A few NBA players have been hit with the coronavirus, an All-Star lost his mother to it, and now Myles Turner has been confronted with the confusing frightening reality of it all. The former Euless Trinity and Texas star who… Read More: https://ift.tt/3ckaVyu
‘You don’t want to go through this.’ Father of Myles Turner on his coronavirus battle — Kankakee Connected
With the NBA G League’s new developmental program attracting some of the best prospects in the country, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum noted how it would have made his decision between college and professional much more difficult. Tatum recalled his time at Duke University very fondly while speaking on the “All The Smoke” podcast, but…
Jayson Tatum Explains What He Would’ve Done If Faced With Current NBA G League — NESN.com
As it stands, the 2020 NFL season is set to kick off Sept. 10 with the Houston Texans visiting the Kansas City Chiefs. But Dr. Anthony Fauci knows the coronavirus ultimately will be the deciding factor. COVID-19 has swept the United States and has most of the sports world on hold. A decision hasn’t been…
Dr. Anthony Fauci Believes Coronavirus ‘Will Make The Decision’ For NFL Season — NESN.com
Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle voiced some concerns as MLB ownership prepares to present a proposal to restart the 2020 season.
Sean Doolittle has some thoughts about MLB’s proposal to restart season — HardballTalk | NBC Sports
By Bill BaerMay 11, 2020, 4:35 PM EDT5 Comments
Nationals closer Sean Doolittle is one of baseball’s truly good guys. He and his wife Eireann Dolan have been involved with numerous philanthropic efforts and Doolittle even earned a nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2016 when he was with the Athletics. They have supported Operation Finally Home, which is a nonprofit that provides “custom-built, mortgage-free” homes to members of the military and their widows. They also supported San Francisco’s veterans charity Swords to Plowshares, which “provides needs assessment and case management, employment and training, housing, and legal assistance” to veterans.
In 2015, Doolittle and Dolan hosted Syrian refugee families for Thanksgiving amid a turbulent time concerning Syrian refugees and U.S. foreign policy. The pair continued to speak out in support of refugees, including in 2017. Doolittle and Dolan also supported LGBT people in 2015, buying enough tickets to fill the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum on LGBT night. That was in response to critics who vowed to sell their tickets in protest. Last year, Doolittle was recognized for his advocacy of union workers who serve food at MLB stadiums.
This is all to say that Doolittle is a thoughtful guy who puts his money where his mouth is. He doesn’t just shoot from the hip.
Today, we learned that MLB ownership has agreed on a proposal it intends to present to the MLB Players Association on Tuesday regarding the 2020 regular season. The proposal will include details about the schedule, location of games, as well as worker pay. Ahead of that proposal, Doolittle offered his thoughts on the matter in a thread on Twitter. He provides links to many resources, validating his concerns. It’s worth reading and considering.Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo ·
Bear with me, but it feels like we’ve zoomed past the most important aspect of any MLB restart plan: health protections for players, families, staff, stadium workers and the workforce it would require to resume a season. Here are some things I’ll be looking for in the proposal…Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo
Because this is a novel virus, there is still so much we don’t know – including the long-term effects. On top of respiratory issues, there’s been evidence of kidney, intestinal, and liver damage, as well as neurological malfunctions, blood clots & strokes. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/coronavirus-destroys-lungs-but-doctors-are-finding-its-damage-in-kidneys-hearts-and-elsewhere/2020/04/14/7ff71ee0-7db1-11ea-a3ee-13e1ae0a3571_story.html …Coronavirus destroys lungs. But doctors are finding its damage in kidneys, hearts and elsewhere.A small but growing body of evidence suggests the virus invades other organs and tissues, causing heart arrhythmias, blood clots and renal failure.washingtonpost.com1,825Twitter Ads info and privacy280 people are talking about thisObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo · Replying to @whatwouldDOOdo
Covid-19 patients often develop lung scarring, or ‘ground-glass opacities’. These were found even in asymptomatic patients, and because the virus often affects both lungs, can cause permanent damage in some cases. Definitely a concern for an athlete. https://www.vox.com/2020/5/8/21251899/coronavirus-long-term-effects-symptoms …The emerging long-term complications of Covid-19, explained”It is a true roller coaster of symptoms and severities, with each new day offering many unknowns.”vox.comObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo
