newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Austin Wells is in the fold: ‘Officially a Yankee!’

First-round draft pick Austin Wells has signed on the dotted line .
“ Officially a Yankee !
’ ’ Wells , the 28th-overall pick in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft , posted to his Twitter account on Thursday night with a photo of him wearing a Yankees cap and pinstripe jersey .
The 20-year-old catcher — who originally was drafted by the Yankees in the 35th round in 2018 before deciding to play at Arizona — agreed to a $ 2.5 million bonus , according to YES Network .
That just about matches the $ 2,493,900 recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said after the draft the potential negative impact the coronavirus would have on the minor league season this season was not a factor in his decision to turn pro and forego a third year with Arizona .
“ Honestly , the decision was up to where I got drafted and what the program was , ’ ’ said Wells , a left-handed hitter .
“ I don ’ t think whether or not there was minor league games was the decision-maker if I was going back to college or not .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to move on , go forward and be a Yankee.
’ ’ Wells had an impressive career at Arizona .
He had a dominant first season with the Wildcats , slashing .353/.462/.552 , becoming the first Arizona player to be named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year .
Before the coronavirus pandemic cut his sophomore campaign short , Wells was batting .375 with a .527 on-base percentage .
He finished his 1½-season college career with 99 hits , seven home runs and 74 RBIs .

First-round draft pick Austin Wells has signed on the dotted line.
“Officially a Yankee!’’ Wells, the 28th-overall pick in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft, posted to his Twitter account on Thursday night with a photo of him wearing a Yankees cap and pinstripe jersey.
The 20-year-old catcher — who originally was drafted by the Yankees in the 35th round in 2018 before deciding to play at Arizona — agreed to a $2.5 million bonus, according to YES Network. That just about matches the $2,493,900 recommended slot value of his selection.
Wells said after the draft the potential negative impact the coronavirus would have on the minor league season this season was not a factor in his decision to turn pro and forego a third year with Arizona.
“Honestly, the decision was up to where I got drafted and what the program was,’’ said Wells, a left-handed hitter. “I don’t think whether or not there was minor league games was the decision-maker if I was going back to college or not.
“I think it was the best fit for me to move on, go forward and be a Yankee.’’
Wells had an impressive career at Arizona. He had a dominant first season with the Wildcats, slashing .353/.462/.552, becoming the first Arizona player to be named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
Before the coronavirus pandemic cut his sophomore campaign short, Wells was batting .375 with a .527 on-base percentage. He finished his 1½-season college career with 99 hits, seven home runs and 74 RBIs.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--British soccer team apologizes after Osama Bin Laden cutout appears in crowd

The English soccer club Leeds United issued an apology on June 24 following an incident in which a cardboard cutout of Osama Bin Laden appeared in attendance at one of their games .
Spectators are banned from attending live events in the United Kingdom during the coronavirus pandemic .
In response , many English soccer teams began allowing fans to purchase seats they could fill with cutouts of their likeness .
Leeds United put 15,000 seats of these “ crowdies ” up for sale at their stadium , Elland Road , for the last five games of the English Football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The seats sold for £25 , and the club said that they “ proved to be extremely popular.
” Soon after the promotion was unveiled , however , the club was forced to issue an apology after a photo of the infamous terrorist ’ s cutout circulated on social media .
Team officials told the BBC they “ will ensure there are no more offensive images ” for the remaining matches .
This is not the first time a sports team has landed in hot water over unwanted spectators in attendance during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killer Harold Shipman showed up in attendance at a National Rugby League game in Australia , and a South Korean soccer team had to issue an apology after their stands were filled with inflatable sex dolls .
Leeds United asked fans who bought “ crowdies ” to upload photos of themselves or their loved ones “ ideally in club colors.
” “ Bin Laden ” was wearing a hat with the team ’ s colors .

The English soccer club Leeds United issued an apology on June 24 following an incident in which a cardboard cutout of Osama bin Laden appeared in attendance at one of their games.
Spectators are banned from attending live events in the United Kingdom during the coronavirus pandemic. In response, many English soccer teams began allowing fans to purchase seats they could fill with cutouts of their likeness.
Leeds United put 15,000 seats of these “crowdies” up for sale at their stadium, Elland Road, for the last five games of the English Football League’s Sky Bet Championship. The seats sold for £25 (about $31), and the club said that they “proved to be extremely popular.”
Soon after the promotion was unveiled, however, the club was forced to issue an apology after a photo of the infamous terrorist’s cutout circulated on social media.
Team officials told the BBC they “will ensure there are no more offensive images” for the remaining matches.
This is not the first time a sports team has landed in hot water over unwanted spectators in attendance during the pandemic. A cutout of British serial killer Harold Shipman showed up in attendance at a National Rugby League game in Australia, and a South Korean soccer team had to issue an apology after their stands were filled with inflatable sex dolls.
Leeds United asked fans who bought “crowdies” to upload photos of themselves or their loved ones “ideally in club colors.”
“Bin Laden” was wearing a hat with the team’s colors.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--19-year-old woman killed, man wounded in shooting outside Madison Square Park

Mets players have already begun trickling into New York , with ...

A 19-year-old woman was killed and a 21-year-old man wounded in a shooting outside Manhattan’s Madison Square Park early Friday, cops said.
The woman was shot in the chest and the man in the leg around 12:30 a.m. while standing at West 26th Street and Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District, according to police.
The gunman fled in what was described as a gray Nissan.
The suspect initially drove the wrong way up Fifth Avenue before turning off in an unknown direction, according to police.
Both victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital, where the woman perished from the gunshot wound. Her name was not immediately released pending family notification.
The man was in stable condition early Friday.
Cops said early Friday that a dispute preceded the shooting, but the nature of the argument was unclear.
Additional reporting by Amanda Woods


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Where the Mets stand as the long MLB layoff nears an end

The true test won ’ t come until he returns to camp , ...

Mets players have already begun trickling into New York, with the majority expected to arrive over the weekend. The report date for Spring Training 2 is Wednesday, with the team’s first full-squad workout at Citi Field scheduled for two days later.
First, there will be coronavirus tests conducted on players and staff and two-day quarantines. The testing will continue every other day during three weeks of camp and the regular season. It’s all part of MLB’s extensive protocols to keep players safe and the sport running.
The Mets could easily finish first or last in a 60-game season. But just the fact they may get to play a 2020 season that at one point appeared completely lost should be considered a treat for their fans.
When we left off
The Mets were 14 days from their season opener in Washington when MLB shuttered spring training in March because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Pete Alonso still hadn’t homered in the Grapefruit League, but that was hardly as much a concern as Michael Conforto’s strained oblique that threatened to keep him sidelined for the opener. Conforto has since recovered.
Noah Syndergaard was still in the rotation when camp got suspended, but has since undergone Tommy John surgery that will keep him sidelined into 2021. That development has left the likely rotation as Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Rick Porcello, Steven Matz and Michael Wacha.
J.D. Davis had recovered from a jammed left shoulder he sustained early in spring training and was working out at third base. The roster appeared almost set, but there was question whether Dellin Betances would be built up enough to open the season in the bullpen or whether he would need an extended spring training.
What to look for upon return (non-COVID)
The team’s three All-Stars from last season, Jacob deGrom, Alonso and Jeff McNeil, are the headliners, but a potent lineup could get even stronger with Yoenis Cespedes back.
As The Post reported on Wednesday, there is a strong chance the veteran outfielder will be ready for the Opening Day lineup after missing the last two years rehabbing from heel surgeries and ankle fractures.
McNeil, Alonso, Conforto, Cespedes, Robinson Cano and Davis hitting in succession is just one idea manager Luis Rojas can consider. Or maybe Rojas wants Amed Rosario or Brandon Nimmo atop the batting order, with McNeil hitting sixth.
Still unclear is whether Jed Lowrie will have an opportunity to potentially contribute.
Dominic Smith probably deserves an opportunity to play most of the time, but the Mets are crowded at his two positions (first base and corner outfield), leaving him most likely in a pinch-hitting role. Jake Marisnick arrived in a trade with the Astros to provide late-inning defense in center field and he will likely start against lefty pitchers.
The mystery will continue as to whether closer Edwin Diaz can rebound after his underwhelming 2019 season. Ideally, the Mets would like to leave Seth Lugo in a setup role in which he could pitch multiple innings if needed. For that blueprint to work, Diaz, Jeurys Familia or Betances needs to lock down the ninth.
What to look for upon return (COVID)
Uncertainty will abound, following a 3 ½-month layoff that included a bitter economic dispute between the players and owners.
“My concern is who’s to say if we can finish [the season] or not — governments or the commissioner?” one Mets player said in a text message to The Post. “Or by guys getting sick? I do know none of it is in our hands, sadly. The whole thing has me concerned for the sport.”
A second Mets player was asked in a text message if the shorter season gives any team an advantage.
“It will be the same for everybody and we just want to play,” the player said.
Players will have their temperature checked at least twice a day. A player registering above 100.4 degrees will be prohibited from entering the ballpark. Since body temperature can rise rapidly if a person is sweating, players and staff may avoid even short walks to the ballpark, opting for air-conditioned transportation, on humid days in some cities.
For the first two weeks of the season, teams will be allowed to carry 30 players. That could mean a third catcher for the Mets, allowing Tomas Nido and Rene Rivera to serve as backups to Wilson Ramos. Walker Lockett, Jordan Humphreys and Drew Smith are among the pitchers who could benefit. Smith underwent Tommy John surgery in spring training last season and was expected to back by this June.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--YouTube star Jenna Marbles signs off — ‘for now’ — amid blackface backlash

