown at them, prompting police to declare the gathering an unlawful assembly.
Police said at one woman who was detained was bleeding from an abrasion on her head, and she was treated by medics at the scene before being transported by an ambulance. The Portland Police Bureau said she jumped out of the ambulance and ran away before it left the scene, however.
Most of those arrested were arrested on suspicion of interfering with a peace officer or disorderly conduct, police said.
Oregon State Police troopers assisted local police at the protest. State police frequently helped police at the protests until early August, when they withdrew. Their return on Friday came days after Gov. Kate Brown announced the move.
Demonstrations in Portland, which started in late May after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, are reaching 100 straight nights of protests that have been marked by vandalism and violence.
Since Floyd’s killing, nights of unrest that increasingly targeted a federal courthouse prompted President Donald Trump to dispatch U.S. agents to guard the building in July.
The presence of the agents from U.S .Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Marshals Service was intended to tamp down on the demonstrations but instead reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement.
The U.S. agents began drawing down July 31 under an agreement between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Democratic Gov. Kate Brown. But as the unrest has continued and picked up, federal authorities have again said they may increase their presence in the city.
___
Cline reported from Salem, Oregon.


thedenverpost--2020-09-05--Authentic wins the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby without fans

LOUISVILLE , Ky. — Authentic led all the way to win a Kentucky Derby unlike any other , kicking away from heavy favorite Tiz the Law in the stretch and giving Bob Baffert a record-tying sixth victory on Saturday after the trainer ’ s other entry was a late scratch .
Authentic won by 1 1/4 lengths without the usual crowd of 150,000 on hand at Churchill Downs because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The bay colt ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.61 under John Velazquez , who earned his third Derby victory .
Sent off at 3-5 as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tiz the Law stalked Authentic on the outside before challenging at the top of the stretch .
But Authentic found another gear and pulled away from the Belmont winner .
“ Yes !
Yes !
” Baffert shouted in the paddock , where he watched the race on the video screen .
Baffert ’ s other horse , Thousand Words , got spooked in the paddock , reared up and fell on his side shortly before post time .
He was scratched by the veterinarians .
Baffert said his assistant , Jim Barnes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Big News , a 46-1 shot , finished third .
Honor A. P. was fourth .
The field of 15 was the smallest since 1998 .
Tiz the Law had already won the Belmont , the kickoff to the reconfigured Triple Crown that was run in June at a shorter distance .

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Authentic led all the way to win a Kentucky Derby unlike any other, kicking away from heavy favorite Tiz the Law in the stretch and giving Bob Baffert a record-tying sixth victory on Saturday after the trainer’s other entry was a late scratch.
Authentic won by 1 1/4 lengths without the usual crowd of 150,000 on hand at Churchill Downs because of the coronavirus pandemic. The bay colt ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.61 under John Velazquez, who earned his third Derby victory.
Sent off at 3-5 as the biggest Derby favorite in 31 years, Tiz the Law stalked Authentic on the outside before challenging at the top of the stretch. But Authentic found another gear and pulled away from the Belmont winner.
“Yes! Yes!” Baffert shouted in the paddock, where he watched the race on the video screen.
Baffert’s other horse, Thousand Words, got spooked in the paddock, reared up and fell on his side shortly before post time. He was scratched by the veterinarians. Baffert said his assistant, Jim Barnes, was injured in the fall.
Mr. Big News, a 46-1 shot, finished third. Honor A. P. was fourth. The field of 15 was the smallest since 1998.
Tiz the Law had already won the Belmont, the kickoff to the reconfigured Triple Crown that was run in June at a shorter distance.


thedenverpost--2020-09-05--Game 7 loss to Stars mirrors what Avalanche went through in 2014

In a coronavirus-free world , Game 7 of the Avalanche-Dallas Stars Western Conference semifinal series would have been played in late May in front of 18,000-some fans at the Pepsi Center .
Instead , it was played in September before empty seats in Edmonton .
Home-ice advantage would have been important in May , but it wasn ’ t Friday afternoon at Rogers Place .
The Avs blew a late lead in regulation and lost 5-4 in overtime to extend their Game 7 losing streak to five .
Colorado star center Nathan MacKinnon is now 0-3 in Game 7s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to end his rookie season in 2014 .
Similar to Friday ’ s result against the Stars , the Minnesota Wild forced overtime with a game-tying goal from Jared Spurgeon with 2:33 remaining in regulation and then won 5-4 on Nino Niederreiter ’ s goal 5:02 into OT .
On Friday , Dallas rookie Joel Kiviranta tied it 4-4 with 3:30 left in regulation and then won it 5-4 just 7:24 into OT .
Would home-ice at Pepsi Center have helped the Avs win Friday ?
Undoubtedly .
But the same result could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also lost Game 7 of their conference semifinal series last season , falling 3-2 against the Sharks in San Jose .
“ Two straight years , Game 7 losses , one-goal games , ” MacKinnon said on his final Zoom call from Edmonton on Friday .
“ It ’ s tough .
We ’ ve got to find a way to breakthrough .
There ’ s no moral victories here .
We came here to win and we didn ’ t get the job done.
” Stars align for rookie Finn .
Headline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 game story : “ Finnished them off : Stars forward Joel Kiviranta started Game 7 as an injury replacement , but ended a playoff legend.
” Kiviranta , the 24-year-old Finn , made his series debut in Game 7 .
He was a healthy scratch in the first six games but came in for injured forward Andrew Cogliano — the former NHL ironman leader who played in 830 consecutive games in his first 12 years in the league before he was suspended in 2018 .
Kiviranta , who played just 11 regular-season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ second goal and became the first rookie to record a Game 7 hat trick in NHL history .
“ If I were a smart coach , I would have had him in a lot earlier , clearly , ” Dallas interim coach Rick Bowness said of the young Finn .
Moving on .
The Avalanche begins what will probably be a relatively quiet offseason , with all of its best players either under contract for next season or protected as restricted free agents .
The unrestricted free agents are forwards Vladislav Namestnikov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kevin Connauton , and goalie Michael Hutchinson .
None of those players are expected to be re-signed because of the handful of young prospects with the AHL ’ s Colorado Eagles or those on the cusp of beginning their professional careers .
“ It looks good for us , ” Avs winger Mikko Rantanen said of the club ’ s immediate future .
“ We have lots of younger players coming up.
” Young Eagles regulars Logan O ’ Connor , Martin Kaut and Shane Bowers , all forwards , might become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defenseman Conor Timmins .
The Hockey News wrote that the Avalanche has the NHL ’ s No .
1 prospect pool on the strength of its top two picks from the 2019 draft , where defenseman Bo Byram was selected No .
4 and forward Alex Newhook No .
16 .
Byram , THN ’ s top overall prospect , has signed his NHL entry-level contract but is eligible to return to his junior team in Vancouver .
Newhook , the NCAA rookie of the year , has said he intends to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

