In a lovely gesture, the Dallas Mavericks will pay hourly employees who work game nights at American Airlines Arena, which is the home of the team.
According to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, the league will be shut down for at least 30 days because of the coronavirus.
Here is a statement from the Mavericks on their decision to pay hourly employees:
“The Dallas Mavericks issued the following statement today regarding the continued payment of hourly staff who work Mavericks’ game nights at American Airlines Center:
“In light of the postponement of the NBA season, it is of utmost importance to Dallas Mavericks’ management and ownership that we do what we can to minimize the adverse financial impact that will be felt by staff who would otherwise be working our games at American Airlines Center. As such, the organization, along with American Airlines Center leadership, is currently making arrangements to ensure that scheduled event staff will receive payment for the six home games that were to take place during the 30-day NBA hiatus. As part of its mission to provide financial piece of mind, Mavericks jersey sponsor Chime, the leader in U.S. challenger banking, has also allocated funds to support this effort.
“Staff includes security, police, parking attendants, housekeeping, in-arena entertainers, and guest services staff, among others. It is our hope that this will allow our valued team members to satisfy their economic needs during this unprecedented time.
“In addition, the Mavericks and Chime share a commitment to their local communities and are working with our current nonprofit partners to identify support and service opportunities throughout North Texas during this time.”
Here is a statement from Top Rank Boxing on the postponement of Stevenson-Marriaga and Conlan-Preciado:
“After close consultation with the New York State Athletic Commission, it has been determined that Saturday’s and Tuesday’s events cannot proceed in light of the ongoing Coronavirus crisis. Top Rank will work with the Commission to reschedule the events as soon as it is safe for all involved.
“The health and safety of the fighters and their teams, and everyone involved in the promotion of these events, necessitated taking this step.
“We thank everyone for their understanding, and we will continue to work with our broadcast/venue partners and state and local officials to decide when the time is right to return.”
After Utah Jazz C Rudy Gobert’s positive test for COVID-19(coronavirus), the NBA announced that they had suspended the season on Wednesday. At this point, there is no timetable on when the season will resume.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Philadelphia 76ers put their support behind the league’s decision to suspend the season:
“The Philadelphia 76ers are supportive of the NBA’s decision to suspend the season. The health and well-being of our fans, players, staff members, partners, and communities are of the utmost importance, and we remain in close communication with the NBA, public health, state and local officials in charting a path forward.
“As we navigate the coming weeks, we recognize that our staff members are family and the heartbeat of the organization. As such, we are committed to assisting our arena associates through this period.
“In this time of need, we need to band together and take care of people,” Managing Partner Josh Harris stated. “Our teams, our cities, and the leagues in which we operate are a family, and we are committed to looking out for one another.”
“The 76ers also extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the many talented doctors, nurses, medical professionals, and emergency services personnel who are working tirelessly to address this matter of public health.
“We will provide further updates as soon as possible.”
On Wednesday, the NBA announced that it was suspending its season due to the coronavirus. According to reports, Utah Jazz C Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19(coronavirus).
Before the decision to suspend the season, the league was reportedly looking at playing games without fans, but Gobert’s reported positive test changes things.
Here is a statement from the NBA:
The NBA announced that a player on the Utah Jazz has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19. The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of tonight’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. At that time, tonight’s game was canceled. The affected player was not in the arena.
The NBA is suspending game play following the conclusion of tonight’s schedule of games until further notice. The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Delaware Blue Coats (22-21), the NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, defeated the Maine Red Claws (28-14), 113-92, on Wednesday afternoon at 76ers Fieldhouse. The Blue Coats swiped 15 steals and held the Red Claws to a season-low 92 points, including just 12 points in the second quarter.
76ers two-way contract player Marial Shayok scored 26 points (9-15 fg, 3-6 3fg, 3-3 ft) for the second-consecutive contest, adding seven rebounds and three steals in 24 minutes for the Blue Coats. Delaware’s Jared Brownridge was a game-high plus-38 in tallying 26 points (8-13 fg, 4-9 3fg, 2-2 ft), four assists and a career-high four steals in 23 minutes of action.
