F or those of us of more modest means, it pays to seek out alternative accommodation options in a city where posh hotel penthouse suites can soar upwards of $30,000 a night . Not only can you save a few make that many  bucks by checking into an Airbnb in Miami , but you'll also be able to experience parts of the city the way that locals do, beyond the glitz and glam of the tourist epicenter at South Beach . If you haven't been to Miami in a minute, the first thing you'll notice is how much the area has grown up. Culture abounds: The (free) Institute of Contemporary Art Miami opened in 2017 in the Design District , while the funky young Nu Deco Ensemble bills itself as a chamber orchestra for the 21st century. The food scene is better than ever. Ghee Indian Kitchen , with two locations in the Design District and Kendall, has changed people's perceptions of what Indian food can be. Ariete in Coconut Grove showcases talented chef Michael Beltran's interpretation of modern American food through his Cuban lens. And it's a lot easier to suss out these types of locals' favorite places when you're staying in those neighborhoods and not sequestered in some touristy hotel. Experience parts of the city the way that locals do, beyond the glitz and glam of the tourist epicenter at South Beach. From a tree house on an urban farm in Little Haiti to a spacious loft in artsy Wynwood , here are 10 of the coolest and most comfortable Airbnbs in Miami right now: Zen Garden Cottage by the Design District This cozy one-bed, one-bath guesthouse in Miami's historic Morningside neighborhood is located a few blocks (and close walk) from the luxury watch shops and fashion boutiques of the Miami Design District. You'll love the zen-inspiring reclaimed wood throughout, as well as the quiet outdoor patio, perched under tropical mango, avocado, and banana trees. Use this as a jumping-off pad to some of Miami's best restaurants, set within walking distance, including Michael's Genuine Food & Drink , Mandolin Aegean Bistro , and Blue Collar . Price from $95/night (two guests); see the full listing here Tree House Hideaway in Little Haiti Located on a working permaculture farm in Little Haiti, this tree house canopy, built into a large pithecellobium tree, is equipped with a double bed; there's a separate bathroom, set at the ground level, just a few steps away. You can watch goats, roosters, and emus roaming about the property, or take part in volleyball games with the farm's volunteers on weekends. Fair warning: The tree house features an outdoor shower, shared kitchen (albeit with super-fresh eggs!), no air-conditioning, and due to the potential height dangers no children are allowed. Price from $90/night (two guests); see the full listing here Cool Artist Loft in Wynwood This spacious, 1,500-square-foot loft set on the second floor of a warehouse in Miami's Wynwood Arts District sleeps up to 10. Its retro kitchen and funky decor throughout is so cool that the listing is often booked for commercial use (singer Daddy Yankee shot a music video here). Guest reviews rave over the central location in hip Wynwood, which is home to top art galleries, late-night bars, and must-try restaurants like Alter, serving modernist global cuisine from James Beard nominated chef Brad Kilgore. Price from $95/night (10 guests); see the full listing here Luxury Condo in a Trendy Brickell Hotel Tower From the 31st floor of the W Miami hotel tower, this high-end condo, in the residential section of the building, grants views out over the Miami River and Brickell (downtown's bustling financial district). A night here costs considerably less than a hotel stay at the W would, but doesn't skimp on amenities; it incorporates two passes to the hotel's Iconbrickell Spa facilities and state-of-the-art gym, as well as a $25 guest pass that can be redeemed at the 50th-floor rooftop WET Deck, a prime vantage point for sunset cocktails. A king-size bed and full-size sofa bed sleep four comfortably. Price from $163/night (four guests); see the full listing here Waterfront Home in Miami Beach Villa Venetia is an eight-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bath dream house in the posh Venetian Islands, situated on Biscayne Bay between South Beach and downtown Miami. Up to 16 guests can sleep here (there are three master bedrooms); chill in the home's pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna; or relax in the theater-like entertainment center or over a game of billiards. "A lot of memories made in this spot," one reviewer noted, but be prepared to shell out: those memories come with a hefty price tag. Price from $6,000/night (16 guests); see the full listing here Bohemian Retreat in Coconut Grove Surrounded by lush landscaping, including a koi pond, this private cottage, which oozes a '70s-era hippie vibe with bamboo window treatments and A-frame ceilings, supplies a quiet retreat in the heart of Coconut Grove, one of Miami's best dining and shopping neighborhoods (located a few miles south of downtown). Guests note that it's "super clean and charming," and an on-site pool provides a cool escape from Miami's heat. Price from $107/night (two guests); see the full listing here #Boatlife in South Beach It doesn't get more Miami than this: Spend the night on a 36-foot sailboat, docked in South Beach. A small kitchen with propane burners allows you to eat in and fuel up ahead of a night out at the clubs. The bathroom has a freshwater shower, and the three-bed setup sleeps up to five (that includes one master suite and one bedroom with a queen and twin bed; note it's $20 extra per night for each guest after the first two). If you want to pull anchor and explore, the host will captain the boat for rides along Biscayne Bay and the Miami River for a modest $10 per trip. Price from $80/night (five guests); see the full listing here Downtown Condo with Sweeping Views You'll feel like a local when staying at this two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit (with a washer and dryer) on the 35th floor of a downtown condo. With marble floors throughout and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of Biscayne Bay and the city skyline, you'll be just steps away from the AmericanAirlines Arena , Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts , and Pérez Art Museum Miami . But you needn't venture out at all to unwind, thanks to the building's on-site pool and hot tub. Price from $99/night (five guests); see the full listing here Huge House in Suburban Miami You and 13 of your closest friends can book this home in Kendall, a southwest suburb of Miami, which features five bedrooms (with nine beds), three bathrooms, a huge kitchen, and a private backyard patio and pool. (Note that it's a 35- to 40-minute drive to Miami Beach.) For a supplemental fee, the hosts who kindly ask for no guests under 21 years old will even arrange to have rental cars waiting for you at the airport and can charter a boat and captain if you want to spend a day on the water, too. Price from $365/night (14 guests); see the full listing here South Beach Penthouse If you're keen on the South Beach scene, we'll throw in this one for good measure. The rooftop penthouse of South Beach's Hilton Bentley hotel doubles as an Airbnb listing (at similarly listed rates), and features a private sundeck and saltwater pool that overlook the beach (as do each of the two bedrooms outfitted with king-size beds). Rain shower equipped bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, plasma flat-screen TVs, and a winding stairway are all fit for luxury and for the Kardashians, who stayed here during a filming of Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami . Price from $1,624/night (four guests); see the full listing here >> Next: 5 Things to Do in Miami This Winter


