newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Five reasons why Mets believe they are a playoff team

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. — If you can ’ t talk big and dream big now , when hope springs eternal , then you must be a long-lost relative of Casey Stengel ’ s 1962 Mets , who went 40-120 .
The Mets also happen to be descendants of Ya Got ta Believe , and their old familiar Tug McGraw soundtrack blares unabashedly through in their consciousness .
From one end of the clubhouse to the other , one Met after the next will tell you this is a playoff team .
There are 30 MLB teams that wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rites of spring , and the Mets are one of them .
And they can let their imaginations run wild without Yoenis Cespedes riding in triumphantly on a wild white boar .
Let the Mets tell you why they ’ re a playoff team : “ We ’ re a team that can contend very well in our division , and it ’ s built to win , ” rookie manager Luis Rojas told The Post .
“ Great staff , great bullpen , we can hit and score runs , we showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different things out in the playing field.
” Former Yankees reliever Dellin Betances knows what a playoff team looks like .
He was asked if his new team is a playoff team .
“ One-hundred percent , ” Betances said .
“ There ’ s a lot of talent in this room .
A lot of veteran guys , at the same time a lot of youth that play this game at a high level .
Deep rotation , deep bullpen and the lineup is strong as well.
” The Braves are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be surprised if this is a four-team race .
Marcus Stroman listed reasons why the Mets are a playoff team : “ Personnel , belief , confidence , I just think top to bottom .
I think we have a bunch of guys who know that they can do it , who are extremely confident in themselves .
No one feels pressure , no one who feels scared by the moment.
” Pete Alonso likely won ’ t hit 53 HRs again , but he is The Straw That Stirs This Drink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hit machine and batting-title contender again .
Michael Conforto is primed for another 30-plus homer season .
Brandon Nimmo returns from a lost 2019 .
Amed Rosario unleashed his burgeoning promise in the second half of last season .
Robby Cano ?
You don ’ t know .
“ Deep , from one through nine , a bunch of guys who could do damage , ” Stroman said .
“ Got the old wily vets … you got the young bangers … extremely athletic group .
I can ’ t speak any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith : “ When we get in that box , we don ’ t care who we face .
We ’ re in the NL East , it ’ s a lot of great pitching in this division , and we have to face those guys several times a year , so we faced good pitching , and we feel like our offense is just as good as anybody else ’ s. ” Jacob deGrom is arguably the best starter in the game .
Zack Wheeler is with the Phillies , but Noah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere , and the additions of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha give the Mets six viable starters for five spots with Steven Matz the lone left-hander .
“ We like our chances with every single guy we have on the mound everytime out there , ” Stroman said .
“ Scary , ” Stroman says .
Betances ( Achilles ) appears on track for Opening Day .
Edwin Diaz has bulked up and believes he will rebound in his second season in New York as the closer .
Jeurys Familia lost 30 pounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regain his 2015-16 form .
Seth Lugo is a bulldog .
Rojas has drawn rave reviews because of his communication skills and baseball knowledge .
“ He definitely gets the attention of the room , ” Betances said , “ and he knows a lot of these guys , which is huge .
He reminds me a lot of [ Aaron ] Boone , just a lot of baseball in his background , so I think he ’ s gon na be awesome.
” Said Stroman : “ Everyone speaks so highly of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him coming up through the minors .
He ’ s so respected .
I couldn ’ t stop hearing his name when I came over here when I got traded [ last July ] .
I feel like he was a consensus pick that everybody kinda wanted .
If everyone ’ s comfortable with your manager , I feel like that breeds success.
” “ It couldn ’ t be any better , ” Stroman said .
Remember those 2019 Mets T-shirts trumpeting “ The Zoo ?
” Asked if the Mets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Box , Alonso said : “ We got Animals .
We got Animals in the box .
“ ‘ I ’ m a Polar Bear .
We got a Squirrel [ McNeil ] .
We got a Buffalo [ Wilson Ramos ] .
We got a Golden Retriever in Brandon Nimmo .
We got the Silky Elk in Mike Conforto , we got the Honey Badger in J.D .
Davis .
We ’ re a bunch of Animals in there .
When it gets rocking , it ’ s gon na @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No doubt in my mind , ” McNeil said .
“ Definitely have the guys to do it .
Just got ta do it for 162.
” It was Stengel who once groaned , “ Can ’ t anybody here play this game ?
” No such worry from these Mets .

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — If you can’t talk big and dream big now, when hope springs eternal, then you must be a long-lost relative of Casey Stengel’s 1962 Mets, who went 40-120.
The Mets also happen to be descendants of Ya Gotta Believe, and their old familiar Tug McGraw soundtrack blares unabashedly through in their consciousness.
From one end of the clubhouse to the other, one Met after the next will tell you this is a playoff team.
There are 30 MLB teams that wear optimism as sunblock as one of the rites of spring, and the Mets are one of them. And they can let their imaginations run wild without Yoenis Cespedes riding in triumphantly on a wild white boar.
Let the Mets tell you why they’re a playoff team:
“We’re a team that can contend very well in our division, and it’s built to win,” rookie manager Luis Rojas told The Post. “Great staff, great bullpen, we can hit and score runs, we showed it last year and we can do different things out in the playing field.”
Former Yankees reliever Dellin Betances knows what a playoff team looks like. He was asked if his new team is a playoff team.
“One-hundred percent,” Betances said. “There’s a lot of talent in this room. A lot of veteran guys, at the same time a lot of youth that play this game at a high level. Deep rotation, deep bullpen and the lineup is strong as well.”
The Braves are the NL East favorites, but don’t be surprised if this is a four-team race.
Marcus Stroman listed reasons why the Mets are a playoff team: “Personnel, belief, confidence, I just think top to bottom. I think we have a bunch of guys who know that they can do it, who are extremely confident in themselves. No one feels pressure, no one who feels scared by the moment.”
The lineup
Pete Alonso likely won’t hit 53 HRs again, but he is The Straw That Stirs This Drink. The Mets view Jeff McNeil as a hit machine and batting-title contender again. Michael Conforto is primed for another 30-plus homer season. Brandon Nimmo returns from a lost 2019. Amed Rosario unleashed his burgeoning promise in the second half of last season. Robby Cano? You don’t know.
“Deep, from one through nine, a bunch of guys who could do damage,” Stroman said. “Got the old wily vets … you got the young bangers … extremely athletic group. I can’t speak any more highly of them.”
Says Dom Smith: “When we get in that box, we don’t care who we face. We’re in the NL East, it’s a lot of great pitching in this division, and we have to face those guys several times a year, so we faced good pitching, and we feel like our offense is just as good as anybody else’s.”
The rotation
Jacob deGrom is arguably the best starter in the game. Zack Wheeler is with the Phillies, but Noah Syndergaard and Stroman haven’t gone anywhere, and the additions of Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha give the Mets six viable starters for five spots with Steven Matz the lone left-hander.
“We like our chances with every single guy we have on the mound everytime out there,” Stroman said.
The bullpen
“Scary,” Stroman says. Betances (Achilles) appears on track for Opening Day. Edwin Diaz has bulked up and believes he will rebound in his second season in New York as the closer. Jeurys Familia lost 30 pounds and there is hope that he can regain his 2015-16 form. Seth Lugo is a bulldog.
The manager
Rojas has drawn rave reviews because of his communication skills and baseball knowledge.
“He definitely gets the attention of the room,” Betances said, “and he knows a lot of these guys, which is huge. He reminds me a lot of [Aaron] Boone, just a lot of baseball in his background, so I think he’s gonna be awesome.”
Said Stroman: “Everyone speaks so highly of him, all the guys that played for him coming up through the minors. He’s so respected. I couldn’t stop hearing his name when I came over here when I got traded [last July]. I feel like he was a consensus pick that everybody kinda wanted. If everyone’s comfortable with your manager, I feel like that breeds success.”
Camaraderie
“It couldn’t be any better,” Stroman said.
Remember those 2019 Mets T-shirts trumpeting “The Zoo?” Asked if the Mets, like the Yankees, are Savages in the Box, Alonso said: “We got Animals. We got Animals in the box.
“‘I’m a Polar Bear. We got a Squirrel [McNeil]. We got a Buffalo [Wilson Ramos]. We got a Golden Retriever in Brandon Nimmo. We got the Silky Elk in Mike Conforto, we got the Honey Badger in J.D. Davis. We’re a bunch of Animals in there. When it gets rocking, it’s gonna be a zoo.”
Are the Mets a playoff team?
“Absolutely. No doubt in my mind,” McNeil said. “Definitely have the guys to do it. Just gotta do it for 162.”
It was Stengel who once groaned, “Can’t anybody here play this game?” No such worry from these Mets.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Knicks’ Frank Ntilikina seemingly avoids another injury

Frank Ntilikina is on injury watch again .
The Knicks point guard left Friday ’ s 126-103 loss to the Thunder at the Garden in the second quarter with a strained right ankle , though he returned to play just over four minutes in the fourth quarter .
“ I think [ he ’ s OK ] , ” interim coach Mike Miller said .
“ We ’ ll see what [ Saturday ] brings , but the fact that he was able to come back [ was positive ] .
We played him a little bit , then we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just going to take him out .
We were going to make sure he had a chance to rest and get off of it so he can have some recovery time.
” Ntilikina got hurt on offense and then had to intentionally foul to get himself out of the game with 8:33 left before halftime .
He briefly got checked out on the bench before heading to the locker room with his right shoe off .
The 21-year-old point guard has battled groin issues this season , the same body part that cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He finished Friday ’ s game with seven points in 10 minutes .
Mitchell Robinson ’ s strained hamstring only cost him one game as the Knicks ’ second-year center made his return Friday night .
Robinson got back to pumping up the crowd with his dunks and alley-oops , hitting all five field goals he attempted and finishing with 11 points , four rebounds and three blocks in 22 minutes .
“ I thought Mitch was good , ” Miller said .
“ He didn ’ t show any effects .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He got in , he picked up his second foul , but we left him out there .
So I think that ’ s showing his maturity and his experience to be able to play beyond that second foul in the first half .
He didn ’ t pick up his third .
I thought he played well in the third quarter as well.
” Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. missed a fourth straight game with a concussion , remaining in the protocol .
Miller said Smith has advanced to the stage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet in live team workouts .
Allonzo Trier and Damyean Dotson , who had been glued to the bench in recent games , both got garbage-time minutes , opening the fourth quarter on the court with Ntilikina , Robinson and Bobby Portis .
“ We were looking for a spark there , ” Miller said .

