newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Why the Jets aren’t doomed

Why the Jets aren’t doomed

The Jets stunned the Rams 23-20 on Sunday in Los ...

If only Fox could have had a camera on Joe Douglas during the final minutes of Sunday’s Jets-Rams game.
The Jets general manager probably turned greener than a Jets jersey as he saw the team’s chance at Trevor Lawrence evaporate in front of his eyes as the Jets beat the Rams 23-20 in Inglewood, Calif.
Sure, Douglas had to be happy for the players and coaches who have toiled all season without a win. But deep down, Douglas had to know that win just made his life harder. Drafting Lawrence is a no-brainer. Lawrence looks like a rare can’t-miss prospect who comes along at quarterback about once a decade. Now, if the Jets do wind up picking No. 2, Douglas has much tougher decisions to make.
Does he stay put at No. 2 and draft one of the other quarterbacks — Ohio State’s Justin Fields, BYU’s Zach Wilson or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance? Does he try to trade the pick for a draft haul and build around Sam Darnold? Does he stick with Darnold and take the best non-quarterback at No. 2? Does he add a voodoo priest to the payroll to take the spell off this franchise?
I kid, I kid.
The reality is the Jets’ win on Sunday made their road tougher, but the idea that the Jets are now definitely ruined for the next decade is silly. Maybe Lawrence will prove to be a sure thing coming out of Clemson or maybe he won’t. But there are also other quarterbacks in this draft who are going to succeed. The trick is figuring out which ones.
Look at recent quarterback drafts. Was Patrick Mahomes considered a “generational talent” coming out of Texas Tech? No, Mahomes was passed on by nine teams, including the Jets, before the Chiefs drafted him. Draft experts thought he was a project. He is now the best quarterback in the sport.
Last year at this time, the talk was about Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. Both have had good starts to their careers, but Justin Herbert, taken No. 6 by the Chargers is the quarterback who has had the best rookie season.
If you want to look closer to home, Josh Allen (seventh overall in 2018) and Lamar Jackson (32nd) have outperformed Darnold, chosen third overall that year.
Talking about the NFL draft is a lot of fun. Mock drafts are fun. But nothing about the draft is science.
That is where Douglas comes in. Assuming the Jaguars lose their next two games and the Jets wind up with the No. 2 pick, Douglas and his staff now need to figure out whether Fields or Wilson or Lance are going to be good NFL quarterbacks or if they are better off sticking with Darnold, who is still just 23 and has one year left on his rookie contract.
Joe Douglas Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
While Mel Kiper and every other member of the media who gives an opinion between now and April can be wrong with their quarterback evaluations, Douglas has to be right.
Douglas has largely been in the honeymoon phase since being hired in June 2019. His first year was written off because he was hired after free agency and the draft. He has taken a few shots this season, but Adam Gase has been the main target of the fans and media. Gase will be fired in two weeks and then the bull’s-eye will rest squarely on Douglas.
And Douglas has set himself up for a good offseason. They are going to have enough cap space to be aggressive in free agency if that is what Douglas wants. He can land a top wide receiver like Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin or JuJu Smith-Schuster. He can bolster the offensive line. He can find an edge rusher.
Then, comes the draft capital he has gathered. The Jets have nine picks, six in the first 96 picks, in April. If Douglas trades out of No. 2 or chooses to trade Darnold, he will add to that war chest.
The easiest path to relevance would have been adding Lawrence’s big right arm and his perfect hair. That is not debatable. But there are other paths the Jets can go down. Now, it is Douglas’ job to blaze one.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--House approves $600 stimulus checks in COVID-19 stimulus bill

The House of Representatives voted Monday to approve a $ 2.3 trillion package that includes $ 600 COVID-19 stimulus checks @ @ @ @ @ nearly 5,593-page bill was published on Monday and now goes to the Senate , which @ @ @ @ @ the legislation and send it to President Trump for his signature .
The legislation authorizes @ @ @ @ @ people who earn less than $ 75,000 per year and an extra $ 600 payment @ @ @ @ @ contains a $ 300 weekly unemployment insurance supplement and authorizes $ 284.4 billion in Paycheck @ @ @ @ @ small businesses .

The House of Representatives voted Monday to approve a $2.3 trillion package that includes $600 COVID-19 stimulus checks for most Americans.
The nearly 5,593-page bill was published on Monday and now goes to the Senate, which is expected to also approve the legislation and send it to President Trump for his signature.
The legislation authorizes $600 stimulus checks for people who earn less than $75,000 per year and an extra $600 payment per child.
The bill contains a $300 weekly unemployment insurance supplement and authorizes $284.4 billion in Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loans for small businesses.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Brazilian man dies after slipping from waterfall while taking selfie

A man was arrested early Monday after he tried to ...

A Brazilian man died over the weekend after slipping off a waterfall while taking a selfie, according to reports.
Guilherme Chiapetti, 22, plunged 32 feet while taking the photo on Saturday, landing on rocks at Cachoeira da Onça in south Brazil, The Sun reported, citing local media.
Chiapetti suffered traumatic brain injuries and died Sunday morning at Bom Jesus de Toledo hospital, the reports said.
The victim’s aunt, Ivani, mourned her nephew’s death in a social post.
“If I knew that last Sunday, that kiss would be the last one you were going to give me, I would have hugged you more and kissed you more,” she wrote.
“Go in peace my angel. God welcome you with open arms,” according to The Sun.
Chiapetti’s father told local media that his son frequented the waterfall where he fell from and enjoyed photography.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Man allegedly punched cop, tried to grab his gun at ABC Studios

A man was arrested early Monday after he tried to grab a cop ’ s gun — and then punched @ @ @ @ @ Studios in Midtown , police sources said .
The uniformed NYPD cop was working security @ @ @ @ @ studios on 44th Street and Seventh Avenue when , at around 3:30 a.m. , Aohua @ @ @ @ @ what the last stop on the R train was .
As the officer searched for @ @ @ @ @ 23 , allegedly went for his gun .
But Yang was unable to get the @ @ @ @ @ — and then slugged the cop , according to the sources .
The officer restrained @ @ @ @ @ backup .
The Brooklyn resident was placed in custody and taken to NYU hospital to @ @ @ @ @ his elbow and a small cut to his left hand .
It was unclear whether @ @ @ @ @ of Monday night .

A man was arrested early Monday after he tried to grab a cop’s gun — and then punched the officer — at ABC Studios in Midtown, police sources said.
The uniformed NYPD cop was working security for the network at their studios on 44th Street and Seventh Avenue when, at around 3:30 a.m., Aohua Yang allegedly approached and asked what the last stop on the R train was.
As the officer searched for the answer, Yang, 23, allegedly went for his gun.
But Yang was unable to get the firearm out of its holster — and then slugged the cop, according to the sources.
The officer restrained Yang as he called for backup.
The Brooklyn resident was placed in custody and taken to NYU hospital to be treated for pain to his elbow and a small cut to his left hand.
It was unclear whether he had been charged as of Monday night.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--The Giants never fully embraced idea of playoff run

The Giants are sending their best player and their most ...

Imagine waking up Christmas morning to the surprise of a big box under the tree, getting all excited about the gift you really wanted but felt foolish asking for — and then seeing someone else’s name on the tag.
That’s the Giants and the playoff race. So, can you really feel crushed that such a short-lived dream is slipping away?
“I don’t think our progress as a team is going to be measured necessarily on making the playoffs,” coach Joe Judge said Monday, six days before facing the Baltimore Ravens. “One thing I’m very interested in as a coach is seeing how our team responds to challenges.”
The Giants opened the season with a first-time head coach, an undermanned roster and a daunting schedule. Expectations called for a fourth straight season around the five-win mark, leaving success to be determined by the development of young players.
A 1-7 start didn’t change perception.
A funny thing happened on the way to the bottom, however: The rest of the NFC East collapsed and a four-game winning streak left the Giants in a first-place tie with control of their own destiny after 12 games.
As fans got excited, Judge never fully embraced the idea of battling for a spot in the postseason — and didn’t change the way he employed personnel. Playoffs in Year 1 of the Judge Era is an awkward mix of premature but not exactly ahead of schedule, given the Giants are 5-9.
Joe Judge N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg
“I’m still looking to develop as many players as we can,” Judge said. “We want to develop players by still putting ourselves in position to be successful on Sundays. We’re not out there having tryouts, but we are working to get as many young guys as many reps as we can to get them experience.”
Mistakenly trying to win and rebuild at the same time in 2018 is what marred the start of general manager Dave Gettleman’s term. This situation is more like building and accepting wins as they come.
“I wouldn’t say we’re worried about it slipping away,” tight end Evan Engram said. “I do think our sense of urgency is up, and we do understand what’s ahead of us. I think we’re really motivated. This is as meaningful as it gets.”
In any other division, the Giants would be in third or fourth place — at least five games out of first and with no shot to earn a wild card. Their hope is based on circumstance — all four NFC East teams are separated by 1 ½ games with two to play — more than worth.
“I’m not downplaying the playoffs,” Judge said. “It’s the National Football League. We’re all here to compete. We’re all here for the highest prize in all of sports. At the same time, I’m a firm believer in keeping our sights on what the immediate goal is, and the long-term goal will take care of itself.”
The approach shouldn’t be a surprise given Judge’s coaching background with the University of Alabama and the New England Patriots, where success is measured in championships. It’s not the same situation with the Giants, who suffered wake-up call losses against the playoff-bound Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns and now are guaranteed a seventh losing season in the last eight.
“May there be a time that we talk about [playoffs] in the future? Possibly, based on what the situation is,” Judge said. “We can’t do anything about [Week 17 opponent] Dallas right now. We can only control Baltimore. Anything that may or may not come after that doesn’t even exist yet. Wasting mental energy and focus on something that doesn’t exist is just wasted time.”
If the Giants don’t capitalize on the unexpected gift of down years across the NFC East, can the season be considered a success? Depends when the question is asked. Before the first game, yes. After 12 games, no. On Monday? No one seemed fully sure.
“I don’t really understand the question, but I think our goal is to go win the division,” Engram said. “That means our goal is to make the playoffs. Obviously, we put ourselves in that position. It will be disappointing if we don’t. So, I guess not.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--A-listers band together to save famed theater haunt West Bank Café

