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Vince Carter on playing with no crowds: “You should be focused on the guy in front of you” — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

“When you toss that ball up and competition starts, and you’re in battle, how often do you worry about the fans?”
Vince Carter on playing with no crowds: “You should be focused on the guy in front of you” — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

By Kurt Helin May 3, 2020, 12:45 PM EDT Leave a comment

It will just feel weird.

If the NBA returns this season, it will do so without fans. The games will be played in a “bubble” — in Las Vegas or Orlando — where players, their families, plus coaches, trainers, and more will live, eat, work, and sleep. The games will be broadcast, but there will be no crowds, no fans in attendance.

Vince Carter was asked about playing without fans during Sacramento’s The Grant Napear Show with Doug Christie on Saturday, and he said NBA players have to adapt to changing situations all the time (hat tip Clutch Points).

“I’ve been dying to answer this question… When you toss that ball up and competition starts, and you’re in battle, how often do you worry about the fans? Yes, you hear them cheering, and booing you, I get that. But you’re in competition, you’re in battle. You should be focused on the guy in front of you, or the task at hand.”

Responses have been mixed to this idea of fanless games, but players have come around to it as the only way to finish out the season. LeBron James has been the most obvious example, at first saying he does what he does for the fans and only wanting to play in front of them, but that position has softened and now he is pushing back on talk of canceling the season.

As another coach told me, most of the time players are playing with no fans in the crowd — every practice, every scrimmage, every summer run in the gym at UCLA or in Manhattan. Players are used to this, they will adapt very quickly, the coach said. Carter echoed that same point.

The only question is, will we get to see Carter play again? This record 22nd one is his final season, and if the NBA returns and jumps straight to the playoffs the Hawks are done, they are not in the top eight. We may have seen Carter’s final shot.

Whatever is next for Carter, we know the next place we can see him will be his Hall of Fame induction in a handful of years.

Joe Biden Threatens U.S. Soccer’s World Cup Funding Over USWNT Lawsuit — NESN.com

Former United States vice president Joe Biden is making plans for what he’d do as president, pending he wins the 2020 election. And the potential future leader of the free world has a few ideas regarding the U.S. Soccer Federation. A federal court Friday dismissed the U.S. women’s national team’s gender-discrimination lawsuit against the Federation…
Joe Biden Threatens U.S. Soccer’s World Cup Funding Over USWNT Lawsuit — NESN.com

Oakland A’s All-Star pitcher, coach and scout dies at age 64 — Times-Standard

Former Oakland A’s pitcher Matt Keough died Friday, the team announced. He was 64 years old. Keough’s son, Shane Keough, posted a tribute to the 1978 All-Star on social media. “My favorite place was always on your shoulders,” the post reads. “It makes me smile knowing McCoy will be there with you; right there on…
Oakland A’s All-Star pitcher, coach and scout dies at age 64 — Times-Standard

SHAYNA RUBIN |PUBLISHED: May 2, 2020 at 9:50 p.m. | UPDATED: May 2, 2020 at 10:20 p.m.

Former Oakland A’s pitcher Matt Keough died Friday, the team announced. He was 64 years old.

Keough’s son, Shane Keough, posted a tribute to the 1978 All-Star on social media.

“My favorite place was always on your shoulders,” the post reads. “It makes me smile knowing McCoy will be there with you; right there on your shoulders. It wasn’t always perfect but I wouldn’t change it for the world. You taught me more than you’ll ever know and I hope that I make you proud. Kick back and enjoy the eternal sunshine. Till I see you again – I love dad.”https://www.instagram.com/p/B_tWIeVlRhS/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=12&wp=500&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.times-standard.com&rp=%2F2020%2F05%2F02%2Foakland-as-all-star-pitcher-coach-and-scout-dies-at-age-64%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A9313.039999920875%7D

Keough was an Athletic for seven seasons from 1977 to 1983. He was named to the American League All-Star team his rookie year, going on to post a 3.24 ERA that season. He was also named the 1980 comeback player of the year after winning 16 games, notching 20 complete games and finishing the season with a 2.92 ERA.

