newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Knicks fans will get first crack at Kyrie Irving since he joined Nets

It was less than a year ago that Kyrie Irving entered Madison Square Garden wearing an opposing jersey and was showered with love from Knicks fans .
“ We want Kyrie , ” they chanted last February as Irving led the Celtics to a win over the Knicks .
Sunday , the Garden will finally get Kyrie , albeit in a Nets uniform , and the reception will likely be much more hostile .
“ I think it ’ ll be crazy , ” Damyean Dotson said Saturday after the Knicks practiced .
“ It ’ s not like he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though .
… I think it ’ ll be pretty dope.
” Irving was out with a shoulder impingement the first time the Nets visited the Garden this season , a 103-101 Brooklyn win Nov. 24 .
The point guard has been healthy for just one of their three showdowns this season , when he scored 26 points in a 113-109 Nets win at Barclays Center in the second game of the year .
But Sunday will certainly be different , the first time Irving is expected to play at the Garden since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer .
“ The atmosphere has been crazy this whole week , so no question , it ’ s going to be a super-ecstatic atmosphere , ” Brooklyn native Taj Gibson said — referencing games against the 76ers , Lakers and Raptors at the Garden .
“ Hopefully we can match the same intensity and pull out a tough one.
” What will be the key for the Nets on Sunday at the Garden ?
“ Get as much rest as we can .
Take care of our bodies in the morning time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Irving said after scoring 45 points to lead the Nets to a 121-111 overtime victory over the Pistons on Saturday .
“ Obviously , we know they know that they play pretty different at home .
Still , its Brooklyn versus New York .
And we understand that .
It ’ s going to be a pretty uptempo game .
“ The crowd is going to get into it .
You look forward to that.
” As for pulling out tough games , the Knicks have been unable to do that recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerhouses over the past week .
They fell apart late against the 76ers for a 90-87 loss last Saturday , ran out of gas against the Lakers to fall 100-92 on Wednesday , then couldn ’ t stop the Raptors in the final minutes Friday in a 118-112 defeat .
Less than a year after their fans dreamed of landing Irving and Kevin Durant , the Knicks have lost 10 of 12 to sink to 12-34 in an increasingly lost season .
But they are hoping to salvage the final game against their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe we can win that game , ” said Marcus Morris , Irving ’ s former Celtics teammate .
“ They ’ ve been struggling , we ’ ve been struggling , so I know there ’ s going to be a lot of excitement coming in .
Obviously it ’ s Brooklyn versus the Knicks , so there ’ s going to be a lot of excitement .
I ’ m looking forward to that game and for the crowd to be hyped .
It ’ s going to be a true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight games before beating the Pistons in overtime on Saturday , but remain hopeful of what they can accomplish when they are back to full health — not to mention getting Durant back next season .
Irving has missed 27 games because of injuries — first his shoulder , then his hamstring — but remains a threat unlike any player the Knicks have .
The Knicks , meanwhile , have leaned heavily on the veteran free agents they signed last summer after missing out on Irving and Durant .
They could be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline , opening more minutes for their younger players , most of whom have taken steps back this season .
But first , there is Sunday , and a chance for the Knicks to finally break their recent trend of coming up just short .
“ [ The Nets are ] just like every other team in the East in the lower bracket , ” Gibson said .
“ A lot of teams are really struggling , a lot of teams are really just trying to get over the hump .
But still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player .
Confidence is key .
We ’ re trying to go out there and try to fight hard and try to get a win .
I feel like we ’ ve been knocking on the door as of late , playing some talented teams .
Next step is to try to push through that door and get a win .
”

It was less than a year ago that Kyrie Irving entered Madison Square Garden wearing an opposing jersey and was showered with love from Knicks fans.
“We want Kyrie,” they chanted last February as Irving led the Celtics to a win over the Knicks.
Sunday, the Garden will finally get Kyrie, albeit in a Nets uniform, and the reception will likely be much more hostile.
“I think it’ll be crazy,” Damyean Dotson said Saturday after the Knicks practiced. “It’s not like he’s going back to Boston, though. … I think it’ll be pretty dope.”
Irving was out with a shoulder impingement the first time the Nets visited the Garden this season, a 103-101 Brooklyn win Nov. 24. The point guard has been healthy for just one of their three showdowns this season, when he scored 26 points in a 113-109 Nets win at Barclays Center in the second game of the year.
But Sunday will certainly be different, the first time Irving is expected to play at the Garden since spurning the Knicks in free agency last summer.
“The atmosphere has been crazy this whole week, so no question, it’s going to be a super-ecstatic atmosphere,” Brooklyn native Taj Gibson said — referencing games against the 76ers, Lakers and Raptors at the Garden. “Hopefully we can match the same intensity and pull out a tough one.”
What will be the key for the Nets on Sunday at the Garden?
“Get as much rest as we can. Take care of our bodies in the morning time. Just come ready to play,” Irving said after scoring 45 points to lead the Nets to a 121-111 overtime victory over the Pistons on Saturday. “Obviously, we know they know that they play pretty different at home. Still, it’s Brooklyn versus New York. And we understand that. It’s going to be a pretty uptempo game.
“The crowd is going to get into it. You look forward to that.”
As for pulling out tough games, the Knicks have been unable to do that recently, losing close contests to all three powerhouses over the past week. They fell apart late against the 76ers for a 90-87 loss last Saturday, ran out of gas against the Lakers to fall 100-92 on Wednesday, then couldn’t stop the Raptors in the final minutes Friday in a 118-112 defeat.
Less than a year after their fans dreamed of landing Irving and Kevin Durant, the Knicks have lost 10 of 12 to sink to 12-34 in an increasingly lost season. But they are hoping to salvage the final game against their crosstown rivals this season.
“We believe we can win that game,” said Marcus Morris, Irving’s former Celtics teammate. “They’ve been struggling, we’ve been struggling, so I know there’s going to be a lot of excitement coming in. Obviously it’s Brooklyn versus the Knicks, so there’s going to be a lot of excitement. I’m looking forward to that game and for the crowd to be hyped. It’s going to be a true dogfight.”
The Nets had lost five straight games before beating the Pistons in overtime on Saturday, but remain hopeful of what they can accomplish when they are back to full health — not to mention getting Durant back next season. Irving has missed 27 games because of injuries — first his shoulder, then his hamstring — but remains a threat unlike any player the Knicks have.
The Knicks, meanwhile, have leaned heavily on the veteran free agents they signed last summer after missing out on Irving and Durant. They could be on the move by the Feb. 6 trade deadline, opening more minutes for their younger players, most of whom have taken steps back this season.
But first, there is Sunday, and a chance for the Knicks to finally break their recent trend of coming up just short.
“[The Nets are] just like every other team in the East in the lower bracket,” Gibson said. “A lot of teams are really struggling, a lot of teams are really just trying to get over the hump. But still, everybody’s a talented NBA player. Confidence is key. We’re trying to go out there and try to fight hard and try to get a win. I feel like we’ve been knocking on the door as of late, playing some talented teams. Next step is to try to push through that door and get a win.”
— additional reporting by Brian Lewis


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Coronavirus “whistleblower” nurse says China has 90,000 sick

The Coronavirus now has a whistleblower — a nurse in Wuhan who insists in a shocking online video that close @ @ @ @ @ have the disease , far more than the 1,975 reported by officials .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus started , ” her video begins .
Wuhan is the epicenter of the @ @ @ @ @ m here to tell the truth , ” the anonymous nurse says in the video @ @ @ @ @ a full-head face mask .
“ At this moment , Hubei province , including the @ @ @ @ @ , 90,000 people have been infected by a coronavirus.
” She does not reveal how @ @ @ @ @ statistic .
The video has been viewed on YouTube some two million times , the @ @ @ @ @ horrifying videos have shown dead bodies covered in sheets lying in hospital hallways .

The coronavirus now has a whistleblower — a nurse in Wuhan who insists in a shocking online video that close to 90,000 people in China have the disease, far more than the 1,975 reported by officials.
“I am in the area where the coronavirus started,” her video begins. Wuhan is the epicenter of the outbreak.
“I’m here to tell the truth,” the anonymous nurse says in the video, which shows her wearing a full-head face mask.
“At this moment, Hubei province, including the Wuhan area, even China, 90,000 people have been infected by a coronavirus.”
She does not reveal how she arrived at the sobering statistic.
The video has been viewed on YouTube some 2 million times, the Daily Mail reported.
Other horrifying videos have shown dead bodies covered in sheets lying in hospital hallways.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Jacob deGrom not running away from third straight Cy Young talk

The Mets ’ soft-spoken ace can ’ t hide his hard desire to add to his trophy case .
Jacob deGrom , the winner of two straight National League Cy Young Awards , showed up at Citi Field on Saturday to participate in the Mets ’ FanFest .
Though he did his duty in answering reporters ’ questions about the Mets ’ manager shuffle that most recently landed on Luis Rojas , as well as the Astros ’ sign-stealing scandal that created such turmoil , deGrom grew most excited when asked if adding a third straight Cy Young fueled him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ I said after I won the first one , that was always a goal .
But to actually come true is kind of crazy to think about .
And then to win another one , back to back , it ’ s hard for me to actually wrap my head around .
“ Growing up , the dream was to play major league baseball , and then to win two Cy Youngs , who would ’ ve thought ?
The dream was to actually play the infield , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to back , the list of guys that my name is mentioned now is truly an honor .
You always set personal goals for going into a season , so I guess the third one ’ s a goal.
” DeGrom became the 11th person to win consecutive Cy Youngs ; Roger Clemens did it twice , in 1986-87 and 1997-98 .
Just two from that group have claimed the honor three straight times , and they both wound up pulling off four-peats : Greg Maddux from 1992-95 , the first with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Braves , and the Diamondbacks ’ Randy Johnson from 1999-2002 .