Most teams usually wait until the season to ice the kicker, and then ice the OTHER team's guy. Double Doinks make you do strange things... BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!! BEARRRSSSS / FREE AGENCY / DRAFT Medina: The Bears Are Dialing Up the Pressure on Their Kickers … With the Silent Treatment - Bleacher Nation - Silence can be deafening for Bears kickers. Medina: Rookie Receiver Emanuel Hall to Miss the Rest of OTAs Because of Surgery - Bleacher Nation - Emanuel Hall's tough task just became a bit more difficult. Ken's Note: Or easier... the ole rookie red shirt may be on the horizon Mayer: Bears continue thorough evaluation of kickers - ChicagoBears.com - In their ongoing quest to fill an important position, special-teams coordinator Chris Tabor and the Bears are learning more about kickers Chris Blewitt, Elliott Fry and Eddy Pineiro with each passing day. Mayer: Patterson showing versatility on practice field - ChicagoBears.com - Cordarrelle Patterson is a dynamic playmaker who doesn't like being described as a receiver, running back or return specialist. "I don't like being labeled," he said. "I feel like I can do anything on the field." Chalk Talk: Who's most exciting Bears player? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses who he thinks is the most exciting Bears player, the transition to defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano and what will be the best position battle in training camp. Payton headlines all-time Bears offensive team - ChicagoBears.com - The all-time Bears offense as selected by writers Dan Pompei and Don Pierson in the Chicago Bears Centennial Scrapbook features eight Hall of Famers, led by legendary running back Walter Payton. Dannehy: North Might Be Tighter, But Bears Are Still Best - Da Bears Blog - There is little question that at least a couple of other teams in the NFC North are better than they were a year ago, but the Bears were so much better than the field it doesn't seem likely the gap isn't still significant. In addition to having four more wins than any other NFC North team last year, the Bears outscored their divisional opponents 153-109. That's a differential of 44 points, meaning a +7.3 point average in divisional contests. Sheldon: Why Roquan Smith is a 2019 DPOY candidate - Da Windy City - The Chicago Bears have a number of stars on their defense, but Roquan Smith could end up the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year. Finley: 'Augusta Silence'   How the Bears are ratcheting up kicker pressure by turning down the volume - Chicago Sun-Times - As the Bears continue to sift through kicking options to replace Cody Parkey , they've decided that the best way to replicate the pressure of a stadium at full throat is to create the exact opposite sensory experience. Finley: Aaron Rodgers takes a dig, but Matt Nagy thinks Bears' Mitch Trubisky 'aced' beer chug - Chicago Sun-Times - Matt Nagy has watched the game film of Mitch Trubisky chugging a beer   the strangely de rigueur stunt for quarterbacks this offseason   during Friday's White Sox game. Aaron Rodgers had a salty reply: "As far as those other guys," Rodgers told reporters, smirking. "For some of them, there's finally a talent where they can say they're better than me at." Ken's Note: Dear Khalil, Akiem, Bilal, Eddie, Leonard, Danny, Roquan, Eddie, Prince, Kyle & Ha Ha... would you please knock this arrogant a-hole down a few thousand notches come September. I won't root for him being injured (I don't wish that on anybody), but if you want to hurt him some... or even hurt him a lot... without actually injuring him, that's just fine. M'kay? Campbell: 3 things we learned at Bears practice Wednesday - Trey Burton's surgery, Matt Nagy's beer-chugging analysis and kicker scouting reports - Chicago Tribune - Three things we learned at Bears practice include an update on Trey Burton 's surgery and Matt Nagy's analysis of Mitch Trubisky chugging beer. Campbell: Matt Nagy's latest twist in Bears kicking competition - Creating 'Augusta silence' to crank up the pressure - Chicago Tribune - "Augusta silence" is the piece of the Masters that Matt Nagy brought back to Chicago to intensify the Bears kicking competition. Biggs' Bears Q&A: Who is in line for a contract extension after this season? Was Gerald McCoy an option for the Bears? What's going on at tight end? - Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs answers Bears questions weekly. Which players will be candidates for a new contract after this season? Was Gerald McCoy an option? Plus much more. POLISH SAUSAGE Tony Dungy: 18-game season would be a mistake   ProFootballTalk - Count Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy as one who does not want to see the NFL expand its regular season to 18 games. Dungy appeared this morning on PFT Live and said the idea of an 18-game schedule, which is being bandied about as the NFL and the players' union discuss a new Collective Bargaining A... 2019 NFL season: Predicting every NFC team's MVP - NFL.com - Will Alvin Kamara be the key to the New Orleans Saints ' season? Who will power the Carolina Panthers ? Dan Hanzus predicts the 2019 MVP for each team in the NFC. Adrian Peterson on 2019: 'I got my mark set at 2,000' - NFL.com - Washington Redskins running back Adrian Peterson told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Tuesday that he's aiming to rack up 2,000 yards during the 2019 season. KNOW THY ENEMY Nobody is talking about Packers DT Kingsley Keke, but his path to rookie impact is clear - Acme Packing Company - Interior defensive linemen might not move the needle with fans, but the Packers may need their fifth-round pick to play important snaps in 2019. Connor Cook is excited to play in Michigan once again - Pride Of Detroit - The former Spartan is back in familiar lands. Pro Football Focus believes Darius Slay shouldn't get a new deal - Pride Of Detroit - Does Darius Slay deserve a new deal? PFF says no. Tracy Walker has a more expansive skill set than the Detroit Lions thought - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions were thrilled when they drafted Tracy Walker . They may be even more excited now. Revenge Week: Favre's return to Lambeau named best "revenge game" of past quarter century - Daily Norseman - Revenge is a dish best served. . .with cheese Rapoport: Vikings not expected to address Kyle Rudolph situation anytime soon - Daily Norseman - So, what does that mean for the team? Wednesday Walkthroughs: Packers' best opportunities for revenge in 2019 - Acme Packing Company - The APC writers are out for revenge this season. Aaron Rodgers finally responds to other NFL QBs trolling him over his failure to chug a beer: 'There's finally a talent where they can say they are better than me' - Chicago Tribune - Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers finally responded to fellow NFL quarterbacks trolling him over his failure to chug a beer. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON Wiltfong: Bears' Emanuel Hall underwent surgery - Windy City Gridiron - Earlier today at Halas Hall, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy revealed that wide out Emanuel Hall underwent a similar procedure to tight end Trey Burton . Burton, if you remember, had a sports... Sunderbruch's NFC North Roster Comparison: Running Backs - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears have long been famed for their running game, but Nagy and Pace have changed focus. WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven's Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski's The Blitz Network THE RULES Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc. The Bear's Den Specific Guidelines   The Bear's Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited. Click on our names to follow us on Twitter: WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes ; Patti Curl ; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter ; Kev H ; Sam Householder ; Jacob Infante ; Aaron Lemming ; Ken Mitchell ; Steven Schweickert ; Jack Silverstein ; EJ Snyder ; Lester Wiltfong, Jr. ; Whiskey Ranger ; Robert Schmitz ; Robert Zeglinski ; Like us on Facebook .


Homelessness advocates say the city's booming economy has left some residents behind A new economic forecast from the UCLA Anderson School of Management provides a bleak outlook for California investors and business interests. The state's economy is slowing down, say the report's authors, and the likelihood of a national economic decline is on the rise. "There are some different dynamics happening now that are creating a higher probability of a recession," says Jerry Nickelsburg, director of the Anderson Forecast. That could bring job loss, wage stagnation, and plenty of other negative effects. But could it also aid those affected by the region's housing crisis ? Homeless advocates say economic downturns can yield surprisingly positive results when it comes to housing the city's most vulnerable residents. "It's a little counterintuitive, but when the economy does well, our homeless count goes up," says Elise Buik, president of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Earlier this week, county officials revealed the results of an annual census of homeless residents, showing the number of unhoused Los Angeles residents has ballooned 12 percent since a year earlier even as the local economy boomed . In 2013, as the U.S. economy began its recovery from the Great Recession, 35,524 homeless residents were counted in Los Angeles County (minus Glendale, Long Beach, and Pasadena). That number now stands at 56,257. "The economy has benefitted people who are employed particularly those who are higher wage earners," Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority President Peter Lynn said Tuesday, while presenting the results of the latest homeless count. "When you look back at the Great Recession, the vacancy rate in the housing market was over 10 percent," he told reporters. "I was running the Section 8 [housing voucher] program for the city's housing authority, and my landlord briefing was full every week." Even Mayor Eric Garcetti, a steadfast champion of the city's economic successes, acknowledged earlier this year that the severity of LA's homelessness crisis is largely dependent on the regional economy. "People say when there's an economic downturn, ironically, that's when it gets better, because rents go flatter" Garcetti told reporters in March. "An economic uptick is when there's more homelessness." Nickelsburg says he hasn't researched the effects of recessions on homelessness, but acknowledges that housing markets typically weaken during periods of economic decline. That means prospective homebuyers could have an easier time finding affordable options in the event of a recession assuming their wages and savings are unaffected by the downturn. "A recession tends to be a buyer's market," says Nickelsburg. "So if you're a qualified buyer, that might be a good time to buy." The California Association of Realtors releases a quarterly housing affordability index , which measures the accessibility of homeownership to first-time buyers. By this metric, just 45 percent of households in LA County now earn enough to purchase a starter home at a price 15 percent below the countywide median. In 2012, on the other hand, prices dropped low enough that 68 percent of households could afford a starter home. At the same time, home mortgages became far more difficult to obtain , which explains why buyers didn't flood the market during the recession years. Nickelsburg cautions against making big assumptions about how the next recession will affect rents and housing prices, since it's not known yet what will cause the next downturn. "One of the things that typically would trigger a recession is the overbuilding of housing, and that's something that we really haven't seen," he says. "We would expect some impact on the housing market, but housing is not overbuilt. I think where you would see the impact would be on the building of new homes, but it would be less so on existing homes." Regardless of whether the next recession makes housing more affordable, says United Way homeless initiatives director Chris Ko, it's clear the recent bull market hasn't benefitted LA's poorest residents. "There are more ways than one to grow and prosper," he told reporters Tuesday. "And I think the one we have chosen socially right now leaves people behind."


