newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Ranking NBA’s top 30 free agents in 2020

Barring a major surprise with Anthony Davis or Brandon Ingram , there will be no stars switching teams .
NBA free agency , like the 2020 NBA Draft , is about adding depth and shooting .
There are plenty of quality contributors available , but the big-ticket star is not on the market .
That happens next year , with Giannis Antetokounmpo and possibly LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard .
Here are The Post ’ s top 30 NBA free agents : A Jets game has more suspense than Davis ’ immediate future .
The seven-time All-Star will remain a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An integral part of the Pelicans ’ core , it would be stunning for them not to match any offers the league ’ s Most Improved Player receives .
More likely , he inks a maximum contract with New Orleans .
Injuries derailed his three years in Boston , limiting him to 125 games across three years .
When healthy , the 2017 All-Star is a high-level wing , a more-than-capable 3-point shooter , playmaker and defender .
The Knicks are among the teams interested .
From undrafted to a champion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success story .
A Knicks target , VanVleet has made it clear money will be the No .
1 factor for him .
Harrell , the NBA ’ s Sixth Man of the Year , is hitting free agency at the right time , after producing career-highs in points ( 18.6 ) and rebounds ( 7.1 ) .
Undersized at 6-foot-7 , the former second-round pick maximizes his talent by simply outworking his opponent .
Initially in a sign-and-trade with the Bucks , Bogdanovic is now headed to free agency , and likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to woo him .
He ’ s entering his prime as a lethal 3-point shooting , secondary playmaker .
Entering his 12th season , Ibaka is showing no signs of slowing down , posting a career-best 15.4 points per game while shooting a robust 38.5 percent from deep .
The rangy , rim-protecting forward will be very popular .
“ The Dragon ” still has it , playing a pivotal role in the Heat ’ s surprising run to The Finals .
The southpaw guard is still a potent offensive threat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scoring punch off the bench .
After three nondescript seasons with the Spurs , the sharpshooting 6-foot-10 forward found his niche with the Wizards , averaging 15.4 points on 42.4 percent 3-point shooting .
Washington will have to pay to keep the big man , who is sure to attract plenty of suitors .
One of the league ’ s premier 3-point specialists , the 6-foot-6 Harris is a lifetime 42.6 percent shooter from beyond the arc , and he has developed into a passable defender and key part of the culture change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carved out a strong career for himself as a stretch four .
Injuries are always a concern with the 6-foot-10 Italian — he hasn ’ t appeared in more than 68 games since 2012-13 — but when healthy , he produces .
An elite rim-protector and in-the-paint scorer , Whiteside had a stellar regular season , averaging 15.5 points , 13.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks , before nearly vanishing in the postseason in part because of the return of Jusuf Nurkic .
The 7-foot Whiteside should have plenty of options , but don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of them .
A key in the Nuggets ’ run to the Western Conference finals , Grant showed his defensive chops in the postseason , guarding the likes of Donovan Mitchell , Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James .
His recent improvements from three — he shot a shade under 39 percent this year — should make the former Syracuse star an attractive 3-and-D piece for a contender .
The well-traveled 6-foot-10 forward finally got a shot with the Pistons to prove his worth and delivered 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to parlay that into a significant raise , potentially from the interested Knicks .
Morris experienced both ends of the spectrum last year , as a star for a bottom-feeder with the Knicks and role player with the contending Clippers after he was dealt to Los Angeles .
After playing on a one-year deal , the valuable wing will be looking for more security .
A fierce defender , willing ball-mover and veteran who thrives when a lot is on the line , Crowder has established himself as a valuable role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quintessential third guard on a contender , Clarkson is instant offense off the bench , as he showed this past season in Utah , averaging 15.6 points in 24.7 minutes while shooting a career-best 46.2 percent from the field .
He has yet to reach the promise of a lottery pick and his defense leaves plenty to be desired , but he can stretch defenses and create offense .
Someone may pull the trigger on a big deal , hoping to unlock his potential .
A major pay cut is headed Gasol ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the board .
The 6-foot-11 center still can shoot it — he made 38.5 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc — but he ’ s clearly lost something entering his 13th season in the league .
A high-flying guard with defensive shortcomings , Beasley shined upon arriving in Minnesota late in the year from the Nuggets , averaging 20.7 points on 47.2 percent shooting from the field .
It would be a surprise to see the Timberwolves let Beasley walk unless someone goes overboard .
Halfway into his 30s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if used in small doses .
His improved perimeter jump shot is a weapon and Millsap remains an able defender , as he showed the last two years with the contending Nuggets .
He ’ s never going to fit the mold of the modern big man .
He won ’ t be a threat from the perimeter and is a limited shot-blocker , but he can score on the low block , is a quality rebounder and shoots a high percentage .
There is still value in that skillset .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference-maker , an improved shooter , talented distributor and able defender .
The Lakers landing Dennis Schroder from the Thunder is a sign Rondo will go elsewhere , but that may not mean a different city .
The Clippers are said to be interested in the four-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion .
After a full year out of the league , Anthony proved he had something left , taking on a supporting role in Portland and excelling in that position .
He shot his best from 3-point land in six years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the floor , a previous knock on him .
The former top-10 draft pick was better in the Lakers ’ run to a championship , averaging 10.7 points and shooting 37.8 percent from 3-point range during the playoffs , than he was during the regular season .
The 6-foot-5 guard can be erratic , but he can get hot , too .
He averaged a double-double each of the last two seasons , albeit while missing 47 games due to injury .
Thompson , though , doesn ’ t fit the new-age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mold for big men .
Like Gasol , he won ’ t be able to sniff his previous salary .
An improved 3-point shot led to a career-best 11.5 points per game for the physical 6-foot-10 big man .
If the jumper isn ’ t an anomaly , Baynes can provide valuable depth as a backup for a team in need of size .
There is still gas in the tank for the aging center , who played a key role as a reserve for the NBA champion Lakers .
Howard can still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending the paint .
A phenomenal athlete , Jones is becoming more than just a dunker , producing career-highs in points ( 8.5 ) , steals ( 1.1 ) and assists ( 1.0 ) this season .
For a wing , his jumper is still a work in progress — he hit on only 28 percent from three — but he ’ s shown marked improvement each of the past three years .
The 6-foot-3 , well-traveled veteran defends and shoots it well from three — two qualities all contenders can use .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ including from the Lakers as he was underpaid .