Frank Ntilikina is on injury watch again.
The Knicks point guard left Friday’s 126-103 loss to the Thunder at the Garden in the second quarter with a strained right ankle, though he returned to play just over four minutes in the fourth quarter.
“I think [he’s OK],” interim coach Mike Miller said. “We’ll see what [Saturday] brings, but the fact that he was able to come back [was positive]. We played him a little bit, then we got to the point where we were just going to take him out. We were going to make sure he had a chance to rest and get off of it so he can have some recovery time.”
Ntilikina got hurt on offense and then had to intentionally foul to get himself out of the game with 8:33 left before halftime. He briefly got checked out on the bench before heading to the locker room with his right shoe off.
The 21-year-old point guard has battled groin issues this season, the same body part that cost him nearly half of last season. He finished Friday’s game with seven points in 10 minutes.
Mitchell Robinson’s strained hamstring only cost him one game as the Knicks’ second-year center made his return Friday night.
Robinson got back to pumping up the crowd with his dunks and alley-oops, hitting all five field goals he attempted and finishing with 11 points, four rebounds and three blocks in 22 minutes.
“I thought Mitch was good,” Miller said. “He didn’t show any effects. He made an impact on the game. He got in, he picked up his second foul, but we left him out there. So I think that’s showing his maturity and his experience to be able to play beyond that second foul in the first half. He didn’t pick up his third. I thought he played well in the third quarter as well.”
Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. missed a fourth straight game with a concussion, remaining in the protocol. Miller said Smith has advanced to the stage of working out on his own, but not yet in live team workouts.
Allonzo Trier and Damyean Dotson, who had been glued to the bench in recent games, both got garbage-time minutes, opening the fourth quarter on the court with Ntilikina, Robinson and Bobby Portis.
“We were looking for a spark there,” Miller said.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Mets’ Jacob deGrom works on curveball, and it leads to a J.D. Davis homer

PORT ST. LUCIE — Coming off back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards , Jacob deGrom said he feels there is still room for improvement , which is why he threw the curveball J.D .
Davis hit for a home run during a simulated game on a back field Friday .
“ I ’ ve been putting some work in-between [ starts ] on it and it ’ s been good in the pen , ’ ’ deGrom said in the Mets clubhouse at Clover Park following his three-inning , 51-pitch simulated-game outing .
“ In the game , it seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown the pitch much during his career and isn ’ t sure how much he ’ ll use it going forward .
“ It ’ s something I ’ ve been working on to have another weapon , ’ ’ deGrom said .
“ Once [ Davis ] hit it , I said to Rene [ Rivera ] , ‘ That ’ s why I don ’ t throw it.
’ ” The right-hander said he expects to make three more appearances before the regular season — and he likely will pitch to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re getting closer to Opening Day , they need to be all games , ’ ’ said deGrom , who opted for the sim game Friday .
Davis said he is impressed deGrom continues to look for ways to improve even after his success .
“ He ’ s a two-time Cy Young Award winner and wants to get better and add to his repertoire , ’ ’ Davis said .
“ We appreciate that from him as a leader and a guy who ’ s our ace.
” The homer to left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was facing his live pitching for the first time since jamming his left shoulder Feb. 25 while trying to make a diving stop at third base .
“ The shoulder has been feeling really good the last couple days , ’ ’ Davis said .
“ Just making sure it ’ s stabilized .
I ’ m good to go.
” Davis said he also was encouraged by how the shoulder felt on swings and misses .
He plans on having live at-bats again on Saturday .
The final test will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Davis doesn ’ t know when that will happen .
“ I ’ m getting closer and closer , ’ ’ Davis said .
deGrom also faced a rehabbing Yoenis Cespedes in a sim game and Cespedes flailed at deGrom ’ s first-pitch slider to start the game .
Both players laughed at the result .
“ I knew he was looking for a first-pitch fastball , so I threw him a slider , ’ ’ deGrom said .
“ My goal is to try to get these guys out .
Yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but when they step in there , I want to get them out .
”

PORT ST. LUCIE — Coming off back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards, Jacob deGrom said he feels there is still room for improvement, which is why he threw the curveball J.D. Davis hit for a home run during a simulated game on a back field Friday.
“I’ve been putting some work in-between [starts] on it and it’s been good in the pen,’’ deGrom said in the Mets clubhouse at Clover Park following his three-inning, 51-pitch simulated-game outing. “In the game, it seems to pop up.”
DeGrom hasn’t thrown the pitch much during his career and isn’t sure how much he’ll use it going forward.
“It’s something I’ve been working on to have another weapon,’’ deGrom said. “Once [Davis] hit it, I said to Rene [Rivera], ‘That’s why I don’t throw it.’ ”
The right-hander said he expects to make three more appearances before the regular season — and he likely will pitch to Wilson Ramos.
“When we’re getting closer to Opening Day, they need to be all games,’’ said deGrom, who opted for the sim game Friday.
Davis said he is impressed deGrom continues to look for ways to improve even after his success.
“He’s a two-time Cy Young Award winner and wants to get better and add to his repertoire,’’ Davis said. “We appreciate that from him as a leader and a guy who’s our ace.”
The homer to left was also a positive sign for Davis, who was facing his live pitching for the first time since jamming his left shoulder Feb. 25 while trying to make a diving stop at third base.
“The shoulder has been feeling really good the last couple days,’’ Davis said. “Just making sure it’s stabilized. I’m good to go.”
Davis said he also was encouraged by how the shoulder felt on swings and misses. He plans on having live at-bats again on Saturday.
The final test will be diving at third base again, but Davis doesn’t know when that will happen.
“I’m getting closer and closer,’’ Davis said.
deGrom also faced a rehabbing Yoenis Cespedes in a sim game and Cespedes flailed at deGrom’s first-pitch slider to start the game. Both players laughed at the result.
“I knew he was looking for a first-pitch fastball, so I threw him a slider,’’ deGrom said. “My goal is to try to get these guys out. Yeah, there’s some joking in-between, but when they step in there, I want to get them out.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Spurs coach Gregg Popovich rips ‘coward’ Donald Trump over coronavirus response

The Nets got served humble pie Wednesday in a horrific ...

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich unleashed a scathing commentary on President Donald Trump, taking the spurs to him in calling him everything from a demagogue to a coward.
Before the Spurs fell 139-120 to the Nets on Friday night at Barclays Center, Popovich reacted to president Trump saying that he had to overcome an Obama-era FDA “rule” to more quickly provide tests for the Coronavirus, something many experts say is false.
“It was our president blaming Barack Obama for the fact we don’t have the kits we need right now. Seriously, I think he thinks Barack Obama tripped Mary Decker,” Popovich said sarcastically, referring to the U.S. middle-distance runner who fell in the 3,000 meters at the 1984 Olympics.
Popovich also said he’s proud of the athletes who have protested these past few years.
“It starts with [Colin] Kaepernick kneeling and the situation with the former owner of the Clippers [Donald Sterling],” he said. “And players made their feelings known not going to the White House. There’s a reason for that, and it’s not just being flippant or disrespectful. Weak people who’re basically demagogues at heart make those kinds of arguments. If you protest something then you’re [called] disloyal, you’re unpatriotic.”
It’s not the first time Popovich has pointed out inaccurate statements by President Trump, or taken his leadership to task. It likely won’t be the last.
“Seriously, so you know if it affects him personally in a financial or political way and it’s positive, he’ll tout about it and he’ll brag about it forever. But if it goes against him whether it’s a person or an organization, he’ll go after it,” Popovich said. “We all know why: Because he’s a coward.”
Chris Chiozza has gone from unused two-way player to bright spot at light-speed, kind of like how he plays.
He had 13 points, six rebounds and three assists in 21:50 against the Spurs. After mustering just seven points in 30 minutes since signing two months ago, he has poured in 35 points in the past three games, giving the Nets energy and backcourt help with Garrett Temple hurt.
“I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity that I have. I’m not worried too much about when I’m going to have my opportunity. I’m just out there trying to play for my teammates, do what I can to help in whatever way that is,” Chiozza said.
With the Nets down 78-59 with 3:45 left in the third quarter Tuesday in Boston, Chiozza came on and was a plus-29 the rest of the way to help the Nets to an OT comeback. Now he’s fighting his way into Kenny Atkinson’s plans.
“With GT out we needed some guard play, and I was intrigued from Day 1,” the coach said. “Obviously the Boston game he really opened some eyes, but even before that. … I’d flick on League Pass like who was this kid, pressuring the ball, making passes?
“Fantastic job by [GM] Sean [Marks] getting him in a Nets uniform, because we were very intrigued. It’s nice to see we can really have something there. He’s got pure point guard skills. And I’ve been really pleased with his defense.”
Atkinson started Wilson Chandler and brought Taurean Prince off the bench for the first time this season.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Knicks passed on emerging Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