Research has shown Covid-19 may cause issues with male hormone ratios – even in younger men, which could lead to fertility complications. Not ideal. Extremely suboptimal. Zero stars. https://www.vox.com/2020/5/8/21251899/coronavirus-long-term-effects-symptoms …The emerging long-term complications of Covid-19, explained”It is a true roller coaster of symptoms and severities, with each new day offering many unknowns.”vox.com1,498Twitter Ads info and privacy113 people are talking about thisObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo · Replying to @whatwouldDOOdo
We know that sharing indoor spaces greatly increases the infection risk, and it’s rare that only 1 person gets sick. Will there be modifications made to clubhouses or other facilities to prevent a spread?https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.04.20053058v1.full.pdf …https://thefern.org/2020/04/mapping-covid-19-in-meat-and-food-processing-plants/ …https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/8/20-1274_article …Mapping Covid-19 in meat and food processing plants | Food and Environment Reporting NetworkThis story was updated on May 8] According to data collected by FERN, as of May 8 at 12pm ET, at least 190 meatpacking and processed food plants and four farms have confirmed cases of Covid-19…thefern.orgObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo
And we’ve learned that you release the most virus into your environment prior to symptoms even showing. So how frequently will we be testing to stay ahead of a potential spread and to mitigate as much risk as possible? https://virologie-ccm.charite.de/fileadmin/user_upload/microsites/m_cc05/virologie-ccm/dateien_upload/Weitere_Dateien/analysis-of-SARS-CoV-2-viral-load-by-patient-age-v2.pdf …1,097Twitter Ads info and privacy92 people are talking about thisObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo · Replying to @whatwouldDOOdo
Fauci spoke about conducting an NFL season & indicated a need for daily testing. Baseball players might not be in close contact during a game the way football players are, but there is a lot of shared space in a clubhouse among players, coaches and staff. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/05/11/dr-anthony-fauci-football-the-perfect-set-up-for-spreading/ …
Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo
So how many tests do we need to safely play during a pandemic? And not just tests for players. Baseball requires a massive workforce besides the players; coaches, clubhouse staff, security, grounds crews, umpires, gameday stadium staff, TV & media…we need to protect everyone.1,363Twitter Ads info and privacy117 people are talking about thisObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo · Replying to @whatwouldDOOdo
And that’s before we get to hotel workers and transportation workers (pilots, flight attendants, bus drivers). They are essential workers. We wouldn’t be able to play a season without them, and they deserve the same protections.Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo
We need to consider what level of risk we’re willing to assume. 80% of cases are considered mild, but what if a player, a staff member, an auxiliary worker, or a family member gets a case that’s in the 20% and they develop severe symptoms or chronic issues? 1 feels like too many?1,321Twitter Ads info and privacy103 people are talking about thisObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo · Replying to @whatwouldDOOdo
There are a number of players & staff who have pre-existing conditions that they are aware of (and likely more who aren’t yet). We need a plan that seriously considers the increased health concerns of any players, staff or workers who are at higher risk. https://theathletic.com/1806075/2020/05/11/rosenthal-what-players-with-underlying-health-concerns-say-about-a-possible-return/ …Rosenthal: What players with underlying health concerns say…The players only will push forward with the 2020 season if they are assured the league will take every measure to keep them safe.theathletic.comObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo
And if even mild cases can cause long-term health effects, will there be added healthcare benefits for players, staff and workers that will extend beyond their employment and into retirement to mitigate the unknown risks of putting on a baseball season during a pandemic?1,150Twitter Ads info and privacy95 people are talking about thisObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo · Replying to @whatwouldDOOdo
We don’t have a vaccine yet, and we don’t really have any effective anti-viral treatments. What happens if there is a second wave? Hopefully we can come up with BOTH a proactive health plan focused on prevention AND a reactive plan aimed at containment.Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo
Hopefully these concerns will be addressed in MLB’s proposal, first and foremost: 1) what’s the plan to ethically acquire enough tests? 2) what’s the protocol if a player, staff member, or worker contracts the virus? We want to play. And we want everyone to stay safe.1,407Twitter Ads info and privacy132 people are talking about thisObi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo · Replying to @whatwouldDOOdo
Sorry, I had to get that out of my system. I’m going to turn my phone off now. Best of luck to my mentions. Stay safe. Keep washing your hands and wearing your masks. I hope we get to play baseball for you again soon. 