Barring a major surprise with Anthony Davis or Brandon Ingram, there will be no stars switching teams. NBA free agency, like the 2020 NBA Draft, is about adding depth and shooting. There are plenty of quality contributors available, but the big-ticket star is not on the market. That happens next year, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and possibly LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.
Here are The Post’s top 30 NBA free agents:
1. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 27
2019-20 Salary: $27,093,019
Contract status: Unrestricted
A Jets game has more suspense than Davis’ immediate future. The seven-time All-Star will remain a Laker after helping them win a title.
2. Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 23
2019-20 Salary: $7,265,485
Contract Status: Restricted
An integral part of the Pelicans’ core, it would be stunning for them not to match any offers the league’s Most Improved Player receives. More likely, he inks a maximum contract with New Orleans.
3. Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics
Age: 30
2019-20 Salary: $32,700,690
Contract Status: Unrestricted
Injuries derailed his three years in Boston, limiting him to 125 games across three years. When healthy, the 2017 All-Star is a high-level wing, a more-than-capable 3-point shooter, playmaker and defender. The Knicks are among the teams interested.
4. Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors
Age: 26
2019-20 Salary: $9,346,153
Contract Status: Unrestricted
From undrafted to a champion, the former Wichita State guard is a success story. A Knicks target, VanVleet has made it clear money will be the No. 1 factor for him.
5. Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 26
2019-20 Salary: $6,000,000
Contract Status: Unrestricted
Harrell, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, is hitting free agency at the right time, after producing career-highs in points (18.6) and rebounds (7.1). Undersized at 6-foot-7, the former second-round pick maximizes his talent by simply outworking his opponent.
6. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento Kings
Age: 28
2019-20 Salary: $8,529,386
Contract Status: Restricted
Initially in a sign-and-trade with the Bucks, Bogdanovic is now headed to free agency, and likely will have a long list of teams ready to woo him. He’s entering his prime as a lethal 3-point shooting, secondary playmaker.
7. Serge Ibaka, Toronto Raptors
Age: 31
2019-20 Salary: $23,271,605
Contract Status: Unrestricted
Entering his 12th season, Ibaka is showing no signs of slowing down, posting a career-best 15.4 points per game while shooting a robust 38.5 percent from deep. The rangy, rim-protecting forward will be very popular.
8. Goran Dragic, Miami Heat
Age: 34
2019-20 Salary: $19,217,900
Contract Status: Unrestricted
“The Dragon” still has it, playing a pivotal role in the Heat’s surprising run to The Finals. The southpaw guard is still a potent offensive threat, perfect for a contender in need of scoring punch off the bench.
9. Davis Bertans, Washington Wizards
Age: 28
2019-20 Salary: $7,000,000
Contract Status: Unrestricted
After three nondescript seasons with the Spurs, the sharpshooting 6-foot-10 forward found his niche with the Wizards, averaging 15.4 points on 42.4 percent 3-point shooting. Washington will have to pay to keep the big man, who is sure to attract plenty of suitors.
10. Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets
Age: 29
2019-20 Salary: $7,666,667
Contract Status: Unrestricted
One of the league’s premier 3-point specialists, the 6-foot-6 Harris is a lifetime 42.6 percent shooter from beyond the arc, and he has developed into a passable defender and key part of the culture change in Brooklyn.
11. Danilo Gallinari, Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 32
2019-20 Salary: $22,615,559
Contract Status: Unrestricted
The one-time Knick has carved out a strong career for himself as a stretch four. Injuries are always a concern with the 6-foot-10 Italian — he hasn’t appeared in more than 68 games since 2012-13 — but when healthy, he produces.
12. Hassan Whiteside, Trail Blazers
Age: 31
2019-20 Salary: $27,093,019
Contract Status: Unrestricted
An elite rim-protector and in-the-paint scorer, Whiteside had a stellar regular season, averaging 15.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks, before nearly vanishing in the postseason in part because of the return of Jusuf Nurkic. The 7-foot Whiteside should have plenty of options, but don’t look for Portland to be one of them.
13. Jerami Grant, Denver Nuggets
Age: 26
2019-20 Salary: $9,346,153
Contract Status: Unrestricted
A key in the Nuggets’ run to the Western Conference finals, Grant showed his defensive chops in the postseason, guarding the likes of Donovan Mitchell, Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James. His recent improvements from three — he shot a shade under 39 percent this year — should make the former Syracuse star an attractive 3-and-D piece for a contender.
14. Christian Wood, Detroit Pistons
Age: 25
2019-20 Salary: $1,645,357
Contract Status: Unrestricted
The well-traveled 6-foot-10 forward finally got a shot with the Pistons to prove his worth and delivered 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in just 21.4 minutes per game. He should be able to parlay that into a significant raise, potentially from the interested Knicks.
15. Marcus Morris Sr., Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 31
2019-20 Salary: $15,000,000
Contract Status: Unrestricted
Morris experienced both ends of the spectrum last year, as a star for a bottom-feeder with the Knicks and role player with the contending Clippers after he was dealt to Los Angeles. After playing on a one-year deal, the valuable wing will be looking for more security.
16. Jae Crowder, Miami Heat
Age: 30
2019-20 Salary: $7,815,533
Contract Status: Unrestricted
A fierce defender, willing ball-mover and veteran who thrives when a lot is on the line, Crowder has established himself as a valuable role player on a good team.
17. Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
Age: 28
2019-20 Salary: $13,437,500
Contract Status: Unrestricted
The quintessential third guard on a contender, Clarkson is instant offense off the bench, as he showed this past season in Utah, averaging 15.6 points in 24.7 minutes while shooting a career-best 46.2 percent from the field.
18. Dario Saric, Phoenix Suns
Age: 26
2019-20 Salary: $3,481,986
Contract Status: Restricted
He has yet to reach the promise of a lottery pick and his defense leaves plenty to be desired, but he can stretch defenses and create offense. Someone may pull the trigger on a big deal, hoping to unlock his potential.
19. Marc Gasol, Toronto Raptors
Age: 35
2019-20 Salary: $25,595,700
Contract Status: Unrestricted
A major pay cut is headed Gasol’s way after he posted career lows across the board. The 6-foot-11 center still can shoot it — he made 38.5 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc — but he’s clearly lost something entering his 13th season in the league.
20. Malik Beasley, Minnesota Timberwolves
Age: 23
2019-20 Salary: $2,731,714
Contract Status: Restricted
A high-flying guard with defensive shortcomings, Beasley shined upon arriving in Minnesota late in the year from the Nuggets, averaging 20.7 points on 47.2 percent shooting from the field. It would be a surprise to see the Timberwolves let Beasley walk unless someone goes overboard.
21. Paul Millsap, Denver Nuggets
Age: 35
2019-20 Salary: $30,000,000
Contract Status: Unrestricted
Halfway into his 30s, the undersized forward can still be effective, if used in small doses. His improved perimeter jump shot is a weapon and Millsap remains an able defender, as he showed the last two years with the contending Nuggets.
22. Derrick Favors, New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 29
2019-20 Salary: $16,000,000
Contract Status: Unrestricted
He’s never going to fit the mold of the modern big man. He won’t be a threat from the perimeter and is a limited shot-blocker, but he can score on the low block, is a quality rebounder and shoots a high percentage. There is still value in that skillset.
23. Rajon Rondo, Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 34
2019-20 Salary: $2,564,753
Contract Status: Unrestricted
At his best, Rondo is still a difference-maker, an improved shooter, talented distributor and able defender. The Lakers landing Dennis Schroder from the Thunder is a sign Rondo will go elsewhere, but that may not mean a different city. The Clippers are said to be interested in the four-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion.
24. Carmelo Anthony, Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 36
2019-20 Salary: $2,159,029
Contract Status: Unrestricted
After a full year out of the league, Anthony proved he had something left, taking on a supporting role in Portland and excelling in that position. He shot his best from 3-point land in six years and played with maximum effort at both ends of the floor, a previous knock on him.
25. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 27
2019-20 Salary: $8,089,282
Contract Status: Unrestricted
The former top-10 draft pick was better in the Lakers’ run to a championship, averaging 10.7 points and shooting 37.8 percent from 3-point range during the playoffs, than he was during the regular season. The 6-foot-5 guard can be erratic, but he can get hot, too.
26. Tristan Thompson, Cavaliers
Age: 29
2019-20 Salary: $18,539,130
Contract Status: Unrestricted
He averaged a double-double each of the last two seasons, albeit while missing 47 games due to injury. Thompson, though, doesn’t fit the new-age NBA’s rim-protecting, 3-point shooting mold for big men. Like Gasol, he won’t be able to sniff his previous salary.
27. Aron Baynes, Phoenix Suns
Age: 33
2019-20 Salary: $5,453,280
Contract Status: Unrestricted
An improved 3-point shot led to a career-best 11.5 points per game for the physical 6-foot-10 big man. If the jumper isn’t an anomaly, Baynes can provide valuable depth as a backup for a team in need of size.
28. Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 34
2019-20 Salary: $2,564,753
Contract Status: Unrestricted
There is still gas in the tank for the aging center, who played a key role as a reserve for the NBA champion Lakers. Howard can still be a factor on the glass and defending the paint.
29. Derrick Jones Jr., Miami Heat
Age: 23
2019-20 Salary: $1,645,357
Contract Status: Unrestricted
A phenomenal athlete, Jones is becoming more than just a dunker, producing career-highs in points (8.5), steals (1.1) and assists (1.0) this season. For a wing, his jumper is still a work in progress — he hit on only 28 percent from three — but he’s shown marked improvement each of the past three years.
30. Avery Bradley, Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 29
2019-20 Salary: $4,767,000
Contract Status: Unrestricted
The 6-foot-3, well-traveled veteran defends and shoots it well from three — two qualities all contenders can use. He should command plenty of interest, including from the Lakers as he was underpaid.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--These three NBA free agents could be on Knicks’ radar

Could the Knicks turn the World ’ s Most Famous Arena into ...

As NBA free agency opens, here are three names to keep an eye on for the Knicks:
Gordon Hayward
He was on pace to be a perennial All-Star before he shattered his leg in his Celtics debut in 2017. He’s still a good passer and 3-point shooter and averaged 17 points on 50 percent shooting from the field in 2019-20. The Knicks’ assistant GM, while with the Jazz, drafted him out of Butler. “He’s still a multi-skilled player despite the injuries slowing him down some,’’ one scout said.
D.J. Augustin
The Knicks need a starting point guard and the 32-year-old journeyman is more than serviceable on a cheap, one-year, $5 million deal. He’s a career 38 percent 3-point shooter. He’s undersize and bounced around to eight teams, most recently Orlando. Augustin played his best ball under Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau in Chicago in 2013-14.
Carmelo Anthony
The ex-Knicks superstar is more a solid role player now and revived his career last season in Portland when he averaged 15 points on 43 percent shooting. Rookie Obi Toppin could learn wonders from Melo, but his former agent, Leon Rose, wants him on discount for the room exception of $5 million. It’s a waste if they land Hayward.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Three players Nets could make run at as NBA free agency opens

While the Nets ’ melodrama with the Rockets and James Harden ...

As NBA free agency opens, here are three names to keep an eye on for the Nets:
Joe Harris
GM Sean Marks calls re-signing the unrestricted free agent “Priority No. 1.” Expectations around the league are that the Nets will do just that.
Serge Ibaka
Kevin Durant has been trying to recruit his ex-OKC teammate. But with the Nets only able to offer $5 million, Ibaka is believed to want double that.
James Harden
He’s not a free agent, but he’s certainly the big fish. The Rockets are demanding a star for Harden, and are looping partners in for a three-team deal to get one.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Dolphins Super Bowl MVP Jake Scott dies at 75