YouTube star Jenna Marbles says she ’ s signing off… for now .
The YouTube star , whose real name is Jenna Mourey , announced Thursday via her channel that she will no longer be producing content due the backlash she has faced over past videos , including several in which she dons blackface .
In a video called “ A Message , ” Mourey says , “ I feel like we ’ re at a time where we are purging ourselves of anything and everything toxic.
” She has over 20.2 million followers on the video-based platform .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Mourey , were made from 2011-2012 .
In one , she dons blackface to impersonate rapper Nikki Minaj .
In another video widely scorned on social media , she raps about Asian people with lyrics that include “ Hey Ching Chong Wing Wong , shake your King Kong ding dong.
” Yet another video is dedicated to shaming women who “ slept around.
” “ I do want to tell you how unbelievably sorry I am if I ever offended you by posting this video or by doing this impression , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mourey said .
“ It ’ s not okay .
It ’ s shameful .
It ’ s awful .
I wish it wasn ’ t part of my past.
” Mourey created her channel back in 2010 , when YouTube was in its infancy .
Her videos quickly racked up over 3 billion views .
In her apology video , the internet sensation says she ’ s moving on “ for now.
” “ I don ’ t know how long it ’ s going to be .
I just want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m putting in the world aren ’ t hurting anyone … so I need to be done with this channel , for now or for forever.
” Her video was met by fans with mixed feelings on social media .
“ Hold social influencers accountable .
Hold public figures accountable .
Do not let people get away with problematic things just because they ’ re famous or rich , ” one fan wrote on YouTube .
“ Let ’ s stop normalizing going back through 10 years of somebody ’ s life hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ruin their life , ” YouTube star and singer Gabbie Hanna said .

YouTube star Jenna Marbles says she’s signing off… for now.
Marbles, whose real name is Jenna Mourey, announced Thursday via her YouTube channel that she will no longer be producing content due the backlash she has faced over past videos, including several in which she dons blackface.
In a video called “A Message,” Mourey says, “I feel like we’re at a time where we are purging ourselves of anything and everything toxic.”
She has over 20.2 million followers on the platform.
The videos in question, now made private by Mourey, were made between 2011-2012. In one, she dons blackface to impersonate rapper Nikki Minaj. In another video widely scorned on social media, she raps about Asian people with lyrics that include “Hey Ching Chong Wing Wong, shake your King Kong ding dong.” Yet another video is dedicated to shaming women who “slept around.”
“I do want to tell you how unbelievably sorry I am if I ever offended you by posting this video or by doing this impression, and that that was never my intention,” Mourey said.
“It’s not okay. It’s shameful. It’s awful. I wish it wasn’t part of my past.”
Mourey created her channel back in 2010, when YouTube was in its infancy. Her videos quickly racked up over 3 billion views.
In her apology video, she says she’s moving on “for now.”
“I don’t know how long it’s going to be. I just want to make sure the things I’m putting in the world aren’t hurting anyone … so I need to be done with this channel, for now or for forever.”
Her video was met by fans with mixed feelings on social media.
“Hold social influencers accountable. Hold public figures accountable. Do not let people get away with problematic things just because they’re famous or rich,” one fan commented.
“Let’s stop normalizing going back through 10 years of somebody’s life hoping you stumble upon a mistake to try and ruin their life,” YouTube star and singer Gabbie Hanna said.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Judge won’t be disciplined for calling alleged sex assault of 12-year-old not ‘especially heinous’

A split judicial conduct panel on Thursday recommended not to begin disciplinary proceedings against a New Jersey judge who referred to the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl as “ not an especially heinous or cruel offense.
” Some public officials had called for state Superior Court Judge Marcia Silva to be removed from the bench after her comments were published last year .
Silva wrote them in a sealed 2018 opinion denying prosecutors ’ motion to have the 16-year-old suspect tried as an adult .
The panel wrote Thursday that Silva ’ s language was inappropriate but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if “ the harm suffered by the victim was above , beyond and in addition to the inherent harm associated with the act itself ” to determine if the case should be waived to adult court .
Rather than using “ sensitive and conciliatory language , ” Silva instead used “ a more clinical , unemotional , perhaps even stoic legal evaluation , ” the majority wrote .
Four members of the 10-member panel dissented and wrote that an appeals court ’ s reversal of Silva ’ s decision raised questions that should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this type of case should be heard and resolved through a public hearing that includes testimony and cross-examination , not following a private , informal conference , ” they wrote .

A split judicial conduct panel on Thursday recommended not to begin disciplinary proceedings against a New Jersey judge who referred to the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl as “not an especially heinous or cruel offense.”
Some public officials had called for state Superior Court Judge Marcia Silva to be removed from the bench after her comments were published last year. Silva wrote them in a sealed 2018 opinion denying prosecutors’ motion to have the 16-year-old suspect tried as an adult.
The panel wrote Thursday that Silva’s language was inappropriate but it noted she was legally required to explain if “the harm suffered by the victim was above, beyond and in addition to the inherent harm associated with the act itself” to determine if the case should be waived to adult court.
Rather than using “sensitive and conciliatory language,” Silva instead used “a more clinical, unemotional, perhaps even stoic legal evaluation,” the majority wrote.
Four members of the 10-member panel dissented and wrote that an appeals court’s reversal of Silva’s decision raised questions that should be addressed.
“In our view, this type of case should be heard and resolved through a public hearing that includes testimony and cross-examination, not following a private, informal conference,” they wrote.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--California beach tragedy leaves three dead

Three people died of their injuries after a large wave swept them into the Pacific Ocean from a rocky area @ @ @ @ @ Southern California , according to reports .
The victims were not immediately identified and no @ @ @ @ @ be missing , FOX 11 of Los Angeles reported .
Personnel from the Ventura County @ @ @ @ @ area and a search crew recovered the victims but none survived , the report said @ @ @ @ @ 1 , also known as the Pacific Coast Highway , was briefly closed as authorities @ @ @ @ @ use of the remaining lane , the Ventura County Star reported .

Three people died of their injuries after a large wave swept them into the Pacific Ocean from a rocky area near Deer Creek beach in Southern California, according to reports.
The victims were not immediately identified and no one else was believed to be missing, FOX 11 of Los Angeles reported.
Personnel from the Ventura County Fire Department responded to the area and a search crew recovered the victims but none survived, the report said.
A lane of Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, was briefly closed as authorities responded, with traffic alternating use of the remaining lane, the Ventura County Star reported.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Breaking down all 11 candidates for Knicks’ head-coaching job

With their season officially over , the Knicks are back in the market for a head coach and have 11 known candidates lined up for interviews .
There is a wide range of experience , backgrounds and connections to the organization , with president Leon Rose looking for someone who can take the Knicks “ from development to becoming a perennial winner.
” The Post ’ s Greg Joyce takes a look at who Rose will be talking to during the process he hopes to wrap up over the next month : Bio : The pride of Northport , Long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coaching gig with the Nets in 2016 and saw them through some of their toughest years before delivering the payoff with a surprise trip to the playoffs in 2019 .
His work was mentioned by Kevin Durant as a reason he signed with the Nets last offseason , but Atkinson never got a chance to coach him after getting fired in March .
The 53-year-old felt his voice was no longer being heard and reportedly failed to connect with Durant and Kyrie Irving .
Known for : Player development is the calling card @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire .
Knicks connections : Besides being a client of Creative Artists Agency — whose basketball division Rose headed — Atkinson was a Knicks assistant from 2008-12 .
Bio : Brown spent five years as the head coach of LeBron James and the Cavaliers , racking up a 305-187 record and going to the playoffs each year .
They were Eastern Conference champions in 2007 but got swept by the Spurs in the NBA Finals .
He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2009 , but was fired in 2010 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired as the Lakers ’ head coach in 2011 , and they made the playoffs in his first season , but he was canned five games into the second season .
The 50-year-old was then rehired by the Cavs for one season in 2013 .
Since 2016 , Brown has been on the Warriors ’ staff , at times filling in for Steve Kerr during his back injury .
Known for : Experienced coach with a strong defensive acumen .
Knicks connections : Interviewed for the Knicks ’ job in 2018 before it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the past six years , Delany has been an assistant on Steve Clifford ’ s coaching staff — with the Hornets from 2014-18 and the Magic the past two years .
He also handled head-coaching duties for the Magic ’ s 2019 summer league team .
The 2002 Saint Anselm College grad began his NBA career as a video intern for the Celtics before spending 11 years in the Heat organization as a video intern , video coordinator and advance scout .
Also has head-coaching experience from a season with the Heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falls Skyforce .
Known for : Is entrusted with the Magic ’ s late-game strategy , per ESPN .
Knicks connections : Has been coaching under Clifford , a former Knicks assistant , and was reportedly considered for Fizdale ’ s staff in 2018 .
Bio : A college teammate of Atkinson ’ s at Richmond , Fleming became the top assistant coach for the Bulls in 2019 after spending three years as an assistant for Atkinson and the Nets .
The New Jersey product played professionally in Germany before becoming a coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2014 and worked as a member of the Spurs ’ staff in the NBA summer league ( with Will Hardy , for head coach Ime Udoka ) before joining the Nuggets ’ staff as an assistant for the 2015-16 season .
Known for : An offensive mind who is a strong communicator and teacher .
Bio : The youngest member of this list , the 32-year-old Hardy is viewed as a possible future successor to Gregg Popovich with the Spurs .
He has been Popovich ’ s assistant coach since 2016 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , starting as a basketball operations intern and working his way up .
Hardy served as the team ’ s summer league coach from 2015-18 and was also Team USA ’ s video coordinator for the 2019 FIBA World Cup .
Known for : Smart basketball mind who has had his hand in many different aspects of the game .
Bio : After playing point guard for 19 seasons in a Hall of Fame career , Kidd was immediately hired as the head coach of the Nets in 2013 .
They went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated .
Kidd then tried to seize more power in the front office , but the failed coup backfired , leading to him being traded to Milwaukee for two second-round picks .
The 47-year-old helped turn around the Bucks , with a pair of playoff appearances before being fired in 2018 .
Last summer , Kidd joined the Lakers as an assistant coach .
Known for : Playing a role in the success of Giannis Antetokounmpo .
Knicks connections : Kidd ended his playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Mike Woodson in 2012-13 .
Bio : Before the 2019-20 season , Miller was a longtime college coach who had become a G-League assistant with the Spurs then took over as the Westchester Knicks ’ head coach in 2015 .
The 2017-18 G-League Coach of the Year joined Fizdale ’ s staff as an assistant in 2019 , only to be thrust into the spotlight in December when he was named the interim coach upon Fizdale ’ s firing .
Miller , 55 , led the Knicks to a 17-27 record before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : A player development background and his professionalism as the voice of the organization .
Knicks connections : Interim coach for the final 44 games this season .
Bio : Mosley is in his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Mavericks and in his second year as the team ’ s defensive coordinator .
The 41-year-old has also coached the Mavs ’ summer league team the past three years .
Before joining Dallas ’ staff , Mosley spent four years as a Cavaliers assistant coach and five years with the Nuggets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two working in player development and advance scouting .
Known for : Player development , defensive minded and a strong communicator .
Bio : Considered to be the frontrunner for the Knicks job , Thibodeau was previously the head coach of the Bulls and Timberwolves .
The 62-year-old was NBA Coach of the Year in 2011 , his first season with the Bulls , when he led them to a 62-20 record and a trip to the Eastern Conference finals .
He took the Bulls to the playoffs all five years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tension with the front office .
He was hired as head coach and president of the Timberwolves in 2016 and made the playoffs in 2018 before being fired in 2019 , reportedly for being too hard on young players .
Known for : Thibodeau has built his résumé on his relentless work ethic and his defensive schemes , which he became known for as an assistant .
Knicks connections : The former Knicks assistant from 1996-2003 is a client of CAA .
Bio : Another member of Popovich ’ s coaching tree , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head coach then beginning his coaching career there .
After retiring in 2012 , he became an assistant coach for the Spurs —spending seven years there , including two as the organization ’ s summer league coach .
In 2019 , the 42-year-old left to become the 76ers ’ lead assistant after interviewing for the Cavaliers ’ job .
Known for : Player development and forming strong relationships with players .
Knicks connections : Played eight games for the Knicks in 2006 .
Bio : The last coach to lead the Knicks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview seven years — and three coaches , plus two interims — later , after also interviewing in 2018 .
The 62-year-old led the Knicks for two seasons from 2012-14 ( in addition to a stint as interim coach ) , compiling a 109-79 record and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2013 .
But a slow start the following season eventually led to Woodson ’ s firing .
Previously spent six years as head coach of the Hawks , going 206-286 with three playoff appearances .
Known for : Built good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable .
Knicks connections : Drafted by the Knicks in 1980 and played one season in New York , later came back as head coach for three years .
CAA client .