In a coronavirus-free world, Game 7 of the Avalanche-Dallas Stars Western Conference semifinal series would have been played in late May in front of 18,000-some fans at the Pepsi Center.
Instead, it was played in September before empty seats in Edmonton.
Home-ice advantage would have been important in May, but it wasn’t Friday afternoon at Rogers Place. The Avs blew a late lead in regulation and lost 5-4 in overtime to extend their Game 7 losing streak to five.
Colorado star center Nathan MacKinnon is now 0-3 in Game 7s, with his first coming at Pepsi Center to end his rookie season in 2014. Similar to Friday’s result against the Stars, the Minnesota Wild forced overtime with a game-tying goal from Jared Spurgeon with 2:33 remaining in regulation and then won 5-4 on Nino Niederreiter’s goal 5:02 into OT.
On Friday, Dallas rookie Joel Kiviranta tied it 4-4 with 3:30 left in regulation and then won it 5-4 just 7:24 into OT.
Would home-ice at Pepsi Center have helped the Avs win Friday? Undoubtedly. But the same result could have unfolded.
MacKinnon and the Avs also lost Game 7 of their conference semifinal series last season, falling 3-2 against the Sharks in San Jose.
“Two straight years, Game 7 losses, one-goal games,” MacKinnon said on his final Zoom call from Edmonton on Friday. “It’s tough. We’ve got to find a way to breakthrough. There’s no moral victories here. We came here to win and we didn’t get the job done.”
Stars align for rookie Finn. Headline from the Dallas Morning News’ Game 7 game story: “Finnished them off: Stars forward Joel Kiviranta started Game 7 as an injury replacement, but ended a playoff legend.”
Kiviranta, the 24-year-old Finn, made his series debut in Game 7. He was a healthy scratch in the first six games but came in for injured forward Andrew Cogliano — the former NHL ironman leader who played in 830 consecutive games in his first 12 years in the league before he was suspended in 2018.
Kiviranta, who played just 11 regular-season games with the Stars, scored Dallas’ second goal and became the first rookie to record a Game 7 hat trick in NHL history.
“If I were a smart coach, I would have had him in a lot earlier, clearly,” Dallas interim coach Rick Bowness said of the young Finn.
Moving on. The Avalanche begins what will probably be a relatively quiet offseason, with all of its best players either under contract for next season or protected as restricted free agents.
The unrestricted free agents are forwards Vladislav Namestnikov and Matt Nieto, defensemen Mark Barberio and Kevin Connauton, and goalie Michael Hutchinson. None of those players are expected to be re-signed because of the handful of young prospects with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles or those on the cusp of beginning their professional careers.
“It looks good for us,” Avs winger Mikko Rantanen said of the club’s immediate future. “We have lots of younger players coming up.”
Young Eagles regulars Logan O’Connor, Martin Kaut and Shane Bowers, all forwards, might become full-time Avs next season, along with defenseman Conor Timmins.
The Hockey News wrote that the Avalanche has the NHL’s No. 1 prospect pool on the strength of its top two picks from the 2019 draft, where defenseman Bo Byram was selected No. 4 and forward Alex Newhook No. 16.
Byram, THN’s top overall prospect, has signed his NHL entry-level contract but is eligible to return to his junior team in Vancouver. Newhook, the NCAA rookie of the year, has said he intends to return to Boston College for his sophomore year.


thedenverpost--2020-09-05--Broncos Briefs: Receiver KJ Hamler won’t start season on injured reserve

If the Broncos make any changes to their initial 53-man roster Sunday , it won ’ t include placing a player on injured reserve .
In particular , general manager John Elway said rookie receiver KJ Hamler is progressing from his hamstring injury sustained on Aug. 19 .
“ KJ is going to stay on the active ( roster ) , ” Elway said Saturday .
“ He ’ s getting close .
Hopefully he starts running around this week.
” Also on the injury front , coach Vic Fangio said outside linebacker Bradley Chubb ( knee ) and right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice Tuesday .
Open dialogue .
Fangio said he plans on meeting with the players every Tuesday during the regular season to discuss the current social climate .
“ We ’ ve had a lot of good talks with the players throughout the last couple months and a few very recently , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve met with various policemen as a group and we ’ ve met as a team in big groups and small groups .
And we ’ re going to continue doing that in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked about the potential for players to kneel during the anthem , Elway said : “ We have talked to them and where I stand is where the Broncos stand — the players can do as they wish when it comes to the anthem .
The only thing we ask is that everybody respects everybody for their right to do what they want to do.
” Zaler hired .
Fangio said Emily Zaler , who worked for the team in training camp as a part of the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular season .
“ She did a really nice job and she ’ s very knowledgeable and very passionate about the strength and conditioning aspect and we ’ re happy to have her , ” Fangio said .
Footnotes .
Justin Hollins , a 2019 fifth-round pick who worked at outside and inside linebacker last year , was among the Broncos ’ cuts .
“ He was the odd man out at this time ( at outside linebacker ) , ” Fangio said… .
The Broncos elected to keep only three safeties — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marshall — after releasing Alijah Holder and P.J .
Locke .