MIAMI — Jake Scott , the star safety who was the most valuable player in the Super Bowl that completed the Miami Dolphins ’ 1972 perfect season before his relationship with coach Don Shula soured , died Thursday in Atlanta .
He was 75 .
Scott died after a fall down a stairway that left him in a coma , former teammate Dick Anderson said .
Scott played in three consecutive Super Bowls , won back-to-back championship rings and made the Pro Bowl five years in a row with Miami .
He had two interceptions , including a 55-yard return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kilmer and the Washington Redskins as the ’ 72 Dolphins won 14-7 to finish 17-0 .
Following retirement , Scott became reclusive and harbored hard feelings toward Shula and his coach at Georgia , Vince Dooley .
Scott lived for years on a remote Hawaiian island and traveled the world but seldom attended Dolphins or Bulldogs reunions .
He was once close to Shula , but they went without speaking to each other for 28 years , and Scott was one of only two living players to skip the 1972 Dolphins ’ 25-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended at a memorabilia show in 2010 , where Scott and Shula had a brief conversation , shared laughs and posed with other ex-Dolphins for photos .
Shula died in May of this year .
At Georgia , Scott was an All-American and the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 1968 .
He played with the Dolphins from 1970 to 1976 and remains their career leader in interceptions and punt return yardage .
He also started for the Redskins in 1976-78 and finished with 49 career interceptions .
“ Jake made an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dolphins , ” the team said in a statement .
“ He teamed with Dick Anderson to form one of the top safety duos in NFL history.
” In six seasons with Miami , Scott never missed a game .
“ If I had to be in a foxhole in a war and have somebody cover my backside , ” Anderson said , “ Jake would be my first choice.
” Scott played the final 11 games of his rookie season with a separated shoulder .
He played in the Super Bowl the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and right wrist , each of which required a cast after the game .
However , a disagreement about Scott ’ s toughness caused his falling out with Shula in 1976 .
The relationship had been deteriorating for a couple of years when they had an argument in the locker room about whether Scott ’ s shoulder injury was serious enough to keep him out of a preseason game .
Shula suspended Scott and then traded him to the Redskins for safety Bryant Salter , who lasted only one season .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he had hard feelings about that , ” Shula said in 1998 .
“ I try to put it out of my mind and appreciate the contributions he made.
” Jacob E. Scott III was born July 20 , 1945 , in Greenwood , South Carolina .
He grew up in Athens , Georgia , and was recruited as a receiver by Dooley , who then moved Scott to safety .
Scott is remembered in Athens for the time he rode a motorcycle across the roof of Stegeman Coliseum , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He led the SEC in interceptions each year and in punt return yardage in 1968 , when he helped Georgia win the conference championship .
Dooley called Scott the greatest player he ever coached , ranking him ahead of even Herschel Walker .
Scott was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011 .
He left Georgia after his junior season and spent one year with British Colombia in the Canadian Football League .
The Dolphins drafted him in the seventh round in 1970 , and he became a starter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s No .
13 famous more than a decade before Dan Marino wore the same number , and he became the NFL ’ s first $ 100,000-a-year defensive back .
In 2019 , Scott wrote a column for the Dolphins website reflecting on the perfect season .
“ It really was a hell of an accomplishment , ” he said .
“ How many teams get that lucky ?
We were lucky .
In fact our team the next year was a better football team .
… We were lucky , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ championship Dolphins in the same way his mutton-chop sideburns typified early 1970s style .
The free safety was a free spirit , but also wily .
One example : In 1973 , the Dolphins were clinging to a late six-point lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football when they took an intentional safety to avoid punting from their end zone , and the TV crew praised the tactical genius .
The intentional safety was suggested to Shula by Scott .
The ploy paid off in a 30-26 victory .
Scott never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , owned rental property and liked to fish , hunt , play golf and travel — even to Georgia or Miami , but without fanfare .
“ He has just never been into self-promotion , and it has really hurt him in terms of recognition , ” Dolphins teammate Jim Mandich once said .
“ This is a guy who for six or seven years played his position as well as it has ever been played .
”

MIAMI — Jake Scott, the star safety who was the most valuable player in the Super Bowl that completed the Miami Dolphins’ 1972 perfect season before his relationship with coach Don Shula soured, died Thursday in Atlanta. He was 75.
Scott died after a fall down a stairway that left him in a coma, former teammate Dick Anderson said.
Scott played in three consecutive Super Bowls, won back-to-back championship rings and made the Pro Bowl five years in a row with Miami. He had two interceptions, including a 55-yard return from the end zone, against Billy Kilmer and the Washington Redskins as the ’72 Dolphins won 14-7 to finish 17-0.
Following retirement, Scott became reclusive and harbored hard feelings toward Shula and his coach at Georgia, Vince Dooley. Scott lived for years on a remote Hawaiian island and traveled the world but seldom attended Dolphins or Bulldogs reunions.
He was once close to Shula, but they went without speaking to each other for 28 years, and Scott was one of only two living players to skip the 1972 Dolphins’ 25-year celebration in 1997.
The rift finally ended at a memorabilia show in 2010, where Scott and Shula had a brief conversation, shared laughs and posed with other ex-Dolphins for photos. Shula died in May of this year.
At Georgia, Scott was an All-American and the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 1968. He played with the Dolphins from 1970 to 1976 and remains their career leader in interceptions and punt return yardage. He also started for the Redskins in 1976-78 and finished with 49 career interceptions.
“Jake made an impact from the day he joined the Dolphins,” the team said in a statement. “He teamed with Dick Anderson to form one of the top safety duos in NFL history.”
In six seasons with Miami, Scott never missed a game.
“If I had to be in a foxhole in a war and have somebody cover my backside,” Anderson said, “Jake would be my first choice.”
Scott played the final 11 games of his rookie season with a separated shoulder. He played in the Super Bowl the following season with a broken left hand and right wrist, each of which required a cast after the game.
However, a disagreement about Scott’s toughness caused his falling out with Shula in 1976. The relationship had been deteriorating for a couple of years when they had an argument in the locker room about whether Scott’s shoulder injury was serious enough to keep him out of a preseason game.
Shula suspended Scott and then traded him to the Redskins for safety Bryant Salter, who lasted only one season.
“I had to make a tough decision, and he had hard feelings about that,” Shula said in 1998. “I try to put it out of my mind and appreciate the contributions he made.”
Jacob E. Scott III was born July 20, 1945, in Greenwood, South Carolina. He grew up in Athens, Georgia, and was recruited as a receiver by Dooley, who then moved Scott to safety.
Scott is remembered in Athens for the time he rode a motorcycle across the roof of Stegeman Coliseum, but also for his two seasons with the Bulldogs. He led the SEC in interceptions each year and in punt return yardage in 1968, when he helped Georgia win the conference championship.
Dooley called Scott the greatest player he ever coached, ranking him ahead of even Herschel Walker. Scott was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
He left Georgia after his junior season and spent one year with British Colombia in the Canadian Football League. The Dolphins drafted him in the seventh round in 1970, and he became a starter as a rookie.
Scott made Miami’s No. 13 famous more than a decade before Dan Marino wore the same number, and he became the NFL’s first $100,000-a-year defensive back.
In 2019, Scott wrote a column for the Dolphins website reflecting on the perfect season.
“It really was a hell of an accomplishment,” he said. “How many teams get that lucky? We were lucky. In fact our team the next year was a better football team. … We were lucky, but we were good.”
Scott typified the championship Dolphins in the same way his mutton-chop sideburns typified early 1970s style. The free safety was a free spirit, but also wily.
“The brightest player I ever played with,” Anderson said.
One example: In 1973, the Dolphins were clinging to a late six-point lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football when they took an intentional safety to avoid punting from their end zone, and the TV crew praised the tactical genius.
“Shula’s ahead of us all!” announcer Howard Cosell exclaimed.
The intentional safety was suggested to Shula by Scott. The ploy paid off in a 30-26 victory.
Scott never married. In retirement he invested wisely, owned rental property and liked to fish, hunt, play golf and travel — even to Georgia or Miami, but without fanfare.
“He has just never been into self-promotion, and it has really hurt him in terms of recognition,” Dolphins teammate Jim Mandich once said. “This is a guy who for six or seven years played his position as well as it has ever been played.”


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Yankees’ Aroldis Chapman suspension reduced to two games

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman ’ s suspension for throwing near the head of Tampa Bay ’ s Mike Brosseau was reduced from three games to two after he appealed the decision .
Major League Baseball announced the result of the appeal on Thursday .
It was heard by special assistant to the commissioner John McHale Jr. Chapman will serve the suspension at the beginning of next season .
His original punishment was announced by Chris Young , Major League Baseball ’ s senior vice president of baseball operations .
Chapman threw a 101 mph fastball near Brosseau ’ s head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitter with two outs in the ninth inning of a 5-3 victory over the Rays on Sept. 1 .
Umpires convened before issuing warnings to both benches , and Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash was ejected after coming onto the field to argue .
Chapman struck out Brosseau to end it , and Brosseau began walking toward the visiting dugout before turning back to exchange words with someone on the Yankees .
The dugouts and benches emptied and players gathered near home plate , but they mostly kept their distance before dispersing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenge in the postseason , homering off Chapman in the eighth inning of Tampa Bay ’ s 2-1 victory in the decisive Game 5 of their AL Division Series on Oct. 9 .

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman’s suspension for throwing near the head of Tampa Bay’s Mike Brosseau was reduced from three games to two after he appealed the decision.
Major League Baseball announced the result of the appeal on Thursday. It was heard by special assistant to the commissioner John McHale Jr.
Chapman will serve the suspension at the beginning of next season. His original punishment was announced by Chris Young, Major League Baseball’s senior vice president of baseball operations.
Chapman threw a 101 mph fastball near Brosseau’s head on his first pitch to the pinch hitter with two outs in the ninth inning of a 5-3 victory over the Rays on Sept. 1. Umpires convened before issuing warnings to both benches, and Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash was ejected after coming onto the field to argue.
Chapman struck out Brosseau to end it, and Brosseau began walking toward the visiting dugout before turning back to exchange words with someone on the Yankees. The dugouts and benches emptied and players gathered near home plate, but they mostly kept their distance before dispersing to their respective clubhouses.
Brosseau got his revenge in the postseason, homering off Chapman in the eighth inning of Tampa Bay’s 2-1 victory in the decisive Game 5 of their AL Division Series on Oct. 9.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Pick six, Hail Mary send Tulsa to wild comeback win over Tulane

TULSA , Okla. — Falling behind early is becoming a regular occurrence for Tulsa .
So are late-game heroics .
Zaven Collins returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown in the second overtime to give No .
25 Tulsa a 30-24 comeback victory over Tulane on Thursday night .
Tulsa ( 5-1 , 5-0 American Athletic Conference ) forced overtime when third-string quarterback Brin Davis connected with JuanCarlos Santana for a Hail Mary 37-yard touchdown pass .
“ Words can ’ t really explain that one , ” Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery said .
“ I ’ m just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is just a special group of guys down there .
I don ’ t know that we played our best ball tonight , but we found a way to win .
They are going to fight for 60 minutes , every second of it , and it took every second of it tonight.
” Playing its first game as a ranked team since 2008 , Tulsa outgained Tulane 522 yards to 302 , but turned the ball over three times .
The Golden Hurricane trailed 14-0 entering the fourth quarter — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 14-point-or-more deficit to win .
Brin entered with 2:09 left in the third quarter after backup Seth Boomer was carted off the field because of a left leg injury .
Starter Zach Smith left with a torso injury late in the first quarter .
“ It ’ s been an unbelievable night , ” said Brin , a redshirt sophomore who saw his first meaningful college action .
“ I ’ ve just prepared for the past three years and waiting on my opportunity to take advantage of it .
I got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what I had to do and felt really confident about it.
” Brin completed 18 of 28 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns .
His 18-yard TD run with 9:17 remaining got Tulsa ’ s comeback started .
“ Obviously , you don ’ t prepare for the third-team guy coming in , ” Tulane coach Willie Fritz said .
“ We didn ’ t know much about him .
I thought the young man came in and did a nice job.
” Corey Taylor II , carrying the ball for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained 132 yards on 19 carries for the Golden Hurricane .
Santana added eight receptions for 138 yards and the game-tying score .
Montgomery said Collins , who also sealed Tulsa ’ s come-from-behind 28-24 win last week over then-No .
19 SMU , should be considered for the Heisman Trophy .
“ Unbelievable kid , unbelievable teammate , great leader , ” Montgomery said .
“ Why is that guy not in the running for the Heisman ?
Tell me someone that has affected more games than that guy .
I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best football players in college football , in my opinion , he ’ s there.
” Tulane ( 5-5 , 2-5 ) was coming off a 38-12 victory over then-No .
25 Navy last week , its first win over a ranked opponent in 36 years , and nearly did it again just five days later .
Stephen Huderson ran for 106 yards on 25 carries for the Green Wave , including the contest ’ s first TD on a 5-yard run with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter .
Larry Brooks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Green Wave .
Fritz was frustrated by surrendering the Hail Mary touchdown pass .
“ We work on that situation — Hail Mary pass — the day before the games , ” Fritz said .
“ Obviously , we didn ’ t execute it very well .
Poor coaching , poor execution .
We just didn ’ t play very good down the stretch .
We needed to make a play .
”