Obi-Sean Kenobi Doolittle✔@whatwouldDOOdo
Oh,
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We haven’t heard from many players about the risks they face if they were to resume playing. Doolittle has taken it upon himself to speak up. Hopefully, union reps take his concerns into account before hearing MLB’s proposal tomorrow.
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Tatum revealed that he originally wanted to play for the Suns coming out of Duke in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Jayson Tatum initially had no intentions of playing for the Celtics — The Rookie Wire
The American Hockey League, which started just before the Second World War, playing through the conflict, had its continual run come to an end by COVID-19 on Monday with the cancellation of the rest of the season. Read More
AHL cancels season for the first time in 83-year history — Edmonton Sun
When Kyle Dubas was promoted to general manager of the Maple Leafs two years ago, he made an observation during the club’s news conference at what was then the Air Canada Centre. Read More
Two years after Dubas’ promotion to GM, truest evaluation of Leafs will come in playoffs — Toronto Sun
When Kyle Dubas was promoted to general manager of the Maple Leafs two years ago, he made an observation during the club’s news conference at what was then the Air Canada Centre.
“We enter into another part of our journey, which is to reach our ultimate goal of contending perennially to be fighting at this time for the Stanley Cup,” Dubas said. “Instead of sitting here.”
That was on May 11, 2018.
In the short time since, the Leafs haven’t had much of an opportunity to put some substance behind those words, losing in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs to the Boston Bruins last spring before getting themselves to third place (again) in the Atlantic Division when the COVID-19 global pandemic caused the NHL to pause its regular season on March 12.
For Dubas and the Leafs, it’s about what comes next, even if no one knows when there will be an opportunity to play games again and what the outcomes of those games will be.
Fact is, Dubas has had the kind of initial run as an NHL general manager one might expect from someone who has not yet had his 35th birthday. There have been hiccups along the way, but Dubas hasn’t come untracked from his vision of putting together a fast, puck-hungry team that has possession at the top of its to-do list at each opening faceoff.
Within 16 months of taking over, Dubas charted the course of the Leafs with the signings (in order) of John Tavares, William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner to long-term contracts. The Nylander talks didn’t follow a smooth process, something Dubas lamented later; after signing with minutes to spare on Dec. 1, 2018, Nylander was a non-factor for the remainder of the 2018-19 season. That was forgotten by the prolific way in which Nylander played before the pause, scoring 31 goals in 68 games.
Matthews, who has the ability to take aim at 50 goals a season for the next decade, and Marner, whose playmaking talents have put him at better than a point-a-game pace for the past two season, are the envy of most teams across the NHL.
As captain, Tavares is the leader that binds the club. Point is, it’s a solid quartet of players to have as the majority of the nucleus.
The catch, of course, is to what extent the commitment of more than $40-million US to four players will impact the roster going forward. That was part of the conversation well before the coronavirus pandemic threw future schedules into question and the adverse effect the stoppage of games is expected to have on the salary cap.
Three integral players — goaltender Frederik Andersen, defenceman Morgan Rielly and forward Zach Hyman — will command significant raises once their current contracts expire. Andersen and Hyman are slated to become unrestricted free agents after the 2020-21 season while Rielly follows a year later.
The promotion of Sheldon Keefe to head coach last November after the firing of Mike Babcock crucially put Dubas in lockstep with his coach. There’s a shared vision now and count on Keefe, under whom there were steps forward, to have a greater influence once he can guide the team with a benefit of training camp rather than taking over seven weeks into a season.