With their season officially over, the Knicks are back in the market for a head coach and have 11 known candidates lined up for interviews. There is a wide range of experience, backgrounds and connections to the organization, with president Leon Rose looking for someone who can take the Knicks “from development to becoming a perennial winner.”
The Post’s Greg Joyce takes a look at who Rose will be talking to during the process he hopes to wrap up over the next month:
Bio: The pride of Northport, Long Island, got his first NBA head coaching gig with the Nets in 2016 and saw them through some of their toughest years before delivering the payoff with a surprise trip to the playoffs in 2019. His work was mentioned by Kevin Durant as a reason he signed with the Nets last offseason, but Atkinson never got a chance to coach him after getting fired in March. The 53-year-old felt his voice was no longer being heard and reportedly failed to connect with Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Known for: Player development is the calling card of the gym rat with a competitive fire.
Knicks connections: Besides being a client of Creative Artists Agency — whose basketball division Rose headed — Atkinson was a Knicks assistant from 2008-12.
Bio: Brown spent five years as the head coach of LeBron James and the Cavaliers, racking up a 305-187 record and going to the playoffs each year. They were Eastern Conference champions in 2007 but got swept by the Spurs in the NBA Finals. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2009, but was fired in 2010 after an early playoff exit. Brown was hired as the Lakers’ head coach in 2011, and they made the playoffs in his first season, but he was canned five games into the second season. The 50-year-old was then rehired by the Cavs for one season in 2013. Since 2016, Brown has been on the Warriors’ staff, at times filling in for Steve Kerr during his back injury.
Known for: Experienced coach with a strong defensive acumen.
Knicks connections: Interviewed for the Knicks’ job in 2018 before it went to David Fizdale.
Bio: For the past six years, Delany has been an assistant on Steve Clifford’s coaching staff — with the Hornets from 2014-18 and the Magic the past two years. He also handled head-coaching duties for the Magic’s 2019 summer league team. The 2002 Saint Anselm College grad began his NBA career as a video intern for the Celtics before spending 11 years in the Heat organization as a video intern, video coordinator and advance scout. Also has head-coaching experience from a season with the Heat’s G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Known for: Is entrusted with the Magic’s late-game strategy, per ESPN.
Knicks connections: Has been coaching under Clifford, a former Knicks assistant, and was reportedly considered for Fizdale’s staff in 2018.
Bio: A college teammate of Atkinson’s at Richmond, Fleming became the top assistant coach for the Bulls in 2019 after spending three years as an assistant for Atkinson and the Nets. The New Jersey product played professionally in Germany before becoming a coach there. The 50-year-old came back stateside in 2014 and worked as a member of the Spurs’ staff in the NBA summer league (with Will Hardy, for head coach Ime Udoka) before joining the Nuggets’ staff as an assistant for the 2015-16 season.
Known for: An offensive mind who is a strong communicator and teacher.
Knicks connections: None.
Bio: The youngest member of this list, the 32-year-old Hardy is viewed as a possible future successor to Gregg Popovich with the Spurs. He has been Popovich’s assistant coach since 2016 and has worked in the organization for 10 years, starting as a basketball operations intern and working his way up. Hardy served as the team’s summer league coach from 2015-18 and was also Team USA’s video coordinator for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Known for: Smart basketball mind who has had his hand in many different aspects of the game.
Knicks connections: None.
Bio: After playing point guard for 19 seasons in a Hall of Fame career, Kidd was immediately hired as the head coach of the Nets in 2013. They went 44-38 that season and beat the Raptors in the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated. Kidd then tried to seize more power in the front office, but the failed coup backfired, leading to him being traded to Milwaukee for two second-round picks. The 47-year-old helped turn around the Bucks, with a pair of playoff appearances before being fired in 2018. Last summer, Kidd joined the Lakers as an assistant coach.
Known for: Playing a role in the success of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Knicks connections: Kidd ended his playing career in a Knicks uniform, playing for Mike Woodson in 2012-13.
Bio: Before the 2019-20 season, Miller was a longtime college coach who had become a G-League assistant with the Spurs then took over as the Westchester Knicks’ head coach in 2015. The 2017-18 G-League Coach of the Year joined Fizdale’s staff as an assistant in 2019, only to be thrust into the spotlight in December when he was named the interim coach upon Fizdale’s firing. Miller, 55, led the Knicks to a 17-27 record before COVID-19 suspended the season.
Known for: A player development background and his professionalism as the voice of the organization.
Knicks connections: Interim coach for the final 44 games this season.
Bio: Mosley is in his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Mavericks and in his second year as the team’s defensive coordinator. The 41-year-old has also coached the Mavs’ summer league team the past three years. Before joining Dallas’ staff, Mosley spent four years as a Cavaliers assistant coach and five years with the Nuggets — three as an assistant coach/player development and two working in player development and advance scouting.
Known for: Player development, defensive minded and a strong communicator.
Knicks connections: None.
Bio: Considered to be the frontrunner for the Knicks job, Thibodeau was previously the head coach of the Bulls and Timberwolves. The 62-year-old was NBA Coach of the Year in 2011, his first season with the Bulls, when he led them to a 62-20 record and a trip to the Eastern Conference finals. He took the Bulls to the playoffs all five years, but was fired in 2015 following reported tension with the front office. He was hired as head coach and president of the Timberwolves in 2016 and made the playoffs in 2018 before being fired in 2019, reportedly for being too hard on young players.
Known for: Thibodeau has built his résumé on his relentless work ethic and his defensive schemes, which he became known for as an assistant.
Knicks connections: The former Knicks assistant from 1996-2003 is a client of CAA.
Bio: Another member of Popovich’s coaching tree, after playing three seasons for the Spurs head coach then beginning his coaching career there. After retiring in 2012, he became an assistant coach for the Spurs —spending seven years there, including two as the organization’s summer league coach. In 2019, the 42-year-old left to become the 76ers’ lead assistant after interviewing for the Cavaliers’ job.
Known for: Player development and forming strong relationships with players.
Knicks connections: Played eight games for the Knicks in 2006.
Bio: The last coach to lead the Knicks to the playoffs, Woodson is back to interview seven years — and three coaches, plus two interims — later, after also interviewing in 2018. The 62-year-old led the Knicks for two seasons from 2012-14 (in addition to a stint as interim coach), compiling a 109-79 record and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2013. But a slow start the following season eventually led to Woodson’s firing. Previously spent six years as head coach of the Hawks, going 206-286 with three playoff appearances.
Known for: Built good relationships with players but also held them accountable.
Knicks connections: Drafted by the Knicks in 1980 and played one season in New York, later came back as head coach for three years. CAA client.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Trump rips into Democratic-run US cities: ‘Like living in hell’