TULSA, Okla. — Falling behind early is becoming a regular occurrence for Tulsa. So are late-game heroics.
Zaven Collins returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown in the second overtime to give No. 25 Tulsa a 30-24 comeback victory over Tulane on Thursday night.
Tulsa (5-1, 5-0 American Athletic Conference) forced overtime when third-string quarterback Brin Davis connected with JuanCarlos Santana for a Hail Mary 37-yard touchdown pass.
“Words can’t really explain that one,” Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery said. “I’m just so proud of our young men. That is just a special group of guys down there. I don’t know that we played our best ball tonight, but we found a way to win. They are going to fight for 60 minutes, every second of it, and it took every second of it tonight.”
Playing its first game as a ranked team since 2008, Tulsa outgained Tulane 522 yards to 302, but turned the ball over three times. The Golden Hurricane trailed 14-0 entering the fourth quarter — the fourth game this season they have overcome a 14-point-or-more deficit to win.
Brin entered with 2:09 left in the third quarter after backup Seth Boomer was carted off the field because of a left leg injury. Starter Zach Smith left with a torso injury late in the first quarter.
“It’s been an unbelievable night,” said Brin, a redshirt sophomore who saw his first meaningful college action. “I’ve just prepared for the past three years and waiting on my opportunity to take advantage of it. I got that call and I knew that’s what I had to do and felt really confident about it.”
Brin completed 18 of 28 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. His 18-yard TD run with 9:17 remaining got Tulsa’s comeback started.
“Obviously, you don’t prepare for the third-team guy coming in,” Tulane coach Willie Fritz said. “We didn’t know much about him. I thought the young man came in and did a nice job.”
Corey Taylor II, carrying the ball for the first time in four games, gained 132 yards on 19 carries for the Golden Hurricane. Santana added eight receptions for 138 yards and the game-tying score.
Montgomery said Collins, who also sealed Tulsa’s come-from-behind 28-24 win last week over then-No. 19 SMU, should be considered for the Heisman Trophy.
“Unbelievable kid, unbelievable teammate, great leader,” Montgomery said. “Why is that guy not in the running for the Heisman? Tell me someone that has affected more games than that guy. I mean, if we want to talk about the best football players in college football, in my opinion, he’s there.”
Tulane (5-5, 2-5) was coming off a 38-12 victory over then-No. 25 Navy last week, its first win over a ranked opponent in 36 years, and nearly did it again just five days later.
Stephen Huderson ran for 106 yards on 25 carries for the Green Wave, including the contest’s first TD on a 5-yard run with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter. Larry Brooks had an interception and recovered a fumble for the Green Wave.
Fritz was frustrated by surrendering the Hail Mary touchdown pass.
“We work on that situation — Hail Mary pass — the day before the games,” Fritz said. “Obviously, we didn’t execute it very well. Poor coaching, poor execution. We just didn’t play very good down the stretch. We needed to make a play.”


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Bacon bad: Woman allegedly slugs cop trying to impound her pet pot belly pig

A Texas woman was arrested Monday for allegedly punching a police officer who was trying to impound her pot belly @ @ @ @ @ .
Arianna Swenson , 34 , was charged with assaulting a public servant over the @ @ @ @ @ Officer Cole Ogden , according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by TXK Today .
@ @ @ @ @ the Public Works Department were trying to corral the pig that has been the subject @ @ @ @ @ report said .
Swenson confronted the trio after they spotted the pig in a yard @ @ @ @ @ was told to “ step back ” but refused their demands , according to the @ @ @ @ @ first pushed the public works employees before striking Ogden in the face .
Swenson was @ @ @ @ @ a $ 75,000 bond , the report said .

A Texas woman was arrested Monday for allegedly punching a police officer who was trying to impound her pot belly pig, a report said.
Arianna Swenson, 34, was charged with assaulting a public servant over the alleged attack on Hooks Police Officer Cole Ogden, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by TXK Today.
Ogden and two employees with the Public Works Department were trying to corral the pig that has been the subject of multiple complaints, the report said.
Swenson confronted the trio after they spotted the pig in a yard near her house. She was told to “step back” but refused their demands, according to the affidavit.
The woman allegedly first pushed the public works employees before striking Ogden in the face.
Swenson was being held in jail on a $75,000 bond, the report said.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Florida woman charged with abandoning her sick baby on stranger’s doorstep

A Florida woman allegedly abandoned her sick 3-month-old son on the doorstep of a stranger ’ s home over the weekend , authorities said .
Melissa Kelley , 33 , is accused of dropping off her baby in his car seat on Patricia Tillman ’ s porch Sunday night saying she couldn ’ t care for the infant any longer , the Dayton Beach News-Journal reported .
Kelley , of Astor , warned Tillman the baby had scabies — an infestation of the skin caused by a tiny burrowing mite — and that he had a dirty diaper , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She added that the child ’ s father would pick him up before she ran off .
Tillman eventually learned that the baby ’ s father was her daughter ’ s boyfriend , Clayton Zinck .
When investigators reached Zinck ’ s parents they said they wouldn ’ t take the baby , the outlet reported .
The police report states that Kelley threatened to harm her baby boy , texting relatives , “ please don ’ t make me throw this baby in the trash , ” and that she was going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t in a relationship with Zinck .
Kelley has been charged with unlawful desertion of a child and child neglect .
The boy was taken by child services and treated at a local hospital .

A Florida woman allegedly abandoned her sick 3-month-old son on the doorstep of a stranger’s home over the weekend, authorities said.
Melissa Kelley, 33, is accused of dropping off her baby in his car seat on Patricia Tillman’s porch Sunday night saying she couldn’t care for the infant any longer, the Dayton Beach News-Journal reported.
Kelley, of Astor, warned Tillman the baby had scabies — an infestation of the skin caused by a tiny burrowing mite — and that he had a dirty diaper, the outlet reported citing a police report.
She added that the child’s father would pick him up before she ran off.
Tillman eventually learned that the baby’s father was her daughter’s boyfriend, Clayton Zinck.
When investigators reached Zinck’s parents they said they wouldn’t take the baby, the outlet reported.
The police report states that Kelley threatened to harm her baby boy, texting relatives, “please don’t make me throw this baby in the trash,” and that she was going to kill herself because she wasn’t in a relationship with Zinck.
Kelley has been charged with unlawful desertion of a child and child neglect. The boy was taken by child services and treated at a local hospital.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Man awaiting trial for alleged murder of teen girlfriend is killed in prison beating

A man awaiting trial in Australia for allegedly murdering his teenage girlfriend was killed in a prison beating , local @ @ @ @ @ Sikorsky , 37 , was taken to a Brisbane hospital in critical condition last Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ during a brawl with another inmate .
He spent several days on life support before @ @ @ @ @ , News.com.au reported .
Sikorsky had been locked up on charges he brutally beat 16-year-old @ @ @ @ @ — before stuffing her body in a barrel and dumping it in the back of @ @ @ @ @ teen ’ s dad had reported her missing on June 22 , and her body @ @ @ @ @ days later .
Prosecutors said Sikorsky allegedly refused to take the girl to a hospital @ @ @ @ @ The sick creep was set to stand trial at a later date on charges of @ @ @ @ @ of liberty and interfering with a corpse .
The Queensland Police Service said it would @ @ @ @ @

A man awaiting trial in Australia for allegedly murdering his teenage girlfriend was killed in a prison beating, local reports said Thursday.
Zlatko Sikorsky, 37, was taken to a Brisbane hospital in critical condition last Tuesday after getting his head bashed during a brawl with another inmate. He spent several days on life support before being declared dead Thursday morning, News.com.au reported.
Sikorsky had been locked up on charges he brutally beat 16-year-old Larissa Beilby in June 2018 — before stuffing her body in a barrel and dumping it in the back of an abandoned truck.
The teen’s dad had reported her missing on June 22, and her body wasn’t found until days later.
Prosecutors said Sikorsky allegedly refused to take the girl to a hospital after he pummeled her.
The sick creep was set to stand trial at a later date on charges of murder, torture, deprivation of liberty and interfering with a corpse.
The Queensland Police Service said it would be investigating his death.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Obi Toppin unplugged: ‘Heartbreaking’ adversity, dream Knicks legacy

The hometown kid was a fan of his hometown and ...