When U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Wank leaped off a Higgins boat just yards from Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 , his grip never let go of the trumpet in his hand as bullets rained down around him. As he reached shore, Wank was shot down by enemy fire and was found alive two days later by medics. He was still clutching the instrument. "What they experienced was on a whole other level," his grandson, Jeff Wank, told Fox 4 News , adding that his family never knew of the story until his grandfather's death in 2007. "He would never say anything about it. He would never talk about it. The only he would ever say is, 'It should have been me.'" TRUMP, OTHER LEADERS MARK D-DAY'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY IN NORMANDY, FRANCE That trumpet that the Sgt. Wank never lost a hold off returned to Normandy on Thursday for the first time since that fateful day 75 years ago. He was awarded the Silver Star for his service during World War II. Jeff Wank said he wanted to get the trumpet restored so that he could make sure its legacy was preserved. He gave it to David Anderson, a local Dallas instrument restorer. "He really didn't want to let it go. He told me as soon as he left... he sent a text that said, 'I cannot believe I just let you leave with that instrument,'" Anderson told Fox 4 News. The brass instrument had a lot of dents, cracks in some of the pipes and some things missing and it took about seven weeks to restore   an experience Anderson will never forget. "Even though it's been restored, you can still see where he held his hands, just like a firearm or something that's used a lot and held by someone a lot," he said. "I was blown away. Just working on it was a real honor and mind-blowing experience." D-DAY VETERAN, 99, GETS OVATIONS FROM THE QUEEN AND TRUMP AS HE LEADS TRIBUTES While restoring the instrument, Anderson remembered that the University of Texas Alumni Band would be performing in Normandy for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing. Kenny Bierschenk, a member of the UT Alumni Band, was chosen to play the instrument Thursday. He chose to perform Taps. "As a musician, we often think of music as spanning the centuries. Taps being sounded at all these military events, it's the same now as it was back in World War II. It's the same as it was in the Civil War," he said. "To be able to play Taps on a bugle or on a trumpet that was actually used to do that very same thing 75 years ago when it was still a battle zone, that's really meaningful to me." The solemn song, Jeff Wank said, is probably the reason why his grandfather took the trumpet with him that fateful day. He believes it's likely the only song he played after being rescued. "And I think he played Taps for his friends," he said. "And that's why he brought it over there. I'm convinced of that. He knew there were a lot of people that would not return." D-DAY VETERAN, 93, JOKINGLY FILTS WITH MELANIA IN FRONT OF TRUMP On Thursday, the band played D-Day commemoration ceremony presided by President Trump and French President Emmanuelle Macron , including Taps while the two world leaders overlooked Omaha Beach. They have scheduled several other performances around France, including at the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach and at the Champs de Mars in Paris. D-Day was the largest invasion - by both air and sea - in history. On June 6, 1944, 160,00 Allied troops carried by 7,000 boats landed on the beaches code-named Omaha, Utah, Juno, Sword, and Gold. Nearly 7,000 Allies troops died and 5,000 injured. The invasion triggered the end of the Nazi regime as Allied troops would advance their fight, take Paris and race against the Soviets to control as much German territory as possible by the time Adolf Hitler committed suicide in a Berlin bunk in May 1945.


LAS VEGAS   Blood tests found that a Las Vegas motorist was more than 2.5 times over the legal limit for alcohol after a fiery three-vehicle crash that killed a tour bus driver and a German tourist, prosecutors said Monday. Jonathan Donner, 25, remained hospitalized and unable to appear in Las Vegas Justice Court while five felony charges were filed against him in the Sept. 5 crash at a busy downtown Las Vegas intersection. Donner wasn't represented by a lawyer. Justice of the Peace Karen Bennett-Haron rescheduled Donner's arraignment for Sept. 21. Family members of the dead tour driver, Jose Francisco Cosenza, 53, of Las Vegas, spoke in the hallway with Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson and prosecutor Brian Rutledge. Daughter Evelyn Hernandez said they want to see Donner sent to prison. Wolfson told reporters that Donner's blood-alcohol level at the hospital was 0.22 percent, well above the legal limit in Nevada of 0.08 percent. Donner faces two charges of driving under the influence causing the deaths of Cosenza and a 34-year-old German whose name hasn't been made public. He also faces three charges of DUI causing substantial bodily harm for injuries to other people in the bus. He could face up to 100 years in prison if convicted of all charges. Police identified the injured people as Stefanie Kloeppel, 30, of Germany, and Brian Zerbee, 39, and Sara Zerbee, 34, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Donner is accused of speeding through a red light in a BMW and hitting the tour bus, causing it to overturn and burst into flames. The BMW also caught fire and spun into another car. Donner received moderate injuries. The driver of the second car wasn't injured.


OAKLAND, Calif.   Steve Kerr remains optimistic Kevin Durant will return from a right calf injury to play for Golden State at some point this postseason but isn't guessing when that might be. "There's definitely some gray area with any injury but with a calf injury like that especially," Kerr said Friday before the team traveled to Portland for Game 3. "It's going to be how he responds to the treatment and how his body recovers over the next days and however long it takes." Warriors director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini told Kerr from the time Durant was injured in Game 5 of the conference semifinals against Houston that it would be tough to predict the timetable for the two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP's healing, based on the wide range in rehab and recovery for this injury. Durant was re-evaluated before a 114-111 Game 2 win Thursday night and won't play in Games 3 or 4 of the Western Conference finals at Portland, Saturday and Monday. He is likely to miss the entire series given his next scheduled examination is Thursday, and Durant has yet to do any of the on-court work such as scrimmaging full court with contact the Warriors would require before he is cleared for game action. "He's doing well. He's in the training room every day, he's around the guys. He's actually recovering well, he's doing well with his rehab," Kerr said. The Warriors lead the best-of-seven series 2-0, so if the two-time defending champions advance to a fifth straight NBA Finals there would be a chance for Durant to play again. "What did I say last night, that it was a little more serious than we thought? The right way to put it would be with a calf injury there's kind of a wide range of how long a guy's going to be out," Kerr said. "So he's had them in the past where he was out a week or 10 days. But right from the beginning Rick was telling me that you really can't put a number of days and weeks on this. "There's a big range of how long it could be depending on how he responds and how bad the strain is. This one is taking a little bit longer than the ones he's had in the past but that's OK. He's coming along well and if he continues to improve at the rate he's moving now I'm confident that he'll be back. We just don't know when. " Durant's 34.2 points per game lead all postseason scorers. An impending free agent this summer, he has missed the last three games since straining his right calf during the third quarter of Game 5 against the Rockets on May 8 and didn't travel to Houston for the Warriors' Game 6 clincher. Andrew Bogut has started in Durant's place the past three games but Kevon Looney got the majority of the playing time in Game 2 as Kerr has used a bigger rotation to take advantage of Golden State's deep bench. Injured Golden State center DeMarcus Cousins is slightly ahead of Durant in his recovery from a torn left quadriceps muscle that he hurt in Game 2 of the first round against the Clippers, just Cousins' second career playoff game. He also is scheduled to be re-evaluated next Thursday. "He's working really hard and he's been in the training room religiously over the last month and now he's getting out on the court," Kerr said. "So he is ahead of Kevin in terms of the ability to get out on the court and run and really get a good basketball workout. He's a big guy, so conditioning is tougher for big guys than guards. He's got to continue to work on the stuff he's doing, which is the bike, going hard on the bike, getting sprints on the floor. When he's ready, we'll know he's ready." ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Related slideshow: 2019 NBA Playoffs (Provided by imagn)


The Boston Celtics may have been unable to trade for Anthony Davis and may be unable to keep Kyrie Irving, two situations that likely played a hand in how the other played out, but Celtics president and general manager Danny Ainge appears to have had contingency plans in place in the event that he unsuccessful in completing one or both of his top two offseason priorities. According to The Athletic's Jordan Brenner, " Multiple sources point to Bradley Beal as prime option-particularly if Irving leaves. " Beal, a two-time All-Star who has spent his entire career with the Washington Wizards, is one of the most talented offensive players in the league and averaged 25.5 points and 5.5 assists per game last season while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three. Though he had a down year from distance (he shoots 38.4 percent from three for his career), he's a three-level scorer who can operate as a primary facilitator if it's what the team needs. At just 25-year-old (he'll turn 26 on June 28), his youth also fits a team hoping to have 21-year-old Jayson Tatum as a cornerstone, if not the face of the franchise. With John Wall's injury status and the stagnant state of the Wizards over the last few seasons, Washington looks prepared to rebuild (or retool) and the Celtics have a number of young players and draft picks that could be intriguing to the Wizards. Jaylen Brown and the first-round pick owes to Boston from the Memphis Grizzlies could get a conversation for Beal started, though there would have to be more players added to such a deal to make salaries match. Whether or not Ainge manages to make a deal for Beal, Celtics fans should be encouraged by him continuing to be aggressive despite what's been - so far - a worst-case scenario. MORE: LaVar Ball made a tasteless mid-interview remark to ESPN's Molly Qerim NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Four Most Overrated NBA Free Agents What does new TE Michael Roberts bring to Packers? Josh McCown and the wasted promise of the 2006 Detroit Lions


Thursday night brought a report that the Dolphins and cornerback Xavien Howard agreed on a new contract that will make Howard the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. Head coach Brian Flores didn't confirm the terms of the deal when he met with the media on Friday afternoon, but he did confirm that the two sides came to an agreement. "He's a leader in the locker room. I think he works hard. He does a lot of the things that are core to what we see going forward," Flores said, via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald . While the Dolphins are committing to Howard, Flores indicated that they don't believe he's a finished product on the field. Flores said he believes "there's a lot of room for improvement from Xavien" as he heads into his fourth NFL season and realizing that goal would further cement him as a foundation piece for the new staff in Miami.