Stars including rocker Pete Townsend , Chita Rivera , Nathan Lane , Matthew Broderick and Melissa Rivers are coming together to try and save the venerable theater haunt West Bank Café .
There will be a star-studded virtual telethon streaming for free beginning Dec. 25 for the spot , which has been on the verge of closing for good because of the pandemic .
Al Pacino said of the restaurant in an exclusive ( and poetic ) statement to Page Six : “ The West Bank Café has always meant a great deal to me .
It ’ s right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42nd and 9th and open to everyone .
It ’ s very comforting to know that it ’ s there.
” The Oscar winner added : “ The food is always fresh and good , the atmosphere warm and , believe it or not , every night downstairs different acts and mini-plays are performed .
To lose a place like that would be a loss for our great city that we would feel .
To me , it ’ s a landmark… part of the very few that gives our city identity — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ambiance of it is just right with those windows open to 42nd .
There were nights we would sit in there watching the snow falling outside .
There are places that have vibes , the West Bank has a vibe , and the vibe is simple and alive .
I hope it hangs in there.
” The fundraiser aims to pay off the place ’ s 2020 debt incurred from the pandemic , and pay West Bank ’ s rent for 2021 “ to give them time to get back on their @ @ @

Stars including rocker Pete Townsend, Chita Rivera, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and Melissa Rivers are coming together to try and save the venerable theater haunt West Bank Café.
There will be a star-studded virtual telethon streaming for free beginning Dec. 25 for the spot, which has been on the verge of closing for good because of the pandemic.
Al Pacino said of the restaurant in an exclusive (and poetic) statement to Page Six: “The West Bank Café has always meant a great deal to me. It’s right there in the middle of everything on 42nd and 9th and open to everyone. It’s very comforting to know that it’s there.”
The Oscar winner added: “The food is always fresh and good, the atmosphere warm and, believe it or not, every night downstairs different acts and mini-plays are performed. To lose a place like that would be a loss for our great city that we would feel. To me, it’s a landmark… part of the very few that gives our city identity — low-key, yet New York.
“The ambiance of it is just right with those windows open to 42nd. There were nights we would sit in there watching the snow falling outside. There are places that have vibes, the West Bank has a vibe, and the vibe is simple and alive. I hope it hangs in there.”
The fundraiser aims to pay off the place’s 2020 debt incurred from the pandemic, and pay West Bank’s rent for 2021 “to give them time to get back on their feet.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey unfollows Trump, Biden

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has reportedly unfollowed the accounts of President Trump and President-elect Joe Biden on his social media @ @ @ @ @ following Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Ivanka Trump ’ s account , according to the @ @ @ @ @ which monitors activity of tech leaders .
Since Nov. 17 , Trump has lost 368,743 @ @ @ @ @ to Factba.se , a website that tracks Trump ’ s public statements and tweets .
@ @ @ @ @ the same time frame , gained roughly 2.5 million followers on the social media platform @ @ @ @ @ Trump has been extremely active on Twitter , issuing quick statements from the account , @ @ @ @ @ policy decisions from the platform .
Once Biden takes office , Twitter has said Trump @ @ @ @ @ to world leaders , subjecting him to the same rules as ordinary users .

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has reportedly unfollowed the accounts of President Trump and President-elect Joe Biden on his social media platform.
Dorsey also stopped following Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and Ivanka Trump’s account, according to the Twitter account @BigTechAlert, which monitors activity of tech leaders.
Since Nov. 17, Trump has lost 368,743 followers on Twitter, according to Factba.se, a website that tracks Trump’s public statements and tweets.
Biden, meanwhile, in the same time frame, gained roughly 2.5 million followers on the social media platform.
During his presidency, Trump has been extremely active on Twitter, issuing quick statements from the account, insulting opponents and even announcing policy decisions from the platform.
Once Biden takes office, Twitter has said Trump will lose certain protections granted to world leaders, subjecting him to the same rules as ordinary users.
With Post wires


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Running back injuries causing fantasy football championship havoc

When a player goes down in Week 15 , it is never a good thing — for the player , his NFL team or the fantasy teams that have that player on rosters .
But with fantasy championships on the line this week — beginning with a Friday game between the Vikings and Saints — fantasy owners whose teams are still alive don ’ t have time to grovel in misfortune , they have to find solutions to plug into any new lineup holes .
Early reports indicate rookie Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a high ankle sprain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when tackled awkwardly in Sunday ’ s win in New Orleans .
There is some good news for fantasy owners : If you have CEH and you ’ re still alive heading into the fantasy finals , you likely have already found a substitute for the rookie RB — who has just one game in which he produced more than 15 fantasy points since Week 6 .
If you were still using him chances are you ’ ve already gotten the boot .
Unfortunately , Edwards-Helaire wasn ’ t the only Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s James Robinson leave his game , and the 49ers lost two RBs — Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. At least the Chiefs ’ situation provides a clear-cut backup plan in Le ’ Veon Bell .
He is available in around 40 percent of leagues , and where he is available , you likely have just one other team competing against you in waiver battles this week .
Bell should step into the lead role in a highly productive offense , giving him a high ceiling uncommon to find on waiver wires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fantasy championship matchup , however , isn ’ t ideal .
The Falcons had the seventh-stingiest defense against fantasy running backs heading into Week 15 .
They kept the Buccaneers ground game in check Sunday , though they did give up two short touchdowns to Leonard Fournette .
If Robinson can ’ t go due to an ankle injury , the Jaguars likely will turn to Dare Ogunbowale .
He is a mystery , the fourth-year RB having just four carries for 24 yards this season and 15 for 41 in his career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can expect him to be involved in the passing game .
He has three catches for 25 yards this season and had 35 for 286 last year for the Buccaneers .
Tough luck though , as he draws a Week 16 matchup with the Bears , who have a run defense that is slightly more stiff than the aforementioned Falcons .
Mostert reportedly aggravated a high ankle sprain .
Wilson told media “ I ’ m perfectly fine ” after suffering a hamstring issue in Sunday ’ s loss at Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than half of leagues and has a neutral matchup against the Cardinals on Saturday .
If neither Mostert or Wilson plays this week , the bulk of carries would likely fall to the ( cough ) immortal ( cough ) Tevin Coleman .
These options might do in a pinch , but hopefully you have more reliable options heading into the most meaningful fantasy week of all .
Would you be surprised to learn Hurts is still available in 60 percent of leagues ?
The Madman certainly was .
And he has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
It would be a surprise if Derek Carr returns for Saturday ’ s game against the Dolphins .
Mariota ’ s running ability gives him a nice floor even in a difficult matchup .
Has gotten five or more targets in every game but two since Week 2 , and has scored two straight weeks .
Gets a juicy matchup with the Jaguars this week .
Could be a nice plug in deep leagues .
Somehow available in 40-50 percent of leagues , and he ranks in top four among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need a stud alternative in order to bench Taylor , who is on a roll of four straight games with at least 15 PPR points .
But the Steelers are the league ’ s toughest on fantasy running backs — allowing an average of five fewer fantasy points per game to opposing RBs .
Was outplayed and out-touched by Chase Edmonds this past week .
The 49ers won ’ t make it easier for this disappointing fantasy asset .
Had a nice return from the COVID list on Sunday ( six catches for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington presents a stiff challenge , and forecasting which Carolina WR will pop in a given week — Moore or Robby Anderson or Curtis Samuel — is difficult .
It has been an unimpressive season by the Steelers tight end , and the Colts ( fourth-stiffest vs. opposing TEs ) aren ’ t likely to make it any easier this week .

When a player goes down in Week 15, it is never a good thing — for the player, his NFL team or the fantasy teams that have that player on rosters.
But with fantasy championships on the line this week — beginning with a Friday game between the Vikings and Saints — fantasy owners whose teams are still alive don’t have time to grovel in misfortune, they have to find solutions to plug into any new lineup holes.
Early reports indicate rookie Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered a high ankle sprain, as well as a possible hip injury, when tackled awkwardly in Sunday’s win in New Orleans.
There is some good news for fantasy owners: If you have CEH and you’re still alive heading into the fantasy finals, you likely have already found a substitute for the rookie RB — who has just one game in which he produced more than 15 fantasy points since Week 6. If you were still using him chances are you’ve already gotten the boot.
Unfortunately, Edwards-Helaire wasn’t the only Sunday injury. We also saw Jacksonville’s James Robinson leave his game, and the 49ers lost two RBs — Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.
At least the Chiefs’ situation provides a clear-cut backup plan in Le’Veon Bell. He is available in around 40 percent of leagues, and where he is available, you likely have just one other team competing against you in waiver battles this week.
Bell should step into the lead role in a highly productive offense, giving him a high ceiling uncommon to find on waiver wires this late in the season. His fantasy championship matchup, however, isn’t ideal. The Falcons had the seventh-stingiest defense against fantasy running backs heading into Week 15. They kept the Buccaneers ground game in check Sunday, though they did give up two short touchdowns to Leonard Fournette.
If Robinson can’t go due to an ankle injury, the Jaguars likely will turn to Dare Ogunbowale. He is a mystery, the fourth-year RB having just four carries for 24 yards this season and 15 for 41 in his career — all in the past two seasons. You can expect him to be involved in the passing game. He has three catches for 25 yards this season and had 35 for 286 last year for the Buccaneers.
James Robinson, Clyde Edwards-Helaire Getty Images (2)
Tough luck though, as he draws a Week 16 matchup with the Bears, who have a run defense that is slightly more stiff than the aforementioned Falcons.
Mostert reportedly aggravated a high ankle sprain. Wilson told media “I’m perfectly fine” after suffering a hamstring issue in Sunday’s loss at Dallas. He is available in slightly less than half of leagues and has a neutral matchup against the Cardinals on Saturday. If neither Mostert or Wilson plays this week, the bulk of carries would likely fall to the (cough) immortal (cough) Tevin Coleman.
These options might do in a pinch, but hopefully you have more reliable options heading into the most meaningful fantasy week of all.
Final chance
Jalen Hurts QB, Eagles
Would you be surprised to learn Hurts is still available in 60 percent of leagues? The Madman certainly was. And he has a nice matchup with a weak Dallas defense this week.
Marcus Mariota QB, Raiders
It would be a surprise if Derek Carr returns for Saturday’s game against the Dolphins. Mariota’s running ability gives him a nice floor even in a difficult matchup.
Darnell Mooney WR, Bears
Has gotten five or more targets in every game but two since Week 2, and has scored two straight weeks. Gets a juicy matchup with the Jaguars this week. Could be a nice plug in deep leagues.
Logan Thomas TE, Redskins
Somehow available in 40-50 percent of leagues, and he ranks in top four among tight ends on the season.
Finally done
Jonathan Taylor RB, Colts
You need a stud alternative in order to bench Taylor, who is on a roll of four straight games with at least 15 PPR points. But the Steelers are the league’s toughest on fantasy running backs — allowing an average of five fewer fantasy points per game to opposing RBs.
Kenyan Drake RB, Cardinals
Was outplayed and out-touched by Chase Edmonds this past week. The 49ers won’t make it easier for this disappointing fantasy asset.
D.J. Moore WR, Panthers
Had a nice return from the COVID list on Sunday (six catches for 131 yards) against the Packers. Washington presents a stiff challenge, and forecasting which Carolina WR will pop in a given week — Moore or Robby Anderson or Curtis Samuel — is difficult.
Eric Ebron TE, Steelers
It has been an unimpressive season by the Steelers tight end, and the Colts (fourth-stiffest vs. opposing TEs) aren’t likely to make it any easier this week.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Mets have chance to become offseason winners in NL East