Keough had stints with the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. He pitched for Japan’s Hanshin Tigers from 1987 to 1990. The right-handed pitcher returned to the States and attempted an MLB comeback with the California Angels, but in 1992 was struck in the head by San Francisco Giants’ John Patterson’s screaming foul ball while sitting in Scottsdale Stadium’s visiting dugout during a spring training game. The then-36-year-old had emergency surgery, effectively ending his baseball playing career.

Keough went on to become an A’s as a special assistant and pitching advisor. He also worked in the executive offices for the Angels and as a scout for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

“Matt was a great baseball man and a proud Oakland A,” said A’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Billy Beane. “He had an incredible passion for the game and we were lucky to have him and his wealth of knowledge alongside us for the years he worked as a Special Assistant. He left an unforgettable impression on everyone he touched in baseball. Our sincere condolences are with the entire Keough family tonight.”

The A’s drafted his son, Shane, in 2005, where he stayed in the lower minor leagues for four seasons before his release in 2010. His father Marty Keough is an Oakland native and former outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs from 1956 to 1966. His uncle, Joe Keough, was an outfielder who played 34 games for the A’s in 1968 before playing four seasons with the Kansas City Royals.

His daughter, Kara, lost her infant son three weeks prior to her father’s death. The former “Real Housewives of Orange County” personality posted a tribute on social media.

“Daddy, please take care of my son,” the post on Instagram reads. “Teach him the circle changeup and how to find forever friends. You’re on grandpa duty in heaven now. Xoxo, Hammerhead.”https://www.instagram.com/p/B_tTTeQJxYH/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=12&wp=500&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.times-standard.com&rp=%2F2020%2F05%2F02%2Foakland-as-all-star-pitcher-coach-and-scout-dies-at-age-64%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A9348.17499993369%7D

Keough is also survived by his son, Colton.

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Shayna Rubin | Contributor

Risk For Older NBA Coaches, Staff Concern If League Returns To Play — NESN.com

As the NBA attempts to plan the best way for the league to return to action during the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems like progress is being made for if and win healthcare officials give sports leagues the ok. There are talks of finishing the season out in Disney World, and the league is prepared to…
Risk For Older NBA Coaches, Staff Concern If League Returns To Play — NESN.com

Penny Hardaway Calls G League Recruitment ‘Almost Like Tampering’ — NESN.com

When potential 2021 NBA lottery pick Jalen Green decided not to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level, instead opting for the NBA G League’s new developmental program, a few more followed suit. And while this new team drastically could change college basketball forever, college coaches probably aren’t thrilled. Especially Penny Hardaway, head men’s…
Penny Hardaway Calls G League Recruitment ‘Almost Like Tampering’ — NESN.com

Draymond Green is the key to the Warriors’ success — LEAGUE ALERTS

Once again, Draymond Green seems to be the center of attention and the talk of the league as some NBA executives have gone as far as to recommend Bob Myers, Golden State’s GM, to trade the former Defensive Player of the Year in order to get another lottery pick. Before going any further, I must […]
Draymond Green is the key to the Warriors’ success — LEAGUE ALERTS

Watch: Secretariat wins the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Showdown — Touchdown Wire

There was no surprise in the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Showdown, which took the place of the actual Run for the Roses, postponed until (…)
Watch: Secretariat wins the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Showdown — Touchdown Wire

There was no surprise in the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Showdown, which took the place of the actual Run for the Roses, postponed until September because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The virtual race, shown on NBC-TV, saw all 13 Triple Crown winners in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.

The winner … none other than the great Secretariat. The winner of the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont moved to the front in the shadows of the wire. Second, was another incomparable horse, Citation. Third, was 1977 champion Seattle Slew, who set the pace for much of the mile-and-a-quarter.