Norvel Pelle, on assignment from the 76ers, nearly registered a double-double with 12 points (5-7 fg, 1-2 ft), eight rebounds and three blocked shots in 21 minutes for the Blue Coats. Zhaire Smith, also on assignment from Philadelphia, added 10 points (3-6 fg, 2-3 3fg, 1-1 ft) and a pair of assists in a game-high 37 minutes.
The Blue Coats led 53-44 at halftime and outscored Maine 52-31 in the second and third quarters combined. Delaware, which led by as many as 34 points in the victory, totaled 24 points on the fast break.
Yante Maten paced the Red Claws with a double-double performance of 23 points (9-18 fg, 1-5 3fg, 3-5 ft) and 12 rebounds, adding four steals in 30 minutes of work. Boston Celtics two-way contract player Tacko Fall secured a double-double of his own with 12 points (6-12 fg) and 14 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench for the Red Claws. Justin Bibbs posted 17 points (8-13 fg, 1-3 3fg) in 33 minutes as a starter for Maine.
The Blue Coats host the Long Island Nets on Saturday at 7 p.m. at 76ers Fieldhouse.
Derek Chisora says his colossal Heavyweight clash with Ukraine’s pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk at The O2 in London on Saturday May 23, shown live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and DAZN in the US, will be the hardest fight that he’s ever had.
‘WAR’ Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) scored a devastating second round knockout over Poland’s Artur Szpilka at The O2 in July 2019, a year on from his incredible eighth round KO win against Carlos Takam at the same venue, before blitzing fellow Brit David Price in four rounds last October.
The Finchley favourite has breathed new life into his his career over the past 18 months and is now aiming to move himself back into World Title contention by claiming what would be a sensational upset win over the unbeaten Ukrainian star.
“It’s going to be leather,” said Chisora. “I’m already taking dancing lessons. The guy is going to be on fire man. He’s going to be dancing bro. He’s going to be dancing. Where can you get guys who can be sparring like him? Nowhere. The guy is a dancer. He’s going to dance.
“It’s going to be hard, I’m not going to lie to you. I think this fight will be the hardest fight I’ve ever had. Not because the guy hasn’t got power, but because of the accuracy of his punches and the way he chucks them. When he chucks them he’s unbelievable.
“I’m going to have to eat leather, I’m not going to lie to you. I’m going to eat leather. I’m probably going to take five before I get one in there, but it is what it is. I eat that sh*t for breakfast. The hunger remains and the dedication is the same.”
2012 Olympic Gold medallist Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) cemented his place as one of the finest fighters on the planet with a phenomenal run of victories in his opponents’ backyard that saw him crowned the Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion of the World, and Chisora confesses to being an admirer of his next opponent.
“We can’t sell this fight by insulting the guy. It’s a fight for boxing fans. If I say ‘f*ck you’ to him he’s going to think I said, ‘good morning’. He doesn’t understand any English. He’s a good guy. There’s nothing wrong about this guy.
“He’s a funny guy, he loves life, he likes everything. He’s a boy’s boy – he’s cool. I can’t really say anything bad about this man. He’s done so much in four years. He’s done great for himself. He’s amazing, I’m a big fan of his.”
The New York Guardians (3-2) will face the Houston Roughnecks (5-0) on Saturday, March 14 at 2PM EST at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The game will be nationally televised on ABC.
The Guardians won their first game on the road and improved to 3-2 on the season behind a stellar team performance. New York beat the Dallas Renegades 30-12 in front of more than 15,000 in Globe Life Park in Arlington. Luis Perez led the Guardian offense with 229 yards on 16 completions as well as one touchdown, an 80-yard bomb to Colby Pearson. The Guardians combined for more than 100 rushing yards for the 2nd straight week including 58 from Darius Victor and 41 from Justin Stockton.