Even in a slow-moving offseason , it is baseball and it ...

In a glacially slow offseason, the Mets are among the pace setters.
They have signed a catcher (James McCann) and reliever (Trevor May) to fill two prominent needs, as marquee names such as George Springer and Trevor Bauer remain on the board. To date, McCann’s four-year contract worth $40.6 million is the largest any team has given out this winter.
Within the NL East realm, the Braves are the only other team to have added noteworthy players, suggesting a flurry of deals will be forthcoming once the calendar flips to January.
Given the perfect storm of billionaire Steve Cohen’s arrival as owner and the fact many teams are trying to cut payroll, the Mets stand to emerge as the division’s biggest offseason winner provided Sandy Alderson and new general manager Jared Porter can still deliver a significant bat and arm for the rotation.
A look at where the Mets stand heading into the holidays as compared to their NL East foes:
Atlanta Braves
The additions of Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly to Atlanta’s rotation represent the most significant free-agent signings within the division outside the Mets. Morton arrived on a one-year deal worth $15 million. Smyly received one year for $11 million. It has left the three-time defending NL East champions with the most formidable rotation in the division, with Max Fried, Ian Anderson and Mike Soroka (who is returning from a torn Achilles). Two other young starters, Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson, provide depth.
A big remaining question might be whether the Braves re-sign Marcell Ozuna, who provided a formidable bat behind Freddie Freeman last season. But until the DH situation in the NL is officially resolved it’s unlikely Ozuna is seriously pursued. The Braves are also searching for a catcher to back up Travis d’Arnaud.
Washington Nationals
Could J.T. Realmuto be a fit here, placing him with his third NL East team? The Nationals certainly have a need at catcher, but it’s unclear if team ownership has the appetite to take on a significant contract. The Mets passed on Realmuto in part because they expected the market to drag out for the All-Star catcher and didn’t want to risk other options evaporating.
The Nationals have a hole at first base and have been linked to Kyle Schwarber, a non-tender by the Cubs. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has gone on the record as saying the team isn’t pursuing Kris Bryant in a trade. Ryan Zimmerman, who opted out last season, is among the candidates to return as part of the first base mix.
Philadelphia Phillies
There probably isn’t a team in the division with more question marks.
Dave Dombrowski arrived to oversee a front office in cost-cutting mode, which doesn’t bode well for a team that had a historically bad bullpen and needs to fill spots in the starting rotation behind Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler and Zach Eflin.
The Phillies also have a hole at shortstop, after not extending a qualifying offer to Didi Gregorius. Among the potential fits are Andrelton Simmons and Marcus Semien. And then there is the question whether Dombrowski has the financial flexibility to potentially re-sign Realmuto, who spent the last two seasons with the Phillies after arriving in a trade with the Marlins.
Miami Marlins
After declining Brad Kintzler’s $4 million option for next season, the team needs a closer. Another key bullpen piece from last season, Brad Boxberger, became a free agent. The good news for the Marlins is a flooded market for relievers.
Though the Marlins haven’t made a splashy player acquisition, the hiring of Kim Ng was historic, putting a female in the GM role for the first time.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Naomi Campbell teams with Cipriani for holiday food drive

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Supermodel-turned-philanthropist Naomi Campbell has partnered @ @ @ @ @ her first “ Nourishment with Naomi ” holiday food drive .
Campbell and the hospitality @ @ @ @ @ gift-bags to five hospitals across New York City , including Mt .
Sinai , Montefiore @ @ @ @ @ Island Hospital and Elmhurst Hospital .
Campbell , a longtime friend of the Cipriani family @ @ @ @ @ a “ natural fit ” and thanked frontline medical workers .
“ Thank you for @ @ @ @ @ frontline worker during the pandemic of COVID-19 .
I wanted to acknowledge and appreciate the @ @ @ @ @ these past nine months to keep New York City safe .
Please enjoy this small @ @ @ @ @ form of gratitude for your hard work and efforts during these difficult times , ” @ @ @ @ @ will receive 200 baskets of meals between Monday and Tuesday .

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Supermodel-turned-philanthropist Naomi Campbell has partnered with Cipriani Restaurants NYC for her first “Nourishment with Naomi” holiday food drive.
Campbell and the hospitality brand are donating 1,000 food gift-bags to five hospitals across New York City, including Mt. Sinai, Montefiore, Harlem Hospital, Coney Island Hospital and Elmhurst Hospital.
Campbell, a longtime friend of the Cipriani family, said the partnership was a “natural fit” and thanked frontline medical workers.
“Thank you for devoting yourself to being a frontline worker during the pandemic of COVID-19. I wanted to acknowledge and appreciate the risk you have been taking these past nine months to keep New York City safe. Please enjoy this small token of appreciation as a form of gratitude for your hard work and efforts during these difficult times,” Campbell said.
Each hospital will receive 200 baskets of meals between Monday and Tuesday.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Giants’ Evan Engram, James Bradberry make Pro Bowl

The Giants are sending their best player and their most enigmatic to the Pro Bowl .
Cornerback James Bradberry and tight end Evan Engram both are first-time selections , leaving linebacker Blake Martinez , safety Logan Ryan , defensive tackle Leonard Williams and kicker Graham Gano as snubs .
The Pro Bowl will not be played due to COVID-19 , but 88 players still were recognized .
The Giants were not represented last season .
Bradberry leads the Giants with three interceptions and is tied for second in the NFL with 17 passes defended .
He was the leading fan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 250,000 bonus for his selection .
Engram has 54 catches for 572 receiving yards and two total touchdowns , though those numbers could be better if not for six drops .
He is on pace to play a full season for the first time in an injury-plagued four-year career and made it over Packers tight end Robert Tonyan ( 10 touchdowns ) .
Martinez is fourth in the NFL with 128 tackles , Williams has 8.5 sacks , Ryan has three forced fumbles , and Gano is 28-for-29 on field goals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the NFC in the fan vote at their respective positions .
“ It just adds that extra chip on my shoulder to keep going at it each and every day to get better to be able to get to that position for next year , ” Martinez said .
“ As long as I know I ’ m playing the way I want to play , at a high level , that ’ s really all that matters for me.
” The Giants told their two Pro Bowlers the NFL was scheduling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former players who once played the same positions on their teams .
Then Jason Sehorn gave Bradberry the good news and Howard Cross relayed it to Engram .

The Giants are sending their best player and their most enigmatic to the Pro Bowl.
Cornerback James Bradberry and tight end Evan Engram both are first-time selections, leaving linebacker Blake Martinez, safety Logan Ryan, defensive tackle Leonard Williams and kicker Graham Gano as snubs.
The Pro Bowl will not be played due to COVID-19, but 88 players still were recognized. The Giants were not represented last season.
Bradberry leads the Giants with three interceptions and is tied for second in the NFL with 17 passes defended. He was the leading fan vote-getter among NFC cornerbacks and earned a $250,000 bonus for his selection.
Engram has 54 catches for 572 receiving yards and two total touchdowns, though those numbers could be better if not for six drops. He is on pace to play a full season for the first time in an injury-plagued four-year career and made it over Packers tight end Robert Tonyan (10 touchdowns).
Martinez is fourth in the NFL with 128 tackles, Williams has 8.5 sacks, Ryan has three forced fumbles, and Gano is 28-for-29 on field goals. Ryan, Williams and Gano were second in the NFC in the fan vote at their respective positions.
“It just adds that extra chip on my shoulder to keep going at it each and every day to get better to be able to get to that position for next year,” Martinez said. “As long as I know I’m playing the way I want to play, at a high level, that’s really all that matters for me.”
The Giants told their two Pro Bowlers the NFL was scheduling Zoom calls so current players could meet former players who once played the same positions on their teams. Then Jason Sehorn gave Bradberry the good news and Howard Cross relayed it to Engram.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Martin Shkreli gal pal Christie Smythe: I’m ready to date other guys

A father , his wife and two children were found dead ...

