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Nuggets Journal: Few recent defending champs have been this reliant on same starting five during repeat attempt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

It’s surprisingly not too often that a team is able to win an NBA championship by deploying the same starting five for the majority of the regular season and the majority of the playoffs, and even less so that said team returns and uses the identical starting five the next season.Generally, the most common starting unit shifts at one or two positions between the regular season and playoffs, whether due to injuries or otherwise. Or a starter becomes a free agent the ensuing offseason. Someone new has to start out of necessity.But the Nuggets’ biggest salary cap casualty was their sixth man. They’re a somewhat rare case in that regard: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic were the five leaders in games started, in both the regular season (62 or more each) and the postseason (same five, all 20 games). And now they’re all back, reprising the unit that won the championship. That’s been difficult to achieve in recent years.From 20...

Even after 40 years at The Post, columnist Mark Kiszla rarely pulls his punches: “I must be in trouble — Kiz is here”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

If local professional coaches and athletes didn’t know at first, they realized it pretty quick: When Mark Kiszla comes around, look out.The longtime Denver Post sportswriter, who is celebrating four decades at the paper and three decades as a columnist, always has a take. And those takes are often critical of, or at odds with, the people and teams he covers.“He was tough on me as manager, and he’s always been tough on everyone (in local pro sports),” said former Rockies skipper Walt Weiss. “I used to joke that during the years I was managing, when he would show up and be part of the media scrum, I’d start out the scrum by saying, ‘I must be in trouble — Kiz is here.'”Manager Walt Weiss waits for the start of the game in the dugout. The Colorado Rockies took on the San Diego Padres on Opening Day at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)Kiszla, 66, is known to pull no punches in his writing.In recent ye...

Me & My Car: Pleasanton man owns first-, last-generation Thunderbirds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

Looking back, I think it’s fair to say that up until 1953-1955, the American auto industry was pretty bland.General Motors was clearly the leader, selling approximately twice as many vehicles as Ford, and Ford was selling approximately twice as many vehicles as Chrysler. All three companies built nice family cars — sedans and wagons, with the most glamorous always being a convertible.Then General Motors upset the apple cart when in January 1953 the first Chevrolet Corvette was introduced at GM’s Motorama Show in New York. It created a lot of excitement and interest around the world, and I suspect it also created some panic at the Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford set a goal for a true sports car for the 1955 model year.The idea for the Thunderbird came from George Walker and Louis Crusoe. Their concept was a two-passenger car with a convertible top using as many off-the-shelf parts as possible. It wasn’t to be a radically styled car but one that would have the Ford look so ...

More than 2 dozen DC-area schools ranked among healthiest in nation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

More than a dozen Maryland schools and 10 Virginia schools are on a list that ranks the healthiest in the country.The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a nonprofit group that finds and scores the schools, unveiled the list last week.More than 780 schools across the country were deemed the healthiest, which is the largest number of schools in the program’s history.Virginia had 10 schools on the list and Maryland chalked up 15. D.C. wasn’t included in the list.“We get to say that we have the healthiest kids in the nation,” said Stephanie Kohout-Maguire, physical education teacher at Springhill Lake Elementary in Prince George’s County, Maryland.Montgomery County had seven designated schools that earned the title. Prince George’s County saw three of its schools selected, while Anne Arundel and Charles counties each had one school on the list.Schools are scored in nine areas, including:Social and emotional health and learningStaff well-beingFamily ...

Hurkacz beats Rublev to claim Shanghai Masters title

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

SHANGHAI (AP) — Hubert Hurkacz claimed his second Masters title in a dramatic final at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, saving a match point before prevailing 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8) against Andrey Rublev.Like he did in his impressive semifinal win over Sebastian Korda, the Polish player’s serve was again his strike weapon as he sent down 21 aces and won more than 80% of his first serve points.Hurkacz struck the first blow of the final with a forehand winner to break Rublev in the sixth game, which proved decisive in taking the opening set. It was the first set that the 25-year-old Russian player had dropped in the tournament but it seemed to spur him on, as the No. 7-ranked player found his range in the second, hitting 16 winners to force a decider.As the match tightened, Rublev saved one match point on serve at 4-5 before taking a 5-2 advantage in the third set tiebreaker. Hurkacz responded by firing back-to-back aces before forcing a Rublev error to level at 5-5. Rublev then earne...