A year ago, the Saints liked wide receiver Cameron Meredith enough that they signed him to a free agent contract that guaranteed him $5.4 million . That did not go well. So this week, Meredith signed with the Patriots for nothing guaranteed. According to multiple reports, Meredith gets nothing guaranteed at all this season. If he makes the roster, the Patriots will pay him a salary of $720,000. Next year Meredith can make up to $1.3 million, but the Patriots could also cut him without paying him anything. That's a big step down from the big deal he got with the Saints last year, but until Meredith can get healthy and stay healthy, he's not going to convince any team to pay him anything like what the Saints paid him. In 2016 Meredith had a breakout season, emerging as the Bears' No. 1 receiver and catching 66 passes for 888 yards and four touchdowns. But in the other three years he's been in the league he has combined for just 20 catches, 234 yards and one touchdown.


All eyes are currently on the Houston Rockets, who have been making loud decisions about their coaching staff in the last week. After the Rockets were again eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the current NBA playoffs, there were rumors that head coach Mike D'Antoni should be worried about his job safety. However, there have been shocking coaching changes that are not D'Antoni: associate head coach Jeff Bzdelik , assistant coaches Roy Rogers and Mitch Vanya and video coordinator John Cho and player development coach Irv Roland are all not coming back next season. D'Antoni has made it known publicly that he wants to continue coaching and that talks with the team have begun about getting one before he goes into the final season of his current contract later this year for the 2019-20 season. But the status of D'Antoni actually signing a new contract still remains up in the air - though it does appear that the front office is behind him despite the top two men reportedly being on what could be seen as different pages. According to Landry Locker of Sports Radio 610 , it was not D'Antoni's decision to fire the coaches around him, but rather general manager Daryl Morey. When asked about the firing of his assistant coaches D'Antoni told Mark Berman of Fox 26, "I thought Jeff (Bzdelik) and everybody under him did a great job. You'd have to ask (GM) Daryl Morey about the reasoning and all that behind it, but there are some great coach out there." I can confirm through multiple sources that the decision to pick up D'Antoni's option next season was owner Tilman Fertitta's, NOT Morey's. It should also be noted that the decision to hire D'Antoni was former owner Les Alexander's. The divide between Fertitta and Morey could be seen as stressful for D'Antoni. Morey is in charge of basketball operations, so does he have the final say about D'Antoni and his future with the team? One would think - but what if Fertitta is ready to become more involved with the basketball operations of the team he owns and make a giant decision about the head coach? The fall out from the Rockets' loss to the Warriors continues. MORE: Steve Kerr's daughter wasn't impressed with his dad joke about Drake before NBA Finals Ahead of Finals, Stephen Curry defends Kevin Durant against critics Oshane Ximines named Giants' most dangerous new weapon Damon Harrison tired of repeated contract talks Jimmy Butler would reportedly like playing with LeBron James


Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Atlanta. Actress, comedian Tiffany Haddish cancels show in Atlanta over 'heartbeat' law Actress, comedian Tiffany Haddish cancels show in Georgia over 'heartbeat' law. Read the full story on Boston 25 News . Two brothers arrested for assaulting Atlanta officer, taking his weapon The police officer was assaulted at a Southwest Atlanta gas station last week as he tried to break up an altercation. Read the full story on 11ALIVE . No injuries reported after shooting at northwest Atlanta apartment complex A witness at the Flipper Temple Apartments said residents had been plagued by so-called gang-bangers in the past. Read the full story on 11ALIVE . Rapper T.I. and Atlanta church work to end mass imprisonment Music artist T.I. is lending his voice to a project involving the late Martin Luther King Jr.'s home church in Atlanta. Ebenezer Baptist Church plans a three-day conference at the historic church in Atlanta to address mass incarcerations. Read the full story on Houston Chronicle . Atlanta History Center purchases rare Civil War battle flag carried by black Union troops It's one of 11 painted by David Bustill Bowser, the son of a fugitive slave. It's the only known surviving flag. Read the full story on 11ALIVE . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Tributes to Niki Lauda have been flowing in from across the motorsport world following the triple Formula 1 world champion's death on Monday. In this video, Andrew van de Burgt and Ben Anderson join Glenn Freeman to reflect on both parts of Lauda's career as a driver , his two remarkable comebacks and the success that followed each return. We also look back on what Lauda stood for as a no-nonsense personality around the F1 paddock in the years after his driving retirement, including his turbulent time in charge at Jaguar, and the influence he has had to this day at the dominant Mercedes team. More Lauda tributes: Wolff pays homage to "irreplaceable hero" Lauda Giorgio Piola's key cars of Niki Lauda's awesome F1 career Motorsport fraternity pays tribute to Lauda


WASHINGTON (AP) Wayne Rooney scored on a penalty kick in the 92nd minute to give D.C. United a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday night. Rooney went low and straight up the middle to beat goalkeeper Quentin Westberg for his 10th goal of the season. D.C. United (8-4-7) got the penalty kick when Frederic Brillant was brought down by Toronto FC's Ayo Akinola in the area. Nick DeLeon opened the scoring for Toronto FC (6-7-5) in the 19th minute, tapping home Richie Laryea's cross from the top of the 6-yard box.


At the 2019 NFL draft, the New York Jets took defensive tackle Quinnen Williams third overall and the Buffalo Bills selected defensive tackle Ed Oliver ninth overall. Despite that, the NFL Wire recently commented that it believes Oliver, not Williams, has a better chance to land the 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. In the process, the Touchdown Wire said Oliver could out-sack Williams as a rookie as well. Here's how NFL Wire explains that conclusion in a recent piece title the "Best bets for 2019 NFL defensive rookie of the year": Ed Oliver +1200 If the Bills play Oliver as a three-technique tackle, he could be a middle-class income version a rich man's Aaron Donald. Oliver will get a chance on the Bills defense which has been really good the past two years and is very well coached. Oliver is on the list over Quinnen Williams because Oliver may have more sacks than the higher drafted Williams. In college, Oliver actually didn't muster up many sacks. Only 13.5 in three seasons. However, with the Bills, he won't be playing a nose tackle role. That job of taking up space is Star Lotulelei's. So with that in mind, Oliver will have a chance to rack up numbers, while hopefully also allowing those around him, such as Jerry Hughes, to also pad stats in 2019. MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Roundup: Major Floods Hit Houston; New Ed Sheeran-Justin Bieber Jam; Howard Stern's Cancer Scare NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Packers rookie DL Kingsley Keke draws praise for pass-rushing potential Rumor: LeBron made a visit to Kawhi Leonard during Raptors-Sixers series


New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano is dealing with fresh injury issues. The Mets announced that Cano left Sunday's game with a left hamstring strain, with no word on the severity. Robinson Cano's left hamstring is strained, the Mets say. That is a more aggressive initial diagnosis than they usually offer. Internal Mets infield options: Luis Guillorme, Dilson Herrera, Ruben Tejada.   Tim Healey (@timbhealey) August 4, 2019 Newsday's Tim Healey, who knows the Mets well, seemed to think that the quick announcement on the severity of the injury did not bode well for Cano, and he may well need an IL trip. Cano is hitting .245 for the Mets this season with 10 home runs. He hasn't really endeared himself to the Mets' faithful with modest numbers and a penchant for not running out ground balls .