Check out the race:

Watch it again! The 13 Triple Crown winners face off in a virtual race under the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs.
Donate to COVID-19 relief at https://t.co/6W7xpgby5a. | #KyDerbyAtHome pic.twitter.com/QCDkrrPB5p
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 2, 2020

What was real was NBC using a clever camera to show American Pharoah watch his Kentucky Derby win from his stall.

American Pharoah watching himself win the Kentucky Derby is everything🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/bRfsmpNQc0
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 2, 2020

And since it never gets old, a look at Secretariat’s immortal Belmont victory in 1973.

Sculptor Harry Weber Describes Challenges Of Making Bobby Orr Statue — NESN.com

When entering TD Garden for any event, it’s hard to miss the life-sized statue of Bobby Orr soaring in the air following his Stanley Cup-clinching goal in front of the arena. Harry Weber, a sculptor based out of St. Louis, completed the project more than a decade ago and spoke with NESN’s Michaela Vernava about…
Sculptor Harry Weber Describes Challenges Of Making Bobby Orr Statue — NESN.com

Rumor: Teams watching Victor Oladipo situation with Pacers for possible trade — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

The Pacers have a lot of money locked up in their core of Brogdon, Turner, Sabonis, and Oladipo. Is it worth it?
Rumor: Teams watching Victor Oladipo situation with Pacers for possible trade — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

Zion Williamson might see minutes restriction if/when play resumes — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

“It will be something that we talk about when we do resume and as far as how it looks for Zion from a minute standpoint.”
Zion Williamson might see minutes restriction if/when play resumes — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports

It’s one of the biggest challenges in restarting the NBA, having enough time for a slow ramp-up to get players back in shape and avoid injuries.

For teams not headed to the playoffs, an additional question becomes, “how much should we play our stars? Are we risking injury, and for what?”

For the New Orleans Pelicans, that ties directly to Zion Williamson. Their rookie sensation missed the first 45 games of the season; if the Pelicans play again it’s possible Zion will be brought along slowly and have a minutes restriction, coach Alvin Gentry said in a conference call with the media Thursday.

“Obviously, his health will be the number one priority, but the restriction was really off after his first five/six games,” Gentry said. “So, he was playing the minutes that he would normally play, considering with any situation really. But, it will be something that we talk about when we do resume and as far as how it looks for Zion from a minute standpoint, and we’ll do that really with some of the other players.

“This is unprecedented, really. You play in a basketball game, you play 60 games and then all of a sudden the season ends, and then now it’s going to start back up. So, this is going to be something that is different for every single player that has ever played in the NBA or is playing in the NBA now.”

How the Pelicans handle this will be determined in part — probably in large part — by exactly how the NBA returns. If the league cancels the rest of the regular season and goes straight to the playoffs, this is all moot.

If the league plans to play regular season games — NBA officials want to, but the timeline and logistics become much more difficult, essentially doubling the number of teams and players involved — the question becomes how many? When play was suspended, the Pelicans were 3.5 games back of the Grizzlies for the final playoff spot in the West. If New Orleans gets to play out their final 18 games, maybe they can catch Memphis, and in that case they want Zion on the court to help them win. However, if the league reduces the number of regular season games, maybe to 10 (or fewer), it becomes much harder to close that gap, and it becomes a different equation for the Pelicans and Zion.

Gentry is right about one thing: This is unprecedented. Nobody knows what comes next or exactly how it will look. Teams and the league can prepare for scenarios, but that’s the best they can do.

NFL schedule expected to be released on time next week — Times-Standard

The NFL will release the 2020 game schedule next week, and despite talk ofalternative scheduling or a late start because of the coronavirus, it isexpected to be a business-as-usual slate. ESPN reported Saturday that the 17-week season will open Sept. 10 and closewith the Super Bowl on Feb. 7 in Tampa, Fla., citing league spokesman…
NFL schedule expected to be released on time next week — Times-Standard

By REUTERS |PUBLISHED: May 2, 2020 at 9:04 a.m. | UPDATED: May 2, 2020 at 9:05 a.m.

The NFL will release the 2020 game schedule next week, and despite talk ofalternative scheduling or a late start because of the coronavirus, it isexpected to be a business-as-usual slate.