Still reveling in landing on the Knicks, who selected him with the No. 8 pick in the draft, Brooklyn native Obi Toppin played a little one-on-one with Post columnist Steve Serby:
Q: What are your thoughts about Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and sharing the town with the Brooklyn Nets?
A: Yeah, KD and Kyrie, they’re both great players, but the Knicks is the Knicks, so we’re gonna do what we have to do to win more games than they do.
Q: So you think this will be a Knicks town soon?
A: Oh, it will be a Knicks town. For sure.
Q: How soon?
A: This year soon.
Q: How good do you think you can be?
A: I feel like I can be the best player in the world one day. I feel like with my drive and with everyone that I have around me now with the Knicks organization, they’re gonna push me every single day to be great. And I’m gonna take feedback from everybody and learn from every mistake that I … nobody’s perfect, I know there’s gonna be mistakes here and there. So I’m gonna learn from it and get better from it and become a great player one day.
Q: Would you buy a ticket to watch Obi Toppin play basketball?
A: Who wouldn’t? Yeah, of course. I’d spend a million dollars to watch Obi Toppin play.
Q: Why?
A: Just because of the excitement I bring to a game. I bring an excitement, I bring love and passion to the game. I’m for the people, so interacting with people, talking to people and just making kids happy, that’s an enjoyable moment.
Q: Who would you want to challenge to a dunk contest?
A: Definitely not Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon (smile). Those two right there had the best dunk contest ever in history. But I feel like Zion [Williamson], because everyone knows him for his dunks also. … Derrick Jones Jr. I feel like those two I would like to challenge.
Q: Your favorite dunk?
A: I think the one against George Washington. That was our Senior Night and that was the third dunk I did in a row … nah the put-back I had against Duquesne. Jalen [Crutcher] shot the 3 from the wing, and it was like all the way out here (reaches back with right arm) and I had to bring my arm all the way out here and dunk it, so that was probably my best dunk.
Q: The first time you dunked?
A: My senior year of high school. When I dunked, I was like, “Uh oh, it’s a problem now ’cause I ain’t laying the ball up no more!” As soon as I got that first dunk, my mindset was every time I can lay the ball up I’m gonna dunk it.
Q: From your Instagram: “Some forgot about me, some stood by me, others are about to witness.” Who forgot about you?
A: I feel like growing up people always told me that I was not gonna make it, and told me that I couldn’t get to college, I couldn’t get to the NBA, and they were like, “OK, we’re not worried about Obi anymore, we know that he’s just gonna be another kid trying to get to the NBA gonna be in the street,” so that’s who forgot about me.
Q: Was that motivation for you?
A: For sure. Every single day I think about that, and that’s why I work so hard.
Q: Who stood by you?
A: My parents, my girlfriend, my brother, all my teammates leading up to this point, that helped me get to this point. … My coaches that helped me get to this point, like all those guys, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today without them.
Q: What are others about to witness?
A: Someone’s whose gonna like change a franchise. I feel like me going to an amazing organization like the Knicks, we have a lot of young guys on the team and we’re gonna grow together and develop together. We have a great coach in Coach Thibs, he’s a great player’s development coach, great defensive coach, and I feel like with those two things, himself and the team can change an organization.
Q: How would you describe your on-court mentality?
A: I’m always trying to get better and learn. When I have someone in front of me it’s like, “You tie your shoes the same way I tie my shoes and you bleed the same way I bleed, and I’m trying my hardest to outwork you.” Every challenge that steps in front of me I’m gonna make sure I accomplish the mission.
Q: How does your on-court mentality compare to Kobe’s?
A: I feel like I have a drive that I want to kill whoever’s in front of me, and I’m either get a bucket on you or I’m gonna help someone on my team get a bucket. I feel like with the mentality Kobe had, nobody can guard him, and I feel like going into every game I want to have that same mentality.
Q: Do you like pressure and the big moments?
A: My whole life was pressure. This is fun to me. Every time I go on the court there’s a smile on my face because I’m blessed with the opportunity to have the God-given gift that God’s given me to play this amazing sport, and put on a show for a lot of people around the world.
Q: Boyhood idol?
A: I would say Kobe. Growing up watching Kobe, and just seeing the mentality he brought for the game. I feel like he brought a different mentality, he had the drive, he had the work ethic, and I feel like that’s who I compare my work ethic to, I feel like I’m in the gym every single day trying to get better. With my personality meeting new people, I tend to ask and make sure that I’m doing the right thing to get better every single day, I’m always gonna ask those veterans and more experienced guys like, “What can I do to be great and get better?”
Q: Where were you when you learned about the tragedy?
A: We just finished playing against George Mason, and me and one of my [Dayton] coaches, Coach [Ricardo] Greer, hopped on a flight to New York the morning it happened going to see my uncle in the hospital, and literally as the plane is taking off, I refreshed the screen for Twitter, and I saw RIP Kobe, RIP Kobe, RIP Kobe, and I’m like, “No way, this is fake.” But then I saw ESPN post it, Bleacher Report post it, and I was showing my coach and a tear came down my eye, and I was like, “No way this is real.” So we land and everybody starts texting me, everybody starts saying, “Did you see what happened to Kobe?” It was devastating.
Q: You can go one-on-one with anyone in history?
A: Michael Jordan. Just because I’ll ask for feedback and ask how to get to where he’s been. He’s a little old guy now, he’s still got some things with him, but he’s Michael Jordan, so …
Q: So you’d want to go against him now, at his current age?
A: Now. Yeah for sure.
Q: How about in his prime?
A: I’ll still go against him in his prime, but at the same time I’ll learn from everything he does to me, so … (Laugh).
Q: How would you like to guard Zion?
A: I feel like it’ll be a good matchup. I think it would have been a fun matchup in college too, Dayton against Duke. It’ll be cool matching up against him.
Q: What impresses you about RJ Barrett’s game?
A: He’s a dog. He’s a tall point guard, he has a very high I.Q., and I feel like me and him is gonna be just like me and Jalen [Cutcher] in college. We’re gonna be the Dynamic Duo that’s gonna help bring the Knicks back together.
Q: Athletes in other sports you admire?
A: Lamar Jackson. People didn’t think he could be who he is today, and he’s proving a lot of people wrong just like I want to do when I get to the NBA.
Q: Was Rucker or Dyckman your favorite park to play in?
A: I would say Dyckman, I feel like Dyckman’s the new Rucker Park now. Like how Rucker Park was back in the day, the most-packed game, everybody played in Rucker Park, that’s always gonna be the legend court. But Dyckman’s starting to get that now. Everybody’s starting to play in Dyckman, everybody’s starting to crowd around Dyckman with the train tracks being right there, the tall buildings, people hanging out their windows, screaming, going crazy … that atmosphere is amazing.
Q: What drives you?
A: Everything that I’ve been through in my past. Every sacrifice that my mom and dad did for me leading up to this point, I owe them. And I’m gonna work every single day so that they’re happy and don’t have to worry about anything ever again.
Q: The biggest adversity you had to overcome?
A: I would say everything that happened with my dad. … It was all new to us and we didn’t know how to handle the situation. … I don’t want to get into detail, but he had to go through way more adversity than I had to go through, and to see him still be a dad, still fight to allow me and my brother [Jacob] to do what we’re doing now, and he’s home with us now, but him allowing us to be in a position that we’re in now, I couldn’t have done it without him.
Q: Was it heartbreaking for you?
A: Yeah, it was definitely heartbreaking. I feel like because we moved so much it was even harder. But my dad always taught me to stay with it, and make sure you, your brother and your mom are straight. I took that strongly, and I made sure I worked every single day to not have to have my mom pay for college, and one day not have to make my mom pay for any bills, so I’m gonna make sure everybody in my family’s good.
Q: You didn’t have a lot growing up. How difficult was it?
A: It wasn’t difficult just because that was the lifestyle I was used to. We have a two-bedroom house, a little apartment in Ossining, New York, and this is one of the biggest houses we lived in other than the house that we had in Florida, but Florida’s cheaper than New York, so us living the way we were living growing up, it allowed me to be where I am today, ’cause I don’t never want my parents or brother to go through this ever again.
Q: Were there things for Christmas you couldn’t get?
A: For sure. But at the same time, my mom and dad did everything they can to allow us to get most of the things we wanted on Christmas.
Q: Describe your mom.
A: A goddess. Without her, I would not be where I am today. She went through so many sacrifices to allow me to be in a position I’m in today, and I’m grateful to have her as my mother. I love her to death.
Q: What did being nicknamed The Second Generation mean to you?
A: It means a lot just because I have to fulfill my father’s footsteps, and I’m not gonna lie — he’s not here right now so I can say this — I think I surpassed his footsteps a little bit (smile).
Q: Tell me about his streetball game.
A: It took me 20 years to be able to beat him. My first year in Dayton, that was the first time I was able to beat my dad one-on-one. He loves the game of basketball, and he’s always gonna try and bully-ball me and play me one-on-one, but I’m a lot bigger, a lot stronger than he is now so he can’t step in front of me no more.
Q: When you had your growth spurt your knees hurt?
A: A little bit of my prep school year, my knees were killing me just because I was growing so fast.
Q: Amar’e Stoudemire?
A: A legend. He’s one of the greats of this amazing sport, and people saying that I play just like him or I’m similar to him, it’s a blessing.
Q: Kevin Garnett?
A: He’s a dog. If I want to be anything like KG, I need to get the defensive side with Coach Thibs and get that dog out.
Q: Anthony Davis?
A: I feel like with the skill set that I have that a lot of people don’t know of yet, I feel like I can be a lot similar to Anthony Davis.
Q: Would you ever wear one of Clyde Frazier’s outfits?
A: He does have some nice suits when he comes to the games. … I don’t know if I would be able to pull off the suits he wears. I think that’s just for him (smile).
Q: What has Coach Thibs told you?
A: Defense, defense, defense (smile).
Q: Myles Powell?
A: That’s my brother for life. Myles works so hard every single day, he’s in the gym every second I’m in the gym. I love Myles to death, and we’re gonna be together every step of the way. I’m gonna push him just like he pushed me these past eight, nine months.
Q: So you think the Knicks got a steal.
A: For sure.
Q: How will you spend your bonus money?
A: I’m a cheap guy, super cheap (chuckle). I already got my mom what I needed to get her, I got her a car (Mercedes C 43) so I’m just gonna get me a house, a car and I’m just gonna settle down.
Q: Four dinner guests?
A: My brother who passed away; Kobe and my mother and father. My brother passed away when I was real young. He had something in his brain that exploded. When he was born, he was going through at Ronald McDonald Houses, and going through all this treatment, and one day it popped, and he passed away.
Q: How old was be?
A: Almost 1 year old.
Q: How old were you?
A: I was only like 3.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: The whole Fast & Furious series.
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Denzel Washington.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Surf and turf.
Q: Tell Knicks fans who Obi Toppin is.
A: He’s someone who loves the people, a huge personality, a very genuine person, loves meeting new people every day, loves putting smiles on kids’ faces and loves putting on a show for everyone … especially children, who grow up and look up to me.
Q: What kind of an impact do you think you can make as a rookie?
A: I feel like I can make a big impact, especially with the organization that I’m with, with Coach Thibs, I feel like we’re all gonna grow and develop together and put New York back on the map and have fun with it.
Q: How realistic is Rookie of the Year for you?
A: Very realistic, especially with everyone I have around me like I said before.
Q: Career goals?
A: I want to win a lot of games, I want to get to the playoffs, get to the Finals and put New York back on the map. For individual I want to be in the Hall of Fame one day. I want to be known as a great, as a legend, and I’m gonna push myself and my teammates to leave another legacy just like we did at Dayton.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Carlos Hyde’s return pushes Seahawks by Cardinals into NFC West lead