A last-ditch bipartisan effort to grant undocumented Venezuelans temporary legal status died in the House on Tuesday after it failed to garner enough votes from Republicans, who were wary of creating a new version of an immigration initiative President Trump and hardliners in the administration have sought to wind down. The legislation   introduced by Florida Reps. Darren Soto, a Democrat, and Mario Díaz-Balart, a Republican   would allow Venezuelans living in the U.S. who have fled the country's repressive government and collapsing economy to qualify for a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. The bill's supporters pushed to suspend the rules of House and pass the bill before lawmakers left for their August recess. The maneuver, usually reserved for non-controversial bills, required the support of two-thirds of the House, meaning at least 55 Republicans would have needed to break ranks and vote for the measure. The move failed after only 37 Republican lawmakers joined the 230 Democrats voting in favor. Soto called on House leadership to bring the measure to the floor for an up-or-down vote before Congress leaves town. "We cannot stand idly by, or worse, send millions of Venezuelans back to imminent death and danger," Soto said in a statement. The legislation would make Venezuelans eligible for TPS if they came to the U.S. after early 2013 and have no legal status. A window for new applications would be open for 18 months from the day the bill is signed into law. Although the administration has touted its tough stance against Maduro's government   and used the country's economic collapse as a way to denounce the pitfalls of socialist governance   it has not supported efforts to grant temporary protected status to Venezuelans living in the U.S. This week, the State Department's special representative to Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, told U.S. government-funded Voice of America that there were no current plans for a TPS designation for Venezuela. Citing court decisions blocking the administration from ending TPS programs for several countries in Latin America and Africa, the envoy suggested the administration is wary of making a new designation that it will not be able to end in the future. For months, the Trump administration has staged a concerted campaign to support the bid of National Assembly President Juan Guaidó to oust Maduro. In addition to being the first government to recognize Guaidó as Venezuela's legitimate interim president in late January, the administration has issued sanctions against top officials in the Maduro government and the largest state-owned oil company in the country. Despite these efforts   and the backing of dozens of governments, particularly in Latin America   Guaidó has failed to convince the Venezuelan military to join him in mounting a significant challenge to Maduro's government, which still enjoys some support in Venezuela, especially in poorer neighborhoods. In late April, Guaidó and his allies tried to organize an uprising , but failed to prompt any major defections among the country's sprawling military structure. The prolonged political and economic crisis in Venezuela   once considered one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America   has driven more than 4 million people to flee to neighboring South American nations like Colombia and Peru. Some have also arrived in the U.S. Most have fled because of the country's skyrocketing inflation and its widespread food and medicine shortages. Others have accused Maduro's government of persecuting them for engaging in political dissent. Earlier this month, the United Nations released a withering report in which it detailed thousands of extrajudicial killings as part of an effort by Maduro's administration aimed at "neutralizing, repressing and criminalizing political opponents and people critical of the government."


If you love live music, there's no time like the present, when it comes to getting out and about in Seattle. From hip-hop to alternative rock, here are the local shows worth checking out this weekend. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. This Is the Kit From the event description: This Is the Kit is the much-beloved musical project of Kate Stables, whose intriguing lyrics and arrangements make her one of the most captivating voices in UK music. When: Saturday, July 20, 7:30-10 p.m. Where: Ballard Homestead, 6541 Jones Ave. NW Admission: Free-$18 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Iann Dior From the event description: Catch Iann Dior on the "Nothing's Ever Good Enough" tour. When: Saturday, July 20, 8-11 p.m. Where: The Vera Project, 305 Harrison St. Admission: $15-$18 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets New Track City with Nobi, Blossom and Tapes-One2 From the event description: Coming on the scene with jazz, soul and alternative-inspired sounds, mixed with the lyrical captivity of hip hop, Federal Way's New Track City is something new and different. When: Saturday, July 20, 8 p.m. Where: The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave. Admission: $15 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Pink Lemonade From the event description: This time around, we've teamed up with our friends at Femme to throw "Pink Lemonade." Expect all the usual activity, plus a nail stand, some sweet treats and an extra-jucy lineup. When: Sunday, July 21, 3-10 p.m. Where: Bar Ciudad, 1210 S. Bailey St. Admission: $10 (Pre-Sale) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Parking in Seattle can be tough, especially during popular events. To find free or cheap parking and to book parking in advance, see this map of Seattle parking from SpotAngels. And to get there by public transportation, check King County Metro or Sound Transit for nearby options. This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Joel Matip has admitted that he would be open to a Bundesliga return, but has insisted that he's happy at Liverpool. The 27-year-old's contract expires at the end of the 2019/20 campaign and his future remains uncertain. In an interview with African Football when asked about a possible return to Germany, the defender said: "In football, nothing is impossible. Currently I have [had] two years contract with the Reds. After initial difficulties and injuries, I feel comfortable in Liverpool now." The Cameroonian defender joined Liverpool from Schalke 04 on a free transfer in 2016. Since then, Matip has made 98 appearances for the Reds, scoring three goals. His central defensive partnership with the Dutch international Virgil van Dijk led to Jurgen Klopp's side conceding only 22 goals and keeping 21 clean sheets over the course of the 2018/19 Premier League season. The German centre-back also played a key role in Liverpool's 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham in Madrid, by putting up a fantastic defensive display and assisting Divock Origi for Liverpool's second goal. #UCLfinal assist  Clean sheet  Boss performance  Joel Matip.  pic.twitter.com/P2bgSigl02   Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 3, 2019 However, the player did admit to still having a soft spot for Schalke 04: "There is still a lot of room for Schalke in my heart. That never stops. Accordingly, my worries about this club were very big. I try to watch every single game on TV. It can only get better for the new season." Liverpool will take on Schalke in a pre-season friendly at Anfield on Tuesday 6 August (kick-off: 7pm BST). The two teams have never met before in competitive action, but it will be a special reunion for Joel Matip who spent 16 years with the German side. Liverpool's boss Jurgen Klopp will also have a chance to catch up with an old friend, and former Huddersfield manager David Wagner who is now in charge of Schalke. The pair once played together at Mainz in Bundesliga 2, and were later reunited at Borussia Dortmund when Wagner took over the club's reserves.


Internazionale have confirmed the signing of versatile Hertha Berlin defender Valentino Lazaro from Hertha BSC, following reports that the Austria international had landed in Italy for his medical earlier on Monday. The 23-year-old, who played most of last season at right-back but has also been known to feature further forward, had previously been linked with a number of clubs, but it is Antonio Conte's Inter who have won the race for his signature.  | ANNOUNCEMENT  Welcome to Milano! ⚫ Valentino Lazaro is an Inter player! #WelcomeValentino  #NotForEveryone #FCIM pic.twitter.com/LkU0KNhLoZ   Inter (@Inter_en) July 1, 2019 Though details are yet to be confirmed, the deal is believed to have cost the Serie A side a fee in the region of €21.5m , and he will go straight into the Inter squad when they return for pre-season training later this month. The Austrian came through the youth ranks at RB Salzburg, making 121 appearances in total in a spell that saw him win five Austrian league titles, and joined Hertha in 2017, where he has spent two seasons inter-cut with a loan back to Salzburg. In total, he has made 65 appearances for Hertha, although it was last season that really saw him mark his arrival, scoring three goals and registering seven assists in 34 appearances. He joins Inter on the same day that Diego Godin was announced on a three-year deal , as Conte's squad begins to shape up for the new season.