President Trump on Thursday night said crime in Chicago makes it “ worse than Afghanistan , ” and ripped into other violent , Democratic-run US cities , where life is “ like living in hell.
” The president made the remarks during a Fox News Town Hall after host Sean Hannity asked him about soaring crime in some big cities .
“ Chicago is an example — it is worse than Afghanistan , ” Trump said , before also listing Detroit , Oakland and Baltimore .
“ They want help .
These cities , it ’ s like living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in those cities on their Democratic mayors .
In Chicago last weekend , at least nine people — including four kids — were killed and 51 others wounded in a rash of shootings .
Earlier this month , the Windy City experienced its deadliest day in roughly six decades , when 18 people were murdered .
Trump also voiced support for stop-and-frisk , a controversial policing practice that New York City used for years as a means to reduce crime .
He credited former Mayor Rudy Giuliani — now his personal lawyer — @ @ @ @ @ @

President Trump on Thursday night said crime in Chicago makes it “worse than Afghanistan,” and ripped into other violent, Democrat-run US cities, where life is “like living in hell.”
The president made the remarks during a Fox News Town Hall after host Sean Hannity asked him about soaring crime in some big cities.
“Chicago is an example — it is worse than Afghanistan,” Trump said, before also listing Detroit, Oakland and Baltimore.
“They want help. These cities, it’s like living in hell.”
The president blamed the violence in those cities on their Democratic mayors.
In Chicago last weekend, at least nine people — including four kids — were killed and 51 others wounded in a rash of shootings.
Earlier this month, the Windy City experienced its deadliest day in roughly six decades, when 18 people were murdered.
Trump also voiced support for stop-and-frisk, a controversial policing practice that New York City used for years as a means to reduce crime.
He credited former Mayor Rudy Giuliani — now his personal lawyer — with using the tactic effectively.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Mike Woodson ‘ecstatic’ about possible Knicks second chance

Mike Woodson says he is “ ecstatic ” about the possibility of getting a second chance to be the Knicks ’ coach .
Woodson , who coached the Knicks for two-plus season from 2012-14 , is one of the many candidates the team and new president Leon Rose have interviewed or will interview for its current head coaching vacancy .
He is one of 11 known candidates , a list that includes former Timberwolves and Bulls coach Tim Thibodeau and ex-Nets headman Kenny Atkinson .
The 62-year-old Woodson , who also coached the Hawks , said he is happy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York .
“ I was just hoping one day to get a shot to come back and I think this is a wonderful opportunity now , ” Woodson said while a guest Thursday on SiriusXM NBA Radio with hosts Eddie Johnson and Antonio Daniels .
“ I thank the Knicks for reaching out to me and putting me in position .
That ’ s all you can ask for as a coach when you go out and start interviewing for these jobs .
So I ’ m excited about it , I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach to lead the Knicks to playoffs — posting a 54-28 record and reaching the second round of the playoffs during the 2012-13 season — he said he is even prouder of his final year at the Garden .
The Knicks dealt with injuries early but rallied to finish 37-45 , one game out of the playoffs .
He took full blame for the early struggles , but was pleased with the club ’ s resilience .
“ Those guys could have easily quit and say , ‘ Hey let ’ s go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for next season ’ , but they didn ’ t quit on me , ” Woodson said .
“ For me from a coach ’ s standpoint , hey that was a good coaching job by me and my staff.
” Woodson said if he did return to the Knicks , the team ’ s offense would look very similar to what his old squad ran because “ I thought our style of play fits how we ’ re playing today ” based on the number of 3-pointers that are attempted .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more to his staff .
“ I pretty much ran everything myself , tried to anyway , ” Woodson said .

Mike Woodson says he is “ecstatic” about the possibility of getting a second chance to be the Knicks’ coach.
Woodson, who coached the Knicks for two-plus season from 2012-14, is one of the many candidates the team and new president Leon Rose have interviewed or will interview for its current head coaching vacancy. He is one of 11 known candidates, a list that includes former Timberwolves and Bulls coach Tim Thibodeau and ex-Nets headman Kenny Atkinson.
The 62-year-old Woodson, who also coached the Hawks, said he is happy to be considered for another try in New York.
“I was just hoping one day to get a shot to come back and I think this is a wonderful opportunity now,” Woodson said while a guest Thursday on SiriusXM NBA Radio with hosts Eddie Johnson and Antonio Daniels. “I thank the Knicks for reaching out to me and putting me in position. That’s all you can ask for as a coach when you go out and start interviewing for these jobs. So I’m excited about it, I really am.”
While Woodson was the last coach to lead the Knicks to playoffs — posting a 54-28 record and reaching the second round of the playoffs during the 2012-13 season — he said he is even prouder of his final year at the Garden. The Knicks dealt with injuries early but rallied to finish 37-45, one game out of the playoffs. He took full blame for the early struggles, but was pleased with the club’s resilience.
“Those guys could have easily quit and say, ‘Hey let’s go home for the summer and get ready for next season’, but they didn’t quit on me,” Woodson said. “For me from a coach’s standpoint, hey that was a good coaching job by me and my staff.”
Woodson said if he did return to the Knicks, the team’s offense would look very similar to what his old squad ran because “I thought our style of play fits how we’re playing today” based on the number of 3-pointers that are attempted. But one thing he would change is delegating more to his staff.
“I pretty much ran everything myself, tried to anyway,” Woodson said.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--JoJo Siwa addresses blackface accusations from latest video

Nickelodeon star alum JoJo Siwa has addressed the accusations that one of her dancers donned blackface in a recent video .
“ I would like to address the music video that we shot for ‘ NONSTOP ’ in February , ” the 17-year-old “ Dance Moms ” star posted across her social media accounts .
“ We ’ re talking about kids dressing up as circus animals !
No one in my video is wearing blackface .
It ’ s awful that anyone ’ s mind would even go there .
Kids dressing in animal costumes , having their faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the part.
” Siwa released the video on June 19 , and the accusations picked up enough steam on social media to merit Siwa ’ s response a week later .
The dancer in question , identified as 12-year-old Lilliana Ketchman , is indeed wearing brown makeup on her face as part of what appears to be a monkey costume , but it is , as Siwa says , framed within the larger context of a circus setting .
Siwa apparently had taken to blocking users and deleting comments on Instagram in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing — which angered some users further — explaining , “ People were sending me really horrible and disgusting messages about my appearance , my sexuality , my content , and overall just being hateful.
” “ I didn ’ t do anything that needs an apology , ” she wrote on Twitter Friday evening after releasing her statement , “ this is me clearing things up .
”

Nickelodeon star alum JoJo Siwa has addressed the accusations that one of her dancers donned blackface in a recent video.
“I would like to address the music video that we shot for ‘NONSTOP’ in February,” the 17-year-old “Dance Moms” star posted across her social media accounts. “We’re talking about kids dressing up as circus animals! No one in my video is wearing blackface. It’s awful that anyone’s mind would even go there. Kids dressing in animal costumes, having their faces painted to look like animals, acting the part.”
Siwa released the video on June 19, and the accusations picked up enough steam on social media to merit Siwa’s response a week later. The dancer in question, identified as 12-year-old Lilliana Ketchman, is indeed wearing brown makeup on her face as part of what appears to be a monkey costume, but it is, as Siwa says, framed within the larger context of a circus setting.
Siwa apparently had taken to blocking users and deleting comments on Instagram in the intervening week over the vitriol she was facing — which angered some users further — explaining, “People were sending me really horrible and disgusting messages about my appearance, my sexuality, my content, and overall just being hateful.”
“I didn’t do anything that needs an apology,” she wrote on Twitter Friday evening after releasing her statement, “this is me clearing things up.”


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--NYC curfew during George Floyd protests was unconstitutional, class-action suit says

An estimated 450 Big Apple businesses were looted or damaged ...

New York City’s recent week-long curfew violated residents’ rights to go outside, a new lawsuit alleges.
The class-action suit claims the “extremely limited” acts of vandalism and looting in some city neighborhoods during protests around the police killing of George Floyd did not present “clear, imminent danger so substantial that it would outweigh the fundamental freedoms” that the curfew stripped away.
The controversial curfew ran from June 1 to June 7.
“There are very narrow circumstances during which you can relegate an entire city of millions of people to house arrest,” said lawyer Joshua Fitch, who represents the suits three named plaintiffs.
“And the imminency of the danger and the level of danger you would need to do that was not even remotely met by some isolated acts of vandalism and even looting.”
Fitz said the plaintiffs could be expanded to include any resident who was arrested or fined in violation of the order — or even all New Yorkers who were confined due to the curfew, which ran from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the first night and was bumped up to begin at 8 p.m. for the rest of the week.
The lawsuit hopes to provide financial relief to anyone impacted. It names both Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio as defendants.
A spokesman for the city’s Law Department responded to the suit stating the curfew “was a legally sound and important public safety measure.”
At least hundreds of people were arrested for violating curfew as cops tried to quell the demonstrations against police brutality. Many more were summonsed, according to the suit.
But the lawsuit names three men who claim they were arrested for violating the curfew even though they weren’t in attendance at protests: Lamel Jeffery, Thaddeus Blake and Chayse Pena.
Blake was charging his phone in an outlet outside of his building in the Bronx after curfew on June 5 when police approached him and ordered him to go inside. When Blake told the officers he needed to first retrieve his phone, they “aggressively approached” and handcuffed him.
Fitch said the curfew played out in a discriminatory way against communities of color.
“I don’t know too many white people who were afraid to go outside after curfew, or arrested or given summonses the way the minority community was,” he added.
“We’ve all accepted that there’s a widespread, deadly pandemic. For the last three months city has never instituted a curfew to keep people safe, so the idea that a few instances of looting would make it justified is absurd,” he added.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Trump wrongly diverted $2.5B for border wall, fed appeals court rules

President Trump on Tuesday traveled to Arizona for a roundtable ...