Martin Shkreli gal pal Christie Smythe told The Post on Monday that she’s open to dating other guys — now that the “Pharma Bro’’ fraudster unceremoniously gave her the boot through one of his lawyers.
Caught out in public for the first time since she revealed the oddball pair’s romance in a sensational magazine piece Sunday, the former Bloomberg News reporter said, “He basically dumped me through his lawyers.”
Smythe was referring to the cold statement Shkreli issued to Elle mag through one of his lawyers when asked for comment on Smythe’s tale about their romance.
“Mr. Shkreli wishes Ms. Smythe the best of luck in her future endeavors,’’ said the statement from Shkreli, who was convicted of cheating investors in 2017 and is serving a seven-year prison term — a case Smythe helped cover.
Smythe — wearing a shirt that read “Be Kind’’ under her knee-length camel-colored coat — told The Post, “That was a classic break-up-slash-if-you-fire-somebody kind of line.
Christie Smythe Stephen Yang
“It’s similar to getting fired by a CEO,’’ said the journalist, who gave up her husband and Bloomberg job for Shkreli. “It was heartbreaking and really sad.’’
Asked by The Post if she is ready to start dating other guys, Smythe — dressed in jeans and black boots while walking her dog amid the snow — replied, “I’m definitely open to it.
“I have been basically celibate for two years,’’ she said. “I’m not going to sit around and wait.”
Still, the writer said, “I’m here in the sense that I care for him. I love him. I’d be interested in seeing if we can make some kind of future work, if that’s what he wants to do.
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Christie Smythe Stephen Yang Christie Smythe Stephen Yang Advertisement
“I’m a friend. I’m someone who cares for him,” she said.
“I mean, he might be angry with me,’’ Smythe said of Shkreli, referring to her outing of their romance in the article.
But he started their relationship, she said.
“My marriage was ending and everything else. I tried to do the thing where I was trying to be a friend and trying to be a reporter, and I got sucked in far too much.
“I really related with him and connected with him. … My husband and I were seeing a marriage counselor, and I was visiting Martin in prison, and I started to realize I was in love.
“I don’t throw myself at people without a good understanding of what their feelings are,’’ Smythe said. “[Shkreli] was calling me his girlfriend first, and calling me ‘babe’ first and going on adorable rants about wonderful things we would do in the future some day, traveling, or, ‘We will do this some day’ daydreaming.
“And that was all on his side.”
Smythe was adamant about another thing, too.
“I want to be as crystal-clear as possible: I have not slept with him. I didn’t engage in any romantic interactions with him until I was done with Bloomberg,” Smythe said of Shkreli.
“And I don’t care if any of his grand visions come true,’’ she said. “He’s a brilliant person. He’s fascinating.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Family of 4 found dead hours after husband said wife ‘betrayed’ him

A father , his wife and two children were found dead inside their Kentucky home Sunday morning just hours after the dad vented on Facebook that his spouse betrayed him .
Kyle Milliken was among those found dead after a shooting at his family ’ s Mayfield home overnight Sunday , WPSD-TV reported .
Milliken ’ s wife , Ashley , and their two sons , 13-year-old Kyle and Kycohn , 8 , were also discovered dead .
Kentucky State Police said Sunday they were investigating the shooting , adding an autopsy on the victims was scheduled for Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Milliken shared his apparent domestic troubles with his wife on Facebook .
“ My kids are my everything , a women ( sic ) can come and go .
If she is not happy You can ’ t make her happy !
” he wrote .
“ A lot of the time , she was going to do it anyway , but when u pick someone up and carry them for years and she still betray you , what do you do ?
” The family ’ s pastor , Chad Lamb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the violence .
“ It ’ s just heartbreaking for the community .
It ’ s a well-known family — well respected family on both sides of their families that they come from .
Our community is just grieving right now , ” Lamb said .

A father, his wife and two children were found dead inside their Kentucky home Sunday morning just hours after the dad vented on Facebook that his spouse betrayed him.
Kyle Milliken was among those found dead after a shooting at his family’s Mayfield home overnight Sunday, WPSD-TV reported.
Milliken’s wife, Ashley, and their two sons, 13-year-old Kyle and Kycohn, 8, were also discovered dead.
Kentucky State Police said Sunday they were investigating the shooting, adding an autopsy on the victims was scheduled for Monday.
Hours before the family was found dead, Milliken shared his apparent domestic troubles with his wife on Facebook.
“My kids are my everything, a women [sic] can come and go. If she is not happy You can’t make her happy!” he wrote.
“A lot of the time, she was going to do it anyway, but when u pick someone up and carry them for years and she still betray you, what do you do?”
Kyle Milliken, wife Ashley, and their two sons, 13-year-old Kyle and Kycohn, 8. Facebook
The family’s pastor, Chad Lamb, told WPSD-TV he was in shock over the violence.
“It’s just heartbreaking for the community. It’s a well-known family — well-respected family on both sides of their families that they come from. Our community is just grieving right now,” Lamb said.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Knicks season preview: Can Tom Thibodeau pull this off?

Now that was a preseason befitting the No .
3 pick ...

The Knicks have the worst NBA record this century at 693-997 (.410). It has always been about the cap space of the future — never about the ugly present.
The arrival of Tom Thibodeau changes that mindset. Thibodeau wants to win. Now.
And the Knicks’ new head coach has instilled that philosophy in the locker room, regardless of doomsday predictions about another lottery berth and an eighth straight season out of the playoffs.
There isn’t a star on their roster after president Leon Rose’s sleepy free agency, but as one coaching friend said of Thibodeau, “He’ll still try to thread the needle.’’
The Knicks hope they won’t be known for just being a haven for average Kentucky players.
“I’m trying to make the playoffs and trying to win,’’ second-year guard RJ Barrett said. “We shouldn’t expect anything less from ourselves. We got a lot of talented players and hard workers. If we put it together with the coaching staff we have, we should be able to do very well.’’
Suddenly, that summer free agency of 2021 doesn’t look so dazzling for the Knicks. Many prospective free-agent studs are already off the market — including the top gem, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Suddenly, the present seems that much more vital. Thibodeau’s Knicks will attempt to cultivate their young prospects, perhaps turning them into valuable trade chips for a superstar.
Or just maybe they will attempt to win games with defense and sneak into the pandemic playoffs that will include 10 teams per conference.
To that end, the preseason didn’t go badly for Thibodeau’s team, which posted a 3-1 record with stout defense that held opponents to an average of 89 points per game. Yes, it came against NBA bottom-feeders, the Pistons and the Cavaliers, but let this maligned franchise savor something.
Prospects Barrett, Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson showed significant improvement. And the Knicks’ other rookie draft pick, Immanuel Quickley, who was taken 25th (17 spots after No. 8-overall Obi Toppin), displayed glimmers of being the point guard of the future — and present.
“He’s got game,’’ one NBA scout said. “He does all the right stuff for who he is, what he is and how he should go about getting it done. A terrific approach.’’
The coaching staff’s goal for the offense in training camp, according to sources, was basic. Thibodeau’s film study of last season’s games showed that players such as Knox, Barrett, Julius Randle and Dennis Smith Jr. struggled in figuring out when to shoot and pass. Fundamental stuff.
In preseason, the ball movement was crisper. Signs their dreadful 3-point shooting will get better also came in the preseason finale. If Thibodeau is the club’s major upgrade, so be it.
Tom Thibodeau AP
“It’s follow Thibs’ lead — he knows what he’s doing,’’ Barrett said. “A very competitive coach. I could tell that right away.”
Starting five
How will Thibodeau hash out his point-guard rotation after a topsy-turvy preseason?
The point-guard derby didn’t go as planned. Longshot rookie Quickley was left standing as arguably the top choice after his startlingly electric final two games. Now Thibodeau has a giant decision on whether he can go with the 6-foot-3 combo guard in the opener over veteran Elfrid Payton, who looked decent, but far from magical, in the preseason opener. Payton hasn’t improved his perimeter shot one iota. New signee Austin Rivers, the team’s oldest player at 28, missed all of preseason with a pulled groin, so his time won’t come for a while. Smith, surprisingly, looked stouter on defense than offense. He still doesn’t run the show, though. And injury-prone Frank Ntilikina is being viewed as an off-the-ball guard. A Payton-Quickley tandem will probably be it for political purposes — with the dynamic Kentucky youngster finishing games.
How much will Obi Toppin play with Julius Randle’s emerging presence?
Slow the Toppin-hype “A” train. Playing Toppin and Randle together at the 4-5 is not going to work defensively, so the Knicks’ lottery-pick power forward will get minutes based on Randle’s effectiveness. Quietly, Randle looked solid in preseason, at times taking over as a point forward to push the pace. Moving the ball with more ease, Randle dished out 5.5 assists and averaged 14.5 points. After a terrific first half in the preseason opener in Detroit, Toppin faded as clubs made adjustments. His 3-point shot was errant and he didn’t create his own shot off the dribble. Toppin still must figure it out. He’s got loads of potential with that athleticism and looks like a genuine team guy. One scout said he should just concentrate on defense and getting transition hoops for now.
Was that Thibodeau preseason defense for real?
Already the Knicks are a more disciplined defensive unit, though guarding the 3-point line — a longtime Achilles’ heel — is still far from perfect. They didn’t give up a 100 points in any of the four games. They looked to be a stout defensive-rebounding club with solid rim protection. Allowing easy driving layups and fastbreak hoops could be a thing of the past. They were disciplined and rotated well enough. That’s where Thibodeau figured to make the biggest impact.
Is Frank Ntilikina’s Knicks future coming to a close?
With Monday’s rookie contract deadline passing without picking up his option, the French guard will be a restricted free agent in 2021, so he’s likely to be shipped at March’s trade deadline unless he emerges in the coming months. His Knicks career has been hampered by assorted leg injuries, and this preseason was no different. He missed the final two games with Achilles tendon soreness. With the glut at point guard and the organization wanting to give Smith a big look, Ntilikina was something of an afterthought in the two games he played, mostly off the ball. The 2017 lottery pick averaged 17 minutes and only took eight shots (37 percent). Finding big minutes at shooting guard could be difficult with veterans Reggie Bullock and Alec Burks vying for time, too. Both are better 3-point shooters. And that’s not to mention Rivers, a combo guard, when he’s healthy.
What will it take for Barrett to emerge as a potential All-Star?
The 2019 No. 3 pick still can’t come close to draining 3-point shots, but the 6-7 shooting guard from Duke is doing almost everything else better. If the Knicks ever get good, the 20-year-old has a legitimate chance at one day being in the All-Star conversation. His lack of rookie efficiency cost him a nod on the two All-Rookie teams, but the significant improvement is acing his free throws at 86.7 percent in the preseason — up from 61.4 percent last season. That’s critical because he will draw a lot of fouls as he rumbles to the hole with agility and smart basketball moves. His preseason shooting percentage is 50.9 percent — based on lovely finishes around the rim. The 3-point shot? Well, you can’t have everything. He’s 2-for-16 yet still averaged 17 points.
Buzzer beaters
Newcomer to watch: The GMs have pegged Obi Toppin, selected eighth, with having the third-best chance of winning Rookie of the Year. But not having summer league probably hurt Toppin after playing at mid-major Dayton. Tom Thibodeau needs to find a way to get him more involved offensively. His athleticism is off the charts, he’s a good rebounder and terrific finisher.
Most important decision: There are too many to count. It’s a convoluted roster without any clear starters outside of Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. The coach has to decide on either Mitchell Robinson or Nerlens Noel at center, a starting point guard and a starting small forward, with Alec Burks and Reggie Bullock probably getting the early nod over Knox. Reuniting with assistant Johnnie Bryant, Burks is the favorite as the coaching staff has fallen for him because of the varied ways he scores.
Good days to come: Speaking of Knox. After the first 2 ¹/₂ preseason games, Knox looked lost. His perimeter shot was shaky and his defense had the same low energy. Starting in the fourth quarter against Cleveland on Wednesday, Knox closed out the preseason by making eight of his last nine 3-pointers across five quarters. That’s a game-changer.
Bad days ahead: Ignas Brazdeikis finally got into a contest Friday during garbage time and looked alert in moving the ball. But the 2019 second-rounder was mostly ignored and may have to do his thing in the G-League bubble if he makes the team.
Story that won’t go away: The Knicks were left with $18 million in cap space after free agency, setting them up for a blockbuster trade because of their ability to slip in a large contract. They’ll see Indiana’s Victor Oladipo first on Wednesday. Randle could wind up as a key piece, especially if he grows this season.
Don’t be surprised if: Immanuel Quickley, selected 25th, becomes the most impactful rookie on the roster, over Toppin.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Connie Chung: I was ‘invisible’ to Bryant Gumbel on ‘Today’