Dubas probably wouldn’t mind another crack at certain decisions he has made in the past couple of years, but there aren’t many NHL GMs who would look back and claim to be completely satisfied.
The Leafs appear to have shored up their backup goaltending with the acquisition of Jack Campbell in February. The mess at the position had its roots in Dubas choosing to go with the unproven (in the NHL) Garret Sparks instead of Curtis McElhinney coming out of camp in 2018. Sparks didn’t last the season after McElhinney, a stalwart the previous year, was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes. Michael Hutchinson didn’t excel in the role either.
Neither Tyson Barrie, who is likely to depart via free agency once 2019-20 is done, nor Alex Kerfoot were glowing in their initial months as Leafs after they came east in the trade that sent Nazem Kadri to Colorado.
A team that had just a three-point lead on a playoff spot when the season was halted, as the Leafs did on the Florida Panthers, remains a work in progress.
Any proper judgment of Dubas can’t be made until the Leafs have had chances to prove themselves, and to prove his construction of the team was the correct one, in the playoffs.
We do know that holding news conferences in late April or early May and trying to project what might come in the following season won’t be acceptable.
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant will not play if the NBA restarts the season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday. The Nets are determined to let the four-time scoring champion rest until next season rather than risk reinjuring his right Achilles tendon. “Kevin Durant’s not coming back to the Nets this year,” Wojnarowski said during “The […]
Durant won’t play for Nets if NBA resumes season: Report — Canoe
The youngest brother of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo plans to skip college and play professionally in Europe to prepare for the NBA. Alex Antetokounmpo, who graduated from Dominican High School in Milwaukee, reportedly received offers from DePaul, Ohio and Green Bay. The 6-foot-7 small forward is rated as a three-star prospect in the Class […]
Antetokounmpo’s youngest brother to play in Europe — Canoe
It was 4:07 a.m., Sunday when the mystical dragon responded from Incheon. Read More
JONES: Canadian back to playing baseball in Korean League — Edmonton Sun
It was 4:07 a.m., Sunday when the mystical dragon responded from Incheon.
Which is to say that was the time on this side of the ocean the first baseman of the SK Wyverns connected from South Korea. SK is the conglomerate that sponsors the team. Wyverns translates to mystical dragons.
Jamie Romak is the only Canadian baseball player currently playing in the just-underway Korean pro league. He holds the Canadian record for foreign league home run in a single season with 45 from 2018 set with his current club.
The London, Ont. native who made it to the majors with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, ought to sign on as a consultant with the Toronto Blue Jays when it comes to the MLB plans of returning to action in empty stadiums.
If there has been a nation that has provided an example of how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been Korea. And the eyes of every major professional sports league in the world ought to be on the Korean league.
more
ONES: Canadian back to playing baseball in Korean League — Edmonton Sun
It’s been a while since we’ve gotten to talk about some real on-court basketball but during a conversation last night on Instagram Live, Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley and his teammate Alex Caruso gave us just that for a few moments. Dudley has been with the Lakers all season and has played sparingly, but he’s been a constant force in the Lakers locker room, as he usually is wherever he is as a veteran who has no trouble saying what’s on his mind. But by not playing a lot he has the opportunity to see things up close, like the strong play of Caruso when next to LeBron James.
Dudley asked Caruso about the numbers that show Caruso and LeBron as one of the best on-court two-man lineups in the NBA, and the best among those who have played at least 40 games at +20.8 over 54 games this season. Caruso admits that sometimes, it can be as simple as LeBron going on a 10-0 scoring run, but he also explained why he believes he plays well with LeBron.pickuphoop@pickuphoop
Caruso speaks on him and LeBron having the best net rating of any two-man combo in the NBA.
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Understanding defensive principles, spacing, and cuts are all very important factors in playing with LeBron James. It requires playing instinctually and with less structure than a typical role, but that’s the exact type of role in which Caruso has thrived for the Lakers this season. So it should be no shock that LeBron’s play goes up to another level when Caruso is on the court.
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The Warriors have the worst record in the NBA.
Warriors GM Bob Myers says team will be “good partners” if league tries to restart regular season — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
The view from left field 