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court on Friday ruled against the Trump administration in its transfer of $2.5 billion from military construction projects to build sections of the U.S. border wall with Mexico, ruling it illegally sidestepped Congress, which gets to decide how to use the funds.
In two opinions, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a coalition of border states and environmental groups that contended the money transfer was unlawful and that building the wall would pose environmental threats.
The rulings were the latest twist in the legal battle that has largely gone Trump’s way. Last July, the Supreme Court allowed the $2.5 billion to be spent while the litigation continued, blunting the impact of the latest appeals court action.
The administration has already awarded much of the money, including a $1.3-billion job in Arizona that was announced last month. Trump visited Yuma, Arizona, on Tuesday to mark completion of the 200th mile of border wall during his administration, much of it with the transferred military funds that the 9th Circuit panel found illegal.
After the $2.5 billion transfer of military funds, the Pentagon diverted another $3.6 billion that an appeals court in New Orleans ruled in January could be spent.
Still, critics of Trump’s wall praised the rulings on Friday for upholding the Constitution, which grants Congress the power of the purse.
“The funds that he is pilfering, which were appropriated by Congress, are vital to support the safety and well-being of the brave men and women in uniform, as well as their families,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat.
The 9th Circuit ruled that the Trump administration not only lacked the authority to authorize the transfer of funds, “but also violated an express constitutional prohibition designed to protect individual liberties.”
The vote on both rulings was 2-1 with judges appointed by former President Bill Clinton in the majority and a Trump nominee dissenting.
The panel said the government was proceeding with border wall construction without ensuring compliance with any environmental regulations, thereby harming the interests of Sierra Club members who visit the border region for hiking, bird watching and other recreational activities.
The panel also held that the government failed to show that construction would halt the flow of illegal drugs. It said the administration had cited drug statistics but didn’t address how the wall would have an impact on the problem.
“The executive branch’s failure to show, in concrete terms, that the public’s interest favors a border wall is particularly significant given that Congress determined fencing to be a lower budgetary priority and the Department of Justice’s data points to a contrary conclusion,” the majority wrote.
The White House said the decisions won’t interfere with its ability to continue building the wall and noted that the Supreme Court has overturned many of the court’s rulings.
After the Supreme Court gave the green light last year to begin work on the wall using Defense Department money, the Justice Department vowed to continue to defend the administration’s efforts to protect the southern border.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who led a 20-state coalition of attorneys general that sued the administration, praised the court decision.
“While the Trump administration steals public funds to build an unauthorized wall at the southern border, families across the country are struggling to pay their bills,” Becerra said. “They deserve to know that their hard-earned dollars are going where Congress intended — to benefit them and their communities.”
The American Civil Liberties Union, which sued on behalf of Sierra Club and Southern Border Communities Coalition, said if the Trump administration appeals, the case will go back to the Supreme Court where the ACLU will seek to tear down sections of the wall that were built with the military money.
“There’s no undoing the damage that’s been done, but we will be back before the Supreme Court to finally put a stop to this destructive wall,” said ACLU staff attorney Dror Ladin.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Zion Williamson, LeBron James highlight NBA restart opening night

In less than two weeks , NBA players will begin to ...

Zion Williamson is about to get another chance at opening night.
Injury kept him out of New Orleans’ appearance in the first game of this NBA season when the Pelicans started the year at Toronto, but now the big-name rookie will be in position to be on center stage at Disney when play resumes — against the team that was the first to find itself in the middle of the NBA’s coronavirus situation.
New Orleans will be in the first game of the resumed NBA season on July 30, taking on Utah at the Disney World complex near Orlando, Florida in the opener of a doubleheader. And just as the initial first night of this season-like-none-other did, the second game of nationally televised twinbill will pit the Los Angeles Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Jazz were a logical storyline for the first game back, after Utah’s All-Star center Rudy Gobert was the first player in the league to test positive for the coronavirus — a development that forced the league to suspend the season on March 11. More than four and a half months will have passed between game nights in the NBA, but the league officially completed talks Friday with the National Basketball Players Association on the terms for restarting the season and therefore could release the 88-game slate of what are being called seeding games.
Finally, play will resume in a season that started with political strife between the NBA and China in October, the deaths of David Stern and Kobe Bryant in January, a pandemic breaking out in March and racial issues surrounding police brutality and other forms of inequality dividing the country once again during much of the league’s shutdown.
“There’s no question this season and frankly this year has been one which none of us will soon forget,” NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said. “Obviously, the virus came at us hard without any prior warning and then we were faced with the prospect of losing the season.”
But with a plan for strict medical protocols agreed upon, the league and its players believe it is safe to resume.
Players will start arriving at the Disney complex on July 7, will be tested daily once they get there, and could be away from their families for more than three months. Families aren’t expected to be permitted on-site at Disney until the start of the second round of the playoffs, set to begin in late August or early September.
“Everyone is making some type of sacrifice,” Miami Heat forward Andre Iguodala said. “A lot of people in America don’t have jobs right now, and we have the opportunity to be a beacon of light, not just for that one particular thing but the social injustices. We’re going to shed light on that, people being away from their families, understanding that sacrifice … the greater good of everything that our players stand for, including the game of basketball.”
For the 22 teams going to Disney, the setup of the eight-game slates will be largely the same — one back-to-back for each of the clubs, with all the games set to be played in a 16-day span ending Aug. 14. The NBA will be using three arenas at Disney, and other than the two-game slate on the opening night there will be somewhere between four and seven games played each day.
There will be some very unusual elements, with games starting as early as 1 p.m. on weekdays, 12:30 p.m. on weekends and most nights seeing the slate end with 9 p.m. tip-offs — other than NBA Finals games, an absolute rarity for games being played on the East coast.
Plans call for 52 of the 88 seeding games to be nationally televised, with 18 on TNT (including the opening-night doubleheader), 17 on ESPN, 14 on NBA TV and three on ABC. Games will be shown in local markets as well.
Most of the arenas on the ESPN Wide World of Sports campus will be used for multiple games each day, with no tip-off scheduled for less than four hours apart in each of those three buildings — with the league allowing time in between games for sanitizing of everything that players, coaches or staff could come into contact with.
If a play-in tournament for the No. 8 seed in either conference is needed by the ninth-place team finishing within four games of the team in eighth, those games in a best-of-two series that the No. 9 team would need to sweep will begin on Aug. 15.
The NBA playoffs will begin Aug. 17, and the NBA Finals are set to begin Sept. 30 with a possible Game 7 on Oct. 13.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Democrats in Congress just doomed policing reform

Democrats this week proved they don ’ t want law enforcement reform — they just want to run on the issue this fall instead .
That ’ s the clear bottom line of the Senate minority ’ s refusal to allow a vote , or even debate , on the GOP bill , shepherded by Sen. Tim Scott .
“ Our bill does something .
Theirs does nothing , ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sniffed .
False : In fact , many provisions in Scott ’ s bill are the same as ones in the Democrats ’ House bill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t end “ qualified immunity , ” which can protect cops from being personally held liable for damages for violating someone ’ s rights .
Scott said the issue is a “ nonstarter ” for his party — but the GOP might ’ ve come around in negotiations with the House , if Democrats hadn ’ t strangled the Senate bill in the cradle .
The Republican bill instructed the attorney general to prohibit federal officers from using chokeholds and encouraged states to ban them ( and rein in no-knock warrants ) by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It required departments to report all officer-involved deaths to the FBI and , like the Dems ’ bill , would have made lynching a federal crime .
The House bill does go further , but not much .
And Scott , a black man who ’ s experienced police misconduct himself , was so passionate about getting reform passed that he told Democrats he ’ d allow them to offer ample amendments during debate .
“ They said no .
They had no desire to actually solve this issue before the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( House Democrats , meanwhile , rammed their bill through without allowing a single Republican amendment . )
Pelosi is being utterly shameless , charging that Republicans are “ trying to get away with murder , actually — the murder of George Floyd.
” Asked if she wanted to soften that statement , she instead doubled down .
In reality , it ’ s the Democratic refusal to allow Senate debate that has ended any chance of policing reform passing Congress this year .
By Pelosi ’ s logic , that means that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get away with murder .