Connie Chung has dished in a revealing new interview on ...

Connie Chung dished dirt last week on colleagues at CBS and ABC, we reported — but she wasn’t done there.
On Andrew Goldman’s “The Originals” podcast for Los Angeles Magazine, the veteran news anchor also said, “I didn’t have a very good experience with a lot of male co-anchors, because they suffer from something called bigshot-itis, and it’s sort of delusions of grandeur and sort of narcissistic behavior and a feeling of inability to stop talking.”
When Goldman asked whether Bryant Gumbel — with whom Chung sometimes co-hosted “Today” as a sub for Jane Pauley — suffered from the condition, Chung replied, “I would say so. I’d be sitting beside him, but I was invisible.”
But she added, “in recent years he’s become a different guy. He married a wonderful woman [Hilary Quinlan]. She said, ‘Whatever it is between the two of you, we’re not doing that anymore.’”
The Gumbel anecdote didn’t make the podcast’s final cut, but was posted as a Los Angeles Magazine Q&A.
A rep for Gumbel did not immediately comment when Page Six reached out.
We previously reported that Chung candidly also told Goldman about her experiences working with Dan Rather, Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters, as well as her appearances on David Letterman’s show over the years and her recent cameo in the HBO hit “The Undoing.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--Joe Biden’s climate agenda is all about creating a crisis — not actually fixing one

“ You ’ ll die of old age , I ’ ll die of climate change , ” ...

Former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel’s famous axiom is that a crisis is a terrible thing to waste. It’s an even a worse thing to manufacture.
Although Joe Biden obviously disagrees. Creating an unwarranted sense of drama and urgency around climate change is central to his approach — to catalyze action unsupported by the facts or common sense.
In announcing his climate and energy team the other day, the president-elect declared climate change a crisis requiring a “unified national response.” Going even further, he called it “an existential threat of our time,” a frankly preposterous claim if taken literally, or even seriously.
To maintain that increasing global temperatures are a threat to human existence itself entails believing that human beings — an endlessly adaptive species that has drastically increased its own life span over the last century — will be snuffed out if the planet gets a few degrees hotter.
If the worst comes, and sea levels rise significantly, we won’t move away from the coasts and find better ways to control flooding. If summers get much hotter in places unaccustomed to it, we won’t invest more in air conditioning. If droughts markedly increase, we won’t husband our water resources more intelligently. If some areas become uninhabitable, we won’t leave for more hospitable climes.
No, a humanity that is wealthier and more technologically proficient than ever will be content to expose itself to the worst depredations of nature that it has done so much to master over the last millennium.
This is a laughable account of how the world works. The globe has been getting warmer for decades now, with no adverse effects on human population or longevity. Heck, even polar bears, once held out as the pitiable victims of global warming, aren’t being driven to extinction.
In a climate speech during the campaign a few months ago, Biden relied on the tried-and-true alarmist tack of attributing every adverse weather event to global warming.
The flooding in the Midwest was an artifact of climate change, he suggested. Never mind that, as Bjorn Lomborg points out, the United Nations isn’t sure that whether flooding overall is getting more or less frequent.
Somewhat counterintuitively, Biden also blamed drought in the Midwest on climate change, even though, according to Lomborg, the federal government’s National Climate Assessment says “drought has decreased over much of the continental United States in association with long-term increases in precipitation.”
Of course, Biden maintained that California wildfires have been caused by the upward trend in the global temperature, and they are probably a factor. Still, as Lomborg notes, the amount of land that is burning around the globe has fallen sharply since the late 19th century in response to changing human behavior (e.g., more cultivation of the land).
Finally, Biden cited Hurricane Laura, the Category Four storm that made landfall in Louisiana, as yet more climate-driven extreme weather. The studies do show more storm activity in the Atlantic, Lomborg writes, although not necessarily from climate change. Meanwhile, there’s no global trend in tropical cyclones.
Biden spoke of “a feeling of dread and anxiety” over climate change, but this isn’t a sentiment that, to the extent it exists at all, he wants to address or assuage. Instead, he seeks to stoke it, and if that requires frankly distorting the scientific consensus to paint catastrophic scenarios, so be it.
There is no doubt that human activity contributes to climate change. It is a long-term challenge that we should seek to understand better and prepare to address through adaption and innovation should the worst come decades from now.
But that isn’t enough for Biden. He doesn’t want to get us thinking about climate change, but rather to suspend all rational thought about the issue — especially about the downsides of costly measures to crimp the US economy in the name of saving the planet.
In short, he needs a crisis atmosphere, the facts and science be damned.
Twitter: @RichLowry


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--NYC’s uber-rich are dragging nannies to COVID hot spots for holidays

Travel warnings are falling on millions of deaf ears in ...

Instructed to accompany her employers to their favorite Colorado ski resort over the holidays, the nanny of an uber-rich Manhattan family assumed they were pulling her leg — at least initially.
“I honestly thought it was a joke,” she told The Post. “I mean, who on earth ignores all the warnings about the pandemic and travels with their domestic staff in tow?”
Turns out, they were dead serious. Now she’s packing her bags and those of her charges ahead of the planned trip to Vail. The brood will fly to the Rockies by private plane with other members of the entourage, including a personal chef.
“They are vacationing with some very high-profile friends,” said the nanny, who spoke on condition of anonymity after signing the customary non-disclosure agreement as part of her job contract. “They feel like they are above it all.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has begged Americans not to venture far over Christmas and the New Year or to mix with other households. However, the risks associated with COVID-19 haven’t fazed the card-carrying members of the nation’s elite.
Instead, it’s “the help” who are concerned about the possible impact on their health, not to mention the forced separation from their own loved ones following a challenging year. A lucky few can turn down the work, but others are beholden to their boss, usually referred and deferred to as “the principal.”
The dilemma appears to be a common one. Upscale winter getaways like Colorado’s Aspen and Vail as well as Sun Valley, Idaho — one of the earliest hot spots of coronavirus cases in the spring — are largely booked up after deep-pocketed skiers bagged coveted spots on the slopes.
As the Manhattan nanny pointed out, only a limited number of “special tickets” were released in Vail this season because of social-distancing rules. Prices soared — and AmEx black cards swiftly swiped.
“It’s normal for rich people to travel over the holiday break,” she added. “And 2020 is no different for them. They assume they’ll be OK because they go private and adopt pseudo safety measures.
“But again, they don’t believe the mandates apply to them. We come back from these trips, and they have no interest in the required 14-day quarantine.
“It’s the staff who follow the protocol to get regular testing for COVID-19, not them.”
‘They feel like they are above it all.’
Another nanny, who also asked for her name to be withheld to protect her employment within an upper-class household, revealed that some of her colleagues are caught “between a rock and a hard place” this holiday season.
One had originally arranged to celebrate Christmas with her husband and kids. Then she learned, at the last minute, that she was expected to accompany her principal and his family to their ski chalet in Whitefish, Montana.
“She read that certain areas in Montana could be risky for COVID-19, so she is worried,” said the co-worker. “If she tells her employers she doesn’t want to go, she will probably lose her job.”
According to the Upper East Side’s Michelle Brown, who runs Nanny Talk, a support forum for fellow nannies, the reluctant staffer should immediately discuss her reservations with the head of the family.
“Everyone is on high alert and needs to know where they stand,” said Brown, noting that some savvy employees are renegotiating their contracts to include protections in case of a future pandemic.
Michelle Brown Courtesy of Michelle Brown
“This nanny needs be 100 percent transparent with the parents, and it’s on her to speak up. But she has rights as a worker and there has to be mutual respect.”
New Yorker Beth Lehmann, who has adopted the title “the travel nanny,” agreed. “Communication is key,” said the expert, who drove her Manhattan-based employers to Boca Raton, Florida, last week. She will care for their 11-year-old daughter, Annabella, at the beach community until April.
“COVID-19 is rife in this state and a lot of people aren’t wearing masks,” added Lehmann. “But nobody forced me to work down here against my will. I would urge other nannies to research the places they are traveling to and use their best judgment to stay safe.”
Meanwhile, the nanny jetting to Vail this week has stern words for the gallivanting fat cats who drag wary staff along for the ride. She said: “They need to lose their sense of entitlement and be less selfish.”