On Stockton’s performance, Head Coach Kevin Gilbride said: “Justin is a terrific runner and he does give us a little change of pace. He certainly does give us some things in the passing game as well. We threw one to him but it’s something we know we can utilize even more than we did. We’re glad we have him and he stepped up big for us tonight. That’s an area that I think we can continue to expand upon.”
The defense was lead by a two-sack effort by Cavon Walker, extending his league lead, as well as interceptions by Toby Johnson and Ryan Mueller. Mueller’s interception came as he deflected a pass to himself, caught the batted ball and returned the interception for a touchdown.
“I think our defense has played well most of the games. They had fallen upon some slack times in terms of our red-zone defense over the last few weeks but they did outstandingly this time in that area,” said Gilbride. “The good thing is, the offense holds on to the ball which keeps it at a minimum, the time that the defense has to be on the field. Its great complimentary football and that’s what we’re looking to do
“I’m very proud of the defense, but I’m very proud of the entire team because I think the style of play that we employ right now will give us a chance week in and week out against some of the teams that have very explosive offenses. Hopefully, we will minimize the number of chances we have to defend on defense, the number of chances they get offensively.”
A total of 32 compensatory choices in the 2020 NFL Draft have been awarded to 15 teams, the NFL announced today.
Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents (“CFA”) than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.
The compensatory picks will be positioned within the third through seventh rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost.
Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula. No club may receive more than four compensatory picks in any one year. If a club qualifies for more than four compensatory picks after offsetting each CFA lost by each CFA gained of an equal or higher value, the four highest remaining selections will be awarded to the club.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement limits the number of compensatory selections to the number of clubs then in the League (32). This year, one club, the New York Giants, qualified for a compensatory selection under the net loss formula but will not receive that pick because the final numerical value of the CFA who was lost ranked 33rd among the final numerical values of all compensatory selections. The New York Giants will receive compensatory selections for other CFAs lost whose final numerical values ranked within the top 32.
The following 2020 compensatory draft picks have been determined by the NFL Management Council for the 2020 NFL Draft, which will be held on April 23-25 in Las Vegas:
Round
|
Round Choice/
Overall Selection
|
Team
|
3
|
33-97
|
Houston
|
3
|
34-98
|
New England
|
3
|
35-99
|
New York Giants
|
3
|
36-100
|
New England
|
3
|
37-101
|
Seattle
|
3
|
38-102
|
Pittsburgh
|
3
|
39-103
|
Philadelphia
|
3
|
40-104
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
3
|
41-105
|
Minnesota
|
3
|
42-106
|
Baltimore
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
33-139
|
Tampa Bay
|
4
|
34-140
|
Chicago
|
4
|
35-141
|
Miami
|
4
|
36-142
|
Washington
|
4
|
37-143
|
Baltimore
|
4
|
38-144
|
Seattle
|
4
|
39-145
|
Philadelphia
|
4
|
40-146
|
Philadelphia
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
33-178
|
Denver
|
5
|
34-179
|
Dallas