Democrats this week proved they don’t want law enforcement reform — they just want to run on the issue this fall instead. That’s the clear bottom line of the Senate minority’s refusal to allow a vote, or even debate, on the GOP bill, shepherded by Sen. Tim Scott.
“Our bill does something. Theirs does nothing,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sniffed. False: In fact, many provisions in Scott’s bill are the same as ones in the Democrats’ House bill.
No, the Republican bill wouldn’t end “qualified immunity,” which can protect cops from being personally held liable for damages for violating someone’s rights.
Scott said the issue is a “nonstarter” for his party — but the GOP might’ve come around in negotiations with the House, if Democrats hadn’t stopped the Senate bill.
The Republican bill instructed the attorney general to prohibit federal officers from using chokeholds and encouraged states to ban them (and rein in no-knock warrants) by putting federal funds on the line. It required departments to report all officer-involved deaths to the FBI and, like the Dems’ bill, would have made lynching a federal crime.
The House bill does go further, but not much. And Scott, a black man who’s experienced police misconduct himself, was so passionate about getting reform passed that he told Democrats he’d allow them to offer ample amendments during debate. “They said no. They had no desire to actually solve this issue before the election,” the senator told Fox News. (House Democrats, meanwhile, rammed their bill through without allowing a single Republican amendment.)
Pelosi is being utterly shameless, charging that Republicans are “trying to get away with murder, actually — the murder of George Floyd.” Asked if she wanted to soften that statement, she instead doubled down.
In reality, it’s the Democratic refusal to allow Senate debate that has ended any chance of policing reform passing Congress this year.
By Pelosi’s logic, that means that her party is the one trying to get away with murder.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Killing this program shows how hollow de Blasio’s promises to NYC schools always were

his first term , Mayor Bill de Blasio touted the “ Single Shepherd ” program , in which the city ’ s Department of Education assigned counselors to support each student ( and his or her family ) in poorly performing schools in Brooklyn and the Bronx , as the cornerstone of his education initiative .
Back in 2016 , he said the program “ sends a message ” that he and his administration “ believe in ” and are “ investing in ” students .
So much for that .
Single Shepherd is one of the casualties of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , needed to close the post-pandemic financial hole .
For now , the DOE has reassigned the program ’ s 130 counselors to other positions , the Daily News reported Tuesday .
Plainly , the program was never truly central to making a difference — but only to making it seem that Team de Blasio was addressing the problems of failing schools .
In this , it ’ s just a smaller version of his Renewal program , which folded last year after spending hundreds of millions without any real results — except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrible schools because the teachers ’ unions don ’ t like such disruptions .
All this , even as he continues to undermine the charter public schools that do deliver a top education in these same neighborhoods .
De Blasio ’ s actions show what his real priorities are .

In his first term, Mayor Bill de Blasio touted the “Single Shepherd” program, in which the city’s Department of Education assigned counselors to support each student (and his or her family) in poorly performing schools in Brooklyn and the Bronx, as the cornerstone of his education initiative. Back in 2016, he said the program “sends a message” that he and his administration “believe in” and are “investing in” students.
So much for that. Single Shepherd is one of the casualties of the mayor’s proposed DOE budget cuts, needed to close the post-pandemic financial hole. For now, the DOE has reassigned the program’s 130 counselors to other positions, the Daily News reported Tuesday.
Plainly, the program was never truly central to making a difference — but only to making it seem that Team de Blasio was addressing the problems of failing schools.
In this, it’s just a smaller version of his Renewal program, which folded last year after spending hundreds of millions without any real results — except to avoid closing down a few dozen horrible schools because the teachers’ unions don’t like such disruptions.
All this, even as he continues to undermine the charter public schools that do deliver a top education in these same neighborhoods.
De Blasio’s actions show what his real priorities are.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Nets open NBA restart schedule with high-stakes Magic game

Kevin Durant already has ruled himself out for the NBA ...

The fight for the seventh seed begins immediately.
When the NBA resumes play at Disney’s self-contained campus in Florida, the Nets (30-34), who currently hold a half-game lead for the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, will resume play with their first of two remaining against the eighth-place Magic (30-35) on July 31 (2:30 p.m.).
With the Nets unable to improve their standing in the eight “seeding” games remaining before the playoffs, the seventh spot never has been more important, given the implementation of a potential play-in series. The hypothetical matchup only will take place if the No. 9 seed — the ninth-place Wizards (24-40) are currently 5 ½ games behind the Magic and the lowest-standing Eastern Conference team included in the 22-team restart — finishes within four games of the No. 8 seed. In a play-in series, the No. 9 seed would need to sweep two games to advance, while the No. 8 seed would only need to win one game.
The Nets’ — who will be without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving — second game comes against the Wizards on Aug. 2 (2 p.m.), followed by the league-best Bucks (53-12) on Aug. 4 (1:30 p.m.), the Celtics (43-21) on Aug. 5 (9 p.m.), the Kings (28-36) on Aug. 7 (5 p.m.), the Clippers (44-20) on Aug. 9 (9 p.m.), the Magic on Aug. 11 (1 p.m.) and the Trail Blazers (29-37) on Aug. 13 (TBD).
During the regular season, which was suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, the Nets went 4-6 against their opponents of the eight upcoming games, which includes a pair of losses to both Orlando and Washington.
The Magic, who face the Kings, Pacers, Raptors, 76ers, Celtics and Pelicans, went 6-7 against their remaining opponents. The Wizards, who face the Suns, Pacers, 76ers, Pelicans, Thunder, Bucks and Celtics, went 6-5 during the regular season against their upcoming opponents.
If necessary, a play-in series would begin on Aug. 15, while the first round of the playoffs is scheduled to start on Aug. 17.
Last year, the Nets made their first playoff appearance in four years, losing in five games in the first round to the 76ers as the six-seed.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--A progressive wave in New York’s Democratic primaries — for now

From Donald Trump to Joe Biden to Bernie Sanders to ...

Progressives made more gains in this week’s Democratic primaries — mainly by taking out incumbents who’ve been around long enough to see the district change beneath them.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cruised to an easy primary victory, and Jamaal Bowman looks to have decisively defeated three-decade incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel in a Bronx/Westchester district. Rep. Carolyn Maloney is in the fight of her political life with lefty Suraj Patel.
Oh, and City Councilman Ritchie Torres heads the pack to succeed retiring Rep. José Serrano in the Bronx.
The Queens Democratic machine (now headed by Rep. Gregory Meeks) took another big whomping as Albany veterans Aravella Simotas, Michael Miller and Michael DenDekker lost to younger progressive insurgents. But the Meeks-backed Donovan Richards holds a 10-point over his closest rival in the race for borough president.
Overall, the city Democratic Socialists of America did well, as AOC, Bowman and at least three of its other candidates (out of eight) look to be winners, and a sixth, Phara Souffrant Forrest, trails Brooklyn Assemblyman Walter Mosley slightly.
For now, the DSA and other progs are the best-organized challengers to the old machines, which are slow to adjust to demographic shifts.
But these rebels are also committed to far-left positions that may not speak to voters as circumstances change: Socialism and cop-bashing have been easy sells while the city’s been prosperous and safe; not so much, if the public decides those policies are killing New York.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Democrats’ disturbing turn to the frivolous

The Democratic National Convention will be scaled down in Milwaukee ...

White college graduates have emerged from the last two decades of elections as an increasingly large and cohesive political bloc — and one that poses problems for both political parties.
Back in the pre-COVID-19 era, their numbers augmented by recent products of woke campuses, they seemed the dominant force in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.
They flitted from one candidate to the next, tilting toward Sen. Kamala Harris after she whacked Joe Biden for opposing school busing in the 1970s, luxuriating in Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s stentorian assurances that, on every issue, she had “a plan for that,” swooning for the assured articulateness of former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
In retrospect, they seem to have been frivolous in their affections, especially when they acquiesced meekly in the elevation of Biden after his endorsement from Rep. Jim Clyburn and his 44-point margin over Sen. Bernie Sanders among black voters in South Carolina.
The Democratic Party, from its beginnings in the 1832 campaign to re-elect Andrew Jackson, has been a coalition of out-groups, sometimes at odds with one another, sometimes united to form a national majority.
Historically, each of its constituencies wanted something concrete out of politics. In mid-century America, blacks wanted desegregation; labor-union members wanted (in Samuel Gompers’ word) “more.”
But one group sought something more abstract: an opportunity to “participate” to advance “a conception of the public interest,” as the young political scientist James Q. Wilson wrote in his 1962 book, “The Amateur Democrat.”
Wilson’s amateurs were well-educated, relatively affluent and scarce on the ground in an era when most college grads voted Republican. They included Ed Koch, the future New York mayor; a single Chicago alderman (out of 50) representing the Hyde Park university district; and a few West Los Angeles lawyers active in California Democratic council clubs.
They aspired to run the Democratic Party and sometimes snagged key staff positions. But demographically, they were just a sliver of the electorate, even in Democratic primaries.
Now their numbers are legion. White college grads have been trending Democratic since the 1990s. The inrush of millennials marinated in political correctness, and the emergence of the devil figure in Donald Trump have made them overwhelmingly Democratic — and numerous enough to outnumber both blacks and blue-collar whites in party primaries.
They remain as abstract in their concerns — as frivolous, one might say — as Wilson’s mid-century amateurs. A Pew Research Center poll showed 49 percent of white Democrats and 49 percent of college-graduate Dems saying it bothered them that “the likely Democratic nominee is a white man in his 70s.” But only 28 percent and 30 percent of black and Hispanic Democrats, respectively, were similarly bothered.
“The ‘white left,’ ” writes Stanford political scientist Hakeem Jefferson, quoted by The New York Times’ Thomas Edsall, “can sometimes look more ‘progressive’ than black folks because the white left has the luxury of approaching questions that bear on marginalized people’s lives with a kind of reckless abandon” — he might have said frivolousness — “that many others don’t have.”
This reckless abandon is apparent in the posture of leading Democrats, draped with kente cloth, kneeling in atonement for the sins of Americans past. It’s apparent in the convenient forgettery of those who scoffed at President Trump’s accurate 2017 prediction that those tearing down Confederate statutes would target Washington and Jefferson next. Now they’re under threat; in Wisconsin, “protesters” pulled down statues honoring an abolitionist and women suffragists.
The flakiness is apparent in politicians, not least Biden, who insist on enforcement of social distancing except for those engaged in mass protests and (what they try to avoid mentioning) violent rioting. There’s not even a pretense here of avoiding a double standard.
It’s also apparent in Biden’s promise that his vice-presidential nominee will be a woman. And in Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s statement, published when she withdrew her name from consideration, that it must be a “woman of color.” That leaves a very small field of choices for a position whose holder would have a good actuarial chance of succeeding to the presidency.
Democrats may argue that Republicans and Donald Trump engaged in frivolities of their own, and there’s some basis for such charges. But it’s not an excuse for their own frivolous conduct.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--It’s time to depose America’s gerontocracy