DURHAM, NH   Bernie Sanders must win New Hampshire in the Democratic primary or risk a fatal blow to his campaign. "I find it very hard to see him winning the nomination if he doesn't succeed in New Hampshire," said Mark Longabaugh, a former top Sanders strategist who helped mastermind the 2016 campaign in the state. The first-in-the-nation primary, which comes eight days after the Iowa caucuses, is crucial for Sanders. His main competition there so far includes former Vice President Joe Biden, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, political experts told me. Both Sanders and Warren have a neighboring-state advantage, hailing from Vermont and Massachusetts, respectively. The fact New Hampshire is in their backyard raises the stakes for each candidate. "The loser of that intramural fight will likely go home," said University of New Hampshire political science professor Dante Scala, a longtime observer of New Hampshire primary politics. In 2016, Sanders took the New Hampshire primary by storm with a resounding 22-point win. Four years later, he's starting his second presidential bid battling Biden for frontrunner status, a far cry from an underdog. The "fringe" ideas he ran on in 2016   Medicare-for-all , debt-free college , and a $15 minimum wage   have been embraced by a number of his competitors. A recent Emerson College national poll put him ahead of Biden in the Granite State. Though Sanders is a clear frontrunner, the fact that it's so early means polls are still largely a test of name recognition, which he has a lot of from 2016. Plus, New Hampshire voters are famously fickle and prone to making up their minds at the last minute. Poll after poll shows vast majority of voters are still shopping around for a candidate to support. Sanders has set up massive expectations. The ultimate test for his campaign is if he can deliver. Sanders swept New Hampshire as an underdog. Now he's the frontrunner. Small, overwhelming white, and politically independent New Hampshire leaned heavily into Sanders's populist fervor in 2016. His massive rallies tapped into a raw energy full of resentment and distrust with the moneyed political establishment . Sanders, like Republican primary winner Donald Trump, appealed to New Hampshire voters who wanted to blow up the system and start over. Sanders didn't just win New Hampshire in 2016; he captured more than 152,000 votes, setting a new record in the state for the most votes received by any candidate, Republican or Democrat. "To get 150,000 votes in the New Hampshire primary is unbelievable," said Tad Devine, Sanders's chief strategist during his 2016 campaign. "That's really what launched him on the process that made him go all the way to California." Sanders's worst enemy in 2020 could be those high expectations. If he gets too comfortable and fails to win or come in a strong second in New Hampshire, it could badly weaken his candidacy. And he's the only Democrat in a massive field with a past record to be compared to. "He's cursed with the perception of the frontrunner," said Tom Rath, a Republican strategist in New Hampshire who advised Mitt Romney's 2012 campaign. "It sets certain expectations, both in New Hampshire and beyond, as to how he's going to perform, and you cannot take New Hampshire for granted." Bernieworld seems bullish on Sanders's 2020 odds, believing he needs to stumble badly in order to lose New Hampshire. They're already working to build a large grassroots operation driven by in-state volunteers, and have a notable advantage in the infrastructure from Sanders's previous campaign. "It's important to be here, it's important to build a volunteer network, it's important to talk to voters," said Joe Caiazzo, the New Hampshire state director for the Sanders campaign. "We're taking nothing for granted. We're going to fight for every vote; we're going to work hard every day." How things could go wrong for Sanders New Hampshire's college students and young voters helped put Sanders over the top in 2016, but he may not be able to rely on that support through 2020. With more than 20 candidates to choose from, voters are still shopping around. On a recent April morning, the lampposts outside the University of New Hampshire's student library had no Bernie stickers   just one for "Pete 2020." The young mayor of South Bend is in third place in New Hampshire, behind Sanders and Biden, according to the latest UNH Survey Center poll (which surveys the whole state, not just the campus). Buttigieg also tied Sanders for second place in a recent Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll of the state, both trailing behind Biden. Sanders is "last year's news a little bit. Democratic voters in particular like the new, fresh face," said University of New Hampshire pollster and political science professor Andy Smith. "Democrats fall in love, Republicans fall in line, and Bernie was last year's love, so to speak." Students at the University of New Hampshire, Keene State College, and Dartmouth College told me they are somewhat overwhelmed by their choices this cycle, and they aren't ready to pin their hopes on Sanders again. "It's not totally devoid of enthusiasm for him, but I'm pretty certain he's not the number one choice of our activists," said Michael Parsons, a student at Dartmouth College and executive director of Dartmouth College Democrats. Beyond students who belong to the Democratic Socialists of America and are sold on Sanders, many other young Democrats on campus are keeping their options open, Parsons said. There's another problem that could eat into candidates' support from young voters: a new state law passed by Republicans in 2018 that effectively prevents out-of-state college students from voting in New Hampshire elections. The law requires prospective voters to get a New Hampshire state driver's license and car registration before voting. Before, students had to prove they lived in the state by bringing their licenses and other proof of residency, like mail or records showing their on-campus address. Students and voting activists alike object to the new rules in the state, characterizing it as a "poll tax" that makes voting financially untenable for students who can't afford the fees for a new license and registration. The issue got some national attention recently , after Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) asked 2020 candidates to take a stand on the law. Sanders called it "cowardly" during a CNN town hall in Manchester. The state's newly Democratic-controlled legislature is trying to pass bills to reverse the changes, but those efforts are unlikely to get support from Republican Gov. Chris Sununu. College students and young voters ultimately may not matter too much in the primary   they are a smaller and less reliable bloc compared to older voters. Exit polls show Sanders also did well with middle-aged voters in 2016 , but potential problems in 2020 may lie more in the different makeup of the field. Sanders shouldn't assume that New Hampshire votes are still sold. He also hasn't traveled to the state nearly as much as Warren in 2020; since his initial launch there, he's returned just once for a CNN town hall. "I would be very cautious about saying he's a shoo-in or they should feel a level of confidence they will do as well as they would last time," said Smith. New Hampshire is also make-or-break for Elizabeth Warren Warren also enjoys broad support among the party's progressive wing and holds similar views to Sanders on taxing ultra-millionaires and billionaires to generate money for sweeping social programs. Warren has visited the state nine times since she launched her campaign, has hired a number of experienced New Hampshire political operatives, and is plotting an aggressive grassroots strategy in the state. With the tagline "Warren has a plan for that," the Massachusetts senator has also carved out a niche for herself as the policy machine of 2020, releasing sweeping and detailed progressive proposals   one after the other. Warren rolled out a plan to wipe away the vast majority of America's student debt and create debt-free college for public universities right before a CNN town hall in Manchester where college students filled the audience. Her plan would cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt for an estimated 42 million Americans. It comes with a hefty price tag   $1.25 trillion over 10 years   that she plans to pay for with the ultra-millionaire tax she introduced in January. Warren has recently enjoyed a slow but steady national polling bump that puts her third behind Biden and Sanders. She was just 4 points behind Sanders in that recent Suffolk poll. But she's still stuck in the middle and is currently polling fourth behind Sanders, Biden, and Buttigieg. It's still very early, and even though Warren is enjoying some momentum, that Suffolk poll of New Hampshire voters showed many are still worried she can't beat President Trump in a general election. "She is well known, and yet she doesn't seem to have the liftoff that she ought to given how comfortable she is here," Rath observed. But if Sanders stumbles for whatever reason, Warren could be in a prime position to snag voters who cast ballots for him in 2016. "I think it's more prudent at this point to keep an open mind about Warren," Scala said. "She certainly stands to be next in line for a good portion of the Sanders vote if Sanders ultimately fades."


The Houston Texans got back another receiver Saturday as receiver DeAndre Carter returned from the physically unable to perform list. The former Sacramento State product was thankful to return and start making his claim amid a competitive receiving corps that features determined veterans in Vyncint Smith, Chad Hansen, Jester Weah, and Steven Mitchell and hungry undrafted free agents in Tyron Johnson, Stephen Louis, Floyd Allen, and Johnnie Dixon. "Every year, every day you have to fight to make the team," Carter said. "We got a stocked receiver group. It's going to be hard to make this roster. I've got to go out and put my best foot forward every day like everybody else." Carter caught 20 passes for 195 yards for Houston in 2018 along with fielding 16 punts for 146 yards and returning nine kickoffs for 221 yards. The 5-8, 190-pound receiver is confident his skill set fits into the Texans' offensive scheme. "I think it fits very well," Carter said. "I think that's why I was able to come in and contribute the way I was. We got a great system here, a great quarterback. Coach [Tim] Kelly and coach [Bill] O'Brien do a great job with the offense. The scheme is great and I think it fits my skill set very well." Partly why it fits in well is because Carter is an insurance policy in case slot receiver Keke Coutee isn't as durable as hoped. In 2018, Coutee missed 10 regular season games with chronic hamstring problems, and Carter stepped in for seven of those games, starting in three, and filled in adequately for Houston. Still, Carter knows he is one of 12 receivers on the roster, and realistically one of nine battling for a spot on the 53-man roster. Carter has to daily battle for a roster spot. While the nature of sports is competition, according to Carter, pro sports is different than the collegiate level in terms of daily competition. Said Carter: "It's not really the same level. You're going to be there four years regardless. But here you have to bring that A-game every day. You follow my position, undrafted and everything like that, can't have too many bad days." As Carter now has the chance to practice and play for Houston, he can't afford to have any more missed days, let alone bad days, as he competes for a spot on the final roster. MORE: Four potential Carmelo Anthony landing spots in free agency Yankees' Brett Gardner gets ejected while sitting quietly, erupts on umpire Studs and duds from Packers' 28-26 win over Texans in preseason opener Studs and duds from Saints preseason opener vs. Vikings Not the strongest, not the fastest: How Jake Carlock is making Giant impression