RJ Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plan to be playing together this summer for Team Canada at the Olympics .
The Knicks will get a look at what could have been had they picked a different Kentucky product .
In the 2018 NBA Draft , the Knicks grabbed Kevin Knox with the ninth overall pick .
Two slots later , the Hornets scooped up his college teammate , Gilgeous-Alexander , and traded him to the Clippers on draft night .
Nearly two years later , Gilgeous-Alexander is on the rise as a starting combo guard for the playoff-contending Thunder while Knox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basement-dwelling Knicks — who , by the way , are still looking for their point guard of the future .
On Friday , he finished with 18 points , five assists and three rebounds in the Thunder ’ s 126-103 blowout win over the Knicks at the Garden .
Gilgeous-Alexander , after coming to Oklahoma City in the Paul George trade last summer , entered Friday ’ s game averaging 19.3 points , 6.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while thriving in the backcourt alongside Chris Paul — a relationship that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development .
“ I just think they ’ ve spent a lot of time together , ” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said before the game .
“ I think it started in the summer .
They ’ ve developed a really , really good relationship .
Shai ’ s always been a guy that ’ s been eager to learn and get better .
Not only being gifted and talented , Shai works at it .
So I think having a guy like Chris around him , I would imagine he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a lot of different things .
How to get better , how to improve , different things defensively , offensively.
” “ They ’ ve had a great relationship right from Day 1 .
They spent some time in the summer working out together before training camp started .
We ’ ve got an interesting mix of some older guys and younger guys .
Those younger guys can learn a lot from Chris because Chris puts the time in , in terms of trying to help those younger guys learn and get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Paul having that influence on their young locker room next season , with his former agent Leon Rose now running the show as president .
For now , they ’ re left thinking what could have been with Gilgeous-Alexander .
The Knicks would have seen plenty of Gilgeous-Alexander while scouting Knox on the 2017-18 Kentucky squad that lost in the Sweet 16 .
Knox and Gilgeous-Alexander were the Wildcats ’ leading scorers that season as freshmen .
But Gilgeous-Alexander did not work out for the Knicks in the pre-draft process .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Post ’ s Marc Berman he was told not to share who he worked out for , but it is believed his agent steered him toward the Clippers .
Knox was just as impressive as Gilgeous-Alexander last year when both were rookies , but Gilgeous-Alexander has taken off since joining the Thunder .
The Knicks , meanwhile , are left looking for better days ahead for Knox , who entered Friday averaging 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this season , most of it coming off the bench .
“ [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluate his performance based on how well he scores , ” Donovan said .
“ Scoring ’ s going to come and go .
He had a really , really good offensive night against Detroit the other night [ 27 points ] .
But there ’ s so many other things he can do in terms of playmaking and rebounding and defending .
Those are constants .
If we can get him where he really becomes a consistent guy , where he ’ s getting between seven and 10 rebounds a game , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him and help our team .
”

RJ Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plan to be playing together this summer for Team Canada at the Olympics.
The Knicks will get a look at what could have been had they picked a different Kentucky product.
In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Knicks grabbed Kevin Knox with the ninth overall pick. Two slots later, the Hornets scooped up his college teammate, Gilgeous-Alexander, and traded him to the Clippers on draft night.
Nearly two years later, Gilgeous-Alexander is on the rise as a starting combo guard for the playoff-contending Thunder while Knox is muddled in a sophomore slump with the basement-dwelling Knicks — who, by the way, are still looking for their point guard of the future. On Friday, he finished with 18 points, five assists and three rebounds in the Thunder’s 126-103 blowout win over the Knicks at the Garden.
Gilgeous-Alexander, after coming to Oklahoma City in the Paul George trade last summer, entered Friday’s game averaging 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while thriving in the backcourt alongside Chris Paul — a relationship that has played a role in his second-year development.
“I just think they’ve spent a lot of time together,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said before the game. “I think it started in the summer. They’ve developed a really, really good relationship. Shai’s always been a guy that’s been eager to learn and get better. Not only being gifted and talented, Shai works at it. So I think having a guy like Chris around him, I would imagine he’s picking his brain and talking to him about a lot of different things. How to get better, how to improve, different things defensively, offensively.”
“They’ve had a great relationship right from Day 1. They spent some time in the summer working out together before training camp started. We’ve got an interesting mix of some older guys and younger guys. Those younger guys can learn a lot from Chris because Chris puts the time in, in terms of trying to help those younger guys learn and get better.”
The Knicks may have dreams of Paul having that influence on their young locker room next season, with his former agent Leon Rose now running the show as president. For now, they’re left thinking what could have been with Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Knicks would have seen plenty of Gilgeous-Alexander while scouting Knox on the 2017-18 Kentucky squad that lost in the Sweet 16. Knox and Gilgeous-Alexander were the Wildcats’ leading scorers that season as freshmen. But Gilgeous-Alexander did not work out for the Knicks in the pre-draft process.
The day before the draft, Gilgeous-Alexander told The Post’s Marc Berman he was told not to share who he worked out for, but it is believed his agent steered him toward the Clippers.
Knox was just as impressive as Gilgeous-Alexander last year when both were rookies, but Gilgeous-Alexander has taken off since joining the Thunder. The Knicks, meanwhile, are left looking for better days ahead for Knox, who entered Friday averaging 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this season, most of it coming off the bench.
“[Gilgeous-Alexander] doesn’t need to evaluate his performance based on how well he scores,” Donovan said. “Scoring’s going to come and go. He had a really, really good offensive night against Detroit the other night [27 points]. But there’s so many other things he can do in terms of playmaking and rebounding and defending. Those are constants. If we can get him where he really becomes a consistent guy, where he’s getting between seven and 10 rebounds a game, that’s only going to help him and help our team.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--St. John’s considering playing fewer games at Madison Square Garden

This time , nothing was left to chance .
This time , St ... .

The biggest win of the year for St. John’s came at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm also beat Providence there and nearly knocked off Butler. At the Garden, however, St. John’s blew late leads against Georgetown, Seton Hall and Xavier, and was blown out by Villanova.
Clearly, St. John’s is better playing on its campus, this season at least. Which, naturally, leads to the question: Should the Johnnies be playing more games at the small gym along Utopia Parkway with a modest capacity of 5,602?
“You can’t predict wins or losses based on the venue, but we feel like we need to put ourselves in the best position to win every game,” athletic director Mike Cragg told The Post on Friday, as St. John’s was preparing to close the regular season against Marquette on Saturday afternoon at the Garden (Noon, Ch. 9). “We had more games at the Garden this year, and I don’t think it was a bad decision. But it’s something that we definitely are evaluating and plan to recalibrate for next year.
“[Carnesecca] is definitely unique. It’s a place where the energy and excitement can really help a team. I anticipate we’ll have less games at the Garden next year, for sure.”
St. John’s (15-15, 4-13), locked into a ninth-place finish in the Big East, will have played seven times at the Garden after wrapping up its slate of six league games there Saturday. Cragg, in his second full year as the school’s athletic director, wouldn’t put a number on how many games he wants to play at MSG next year, since he has yet to meet with anyone at the Garden about next season yet.
When asked his thoughts, coach Mike Anderson said he loves both venues equally, citing the advantages to each setting. The results, though, say otherwise. St. John’s went 2-1 at Carnesecca in the Big East and 1-4 at the Garden.
“I think right now they’re going to have a hard balance, because Carnesecca Arena, the way Mike plays, fits their style terrifically,” Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said. “The pressing, constant defense, the crowd being right on top of you. But for St. John’s [the Garden] is what makes St. John’s St. John’s. So, I don’t think you can ever ignore the importance of the Mecca for St. John’s.”
St. John’s, indeed, needs the Garden. It’s such a big part of the program’s history. It’s a major selling point for recruits. New players always talk about the opportunity to play there. But the Johnnies practice at Carnesecca Arena every day, creating familiarity and comfort.
“You feel the fans while you’re playing,” sophomore forward Marcellus Earlington said of Carnesecca, adding he “loves” the Garden and grew up dreaming of playing there.
Last season, which culminated in the Red Storm reaching the NCAA Tournament under former coach Chris Mullin, they performed well at MSG in front of large crowds, defeating tournament teams like Villanova and Seton Hall. But this season, with lowered expectations, they haven’t drawn nearly as well there, averaging 9,560 fans per game, and beating just DePaul and non-conference foe West Virginia.
At Carnesecca, St. John’s stunned No. 11 Creighton last Sunday, knocked off likely tournament team Providence and nearly rallied from a 21-point halftime deficit to defeat Butler.
With more league games on campus next year, Cragg is planning to enhance the fan experience. That includes exploring the possibility of offering alcoholic beverages and improving concessions.
“Our goal is to give ourselves the best opportunity to win basketball games,” he said, “because that’s the best thing that can happen for this basketball program right now.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Mets’ Pete Alonso not bothered by homerless streak

JUPITER , Fla. — There will be times when he will ...

PORT ST. LUCIE — Pete Alonso homered on the first pitch he saw in the Grapefruit League last year, which effectively served as an omen for his spring training and historic rookie season.
Two weeks into this exhibition season, the slugging Mets first baseman is among the position players in camp still trying to shed the offseason rust. After going 0-for-4 in a 3-2 loss to the Astros on Friday, Alonso is homerless in 31 at-bats over 10 games and batting just .194.
But you would have a better chance of spotting a snowman in the parking lot at Clover Park than a concerned Alonso at this early juncture.
“I have got to let the process kind of shake everything out,” Alonso said before catching a bus to West Palm Beach, where he played first base. “I have been barreling a lot of stuff up the past four or five games or so, so I can’t control if the ball goes out of the park. The only thing I can kind of control is hitting the ball right on the screws, and if I’m hitting the ball hard all over the yard, I have got no complaints here.
“Whenever it happens, it’s going to happen, because I have no doubt that I can. I am looking forward to being surprised when it does happen.”
Alonso set a major league rookie record with 53 homers last season. In the 2019 exhibition season, he homered four times, part of a convincing spring in which he forced his way onto the Opening Day roster. With his spot in the Mets’ lineup already secure this spring, Alonso’s emphasis isn’t so much on numbers as preparing for the season. But he also wants to ensure he’s building toward the regular season.
“It’s not that I don’t care,” Alonso said. “I want to be as ready as I possibly can for the season. I want to be going into the season as hot as I can. I want to be seeing the ball well, playing good defense. I want to be nice and ready — game shape.”
Alonso isn’t the Mets’ only slow starter this spring. Amed Rosario just got his first hit Friday in 17 at-bats and Dominic Smith is 3-for-20 (.150). On the flip side, Jeff McNeil is 10-for-18 (.556) and Brandon Nimmo is 8-for-20 (.400).
“[Alonso] is in a good place right now,” manager Luis Rojas said. “I like where his hands are. I like where he is starting his load. His rhythm is where it usually is. At the beginning of spring training he was just a little bit out of whack, he was getting ready late so he was rushing to the ball. There was a lot of things, I guess everyone goes through it. A lot of guys come in and they are locked in. [Wilson] Ramos was locked in when he came in, but Pete’s in a good place right now.”
Alonso’s contact in recent days has been solid. He hit a ball into the wind on Thursday in Jupiter that might have been a homer on another day. On Friday he was set to play in a fourth straight game, a rarity for starting players this early in the spring.
“The best way for me to get ready and my timing is to play,” Alonso said. “I want to be as ready as possible and the only way to get into game shape is play games.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--New York Post courts photographer still pursues perps, but trades camera for paintbrush