The Mets’ soft-spoken ace can’t hide his hard desire to add to his trophy case.
Jacob deGrom, the winner of two straight National League Cy Young Awards, showed up at Citi Field on Saturday to participate in the Mets’ FanFest. Though he did his duty in answering reporters’ questions about the Mets’ manager shuffle that most recently landed on Luis Rojas, as well as the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal that created such turmoil, deGrom grew most excited when asked if adding a third straight Cy Young fueled him.
“Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I said after I won the first one, that was always a goal. But to actually come true is kind of crazy to think about. And then to win another one, back to back, it’s hard for me to actually wrap my head around.
“Growing up, the dream was to play major league baseball, and then to win two Cy Youngs, who would’ve thought? The dream was to actually play the infield, not to be a pitcher. To win back to back, the list of guys that my name is mentioned now is truly an honor. You always set personal goals for going into a season, so I guess the third one’s a goal.”
DeGrom became the 11th person to win consecutive Cy Youngs; Roger Clemens did it twice, in 1986-87 and 1997-98. Just two from that group have claimed the honor three straight times, and they both wound up pulling off four-peats: Greg Maddux from 1992-95, the first with the Cubs and the next three with the Braves, and the Diamondbacks’ Randy Johnson from 1999-2002.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Kenny Atkinson pushes right buttons in Nets’ lineup shuffle

Kyrie Irving returned from his hamstring injury in time for ...

DETROIT — With the Nets coming into Detroit on a five-game losing skid, Kenny Atkinson brought Spencer Dinwiddie off the bench for the first time in well over two months. And it worked like a charm in a slump-busting 121-111 overtime win over the Pistons on Saturday.
Garrett Temple started next to Kyrie Irving, instead of Caris LeVert. Meanwhile, Dinwiddie came off the bench after 32 straight starts. The defensive-minded Temple did a lot of the heavy lifting on that end as Irving went off for 45 points — his most since his Brooklyn debut.
“I always talk to the coaches about it, but it was a little bit of a hunch. I thought we needed to shuffle some things up,” Atkinson said. “It had nothing to do with Spencer’s play, absolutely nothing. It was more can we get Spencer in that ballhandling role a little bit more, because we all know that’s where he’s great.
“And I think Garrett Temple gives us that defensive stopper mentality in that first group. You can put him on the best player, and it doesn’t wear Spencer down early.”
LeVert had 11 points, while Dinwiddie added 10 points and five assists.
And despite this being the first time he was out of the starting lineup since Nov. 14 in Denver — which happened to be Kyrie Irving’s final game before going down with a shoulder impingement — Dinwiddie was unfazed, and said no big conversation with Atkinson was needed.
“It wasn’t much deeper. It wasn’t too much extended conversation. Do whatever is best for the team. We’ve been around each other long enough I’m just like alright,” Dinwiddie said. “Whatever look works best to get us wins is what we need to do. Everybody’s got to sacrifice, put their pride and ego at the door, all that stuff.
“It’s really moreso whatever they tell me to do.”
LeVert has been back for 11 games from his thumb surgery, but still hasn’t started or logged over 28 minutes.
“Caris is one of our best players, no doubt about it,” Atkinson said. “He’s getting to the point where he’s up to playing normal minutes. So that will factor in too.”
DeAndre Jordan (right middle finger) sat out, but is making progress. He’ll be looked at Sunday when the team arrives in New York and his status for the Knicks game will be determined then.
“Still not sure,” Atkinson said. “He’ll get examined [then]. It’s close.”
Nic Claxton had two points and six rebounds in 13 minutes despite being in question with a left shoulder contusion.
The Nets signed Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to a second 10-day contract. They can’t do a third, so any contract him would need to be for the rest of the season.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Why NFL once doubted Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes

49ers legend and Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott , who ...

With a rocket arm, quick feet and a sharp mind, Patrick Mahomes makes plays as if he weren’t human.
It’s ironic because the doubts about Mahomes entering the NFL all stemmed from the system that created him.
“The question seemed to be: Who had come out of that [Air Raid] offense and been successful?” said former NFL general manager Charley Casserly, an analyst for NFL Network. “He was certainly a gunslinger who left the pocket too soon and threw the ball all over the place. You saw raw talent, you didn’t see discipline. And he hadn’t won.”
With an NFL MVP in hand and about to lead the Chiefs into Super Bowl 2020 in his second season as a starter, it seems crazy nine teams passed on drafting Mahomes and another traded out of position to steal him.
Letting him slip is an all-time gaffe. Except … that is three years of hindsight talking and not really what happened.
“I believe the real surprise was how many teams liked him a lot,” said Lance Zierlein, whose detailed scouting reports are a draft perk of NFL.com. “While it feels like there were people missing on him, the reality is there were aggressive teams willing to draft him beyond the standard thought process for where he should go.”
This is not a case of Tom Brady, who was overlooked on the way to the sixth round of the 2000 draft. Seventeen years later, Mahomes, Deshaun Watson and Mitch Trubisky were viewed as the consensus top three quarterbacks in one order or another.
Some of the knocks on Mahomes were out of his control. Texas Tech ran the Air Raid offense, which generates video game-like passing stats in the defense-optional Big 12 Conference.
Now that Mahomes’ college coach, Kliff Kingsbury, and Kyler Murray are paired with the Cardinals, it’s easy to forget …
“There had never been a successful Air Raid quarterback up until that point,” Zierlein said. “You are automatically dealing with, ‘How do we know this guy can read NFL defenses?’ The second problem was he played a little too much Hero Ball. He kind of needed to with the team he had, but he would take some chances that he probably shouldn’t have.”
Gil Brandt, the Hall of Fame personnel executive, handled the draft’s top-prospect green-room invitations in 2017 and tried to persuade Mahomes to attend. There were no character or work ethic concerns to hold back Mahomes, the son of former Major League Baseball pitcher Pat Mahomes.
“I know the young man well,” said Brandt, a Sirius XM NFL Radio host. “He’s a very cordial and cooperative guy. He’s not a bounce-around guy. When you introduce yourself, he’s very attentive.”
The Browns passed on all quarterbacks in favor of pass-rusher Myles Garrett with the No. 1 pick in 2017, and ultimately drafted quarterback DeShone Kizer in the second round. None of their four quarterbacks who spent time on Cleveland’s 2017 roster — Kizer, Kevin Hogan, Cody Kessler or Brock Osweiler — started an NFL game in 2019.
The Bears traded up from No. 3 to No. 2 to secure Trubisky. The Chiefs traded No. 27, a third-rounder and their 2018 first-rounder to the Bills (No. 10) to move up for Mahomes, despite the fact Pro Bowler Alex Smith had led Kansas City to a 12-4 finish.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach — then No. 2 in the front office — was fixated on Mahomes as a way to elevate from playoff participant to championship contender. He realized public perception — “Is Mahomes a first-round quarterback?” still was a popular question the month of the draft — did not match up with the well-masked demand inside the NFL.
“Give Kansas City credit for pulling the trigger, developing him and building a system for him,” Casserly said. “Just watching tape can’t tell you whether the guy can play. You have to get your hands on him and see how he reacts to things. There is a skill involved in that, and [coach] Andy Reid and his staff are pretty good at it.”
Mahomes landing with Reid’s play-calling and the Chiefs’ cast of speedy playmakers was a perfect storm that began brewing at the NFL Combine, when Mahomes got to the board to read defenses.
It wasn’t that Mahomes was more advanced than expected after playing in the Air Raid — he wasn’t — but his “recall and intelligence were so off the charts,” a source told The Post, that it answered all questions about his ability to digest a pro-style offense.
“Kingsbury could take you or I and make us pretty good quarterbacks,” Brandt said. “That’s what scared people off.
“Mahomes could throw that ball to a spot where the receiver was going to be, but I don’t think anybody thought he had that running ability that we saw last week. I thought he was going to be very good. But I didn’t think he was going to be probably the No. 1 overall player in the league.”
The trap of falling for Mahomes’ physical abilities can blind eyes from seeing some other special qualities. The three-sport high school star played two as a college freshman, but finally gave up baseball as a sophomore.
“This was the first time he went-all in on football and you could see him rapidly get better,” Bills quarterback and Texas Tech teammate Davis Webb said. “He asked a lot of good questions.”
In his sixth college game, in place of an injured Webb against No. 5 Baylor, Mahomes threw for 598 yards and six touchdowns in a loss. It launched him onto the NFL radar and set Webb on a path to graduate transfer to California.
“Wherever he is, high school — I saw him play once — college or the NFL,” Webb said, “it’s all unorthodox the way he plays. But no matter what he is going to put up yards, he is going to score touchdowns and he is going to be a lot of fun to watch.”
A slow start or a serious injury to Smith topped the list of Chiefs’ internal concerns in 2017, a source said.
Really, the fear spread to anything that might prompt outside calls for the rookie quarterback and disrupt the plan to show the kind of developmental patience that was common until a decade ago and now is completely gone.
Mahomes spent his rookie year running the scout team and not worrying about interceptions, per Reid’s instructions. By allowing Mahomes to maintain his aggressiveness, Reid observed what needed to be emphasized when the playbook changed hands after Smith was traded.
“There was so much conversation about, was the Air Raid going to translate?” said Webb, who was drafted by the Giants in the third round in 2017. “We talked all the time about how frustrating it was, but we both knew we had a lot to learn, and we were excited about getting somewhere they believe in you. I think he broke the mold a little bit.”
Agent Leigh Steinberg told the Washington Post he thinks the Saints would have taken his client Mahomes at No. 11. Coach Bruce Arians admits he would have grabbed Mahomes for the Cardinals at No. 13. The Giants were very interested, according to a team source, but he was never making it to No. 23.
Mahomes still takes risks, throws off balance and commits other quarterbacking sins. But his improvement and the talent around him usually leads those off-script plays to the highlight reel.
“The story here is the Chiefs had a plan and a process and stuck with their plan and process,” Zierlein said. “It’s the ultimate storyline of drafting for projection: This is who he’s going to be and this is how we are going to get him there. Now it’s bearing all the fruit.”
For more on the Super Bowl, listen to the latest episode of the “Gang’s All Here” podcast:


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Cyborg snags Bellator title in historic debut win over Budd