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--NY’s plastic-bag ban one more thing pushing COVID-slammed bodegas over cliff

An advocate for New York City taxi drivers and bodega ...

Bodegas across the five boroughs have been a lifeline for New Yorkers throughout the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns. But the economic and health effects of the crisis have taken a heavy toll on small food retailers — suffering compounded by the collapse of law and order in many of the neighborhoods we serve.
Which makes it all the more enraging that we now have to deal with a plastic-bag ban — an unfunded mandate that epitomizes the state Legislature’s sheer decadence and beholdenness to the boutique causes of gentry progressives at a time when the working class and small business are facing unprecedented misery.
Bodegeuros continue to courageously fulfill their roles as essential workers, manning the front lines in the city’s poorest neighborhoods and providing vital resources for the poorest Gothamites. But many of us are hanging by a thread, and some have been forced to shut their doors for good due to a lack of foot traffic.
As incomes drop and sales decline, bodegas need help so they can survive this downturn and assist in the city’s economic recovery. There is one easy step Albany could take to make things at least a little eaiser on us: scrapping or, at least, pausing the ban on plastic bags, which legislators imposed last year without considering what it would mean for bodegas and other small retailers that often operate on razor-thin margins.
When the ban was enacted, there was much discussion about its  environmental benefits to the oceans. These are minor at best, as studies have found that the United States contributes less than 1 percent of the plastic litter in the world’s oceans.
But never mind that: Albany all but ignored the pressure on retailers charged with implementing the ban and allocated few resources to assist them in that effort. Now, two months since the ban went into effect, those impacts are starting to become clear. And as we predicted, the news is not good.
The state failed to think through whether there would be enough paper bags available to replace plastic, and whether the cost of this alternative would be too much for small businesses to bear — if they could manage to find paper at all.
The sad reality is that regulatory enforcement always falls the hardest on the most vulnerable and least politically protected segments of an industry. As bodegas and other small, independent businesses are struggling with the constraints of this ill-conceived ban, environmental advocates are blindly advocating for full enforcement without recognizing the hardship that creates.
One such advocate, who led the charge for the ban, has created her own “snitch squad” — based far from New York City in Bennington, Vt. — whose members are encouraged to inform on ban violators to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
State lawmakers also failed to consider the ban’s health impact on our store owners and employees. Reusable cloth bags-bags must be regularly washed to ensure that they aren’t spreading germs, but research has shown that a majority of shoppers don’t actually follow that protocol.
In the absence of adequate supply and the prohibitive cost, many of our stores continue to use plastic bags while a legal challenge to the ban moves through the courts. We don’t condone or encourage violating the law, but this is what happens when the impact of a bad law on the most vulnerable stores isn’t fully considered.
That is why we support the effort by Assemblyman Victor Pichardo and his colleagues in the Assembly to place a two-year moratorium on the ban and institute in its place a five-cent fee on plastic.
This would generate an estimated $500 million a year, providing the state with much-needed revenue at a time when it faces multibillion-dollar deficits as a result of the pandemic. But more important, it will give bodegas and other small businesses some breathing room and allow them to offer shoppers what they really want: options, including the ability to choose a product that offers peace of mind when it comes to protecting their health as the pandemic drags on.
It is well past time for Albany to support independent retailers and remove impediments to their success, instead of loading them down with unrealistic and unfunded mandates that only make an already difficult situation worse.
Francisco Marte is the secretary-treasurer of the Bodega and Small Business Association.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--David Quinn is short on time to make crucial Rangers decisions

A handful of prospects are playing in Europe .
But most ...

Regarding the Rangers, who are preparing to reassemble on the ice in 13 — for Alexis Lafreniere, of course — days.
1. The abbreviated training camp of 10 days without even a single exhibition game will not grant time or opportunity for much trial and error. So it will likely be incumbent upon David Quinn and the staff to determine right out of the gate whether Brett Howden and Morgan Barron will compete for jobs at center or on the wing.
The top three spots down the middle are accounted for by Mika Zibanejad, Ryan Strome and Filip Chytil. Presuming the Rangers do not stack Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Lafreniere on the left side, there is going to be a spot open on the third-line flank.
Where does the hierarchy believe Howden (who played wing exclusively over the final 10 weeks last season until returning to the middle for the three qualifying-round games against Carolina) would have the most value?
The same question applies to Barron, the freshman pro whom the Rangers had planned to try at the wing had he been deemed eligible for the 2020 tournament.
Decisions made in early January most certainly would not be etched in stone, but there will be limited opportunity for training camp experimentation.
And again, at least through the opening weeks of the season, there will be no AHL available for Howden or Barron to get in top-line work rather than having either or both getting reduced fourth-line minutes on Broadway.
2. The truncated 56-game season will not be forgiving of teams that get off to a slow start. For that reason, it would be reasonable for Quinn to open the season with the known quantity of the Chris Kreider-Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich first line. You want to have a foundation.
But going with that triumvirate would necessarily consign either Lafreniere or Kaapo Kakko to third-line duty and I do not believe that benefits either of the marquee selections of the past two Entry Drafts.
Keep this is mind: Kakko and Chytil formed one of the most imperfect unions imaginable when they skated together last season. In 290:49 of shared five-on-five time, they recorded a 45.27 Corsi, a 45.59 shot share and were on the ice for five goals for and 18 against. Would the Blueshirts try a rerun?
Assigning Lafreniere to the third line seems silly. The Rangers should do everything in their power to allow the first-overall selection to hit the ground running. That means giving him the opportunity to skate with Zibanejad.
And that means moving Buchnevich out of the top-six and onto Chytil’s unit. By the way, No. 89 combined with No. 72 for 219:13 five-on-minutes through which the tandem accounted for a 54.61 Corsi, 58.19 shot share and 12 goals for with eight goals against. So that’s a start.
If it were my call, I’d go with Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafreniere (and don’t be surprised if No. 13 is the one who shifts to his off-wing) and Panarin-Strome-Kakko as the top two units.
And I’d have Buchnevich skate with Chytil, leaving an opening on the wing for Howden, Barron, Julien Gauthier or Brendan Lemieux to seize.
Alexis Lafreniere Getty Images
3. It would be a surprise — make that, significant disappointment — if Libor Hajek is unable to nail down a spot on the varsity among the top six defensemen. After all, the 22-year-old earned a position on the team last year off a strong camp. Plus, the Rangers are on an accelerated need-to-know basis here because of expansion-draft protection matters.
So, he should play … unless, that is, either K’Andre Miller or/and Tarmo Reunanen completely eclipse Hajek. Would the Rangers dare go with two kids behind 65-game NHL veteran Ryan Lindgren on the left while carrying Brendan Smith or Jack Johnson as the seventh defenseman and consigning the other to the taxi squad?
The taxi squad will consist of four-to-six players. One slot must be reserved for a goaltender. The Rangers would save $1.075 million on the cap if either Smith or Johnson is waived through to the taxi squad, though it’s unlikely that the club would waive a guy it just signed as a free agent on incoming assistant coach Jacques Martin’s recommendation, isn’t it?
And as someone else would replace Smith on the varsity, the saving ultimately would be in the range of $250,000-$400,000.
4. Players testing positive or otherwise deemed unfit to play because of COVID-19 protocols will be deemed non-roster players — apart from going on IR or LTI — but will still continue to count against the cap. They would return to the roster immediately upon being medically cleared.
Players who become non-roster players due to health protocols will be identified during the season, though those testing positive or otherwise unfit to play during camp will not be named.
5. Meanwhile, it seems odd that LTI requirements under which players on the list are required to miss 10 games and 24 days have not been prorated. Missing 10 games of the 82-game season equates to 12.2 percent of the year. But that equates to 17.8 percent of this season.
6. There has as yet been no determination of the impact on the cap of prorating entry-level bonuses. The Rangers, who stand to be charged at least $3.95 million against the cap on entry-level bonuses, would benefit most significantly from a change in the formula, which might be reason enough for the league not to entertain it.


newyorkpost--2020-12-21--$4.2 billion only keeps the MTA on life support

Congress finally reached a relief-bill deal that will send a much-needed $ 4.2 billion to the MTA .
Kudos to Sen. Chuck Schumer for getting it done — and for warning that it ’ s not nearly enough .
The aid should let the agency avoid — for now — major subway- and bus-service cuts as well as 9,000 layoffs it was eyeing if no relief arrived .
But the pandemic-slammed MTA still faces an $ 8 billion deficit through 2024 and will need to borrow $ 2.9 billion to cover operating expenses , for a total of over $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit , debt it has no easy way to repay .
Lockdowns and virus fears have MTA receipts down anywhere from 40 percent to 70 percent below normal ; even its take from various obscure taxes has taken a hit .
Meanwhile , its expenses are up : Diligent cleaning is necessary but far from free .
Clueless progressives are rallying against vital fare and toll hikes set for early next year .
Please , folks : Just hold your breath until you get your way .
Even if the feds send more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city need to step up their MTA funding , while the agency ’ s unions need to cooperate in finding savings that don ’ t penalize honest workers .
New York ’ s economy needs the subways and other transit , or the city is toast .