Veteran New York Post courts photographer Steven Hirsch has snapped his fair share of sensational , but fleeting , front pages .
But these days , he ’ s also using a paintbrush and his eye for garish tabloid drama to turn some of his favorite Page 1 creeps and crooks into lasting art .
Four of Hirsch ’ s paintings will be on display this weekend at the Art on Paper art fair , running through Sunday at Lower Manhattan ’ s Pier 36 .
Works by Hirsch , 71 , of the East Village , are on display @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and include his acrylics-altered tabloid front pages of Harvey Weinstein , fake German heiress Anna Sorokin and Brooke Astor ’ s swindling son Anthony Marshall .
Hirsch , who has no formal training , says he started experimenting with abstract painting three years ago .
He soon realized that the bizarre , gritty truth he saw at court each day was stranger , and more inspiring than any fiction he could dream up .
“ There could hardly be a better place for inspiration than the Manhattan criminal courthouse , ” said Hirsch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for The Post for 20 years and whose works are also up on his Instagram page .
“ The place is teeming with characters straight out of a cartoon — or a Tarantino movie .
”

Veteran New York Post courts photographer Steven Hirsch has snapped his fair share of sensational, but fleeting, front pages.
But these days, he’s also using a paintbrush and his eye for garish tabloid drama to turn some of his favorite Page 1 creeps and crooks into lasting art.
Four of Hirsch’s paintings will be on display this weekend at the Art on Paper art fair, running through Sunday at Lower Manhattan’s Pier 36.
The massive art fair features paper-based works offered by 95 galleries.
Works by Hirsch, 71, of the East Village, are on display at the Marion Harris Gallery booth, and include his acrylics-altered tabloid front pages of Harvey Weinstein, fake German heiress Anna Sorokin and Brooke Astor’s swindling son Anthony Marshall.
Hirsch, who has no formal training, says he started experimenting with abstract painting three years ago.
He soon realized that the bizarre, gritty truth he saw at court each day was stranger, and more inspiring than any fiction he could dream up.
“There could hardly be a better place for inspiration than the Manhattan criminal courthouse,” said Hirsch, who has worked the courts beat for The Post for 20 years and whose works are also up on his Instagram page.
“The place is teeming with characters straight out of a cartoon — or a Tarantino movie.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--The troubling Yankees problem behind Aaron Judge injury

Aaron Judge has become the third key Yankee to be ...

TAMPA — Aaron Judge didn’t know. Neither did the Yankees. That’s a problem.
Yes, the Yankees and Judge need to avoid injuries. Judge has missed 110 games the past two seasons and there will be more now, but the Yankees also need to pick up their diagnostic game.
Here was Judge standing in front of his locker Friday night at Steinbrenner Field, talking about his frustration over this latest injury, a stress fracture of his right first rib that occurred last September during an outfield dive against the Angels, but was not discovered until this week in a CT scan.
“Tests were run,’’ a dejected Judge said. “Most of the pain and problem was coming from the shoulder and neck and surrounding areas. The pain was radiating to other places. You give ’em the symptoms and you tell them what’s wrong and they work off of what you say.’’
Aaron Boone, when he made the announcement three hours before the Yankees lost, 5-1, to the Orioles, noted: “It’s a tough diagnosis to find.’’
Said Judge of being sidelined: “Frustrating, especially with an injury that happened at the end of last year. I still didn’t heal up. At least we have an answer so now we can start working on a solution is the biggest thing, but overall I’m just mad, I want to be out there with my team. We have a lot of goals here in 2020.’’
If the bone doesn’t heal, Judge would have to have surgery to remove the rib and there would be a lengthy rehab. Nevertheless, Judge said he is confident surgery can be avoided “because the bone is healing.’’
Dr. Ryan Dowling, a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with the North Jersey Orthopaedic Group, agreed.
“Treatment is almost always conservative: rest, four to six weeks, give it time to heal,” he told The Post. “There is a small subset that does not heal, and I know they talked about surgery, but I believe that would be extremely unlikely. Most likely it will just be rest and he should be OK.’’
The Yankees are haunted again this year by injuries. Judge is the third major player the Yankees have had trouble diagnosing since the end of last season, with Luis Severino (Tommy John surgery) and James Paxton (back surgery) already sidelined.
Now, Judge will not be swinging a bat for a while. Finally.
“Since November I really haven’t given it any time off,’’ Judge said. “I didn’t know, now that we know it’s time to give it two weeks to heal up and we are doing different things in the training room, different machines to kind of speed up the healing process. In two weeks we’ll check and [see] if we are on the right track.’’
Remember, the bone must completely heal. If he has to have the surgery, much like thoracic outlet surgery, it would be a complicated rehab.
The bone would have healed more quickly if Judge had rested after the season.
“MRIs don’t show it, that’s why it’s been missed for so long,” he said. “But going into the postseason I didn’t want to miss that. So get a shot and let’s get rolling, basically.
“This happened in September. We got October, November, December, January, February. I think we are kind of in the right ballpark. Once we got the pictures and saw the fracture I said, ‘How far along is this?’ and they said, ‘Oh, we are kind of in the middle ground. It’s healing up.’ I said, ‘Perfect.’ I guess we are on the right route and do what we need to do for a fracture and see if it continues to heal. That’s why we want to take another picture in two weeks.
“The CT scan was the biggest thing that really figured it out because we did MRIs on every single part of my body and everything came back clean, so it was pretty frustrating.”
When Judge dove that night in September, he felt “a crack, felt a pop, but you got adrenaline flowing, you got postseason coming up. I want to be on the field,’’ he explained.
“If I would have known it was a rib I might have done things differently.’’
He didn’t know and neither did the Yankees. That’s a problem.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--LeBron James leads Lakers past Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has repeatedly insisted he doesn ’ t care about winning another MVP award .
He knows almost nobody outside the Los Angeles Lakers ’ locker room thinks he ’ ll beat Giannis Antetokounmpo for the honor .
When the reigning MVP brought his Milwaukee Bucks to Staples Center on Friday night , James ’ brilliant performance still demonstrated the debate shouldn ’ t be over just yet .
James had 37 points , eight rebounds and seven assists to win his showdown with his fellow All-Star Game captain , and the Lakers beat Milwaukee 113-103 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s conference leaders .
Anthony Davis scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers ( 48-13 ) split their season series with the league-leading Bucks ( 53-10 ) .
Los Angeles was carried to its 10th win in 11 games overall by James , who scored 14 points in the third quarter and then kept LA ahead down the stretch .
James also frequently guarded Antetokounmpo during the middle quarters with consistent success .
James capped his night with a one-handed spinning dunk with 27 seconds left , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” chants for him at Staples Center .
“ We know who we are , and this is great competition , ” James said .
“ To have the opportunity to compete at a high level , that ’ s fun and exciting .
But we know what we ’ re capable of.
” The victory even had a symbolic meaning for James and the Lakers : They formally clinched their first playoff spot since 2013 , ending the longest drought in franchise history .
“ I came here to put this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” James said .
“ The league is not what it is if the Lakers are not winning.
” James has transformed himself into the NBA ’ s assists leader this season to get the most out of Davis , but he did it without losing any of his own scoring acumen .
The Lakers depend on his steady excellence on both ends , and he has rarely been better this season than he was against the Bucks .
“ What was more impressive to me was his defense on Giannis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ For him to take on that assignment and still do what he did offensively , just an incredible performance.
” Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks , who have lost two of three games for the first time since October .
Donte DiVincenzo scored 17 points for Milwaukee , which has still won seven of nine overall .
“ We definitely did not play smart , ” Antetokounmpo said .
“ We put them at the line so easily .
We ’ ve just got to do better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn a lot from this game.
” Antetokounmpo finished strong with a 12-point fourth quarter after two fairly quiet periods , but Milwaukee just couldn ’ t catch up to the Lakers in the waning minutes of one of the NBA ’ s marquee regular-season matchups .
“ They were just better , ” Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said .
“ They ’ re a very good team .
They do a lot of things well .
I think it ’ s good for us , though .
We ’ ll learn from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better.
” Antetokounmpo appeared to be headed for another monster game when he scored 10 points in the first four minutes at Staples Center , but he managed only two more in the first half when Los Angeles tightened up its defense .
The Lakers made an 18-0 run in the third quarter to take their first significant lead at 68-55 .
James drove the surge with his scoring and playmaking , while James and Danny Green valiantly slowed the bigger Antetokounmpo on defense .