INGLEWOOD , Calif. — Cris “ Cyborg ” Justino won the Bellator featherweight championship Saturday night , becoming the first fighter to claim title belts in four major MMA organizations with a fourth-round stoppage of Julia Budd at Bellator 238 .
In her Bellator debut after seven bouts and three-plus years with the UFC , Justino ( 22-2 ) ended Budd ’ s eight-year winning streak and dethroned Bellator ’ s long-reigning 145-pound champion with brute style .
After surviving some rough early stretches and eventually asserting her physical dominance , Justino ended it with a flurry of kicks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Budd for good with a blow to the body and finished on the ground before jumping onto the fence to celebrate with the crowd at the Forum south of downtown Los Angeles .
Fighting in the same arena where she had her biggest professional setback — a 51-second loss to UFC two-belt champion Amanda Nunes in December 2018 — the 34-year-old Cyborg showed she hasn ’ t lost the quick , heavy hands that made her the best fighter in women ’ s mixed martial arts for much of her career .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cyborg said .
“ I lost my belt here at the Forum , and then I got another one.
” Justino was a champion in Strikeforce and Invicta before she finally moved to the UFC and swiftly became its first women ’ s featherweight champion in 2017 .
After losing her UFC title 13 months ago and leaving the promotion with acrimony last year , the Brazilian star signed with Bellator and got an immediate shot to become the first man or woman to hold titles in four major promotions .
Budd ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since Ronda Rousey beat her with an armbar back in 2011 .
The British Columbia native became Bellator ’ s first women ’ s featherweight champion in 2017 and defended the belt three times , but Cyborg was too much .
Budd actually dropped Cyborg with strikes midway through the opening round , but escaped the jam when Budd illegally threw a knee while Cyborg was downed .
After Cyborg landed better shots in a slower second round , Cyborg dropped Budd with a right hand midway through the third and controlled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Bellator in September after her UFC contract ran out .
She won six fights in the UFC and became the promotion ’ s first 145-pound women ’ s champion .
But her lone UFC loss was that spectacular thrashing from Nunes , who ended Justino ’ s 21-fight unbeaten streak since 2005 .
Nunes claimed Cyborg ’ s featherweight belt and made a pointed argument for her supremacy over Justino as the greatest fighter in women ’ s MMA history .
Justino reacted to her loss with humility and perspective , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White never smoothed .
One fight later , Cyborg left the UFC and signed with its biggest North American rival .
On the undercard , longtime UFC fighter Sergio Pettis made his Bellator debut in style with a first-round submission victory over bantamweight Alfred Khashakyan .
Pettis ( 19-5 ) , the younger brother of former UFC champion Anthony Pettis , dropped Khashakyan with a right hand and brutalized him with punches on the ground before rendering him unconscious with a guillotine choke .
Sergio Pettis hadn ’ t won a fight by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bout before his 14-fight UFC career began .
Featherweight Juan Archuleta beat Henry Corrales and a hostile crowd , earning a unanimous decision and then climbing onto the cage to make a two-handed obscene gesture at the Forum fans booing his fight for inactivity .
Archuleta ’ s 18-fight winning streak ended last December with a decision loss to Patricio Friere .
In the co-main event , veteran Darrion Caldwell advanced in Bellator ’ s featherweight tournament by choking out previously unbeaten Adam Borics of Hungary in the first round .
Caldwell celebrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 6-foot cage .

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Cris “Cyborg” Justino won the Bellator featherweight championship Saturday night, becoming the first fighter to claim title belts in four major MMA organizations with a fourth-round stoppage of Julia Budd at Bellator 238.
In her Bellator debut after seven bouts and three-plus years with the UFC, Justino (22-2) ended Budd’s eight-year winning streak and dethroned Bellator’s long-reigning 145-pound champion with brute style.
After surviving some rough early stretches and eventually asserting her physical dominance, Justino ended it with a flurry of kicks and punches on the fence. She dropped Budd for good with a blow to the body and finished on the ground before jumping onto the fence to celebrate with the crowd at the Forum south of downtown Los Angeles.
Fighting in the same arena where she had her biggest professional setback — a 51-second loss to UFC two-belt champion Amanda Nunes in December 2018 — the 34-year-old Cyborg showed she hasn’t lost the quick, heavy hands that made her the best fighter in women’s mixed martial arts for much of her career.
“It’s so amazing,” Cyborg said. “I lost my belt here at the Forum, and then I got another one.”
Justino was a champion in Strikeforce and Invicta before she finally moved to the UFC and swiftly became its first women’s featherweight champion in 2017. After losing her UFC title 13 months ago and leaving the promotion with acrimony last year, the Brazilian star signed with Bellator and got an immediate shot to become the first man or woman to hold titles in four major promotions.
Budd (13-3) had won 11 consecutive fights since Ronda Rousey beat her with an armbar back in 2011. The British Columbia native became Bellator’s first women’s featherweight champion in 2017 and defended the belt three times, but Cyborg was too much.
Budd actually dropped Cyborg with strikes midway through the opening round, but escaped the jam when Budd illegally threw a knee while Cyborg was downed.
After Cyborg landed better shots in a slower second round, Cyborg dropped Budd with a right hand midway through the third and controlled the rest of the round.
Justino signed with Bellator in September after her UFC contract ran out. She won six fights in the UFC and became the promotion’s first 145-pound women’s champion.
But her lone UFC loss was that spectacular thrashing from Nunes, who ended Justino’s 21-fight unbeaten streak since 2005. Nunes claimed Cyborg’s featherweight belt and made a pointed argument for her supremacy over Justino as the greatest fighter in women’s MMA history.
Justino reacted to her loss with humility and perspective, but her long-standing friction with UFC President Dana White never smoothed. One fight later, Cyborg left the UFC and signed with its biggest North American rival.
On the undercard, longtime UFC fighter Sergio Pettis made his Bellator debut in style with a first-round submission victory over bantamweight Alfred Khashakyan.
Pettis (19-5), the younger brother of former UFC champion Anthony Pettis, dropped Khashakyan with a right hand and brutalized him with punches on the ground before rendering him unconscious with a guillotine choke. Sergio Pettis hadn’t won a fight by stoppage since September 2013 in his final bout before his 14-fight UFC career began.
Featherweight Juan Archuleta beat Henry Corrales and a hostile crowd, earning a unanimous decision and then climbing onto the cage to make a two-handed obscene gesture at the Forum fans booing his fight for inactivity. Archuleta’s 18-fight winning streak ended last December with a decision loss to Patricio Friere.
In the co-main event, veteran Darrion Caldwell advanced in Bellator’s featherweight tournament by choking out previously unbeaten Adam Borics of Hungary in the first round. Caldwell celebrated with a backflip off the top of the 6-foot cage.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Coco Gauff falls to fellow American Sofia Kenin at Australian Open

MELBOURNE , Australia — It made sense to Sofia Kenin that Coco Gauff would be the one getting all of the attention and generating all of the buzz .
That ’ s only natural when Gauff is 15 and making tennis history time and time again .
“ Yeah , I mean , the hype is for her .
She ’ s obviously done great stuff , of course .
It ’ s absolutely normal .
Just ( tried ) not to let that get in my head , ” Kenin said .
“ Of course , I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did it for myself , because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.
” Well , Sofia , you did it .
Now get ready for the spotlight to shine your way .
Kenin stopped Gauff ’ s latest Grand Slam run by beating her 6-7 ( 5 ) , 6-3 , 6-0 in the Australian Open ’ s fourth round on Sunday .
Like Gauff , Kenin is a young — although , at 21 , not quite as young — American and she reached her first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to show who I am , show my best tennis , show why I ’ m there , why I belong , ” the 14th-seeded Kenin said .
“ I ’ m doing that.
” In her previous match , the 67th-ranked Gauff beat Naomi Osaka to become the youngest player in the professional era to defeat the reigning women ’ s champion at the Australian Open .
At Wimbledon last year , Gauff became the youngest qualifier ever at that tournament , beat Venus Williams in the first round and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth .
Entering Sunday , Gauff was 8-2 in Grand Slam action , with her only losses to women who have been ranked No .
1 and own multiple major titles : Halep ( at Wimbledon ) and Osaka ( at the U.S. Open ) .
“ I couldn ’ t really write this , ” Gauff said .
“ I don ’ t think anybody could really write how this past ( several ) months have gone.
” She did not play as well as she has been this time , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than twice as many as Kenin ’ s 22 .
Gauff ’ s power is impressive .
One tiny indication : She slammed a forehand into the net so hard that it dislodged a piece of a sponsor ’ s white plastic sign .
But thanks to her relentless ball-tracking and a bit of in-your-face attitude with a racket in hand , Kenin surged up the WTA rankings from 52nd to 12th in 2019 while winning her first three tour-level singles titles plus a couple in doubles .
“ She definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court , ” Gauff said .
“ She ’ s quick.
” Just before Gauff announced herself last season , Kenin delivered her own breakthrough at the French Open by upsetting Serena Williams to get to the round of 16 at a major for the first time .
Now Kenin has taken another step .
After double-faulting twice in the tiebreaker to drop the opening set — “ For sure , nerves , ” Kenin acknowledged — she immediately tilted things the other way , breaking in the initial game of the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When it ended , appropriately enough , on a missed backhand by Gauff , Kenin dropped her racket at the baseline and covered her face as tears welled in her eyes .
“ Anyone would get pretty emotional for the first time , ” said Kenin , who next faces another woman making her Slam quarterfinal debut , 78th-ranked Ons Jabeur of Tunisia .
Jabeur was a 7-6 ( 4 ) , 6-1 winner against 27th-seeded Wang Qiang , who surprised Serena Williams in the third round .
The wins for Kenin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , and the future opponents soon found each other cooling down side-by-side on exercise bicycles .
Kenin laughed as she described the scene this way : “ She ’ s like , ‘ Good job.
’ I ’ m like , ‘ You , too.
’ It was fun , a funny moment .
She ’ s like , ‘ Are you feeling tired ?
’ ‘ No , I ’ m good.
’ She ’ s like , ‘ Yeah , me , too.
’ I ’ m like , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday , then.
’ ” Also advancing was last year ’ s runner-up in Melbourne , two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova , who was down a set and a break before coming back to defeat No .
22 Maria Sakkari 6-7 ( 4 ) , 6-3 , 6-2 .
Kvitova ’ s quarterfinal opponent will be either No .
1 seed Ash Barty — trying to become the first Australian to win the nation ’ s Grand Slam tournament since the 1970s — or No .
18 Alison Riske of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action , defending champion Novak Djokovic moved into a matchup against No .
32 Milos Raonic .
Roger Federer was scheduled to play during the night session .
Raonic , the 2016 Wimledon runner-up , was asked whether he thinks Djokovic , who owns 16 Grand Slam titles , eventually will catch Federer , who has 20 .
“ I just hope , ” Raonic replied , “ I can stop him at this one .
”