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
33-212
|
New England
|
6
|
34-213
|
New England
|
6
|
35-214
|
Seattle
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
33-247
|
New York Giants
|
7
|
34-248
|
Houston
|
7
|
35-249
|
Minnesota
|
7
|
36-250
|
Houston
|
7
|
37-251
|
Miami
|
7
|
38-252
|
Denver
|
7
|
39-253
|
Minnesota
|
7
|
40-254
|
Denver
|
7
|
41-255
|
New York Giants
|
The compensatory free agents lost and gained in 2019 by the clubs that will receive compensatory picks in the 2020 Draft:
BALTIMORE
|
Lost:
|
Brown, John; Mosley, C.J.; Smith, Za’Darius; Suggs, Terrell
|
|
Gained:
|
Ingram, Mark; Thomas, Earl
|
|
|
|
CHICAGO
|
Lost:
|
Amos, Adrian; Bellamy, Josh; Callahan, Bryce; Kush, Eric
|
|
Gained:
|
Clinton-Dix, Ha Ha; Patterson, Cordarrelle; Skrine, Buster
|
|
|
|
DALLAS
|
Lost:
|
Beasley, Cole; Swaim, Geoff; Wilson, Damien
|
|
Gained:
|
Cobb, Randall; Covington, Christian
|
|
|
|
DENVER
|
Lost:
|
Barrett, Shaquil; Brock, Tramaine; Garcia, Max; Paradis, Matt; Roby, Bradley; Turner, Billy
|
|
Gained:
|
Callahan, Bryce; Jackson, Kareem; James, Ja’Wuan
|
|
|
|
HOUSTON
|
Lost:
|
Covington, Christian; Jackson, Kareem; Lamm, Kendall; Mathieu, Tyrann
|
|
Gained:
|
Roby, Bradley
|
|
|
|
LOS ANGELES RAMS
|
Lost:
|
Joyner, Lamarcus; Saffold, Rodger
|
|
Gained:
|
Matthews, Clay
|
|
|
|
MIAMI
|
Lost:
|
Bolden, Brandon; Gore, Frank; James, Ja’Wuan; Wake, Cameron
|
|
Gained:
|
Fitzpatrick, Ryan; Rowe, Eric
|
|
|
|
MINNESOTA
|
Lost:
|
Compton, Tom; Easton, Nick; Richardson, Sheldon; Siemian, Trevor
|
|
Gained:
|
Stephen, Shamar
|
|
|
|
NEW ENGLAND
|
Lost:
|
Brown, Malcom; Brown, Trenton; Flowers, Trey; Hogan, Chris; Patterson, Cordarrelle; Rowe, Eric; Waddle, LaAdrian
|
|
Gained:
|
Bolden, Brandon
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK GIANTS
|
Lost:
|
Brown, Jamon; Collins, Landon; Edwards, Mario; Mauro, Josh; Webb, B.W.; Wynn, Kerry
|
|
Gained:
|
Golden, Markus; Tate, Golden
|
|
|
|
PHILADELPHIA
|
Lost:
|
Foles, Nick; Hicks, Jordan; Tate, Golden
|
|
Gained:
|
|
|
|
|
PITTSBURGH
|
Lost:
|
Bell, Le’Veon; James, Jesse
|
|
Gained:
|
Nelson, Steven
|
|
|
|
SEATTLE
|
Lost:
|
Coleman, Justin; Hundley, Brett; Stephen, Shamar; Sweezy, J.R.; Thomas, Earl
|
|
Gained:
|
Iupati, Mike; Myers, Jason
|
|
|
|
TAMPA BAY
|
Lost:
|
Alexander, Kwon; Fitzpatrick, Ryan; Humphries, Adam; Taylor, Adarius
|
|
Gained:
|
Barrett, Shaquil; Perriman, Breshad; Pinion, Bradley
|
|
|
|
WASHINGTON
|
Lost:
|
Clinton-Dix, Ha Ha; Crowder, Jamison; Nsekhe, Ty; Smith, Preston
|
|
Gained:
|
Collins, Landon; Flowers, Ereck; Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique
|
2020 NFL COMPENSATORY DRAFT PICKS
New England
|
4
|
Denver
|
3
|
Houston
|
3
|
Minnesota
|
3
|
New York Giants
|
3
|
Philadelphia
|
3
|
Seattle
|
3
|
Baltimore
|
2
|
Miami
|
2
|
Chicago
|
1
|
Dallas
|
1
|
Los Angeles Rams
|
1
|
Pittsburgh
|
1
|
Tampa Bay
|
1
|
Washington
|
1
|
TOTAL
|
32
|
An illustrious cast of boxing legends were inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame today at the Fernando Vargas Fighting Foundation in Las Vegas. The 8th Annual Induction Weekend happens August 7th & 8th, 2020 at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 2020 Induction Class includes:
Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas (26-5, 22 KO’s)
Las Vegas resident Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas is a multiple-time champion who won his first title when he fought and defeated Yory Boy Campas. Vargas would go on to battle “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya, Winky Wright, and Felix “Tito” Trinidad to name a few.