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has repeatedly insisted he doesn’t care about winning another MVP award. He knows almost nobody outside the Los Angeles Lakers’ locker room thinks he’ll beat Giannis Antetokounmpo for the honor.
When the reigning MVP brought his Milwaukee Bucks to Staples Center on Friday night, James’ brilliant performance still demonstrated the debate shouldn’t be over just yet.
James had 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to win his showdown with his fellow All-Star Game captain, and the Lakers beat Milwaukee 113-103 in a clash of the NBA’s conference leaders.
Anthony Davis scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers (48-13) split their season series with the league-leading Bucks (53-10). Los Angeles was carried to its 10th win in 11 games overall by James, who scored 14 points in the third quarter and then kept LA ahead down the stretch.
James also frequently guarded Antetokounmpo during the middle quarters with consistent success. James capped his night with a one-handed spinning dunk with 27 seconds left, sparking the last of many “M-V-P!” chants for him at Staples Center.
“We know who we are, and this is great competition,” James said. “To have the opportunity to compete at a high level, that’s fun and exciting. But we know what we’re capable of.”
The victory even had a symbolic meaning for James and the Lakers: They formally clinched their first playoff spot since 2013, ending the longest drought in franchise history.
“I came here to put this franchise back where it needed to be,” James said. “The league is not what it is if the Lakers are not winning.”
James has transformed himself into the NBA’s assists leader this season to get the most out of Davis, but he did it without losing any of his own scoring acumen. The Lakers depend on his steady excellence on both ends, and he has rarely been better this season than he was against the Bucks.
“What was more impressive to me was his defense on Giannis,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “For him to take on that assignment and still do what he did offensively, just an incredible performance.”
Antetokounmpo had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks, who have lost two of three games for the first time since October. Donte DiVincenzo scored 17 points for Milwaukee, which has still won seven of nine overall.
“We definitely did not play smart,” Antetokounmpo said. “We put them at the line so easily. We’ve just got to do better. Obviously we’re going to learn a lot from this game.”
Antetokounmpo finished strong with a 12-point fourth quarter after two fairly quiet periods, but Milwaukee just couldn’t catch up to the Lakers in the waning minutes of one of the NBA’s marquee regular-season matchups.
“They were just better,” Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said. “They’re a very good team. They do a lot of things well. I think it’s good for us, though. We’ll learn from it, and we’ll be better.”
Antetokounmpo appeared to be headed for another monster game when he scored 10 points in the first four minutes at Staples Center, but he managed only two more in the first half when Los Angeles tightened up its defense.
The Lakers made an 18-0 run in the third quarter to take their first significant lead at 68-55. James drove the surge with his scoring and playmaking, while James and Danny Green valiantly slowed the bigger Antetokounmpo on defense.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Matt Every misses cut after leading first round at Arnold Palmer Invitational

ORLANDO , Fla. — Want to know what golf can do to the psyche of even the best players in the world ?
It can mess them up just like it messes up the rest of us who spend so much time chasing answers to the game ’ s most pressing questions .
Matt Every took the lead into Friday ’ s second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational after shooting a bogey-free 7-under 65 on Thursday at Bay Hill .
He followed that sterling performance with an 11-over 83 on Friday and missed the cut .
His previous tournament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ended with a second-round 85 as he missed the cut by miles .
So , to review : Every has gone 85 , 65 , 83 in his past three tournament rounds .
That ’ s enough to send someone to the nearest dispensary for some cannabis to sooth the nerves , something Every has been public about using to combat anxiety , and something that has gotten him suspended twice by the PGA Tour — most recently from November to January .
After Friday ’ s round , Every was left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be commended for taking the time to stop and talk at all considering how difficult his day was , with four double bogeys and four bogeys on his card .
“ I just played bad , ’ ’ Every said .
“ Today was rough .
It was just tough .
It was just a bad day.
’ ’ He said he doesn ’ t buy into the fact that there was a trend forming with second-round struggles considering his 85 last Friday and the 83 this Friday .
“ No , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ he insisted .
“ Last week I sucked the whole week .
Today was just kind of a gradual sucking all day .
But it happens .
It just happens to me … it kind of happens to me quite a lot.
’ ’ Every had waxed philosophic Thursday evening after his 65 , warning himself and anyone who would listen not to read too much into his near-perfect round as if it were the beginning of some sort of hot streak .
“ It ’ s going to be all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoot [ Friday ] , ’ ’ he said .
“ But I think I ’ m going to be all right this week .
I ’ m hitting it really good .
We ’ ll see .
It ’ s only Thursday though , I know , and there ’ s a lot of golf left.
’ ’ Unfortunately — and stunningly — there is none left this week for him at Bay Hill .
And Bay Hill has been very good to Every .
He has two PGA Tour victories in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arnold Palmer Invitational — in 2014 and 2015 .
Of his $ 10.2 million career earnings , $ 2.3 million of it has come from this event .
But he also now has four missed cuts and a tie for 62nd in his five starts since the 2015 win .
Asked what he thought “ the biggest difference ’ ’ between the Thursday and Friday rounds was , Every said , “ I don ’ t know .
If I did , I wouldn ’ t do it.
’ ’ Asked whether he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Every said : “ I ’ m not sure yet .
I don ’ t know what I ’ m going to do .
I might take some time off after [ The Players Championship ] .
’ ’ This was quite an about-face after the 65 on Thursday had buoyed his confidence .
“ It stinks for me because I really wanted to play well and I really didn ’ t see this coming , to be honest , ’ ’ Every said Friday .
The previous evening , his words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I always feel like my good stuff has been really , really good , ’ ’ he said .
“ There ’ s just no middle ground with me , though .
That ’ s the problem .
It ’ s like , either ragged or really good .
I don ’ t know if I ’ ll ever be like ‘ Mr .
Consistent ’ out here .
I don ’ t know if I have that in me .
I don ’ t know if I have the mental makeup to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not really who I am .
But … I feel good about my game right now.
’ ’ That , of course , proved to be short-lived .
“ It ’ s crazy how much this game can affect like your life … or not your life , but just maybe your mindset or whatever , ’ ’ he said .
“ My short-term memory isn ’ t very good , so that is a strength sometimes.
’ ’ That ’ s a strength Every will need to lean on more than ever @ @ @ @

ORLANDO, Fla. — Want to know what golf can do to the psyche of even the best players in the world?
It can mess them up just like it messes up the rest of us who spend so much time chasing answers to the game’s most pressing questions.
Matt Every took the lead into Friday’s second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational after shooting a bogey-free 7-under 65 on Thursday at Bay Hill. He followed that sterling performance with an 11-over 83 on Friday and missed the cut.
His previous tournament, last week’s Honda Classic, ended with a second-round 85 as he missed the cut by miles.
So, to review: Every has gone 85, 65, 83 in his past three tournament rounds.
That’s enough to send someone to the nearest dispensary for some cannabis to sooth the nerves, something Every has been public about using to combat anxiety, and something that has gotten him suspended twice by the PGA Tour — most recently from November to January.
After Friday’s round, Every was left almost speechless, though he deserves to be commended for taking the time to stop and talk at all considering how difficult his day was, with four double bogeys and four bogeys on his card.
“I just played bad,’’ Every said. “Today was rough. It was just tough. It was just a bad day.’’
He said he doesn’t buy into the fact that there was a trend forming with second-round struggles considering his 85 last Friday and the 83 this Friday.
“No, there’s nothing about second rounds,’’ he insisted. “Last week I sucked the whole week. Today was just kind of a gradual sucking all day. But it happens. It just happens to me … it kind of happens to me quite a lot.’’
Every had waxed philosophic Thursday evening after his 65, warning himself and anyone who would listen not to read too much into his near-perfect round as if it were the beginning of some sort of hot streak.
“It’s going to be all right either way no matter what I shoot [Friday],’’ he said. “But I think I’m going to be all right this week. I’m hitting it really good. We’ll see. It’s only Thursday though, I know, and there’s a lot of golf left.’’
Unfortunately — and stunningly — there is none left this week for him at Bay Hill.
And Bay Hill has been very good to Every. He has two PGA Tour victories in his career and both came in the Arnold Palmer Invitational — in 2014 and 2015. Of his $10.2 million career earnings, $2.3 million of it has come from this event.
But he also now has four missed cuts and a tie for 62nd in his five starts since the 2015 win.
Asked what he thought “the biggest difference’’ between the Thursday and Friday rounds was, Every said, “I don’t know. If I did, I wouldn’t do it.’’
Asked whether he’ll play Valspar in two weeks, Every said: “I’m not sure yet. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I might take some time off after [The Players Championship].’’
This was quite an about-face after the 65 on Thursday had buoyed his confidence.
“It stinks for me because I really wanted to play well and I really didn’t see this coming, to be honest,’’ Every said Friday.
The previous evening, his words proved to be eerily prescient.
“I always feel like my good stuff has been really, really good,’’ he said. “There’s just no middle ground with me, though. That’s the problem. It’s like, either ragged or really good. I don’t know if I’ll ever be like ‘Mr. Consistent’ out here. I don’t know if I have that in me. I don’t know if I have the mental makeup to do that. It’s just not really who I am. But … I feel good about my game right now.’’
That, of course, proved to be short-lived.
“It’s crazy how much this game can affect like your life … or not your life, but just maybe your mindset or whatever,’’ he said. “My short-term memory isn’t very good, so that is a strength sometimes.’’
That’s a strength Every will need to lean on more than ever at the moment.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Kristaps Porzingis’ dominance continues as Mavericks rip Grizzlies

DALLAS — Kristaps Porzingis had 26 points and 11 rebounds and Luka Doncic added 21 points as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-96 on Friday night .
It was Porzingis ’ fifth straight game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds .
He has averaged 30.0 points and 12.2 rebounds in the five games .
On Friday , he also had four blocks , only one turnover and was a plus-38 .
“ It took me a little bit of time to figure some things out and feel really comfortable out there , ” said Porzingis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Dallas after playing just 48 last season for the New York Knicks because of injury .
“ Now , it feels natural .
It feels organic .
It feels just in the rhythm of the game .
“ I know where my shots are going to come from and when I can be aggressive .
It feels much more just simple and natural , I ’ m in a good rhythm now and want to keep that going.
” “ Everyone ’ s caught up in the offensive stats , ” Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ but for me it ’ s a combination of his offensive production and what he ’ s doing defensively and rebounding .
It ’ s ridiculous.
” The Mavericks quickly built on a 12-point halftime lead , dominated the third quarter 34-16 and improved to 14 games over .500 for the first time this season .
Seventh in the Western Conference , they remain a half-game behind Oklahoma City .
Josh Jackson led the Grizzlies , eighth in the West , with 16 points off the bench .
Dillon Brooks added 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 11 rebounds as Memphis failed to move over .500 for the first time since Feb. 20 .
The Grizzlies came off the first back-to-back 39-point road wins in NBA history .
“ They competed really , really hard , shot it really great , ” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said of the Mavericks .
“ Our defense kind of let us down in that first quarter , start of the third quarter .
Got to get better.
” Ja Morant , leading Memphis with 17.6 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 11 , shooting 4 for 11 from the floor , in his matchup with Doncic .
“ It ’ s my job to play against the best , play this game , ” Morant said .
“ I ’ m just happy to be here.
” With Dallas leading 33-28 after one quarter , Memphis scored the first nine points of the second period to take a 37-33 lead .
But with the Grizzlies ahead 39-37 with 8:26 left in the half , the Mavericks went on a 19-2 run to pull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period .
Porzingis closed the run with nine straight points on two 3-pointers and three free throws after being fouled behind the arc .
The Mavericks played without two starters , guard Tim Hardaway Jr. ( illness ) and forward Dorian Finney-Smith ( injured right hip ) .
Then , starting guard Seth Curry was lost with an injured left ankle after scoring 15 points in the first half , shooting 7 of 9 from the floor .
Carlisle and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had little to say before the game on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest of the 111-107 loss at Atlanta on Feb. 22 and the $ 500,000 fine of Cuban for his public criticism of the officiating at the end of that game in which Dallas was called for goaltending , a putback was made as play continued and the officials then ruled there was no goaltending .
“ What I ’ ll say on the record is hopefully they ’ ll let us release our actual filing of the protest , ” Cuban said .
“ I ’ m waiting to hear back from them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we thought it needed to be protested.
” Carlisle said , “ This situation , this set of circumstances will improve the game long term , and that ’ s a good thing .
”