MELBOURNE, Australia — It made sense to Sofia Kenin that Coco Gauff would be the one getting all of the attention and generating all of the buzz.
That’s only natural when Gauff is 15 and making tennis history time and time again.
“Yeah, I mean, the hype is for her. She’s obviously done great stuff, of course. It’s absolutely normal. Just (tried) not to let that get in my head,” Kenin said. “Of course, I didn’t do it for the hype. I did it for myself, because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.”
Well, Sofia, you did it. Now get ready for the spotlight to shine your way. Kenin stopped Gauff’s latest Grand Slam run by beating her 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-0 in the Australian Open’s fourth round on Sunday.
Like Gauff, Kenin is a young — although, at 21, not quite as young — American and she reached her first major quarterfinal with the victory.
“I want to show who I am, show my best tennis, show why I’m there, why I belong,” the 14th-seeded Kenin said. “I’m doing that.”
In her previous match, the 67th-ranked Gauff beat Naomi Osaka to become the youngest player in the professional era to defeat the reigning women’s champion at the Australian Open. At Wimbledon last year, Gauff became the youngest qualifier ever at that tournament, beat Venus Williams in the first round and made it all the way to the fourth.
Entering Sunday, Gauff was 8-2 in Grand Slam action, with her only losses to women who have been ranked No. 1 and own multiple major titles: Halep (at Wimbledon) and Osaka (at the U.S. Open).
Hence the aforementioned hype.
“I couldn’t really write this,” Gauff said. “I don’t think anybody could really write how this past (several) months have gone.”
She did not play as well as she has been this time, though, winding up with 48 unforced errors, more than twice as many as Kenin’s 22.
Gauff’s power is impressive. One tiny indication: She slammed a forehand into the net so hard that it dislodged a piece of a sponsor’s white plastic sign.
Kenin can’t copy that.
But thanks to her relentless ball-tracking and a bit of in-your-face attitude with a racket in hand, Kenin surged up the WTA rankings from 52nd to 12th in 2019 while winning her first three tour-level singles titles plus a couple in doubles.
“She definitely put a lot of balls in the court,” Gauff said. “She’s quick.”
Just before Gauff announced herself last season, Kenin delivered her own breakthrough at the French Open by upsetting Serena Williams to get to the round of 16 at a major for the first time.
Now Kenin has taken another step.
Wasn’t easy, though.
After double-faulting twice in the tiebreaker to drop the opening set — “For sure, nerves,” Kenin acknowledged — she immediately tilted things the other way, breaking in the initial game of the second and never letting that lead slip away.
When it ended, appropriately enough, on a missed backhand by Gauff, Kenin dropped her racket at the baseline and covered her face as tears welled in her eyes.
“Anyone would get pretty emotional for the first time,” said Kenin, who next faces another woman making her Slam quarterfinal debut, 78th-ranked Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.
Jabeur was a 7-6 (4), 6-1 winner against 27th-seeded Wang Qiang, who surprised Serena Williams in the third round.
The wins for Kenin and Jabeur ended at about the same time, and the future opponents soon found each other cooling down side-by-side on exercise bicycles.
Kenin laughed as she described the scene this way: “She’s like, ‘Good job.’ I’m like, ‘You, too.’ It was fun, a funny moment. She’s like, ‘Are you feeling tired?’ ‘No, I’m good.’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, me, too.’ I’m like, ‘OK. I’ll see you on Tuesday, then.’”
Also advancing was last year’s runner-up in Melbourne, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who was down a set and a break before coming back to defeat No. 22 Maria Sakkari 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2.
Kvitova’s quarterfinal opponent will be either No. 1 seed Ash Barty — trying to become the first Australian to win the nation’s Grand Slam tournament since the 1970s — or No. 18 Alison Riske of the United States.
In men’s fourth-round action, defending champion Novak Djokovic moved into a matchup against No. 32 Milos Raonic. Roger Federer was scheduled to play during the night session.
Raonic, the 2016 Wimledon runner-up, was asked whether he thinks Djokovic, who owns 16 Grand Slam titles, eventually will catch Federer, who has 20.
“I just hope,” Raonic replied, “I can stop him at this one.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Mike Tyson treatment: Danny Garcia gets bitten in win

In a perfect world , Philadelphia native Danny Garcia would be ...

Danny Garcia packed a punch.
Ivan Redkach apparently should have packed a snack.
Garcia devoured Redkach to the tune of a 12-round unanimous decision in their welterweight fight at Barclays Center — but not before things took a bizarre turn.
In a scene reminiscent of Mike Tyson chomping on Evander Holyfield’s ear during their 1997 fight, Redkach bit Garcia on his left shoulder during a tie-up in the eighth round.
Redkach apparently even called his snack.
“He bit me,” Garcia said. “He said, ‘Mike Tyson,’ when he bit me. I said, ‘Ref, he bit me.’ I thought I needed stitches or something.
“That’s my first time ever getting bit in a fight.”
As for the actual use of hands, Garcia’s pressure and power forced Redkach into fighting a defensive style. Redkach spent much of the fight backing up or against the ropes and Garcia took full advantage. He opened a cut over Redkach’s right eye with a hook in the seventh, then staggered the Ukranian with a shot in the eighth.
“I thought the referee [Benjy Esteves] was [going to] stop it because I felt like I was punishing him,” Garcia said. “He’s a tough guy. he hung in there. I wanted to get the [knockout], but I didn’t get it. I feel like I boxed smart, and I feel like that’s what I needed. I really wanted the knockout bad, but I’ll accept this.”
Garcia, who is hungry to face bigger opponents next, improved to 36-2, while Redkach dropped to 23-5-1.
Garcia could be lined for a fight against Manny Pacquiao, the WBA welterweight champ, or Errol Spence Jr., who owns the IBF and WBC belts but has been recovering from a car accident last October.
“Either [Spence or Pacquiao],” Garcia said. “Either of those fights I would like to have. My style looks great with both fighters.”
— With AP


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--“Hillary” lands on Sundance and 2020 primary like a hand grenade

PARK CITY , Utah — Hillary Clinton threw a hand-grenade at the 2020 Democratic presidential primary election Saturday with her new documentary , “ Hillary.
” The one-sided , four-part Hulu series about her life premiered at the Sundance Film Festival , and everything you ’ ve heard is true — Clinton comes off like Rambo when she talks about current Democratic candidate , and former rival , Sen. Bernie Sanders .
In behind-the-scenes footage from the night of the 2016 Iowa Caucus , we see Clinton seething over the shock success of her competitor , who she sees as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salesman .
On Feb. 1 , Clinton and her team were enraged that Sanders had gotten to within a percent of her victory in the midwestern state , and sought to deprive the man of even a sentimental victory .
“ I just don ’ t want him to get out there and say the revolution is working , [ that ] people ‘ felt the Bern , ’ ” she says , before quickly leaving the room to beat him to a speech .
Clinton adds that she found his socialist proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in my campaign say , ‘ Just say ‘ ‘ Free college.
’ ’ Millennials love it , ’ ” she says .
“ And I said ‘ no.
’ ” Whenever Sanders is onscreen , his underscoring is brooding and villainous , like Darth Vader just took off his helmet for a breather .
In a hallway before a debate in New Hampshire , Sanders asks a tense Clinton how she feels about his suit .
“ Buttoned or unbuttoned ?
” he says .
Irked , she tells him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets “ worked up.
” Last week , it was revealed that Clinton said of her former rival in the doc : “ Nobody likes him , nobody wants to work with him , he got nothing done .
He was a career politician .
It ’ s all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it.
” Suddenly magnanimous , Clinton pivoted on that passionate stance Saturday , when an apparent Sanders voter in the Sundance audience took her to task .
“ It ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big fan of Bernie Sanders , ” he said .
“ So what would you say to the Bernie Sanders fans ?
… Who should they vote for ?
” “ Once we have a nominee , close ranks , ” Clinton responded to loud applause .
There was a lot of clapping throughout , with Sundance being Utah ’ s largest annual liberal convention .
Clinton ’ s change of heart didn ’ t come off as particularly genuine , though , since less than a week ago when the Hollywood Reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the general election , she said , “ I ’ m not going to go there yet.
” During a screening that would exhaust even Martin Scorsese , there were just a handful of new revelations .
Bill Clinton was candid in his interview about his affair with then-intern Monica Lewinsky .
When asked if he had worried about the risk that the tryst posed to his family and the nation , he said he hadn ’ t .
“ Nobody thinks they ’ re taking a risk , ” he says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do stupid things.
” He added , “ Everybody ’ s lives have pressures ” and that his affair was something he did to “ manage my anxieties… I ’ m a different person now.
” The doc also throws President Obama under the campaign bus .
In a scene that takes place in the weeks leading up to the 2016 election , Clinton ’ s running mate Tim Kaine tells her Obama had recently called him up to trash Donald Trump .
Kaine claims the president told him , “ Tim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a purist .
You ’ ve got to keep a fascist out of the White House.
” We also learn that after James Comey reopened the investigation into Clinton ’ s private emails , discovered on disgraced congressman Anthony Weiner ’ s laptop , it led to Clinton aide and Weiner ’ s ex Huma Abedin breaking down on the campaign plane .
“ He ’ s gon na kill me , he ’ s gon na kill me !
, ” Clinton recalls Abedin crying over the soul-crushing pain Weiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most part , though , the overlong “ Hillary ” isn ’ t so much a documentary as a memoir .
It ’ s mostly narrated by Clinton herself , with contributions from close friends , family members , campaign staffers and a couple journalists from the Washington Post and the New York Times .
Several of the newspaper writers teared up when recalling Clinton ’ s loss .
And “ Hillary ” premiered just 10 days before the Iowa Caucus .
Funny , that .