If the Broncos make any changes to their initial 53-man roster Sunday, it won’t include placing a player on injured reserve. In particular, general manager John Elway said rookie receiver KJ Hamler is progressing from his hamstring injury sustained on Aug. 19.
“KJ is going to stay on the active (roster),” Elway said Saturday. “He’s getting close. Hopefully he starts running around this week.”
Also on the injury front, coach Vic Fangio said outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee) and right guard Graham Glasgow (ankle) could practice Tuesday.
Open dialogue. Fangio said he plans on meeting with the players every Tuesday during the regular season to discuss the current social climate.
“We’ve had a lot of good talks with the players throughout the last couple months and a few very recently,” he said. “We’ve met with various policemen as a group and we’ve met as a team in big groups and small groups. And we’re going to continue doing that in the season at least once a week.”
Asked about the potential for players to kneel during the anthem, Elway said: “We have talked to them and where I stand is where the Broncos stand — the players can do as they wish when it comes to the anthem. The only thing we ask is that everybody respects everybody for their right to do what they want to do.”
Zaler hired. Fangio said Emily Zaler, who worked for the team in training camp as a part of the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship program, has been hired for the regular season. “She did a really nice job and she’s very knowledgeable and very passionate about the strength and conditioning aspect and we’re happy to have her,” Fangio said.
Footnotes. Justin Hollins, a 2019 fifth-round pick who worked at outside and inside linebacker last year, was among the Broncos’ cuts. “He was the odd man out at this time (at outside linebacker),” Fangio said…. The Broncos elected to keep only three safeties — Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson and Trey Marshall — after releasing Alijah Holder and P.J. Locke.


thedenverpost--2020-09-05--Colleges using COVID dorms, quarantines to keep coronavirus at bay

STORRS , Conn. — With the coronavirus spreading through colleges at alarming rates , universities are scrambling to find quarantine locations in dormitory buildings and off-campus properties to isolate the thousands of students who have caught COVID-19 or been exposed to it .
Sacred Heart University has converted a 34-room guest house at the former Connecticut headquarters of General Electric to quarantine students .
The University of South Carolina ran out of space at a dormitory for quarantined students and began sending them to rooms it rented in hotel-like quarters at a training center for prosecutors .
The Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free up space on its Colorado base for quarantines .
The actions again demonstrate how the virus has uprooted traditional campus life amid a pandemic that has killed nearly 200,000 people in the U.S. and proven to be especially problematic for universities since the start of the school year .
Many colleges quickly scrapped in-person learning in favor of online after cases began to spike , bars have been shut down in college towns , and students , fraternities and sororities have been repeatedly disciplined for parties and large gatherings .
Health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member Dr. Deborah Birx have been urging colleges to keep students on campus to avoid them infecting members of their family and community .
At Sacred Heart , which acquired the 66-acre GE campus in 2016 , the guest house that once provided rooms for visiting corporate executives will be used for the rest of the year to isolate any of its 3,000 students who test positive for COVID-19 and are unable to return home , said Gary MacNamara , the school ’ s director of public safety .
Rooms are stocked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations for remote learning .
Heath officials will do periodic check-ups , security is stationed outside and card swipes keep track of who enters or leaves .
“ With all the stress and fear a student may have if in isolation we believe we need to make it as comfortable as possible , ” MacNamara said .
“ This guest house helps us accomplish that.
” But not every situation is as comfortable .
Ryan Bologna has been locked in his dorm room at the University of Connecticut since 12 cases were found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s allowed to go to a dining hall next door , but has had no other contact with the outside world .
Zoom classes and virtual marching band practice and video gaming are not what the communications major had envisioned for the start of his senior year .
“ I do have friends I ’ ve made throughout the years that I can talk to , ” he said .
“ But If I were a freshman , I ’ d be really struggling right now as far as the social aspect.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in states like Connecticut , where the infection rate at UConn on Thursday was 1.34 % among residential students tested for the virus .
But the results haven ’ t been as good elsewhere .
The University of Alabama recently informed students in half of a five-story complex that they had to move to other housing to make room for infected or potentially infected students , because two other quarantine-and-isolation facilities would reach capacity .
So far , more than 1,000 students on the Tuscaloosa campus have tested positive since mid-August .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online dashboard showed its quarantine housing was 36 % full .
The university banned on-campus events for two weeks and the city of Tuscaloosa ordered bars closed amid concern about virus spread .
The football-obsessed school is still planning to allow fans for games — with a ban on tailgating — when the Crimson Tide begin their season this month .
Freshman Zachary Bourg , 18 , spent 10 days in a quarantine dorm after testing positive on Aug. 23 .
He ’ s now back in his regular room .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semester , ” he said .
“ But if cases continue to rise at the rate they are then the likelihood of that occurring is starting to get lower.
” The University of South Carolina has about 35,000 students on its main Columbia campus .
More than 1,000 have tested positive for COVID-19 so far , with many more ordered into quarantine after exposure to COVID-positive students .
They were first housed in a dormitory called Bates West , where some students are allowed to room together .
But once that filled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a training center for prosecutors .
“ We do feel like we can surge additional space , either on campus or nearby , to support the students , ” said Larry Thomas , a school spokesman .
Brown University has delayed the start in-person learning until next month at the earliest because of concerns over where to put those who might test positive .
Schools such as Georgia College & State University , a 7,000-student school in Milledgeville which has reported more than 600 cases since the beginning of August , are telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they should leave campus .
There ’ s a debate in the health community about whether to send students home or keep them in quarantine .
Dr. Joseph Gerald , associate professor of public health policy and management at the University of Arizona , said the idea of identifying cases , contact tracing and quarantining is the right approach .
He said it ’ s just going to be hard to do in dorms , frat houses or places where students congregate .
“ One of the things we ’ re struggling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what to do with multi-story buildings , where kids need to get to their rooms , but we have one or two elevators , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not really possible to make an elevator safe.
” Dr. Peter Hotez , a Baylor College of Medicine infectious disease expert , dean of the National School for Tropical Medicine and co-director Texas Children ’ s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development said many colleges simply can not open safely .
“ There ’ s only so much you can do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ That will help get you about 20 % to 30 % of the way , the other 70 % is whether you have an adequate suppression of transmission .
You might get away with it at Bowdoin College … but clearly it ’ s going to fail at the University of Alabama , the University of Georgia and places like that.
” Associated Press writer Haleluya Hadero contributed to this report .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