SEATTLE — It was a flashback performance for the Seattle Seahawks , and coach Pete Carroll enjoyed the show .
A bruising running game .
Russell Wilson making plays without being asked to do everything .
And the Seahawks defense coming through in key moments to shut down Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals for a 28-21 win Thursday night .
Wilson still did his part , throwing for two touchdowns and rebounding from his worst performance of the season just a few days ago .
But he had help in the form of Carlos Hyde rushing for 79 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sacked Murray three times , including Carlos Dunlap ’ s clinching play inside the final minute .
“ Our guys really wanted to turn things and get back on track , ” Carroll said .
“ And even with all of the situations , with all the guys in and out in the lineup and all that , it just didn ’ t matter .
Guys played really well across the board.
” Wilson was flawless , erasing the mistakes from the past four weeks when Seattle dropped three of four , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Buffalo and the Los Angeles Rams .
The skid left Seattle in a tie atop the NFC West with the Rams and Cardinals .
For a few days at least , Seattle ( 7-3 ) will be back on top alone until the Rams play on Monday night against Tampa Bay .
It was an important victory for the Seahawks heading into the softest part of their schedule , with four upcoming games against teams with a combined 8-28-1 record .
Wilson was 23 of 28 for 197 yards and TD passes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 yards to Tyler Lockett in the first half .
Wilson had committed 10 turnovers in the previous four games combined , a stretch that started with Seattle ’ s 37-34 overtime loss to Arizona in Week 7 .
Lockett , who had 15 catches for 200 yards and three TDs in the first meeting with Arizona , had another nine catches for 67 yards .
But the biggest boost for Seattle was the return of its run game .
Hyde had a 2-yard TD run in the third quarter , and Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It helped balance our offense out today , ” Hyde said .
“ We was able to hit passes , run the ball , move down the field .
You know , how we play.
” Murray and DeAndre Hopkins couldn ’ t rekindle the magic from their last-second touchdown to beat Buffalo last Sunday .
Murray was 29 of 42 for 269 yards and two TDs , but Seattle was able to get the kind of pressure on the QB that was missing from the first meeting .
“ They definitely played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I said , we put up 21 , had a chance to win the game at the end , but throughout the game , we started slow and kept shooting ourselves in the foot , ” Murray said .
And that pressure came through in the closing seconds .
On fourth-and-10 at the Seattle 27 with 38 seconds left , Dunlap got around the edge and tackled Murray for his second sack of the night .
Seattle finished with three sacks and seven QB hits after not touching Murray in the first meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
He almost tackled me on the sideline .
That was crazy to see a head coach that involved , ” Dunlap said .
Arizona ( 6-4 ) closed to 23-21 with 13:19 left when Murray capped a 15-play , 90-yard drive with a 3-yard TD pass to Chase Edmonds .
The Cardinals defense held , but backed up near their goal line , J.R. Sweezy was called for holding on L.J .
Collier in the end zone , giving Seattle a safety with 9:12 left .
Arizona almost didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly seven minutes off the clock and Jason Myers ’ 41-yard field goal gave the Seahawks a 28-21 lead with 2:19 to go .

SEATTLE — It was a flashback performance for the Seattle Seahawks, and coach Pete Carroll enjoyed the show.
A bruising running game. Russell Wilson making plays without being asked to do everything. And the Seahawks defense coming through in key moments to shut down Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals for a 28-21 win Thursday night.
Wilson still did his part, throwing for two touchdowns and rebounding from his worst performance of the season just a few days ago. But he had help in the form of Carlos Hyde rushing for 79 yards and a touchdown, and a defense that sacked Murray three times, including Carlos Dunlap’s clinching play inside the final minute.
“Our guys really wanted to turn things and get back on track,” Carroll said. “And even with all of the situations, with all the guys in and out in the lineup and all that, it just didn’t matter. Guys played really well across the board.”
Wilson was flawless, erasing the mistakes from the past four weeks when Seattle dropped three of four, including losses in the past two weeks to Buffalo and the Los Angeles Rams. The skid left Seattle in a tie atop the NFC West with the Rams and Cardinals.
For a few days at least, Seattle (7-3) will be back on top alone until the Rams play on Monday night against Tampa Bay. It was an important victory for the Seahawks heading into the softest part of their schedule, with four upcoming games against teams with a combined 8-28-1 record.
Wilson was 23 of 28 for 197 yards and TD passes of 25 yards to DK Metcalf and 11 yards to Tyler Lockett in the first half. Wilson had committed 10 turnovers in the previous four games combined, a stretch that started with Seattle’s 37-34 overtime loss to Arizona in Week 7.
Lockett, who had 15 catches for 200 yards and three TDs in the first meeting with Arizona, had another nine catches for 67 yards.
But the biggest boost for Seattle was the return of its run game. Hyde had a 2-yard TD run in the third quarter, and Seattle finished with 165 yards rushing.
“It helped balance our offense out today,” Hyde said. “We was able to hit passes, run the ball, move down the field. You know, how we play.”
Murray and DeAndre Hopkins couldn’t rekindle the magic from their last-second touchdown to beat Buffalo last Sunday. Murray was 29 of 42 for 269 yards and two TDs, but Seattle was able to get the kind of pressure on the QB that was missing from the first meeting.
“They definitely played for me in certain situations but like I said, we put up 21, had a chance to win the game at the end, but throughout the game, we started slow and kept shooting ourselves in the foot,” Murray said.
And that pressure came through in the closing seconds. On fourth-and-10 at the Seattle 27 with 38 seconds left, Dunlap got around the edge and tackled Murray for his second sack of the night. Seattle finished with three sacks and seven QB hits after not touching Murray in the first meeting.
“(Pete) was fired up. He almost tackled me on the sideline. That was crazy to see a head coach that involved,” Dunlap said.
Arizona (6-4) closed to 23-21 with 13:19 left when Murray capped a 15-play, 90-yard drive with a 3-yard TD pass to Chase Edmonds. The Cardinals defense held, but backed up near their goal line, J.R. Sweezy was called for holding on L.J. Collier in the end zone, giving Seattle a safety with 9:12 left.
Arizona almost didn’t get the ball back. Seattle ran nearly seven minutes off the clock and Jason Myers’ 41-yard field goal gave the Seahawks a 28-21 lead with 2:19 to go.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Video shows would-be robber holding 64-year-old woman at knifepoint in NYC

Dramatic video footage shows a would-be robber holding a 64-year-old woman at knifepoint in Queens last Saturday .
The man @ @ @ @ @ victim as she was walking on a sidewalk in South Richmond Hill at about 8:40 @ @ @ @ @ .
The suspect held a knife to the woman ’ s throat and demanded money @ @ @ @ @ cops said .
The man can be seen approaching the woman from behind and wrapping @ @ @ @ @ neck .
Seconds later , he twists her around before releasing her and fleeing as @ @ @ @ @ street , the video shows .
The woman was uninjured and refused medical attention , @ @ @

Dramatic video footage shows a would-be robber holding a 64-year-old woman at knifepoint in Queens last Saturday.
The man tried to mug the elderly victim as she was walking on a sidewalk in South Richmond Hill at about 8:40 a.m., according to police.
The suspect held a knife to the woman’s throat and demanded money, but fled empty-handed, cops said.
Nearby surveillance footage released by police captured the attempted stick-up.
The man can be seen approaching the woman from behind and wrapping his left arm around her neck.
Seconds later, he twists her around before releasing her and fleeing as a car passes on the street, the video shows.
The woman was uninjured and refused medical attention, police said.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Angela Robinson would love to trade jabs with Gabrielle Union

Click to email this to a friend ( Opens in new window ) Click to share on Twitter ( Opens @ @ @ @ @ to share on Facebook ( Opens in new window ) Angela Robinson ’ s character @ @ @ @ @ one-liners on OWN ’ s “ The Haves and the Have Nots.
” And she @ @ @ @ @ could pick a worthy ally to appear on the show with her , she ’ @ @ @ @ @ because of the actress ’ quick Twitter wit .
“ Her clapbacks are amazing , @ @ @ @ @ “ so I ’ m thinking , if she could clap back like that on @ @ @ @ @ be able to ride together.
” The final season of the show premieres Tuesday .

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Angela Robinson’s character is known for her sharp-tongued one-liners on OWN’s “The Haves and the Have Nots.”
And she told us that if she could pick a worthy ally to appear on the show with her, she’d choose Gabrielle Union — because of the actress’ quick Twitter wit. “Her clapbacks are amazing,” Robinson told us, “so I’m thinking, if she could clap back like that on Twitter, we’ll be able to ride together.”
The final season of the show premieres Tuesday.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Joe Judge, Marc Colombo feuded for weeks over Giants strategy before firing

Once upon a time there was a New York Giants ...