PARK CITY, Utah — Hillary Clinton threw a hand grenade at the 2020 Democratic presidential primary election Saturday with her new documentary, “Hillary.”
The one-sided, four-part Hulu series about her life premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and everything you’ve heard is true — Clinton comes off like Rambo when she talks about current Democratic candidate, and former rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders.
In behind-the-scenes footage from the night of the 2016 Iowa caucus, we see Clinton seething over the shocking success of her competitor, whom she sees as little more than a Vermont snake oil salesman. On Feb. 1, Clinton and her team were enraged that Sanders had gotten to within a percent of her victory in the Midwestern state, and sought to deprive the man of even a sentimental victory.
“I just don’t want him to get out there and say the revolution is working, [that] people ‘felt the Bern,’” she says, before quickly leaving the room to beat him to a speech. Clinton adds that she found his socialist proposals unrealistic and phony. “I had people in my campaign say, ‘Just say ‘‘Free college.’’ Millennials love it,’ ” she says. “And I said ‘no.’ ”
Whenever Sanders is onscreen, his underscoring is brooding and villainous, like Darth Vader just took off his helmet for a breather. In a hallway before a debate in New Hampshire, Sanders asks a tense Clinton how she feels about his suit. “Buttoned or unbuttoned?” he says. Irked, she tells him to undo the button as soon as he gets “worked up.”
Last week, it was revealed that Clinton said of her former rival in the doc: “Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done. He was a career politician. It’s all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it.”
Suddenly magnanimous, Clinton pivoted on that passionate stance Saturday, when an apparent Sanders voter in the Sundance audience took her to task.
“It’s no surprise that you’re not a big fan of Bernie Sanders,” he said. “So what would you say to the Bernie Sanders fans? … Who should they vote for?”
“Once we have a nominee, close ranks,” Clinton responded to loud applause. There was a lot of clapping throughout, with Sundance being Utah’s largest annual liberal convention.
Clinton’s change of heart didn’t come off as particularly genuine, though, since less than a week ago, when The Hollywood Reporter asked if she’d endorse Sanders in the general election, she said, “I’m not going to go there yet.”
During a screening that would exhaust even Martin Scorsese, there were just a handful of new revelations.
Bill Clinton was candid in his interview about his affair with then-intern Monica Lewinsky. When asked if he had worried about the risk that the tryst posed to his family and the nation, he said he hadn’t. “Nobody thinks they’re taking a risk,” he says. “That’s not why we do stupid things.”
He added, “Everybody’s lives have pressures” and that his affair was something he did to “manage my anxieties … I’m a different person now.”
The doc also throws President Barack Obama under the campaign bus. In a scene that takes place in the weeks leading up to the 2016 election, Clinton’s running mate, Tim Kaine, tells her Obama had recently called him up to trash Donald Trump.
Kaine claims the president told him, “Tim, remember, this is no time to be a purist. You’ve got to keep a fascist out of the White House.”
We also learn that after James Comey reopened the investigation into Clinton’s private emails, discovered on disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner’s laptop, it led to Weiner’s ex, Clinton aide Huma Abedin, breaking down on the campaign plane.
“He’s gonna kill me, he’s gonna kill me!,” Clinton recalls Abedin crying over the soul-crushing pain Weiner brought to her life.
For the most part, though, the overlong “Hillary” isn’t so much a documentary as a memoir. It’s mostly narrated by Clinton herself, with contributions from close friends, family members, campaign staffers and a couple journalists from the Washington Post and the New York Times. Several of the newspaper writers teared up when recalling Clinton’s loss.
And “Hillary” premiered just 10 days before the Iowa caucus. Funny, that.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--LeBron James passes Kobe Bryant on NBA scoring list

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) — LeBron James was a teenager when he first met Kobe Bryant at a youth basketball camp , in awe of his idol and ears open as the Los Angeles Lakers star offered advice to the prodigy that has lasted to this day .
“ I was just listening , ” James said .
“ I was just trying to soak everything up I could .
I remember one thing he said was that if you want to try and be great at it , and want to be one of the greats , you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” James put in the work and followed Bryant ’ s path — from making the leap from high school straight to the NBA , to winning NBA titles , and , eventually , to playing in Los Angeles .
With a driving right-handed layup , James no longer chased Bryant , he zoomed past him for third place on the NBA ’ s career scoring list .
“ I ’ m just happy to be in any conversation with Kobe Bryant , one of the all-time greats to ever play , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bryant written on his Nikes , James scored 29 points in front of a roaring 76ers ’ crowd , but the Lakers fell short in a 108-91 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday night .
James scribbled “ Mamba 4 Life ” as he chased Bryant , the five-time champion , in Philly .
Fans stood with phones pointed toward the court , waiting to capture a slice of history that came when James scored the milestone basket with 7:23 left in the third quarter .
James entered 18 points shy of passing Bryant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points .
James stands third with 33,655 .
Bryant finished his career with 33,643 , all with the Lakers .
“ Continuing to move the game forward @ KingJames .
Much respect my brother # 33644 , ” Bryant tweeted .
James waved to the Philadelphia crowd that gave him a rousing standing ovation when the mark was announced by the public address announcer .
The Sixers also posted a graphic of the NBA ’ s top 10 career scorers with images of James in Lakers and Miami Heat jerseys .
The 35-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 25.2 ppg ) for the 16th straight season and has played 44 games this season .
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA ’ s career scoring leader with 38,387 points and Karl Malone is second at 36,928 .
James is on pace to pass Abdul-Jabbar in about three seasons .
The top four scorers in NBA history played for the Lakers , who signed James as a free agent in 2018 .
James passed Bryant in Philadelphia , where the retired Lakers star was born .
James , who played in eight consecutive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Cleveland and Miami that do not count in the official total .
James ’ stories in the locker room on Bryant seemed to stretch on as long as his list of milestones .
Like another time when he was still in high school and was gifted a pair of red , white and blue Nikes from Bryant .
James wore a size 15 , Bryant was a 14 , but he wore the sneaks anyway .
Or the way James was inspired how Bryant always found some sort of slight to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a “ dream come true ” when he lined up side-by-side with Bryant as teammates in the 2008 Olympics as part of the “ Redeem Team ” and led Team USA to a gold medal in Beijing .
“ There ’ s just too much .
The story is just too much , ” James said .
“ The story doesn ’ t make sense .
Make a long story short , now I ’ m here in a Lakers uniform , in Philadelphia where he ’ s from.
” Anthony Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James went 9 for 18 from the floor , missed five of six 3s , made 10 of 13 free throws and had eight turnovers .
“ It was just a great historic moment for our franchise , for LeBron himself , ” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — LeBron James was a teenager when he first met Kobe Bryant at a youth basketball camp, in awe of his idol and ears open as the Los Angeles Lakers star offered advice to the prodigy that has lasted to this day.
“I was just listening,” James said. “I was just trying to soak everything up I could. I remember one thing he said was that if you want to try and be great at it, and want to be one of the greats, you’ve got to put the work in.”
James put in the work and followed Bryant’s path — from making the leap from high school straight to the NBA, to winning NBA titles, and, eventually, to playing in Los Angeles. With a driving right-handed layup, James no longer chased Bryant, he zoomed past him for third place on the NBA’s career scoring list.
“I’m just happy to be in any conversation with Kobe Bryant, one of the all-time greats to ever play,” James said.
With a tribute to Bryant written on his Nikes, James scored 29 points in front of a roaring 76ers’ crowd, but the Lakers fell short in a 108-91 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday night.
James scribbled “Mamba 4 Life” as he chased Bryant, the five-time champion, in Philly. Fans stood with phones pointed toward the court, waiting to capture a slice of history that came when James scored the milestone basket with 7:23 left in the third quarter. James entered 18 points shy of passing Bryant, and the layup gave him 33,644 points. James stands third with 33,655. Bryant finished his career with 33,643, all with the Lakers.
“Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644,” Bryant tweeted.
James waved to the Philadelphia crowd that gave him a rousing standing ovation when the mark was announced by the public address announcer. The Sixers also posted a graphic of the NBA’s top 10 career scorers with images of James in Lakers and Miami Heat jerseys.
The 35-year-old James entered averaging at least 25 points (25.2 ppg) for the 16th straight season and has played 44 games this season. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA’s career scoring leader with 38,387 points and Karl Malone is second at 36,928. James is on pace to pass Abdul-Jabbar in about three seasons. The top four scorers in NBA history played for the Lakers, who signed James as a free agent in 2018.
James passed Bryant in Philadelphia, where the retired Lakers star was born. James, who played in eight consecutive NBA Finals, has 6,911 postseason points with Cleveland and Miami that do not count in the official total.
James’ stories in the locker room on Bryant seemed to stretch on as long as his list of milestones. Like another time when he was still in high school and was gifted a pair of red, white and blue Nikes from Bryant. James wore a size 15, Bryant was a 14, but he wore the sneaks anyway. Or the way James was inspired how Bryant always found some sort of slight to use as fuel to improve. James would have a “dream come true” when he lined up side-by-side with Bryant as teammates in the 2008 Olympics as part of the “Redeem Team” and led Team USA to a gold medal in Beijing.
“There’s just too much. The story is just too much,” James said. “The story doesn’t make sense. Make a long story short, now I’m here in a Lakers uniform, in Philadelphia where he’s from.”
Anthony Davis scored 31 points for the Lakers. James went 9 for 18 from the floor, missed five of six 3s, made 10 of 13 free throws and had eight turnovers.
“It was just a great historic moment for our franchise, for LeBron himself,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Trump appears to be recorded requesting Marie Yovanovitch to be fired

Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch is calling for ...