Clarence “Bones” Adams (44-7-4, 20 KOs)
Las Vegas boxing trainer and world champion, Clarence “Bones” Adams. Known for his all-action style, Adams captured the WBA super bantamweight world title March 4, 2000, at the Mandalay Bay with his big win over Nestor Garza. Throughout his career, Adams also had memorable fights with the likes of Kevin Kelley and back to back wars with world champion Paulie Ayala.
Andre “SOG” Ward (32-0, 16 KOs)
The last male fighter to capture US Gold in Olympic Boxing and arguably one of the greatest American boxers in the history of the sport, Andre “SOG” Ward can now add the title of Hall of Famer to his resume. Ward held multiple titles in two separate weight classes including the unified WBA, WBC, and Ring Magazine Lineal Light Heavyweight Title. Ward ended his professional career undefeated beating the likes of Sergey Kovalev, Mikkel Kessler, Chad Dawson, and Carl Froch.
James “Lights Out” Toney (77-10-3, 47 KOs)
Fighting nearly 100 professional bouts in his career while never being stopped, James “Lights Out” Toney will be inducted into the 2020 NVBHOF class. Toney who fought in Nevada fourteen times had numerous memorable wins beating big names such Evander Holyfield, Iran Barkley, Micheal Nunn, and Vissiliy Jirov and took on several others including Roy Jones Jr. and John Ruiz respectfully while being named Ring Magazine fighter of the year in 1991 and 2003.
Miguel Cotto (41-6, 33 KOs)
Puerto Rico’s first four-division world champion, Miguel Cotto’s tremendous work history in the squared circle is second to none and joins this year’s star-studded NVBHOF class. Cotto known for being a true boxer-puncher fought everyone including Canelo, Floyd Mayweather, Sergio Martinez, Chop-Chop Corley, Manny Pacquiao, Zab Judah, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley throughout his journey in the sport.
Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson (44-5-1, 28 KOs)
The first African American fighter to capture a World Flyweight Title, Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson is a familiar name in boxing community as Johnson won titles at flyweight and super flyweights defeating the likes of Fernando and Alejandro Montiel. Johnson captured his first title after stopping Francisco Tejedor in the 1st round of their championship fight in Anaheim, May 4th, 1996.
Julian “The Hawk” Jackson (55-6, 49 KOs)
Known as “The Hawk” Julian Jackson has held world titles in the jr. middleweight and middleweight divisions and has been considered one of the hardest punchers in the history of the sport. Fighting 18-times in Nevada, Jackson quickly became a local favorite but is most recognized for his knockout victories over “Terrible” Terry Norris and the UK “Bomber” Herol Graham.
Azumah “The Professor” Nelson (39-6-2, 28 KOs)
Arguably one of the greatest fighters to ever come out of Africa and undoubtedly Ghana’s top pound for pound fighter of all time, Azumah “The Professor” Nelson made his splash in the boxing world when he was called in as a late substitute, and gave the legendary world champion Salvador Sanchez all he could handle before being stopped in the 15th and final round of their 1982 world title fight. Nelson would go on to stun and stop Wilfredo Gomez, to take Gomez’s WBC featherweight title. Throughout his legendary career, Nelson would have wars with the likes of Jeff Fenech, Jesse James Leija, and Gabriel Ruelas.