ESPN reported Saturday that the 17-week season will open Sept. 10 and closewith the Super Bowl on Feb. 7 in Tampa, Fla., citing league spokesman BrianMcCarthy.

“We plan to start on time,” McCarthy said.

The league has discussed contingency plans, however.

Sports Business Daily reported Monday that the NFL was forming contingencyplans in case its schedule of games needs to be altered, including delayingseason openers by more than a month and moving the Super Bowl to the end ofFebruary.

It’s unclear whether the coronavirus outbreak will ease enough to allow fansin the stands. ESPN said the NFL won’t hunker players in specific locations toplay the season, as the NHL, MLB and NBA have discussed.

ESPN also reported that the schedule isn’t expected to include early seasonSaturday games. It had been speculated the NFL might schedule games onSaturday since the college football season remains up in the air.

In the meantime, NFL facilities remain closed, and teams have begun holdingvirtual workouts.

–Field Level Media

Not quite Wimbledon, but professional action resumes — Stabroek News

(Reuters) – It was a case of back to basics but live tennis returned yesterday with the opening matches at the Tennis Point Exhibition Series event staged near Koblenz in Germany. The article Not quite Wimbledon, but professional action resumes appeared first on Stabroek News.
Not quite Wimbledon, but professional action resumes — Stabroek News

(Reuters) – It was a case of back to basics but live tennis returned yesterday with the opening matches at the Tennis Point Exhibition Series event staged near Koblenz in Germany.

Eight players, including one-time Wimbledon conqueror of Rafa Nadal, Germany’s Dustin Brown, were in action at the Base Tennis centre, for the start of the four-day event.

World number 354 Benjamin Hassan does not enjoy the same profile as the unmistakeable dreadlocked Brown, but he can now lay claim to winning the first professional tennis match played since the sport was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Using a shortened scoring format on the indoor court, he beat Jean-Marc Werner 4-2 4-2 in a match that was streamed live by the Tennis Channel’s new Over-the-Top (OTT) platform — Tennis Channel International or via Tennis Channel’s website http://www.tennischanneleverywhere.com

It was not quite Wimbledon.

No spectators, line judges or ball boys are allowed and handshakes after match point are forbidden. Players are not allowed to have coaches on site, or even take a shower.

The winner’s cheque is less than 1,000 euros ($1,097) and catering is basic too, consisting of pre-wrapped sandwiches and energy bars.

Despite the strict controls, day one went smoothly, once the local police department had checked out the social-distancing measures being employed before giving it the green light.

“Everything was done to ensure the players’ safety and while it was a little different for them, especially the ones ranked higher, the players appreciated it,” Christian Klapthor, a spokesman for Playsight, one of the partners companies of the Series, told Reuters.

“The distancing measures were very controlled. After every match the benches where the players sit were wiped down with disinfectant and players arrived and left the court alone.”

He said the German tennis federation’s guidance on handling tennis balls said there was minimal risk in infection.

“Only if one player spat on a ball and the other put it in his mouth, which is pretty unlikely.”

Later, former world number 64 Brown beat Constantin Schmitz 4-2 4-2 to get his round-robin matches under way and returned to court later to beat Werner 4-3(5) 4-3(4).

The scoring system is the same as used at the ATP’s Next Gen Finals in Milan with best of three short sets to four, tiebreaks at 3-3 and ‘no advantage’ scoring.

With ‘in-play’ betting on the matches available through online bookmakers, the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU), which like the ATP Tour, has not sanctioned the event, stressed that players are still governed by anti-corruption rules.

“The TIU has, upon request, provided integrity-related information to some organisers,” the organisation said.

“This does not constitute advice and can in no way be seen as an endorsement or approval of any event that does not come under its jurisdiction.

“It is vital that as these new events begin to appear they regard integrity as a non-negotiable central priority to reduce any risk of match-fixing and betting-related corruption.” ($1 = 0.9112 euros)

Author: mook557hotmailcom