A newly released recording appears to confirm reports that President Trump met with both Igor Fruman and Lev Parnas — donors he has claimed he didn’t know — and told them to “take out” then-Ukrainian ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.
The recording, made public Saturday, was from a 2018 dinner with the two pals of Rudy Giuliani and was released by Parnas’ attorney Joseph A. Bondy on Saturday.
A person believed to be Parnas is heard on the recording calling Yovanovitch a liability for the president.
A voice sounding similar to Trump’s can be heard responding, “Get rid of her!”
“Get her out tomorrow. I don’t care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it,” he continues.
A person believed to be Parnas is heard on the recording calling Yovanovitch a liability for the president.
“The biggest problem — where we need to start — is we gotta get rid of the ambassador. She’s still leftover from the Clinton administration,” the person said.
A voice sounding similar to Trump’s can be her responding, “get rid of her!”
“Get her out tomorrow. I don’t care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it,” he continues.
The recording serves as confirmation of Parnas’s claims that he raised concerns over Yovanovitch with Trump and that the president responded by immediately ordering for her firing.
Trump had previously claimed that he didn’t know Parnas and fellow donor Igor Fruman, who recorded the audio on his phone.
Both Fruman and Parnas face criminal charges over political scandals and have tried to cooperate with prosecutors in hopes of leniency.
Bondy released the audio as the president’s lawyers began their defense of Trump in the impeachment trial.
Bondy on Twiter called for the GOP to “vote with integrity and conscience” and hear testimony from Parnas.
“Call the witnesses. Hear the evidence. Have a fair trial,” he said.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Vets group wants Trump apology for downplaying brain injuries after Iran airstrike

President Trump has drawn the ire of veterans for downplaying the traumatic brain injuries troops sustained during the recent Iranian missile strikes .
Veterans of Foreign Wars is demanding Trump apologize for saying that such injuries were “ not very serious ” a news conference in Davos , Switzerland , earlier this week .
“ The VFW expects an apology from the president to our servicemen and women for his misguided remarks , ” said William Schmitz , VFW National Commander .
“ And , we ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times , ” he added .
The Pentagon recently reported that 34 US troops were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries resulting from Iran ’ s missile attack on an Iraqi airbase earlier this month — 17 of whom were still under medical observation as of Friday .
Trump on Wednesday described the injuries as mere “ headaches ” that couldn ’ t compare to serious wartime injuries .
He originally claimed there to be no injuries from the attack .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them very serious injuries relative to other injuries that I ’ ve seen , ” the commander in chief said .
“ I ’ ve seen people with no legs and with no arms .
I ’ ve seen people that were horribly , horribly injured in that area , that war.
” Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden slammed Trump over the remarks while speaking at a campaign event in New Hampshire Friday , the Washington Examiner reported .
“ Let ’ s be clear about something .
Hundreds of thousands of troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden said .
“ At this day , we still are dealing with the issue .
They ’ re real , and they are deadly serious .
And our troops deserve a commander in chief who understands them and their needs .
”

President Trump has drawn the ire of veterans for downplaying the traumatic brain injuries troops sustained during the recent Iranian missile strikes.
Veterans of Foreign Wars is demanding Trump apologize for saying that such injuries were “not very serious” a news conference in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this week.
“The VFW expects an apology from the president to our servicemen and women for his misguided remarks,” said William Schmitz, VFW National Commander.
“And, we ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to educate Americans of the dangers TBI has on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times,” he added.
The Pentagon recently reported that 34 US troops were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries resulting from Iran’s missile attack on an Iraqi airbase earlier this month — 17 of whom were still under medical observation as of Friday.
Trump on Wednesday described the injuries as mere “headaches” that couldn’t compare to serious wartime injuries. He originally claimed there to be no injuries from the attack.
“No, I don’t consider them very serious injuries relative to other injuries that I’ve seen,” the commander in chief said. “I’ve seen people with no legs and with no arms. I’ve seen people that were horribly, horribly injured in that area, that war.”
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden slammed Trump over the remarks while speaking at a campaign event in New Hampshire Friday, the Washington Examiner reported.
“Let’s be clear about something. Hundreds of thousands of troops have suffered traumatic brain injuries,” Biden said. “At this day, we still are dealing with the issue. They’re real, and they are deadly serious. And our troops deserve a commander in chief who understands them and their needs.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Rory McIlroy backs PGA Tour in face of rumor of new world tour

LA JOLLA , Calif. — With rumors of a new world golf tour trying to lure the top players in the world away from the PGA Tour having circulated in recent days , Rory McIlroy on Saturday became the first among the star players to truly address it .
Phil Mickelson spoke about it on Friday , but told reporters he didn ’ t know enough about it to make any comments of substance about it .
According to a Golf Channel report , the new star-driven global tour would have an 18-event schedule from January to September and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million purses .
For that to work , the organizers would need to lure the star players , such as Tiger Woods , Mickelson and Rory McIlroy , to name only a few , away from the PGA Tour .
Mickelson on Friday called it “ intriguing ’ ’ and added that he was “ curious ’ ’ about the concept .
McIlroy on Saturday sounded like he was very much backing the PGA Tour .
“ Those guys have been talking to a few of us for six years , ’ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Farmers Insurance Open Saturday .
“ They approached me at the end of 2014 .
It ’ s a hard one .
I love the PGA Tour , but these guys have exploited a couple of holes in the system .
The way that golf at the highest level is nowadays and how it ’ s sort of transitioned from a competition tour to entertainment , right ?
It ’ s on TV , it ’ s people coming out to watch .
It ’ s definitely a different time than what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love the PGA Tour , I love the way golf is set up right now , so it might be that — it might be the catalyst for something a little bit different out here as well .
Who knows ?
But I certainly wouldn ’ t want to lose what ’ s been built in the last 40 or 50 years , tournaments like this , tournaments like Riviera in a couple weeks ’ time , everything that we have gotten to know and love over the years.
’ ’ PGA Tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 15 events per year .
If a global tour was to lure enough top players , it ’ s unlikely they ’ d be able to fulfill that required commitment and then play the 10 or so events on the new global tour .
“ I ’ m still quite a traditionalist , so to have that much of an upheaval in the game I don ’ t think is the right step forward , ’ ’ McIlroy said .
“ But I think it might be a catalyst for some changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow and move forward and reward the top players the way they should be , I guess .
’ ’

LA JOLLA, Calif. — With rumors of a new world golf tour trying to lure the top players in the world away from the PGA Tour having circulated in recent days, Rory McIlroy on Saturday became the first among the star players to truly address it.
Phil Mickelson spoke about it on Friday, but told reporters he didn’t know enough about it to make any comments of substance about it.
According to a Golf Channel report, the new star-driven global tour would have an 18-event schedule from January to September and would consist of 48-player fields and $10 million purses.
For that to work, the organizers would need to lure the star players, such as Tiger Woods, Mickelson and Rory McIlroy, to name only a few, away from the PGA Tour.
Mickelson on Friday called it “intriguing’’ and added that he was “curious’’ about the concept.
McIlroy on Saturday sounded like he was very much backing the PGA Tour.
“Those guys have been talking to a few of us for six years,’’ McIlroy said after his third round at the Farmers Insurance Open Saturday. “They approached me at the end of 2014. It’s a hard one. I love the PGA Tour, but these guys have exploited a couple of holes in the system. The way that golf at the highest level is nowadays and how it’s sort of transitioned from a competition tour to entertainment, right? It’s on TV, it’s people coming out to watch. It’s definitely a different time than what it was before.
“But I love the PGA Tour, I love the way golf is set up right now, so it might be that — it might be the catalyst for something a little bit different out here as well. Who knows? But I certainly wouldn’t want to lose what’s been built in the last 40 or 50 years, tournaments like this, tournaments like Riviera in a couple weeks’ time, everything that we have gotten to know and love over the years.’’
PGA Tour members are required to play a minimum of 15 events per year. If a global tour was to lure enough top players, it’s unlikely they’d be able to fulfill that required commitment and then play the 10 or so events on the new global tour.
“I’m still quite a traditionalist, so to have that much of an upheaval in the game I don’t think is the right step forward,’’ McIlroy said. “But I think it might be a catalyst for some changes on this tour that can help it grow and move forward and reward the top players the way they should be, I guess.’’


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Again, regarding Trump’s impeachment trial, read the transcript!: Goodwin