Andre Iguodala knows how much longer he wants to play in the NBA. The Warriors forward said Tuesday that he doesn't have "four or five more years" left in the league. "I have a good idea how much longer I want to play," Iguodala told The New York Times . "I'm keeping it to myself, but it's going to be soon. I can play four or five more years. But I won't." The 2015 Finals MVP is 35-years-old and has been to five championship series in his six seasons with Golden State. The defensive specialist has hit his fair share of big shots for the two-time defending champions in that span, and some believe his contributions are worthy of a Hall of Fame induction when he calls it quits. "He chose us more than we chose him," Warriors president of basketball operations Bob Myers said of Iguodala. "We obviously met with him and wanted him, but they hung in there with us. Andre had a vision for what we could be maybe before we even did and how he could fit with us. I always credit Andre for being somebody that believed in us even before we believed in ourselves." This isn't the first time Iguodala has hinted at his impending retirement. The 15-year pro said his "career is almost over" ahead of this year's NBA Finals and was indecisive about what he'll do when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2020. "I could sign a one-year deal if I want to," Iguodala said. "That's the beauty of sense of self." The 6-7 wing is averaging 9.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in the 2019 playoffs. While his numbers don't jump off the stat sheet, he's continued to be clutch in critical possessions. His dagger 3-pointer at the end of regulation in Sunday's Game 2 matchup against the Raptors helped his team tie the finals up at 1-1. MORE : NBA trade rumors: Lakers, Knicks among teams expected to pursue Marcus Morris | Charles Barkley: Kevin Durant doesn't have 'the mental makeup' to play for Knicks Iguodala has been an important part of Golden State's success, and if he sticks to his word, he'll be retired by 2022 at the latest. Related slideshow: The 2019 NBA Finals (Provided by imagn)


Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a clear message on Tuesday: They are ready to test the limits of their budding military partnership in the Pacific. Here's what we know: Early on Tuesday, both South Korea and Japan scrambled fighters to respond to Russian and Chinese military aircraft flying a joint sortie through a region. Things escalated dramatically. According to South Korea, two Chinese H-6 bombers passed into Seoul's Air Defense Identification Zone, joined by two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff claimed they fired warning shots at a Russian A-50 command and control military aircraft that twice violated their airspace. Japan's Ministry of Defense backed up South Korea's claims, saying the A-50 intruded on Japan's airspace while the Russian and Chinese bombers flew around Japan. (The island area flown over in the incident is claimed by South Korea and Japan.) Moscow disputes Seoul's account, claiming that South Korean military jets dangerously intercepted two of its bombers over neutral waters. Later on Tuesday, after reports of the midair confrontations emerged, the Russian military said its aircraft had taken part in a "joint patrol" with Chinese long-range aircraft. So what, exactly, were Russia and China up to with this exercise? For starters, this was a test of a nascent military alliance between Moscow and Beijing. In a statement Tuesday afternoon, the Russian Ministry of Defense said the operation was the "first joint air patrol using long-range aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region" by Russian and Chinese forces. The joint patrols were conducted "in order to deepen and develop Russian-Chinese relations as part of the comprehensive partnership [between Moscow and Beijing], further increasing the level of interaction between the armed forces of the two countries, improving their ability to conduct joint actions, and strengthening global strategic stability," the statement said. The Russian-Chinese military partnership has already been flexing its muscles in the region. Last year, Russia kicked off what it described as the largest war games since the fall of the Soviet Union , joined by joined by thousands of troops from China and Mongolia. The drills, called Vostok 2018, kicked off during a bilateral meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the far eastern city of Vladivostok. Seven time zones ahead of Moscow, the city is Russia's base for projecting power in the Asia-Pacific Region, and Beijing has in recent years sent warships to the strategic port to participate in joint naval exercises. Putin also hosts an annual forum there meant to spotlight his country's economic pivot to Asia. Tuesday's fly-by, however, raises the stakes for the Russian-Chinese partnership. While the two countries have no mutual defense treaty as the US has with Japan and with NATO countries the exercises could be a test of what militaries refer to as "interoperability," or the ability of the Chinese and Russian militaries to operate together on a practical level. Moscow and Beijing have been steadily ramping up what he described as a "quasi-alliance," said Artyom Lukin, an international relations scholar at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. He described the incident as one designed to showcase their shared power, "sending a message to Tokyo, Seoul and Washington." "Frankly speaking, I was surprised when I read this news," Lukin said. "I didn't expect this action would be so bold and provocative." Putin enjoys a special relationship with Xi, and last month very publicly broadcast support for Beijing in its ongoing economic confrontation with Washington. Now, as the fallout continues from the midair fracas, the world will be watching to see whether Xi and Putin stand shoulder to shoulder in a military confrontation.


Adding to his recent comments , Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey chatted with reporters yesterday about his organization's upcoming deadline plans, as Dan Hayes of The Athletic was among those to cover ( subscription link ). While Falvey didn't signal a particular inclination to part with top prospect assets, he also made clear that the team wasn't taking anything off the table in advance. "We always have to be factoring all of the variables in the equation," said Falvey, "and I wouldn't rule out any particular asset we have in our organization." Falvey's previous comments seemingly hinted at a relatively modest slate of pursuits. He had indicated that any new acquisitions would be supplementary to the existing roster core. But the latest tea leaves leave more room to read in the possibility of relatively significant additions. The Twins obviously believe that they have a serious opportunity to make noise down the stretch and into the postseason. Falvey indicates that he sees the club as one of the top outfits in the American League. And he adds that owner Jim Pohlad is willing to boost spending to give the Twins "what we need" to improve down the stretch. Pohlad's own prior comments indicated that he was more inclined to dedicate payroll than to part with young talent. Even if the Twins aren't declaring any untouchables, they'll also be sure to explore every avenue before parting with players they think could one day be core assets. That's particularly true when it comes to trade targets that do not come with any future value. "Everything's about the cost of acquisition," Falvey explains. "Would we consider rentals? Certainly. But I would say that we obviously are going to be thoughtful about how much future value you're giving up for that type of asset. Some of the early focus might be more on longer-term, controlled players, but we're certainly going to look at the rental options, too." It's rather evident from the outside both that the Twins have a legitimate shot at a special season and that they're in need of some improvements. After dropping two of three in a competitive series with the powerful Yankees, the Minnesota club owns a two-game advantage over a rising Indians club that has owned the division of late. More than anything, the Twins could stand to add arms in multiple places. In particular, improving the high-leverage relief unit could make a big difference down the stretch and into a hopeful postseason run.


Charlotte will see a return of last week's warm temperatures as early as Thursday, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will turn warmer from Thursday to Monday, with a high of 87 degrees on Saturday. Also look for a chance of rain later in the week. The best chance of rain is predicted on Friday at 48 percent. Skies will be mostly cloudy today and partly cloudy Wednesday through Thursday. Winds will remain fairly calm through the week, with the highest speeds today at just 11 miles per hour. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Calling all beer snobs! The annual City Pages Beer Fest is back this Saturday, June 1, at The Shops at West End in St. Louis Park. You can try more than 40 brews at the festival, sample snacks from food trucks, and enjoy live music. Local beer makers will be at Beer Fest, including HeadFlyer, Insight, Lift Bridge and Wicked Wort. If you need a break from beer, coffee, kombucha, and whiskey vendors will be pouring drinks all afternoon. The event runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. VIPs can get in early at 3:30 p.m.