STORRS, Conn. — With the coronavirus spreading through colleges at alarming rates, universities are scrambling to find quarantine locations in dormitory buildings and off-campus properties to isolate the thousands of students who have caught COVID-19 or been exposed to it.
Sacred Heart University has converted a 34-room guest house at the former Connecticut headquarters of General Electric to quarantine students. The University of South Carolina ran out of space at a dormitory for quarantined students and began sending them to rooms it rented in hotel-like quarters at a training center for prosecutors. The Air Force Academy sent 400 cadets to hotels to free up space on its Colorado base for quarantines.
The actions again demonstrate how the virus has uprooted traditional campus life amid a pandemic that has killed nearly 200,000 people in the U.S. and proven to be especially problematic for universities since the start of the school year. Many colleges quickly scrapped in-person learning in favor of online after cases began to spike, bars have been shut down in college towns, and students, fraternities and sororities have been repeatedly disciplined for parties and large gatherings.
Health officials such as White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Deborah Birx have been urging colleges to keep students on campus to avoid them infecting members of their family and community.
At Sacred Heart, which acquired the 66-acre GE campus in 2016, the guest house that once provided rooms for visiting corporate executives will be used for the rest of the year to isolate any of its 3,000 students who test positive for COVID-19 and are unable to return home, said Gary MacNamara, the school’s director of public safety.
Rooms are stocked with snacks and equipped with TVs and work stations for remote learning. Heath officials will do periodic check-ups, security is stationed outside and card swipes keep track of who enters or leaves.
“With all the stress and fear a student may have if in isolation we believe we need to make it as comfortable as possible,” MacNamara said. “This guest house helps us accomplish that.”
But not every situation is as comfortable.
Ryan Bologna has been locked in his dorm room at the University of Connecticut since 12 cases were found in his building last week. He’s allowed to go to a dining hall next door, but has had no other contact with the outside world.
Zoom classes and virtual marching band practice and video gaming are not what the communications major had envisioned for the start of his senior year.
“I do have friends I’ve made throughout the years that I can talk to,” he said. “But If I were a freshman, I’d be really struggling right now as far as the social aspect.”
Isolating students seems to be working in states like Connecticut, where the infection rate at UConn on Thursday was 1.34% among residential students tested for the virus.
But the results haven’t been as good elsewhere.
The University of Alabama recently informed students in half of a five-story complex that they had to move to other housing to make room for infected or potentially infected students, because two other quarantine-and-isolation facilities would reach capacity.
So far, more than 1,000 students on the Tuscaloosa campus have tested positive since mid-August. As of Thursday, the system’s online dashboard showed its quarantine housing was 36% full.
The university banned on-campus events for two weeks and the city of Tuscaloosa ordered bars closed amid concern about virus spread. The football-obsessed school is still planning to allow fans for games — with a ban on tailgating — when the Crimson Tide begin their season this month.
Freshman Zachary Bourg, 18, spent 10 days in a quarantine dorm after testing positive on Aug. 23. He’s now back in his regular room.
“I want to stay here for the fall semester,” he said. “But if cases continue to rise at the rate they are then the likelihood of that occurring is starting to get lower.”
The University of South Carolina has about 35,000 students on its main Columbia campus. More than 1,000 have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, with many more ordered into quarantine after exposure to COVID-positive students.
They were first housed in a dormitory called Bates West, where some students are allowed to room together. But once that filled the university began sending students to off-campus at a training center for prosecutors.
“We do feel like we can surge additional space, either on campus or nearby, to support the students,” said Larry Thomas, a school spokesman.
Brown University has delayed the start in-person learning until next month at the earliest because of concerns over where to put those who might test positive. Schools such as Georgia College & State University, a 7,000-student school in Milledgeville which has reported more than 600 cases since the beginning of August, are telling students that if they have COVID-19, they should leave campus.
There’s a debate in the health community about whether to send students home or keep them in quarantine.
Dr. Joseph Gerald, associate professor of public health policy and management at the University of Arizona, said the idea of identifying cases, contact tracing and quarantining is the right approach. He said it’s just going to be hard to do in dorms, frat houses or places where students congregate.
“One of the things we’re struggling with here at the University of Arizona is what to do with multi-story buildings, where kids need to get to their rooms, but we have one or two elevators,” he said. “It’s not really possible to make an elevator safe.”
Dr. Peter Hotez, a Baylor College of Medicine infectious disease expert, dean of the National School for Tropical Medicine and co-director Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development said many colleges simply cannot open safely.
“There’s only so much you can do with Plexiglas and social distancing and testing,” he said. “That will help get you about 20% to 30% of the way, the other 70% is whether you have an adequate suppression of transmission. You might get away with it at Bowdoin College … but clearly it’s going to fail at the University of Alabama, the University of Georgia and places like that.”
Associated Press writer Haleluya Hadero contributed to this report.
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thedenverpost--2020-09-05--Broncos cut roster to 53 players, don’t expect to be active on waiver wire