Long before Democrats finished making their marathon impeachment case Friday night , momentum had deserted them .
The loops of repetition had gone from annoying to unbearable and the wild assertions got even wilder as their talk , talk , talk became a trial of its own .
Despite the historic nature of the event , the public voted by staying away .
Many gallery seats sat empty , a fact that recalls a gem from the late Yogi Berra that “ If the people don ’ t want to come out to the ballpark , nobody ’ s gon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fraudulent impeachment is not a laughing matter and until the Senate votes , nothing is guaranteed .
To that end , President Trump ’ s team finally got their first turn at bat Saturday and delivered several big hits in a strong start .
They began with something Trump has said repeatedly , including to me when I interviewed him Jan. 7 : “ Read the transcript and you ’ ll see exactly what it is.
” Pat Cipollone , the White House counsel , echoed that view when he told senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call with the president of Ukraine on July 25th “ is the best evidence ” that Trump “ did absolutely nothing wrong.
” He cited passage after passage in the transcript that undercut the Dems ’ charge of a quid pro quo involving American military aid in exchange for investigations into Ukraine ’ s role in the 2016 presidential election and Hunter Biden ’ s lucrative gig with a corrupt energy company .
After reading each passage , including those on the need to combat corruption in Ukraine and the presidents ’ agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more aid , Cipollone noted that Dems did not mention any of those in their presentation .
He accused them of hiding evidence that didn ’ t fit their “ predetermined outcome ” and of trying to pull off “ the most massive interference in election history.
” He returned to that point in his team ’ s final remarks , saying this impeachment amounts to interfering in this year ’ s election “ by removing the President of the United States from the ballot.
” Doing that , he said , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that violates the Founders ’ intent .
It was a clear argument and Cipollone was followed by three more Trump lawyers who stuck to his theme — go on offense and put the motive and conduct of the impeachers on trial .
The aim wasn ’ t just to create reasonable doubt .
The goal was to demolish the entire case against the president and expose lead prosecutor Rep. Adam Schiff and Speaker Nancy Pelosi as pure partisans trying to overturn the 2016 election and steal the next one .
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading of witness transcripts and comparing them to what Dems had said about those witnesses .
And some of it was a much more casual effort at drawing contrasts .
One of those contrasts simply involved time .
Saturday ’ s session lasted just two hours , yet it was effective in part because it was concise .
The fact that the president ’ s team would be brief in their first at-bat and not use the full 24 hours allotted them in coming days clearly was aimed at reminding the senators and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in making the trial a test of endurance .
Another contrast was that the president ’ s team would not insult the senators .
Cipollone cited two Dem examples , the first with Rep. Jerry Nadler ’ s foolish charge that a vote against additional witnesses would amount to a “ cover-up ” of crimes and a “ treacherous ” decision .
The second insult was Schiff ’ s reference to a threat allegedly made by the White House that any defecting GOP senator would find that “ your head will be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while Schiff said he wasn ’ t sure the CBS story was true , he used it anyway , which forced the White House and senators to deny it .
“ I know of no Republican senator who has been threatened in any way by anyone in the administration , ” said Susan Collins of Maine , whose vote might be in play .
Another , Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , said Schiff “ lost me ” with the comment .
Earlier , Collins wrote a note to Chief Justice John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cover-ups and treachery .
To fair-minded , reasonable people , these incidents show Dems digging themselves a hole with the very people whose votes they need .
That ’ s true , but it ’ s not the whole story .
A better way to understand what they ’ re up to involves looking back at the vicious attacks on Brett Kavanaugh at his Supreme Court confirmation hearings .
The reprehensible smears , based on false accusations of sexual misconduct going back decades , were instantly embraced by every Democrat on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer .
Kavanaugh was narrowly confirmed in October of 2018 , so the battle was lost .
But not the war .
In the midterm elections just a month later , Dems picked up seven governors ’ seats previously held by Republicans without losing a single one they had held .
Most important , of course , they flipped the House to take control , with many of their new seats in districts Trump won in the 2016 election .
In short , Dems were rewarded for their resistance against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is the lesson they learned , and it ’ s why they are again carrying out another scorched-earth attack on Trump and the GOP .
This time , their voters and donors demanded impeachment .
After Robert Mueller failed to deliver the goods , they immediately seized on the Ukraine call .
So while impeachment deserves to die in the Senate and almost certainly will , it is not in the Dems ’ political interest to let it die quietly .
The outrage is ours , not yours , Blas Slow walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Mayor Bill de Blasio is doing about violence at a Queens middle school .
More than a week after race-baiting Chancellor Richard Carranza bolted from a meeting with irate parents of MS 158 Marie Curie in Bayside , de Blasio finally had something to say .
“ I would be outraged , too , as a parent , so the chancellor is looking to see .
.
.
if changes are needed , ” de Blasio said .
There ’ s no “ if ” about the need for changes .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beating and parents say there was also a classroom sexual assault .
That would be news to parents who say discipline at the school has collapsed and that none of the perpetrators was suspended .
Carranza , of course , would rather count racial beans and end “ white privilege.
” Reader Gary Schwartz , noting an insider ’ s description of The New York Times as “ Wokestan , ” offers a thought .
He writes : “ Those everywhere who are woke and those who work at Wokestan are part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Long before Democrats finished making their marathon impeachment case Friday night, momentum had deserted them. The loops of repetition had gone from annoying to unbearable and the wild assertions got even wilder as their talk, talk, talk became a trial of its own.
Despite the historic nature of the event, the public voted by staying away. Many gallery seats sat empty, a fact that recalls a gem from the late Yogi Berra that “If the people don’t want to come out to the ballpark, nobody’s gonna stop them.”
Still, even a fraudulent impeachment is not a laughing matter and until the Senate votes, nothing is guaranteed. To that end, President Trump’s team finally got their first turn at bat Saturday and delivered several big hits in a strong start.
They began with something Trump has said repeatedly, including to me when I interviewed him Jan. 7: “Read the transcript and you’ll see exactly what it is.”
Pat Cipollone, the White House counsel, echoed that view when he told senators the transcript of the president’s call with the president of Ukraine on July 25 “is the best evidence” that Trump “did absolutely nothing wrong.”
He cited passage after passage in the transcript that undercut the Dems’ charge of a quid pro quo involving American military aid in exchange for investigations into Ukraine’s role in the 2016 presidential election and Hunter Biden’s lucrative gig with a corrupt energy company.
After reading each passage, including those on the need to combat corruption in Ukraine and the presidents’ agreement that Germany and France should pony up more aid, Cipollone noted that Dems did not mention any of those in their presentation. He accused them of hiding evidence that didn’t fit their “predetermined outcome” and of trying to pull off “the most massive interference in election history.”
He returned to that point in his team’s final remarks, saying this impeachment amounts to interfering in this year’s election “by removing the President of the United States from the ballot.”
Doing that, he said, is the true “abuse of power” that violates the Founders’ intent.
It was a clear argument and Cipollone was followed by three more Trump lawyers who stuck to his theme — go on offense and put the motive and conduct of the impeachers on trial.
The aim wasn’t just to create reasonable doubt. The goal was to demolish the entire case against the president and expose lead prosecutor Rep. Adam Schiff and Speaker Nancy Pelosi as pure partisans trying to overturn the 2016 election and steal the next one.
Some of the defense’s effort involved a meticulous reading of witness transcripts and comparing them to what Dems had said about those witnesses. And some of it was a much more casual effort at drawing contrasts. One of those contrasts simply involved time.
Saturday’s session lasted just two hours, yet it was effective in part because it was concise. The fact that the president’s team would be brief in their first at-bat and not use the full 24 hours allotted them in coming days clearly was aimed at reminding the senators and the viewing public of how Dems erred in making the trial a test of endurance.
Another contrast was that the president’s team would not insult the senators. Cipollone cited two Dem examples, the first with Rep. Jerry Nadler’s foolish charge that a vote against additional witnesses would amount to a “cover-up” of crimes and a “treacherous” decision.
The second insult was Schiff’s reference to a threat allegedly made by the White House that any defecting GOP senator would find that “your head will be on a pike.”
It’s telling that while Schiff said he wasn’t sure the CBS story was true, he used it anyway, which forced the White House and senators to deny it. “I know of no Republican senator who has been threatened in any way by anyone in the administration,” said Susan Collins of Maine, whose vote might be in play. Another, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, said Schiff “lost me” with the comment.
Earlier, Collins wrote a note to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts complaining about Nadler’s claims of cover-ups and treachery.
To fair-minded, reasonable people, these incidents show Dems digging themselves a hole with the very people whose votes they need. That’s true, but it’s not the whole story.
A better way to understand what they’re up to involves looking back at the vicious attacks on Brett Kavanaugh at his Supreme Court confirmation hearings. The reprehensible smears, based on false accusations of sexual misconduct going back decades, were instantly embraced by every Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Kavanaugh was narrowly confirmed in October 2018, so the battle was lost. But not the war.
In the midterm elections just a month later, Dems picked up seven governors’ seats previously held by Republicans without losing a single one they had held.
Most important, of course, they flipped the House to take control, with many of their new seats in districts Trump won in the 2016 election.
In short, Dems were rewarded for their resistance against Trump and their smears of Kavanaugh. That is the lesson they learned, and it’s why they are again carrying out another scorched-earth attack on Trump and the GOP.
This time, their voters and donors demanded impeachment. After Robert Mueller failed to deliver the goods, they immediately seized on the Ukraine call.
So while impeachment deserves to die in the Senate and almost certainly will, it is not in the Dems’ political interest to let it die quietly.
Buckle up for stormy days.
The outrage is ours, not yours, Blas
Slow-walking and soft-pedaling — that’s what Mayor Bill de Blasio is doing about violence at a Queens middle school.
More than a week after race-baiting Chancellor Richard Carranza bolted from a meeting with irate parents of MS 158 Marie Curie in Bayside, de Blasio finally had something to say.
“I would be outraged, too, as a parent, so the chancellor is looking to see … if changes are needed,” de Blasio said.
There’s no “if” about the need for changes. A videotape shows one student getting a brutal beating and parents say there was also a classroom sexual assault.
The mayor claims Carranza takes the situation “very seriously.”
That would be news to parents who say discipline at the school has collapsed and that none of the perpetrators was suspended.
Carranza, of course, would rather count racial beans and end “white privilege.”
Ending violence and classroom chaos — that’s beneath him.
‘Woke’ to acronym acrobatics at NYT
Reader Gary Schwartz, noting an insider’s description of the New York Times as “Wokestan,” offers a thought.
He writes: “Those everywhere who are woke and those who work at Wokestan are part of the We Obviously Know Everything crowd.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-25--Nico Hischier stars but Metro loses in NHL All-Star Game

ST. LOUIS — Chris Kreider is an old soul .
The ...

ST. LOUIS — It was a quick exit for the Metropolitan Division, as they lost to the Atlantic, 9-5, in the first round of the 3-on-3 All-Star Game on Saturday night. So the Rangers’ Chris Kreider, the Islanders’ Mathew Barzal and the Devils’ Nico Hischier all called it a weekend before the Pacific beat the Atlantic, 5-4, to take the $1 million winner’s prize.
“You go out there, you’re going at a decent clip, and you’re trying to win — there’s some money on the line,” said Barzal, who finished with two assists. “But this is more a fun event, trying to entertain, and I think we did a good job.”
Barzal won the fastest skater at the skills competition on Friday, but he said his favorite part of the weekend might have been meeting actress Jenna Fischer, who played Pam on the sitcom “The Office.”
Kreider came in third at the fastest skater, and couldn’t manage to get a point in his first All-Star appearance, replacing the injured Artemi Panarin. Kreider seemed to get pretty chummy with Barzal, whom he faced three times over the past eight days before this break.
“The hockey community is funny like that — go to war against guys one night, and hang around and shoot stories the next night,” Kreider said. “I’m sure it will be business as usual once the break is over, but it was fun.”
Hischier had two goals and an assist, and if the Metro won, he could have won the MVP — which eventually went to Boston’s David Pastrnak. But the 21-year-old from Switzerland, who was replacing the injured Kyle Palmieri, was just excited to be part of the weekend.
“We’re all competitive and trying to win,” Hischier said. “But it was fun, just the experience being out there with these guys.”
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman did everything but explicitly say the league’s hope is for players not to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, just like they didn’t go in 2018 to PyeongChang, Korea. That remains a major sticking point between the owners and the Players’ Association despite them extending the current Collective Bargaining Agreement through the 2021-22 season.
“From our standpoint, we believe, with our experience of going to five Olympics and then not going to PyeongChang, tells us that going is extraordinarily disruptive to the season,” Bettman said. “I know it maintains as a priority to the Players’ Association, but we were very comfortable not going to Korea.”
The good reaction to the new Elite Women’s 3-on-3 event at the skills competition was still resonating Saturday.
“We’re doing what we can to help grow our game as much as possible,” U.S. forward Brianna Decker said. “Thanks to the NHL we have an opportunity this weekend to do that.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Grammys 2020 red carpet photos: See the celebrity fashions

Lizzo (in Atelier Versace) is nominated for Record of the Year, Best Song, Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Artist, Best R&B Performance, Best Traditional Performance, and Best Urban Contemporary Artist at the 2020 Grammy Awards.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Ariana Grande shuts down Grammys 2020 red carpet in giant dress

What will happen to Meghan Markle 's royal wardrobe after family exit ?