DALLAS — Kristaps Porzingis had 26 points and 11 rebounds and Luka Doncic added 21 points as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-96 on Friday night.
It was Porzingis’ fifth straight game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. He has averaged 30.0 points and 12.2 rebounds in the five games. On Friday, he also had four blocks, only one turnover and was a plus-38.
“It took me a little bit of time to figure some things out and feel really comfortable out there,” said Porzingis, who has played 48 games this season for Dallas after playing just 48 last season for the New York Knicks because of injury. “Now, it feels natural. It feels organic. It feels just in the rhythm of the game.
“I know where my shots are going to come from and when I can be aggressive. It feels much more just simple and natural, I’m in a good rhythm now and want to keep that going.”
“Everyone’s caught up in the offensive stats,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said of Porzingis, “but for me it’s a combination of his offensive production and what he’s doing defensively and rebounding. It’s ridiculous.”
The Mavericks quickly built on a 12-point halftime lead, dominated the third quarter 34-16 and improved to 14 games over .500 for the first time this season. Seventh in the Western Conference, they remain a half-game behind Oklahoma City.
Josh Jackson led the Grizzlies, eighth in the West, with 16 points off the bench. Dillon Brooks added 15, two after the first quarter, and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 11 rebounds as Memphis failed to move over .500 for the first time since Feb. 20. The Grizzlies came off the first back-to-back 39-point road wins in NBA history.
“They competed really, really hard, shot it really great,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said of the Mavericks. “Our defense kind of let us down in that first quarter, start of the third quarter. Got to get better.”
Ja Morant, leading Memphis with 17.6 points per game coming in, was limited to 11, shooting 4 for 11 from the floor, in his matchup with Doncic.
“It’s my job to play against the best, play this game,” Morant said. “I’m just happy to be here.”
With Dallas leading 33-28 after one quarter, Memphis scored the first nine points of the second period to take a 37-33 lead. But with the Grizzlies ahead 39-37 with 8:26 left in the half, the Mavericks went on a 19-2 run to pull ahead with 4:16 to go in the period. Porzingis closed the run with nine straight points on two 3-pointers and three free throws after being fouled behind the arc.
The Mavericks played without two starters, guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) and forward Dorian Finney-Smith (injured right hip). Then, starting guard Seth Curry was lost with an injured left ankle after scoring 15 points in the first half, shooting 7 of 9 from the floor.
Carlisle and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had little to say before the game on the NBA’s denial of Dallas’ protest of the 111-107 loss at Atlanta on Feb. 22 and the $500,000 fine of Cuban for his public criticism of the officiating at the end of that game in which Dallas was called for goaltending, a putback was made as play continued and the officials then ruled there was no goaltending.
“What I’ll say on the record is hopefully they’ll let us release our actual filing of the protest,” Cuban said. “I’m waiting to hear back from them. Then everybody gets to see why we thought it needed to be protested.”
Carlisle said, “This situation, this set of circumstances will improve the game long term, and that’s a good thing.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Seattle Starbucks employee diagnosed with coronavirus

A Starbucks employee in Seattle — where the global coffee giant was founded in 1971 — has been diagnosed with Coronavirus , causing the store where he worked to close , the company said Friday .
The employee is self-isolating at home and , according to Bloomberg , was a barista at the shop .
Starbucks reps said they learned of the positive test late Thursday and had been preparing for several weeks for an employment case .
On Thursday , the chain announced that it was temporarily halting its practice of refilling customers ’ reusable cups , again in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly activated our protocols , immediately closing the store and initiating a deep clean overnight , following all recommended guidelines from the City of Seattle and King County public health authorities , ” Starbucks said in a statement , pledging to reopen the downtown location “ very soon.
” “ These officials have encouraged us to reopen the store after further preventative cleaning , which we have already conducted , staffed by partners who have no known impact from COVID-19 , ” the statement went on .
The barista ’ s diagnosis was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epicenter of the virus outbreak in the United States .
Health officials have confirmed at least 85 cases in the state along with 13 of the country ’ s 14 coronavirus-related deaths .

A Starbucks employee in Seattle — where the global coffee giant was founded in 1971 — has been diagnosed with Coronavirus, causing the store where he worked to close, the company said Friday.
The employee is self-isolating at home and, according to Bloomberg, was a barista at the shop.
Starbucks reps said they learned of the positive test late Thursday and had been preparing for several weeks for an employment case.
On Thursday, the chain announced that it was temporarily halting its practice of refilling customers’ reusable cups, again in reaction to the virus.
“We quickly activated our protocols, immediately closing the store and initiating a deep clean overnight, following all recommended guidelines from the City of Seattle and King County public health authorities,” Starbucks said in a statement, pledging to reopen the downtown location “very soon.”
“These officials have encouraged us to reopen the store after further preventative cleaning, which we have already conducted, staffed by partners who have no known impact from COVID-19,” the statement went on.
The barista’s diagnosis was just the latest in Washington state, the epicenter of the virus outbreak in the United States.
Health officials have confirmed at least 85 cases in the state along with 13 of the country’s 14 coronavirus-related deaths.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--One thing stands between Seton Hall and Big East title

This is around the time every year when the most ...

OMAHA, Neb. — The CHI Health Center will be jumping. The 17,560-seat arena will be at capacity as 11th-ranked Creighton goes for its first Big East title since joining the league seven years ago. It will be loud and hostile.
But for Seton Hall, it will be a case of been there, done that.
The No. 8 Pirates have lost just once in eight Big East road games. They’ve prevailed at the league’s toughest venues, knocking off Villanova at Wells Fargo Center, Marquette at Fiserv Forum, Xavier at Cintas Center and Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Of course, the stakes weren’t nearly as high as they will be Saturday afternoon. A victory would give Seton Hall its first outright Big East regular season crown since 1993 and the top seed in next week’s conference tournament. A loss, coupled with a Villanova win at Georgetown, and the Pirates will be the third seed.
“I love the mindset of our team,” coach Kevin Willard said in a phone interview. “Obviously, they were disappointed losing on Senior Night, but we lost to a great team [in Villanova] who played terrific. This morning they came in with a great attitude, and they’re excited about the opportunity. They’re ready to roll.”
The Pirates (21-8, 13-4) have performed nearly as well on the road as at home, 10-4 as visitors and 11-4 in their own building. A simple look at superstar guard Myles Powell’s splits reveals why the Pirates are so successful away from home.
The Big East Preseason Player of the Year is averaging 16.1 points while shooting 31.5 percent from the field in nine Big East contests at Prudential Center. In eight road games in the league, he’s scoring 27.1 points while shooting 45.9 percent from the field.
“I just think he’s a little more focused on the road,” Willard said. “At home, you have fans, you have family, all that stuff going on. On the road, he’s a little bit more relaxed.”
Last Saturday, on Marquette’s Senior Day, Powell had 28 points and five assists. He went off for 29 points apiece in road wins at St. John’s and Butler. He buried Georgetown with 34 points.
Powell struggled in the first matchup against Creighton in Newark on Feb. 12, shooting just 3-of-16 from the field in an 87-82 setback. Seton Hall’s other star, junior Sandro Mamukelashvili, was limited to 19 minutes because of foul trouble, yet still scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. The undersized Bluejays didn’t have an answer for the versatile 6-foot-11 forward, who has emerged as Robin to Powell’s Batman since returning from a fractured right wrist five weeks ago.
“Because of the way he’s playing, he’s become a huge factor for us,” Willard said. “When they went small [the first game against us], and he was out of the game, it really hurt us.”
Seton Hall wasn’t expecting to have to win this game to claim the league crown. The Pirates had a chance to clinch it Wednesday on an emotional Senior Night, only to fall two points short against Villanova, as Powell shot 5-of-18 from the field.
“I’ll be ready for Creighton on Saturday,” the senior said afterward. “I’ll do my best to lead this team like I’ve been doing all year, to lead them to a championship.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Mick Mulvaney didn’t jump from White House — he was pushed, say insiders

Mick Mulvaney didn ’ t jump from his position as acting White House chief of staff — he was pushed , after falling out of favor with President Trump , insiders tell The Post .
“ Mick was basically a pariah in the building , ” a source close to the president said .
In a tweet fired off after he landed in Florida for a weekend at Mar-a-Lago , Trump announced Friday night that North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows will be his new chief of staff and that Mulvaney would be the US special envoy for Northern Ireland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff for more than a year , will also be stepping down as budget director .
He was ousted after “ worsening relations as of late , to the point where Trump stopped including him in major meetings , ” said the source .
Trump tellingly ignored Mulvaney on Air Force One during a March 2 flight to a North Carolina rally — instead chatting throughout the trip with Meadows , the source noted .
“ Meadows is a calming influence .
He ’ s a little closer to Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is part of the conservative Freedom Caucus .
Mulvaney ’ s own chief of staff , Emma Doyle , had meanwhile become “ the bane of Trump ’ s existence , ” the source said .
“ She was blocking people and making staffing decisions , ” the source said .
She was also “ busting Johnny McEntee ’ s balls , ” the source said .
However , a different source was unaware of any tension and countered that Doyle had actually been instrumental in McEntee ’ s return to the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial new chief of presidential personnel , responsible for all White House firing and hiring .
He had served as Trump ’ s “ body man ” until he was fired over security clearance concerns two years ago .
Trump had booted Mulvaney from the White House at least once before — in June , for coughing during the president ’ s interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos .
“ If you ’ re going to cough , please leave the room , ” Trump chided him in a caught-on-camera scolding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you just can ’ t cough .
Boy oh boy .
Okay , do you want to do that a little differently … ” As recently as last month , though , Trump had shot down a report that Mulvaney was leaving the White House .
But while Mulvaney ’ s ouster was rumored for months , the Friday night tweet came as a surprise to many White House aides .
The move makes Meadows , who announced he was not seeking reelection for his House seat from North Carolina , effectively Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking office in 2017 .
OMB acting director Russ Vought will likely be nominated to take the budget helm full time , a White House source told The Post .