The Broncos set their initial 53-man roster about two hours ahead of Saturday ’ s 2 p.m. deadline and it includes 19 players not with the organization last year , a turnover of 35.8 % .
Twenty-two players were waived , tight end Troy Fumagalli was waived/injured , cornerback DeVante Bausby was released and tight end Austin Fort ( knee ) was placed on injured reserve .
“ We had a pretty good idea going in of what we had and we saw a lot in practice and we ended up in a good spot , ” general manager John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Elway doesn ’ t expect to be active Sunday morning when teams can claim players off waivers .
“ Obviously , we ’ ll look at everything and all possibilities , but we ’ re excited about the football team we have , ” he said .
Elway and coach Vic Fangio held video conferences after the roster moves were announced and covered several topics : What ’ s the story : When Jake Butt has been healthy dating back to college , he ’ s been a weapon in the passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy — he has played only four games in three years with the Broncos .
But he parlayed a great camp into being one of four true tight ends on the roster .
Fangio said : “ I ’ ll tell you what , it ’ s been ( a heckuva ) year for Jake .
I haven ’ t seen him limp once .
He ’ s had a terrific camp , not just playing-wise , but he ’ s actually 100 % healthy and moving around good and you would never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries he ’ s had with his knees .
He looks as good as new to me.
” Comment : Butt had done enough to make the roster even before Fumagalli was sidelined with an abdominal procedure last week that kept him out of the final six practices .
If the Broncos play a lot of two-tight end personnel , there will be a role for Butt .
What ’ s the story : The most noteworthy surprise was the Broncos releasing Bausby and keeping Duke Dawson and rookie Essang Bassey .
Midway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-team work , which cemented his status , but Dawson made the team instead of a fourth safety .
Fangio said : “ Well , versatility is part of the equation .
( Dawson and Bassey ) both can play the nickel position , which is important and they ’ re both good contributors in the special teams area , which is important.
” Comment : The Broncos are on point in making sure they have reinforcements at the nickel spot ( covering the slot receiver ) because Bryce Callahan has never played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story : The Broncos elected to keep seven receivers , good news for Diontae Spencer ( who will handle returns ) , but particularly seventh-round rookie Tyrie Cleveland .
Obviously underused at Florida , Cleveland made plays from the first day of camp .
Elway said : “ Tyrie is a big guy that can really run .
His willingness and toughness to put his nose into the run game ( showed as a blocker ) and he knew to make this football team , he had to show a lot on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And he also showed he ’ s a capable wideout.
” Comment : Outside of Bassey , Cleveland was the big winner of camp in terms of emerging from the pack of bubble players to earn a spot .
What ’ s the story : The Broncos signed Mark Barron last week and acquired Austin Calitro in a trade from Cincinnati on Friday , making starting inside linebacker Todd Davis and backup Josh Watson expendable .
Against Tennessee , the expectation is that Josey Jewell will start alongside Alexander Johnson , and Barron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : “ We re-organized that room a little bit , but actually feel pretty good about where we are .
Mark has a lot of experience and is a guy who can move around and help us and Calitro coming in , he can play the game and is a great special teamer , but he ’ ll have to get caught up with what we ’ re doing.
” Comment : How good would Patrick Queen look on the Broncos ’ defense right now ?
Had Jerry Jeudy not been on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elway may have moved down in the first round to select Queen , who went to the Baltimore Ravens .
Johnson is a dependable player , but the other spot could be a revolving door if Jewell doesn ’ t start fast .
The Broncos set their initial 53-man roster on Saturday :