Ariana Grande certainly made a statement on the 2020 Grammys red carpet.
The superstar, 26, made a grande entrance in an oversized Giambattista Valli blue dress bursting with layers of tulle and ruffles — reportedly reaching some 20 feet in diameter. She paired the look with opera-length gloves, customized Christian Louboutin heels with bespoke non-slip soles and her iconic ponytail, which was dyed a light shade of blond.
Stylist Law Roach burst into tears, according to E! News’ Zanna Roberts Rossi, when he saw Grande in the custom look. She also said that Roach told her the grey theme will continue into Grande’s performance during the awards show.
In fact, Grande changed before even entering the Staples Center; she traded her voluminous dress for an equally large skirt with a bedazzled silk tank top by Schiaparelli and traded her diamond studs for drop earrings.
The singer brought both of her parents — Edward Butera and Joan Grande — as her dates, posing with the divorced couple on the red carpet.
Grande returns after skipping the award show in 2019 after a dispute with Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich over her performance, which he claimed she was unable to “pull together” in time.
“It was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend,” she wrote in a Twitter rant, refuting his statement.
Despite snubbing the show and skipping it entirely, she won her first Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album. Grande later tweeted, “i know i’m not there tonight (trust, i tried and still truly wished it had worked out tbh) and i know i said i try not to put too much weight into these things …. but f–k ……. this is wild and beautiful. thank you so much.”
Grande is nominated in five categories tonight, including Album of the Year for “thank u, next,” and Record of the Year for “7 Rings.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Michael Jordan’s emotional tribute to Kobe Bryant: ‘Like a little brother’

LeBron James was spotted in tears , hugging multiple people and ...

Michael Jordan paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant on Sunday after the 41-year-old Lakers legend and his teenage daughter were killed in a helicopter crash earlier in the day.
“I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe’s and Gianna’s passing,” Jordan said in a statement. “Words can’t describe the pain I’m feeling.”
Jordan was among the many stunned by the death of Bryant, who along with his 13-year-old daughter, was flying to his basketball facility in California.
There were no survivors in the crash authorities believe killed nine, and took place around 10 a.m. local time amid foggy conditions in the hills overlooking a suburb of Los Angeles.
Jordan, now the owner of the Charlotte Hornets, and Bryant are considered two of the best players in NBA history.
“I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me. We used to talk often, and I will miss the conversations very much,” Jordan said. “He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force.”
Bryant is survived by wife Vanessa and the couple’s three daughters: Natalia, 17; Bianka, 3; and Capri Kobe Bryant, born last June.
“Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply — and took great pride in his daughter’s love for the game of basketball. [Jordan’s wife] Yvette joins me in sending my deepest condolences to Vanessa, the Lakers organization and basketball fans around the world.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Ozzy Osbourne attends Grammys 2020 with cane and daughter Kelly

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Ozzy Osbourne walked the red carpet at the 2020 Grammys , days after revealing to the world that he ’ s battling Parkinson ’ s .
The rock icon , 71 , was accompanied by his 35-year-old daughter , Kelly .
Ozzy looked to be in good spirits strolling the carpet in an all-black outfit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his standard crucifix necklace .
Kelly matched him , with her bright purple hair popping out from beneath a wide-brimmed hat .
Ozzy picked up a lifetime achievement award last year at the 2019 Grammys .
“ Coming from a working-class background , ” Osbourne said during his initial interview with “ Good Morning America.
” “ I hate to let people down .
I hate to not do my job , ” said Ozzy .
“ But you know , put it this way — I ’ m a lot better now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in a shocking state.
” “ We ’ re not going to stop until Ozzy is back out there , on that stage , where he belongs , ” Sharon said on her own show , “ The Talk , ” after the pair ’ s “ GMA ” interview .
“ It was what he was born to do .
”

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Hey, he is Iron Man, after all.
Ozzy Osbourne walked the red carpet at the 2020 Grammys, days after revealing to the world that he’s battling Parkinson’s.
The rock icon, 71, was accompanied by his 35-year-old daughter, Kelly Osbourne. He is presenting at Sunday night’s ceremony.
Ozzy looked to be in good spirits, strolling the carpet in an all-black outfit, accessorized with a gold-handled cane and his standard crucifix necklace. Kelly coordinated her look with her dad’s, with her bright purple hair popping out from beneath a wide-brimmed hat.
Ozzy picked up a lifetime achievement award last year at the 2019 Grammys.
During an interview with “Good Morning America” this week, Osbourne said he was diagnosed last February. “Coming from a working-class background, I hate to let people down. I hate to not do my job,” he said. “But you know, put it this way — I’m a lot better now than I was last February. I was in a shocking state.”
“We’re not going to stop until Ozzy is back out there, on that stage, where he belongs,” Sharon said on her own show, “The Talk,” after the pair’s “GMA” interview.
“It was what he was born to do.”


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Ryan Seacrest opens Grammys 2020 red carpet with tribute to Kobe Bryant

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 ) Ryan Seacrest kicked off the Grammys 2020 red carpet by paying tribute to Kobe Bryant , just hours after the NBA legend was killed in a helicopter crash .
For the first three minutes of “ Live From the Red Carpet , ” Seacrest and co-host Giuliana Rancic spoke about the lives and deaths of Bryant , 41 , and his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are starting the show on a very somber note , ” Seacrest , 45 , began .
“ We want to take a moment to say we are deeply saddened by the passing of Kobe Bryant , his daughter Gianna , and the others aboard the helicopter which tragically crashed today in Calabasas , California.
” He continued , “ Kobe was 41 years old and was one of the greatest basketball players and greatest athletes to ever live .
His loss will be felt even more deeply tonight at a place he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center .
We ’ re sending our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife and the family he left behind .
His absence will be felt by so many people that he touched.
” Bryant and his aspiring basketball player daughter were killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday .
The duo and seven others were headed to Bryant ’ s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks , California .
The helicopter caught on fire before crashing in Calabasas , California .
The pilot and other passengers were also killed in the crash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their other three daughters , Natalia , 17 , Bianka , 3 , and Capri , 7 months , were not on board .
Rancic added : “ My heart is so heavy today , like so many people watching…as a mother , as a wife , as a human , my heart goes out to Vanessa and her family tonight.
” “ This is a man we have gotten to know over the years , ” Seacrest said .
“ He was on the phone with me a few months ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father , talking about his daughters so pridefully.
” He also expressed his feelings on social media .
“ No words for the shocking and devastating news about Kobe Bryant .
Absolutely heartbroken for his family , ” the host tweeted ahead of the red carpet .
The NBA legend was also honored by the Staples Center — where he played with the Lakers and where the awards are being held — ahead of the ceremony .

Ryan Seacrest kicked off the Grammys 2020 red carpet by paying tribute to Kobe Bryant, just hours after the NBA legend was killed in a helicopter crash.
For the first three minutes of “Live From the Red Carpet,” Seacrest and co-host Giuliana Rancic spoke about the lives and deaths of Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.
“We are starting the show on a very somber note,” Seacrest, 45, began his red carpet coverage. “We want to take a moment to say we are deeply saddened by the passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the others aboard the helicopter which tragically crashed today in Calabasas, California.”
He continued, “Kobe was 41 years old and was one of the greatest basketball players and greatest athletes to ever live. His loss will be felt even more deeply tonight at a place he considered home. This is the Staples Center. We’re sending our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife and the family he left behind. His absence will be felt by so many people that he touched.”
Bryant and his aspiring basketball player daughter were killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The duo and seven others were headed to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California. The helicopter caught on fire before crashing in Calabasas, California.
The pilot and other passengers were also killed in the crash.
Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, and their other three daughters, Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 7 months, were not on board.
Rancic added: “My heart is so heavy today, like so many people watching…as a mother, as a wife, as a human, my heart goes out to Vanessa and her family tonight.”
“This is a man we have gotten to know over the years,” Seacrest said. “He was on the phone with me a few months ago talking about the love of being a father, talking about his daughters so pridefully.”
He also expressed his feelings on social media.
“No words for the shocking and devastating news about Kobe Bryant. Absolutely heartbroken for his family,” the host tweeted ahead of the red carpet.
The NBA legend was also honored by the Staples Center — where he played with the Lakers and where the awards are being held — ahead of the ceremony.


newyorkpost--2020-01-26--Gwen Stefani wears Blake Shelton-inspired dress on Grammys 2020 red carpet

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Gwen Stefani is taking boyfriend Blake Shelton‘s last name as fashion inspiration.
The former “Voice” coach, 50, hit the red carpet at Sunday night’s 2020 Grammys wearing a short Dolce & Gabbana dress covered in white shells.
She emphasized the first syllable in Shelton’s last name when explaining the inspiration for the look, and joked that the country singer has been working for years to collect the components of her dress.
Shelton, 43, wore a simple black three-piece suit.
The couple are set to perform their duet “Nobody But You” together during the award show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Shelton is nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for “God’s Country,” the title song off of his latest album.
Though they have written and recorded more than one song together during their relationship, both Stefani and Shelton told Ryan Seacrest that there are no plans for a joint album.