Congress finally reached a relief-bill deal that will send a much-needed $4.2 billion to the MTA. Kudos to Sen. Chuck Schumer for getting it done — and for warning that it’s not nearly enough.
The aid should let the agency avoid — for now — major subway- and bus-service cuts as well as 9,000 layoffs it was eyeing if no relief arrived. But the pandemic-slammed MTA still faces an $8 billion deficit through 2024 and will need to borrow $2.9 billion to cover operating expenses, for a total of over $6 billion in emergency loans since COVID hit, debt it has no easy way to repay.
Lockdowns and virus fears have MTA receipts down anywhere from 40 percent to 70 percent below normal; even its take from various obscure taxes has taken a hit. Meanwhile, its expenses are up: Diligent cleaning is necessary but far from free.
Clueless progressives are rallying against vital fare and toll hikes set for early next year. Please, folks: Just hold your breath until you get your way.
Even if the feds send more cash next year, the state and city need to step up their MTA funding, while the agency’s unions need to cooperate in finding savings that don’t penalize honest workers.
New York’s economy needs the subways and other transit, or the city is toast.


newyorkpost--2020-12-22--Pfizer, Moderna testing COVID-19 vaccines against new UK strain

Pfizer and Moderna , the two companies whose COVID-19 vaccines have been rolled out in the US , are testing their jabs to see if they are effective against the new strain spreading across the UK and other countries , according to a report .
“ Based on the data to date , we expect that the Moderna vaccine-induced immunity would be protective against the variants recently described in the UK , ” Moderna said in a statement , CNN reported .
“ We will be performing additional tests in the coming weeks to confirm this expectation , ” it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generating data ” on how well blood samples from people immunized with its shot “ may be able to neutralize the new strain from the UK , ” according to the network .
Both companies said they ’ ve found that their vaccines worked against other variations of the novel coronavirus .
Some researchers who are studying the genome of the UK strain told CNN they have concerns that this variant ’ s mutations could possibly reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines .
“ You could imagine some modest hit in vaccine efficacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I don ’ t think it would break the vaccine , ” Trevor Bedford , an associate professor in the vaccine and infectious disease division of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , told the outlet .

Pfizer and Moderna, the two companies whose COVID-19 vaccines have been rolled out in the US, are testing their jabs to see if they are effective against the new strain spreading across the UK and other countries, according to a report.
“Based on the data to date, we expect that the Moderna vaccine-induced immunity would be protective against the variants recently described in the UK,” Moderna said in a statement, CNN reported.
“We will be performing additional tests in the coming weeks to confirm this expectation,” it added.
Pfizer said it is “generating data” on how well blood samples from people immunized with its shot “may be able to neutralize the new strain from the UK,” according to the network.
Both companies said they’ve found that their vaccines worked against other variations of the novel coronavirus.
Some researchers who are studying the genome of the UK strain told CNN they have concerns that this variant’s mutations could possibly reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines.
BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin Andreas Arnold/dpa via AP
“You could imagine some modest hit in vaccine efficacy, which wouldn’t be good, but I don’t think it would break the vaccine,” Trevor Bedford, an associate professor in the vaccine and infectious disease division of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, told the outlet.


newyorkpost--2020-12-22--Dua Lipa’s steamiest Instagram photos of 2020

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Dua Lipa has been heating up the charts with songs from her album "Future Nostalgia," but she's also been heating up her fans' Instagram feeds. See her steamiest shots from this year.


newyorkpost--2020-12-22--Nets season predictions: How they’ll make most out of Caris LeVert

Great expectations are finally here for the Nets .
They tip ...

The NBA season begins with the Nets in the first game on Tuesday night vs. the Warriors, with all eyes on Kevin Durant against his former team. Here are three bold predictions and five games to watch as an intriguing Nets season tips off.
Three bold predictions
1. The Nets finally stay healthy and get 100 more games from Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert in this shortened campaign than they did last season. Even if Durant sits often and only logs 50 games, the Nets end up nursing that trio into the playoffs reasonably whole and sound.
2. Steve Nash gets some NBA Coach of the Year love. That’s a huge leap from the flap about him “jumping the line” when he took the Brooklyn job. But league general managers voted him the new coach most likely to impact his team, and the presence of Durant, Irving and Mike D’Antoni should help put him in the mix.
3. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award ends up in Brooklyn. Spencer Dinwiddie has been in the mix for the award for years, but he may not even end up in that role this coming season. Nash has left open the possibility of bringing LeVert and his high Usage Rate off the bench to maximize his talent separate from Durant and Irving. Whether it’s Dinwiddie or LeVert, whichever one leads the Nets reserves could be a viable candidate for the award.
Five games to watch
Tuesday night vs. Golden State: The drama starts right from opening night. Durant won two Finals MVPs with the Warriors and was on his way to sealing a third straight before he ruptured his Achilles in the 2019 Finals. Durant’s beef with Draymond Green hastened his exit from Golden State, and now his long-awaited return to the court comes Tuesday against his old team. Now it may be Green who misses the reunion due to injury, but it won’t take away any of the hype.
Friday at Boston: Durant’s Warriors reunion will be tame compared to Kyrie Irving’s return to Boston. The All-Star point guard’s exit was acrimonious and highly scrutinized, and the Boston fans plastered posters of Irving outside TD Garden last season along with the word “coward.” While Irving missed that game with a shoulder impingement, he’ll be healthy this time around. There won’t be any fans in the building, but expect some Christmas Day fireworks.
Jan. 18 vs. Milwaukee: Everybody from league GMs to Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed the Bucks as the most likely team to come out of the Eastern Conference, with Brooklyn right on their heels. This will be the first time for a full-strength Nets team to test itself against the team it could have to go through to reach the NBA Finals.
Caris LeVert Getty Images
Feb. 13 at Golden State: Last season was suspended just as the Nets were set to play at Golden State on March 10. Durant wasn’t going to play that game anyway, still recovering from his ruptured Achilles, but now he’ll finally get to suit up at glistening Chase Center.
March 3 at Houston: Sure, the Feb. 18 matchup at Staples Center against LeBron James’ Lakers is mouthwatering. But this tilt to close the first half of the slate carries plenty of intrigue. With the trade deadline expected to be March 25, will this be an up-close look at James Harden or the former MVP’s return to Toyota Center.
The Post’s forecast
44-28. Of course, this record is almost completely reliant upon health, for better or worse. But the Nets should at the least be able to land one of the Eastern Conference’s top four seeds; the real test is what they do with it if they get it. They’ll be measured not in the regular season but the postseason.


newyorkpost--2020-12-22--Wedding dress designer Hayley Paige selling NYC condo for $2.795M amid lawsuit

What to know about Ariana Grande 's engagement ring from Dalton Gomez

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Wedding dress designer Hayley Paige isn’t just looking for a new home for her gowns — she’s back in the real estate market.
The “Say Yes to the Dress” favorite’s two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom apartment at 90 Lexington Ave. is on the market for $2.795 million.
Scott Francis, who is part of “Million Dollar Listing” star Ryan Serhant’s real estate brokerage, has the listing.
Paige — whose real name is Hayley Paige Gutman — is currently involved in a nasty legal battle with her bosses at JLM Couture over her name and likeness. She resigned from the company after contract negotiations fell through in recent months, as she was aiming for a deal that did not feel “so one-sided” in regards to what she could share on her social media accounts.
She posted an eight-minute video to social media Monday describing her legal woes and breaking down in tears while addressing her customers and fans.
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Her 1,550-square-foot NoMad apartment — which boasts a gorgeous modern kitchen often shown in her Instagram story cook-offs with her fiancé, Conrad Louis — went on the market on Nov. 9.
Francis confirmed to Page Six Style that the swanky pad is still available.
“It’s a beautiful condo that they put a lot of unique touches and creativity into,” Francis told us. “They put a lot of thought into the design.”
Hayley Paige Getty Images
While it appears that Paige has a lengthy court battle ahead of her, she’s not planning on going anywhere just yet. She and fitness trainer Louis have a podcast, “All That Glitters,” and she has a new Instagram account, @allthatglittersonthegram.
She’s also slated to appear in a special “Say Yes to the Dress” episode centered around planning a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A rep for Paige didn’t immediately get back to us.


newyorkpost--2020-12-22--How Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae Young are spending the holidays

Tarek El Moussa and fiancée Heather Rae Young are currently vacationing in Cabo , but they plan to be back home in California for Christmas .
“ I think it ’ s just going to be a quiet Christmas Eve and then the whole family ’ s coming over for Christmas Day , ” Young recently told Page Six .
“ So that ’ ll be fun.
” The “ Selling Sunset ” star said El Moussa ’ s father and stepdad are both “ really amazing cooks , ” leaving her to kick back on the holiday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to stress out about anything .
I don ’ t have to do anything .
I just have to be at my house and they ’ re going to handle everything , ” she said .
El Moussa , who has two kids with ex-wife Christina Anstead , said the house is ready for the holiday festivities with “ a whole bunch of Christmas lights.
” Outside , the family “ wrapped the trees and the bushes ” and inside , they put up a big tree and installed decorations “ all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fun things that we like to do is the Elf on the Shelf with both kids , ” the HGTV star said .
“ So we have two elves , and every night we place those elves in a weird place in the house .
And we add a little gift for them — might be a couple of dollars or something like that.
” When it comes to gifts , El Moussa and Young , who got engaged in July , aren ’ t skimping .
“ Taylor wants a guitar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obsessed with sharks right now , ” Young said of her fiancé ’ s children .
“ He ’ s obsessed with the Megalodon , so I ’ m getting a bunch of shark gifts.
” The couple played coy on what they ’ re getting each other this year , but noted that they typically go for jewelry and designer goods .
El Moussa also told us that the couple plans to take a skiing trip to Deer Valley in January with the kids , as they typically enjoy a family vacation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tough with the pandemic , ” he said , noting that he and Young both miss their jet-setting lifestyles .
“ We traveled to Europe together .
We love Napa .
We love Mexico .
We just love traveling , ” he continued .
“ The first half of our relationship , we traveled all over the world — and then next thing we know , we ’ re quarantined together at the house instead of traveling .
So it ’ s been an interesting journey !
”

Tarek El Moussa and fiancée Heather Rae Young are currently vacationing in Cabo, but they plan to be back home in California for Christmas.
“I think it’s just going to be a quiet Christmas Eve and then the whole family’s coming over for Christmas Day,” Young recently told Page Six. “So that’ll be fun.”
The “Selling Sunset” star said El Moussa’s father and stepdad are both “really amazing cooks,” leaving her to kick back on the holiday.
“They told me I don’t have to stress out about anything. I don’t have to do anything. I just have to be at my house and they’re going to handle everything,” she said.
El Moussa, who has two kids with ex-wife Christina Anstead, said the house is ready for the holiday festivities with “a whole bunch of Christmas lights.”
Outside, the family “wrapped the trees and the bushes” and inside, they put up a big tree and installed decorations “all over the house.”
“One of the fun things that we like to do is the Elf on the Shelf with both kids,” the HGTV star said. “So we have two elves, and every night we place those elves in a weird place in the house. And we add a little gift for them — might be a couple of dollars or something like that.”
When it comes to gifts, El Moussa and Young, who got engaged in July, aren’t skimping.
“Taylor wants a guitar and guitar lessons, and Brayden is obsessed with sharks right now,” Young said of her fiancé’s children. “He’s obsessed with the Megalodon, so I’m getting a bunch of shark gifts.”
The couple played coy on what they’re getting each other this year, but noted that they typically go for jewelry and designer goods.
El Moussa also told us that the couple plans to take a skiing trip to Deer Valley in January with the kids, as they typically enjoy a family vacation every year.
“Obviously that’s tough with the pandemic,” he said, noting that he and Young both miss their jet-setting lifestyles.
“We traveled to Europe together. We love Napa. We love Mexico. We just love traveling,” he continued. “The first half of our relationship, we traveled all over the world — and then next thing we know, we’re quarantined together at the house instead of traveling. So it’s been an interesting journey!”