The Broncos set their initial 53-man roster about two hours ahead of Saturday’s 2 p.m. deadline and it includes 19 players not with the organization last year, a turnover of 35.8%.
Twenty-two players were waived, tight end Troy Fumagalli was waived/injured, cornerback DeVante Bausby was released and tight end Austin Fort (knee) was placed on injured reserve.
“We had a pretty good idea going in of what we had and we saw a lot in practice and we ended up in a good spot,” general manager John Elway said.
A good enough spot that Elway doesn’t expect to be active Sunday morning when teams can claim players off waivers.
“Obviously, we’ll look at everything and all possibilities, but we’re excited about the football team we have,” he said.
Elway and coach Vic Fangio held video conferences after the roster moves were announced and covered several topics:
Butt’s triumph
What’s the story: When Jake Butt has been healthy dating back to college, he’s been a weapon in the passing game. The problem has been staying healthy — he has played only four games in three years with the Broncos. But he parlayed a great camp into being one of four true tight ends on the roster.
Fangio said: “I’ll tell you what, it’s been (a heckuva) year for Jake. I haven’t seen him limp once. He’s had a terrific camp, not just playing-wise, but he’s actually 100% healthy and moving around good and you would never know he’d been through the injuries he’s had with his knees. He looks as good as new to me.”
Comment: Butt had done enough to make the roster even before Fumagalli was sidelined with an abdominal procedure last week that kept him out of the final six practices. If the Broncos play a lot of two-tight end personnel, there will be a role for Butt.
Prioritizing versatility
What’s the story: The most noteworthy surprise was the Broncos releasing Bausby and keeping Duke Dawson and rookie Essang Bassey. Midway through last week, Bassey was getting first-team work, which cemented his status, but Dawson made the team instead of a fourth safety.
Fangio said: “Well, versatility is part of the equation. (Dawson and Bassey) both can play the nickel position, which is important and they’re both good contributors in the special teams area, which is important.”
Comment: The Broncos are on point in making sure they have reinforcements at the nickel spot (covering the slot receiver) because Bryce Callahan has never played a full season.
Keeping seven receivers
What’s the story: The Broncos elected to keep seven receivers, good news for Diontae Spencer (who will handle returns), but particularly seventh-round rookie Tyrie Cleveland. Obviously underused at Florida, Cleveland made plays from the first day of camp.
Elway said: “Tyrie is a big guy that can really run. His willingness and toughness to put his nose into the run game (showed as a blocker) and he knew to make this football team, he had to show a lot on special teams and he did that. And he also showed he’s a capable wideout.”
Comment: Outside of Bassey, Cleveland was the big winner of camp in terms of emerging from the pack of bubble players to earn a spot.
Inside linebacker additions
What’s the story: The Broncos signed Mark Barron last week and acquired Austin Calitro in a trade from Cincinnati on Friday, making starting inside linebacker Todd Davis and backup Josh Watson expendable. Against Tennessee, the expectation is that Josey Jewell will start alongside Alexander Johnson, and Barron will play a sub-package role.
Elway said: “We re-organized that room a little bit, but actually feel pretty good about where we are. Mark has a lot of experience and is a guy who can move around and help us and Calitro coming in, he can play the game and is a great special teamer, but he’ll have to get caught up with what we’re doing.”
Comment: How good would Patrick Queen look on the Broncos’ defense right now? Had Jerry Jeudy not been on the board at No. 15, Elway may have moved down in the first round to select Queen, who went to the Baltimore Ravens. Johnson is a dependable player, but the other spot could be a revolving door if Jewell doesn’t start fast.
Broncos Roster
The Broncos set their initial 53-man roster on Saturday:
Offense (26)
Quarterbacks (2): Drew Lock and Jeff Driskel.
Running backs (3): Melvin Gordon, Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.
Tight ends (5): Noah Fant, Nick Vannett, Andrew Beck (FB/TE), Albert Okwuegbunam and Jake Butt.
Receivers (7): Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, DaeSean Hamilton, Tim Patrick and Tyrie Cleveland.
Offensive line (9):
Graham Glasgow (RG), Dalton Risner (LG), Elijah Wilkinson (RT), Lloyd Cushenberry (C), Austin Schlottmann (G/C), Netane Muti (G), Calvin Anderson (T) and Demar Dotson (T).
Defense (24)
Defensive line (6): Jurrell Casey (DE), Shelby Harris (DE), Mike Purcell (NT), Dre’Mont Jones (DE), DeMarcus Walker (DE) and McTelvin Agim (DE/NT).
Inside linebackers (5): Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell, Mark Barron, Joe Jones and Austin Calitro.
Outside linebackers (4): Bradley Chubb, Von Miller, Malik Reed and Jeremiah Attaochu.
Cornerbacks (6): A.J. Bouye, Bryce Callahan, Michael Ojemudia, Davontae Harris, Essang Bassey and Duke Dawson.
Safeties (3): Kareem Jackson, Justin Simmons and Trey Marshall.
Specialists (3)
Brandon McManus (K), Sam Martin (P) and Jacob Bobenmoyer (LS).
Roster moves
Waived (23): OT Quinn Bailey, RB Le’Vante Bellamy, WR Trinity Benson, WR Fred Brown, OLB Malik Carney, S Douglas Coleman, RB Jeremy Cox, WR Kendall Hinton, S Alijah Holder, OLB Justin Hollins, OL Tyler Jones, S P.J. Locke, G/C Patrick Morris, OT Darrin Paulo, OT Jake Rodgers, QB Brett Rypien, OLB Derrek Tuszka, ILB Josh Watson, OT Hunter Watts, WR Cody White, DL DeShawn Williams and WR Juwann Winfree.
Waived/injured (1): TE Troy Fumagalli.
Released (1): CB DeVante Bausby.
Injured reserve (1): TE Austin Fort.


thedenverpost--2020-09-05--Jamal Murray’s shoes: The story behind Breonna Taylor, George Floyd-inspired kicks