Danny “Little Red” Lopez (42-6, 39 KOs)
A huge favorite in Southern California and regularly fighting at the Olympic Auditorium and, later, the Forum, “Little Red” Lopez packed dynamite in his gloves. Lopez won his first 21 fights in a row by knockout and during his career took on the likes of the great Bobby Chacon, Sean O’Grady and fought back to back matches with the legendary Salvador Sanchez. Lopez captured his first featherweight title in the fall of 1976 in front of over 100,000 screaming fans in Ghana, Africa, as he defeated WBC World Champion David Kotey.
Jose Luis Castillo (66-13-1, 57 KOs)
A true Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo climbed through the ropes of rings in his home country for the first ten years of his career. In September 2000, Castillo surprised Steve Johnston winning a majority decision to claim the WBC lightweight title. Castillo had memorable fights with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Juan Lazcano, and Joel Casamayor but will always be remembered with his wars with the great Diego “Chico” Corrales.
Photo: Golden Boy Promotions
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff have agreed on a multi-year contract, the team announced today. Bickerstaff, 41, was named the Cavaliers coach on an interim basis after John Beilein resigned back in February.
“We are very fortunate to have someone of J.B.’s caliber and basketball pedigree lead our franchise as head coach,” said Altman. “His wealth of experience, coupled with the respect he has garnered around the NBA and with this team, has made for a seamless transition from associate head coach to head coach. The amount of grit and determination instilled in our players, from both an accountability and attention to detail standpoint over this short period of time, has been met with admiration, respect and overall excitement throughout our entire locker room. We have already observed the impact he has made on our players through his first 10 games as head coach and we are looking forward to seeing just how far he can effectively drive our developing culture and lead this franchise into the future.”
Bickerstaff, who entered the season as the Cavaliers’ associate head coach, was named the 23rd head coach in franchise history on Feb. 19. Since taking over the helm, the Cavs have a 5-5 record (.500, tied for sixth-best in East), which include consecutive season series sweeps over the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs. Under Bickerstaff, the Cavs have recorded three wins against above .500 teams (Miami, Philadelphia and Denver) and are averaging 111.4 points and 26.4 assists (eighth-best in NBA). The Wine & Gold also have the fifth-highest field goal percentage in the NBA since the All-Star break (.480).
“I can’t tell you how excited I am for this opportunity to lead the Cavaliers and our promising and enthusiastic group of players that has been assembled here in Cleveland,” said Bickerstaff. “I want to thank Dan Gilbert and Koby Altman for having the trust and faith in my ability to coach this team, but also allowing me the freedom and endless resources to assist in creating a sustainable culture of winning and professional growth. Our players have done a phenomenal job of maintaining a high level of professionalism and growing maturity, of which I have been very appreciative. I also take great pride and consider it an honor and privilege to live and coach in this community with my family, in front of this fan base and for this franchise. It has truly been a blessing and I look forward to the journey ahead.”
Before coming to Cleveland, Bickerstaff was the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies for the 2018-19 season after serving as the interim head coach for the final 63 games of the 2017-18 Grizzlies campaign. Under Bickerstaff last season, Memphis recorded the third-best scoring defense in the NBA, holding opponents to 106.1 points per game. The Grizzlies also held an NBA-high 10 opponents under 90 points last season and went undefeated in those games. Memphis limited 17 opponents to under 40 percent shooting last season, which was tied with Utah for the second-most in the NBA.
Prior to his stint with Memphis, Bickerstaff spent five seasons (2011-16) with the Houston Rockets, where he was elevated to interim head coach early in the 2015-16 season and guided the Rockets to a 37-34 finish to close the season with a postseason berth. Bickerstaff’s additional experience includes four seasons (2007-11) with the Minnesota Timberwolves as an assistant coach and three seasons (2004-07) with the Charlotte Bobcats under his father and current Cavaliers Senior Basketball Advisor, Bernie Bickerstaff. The youngest assistant coach in the NBA at age 25 when he began with the Bobcats in 2004-05, Bickerstaff followed in the footsteps of his father, who was the youngest assistant coach when he joined the NBA at 29 years old in 1973.
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