F1 governing body FIA to review Hamilton’s actions after crossing track at Qatar GP

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

Formula One’s governing body is reviewing a penalty giving to seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton for crossing the track after climbing out of his car following a first-lap collision at last Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.Hamilton tangled with his Mercedes teammate George Russell after making a flying start and went spinning off into the gravel trap when trying to overtake him. He jumped straight out of the cockpit and crossed the circuit, which is a breach of regulations.Following a stewards’ investigation, he was issued his first reprimand of the season and fined 50,000 euros ($52,560), with 25,000 euros ($26,280) suspended pending any further breach this season.But given his role model status within the series, and the danger represented, governing body FIA feels this may not have been enough. Hamilton reached the inside edge of the Losail track shortly before Russell arrived at full speed having exited the pit lane.“The FIA notes that Lewis was apologetic during the ...

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie / Belkys

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, melted¼ cup packed brown sugar2 tbs. granulated sugar1 egg1 tsp. vanilla extract3/4 cup + 2 tbs. all-purpose flour, fluffed and leveled¼ tsp. baking soda¼ tsp. salt¾ cup chocolate chips or chunksMethod of Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 6-8″ cast iron skillet.In a medium bowl with an electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugars together until creamed, about 3-4 minutes.Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing to incorporate.Add flour, salt, and baking soda, and mix on low until completely combined.Stir in chocolate and spread evenly into the prepared skillet (feel free to throw some extra chocolate chunks on top!).Bake for 20-22 minutes or until edges are crispy and center is just set (NOTE: if using a 6-inch pan, you may need up to 25 minutes of baking time; if you’re using individual skillets or ramekins, you may only need 12-15 minutes).Let the cookie skillet cool slightly. Serve by...

China says Israel’s actions go beyond self-defense: Report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

China’s foreign minister said Saturday that Israel has gone too far in responding to last week’s invasion by Hamas, China’s official news agency reported.Speaking to Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Israel’s actions have extended beyond self-defense.According to Xinhua, China has an interest in helping resolve the conflict and the underlying issues involving the Palestinian population.The report contained no direct quotes, but Xinhua said about Wang’s remarks during the phone conversation: “China is in intensive communication with all parties to push for a ceasefire and an end to the fighting, he said, adding that the pressing task is to ensure the safety of civilians, open humanitarian corridors for aid as soon as possible, and protect the basic needs of the people in Gaza.”Before the Hamas incursion and subsequent Israeli military response, it was believed that Israel and Saudi Arabia, driven by a common animus toward ...

Putin to meet Xi in China this week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing this week — a rare international visit by the Russian leader.Putin will attend a forum marking 10 years of the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s global infrastructure program that has helped boost its influence worldwide. The visit to Beijing on October 17-18 marks Putin’s first trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest in March over the forced transport of children to Russia from Ukraine. China is not party to the ICC. Washington and Brussels have been eyeing with alarm the relationship between China and Russia, with Beijing refusing to condemn Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, even as it has voiced support for the principle of territorial integrity. Russia has increased its energy exports to China as it grapples with Western sanctions imposed as a response to the invasion of Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borre...

How to protect your mental health while keeping tabs on the Israel-Hamas war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

(CNN) — As the situation in Israel and Gaza continues to unfold, many people far from the conflict are nonetheless exposed to countless images, stories and sounds of conflict via television and radio news reports, newspaper and digital stories, and of course social media.And this is taking a toll on all of us, including our children. The American Psychological Association released a statement this week warning that consuming violent and traumatic news can in and of itself negatively affect our mental health.“Psychological science tells us that fear, anxiety and traumatic stress have long-term effects on health and well-being. These impacts are also being felt by people around the world who have families and friends in the region, as well as those concerned about the effects of war everywhere,” it says.So how do we stay informed and stay connected while protecting our mental health and that of our children? This is an issue that has come up over and over in the co...