When Adrian Rocha packed up Jamal Murray ’ s hand-painted , custom kicks , he had no idea if he would ever see them again .
The Oregon-based artist customizes shoes for a hobby , and before the NBA playoffs began , Rocha had never worked on a pair for a professional athlete .
It was with mild surprise when a friend of his , who used to work at Adidas , asked if he was interested in painting Breonna Taylor and George Floyd on a pair of personalized kicks .
The concept , Rocha said , originated with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , Rocha ’ s custom jobs tended to land in wedding presents , not the hands of high-profile NBA stars like Murray .
“ I was surprised who they were for , ” Rocha said .
“ I didn ’ t think , when I sent them out , I kind of had doubts .
I was like , ‘ I wonder if he ’ s actually going to wear them or not.
’ ” Murray first wore them in Game 4 of Denver ’ s first-round series against the Jazz .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ point and had been blown out by a combined 56 points in the prior two games .
With Taylor on his left shoe and George on his right , Murray set a franchise postseason record with 50 points that night in a two-point loss .
Two games later , after Murray splashed 42 points on the Jazz in the Game 5 win , Murray and his shoes drew national attention .
Game 6 was originally scheduled for Thursday , Aug. 27 , before an unprecedented work stoppage ground the NBA ’ s bubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Milwaukee Bucks ’ refusal to take the court the day before , players weren ’ t willing to keep hooping as if everything outside of the bubble was normal .
The Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin was a tipping point .
While Murray wore “ Freedom ” on the back of his jersey , and others promoted “ Black Lives Matter ” on theirs , players couldn ’ t stomach that the most visible show of frustration inside the bubble were cursory , NBA-approved messages .
Not only did the three-day pause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – or even should – continue , it yielded concrete results .
The league and the NBPA committed to increasing access to voting in addition to advocating for the end of qualified immunity .
Behind the scenes , Murray encouraged his teammates to finish the season , a league source said .
While players across the league grappled with the choice of staying or leaving , Murray ’ s conviction didn ’ t waver .
Murray believed that to promote what the players were fighting for , they needed a platform .
Simultaneously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brink of elimination heading into Game 6 , which was eventually rescheduled days later .
Murray recognized the extraordinary pressure and authored arguably the finest moment of his career .
Wearing the shoes for a third straight game , he harnessed everything from the emotional pause and channeled it into a second 50-point masterpiece to save the Nuggets ’ season .
Anyone who ’ s watched Murray closely knew there was something special about that night .
The emotion he wore , after buzzing around defenders for layups or sinking nine 3-pointers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown .
And then it all came pouring out in perhaps the defining moment of the bubble for Denver .
“ These shoes mean a lot , ” Murray said in the first answer of his viral postgame interview .
“ In life , you find things that hold value to you , and things to fight for .
And we found something worth fighting for , as an NBA , as a collective unit .
And I use these shoes as a symbol to me to keep fighting .
… They give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cameras zoomed in on Murray ’ s shoes and showed the peeling paint of three games ’ worth of use .
Rocha , though , had only made one pair .
For six hours , Rocha had locked himself in his workroom with his acrylic paints , pouring time and energy into the portraits .
“ I think it translated into him , and then you saw what he did , ” said Rocha .
Nearly a week after his shoes went viral , Rocha still has “ pinch-me ” moments when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I still can ’ t ( believe it ) , ” he said .
“ … To go from painting them , looking at the picture , and putting it on the shoe .
It was kind of surreal like , ‘ Oh my god , ’ I had that shoe in my hand and I was working on it … And then hearing what he had to say about how the shoes inspired him to play his best.
” Rocha admitted he ’ s more of a soccer fan than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murray ’ s inspiring moment has him re-evaluating .
And if he ever gets the chance , he said he ’ d relish the opportunity to talk to Murray about what those shoes meant to him .
For now , Murray has more work to do .
And more fights to win .
“ These shoes give me life , ” he said .
“ Even though these people are gone , they give me life .
They help me find strength .
”

When Adrian Rocha packed up Jamal Murray’s hand-painted, custom kicks, he had no idea if he would ever see them again.
The Oregon-based artist customizes shoes for a hobby, and before the NBA playoffs began, Rocha had never worked on a pair for a professional athlete.
It was with mild surprise when a friend of his, who used to work at Adidas, asked if he was interested in painting Breonna Taylor and George Floyd on a pair of personalized kicks. The concept, Rocha said, originated with one of Murray’s cousins.
Until now, Rocha’s custom jobs tended to land in wedding presents, not the hands of high-profile NBA stars like Murray.
“I was surprised who they were for,” Rocha said. “I didn’t think, when I sent them out, I kind of had doubts. I was like, ‘I wonder if he’s actually going to wear them or not.’”
Murray first wore them in Game 4 of Denver’s first-round series against the Jazz. The Nuggets were down 2-1 at that point and had been blown out by a combined 56 points in the prior two games. With Taylor on his left shoe and George on his right, Murray set a franchise postseason record with 50 points that night in a two-point loss.
Two games later, after Murray splashed 42 points on the Jazz in the Game 5 win, Murray and his shoes drew national attention.
Game 6 was originally scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27, before an unprecedented work stoppage ground the NBA’s bubble experiment to a halt. Beginning with the Milwaukee Bucks’ refusal to take the court the day before, players weren’t willing to keep hooping as if everything outside of the bubble was normal.
The Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin was a tipping point. While Murray wore “Freedom” on the back of his jersey, and others promoted “Black Lives Matter” on theirs, players couldn’t stomach that the most visible show of frustration inside the bubble were cursory, NBA-approved messages.
Not only did the three-day pause raise questions over whether the season would – or even should – continue, it yielded concrete results. The league and the NBPA committed to increasing access to voting in addition to advocating for the end of qualified immunity.
Behind the scenes, Murray encouraged his teammates to finish the season, a league source said. While players across the league grappled with the choice of staying or leaving, Murray’s conviction didn’t waver. Murray believed that to promote what the players were fighting for, they needed a platform.
Simultaneously, the Nuggets were still on the brink of elimination heading into Game 6, which was eventually rescheduled days later.
Murray recognized the extraordinary pressure and authored arguably the finest moment of his career. Wearing the shoes for a third straight game, he harnessed everything from the emotional pause and channeled it into a second 50-point masterpiece to save the Nuggets’ season.
Anyone who’s watched Murray closely knew there was something special about that night. The emotion he wore, after buzzing around defenders for layups or sinking nine 3-pointers, was unlike anything he’d ever shown.
And then it all came pouring out in perhaps the defining moment of the bubble for Denver.
“These shoes mean a lot,” Murray said in the first answer of his viral postgame interview. “In life, you find things that hold value to you, and things to fight for. And we found something worth fighting for, as an NBA, as a collective unit. And I use these shoes as a symbol to me to keep fighting. … They give me a lot of power.”
“We found something we’re fighting for as the NBA, as a collective unit…and I use these shoes as a symbol to keep fighting all around the world.” – Jamal Murray after Denver's Game 6 win. pic.twitter.com/rkwPn9QuHX — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) August 31, 2020
TNT cameras zoomed in on Murray’s shoes and showed the peeling paint of three games’ worth of use.
Rocha, though, had only made one pair. For six hours, Rocha had locked himself in his workroom with his acrylic paints, pouring time and energy into the portraits.
“I think it translated into him, and then you saw what he did,” said Rocha.
Nearly a week after his shoes went viral, Rocha still has “pinch-me” moments when he sees his work on social media.
“I still can’t (believe it),” he said. “… To go from painting them, looking at the picture, and putting it on the shoe. It was kind of surreal like, ‘Oh my god,’ I had that shoe in my hand and I was working on it … And then hearing what he had to say about how the shoes inspired him to play his best.”
Rocha admitted he’s more of a soccer fan than a basketball fan, but the connection with Murray’s inspiring moment has him re-evaluating. And if he ever gets the chance, he said he’d relish the opportunity to talk to Murray about what those shoes meant to him.
For now, Murray has more work to do. And more fights to win.
“These shoes give me life,” he said. “Even though these people are gone, they give me life. They help me find strength.”