newyorkpost--2020-12-22--Larsa Pippen and Malik Beasley get cozy by a Christmas tree amid drama

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Larsa Pippen and Malik Beasley are rocking around the Christmas tree .
The controversial pair didn ’ t shy away from a new photo op on Sunday , posing for a cozy picture in front of a giant tree in Minnesota , where the NBA star plays for the Timberwolves .
Beasley , 24 , and Pippen , 44 , first raised eyebrows in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surfaced following a November outing in Miami .
Beasley ’ s wife , Montana Yao , is said to have been “ blindsided ” by the images , according to TMZ , and has reportedly filed for divorce .
Yao , who shares a child with Beasley , later thanked fans for their support in a lengthy Instagram post .
“ Things have been pretty rough I ’ m not going to lie , ” Yao wrote on Dec. 9 .
“ We were told to leave our family home 10 days ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m pretty confused .
There has been no private or public addressing of the situation.
” Yao was recently spotted in Miami showing her shape on the beach , while Beasley has been keeping up with Pippen ’ s social media account .
Pippen filed for divorce from NBA star Scottie Pippen , 55 , in 2018 .
They share four children , including 22-year-old son Scotty Pippen Jr .
In other Beasley news , the athlete recently pleaded guilty to threats of violence stemming from an incident at his Minnesota home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threats of violence and fifth-degree drug possession in October .

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Larsa Pippen and Malik Beasley are rocking around the Christmas tree.
The controversial pair didn’t shy away from a new photo op on Sunday, posing for a cozy picture in front of a giant tree in Minnesota, where the NBA star plays for the Timberwolves.
Beasley, 24, and Pippen, 44, first raised eyebrows in early December after hand-holding photos of the pair surfaced following a November outing in Miami.
Beasley’s wife, Montana Yao, is said to have been “blindsided” by the images, according to TMZ, and has reportedly filed for divorce.
Yao, who shares a child with Beasley, later thanked fans for their support in a lengthy Instagram post.
“Things have been pretty rough I’m not going to lie,” Yao wrote on Dec. 9. “We were told to leave our family home 10 days ago and just like you all I’m pretty confused. There has been no private or public addressing of the situation.”
Yao was recently spotted in Miami showing her shape on the beach, while Beasley has been keeping up with Pippen’s social media account.
Pippen filed for divorce from NBA star Scottie Pippen, 55, in 2018. They share four children, including 22-year-old son Scotty Pippen Jr.
In other Beasley news, the athlete recently pleaded guilty to threats of violence stemming from an incident at his Minnesota home in September.
Larsa Pippen and Malik Beasley MEGA
He was charged with felony threats of violence and fifth-degree drug possession in October.


newyorkpost--2020-12-22--Lions fired Brayden Coombs after rogue call backfired

The team announced the move Monday , a day after falling to 1-2 under interim coach Darrell Bevell and 5-9 overall this season with a 46-25 loss to the Titans .
The unit did come up short Sunday in the loss to Tennessee on a fake punt on fourth-and-4 at the Detroit 31 .
C.J .
Moore took the direct snap and was stopped a yard shy of the marker by the Titans .
The decision appears to have been made by Coombs without consulting Bevell .
“ If we ’ re going to say , ‘ Hey , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel like it ’ s important that I come through with that , ” Bevell said .
“ And sometimes when it goes the other way , there ’ s moments that you can really help yourself or hurt yourself , and I thought this was really an important moment.
” USA Today reported that sources around the league insisted that Coombs was not a good cultural fit , was often late to meetings and considered a self-promoter .
“ I don ’ t want to use those words from me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , ” Bevell said when asked about any other issues .
Former Detroit coach Matt Patricia hired Coombs in January after he worked with the Cincinnati Bengals for 10 seasons .
The Lions fired Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn last month .
Detroit has struggled this season , but it has been relatively strong on special teams under the 34-year-old Coombs .

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions have fired special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs.
The team announced the move Monday, a day after falling to 1-2 under interim coach Darrell Bevell and 5-9 overall this season with a 46-25 loss to the Titans.
The unit did come up short Sunday in the loss to Tennessee on a fake punt on fourth-and-4 at the Detroit 31. C.J. Moore took the direct snap and was stopped a yard shy of the marker by the Titans.
The decision appears to have been made by Coombs without consulting Bevell.
“If we’re going to say, ‘Hey, we’re doing this,’ then I feel like it’s important that I come through with that,” Bevell said. “And sometimes when it goes the other way, there’s moments that you can really help yourself or hurt yourself, and I thought this was really an important moment.”
USA Today reported that sources around the league insisted that Coombs was not a good cultural fit, was often late to meetings and was considered a self-promoter.
Brayden Coombs Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“I don’t want to use those words from me. We’ll just move on from there,” Bevell said when asked about any other issues.
Former Detroit coach Matt Patricia hired Coombs in January after he worked with the Cincinnati Bengals for 10 seasons. The Lions fired Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn last month.
Detroit has struggled this season, but it has been relatively strong on special teams under the 34-year-old Coombs.
Detroit hosts Tampa Bay (9-5) on Saturday.


newyorkpost--2020-12-22--Ex-Playboy Playmate, Bill Cosby accuser rushes to help gunshot victim

A former Playboy Playmate who accused Bill Cosby of rape relied on her nursing experience when she rushed to the aid of a gunshot victim in California , according to a report .
Victoria Valentino told TMZ she was sitting at her home in Altadena on Sunday when she heard what sounded like a succession of firecrackers and discovered that a neighbor down the street had been shot .
The September 1963 Playmate used her experience as a retired hospice and respiratory nurse to raise the man ’ s leg to keep blood flowing to his heart and brain as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the outlet .
Valentino , 78 , said she and the victim ’ s wife did what they could to keep him calm until paramedics arrived and rushed him to a hospital , where he was expected to survive .
The Connecticut-born woman appeared in Playboy when she was 19 , and was named the mag ’ s Playmate of the Month , according to the Daily Mail .
“ Cosby ruined my life — he raped me , he made me depressed , ” she told the Sunday Mirror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform now , a voice .
He can ’ t damage this many people and get away with it.
” Valentino was one of dozens of women who accused Cosby of sexual assault .
In September 2018 , a Pennsylvania judge sentenced Cosby to three to 10 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand , a former Temple University employee , in his home more than a decade ago .

A former Playboy Playmate who accused Bill Cosby of rape relied on her nursing experience when she rushed to the aid of a gunshot victim in California, according to a report.
Victoria Valentino told TMZ she was sitting at her home in Altadena on Sunday when she heard what sounded like a succession of firecrackers and discovered that a neighbor down the street had been shot.
The September 1963 Playmate used her experience as a retired hospice and respiratory nurse to raise the man’s leg to keep blood flowing to his heart and brain as he turned gray and went into shock, according to the outlet.
Valentino, 78, said she and the victim’s wife did what they could to keep him calm until paramedics arrived and rushed him to a hospital, where he was expected to survive.
The Connecticut-born woman appeared in Playboy when she was 19, and was named the mag’s Playmate of the Month, according to the Daily Mail.
“Cosby ruined my life — he raped me, he made me depressed,” she told the Sunday Mirror in 2015. “We have a platform now, a voice. He can’t damage this many people and get away with it.”
Bill Cosby Montgomery County Correctional Facility via Getty Images
Valentino was one of dozens of women who accused Cosby of sexual assault.
In September 2018, a Pennsylvania judge sentenced Cosby to three to 10 years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, in his home more than a decade ago.


newyorkpost--2020-12-22--Knicks season predictions: Alec Burks breakout, Frank Ntilikina trade

The Knicks have the worst NBA record this century at ...

The Knicks open their season on Wednesday night against the Pacers as the Tom Thibodeau era begins. Here are three bold predictions and five games to watch as the 2020-21 NBA season tips off.
Three bold predictions
1. Free-agent signee Alec Burks quietly inherits the starting small forward job and doesn’t give it up.
2. Frank Ntilikina is traded at the March deadline for a 2023 second-round pick and the rights to a European who will never play in NBA.
3. Kentucky coach John Calipari speaks more about the Knicks this season than team president Leon Rose.
Five games to watch
Dec. 31 at Toronto: Knicks close out miserable 2020 playing their first-ever game in Tampa Bay, which is hosting the Canadian club because of the pandemic. The Knicks will see what they missed on in PG Fred VanVleet, whom they tried to sign.
Alec Burks Getty Images
Jan. 13 vs. Nets: Knicks will face Kevin Durant in black Brooklyn duds for the first time after the superstar passed on James Dolan’s team. KD has since degraded the franchise as “not cool.’’
Jan. 18 vs. Orlando: The Knicks passed on local PG Cole Anthony, who visits the Garden as a pro for the first time and Tom Thibodeau faces his longtime buddy Steve Clifford.
Feb. 12 at Washington: Russell Westbrook will be in a Wizards’ uniform after the Knicks half-heartedly chased him. They also get up close to see Israeli forward Deni Avdija, whom they could have selected over Toppin.
Feb. 21 vs. Minnesota: This will be Thibodeau’s Super Bowl as he faces the franchise that unceremoniously dumped him in January 2019 and sullied his reputation. Nice to see ya again, Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Post forecast
30-42: With another coach, I’d tab 22 wins, but Thibodeau is the real deal.