Tension between Giants coach Joe Judge and fired offensive line coach Marc Colombo began over strategy and boiled over more than once before the ugly separation earlier this week, multiple sources told The Post.
The breaking point came during a typical weekly meeting where Colombo, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Judge were supposed to review film. Judge informed Colombo of the plan to add Dave DeGuglielmo to the offensive staff as a consultant, and a cursing-filled verbal confrontation ensued, escalating with Colombo using one particularly vulgar term.
But that term was not the impetus for the change. Colombo and Judge had been at odds behind the scenes for weeks over the decision to rotate offensive linemen and other forms of perceived micromanaging, sources said.
Colombo, who played 10 seasons in the NFL as an offensive tackle, is a firm believer in the traditional school of thought on continuity along the offensive line and wanted to stick with the five starters rather than risk creating communication confusion.
Judge ordered a rotation to get more young players experience — a page borrowed from mentor Bill Belichick’s playbook, with three rookies involved during the 2015 season. DeGuglielmo was the Patriots offensive line coach at the time.
Judge spoke publicly last week about wanting to rotate three guards the way the Giants had been rotating tackles. Instead, Matt Peart’s snaps at tackle were cut from 24 in back-to-back games to 10 and guard Will Hernandez did not leave the sideline until Kevin Zeitler’s fourth-quarter concussion.
The result — the Giants’ best offensive line performance of the season in a 27-17 victory — was interpreted two very different ways: As proof that sticking with starters through struggles will reap rewards, and as defiance of instruction.
The blowup behind closed doors was not the first between the coaches.
During a recent practice, Judge halted offensive line drills to correct a specific technique used by center Nick Gates. Colombo interjected and told Gates to keep doing it the way he was taught, according to two sources. It could be portrayed as an act of insubordination or as exerting expertise without a need for further involvement.
NFL Network first reported the incident with Gates as well as an incident where Judge criticized rookie Andrew Thomas during a film session and Colombo stepped in and swore at Judge. Two sources told The Post the Thomas incident never happened, but there was disagreement over whether to keep rotating out Thomas, who seems to be building confidence.
Though the deteriorating relationship came to a head Tuesday night, Colombo was not fired until arriving at the facility Wednesday morning because both parties walked away rather than making rash emotional decisions. The altercation did not get physical, multiple sources said.
DeGuglielmo coached Colombo during the latter’s final year and both interviewed for the job on Judge’s first staff.
Though Judge’s plan was to leave Colombo in charge of the offensive line and have DeGuglielmo work with the entire offense, having a coach looking over his shoulder was the writing on the wall that a change was coming sooner rather than later. The issue of whether Judge’s motives were truly Xs and Os based or just a way to assert control was a repeated sticking point, a source said.
Colombo was well-liked by players who see him as one of their own and there is uneasiness exacerbated by the timing of the long bye week and no return to practice until Monday about changes that could be ahead just as things started to click on the line, league sources said.
Firing a position coach midseason is seen as a last resort, however, and speaks to Judge’s mindset that trying to salvage continuity would be more detrimental to the team’s overall benefit.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--LaMelo Ball gives honest take on LaVar’s chances vs. Michael Jordan

CHARLOTTE , N.C. — Now that LaMelo Ball is a member of the Charlotte Hornets , some basketball fans are hoping that the 1-on-1 game between his outspoken father LaVar and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan might actually come to fruition .
But Ball , who was drafted No .
3 overall by Jordan ’ s Hornets , said during his introductory news conference Friday at the Spectrum Center that he “ doesn ’ t think it ’ s going to happen.
” “ And I think we know how it would turn out , to be honest , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to elaborate , Ball replied , “ Well , I mean it is my pops and my boss , so I ’ m on both sides now.
” LaVar Ball turned heads when he told USA TODAY Sports in 2017 that he “ would kill ” Jordan in a one-on-one game in his prime .
Ball averaged 2.2 points while playing at Washington State while Jordan was a 14-time NBA All-Star and 10-time scoring champion .
Jordan addressed the remarks six months later at his Flight School basketball camp , saying “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source.
” “ He played , I think , college , maybe ?
” Jordan said .
“ He averaged 2.2 points per game .
Really ?
It doesn ’ t dignify an answer , but I ’ m going to give it to you because you asked the question .
I don ’ t think he could beat me if I was one-legged.
” After he was drafted by the Hornets on Wednesday night , Ball said the prospect of playing for Jordan was a “ straight blessing .
”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Now that LaMelo Ball is a member of the Charlotte Hornets, some basketball fans are hoping that the 1-on-1 game between his outspoken father LaVar and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan might actually come to fruition.
But Ball, who was drafted No. 3 overall by Jordan’s Hornets, said during his introductory news conference Friday at the Spectrum Center that he “doesn’t think it’s going to happen.”
“And I think we know how it would turn out, to be honest,” Ball said with a smile.
When asked to elaborate, Ball replied, “Well, I mean it is my pops and my boss, so I’m on both sides now.”
LaVar Ball turned heads when he told USA TODAY Sports in 2017 that he “would kill” Jordan in a one-on-one game in his prime. Ball averaged 2.2 points while playing at Washington State while Jordan was a 14-time NBA All-Star and 10-time scoring champion.
Jordan addressed the remarks six months later at his Flight School basketball camp, saying “You’ve got to understand the source.”
“He played, I think, college, maybe?” Jordan said. “He averaged 2.2 points per game. Really? It doesn’t dignify an answer, but I’m going to give it to you because you asked the question. I don’t think he could beat me if I was one-legged.”
After he was drafted by the Hornets on Wednesday night, Ball said the prospect of playing for Jordan was a “straight blessing.”


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Ex-Marine, 81, fights off burglars with antique walking stick

Kudos to the folks at Apple TV+ for sharing the ...

An 81-year-old ex-Marine showed he has plenty of fight left in him when he chased three burglars out of his suburban Chicago home — and smacked one in the head with his grandfather’s antique walking stick.
Dan Donovan said the action started on Nov. 4 when a man claiming to be a utility worker knocked on the door of his home in the village of Niles.
He asked to check the fuse box in the basement, Donovan told The Chicago Tribune.
“We had received a letter from the electric company the day before,” he said.
“So, when he said he was with the electric company, we let him in.”
But while Donovan and his wife, Barbara, were in the basement with the faux-utility worker, they heard the floorboards creaking upstairs.
They rushed up the steps and found two other men in their bedroom — one holding a pillowcase full of stolen goods.
That’s when Donovan grabbed his grandad’s shillelagh — a traditional Irish wooden walking stick.
“I was trying to find some type of persuasive weapon,” he said.
“So, I picked up the Irish shillelagh and that turned out to be the equalizer because I managed to chase them out of the house.”
Previous 1 of 3 Next Advertisement Dan Donovan holds his shillelagh. Jennifer Johnson/Chicago Tribune via AP Donovan and his wife, Barbara. Jennifer Johnson/Chicago Tribune via AP Advertisement
The trio ran for the door, but not before Donovan gave the pillowcase-toting crook a real shellacking with a few blows to the back of the head.
But the old leatherneck wasn’t done, chasing the men outside in his bare feet and going after their SUV getaway vehicle.
“I managed to get a good swing at the windshield and the rear window,” he said. “I think I cracked them both.”
The intruders got away before cops got to the house.
Donovan said he hasn’t determined if any of the stolen loot was valuable.
“Hopefully they got nothing more than a headache and hopefully they pursue another occupation,” he said.
Donovan’s tough-as-nails response to the crooks is reminiscent of the 77-year-old South Wales man who put up his dukes to fight off a mugger during a caught-on-video encounter at an ATM in February.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Lukas Gage catches director calling his apartment ‘tiny’ during Zoom audition

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 ) At least Jeffrey Toobin wasn ’ t on a call with this guy .
Actor Lucas Gage has put an unnamed director — allegedly “ Kingsman ” director Matthew Vaughn — on blast after he was heard calling Gage ’ s apartment “ tiny ” on a Zoom audition .
“ PAS if you ’ re a s–it-talking director make sure to mute ur s–t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Euphoria ” actor , 25 , tweeted Friday , along with a clip of the awkward moment .
“ These poor people live in these tiny apartments , ” the director can be heard saying to a third individual as Gage prepares for a remote audition .
Gage quickly pointed out the issue , and the man immediately apologized , saying he was mortified .
Gage brushed things off in the moment , quipping , “ I know it ’ s a sh–ty apartment .
That ’ s why I need you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a better one … Listen , I ’ m living in a 4×4 box… It ’ s fine .
Just give me the job and we ’ ll be fine.
” Gage didn ’ t name names , but social media wags quickly fingered Vaughn , 49 , comparing the clip with interviews of the director speaking .
The theory was helped by January Jones , who commented under Gage ’ s Instagram version of the post “ I have a guess.
” Vaughn , you see , is rumored to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The two reportedly had a “ very close ” relationship on the set of “ X-Men : First Class , ” the Vaughn-directed installment that featured Jones .
Vaughn — who is married to model Claudia Schiffer and has denied he is the father — abruptly left town with Schiffer around the time Jones announced she was pregnant .
Jones welcomed Xander in 2011 .
She ’ s since said she “ just [ doesn ’ t ] feel [ she ] needs a partner ” to raise him .