thedenverpost--2020-09-06--Endorsement: Give Joyce Rankin another term on the state Board of Education to push literacy

The Denver Post editorial board would like to see what Joyce Rankin can do to push elementary school literacy with another term on the state Board of Education .
Rankin , a Republican from Carbondale , has represented the 3rd Congressional District on the board since 2015 .
The powers of the board are limited in Colorado where local school districts are rightfully given most control over their curriculum and programs , but one thing the board does have control over is the implementation of state laws like Colorado ’ s READ Act .
The READ Act was passed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recent revision of the bill in the General Assembly ) .
It requires benchmark testing of students in preschool through third grade to assess literacy skills , with a goal that all students will be reading by third grade .
“ The science of teaching reading is so important at all grade levels , ” Rankin said .
“ Right now , the law says K-3 , the teachers must learn … the science of teaching reading .
My job is not done yet .
I want to watch that move forward.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ report that one of Colorado ’ s largest teacher colleges wasn ’ t graduating students with the science-based reading teaching skills required in the READ Act .
“ We can ’ t afford in this state to let them get out of college and not know how to teach it and then have to retrain them .
Having higher education be partners in this is very important , ” Rankin said .
“ A lot of the professors there also need to be trained in what the science of teaching reading.
” Rankin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to consider taking the accreditation of colleges that don ’ t update their curriculum so teachers are prepared to teach reading .
We agree .
School districts should not be wasting valuable time and resources to re-teach newly graduated teachers the science of reading .
Among its limited powers , one of the most important roles of the state Board of Education is holding schools accountable for poor performance .
There are a handful of schools and school districts that have finally – after years of kicking the accountability can down the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is supposed to intervene .
We think intervening on behalf of children when all else has failed to improve a district or school is a fundamental duty of the board and we ’ ve been pleased with Rankin ’ s approach to these matters .
She ’ s pushed for districts to take drastic measures .
Rankin is facing Mayling Simpson , a Democrat from Steamboat Springs .
Simpson ’ s resume is most impressive in that she has worked with the World Health Organization on health and sanitation matters in international schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , her expertise might be useful to a board that hasn ’ t offered much assistance to schools .
However , we were disappointed with Simpson ’ s overall grasp of the role the board plays .
Although we agree with her that Colorado ’ s school funding is inadequate , Rankin offered much more concrete solutions that can actually be acted upon by the board , including cutting grant programs that she said she believes are obsolete or have very poor outcomes .
Rankin is the better choice in this race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Editor’s note: This represents the opinion of The Denver Post editorial board, which is separate from the paper’s news operation.
The Denver Post editorial board would like to see what Joyce Rankin can do to push elementary school literacy with another term on the state Board of Education. Rankin, a Republican from Carbondale, has represented the 3rd Congressional District on the board since 2015.
The powers of the board are limited in Colorado where local school districts are rightfully given most control over their curriculum and programs, but one thing the board does have control over is the implementation of state laws like Colorado’s READ Act.
The READ Act was passed in 2012 (Rankin’s husband sponsored a recent revision of the bill in the General Assembly). It requires benchmark testing of students in preschool through third grade to assess literacy skills, with a goal that all students will be reading by third grade.
“The science of teaching reading is so important at all grade levels,” Rankin said. “Right now, the law says K-3, the teachers must learn … the science of teaching reading. My job is not done yet. I want to watch that move forward.”
Rankin shared our dismay at a report that one of Colorado’s largest teacher colleges wasn’t graduating students with the science-based reading teaching skills required in the READ Act.
“We can’t afford in this state to let them get out of college and not know how to teach it and then have to retrain them. Having higher education be partners in this is very important,” Rankin said. “A lot of the professors there also need to be trained in what the science of teaching reading.”
Rankin said the board is going to have to consider taking the accreditation of colleges that don’t update their curriculum so teachers are prepared to teach reading. We agree. School districts should not be wasting valuable time and resources to re-teach newly graduated teachers the science of reading.
Among its limited powers, one of the most important roles of the state Board of Education is holding schools accountable for poor performance. There are a handful of schools and school districts that have finally – after years of kicking the accountability can down the road – reached the point where the board is supposed to intervene. Related Articles Endorsements | Endorsement: Yes, on Proposition 113 to elect the U.S. president with the national popular vote
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We think intervening on behalf of children when all else has failed to improve a district or school is a fundamental duty of the board and we’ve been pleased with Rankin’s approach to these matters. She’s pushed for districts to take drastic measures.
Rankin is facing Mayling Simpson, a Democrat from Steamboat Springs. Simpson’s resume is most impressive in that she has worked with the World Health Organization on health and sanitation matters in international schools. In this moment of a pandemic, her expertise might be useful to a board that hasn’t offered much assistance to schools.
However, we were disappointed with Simpson’s overall grasp of the role the board plays. Although we agree with her that Colorado’s school funding is inadequate, Rankin offered much more concrete solutions that can actually be acted upon by the board, including cutting grant programs that she said she believes are obsolete or have very poor outcomes.
Rankin is the better choice in this race.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.