Mick Mulvaney didn’t jump from his position as acting White House chief of staff — he was pushed, after falling out of favor with President Trump, insiders tell The Post.
“Mick was basically a pariah in the building,” a source close to the president said.
In a tweet fired off after he landed in Florida for a weekend at Mar-a-Lago, Trump announced Friday night that North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows will be his new chief of staff and that Mulvaney would be the US special envoy for Northern Ireland.
Mulvaney, who had been acting chief of staff for more than a year, will also be stepping down as budget director.
He was ousted after “worsening relations as of late, to the point where Trump stopped including him in major meetings,” said the source.
Trump tellingly ignored Mulvaney on Air Force One during a March 2 flight to a North Carolina rally — instead chatting throughout the trip with Meadows, the source noted.
“Meadows is a calming influence. He’s a little closer to Trump’s age,” the source said and is part of the conservative Freedom Caucus.
Mulvaney’s own chief of staff, Emma Doyle, had meanwhile become “the bane of Trump’s existence,” the source said.
“She was blocking people and making staffing decisions,” the source said.
She was also “busting Johnny McEntee’s balls,” the source said.
However, a different source was unaware of any tension and countered that Doyle had actually been instrumental in McEntee’s return to the White House.
McEntee is Trump’s controversial new chief of presidential personnel, responsible for all White House firing and hiring. He had served as Trump’s “body man” until he was fired over security clearance concerns two years ago.
Trump had booted Mulvaney from the White House at least once before — in June, for coughing during the president’s interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos.
“If you’re going to cough, please leave the room,” Trump chided him in a caught-on-camera scolding. “You just can’t, you just can’t cough. Boy oh boy. Okay, do you want to do that a little differently … ”
As recently as last month, though, Trump had shot down a report that Mulvaney was leaving the White House.
But while Mulvaney’s ouster was rumored for months, the Friday night tweet came as a surprise to many White House aides.
The move makes Meadows, who announced he was not seeking reelection for his House seat from North Carolina, effectively Trump’s fourth chief of staff since taking office in 2017.
OMB acting director Russ Vought will likely be nominated to take the budget helm full time, a White House source told The Post.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad is duo Rangers have longed for

It seems as if the rest of New York is finally realizing what the Rangers have known all season : They have two must-see talents in Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad , and the pair might be the organization ’ s most dynamic duo in half a century .
The spotlight shined down on Zibanejad when he became just the third player in franchise history to record five goals in a game , his signature performance as a Ranger including the overtime winner in Thursday ’ s 6-5 victory over the Capitals at the Garden .
The winner was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlet pass from Panarin , who has not only lived up to the seven-year , $ 81.5 million deal he signed as a free agent this summer , but also has inserted himself into the conversation for the Hart Trophy as league MVP .
“ Unbelievable pass , ” Zibanejad said after Friday ’ s practice , “ and after that , I just blacked out.
” Oh , and the win managed to get the Rangers within two points of the free-falling Islanders for the second wild-card spot as they prepared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ My phone almost burned up , ” Zibanejad said .
“ But I had my dad and my girlfriend here , so it was a special night to be able to share it with them and then go home and kind of reflect .
… It was for sure a special night that I ’ ll remember forever.
” This was supposed to be another season in which the Rangers continued rebuilding and focusing on the future .
They have pulled off the rare feat of being competitive in the process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tough three-game road trip coming up next week against the Stars , Avalanche and Coyotes .
The growth into a contender has been expedited by the arrival of Panarin , who has 32 goals and is tied for third in the NHL with 93 points over his first 66 games with the organization .
The 28-year-old Russian has somehow been better than advertised , and his teammates have gawked at his talent all season .
“ He reads the game so well , ” Zibanejad said , “ and his hockey IQ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Zibanejad has grown to far greater heights than even the Rangers could have expected when they pulled off an absolute coup of a trade with the Senators in July 2016 , sending Derick Brassard and a seventh-round pick to the Senators for Zibanejad and a second-rounder .
The aim was to get younger and save some cap space .
Zibanejad is still just 26 years old and he has two more years left on his deal with the burglary-worthy price of a $ 5.3 million annual salary-cap hit .
Despite having missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck ailment , Zibanejad still has a team-leading 38 goals ( fifth in the league ) , plus 33 assists , in 54 games .
“ I didn ’ t know he was this good when I took the job , ” second-year head coach David Quinn said .
“ He has such passion for the game , and he wants to be the best player he can possibly be .
[ He ] comes every day and works hard .
He ’ s everything you want in your best player.
” As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has mostly kept Zibanejad and Panarin off the same line , getting them together only on the power play or in late-game or offensively desperate situations .
That is unlike most of the great combinations of the past , including the two forwards who might be closest in talent and impact — Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle , who with Vic Hadfield comprised the Rangers ’ GAG Line of the 1970s .
Having Zibanejad and Panarin on separate lines has made it much more difficult for teams to match up against the Rangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talents “ makes you a lot better coach.
” That depth took a hit when Chris Kreider broke his foot last Friday , possibly sidelining the winger for the rest of the regular season .
Yet the Rangers trudge on , and they will learn how far their two spectacular talents can carry them over the next month .
“ We just want to win in here , ” Zibanejad said .
“ We really put ourselves in a good spot to make something happen .
”

It seems as if the rest of New York is finally realizing what the Rangers have known all season: They have two must-see talents in Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, and the pair might be the organization’s most dynamic duo in half a century.
The spotlight shined down on Zibanejad when he became just the third player in franchise history to record five goals in a game, his signature performance as a Ranger including the overtime winner in Thursday’s 6-5 victory over the Capitals at the Garden. The winner was a breakaway goal set up by a brilliant outlet pass from Panarin, who has not only lived up to the seven-year, $81.5 million deal he signed as a free agent this summer, but also has inserted himself into the conversation for the Hart Trophy as league MVP.
“Unbelievable pass,” Zibanejad said after Friday’s practice, “and after that, I just blacked out.”
Oh, and the win managed to get the Rangers within two points of the free-falling Islanders for the second wild-card spot as they prepared to host the Devils on Saturday night.
“My phone almost burned up,” Zibanejad said. “But I had my dad and my girlfriend here, so it was a special night to be able to share it with them and then go home and kind of reflect. … It was for sure a special night that I’ll remember forever.”
This was supposed to be another season in which the Rangers continued rebuilding and focusing on the future. They have pulled off the rare feat of being competitive in the process, but that could change very quickly with a tough three-game road trip coming up next week against the Stars, Avalanche and Coyotes.
The growth into a contender has been expedited by the arrival of Panarin, who has 32 goals and is tied for third in the NHL with 93 points over his first 66 games with the organization. The 28-year-old Russian has somehow been better than advertised, and his teammates have gawked at his talent all season.
“He reads the game so well,” Zibanejad said, “and his hockey IQ is through the roof.”
It helps that Zibanejad has grown to far greater heights than even the Rangers could have expected when they pulled off an absolute coup of a trade with the Senators in July 2016, sending Derick Brassard and a seventh-round pick to the Senators for Zibanejad and a second-rounder. The aim was to get younger and save some cap space. Zibanejad is still just 26 years old and he has two more years left on his deal with the burglary-worthy price of a $5.3 million annual salary-cap hit.
Despite having missed 13 games earlier this season with a neck ailment, Zibanejad still has a team-leading 38 goals (fifth in the league), plus 33 assists, in 54 games.
“I didn’t know he was this good when I took the job,” second-year head coach David Quinn said. “He has such passion for the game, and he wants to be the best player he can possibly be. [He] comes every day and works hard. He’s everything you want in your best player.”
As tempting as it has been, Quinn has mostly kept Zibanejad and Panarin off the same line, getting them together only on the power play or in late-game or offensively desperate situations. That is unlike most of the great combinations of the past, including the two forwards who might be closest in talent and impact — Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle, who with Vic Hadfield comprised the Rangers’ GAG Line of the 1970s.
Having Zibanejad and Panarin on separate lines has made it much more difficult for teams to match up against the Rangers, and Quinn added that having those talents “makes you a lot better coach.” That depth took a hit when Chris Kreider broke his foot last Friday, possibly sidelining the winger for the rest of the regular season.
Yet the Rangers trudge on, and they will learn how far their two spectacular talents can carry them over the next month.
“We just want to win in here,” Zibanejad said. “We really put ourselves in a good spot to make something happen.”


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--NJ petting zoo accused of replacing sloth ‘Flash’ with doppelgänger

Animal advocates are loaded for bear to shut down a ...