At least Jeffrey Toobin wasn’t on a call with this guy.
Actor Lukas Gage has put an unnamed director — allegedly “Kingsman’s” Matthew Vaughn — on blast after he was heard calling Gage’s apartment “tiny” during a Zoom audition.
“psa if youre a s–t talking director make sure to mute ur s–t on zoom mtgings,” the “Euphoria” actor, 25, tweeted Friday, along with a clip of the awkward moment.
As seen in Gage’s video, the director could be heard saying to a third individual, “These poor people live in these tiny apartments,” as Gage prepared for his remote audition. Gage quickly pointed out the issue, and the man immediately apologized, saying he was mortified.
Gage brushed things off in the moment, quipping, “I know it’s a sh–ty apartment. That’s why I need you to give me this job so I can get a better one … Listen, I’m living in a 4×4 box … It’s fine. Just give me the job and we’ll be fine.”
Gage didn’t name names, but social media wags quickly pointed a finger Vaughn, 49, comparing the clip with interviews of the director speaking. The theory was helped by January Jones, who commented under Gage’s Instagram version of the post, “I have a guess.”
Vaughn, you see, is rumored to be the father of Jones’ son Xander. The two reportedly had a “very close” relationship on the set of “X-Men: First Class,” the Vaughn-directed installment that featured Jones. Vaughn — who is married to model Claudia Schiffer and has denied he is the father — abruptly left town with Schiffer around the time Jones announced she was pregnant.
Jones welcomed Xander in 2011. She’s since said she “just [doesn’t] feel [she] needs a partner” to raise him.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--‘Peanuts’ will be broadcast for the holidays after all — thanks, Apple!

Kudos to the folks at Apple TV+ for sharing the Peanuts joy : Though they ’ d bought exclusive rights @ @ @ @ @ Brown holiday specials , they ’ ve now agreed to let two of the classics @ @ @ @ @ .
To be fair , the streaming platform was also offering free access to each @ @ @ @ @ the run-up to their respective holidays , so no one had to subscribe to view @ @ @ @ @ But families with no internet access were still out of luck — and so missed @ @ @ @ @ s the Great Pumpkin , Charlie Brown ” this Halloween .
But now Apple ’ @ @ @ @ @ them .
So , while we ’ re still facing a holiday season of limited @ @ @ @ @ and outlawed parties , separated families can still share an old tradition by tuning in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s chaos and enjoy the nostalgia of a “ Peanuts ’ ” holiday .

Kudos to the folks at Apple TV+ for sharing the Peanuts joy: Though they’d bought exclusive rights to all the iconic Charlie Brown holiday specials, they’ve now agreed to let two of the classics air on PBS this year.
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” will broadcast Sunday night, Nov. 22; “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Sunday, Dec. 13.
To be fair, the streaming platform was also offering free access to each show for three days in the run-up to their respective holidays, so no one had to subscribe to view any of the shows.
But families with no internet access were still out of luck — and so missed out on “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” this Halloween.
But now Apple’s relented — good for them.
So, while we’re still facing a holiday season of limited travel, quarantined loved ones and outlawed parties, separated families can still share an old tradition by tuning in to forget about this year’s chaos and enjoy the nostalgia of a “Peanuts’” holiday.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Imagining a world where Robinson Cano never left the Yankees

Asked about Mets second baseman Robinson Cano ’ s suspension for all ...

Should this week’s Robinson Cano news, jaw dropping if not shocking, validate the Yankees’ decision to let him leave for Seattle nearly seven years ago?
I contend the opposite. That Cano’s suspension for all of 2021, thanks to a positive test for Stanozolol, would have served as the perfect send off to a beautiful, long-running relationship with the team that signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2001.
I think (and wrote at the time) that the Yankees should have offered Cano $200 million over eight years, upping their offer by a year and $25 million, when the second baseman hit free agency in 2013. And I think Cano should have accepted such a proposal over the Mariners’ 10-year, $240-million package. Life would’ve played out far better for both sides, as we can now report thanks to this alternate timeline The Post exclusively accessed …
2014: Even with Cano back and joined by free agents Brian McCann and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees fall short of the playoffs for a second straight season. The Yankees turn their season fully over to Derek Jeter’s retirement tour with the knowledge that, by keeping their payroll under the $189-million luxury-tax threshold, they can hit the fiscal reset button after the season. Which they do authoritatively by signing Tigers ace Max Scherzer to a seven-year, $217-million deal.
“Wow, big move!” Brian Roberts, Kelly Johnson and Stephen Drew, none of whom ever play for the Yankees, exclaim simultaneously.
2015: With Scherzer atop their rotation and the resurgent duo Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira joining Cano to create a fearsome middle of the lineup, the Yankees advance all the way to the Fall Classic, only to fall short to the Mets in a Subway World Series.
“Thank goodness my fellow Oregon State alum Jacoby Ellsbury signed with the Mariners so I could visit him last year, when we both were in the Pacific Northwest, and learn from him,” Series Most Valuable Player Michael Conforto says. (Hey, not all of the unintended consequences will be favorable.)
2016: As A-Rod and Teixeira crater toward retirement, great years by Cano and Scherzer can’t keep Brian Cashman from selling high on relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller at the trade deadline, replenishing the Yankees’ farm system. Nevertheless, Gary Sanchez’s thunderous August arrival sneaks the Yankees into a wild-card slot, though they lose an American League Division Series to the Indians — who proceed to win their first title since 1948 when Cubs second baseman Starlin Castro commits a disastrous error in the 10th inning of World Series Game 7.
“What a turn of events!” Mets second baseman Ben Zobrist marvels.
“For sure!” Nationals left fielder Yoenis Cespedes agrees.
2017: Carlos Beltran, asked by his new Astros teammates if there’s more they should be doing to steal opponents’ signs, shrugs and says, “Having spent the last three years with the Royals, I am not aware of any advanced chicanery elsewhere.” The Astros fall to the Yankees in the AL Championship Series, and Cano — named team captain before the season — wins World Series MVP honors as his Yankees nab their first championship since 2009.
“Thanks but no thanks, Derek,” Cashman tells Jeter, now the Marlins’ CEO, when he is offered Giancarlo Stanton in a trade.
2018: Rookie second baseman Gleyber Torres shines when he gets the call upon Cano’s 80-game suspension for a diuretic showing up in his system. Cano adapts easily to the DH spot when he returns in August, and the Yankees cruise to their second straight title.
“I learned my lesson,” a grinning Cano says in a champagne-soaked clubhouse: “No more diuretics.”
2019: Cano registers his worst year as a big leaguer, but Sanchez, crediting Cano’s leadership, becomes a more consistent performer and the Yankees capture their third straight crown.
“Kudos to them!” Mets outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic proclaims.
2020: Cano starts strong and fades, just like the Yankees, who fall to the Astros in the ALCS, and news breaks in November that Cano, having failed a drug test, will sit out all of 2021 — the last year of his deal — and not get paid. Thrilled Yankees fans thank Cano for both so many great seasons and such reckless conduct as the team uses the found money to sign Charlie Morton and James McCann, winning it all again in 2021.
2029: At the 20th anniversary celebration of their 2009 championship, the Yankees retire Cano’s number 24 and A-Rod’s 13.
“I’m so glad I stayed with the Yankees,” Cano says at the ceremony. Everyone agrees.


newyorkpost--2020-11-20--Bill de Blasio thinks he’s ‘saving’ by putting bills on the credit card

Even for Mayor de Blasio , it ’ s an outrageous scam : He keeps proudly announcing “ savings ” that are nothing more than putting this year ’ s bills on the credit card — at the price of some truly serious “ interest.
” The latest is this week ’ s deal with the sanitation union , which will let him put off a $ 27 million obligation until Fiscal 2022 , bringing the total in deferred costs to $ 722 million .
That doesn ’ t help matters — and it might even hurt .
Think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent for a month , you still have to pay it , on top of your other bills .
And it ’ ll probably be harder to scrape up cash for two months of payments than just one .
No matter .
De Blasio insists on calling the $ 722 million in delayed payments “ savings ” — which budget experts blast as nonsense .
“ Paying bills late does not save you money , ” Citizens Budget Commission head Andrew Rein notes .
“ We ’ re just going to have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead we ’ re going to have it tomorrow.
” Worse , to get unions ’ OK for late payments , de Blasio tied the city ’ s hands and vowed not to lay off any of their members — no matter how short of cash he is .
Which is outrageous not just because private-sector workers get no such guarantees , but because de Blasio bloated the city headcount by 10 percent , and slimming down the workforce should be one of the first steps to take in a cash crunch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is already facing a $ 4.2 billion shortfall , Gov .
Cuomo is threatening to cut as much as $ 3 billion in state aid and a second-wave COVID lockdown will sap city revenues even further .
Nor can federal aid plug all the holes , even if Democrats somehow win the Senate : “ It never has , and it unlikely ever will , ” warns Rein .
Instead , as the CBC ’ s Maria Doulis stresses , “ there needs to be greater restraint on expenses ” and “ real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may hope to put off hard choices until he leaves office , but he ’ s setting the city up for disaster .

Even for Mayor de Blasio, it’s an outrageous scam: He keeps proudly announcing “savings” that are nothing more than putting this year’s bills on the credit card — at the price of some truly serious “interest.”
The latest is this week’s deal with the sanitation union, which will let him put off a $27 million obligation until Fiscal 2022, bringing the total in deferred costs to $722 million. That doesn’t help matters — and it might even hurt.
Think about it: If you push off your rent for a month, you still have to pay it, on top of your other bills. And it’ll probably be harder to scrape up cash for two months of payments than just one.
No matter. De Blasio insists on calling the $722 million in delayed payments “savings” — which budget experts blast as nonsense.
“Paying bills late does not save you money,” Citizens Budget Commission head Andrew Rein notes. “We’re just going to have the same problem we have today, but instead we’re going to have it tomorrow.”
Worse, to get unions’ OK for late payments, de Blasio tied the city’s hands and vowed not to lay off any of their members — no matter how short of cash he is.
Which is outrageous not just because private-sector workers get no such guarantees, but because de Blasio bloated the city headcount by 10 percent, and slimming down the workforce should be one of the first steps to take in a cash crunch.
Plus: Next year’s budget is already facing a $4.2 billion shortfall, Gov. Cuomo is threatening to cut as much as $3 billion in state aid and a second-wave COVID lockdown will sap city revenues even further.
Nor can federal aid plug all the holes, even if Democrats somehow win the Senate: “It never has, and it unlikely ever will,” warns Rein. Instead, as the CBC’s Maria Doulis stresses, “there needs to be greater restraint on expenses” and “real recurring” labor savings.
De Blasio may hope to put off hard choices until he leaves office, but he’s setting the city up for disaster.