From Donald Trump to Joe Biden to Bernie Sanders to Nancy Pelosi to most of the Senate , one might think that the biblical three score and ten had become a mandatory minimum for holding office .
While gerontocracy is most obvious in politics , it is present throughout American life .
The average ages of university professors and administrators , banking executives , corporate CEOs and others have all been steadily rising for some time .
The fragility of this gerontocracy has been ruthlessly exposed by the COVID-19 epidemic .
The crisis has also shown the damage that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualified to be in long-term care than to hold important and intensely demanding positions .
One of the most amazing aspects of the global response to the coronavirus has been the total refusal to classify and treat populations according to age-related risk .
Although COVID-19 can be quite deadly among older populations , it is well established that it poses a fairly minor risk for people under 50 .
For those under 30 , the risks associated with lockdowns — increased domestic abuse , suicide , depression , drug abuse , economic hardship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease itself .
Instead of imposing blanket lockdowns on everyone , it would make far more sense to isolate the elderly , while allowing those under 50 ( or even 40 if one wants to be really cautious ) to go to work , visit restaurants , go on vacations , attend gatherings and have real lives .
Fortuitously , places like large office buildings , restaurants and airports are already well quipped to check IDs and ages , as opposed to enforcing ( somewhat arbitrary ) “ social distancing ” requirements .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and still would be — much better than shutting down the entire country for everyone .
But it was never even considered .
Instead , policymakers and experts ( such as the 79-year-old Dr. Anthony Fauci ) pretend there is no difference between a 30-year-old and a 70-year-old .
Why ?
Perhaps because baby boomers can not imagine the world existing without them ?
Because they can ’ t even conceive of the existence of anyone but themselves ?
One statistic not readily available is the number of young people ’ s lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve the precious egos — and assets — of the boomer generation , both now and over the past few decades .
Indeed , one reason I suspect so many statues are being torn down today ( often indiscriminately ) is because it is frankly easier to topple a statue than it is to displace the boomers and their failed policy consensus ( though at this point many of the statues are probably not as old ) .
A case in point is universities : Many are refusing to open or will switch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The risks to the student population are exceedingly low , but 70-plus-year-old professors say they don ’ t want to teach with the threat of COVID ( as if they ever wanted to ! )
.
There are thousands of younger academics , however , who have faced dismal professional prospects for years and who could probably do a better job .
Yet our gerontocratic institutions would prefer to sacrifice education for everyone in order to pad the incomes of septuagenarians who should have retired years ago .
The same can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — in politics , business , academia and beyond .
It is time for younger people — that is , people of normal working age — to take over these positions .
If anything , the COVID crisis has shown that it is dangerous and irresponsible to have almost every important office filled by the population cohort most susceptible to being wiped out by a pandemic .
In addition to adjusting lockdowns and quarantines to account for age , mandatory retirement policies should be instituted .
( This would merely bring the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The elderly can still serve as part-time advisers , freelance writers and so on , but they should not hold important positions .
Current political officeholders over the age of 70 should have the good sense to resign , and the Constitution should be amended to include maximum ages in addition to minimums .
If a world of pandemics is the “ new normal , ” then let ’ s be serious about it .
Julius Krein is the editor of American Affairs , from which this was adapted .

From Donald Trump to Joe Biden to Bernie Sanders to Nancy Pelosi to most of the Senate, one might think that the biblical three score and ten had become a mandatory minimum for holding office.
While gerontocracy is most obvious in politics, it is present throughout American life. The average ages of university professors and administrators, banking executives, corporate CEOs and others have all been steadily rising for some time.
The fragility of this gerontocracy has been ruthlessly exposed by the COVID-19 epidemic. The crisis has also shown the damage that can be caused by a ruling class more qualified to be in long-term care than to hold important and intensely demanding positions.
One of the most amazing aspects of the global response to the coronavirus has been the total refusal to classify and treat populations according to age-related risk. Although COVID-19 can be quite deadly among older populations, it is well established that it poses a fairly minor risk for people under 50. For those under 30, the risks associated with lockdowns — increased domestic abuse, suicide, depression, drug abuse, economic hardship — are almost certainly worse than the disease itself.
Instead of imposing blanket lockdowns on everyone, it would make far more sense to isolate the elderly, while allowing those under 50 (or even 40 if one wants to be really cautious) to go to work, visit restaurants, go on vacations, attend gatherings and have real lives.
Fortuitously, places like large office buildings, restaurants and airports are already well quipped to check IDs and ages, as opposed to enforcing (somewhat arbitrary) “social distancing” requirements.
All this certainly would have been — and still would be — much better than shutting down the entire country for everyone. But it was never even considered. Instead, policymakers and experts (such as the 79-year-old Dr. Anthony Fauci) pretend there is no difference between a 30-year-old and a 70-year-old. Why? Perhaps because baby boomers cannot imagine the world existing without them? Because they can’t even conceive of the existence of anyone but themselves?
One statistic not readily available is the number of young people’s lives that have been stifled or destroyed to preserve the precious egos — and assets — of the boomer generation, both now and over the past few decades.
Indeed, one reason I suspect so many statues are being torn down today (often indiscriminately) is because it is frankly easier to topple a statue than it is to displace the boomers and their failed policy consensus (though at this point many of the statues are probably not as old).
A case in point is universities: Many are refusing to open or will switch to virtual learning for the upcoming semester. The risks to the student population are exceedingly low, but 70-plus-year-old professors say they don’t want to teach with the threat of COVID (as if they ever wanted to!).
There are thousands of younger academics, however, who have faced dismal professional prospects for years and who could probably do a better job. Yet our gerontocratic institutions would prefer to sacrifice education for everyone in order to pad the incomes of septuagenarians who should have retired years ago.
The same can be said for the rest of the gerontocracy — in politics, business, academia and beyond. It is time for younger people — that is, people of normal working age — to take over these positions.
If anything, the COVID crisis has shown that it is dangerous and irresponsible to have almost every important office filled by the population cohort most susceptible to being wiped out by a pandemic. In addition to adjusting lockdowns and quarantines to account for age, mandatory retirement policies should be instituted. (This would merely bring the United States into line with Europe.)
The elderly can still serve as part-time advisers, freelance writers and so on, but they should not hold important positions.
Current political officeholders over the age of 70 should have the good sense to resign, and the Constitution should be amended to include maximum ages in addition to minimums.
If a world of pandemics is the “new normal,” then let’s be serious about it.
Julius Krein is the editor of American Affairs, from which this was adapted.


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--The designated hitter only makes Major League Baseball better

Major League Baseball is moving toward a 60-game 2020 season .
For the first time in history , the designated-hitter rule will be implemented in both the American and National leagues .
This is fantastic news for anyone who loves baseball and America , and not simply because the nation will be treated to more home runs , but because we will no longer witness professional athletes clumsily swiping at balls or sticking out their bats and praying to make contact .
It ’ s not just about offense .
Yes , historically the American League scores more runs per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , it has every season since 1973 , when the DH was first implemented .
The differential , however , has been shrinking .
The top four offensive teams in the game resided in AL in 2019 , but overall there was less than a 0.20 run advantage per-game on average .
This trend is partly due to NL pitchers batting less .
As roles have become more specialized , relief pitchers rarely pick up a bat anymore .
In 2019 , the number of plate appearances by pitchers per game in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 1973 .
The sacrifice bunt , a rare and great triumph for any pitcher , has basically been stripped from the game because anyone hitting over .220 has a higher probability of moving a runner or reaching base if he doesn ’ t sacrifice .
Right now , pitchers are hitting around 160 points under the average position player .
Most of the best-hitting pitchers in the game — basically , anyone not named Shohei Ohtani — are simply terrible .
And they ’ re getting worse every year .
Their presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slows the momentum of games .
There is no other major sport where an athlete is asked to perform a task so completely out of his comfort zone .
There ’ s a reason that NHL goalies don ’ t participate in shootouts and 350-pound NFL linemen do not line up as wide receivers .
It ’ s fair to argue , as many purists do , that baseball isn ’ t just a contest of home runs and big swings but of pitching , fielding , running , etc.
, and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into more compelling baseball .
No doubt .
There ’ s a difference , however , between a low-scoring contest that is dictated by superior pitching and one that is dictated by the inept , rally-killing hitters who aspire to reach the Mendoza Line .
The DH generates excitement and tension and pits the world ’ s best hitters against the world ’ s best pitchers .
There are other popular arguments against the DH , some stronger than others .
National League fans , for instance , seem to believe that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspects of the game .
Listen , you can pretend that managers are tackling quantum physics every time they pull a double switch , but it ’ s really not that complicated or interesting .
Change is not inevitable ; it is a choice .
Rushing haphazardly to implement a fundamental change to the game is not optimal .
Nor do I dismiss the importance of continuity in baseball , which , perhaps more than any other sport , is invested in its past — statistically , aesthetically and otherwise .
Given what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s even more important to preserve traditions .
In the end , though , baseball is still a game .
We have no sacred obligation to avoid changes that can improve it .
There ’ s little evidence that the designated hitter damages its authenticity .
The designated hitter is 46 years old .
It has already created a string of exciting moments for fans and extended the careers of a number of great players .
The DH itself has evolved , from a spot typically reserved for aging or rotund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managers to create more-balanced lineups .
Moreover , can anyone seriously argue that the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox or Cleveland Indians or Detroit Tigers have less claim to the rituals and traditions of baseball than do the Arizona Diamondbacks or the Colorado Rockies , neither of which even existed when the DH was first implemented ?
The designated hitter has been around longer than the wild-card playoff format .
It is only four years older than the lowered mound .
The latter change was imposed by the athletic evolution of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitter .
The DH rule doesn ’ t prohibit pitchers hitting — and perhaps there will be a day baseball will be teeming with Ohtanis , and the designated hitter won ’ t matter anymore .
That day is not today .