Animal activists have accused a controversial petting zoo in a New Jersey mall of pulling a secret sloth swap — replacing “Flash” with a furry doppelgänger of the same name after his untimely demise.
Patrons and the public were kept in the dark after the arboreal died in December at SeaQuest in Woodbridge Center, activists said.
“There was a sloth that was delivered to the facility and it died. But it was miraculously replaced by a new sloth which they told the public was the same sloth,” one angry activist told The Post. “They are interchangeable. One dies and miraculously a new one shows up … they never die.”
Another protester, in a now-deleted Facebook post, taunted SeaQuest CEO Vince Covino: “What happened to your first sloth that came in on its death bed to SeaQuest in Woodbridge, NJ? That’s right folks, flash is the SECOND sloth at Woodbridge – the first one DIED in early December and THEY HID THIS FROM THE PUBLIC AND GOT A FREE REPLACEMENT. Vince – we have proof.”
The purported proof involves a meeting in which a man sources identify as Covino notes that a sloth at Woodbridge had died and a new one would be on the way.
Covino refused to comment on the sloth-swipe allegation, saying only, “As is typical in our industry, we don’t publicize medical records of our animals outside of regulatory bodies, our vet team, and local and national husbandry teams.”
A Post reporter and photographer eyed the oddly active Flash the sloth on Feb. 14.
The Woodbridge mammal mystery is not the first sloth-gate to erupt at a SeaQuest facility.
An animal manager at a Littleton, Co. SeaQuest was accused of neglecting a sloth that twice burned its face on a heat lamp in 2018. In both cases, SeaQuest workers failed to notify a veterinarian about the injuries, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife report found, according to the Denver Post.
Ashleigh Belfiore, a bird, reptile and mammal manager at SeaQuest Littleton, was cleared at trial last year of misdemeanor charges relating to the burns.
Ever since SeaQuest opened its New Jersey location in November, animal rights activists have been protesting every weekend outside Woodbridge Center.
“Animals do not belong in a mall,” fumed Whitney Malin, of South Orange, N.J., who started an online petition that has garnered 15,000 signatures to shutter the facility. “These aren’t toys. They are exploiting animals for entertainment to make money.”
The zoo operates under permits from the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. Covino has been condemned for conditions at his eight other SeaQuest locations across the nation.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--John Catsimatidis wants to build paper bag factory in upstate New York

`` Daddies are always looking after their daughters , '' Catsimatidis explained to ...

The Cats is in the bag.
John Catsimatidis has settled on his next business venture — paper bags. The Gristedes billionaire is looking to build a factory in upstate New York to produce them in response to the state’s new law phasing out plastic shopping bags, which went into effect last week.
In a letter obtained by The Post, Catsimatidis asked the Syracuse-based chamber of commerce CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity for help to move the process along.
“Industry experts advise that there will be a massive shortage of paper bags and this will harm both consumers and store owners and make the new law unworkable.” Cats said in the memo addressed to CenterState boss Robert Simpson.
“To try to remedy this situation for all New Yorkers I am interested in creating or building a facility for the production of paper bags in the CenterStreet region,” he added. “This, of course, will be an economic development opportunity for that region.”
The bag ban was passed by the state legislature in March 2019. It sailed through the Senate and Assembly where Democrats hold overwhelming majorities. As the deadline to dump plastic approached this month, retailers were hit with bag shortages and a coalition of bodega owners sued New York state demanding a temporary delay so they could have more time for the transition.
With his own business directly affected by the ban, supermaket mogul Catsimatidis has been one of the new law’s most outspoken opponents — even taking out a full page ad in the New York Post to voice his protest.
“I believe in recycling. We have been recycling the plastic bags,” he told The Post with exasperation. “I come from a generation where we got rid of paper bags because we didn’t want to kill billions of trees.”
Catsimatidis estimated his upstate facility could be completed within a year and would lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs. He also insisted he wasn’t doing it for the money.
“Paper bags are costing 10 cents a piece. Plastic are a penny or two a piece. I am trying to bring the costs down to a reasonable number and not let people rip off the consumer and the store owners of New York,” he said. “I don’t care about profits at this point.”
In a statement, CenterState told The Post they has received the letter and had reached out to Catsimatidis to explore how they could help move the project forward.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--British man wins world’s best mullet at ‘Mulletfest’

A Brit has the best international mullet Down Under .
Graphic designer Rob Ayton snagged the haircut prize at the annual Mulletfest in New South Wales , a state in southeastern Australia .
“ It genuinely feels like it ’ s been a religious ceremony for me , Australia — you ’ ve been amazing , ” Ayton told Daily Mirror .
Ayton , 31 , of Devon , claims he first got the iconic “ business in the front , party in the back ” style as a joke during an Aussie getaway three years ago , but soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today , his hair in back hits his shoulder blade .
Growing a good mullet , Ayton said , takes “ time and patience , and being able to handle a s–t ton of negative feedback.
” Mulletfest , according to its website , is a day that honors “ the best Mullet cuts in various styles and categories , including ‘ everyday ’ , ‘ grubby ’ , ‘ ranga ’ ( red hair ) , ‘ vintage ’ , ‘ extreme ’ , ‘ international ’ and ‘ junior .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their hair but on their overall presentation and stage presence .
All competition entrants are judged on their haircut , overall presentation and stage presence .

A Brit has the best international mullet Down Under.
Graphic designer Rob Ayton snagged the haircut prize at the annual Mulletfest in New South Wales, a state in southeastern Australia.
“It genuinely feels like it’s been a religious ceremony for me, Australia — you’ve been amazing,” Ayton told Daily Mirror.
Ayton, 31, of Devon, claims he first got the iconic “business in the front, party in the back” style as a joke during an Aussie getaway three years ago, but soon found he liked being a mullet man.
Today, his hair in back hits his shoulder blade.
Growing a good mullet, Ayton said, takes “time and patience, and being able to handle a s–t ton of negative feedback.”
Mulletfest, according to its website, is a day that honors “the best Mullet cuts in various styles and categories, including ‘everyday’, ‘grubby’, ‘ranga’ (red hair), ‘vintage’, ‘extreme’, ‘international’ and ‘junior.'”
Contestants are judged not only on their hair but on their overall presentation and stage presence. All competition entrants are judged on their haircut, overall presentation and stage presence.


newyorkpost--2020-03-07--YouTube socialist Carlos Maza slams the wealthy but lives in luxury

Carlos Maza , the controversial host of the show “ Strikethrough , ” appears ...

Carlos Maza doesn’t like rich people.
The social media socialist with more than 150,000 followers on Twitter and YouTube combined regularly uses his platforms to rail against the wealthy and powerful and urges fans to be skeptical of their opinions.
“Just found out James Carville — who spends his time lecturing Democrats for being ‘too far left’ — lives in an absolutely obscene four-story mansion,” Maza said in one such example from February — blasting the longtime Democratic strategist and posting a photo of Carville’s old home to his Twitter account.
“Dear god can we STOP taking political advice from the ultra-wealthy,” he moaned. “You really have to respect this guy’s grift. Constantly dressing in normal clothes on TV to feign relatability while living like this. Masterful con artist.”
“We should treat gay people the SAME WAY we treat straight people: Eating them when they get too rich,” he said in another post.
Like any good online socialist, Maza raises money for his internet presence through a Patreon account, where “comrades” — a word he uses to describe his supporters — can fund him in increments of $2, $5 and $10 a month.
But if Maza wants to start eating the rich, he may have to begin with his own family.
Through his clan, the millennial firebrand is connected to multiple Florida mega-mansions, a $7.1 million pad on the Upper West Side purchased under an LLC — and a yacht by luxury boat-maker Donzi.
Maza’s mother, Vivian Maza, was one of the first employees at Ultimate Software, a Florida-based behemoth that now employs more than 5,000 people. Starting in 1990 as an office manager, she ultimately rose to become the group’s chief people officer in 2004.
In addition to her day job, Vivian Maza also developed a very close personal relationship with company founder Scott Scherr — so close that an independent assessment of the company in 2016 cited the relationship as a “corporate governance concern.”
The report said the pair were believed to be “more than just co-workers” and have a “familial relationship.” The two later became engaged, and the couple has lived together for years, with Scherr being a de facto stepfather to Carlos.
Public records show Vivian, Scott, Carlos and sister Isabel all registered to vote at a five-bedroom, eight-bathroom waterfront palace in Boca Raton, Florida. The property sold in 2018 for $10.8 million, according to realty website Zillow. Scherr also unloaded a four-bedroom, four-bath home in Weston, Florida, for $1,850,000 in 2015.
Vivian currently resides full-time in a $4.4 million, two-bedroom, three-bath luxury condo in Fort Lauderdale, which she lists as her primary residence, according to a 2020 report filed by LCH 23, LLC — which she controls.
The same LLC purchased a $7,125,000 condo on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in November 2017.
While serving as CEO of Ultimate Software, Scherr was one of the most handsomely compensated CEOs in the country. In 2015 he took home $38.3 million, CBS News reported. In 2008, Scherr’s total stock and options in Ultimate were valued at $17.8 million, with shares at the time selling for about $35. In 2019, the company sold for $11 billion, with stock going for $331.50, almost certainly making Scherr and family nine-figure millionaires — if not billionaires.
It’s not clear how much Vivian and Scherr actively support Maza’s lifestyle, but evidence suggests the family has been happy to pitch in to help spread his socialist message. Both Scherr and Vivian Maza are listed as a “comrades” at the end of Carlos’ most recent YouTube video. And the younger Maza himself admitted in an interview with Mel Magazine that his family was there to financially back him if he needed it.
Viv and Scott have also pitched in on the rent for Carlos’ chic East Village pad just across from Tompkins Square Park, friends tell The Post. Rents for one-bedrooms like Carlos’ cost upward of $3,000 a month.
“I think a lot of these people are unhappy. I’m sure this guy is just craving some attention,” Carville told The Post. “I don’t have a billion dollars, but whatever I have, my daddy didn’t give me. I think I inherited, like, $11,000.”
Maza did not respond to multiple inquiries from The Post, but in a statement posted to Twitter in advance of publication, the fauxcialist fessed up to the silver spoons.
“My mom and her fiance are very wealthy thanks to a software company they started together when I was a kid. As a result I’ve gotten to live a life of tremendous privilege,” he said. Maza acknowledged he had always had a “safety net” should his career as a YouTube star go south, but insisted that “nobody is bankrolling” his effort and that his mother only donates $10 a month.