Major League Baseball is moving toward a 60-game 2020 season. For the first time in history, the designated-hitter rule will be implemented in both the American and National leagues.
This is fantastic news for anyone who loves baseball and America, and not simply because the nation will be treated to more home runs, but because we will no longer witness professional athletes clumsily swiping at balls or sticking out their bats and praying to make contact.
It’s not just about offense. Yes, historically the American League scores more runs per game than the National League. In fact, it has every season since 1973, when the DH was first implemented. The differential, however, has been shrinking. The top four offensive teams in the game resided in AL in 2019, but overall there was less than a 0.20 run advantage per-game on average.
This trend is partly due to NL pitchers batting less. As roles have become more specialized, relief pitchers rarely pick up a bat anymore. In 2019, the number of plate appearances by pitchers per game in the NL was the lowest since at least 1973.
The sacrifice bunt, a rare and great triumph for any pitcher, has basically been stripped from the game because anyone hitting over .220 has a higher probability of moving a runner or reaching base if he doesn’t sacrifice. Right now, pitchers are hitting around 160 points under the average position player.
Most of the best-hitting pitchers in the game — basically, anyone not named Shohei Ohtani — are simply terrible. And they’re getting worse every year. Their presence in the batter’s box unnecessarily slows the momentum of games.
There is no other major sport where an athlete is asked to perform a task so completely out of his comfort zone. There’s a reason that NHL goalies don’t participate in shootouts and 350-pound NFL linemen do not line up as wide receivers.
It’s fair to argue, as many purists do, that baseball isn’t just a contest of home runs and big swings but of pitching, fielding, running, etc., and that more offense doesn’t necessarily translate into more compelling baseball. No doubt.
There’s a difference, however, between a low-scoring contest that is dictated by superior pitching and one that is dictated by the inept, rally-killing hitters who aspire to reach the Mendoza Line. The DH generates excitement and tension and pits the world’s best hitters against the world’s best pitchers.
There are other popular arguments against the DH, some stronger than others. National League fans, for instance, seem to believe that the DH will blunt the finer complex strategic aspects of the game.
Listen, you can pretend that managers are tackling quantum physics every time they pull a double switch, but it’s really not that complicated or interesting.
Change is not inevitable; it is a choice. Rushing haphazardly to implement a fundamental change to the game is not optimal. Nor do I dismiss the importance of continuity in baseball, which, perhaps more than any other sport, is invested in its past — statistically, aesthetically and otherwise. Given what the world looks like these days, it’s even more important to preserve traditions.
In the end, though, baseball is still a game. We have no sacred obligation to avoid changes that can improve it. There’s little evidence that the designated hitter damages its authenticity. The designated hitter is 46 years old. It has already created a string of exciting moments for fans and extended the careers of a number of great players.
The DH itself has evolved, from a spot typically reserved for aging or rotund sluggers to one that is utilized by managers to create more-balanced lineups.
Moreover, can anyone seriously argue that the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox or Cleveland Indians or Detroit Tigers have less claim to the rituals and traditions of baseball than do the Arizona Diamondbacks or the Colorado Rockies, neither of which even existed when the DH was first implemented?
The designated hitter has been around longer than the wild-card playoff format. It is only four years older than the lowered mound.
The latter change was imposed by the athletic evolution of the game. As is the designated hitter.
The DH rule doesn’t prohibit pitchers hitting — and perhaps there will be a day baseball will be teeming with Ohtanis, and the designated hitter won’t matter anymore.
That day is not today.
Twitter: @DavidHarsanyi


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--JP Morgan Chase drops foreclosure against 100-year-old WW II Vet

This year 100-year-old World War II veteran who helped defeat fascism only to endure harsh segregation at home has just won a battle against a new foe – his bank .
The JP Morgan Chase bank on Friday agreed to drop its foreclosure case against centenarian James Been over a disputed $ 100,000 home equity loan issued to him and his now late wife , Christine , in 2006 .
The stunning turn about by the bank came after The Post reported on its foreclosure suit against Been , a Brooklyn native who celebrated his 100th birthday last week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ evicted from his home and the loan will be forgiven , ” a JP Morgan spokesperson said in a brief statement .
Been , who has resided in the same two-story Bedford Stuyvesant home his entire life , was thrilled that the bank is backing off .
“ Oh , great !
Thank you , ” Been , a retired bus driver and trolley operator , said .
Been , who is black , served in the segregated 93rd Army Infantry Division fighting in the South Pacific during WWII .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it when I hear it from the lawyers , but I ’ m cautiously pretty optimistic , ” said Been ’ s lawyer Belinda Luu , who works with Mobilization for Justice , a group that provides legal services to the needy .
The bank ’ s lawyers filed the foreclosure case in December 2018 after Been failed to make monthly repayments .
Been ’ s signature was in the loan statements provided in court documents .
But Been said he could not recall securing a loan and had no reason to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature was forged .
Readers who heard about Been ’ s plight emailed The Post asking if they could donate money to help pay his outstanding loan or related expenses .
Those still wishing to do so can mail a check payable to Mobilization for Justice , Inc. with “ James Been ” in the memo line .
It can be mailed to Mobilization for Justice , P.O .
Box 571 , New York , NY 10025 Or one could make a credit card donation online at https : //secure.qgiv.com/for/mfjiny .
Then click @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to dedicate this donation to someone ” and dedicate the donation in honor of “ James Been .
”

This year 100-year-old World War II veteran who helped defeat fascism only to endure harsh segregation at home has just won a battle against a new foe – his bank.
The JP Morgan Chase bank on Friday agreed to drop its foreclosure case against centenarian James Been over a disputed $100,000 home equity loan issued to him and his now late wife, Christine, in 2006.
The stunning turn about by the bank came after The Post reported on its foreclosure suit against Been, a Brooklyn native who celebrated his 100th birthday last week.
“Mr. Been will not be evicted from his home and the loan will be forgiven,” a JP Morgan spokesperson said in a brief statement.
Been, who has resided in the same two-story Bedford Stuyvesant home his entire life, was thrilled that the bank is backing off.
“Oh, great! Thank you,” Been, a retired bus driver and trolley operator, said.
Been, who is black, served in the segregated 93rd Army Infantry Division fighting in the South Pacific during WWII.
“This is fantastic. I’ll truly believe it when I hear it from the lawyers, but I’m cautiously pretty optimistic,” said Been’s lawyer Belinda Luu, who works with Mobilization for Justice, a group that provides legal services to the needy.
The bank’s lawyers filed the foreclosure case in December 2018 after Been failed to make monthly repayments.
Been’s signature was in the loan statements provided in court documents.
But Been said he could not recall securing a loan and had no reason to. In court papers, he insisted his signature was forged.
Readers who heard about Been’s plight emailed The Post asking if they could donate money to help pay his outstanding loan or related expenses.
Those still wishing to do so can mail a check payable to Mobilization for Justice, Inc. with “James Been” in the memo line. It can be mailed to Mobilization for Justice, P.O. Box 571, New York, NY 10025
Or one could make a credit card donation online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mfjiny.
Then click under Additional Information, “I would like to dedicate this donation to someone” and dedicate the donation in honor of “James Been.”


newyorkpost--2020-06-26--Adam Silver: ‘Significant’ coronavirus spread could end NBA season

In less than two weeks, NBA players will begin to arrive in Orlando. On July 30, the regular season will resume for 22 teams willing to spend as long as three-plus months in the isolated campus surrounding Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.
“We believe we’ve developed a safe and responsible way to restart the season,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said on a conference call Friday. “We are left with no choice but to learn to live with this virus. No options are risk-free right now. We can’t sit on the sidelines indefinitely. We must adapt.
“We’re coming back because sports matter in a society. They bring people together when we need it the most.”
However, Silver later acknowledged the season that was suspended on March 11, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, may never be completed.
“We haven’t worked through every scenario … [but] if we were to have significant spread of coronavirus throughout the community, that ultimately might lead us to stop it,” Silver said. “We’re not saying full steam ahead no matter what happens … but we feel very comfortable right now with where we are.”
Silver said the fast-rising number of positive COVID-19 cases across the country has increased his “level of concern” and acknowledged it was a “fair question,” whether the NBA would have chosen to restart its season in Florida, knowing the state would set multiple single-day records of positive cases this week.
“Of course, we designed our campus, in essence, to isolate ourselves from whatever the levels are in the surrounding community,” Silver said. “It’s on the rise in the majority of states right now and our ultimate conclusion was we can’t outrun the virus, which is why we designed the campus the way we did. It’s a closed network. While it’s not impermeable, we’re at least protected from what’s around us.”
At least initially, players will be tested daily and be required to wear masks when they are not playing. There will also be a medical clinic set up on the campus.
In the first wave of mandatory tests this week, the NBA said 16 players — out of 302 — tested positive for the coronavirus. Any player who tests positive on campus will be forced to quarantine, while play would continue for those who test negative. No player is contractually required to return to action, though absent players will forfeit the salary for games missed.
“We understand the risks involved, but everyone is ready to make a sacrifice,” said Andre Iguodala, NBPA first vice president. “A lot of people in America don’t have jobs right now.”
Following the killing of George Floyd and the countless protests nationwide fighting racial injustice, Nets guard Kyrie Irving found support from some players, who also believe games should not continue and distract from the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
Ultimately, though, most players believed greater impact can be made with millions of eyes watching the league’s highly anticipated return.
“We’ve agreed on a number of initiatives for social justice,” NBPA president Chris Paul said. “I’m excited for what we can do that is a lot bigger than the game. … It’s not a shut-up-and-dribble situation. You are going to continue to hear from us.”