Blooper fell on to the mascot scene last winter to not-so-great reviews and in the time since has a lot to write about in his journal. His latest trick involving San Diego Padres shortstop Manny Machado has outdone them all. First, a recap of the mascot's affairs. He looks a lot like a certain rival to the north . There's a chance he's not allowed back at the Arizona Diamondbacks stadium after running on to the field and getting tackled by security . And he has no clue what "live hit" means for the Braves broadcasting crew . To his credit, the set-up of Machado was well executed. Blooper has a past with Machado, showing some irritation last fall when Machado didn't want to play . Now he has his ultimate revenge, planned out after a three-day excursion that could send Blooper retiring to wherever mascots enjoy. During the first game of the series, Blooper played dumb and let Machado pull the oldest trick in the book. Everyone sees this coming. Manny Machado pulls a fast one on Blooper. pic.twitter.com/JUdz9Mra2f   Cut4 (@Cut4) April 29, 2019 Blooper again played nice Tuesday, offering the star an innocent shoe shine. He almost got duped from a tip in the process. Poor Blooper. Thanks, Blooper! 😂 pic.twitter.com/hnkAwP9gfj   San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 30, 2019 That leads us into the final opportunity for Blooper to get his revenge before summer bears down. The mascot wanted an autograph from the star and had the perfect spot. Wait, did Manny Machado just sign over $300 million to Blooper? Why didn't we think of this? (Via @Padres ) pic.twitter.com/p3dPVlE97W   Yahoo Sports MLB (@MLByahoosports) May 1, 2019 Of all the things Blooper could have done, this seems tame (albeit, illegal). And perfectly set up to gain the ultimate prize without putting in the all-star work. Unlike his peers he didn't lose the team any money via a T-shirt gun misshap ; he actually made the squad some cash if he's willing to share and finds a bank that takes checks as large as his torso. He didn't take out any players, whether accidental or not, which seems fairly important for a mascot to avoid. Well played, Blooper. More from Yahoo Sports: Photo of Panthers' RB sets internet on fire Report: Chiefs' Hill called 911 after fiancee passed out Brown: Anaheim welcomes stranger in Guerrero Jr. Iole: MMA is better off without Brock Lesnar Related slideshow: Best of the 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


It wasn't the best week for Patrick Peterson . After being slapped with a six-game ban from the NFL, reports emerged that the cornerback wanted to restructure his contract in an attempt to lessen the financial blow from the suspension. (The Cardinals ultimately said no.) Predictably, the veteran came out and apologized for his actions. Peterson told ESPN's Josh Weinfuss on Thursday (via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com ): "Definitely, definitely sorry for what happened today. For the most part, I think you guys understand my character and also understand my commitment on and off the field and also to my teammates and also the Arizona Cardinals organization. That's why this is obviously very, very hard for me, because I've never been in this situation before and never wanted to have my name attached to anything like this. But I'm looking to move forward, put this behind me. "I want to thank my family, my teammates, the coaching staff, the Arizona Cardinals' community and also the organization. I'm looking forward to getting back Week Seven. I'm going to try to keep the smile on my face and getting back to being the best DB in the league." The suspension, a result of a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, will ultimately cost $3.88M and impact Peterson's remaining guarantees. The cornerback believed he could save at least $2M by adjusting his deal, but the Cardinals had no real incentive to oblige. As Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com points out, the front office will save that $3.88M in both cap space and cash. Furthermore, his 2019 salary is no longer guaranteed; if the organization wants to move on from the cornerback following his suspension, it can easily do so. It's been a tumultuous year for Peterson. The 28-year-old requested a trade back in October, but he proceeded to start all 16 games for the league-worst Cardinals. After recommitting himself to the organization, reports emerged last month that the player was not pleased with his team. Despite all the turmoil, Peterson continued to perform. He finished last season with 54 tackles, five passes defended and two interceptions. Pro Football Focus ranked Peterson fifth among 112 eligible cornerback candidates. Peterson is signed through the 2020 campaign thanks to the five-year, $70M-plus extension he inked with the club back in 2014.


#KawhiWatch 2019 is now into its third full day and the people of Toronto are as anxious as ever about the decision of their NBA Finals hero. Canadian media tracked the plane owned by Maple Leafs Sports and Entertaiment, the holding company which owns the Raptors, having taken off from Los Angeles earlier today and landing in Toronto . Leonard is believed to have already landed in Toronto, with several fans awaiting the supposed location of a meeting between the Raptors front office and Leonard . Leonard has already met with former Lakers president and Lakers legend Magic Johnson, to speak with him about why the Lakers didn't trade for him when he was with the Spurs and ask about whether he could have a LeBron-like influence on hiring the team's medical and training personnel . Kawhi has also reportedly met with the Clippers leadership of Steve Ballmer and Doc Rivers. Nobody quite knows what Leonard will do, but the Raptors can offer him the most money and years in a single contract. MORE: Kevin Durant calls 'BS' on Stephen A. Smith's explosive claims on First Take Kawhi Leonard Joining the Lakers According to Stephen A. Smith's Sources 'You don't know me like that': Kevin Durant, the Warriors and a toxic locker room Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


Edith Espinal spends her days praying, reading and, when feeling brave, taking short accompanied walks outside the Mennonite church in Columbus, Ohio, where she has been living for 21 months. Church leaders have been protecting Ms. Espinal, who crossed illegally into the United States more than two decades ago, while she fights a deportation order. But earlier this week, the church secretary handed Ms. Espinal a letter from Immigration and Customs Enforcement that said she had "willfully" refused to leave the country, had "connived or conspired" to prevent her deportation, and would owe the government nearly half a million dollars. "We don't have this amount of money," Ms. Espinal, 42, said Wednesday of the $497,777 bill. "I never imagined they'd send it to us." Sign Up For the Morning Briefing Newsletter Ms. Espinal was among several undocumented immigrants living in houses of worship who this week received similar notices, the latest measure taken by the Trump administration in its crackdown on illegal immigration. Citing the Immigration and Nationality Act, ICE officials said the agency has the right to impose civil fines, up to $799 a day, on undocumented immigrants who have been ordered removed, or who have failed to leave the country. Officials said the agency began issuing such notices in December, though it was not clear on Thursday how many had been sent. "ICE is committed to using various enforcement methods   including arrest, detention, technological monitoring and financial penalties   to enforce U.S. immigration law and maintain the integrity of legal orders issued by judges," said Carol Danko, an agency spokeswoman. Earlier this week, President Trump   who signed an executive order shortly after his inauguration that called on the Department of Homeland Security to collect all fines and penalties from anyone who had entered the country illegally   said that his administration would begin immigration raids after July 4. This week's batch of letters caught pastors and immigration activists by surprise, as houses of worship, like hospitals and schools, have generally been excluded from raids. At St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin, Tex., Hilda Ramirez Mendez also received a notice this week that she was under final order of removal and would be fined $303,620. She has been living for a while at the church with her 13-year-old son, whose special immigrant juvenile status application is pending. She was denied asylum in 2015, and although ICE initially allowed her to stay, her deferred action status was not extended in March, said her lawyer, Stephanie Taylor. "The Trump administration is trying to find a way to squeeze them out of the church, which is something I've never heard of before," said Ms. Taylor, who added that Ms. Ramirez does not have a criminal record. "She is terrified." In Charlottesville, Va., at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Maria Chavalan received notice that she would be fined $214,132. She has been living at the church since September, hoping to attain asylum as a member of a protected ethnic community in Guatemala. The Rev. Isaac Collins, the church's pastor, said customs officials had recently been ramping up "psychological pressure" in an attempt to force Ms. Chavalan, who does not have a criminal record and was ordered deported after missing a court date, to leave the church. Mr. Collins said Ms. Chavalan wears an ankle monitor that officials buzz late at night, and that she frequently receives calls to ask her where she is, even though she is tracked by GPS. "The idea is to make her feel unsafe, under surveillance," he said. "That's what the notice of intent to fine is meant to do." And in North Carolina, at Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship, Rosa Ortez Cruz, a mother of four, received a letter that said she would be fined $314,007. Ms. Ortez Cruz, 38, is in removal proceedings after an altercation with her then-teenage son led to misdemeanor criminal charges to which she entered an Alford plea, meaning she pleaded guilty but maintained innocence, according to her lawyers. She has been living in a church since last spring. "We are still in shock," said the church's pastor, Isaac Villegas. The undocumented immigrants have 30 days to respond to the ICE letters. Lawyers and activists in about seven states, from Utah to Texas to Virginia, said they were scrambling to collaborate on a coordinated response and were working to confirm how many other migrants living in houses of worship had received notices. Across the country, more than 40 immigrants are living in houses of worship, according to Church World Service, an organization that tracks the cases. Some lawyers said they were worried that the fines were part of a strategy by the Trump administration to target immigrant support systems. Earlier this year, a volunteer with No More Deaths , a ministry of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, faced felony charges for offering migrants water and food. The case ended in a mistrial, but federal prosecutors announced this week that they plan to retry the case in November. Others are looking at a legal strategy that would consider the fines as the "excessive fines" prohibited by the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. Representative Joyce Beatty, an Ohio Democrat who represents Ms. Espinal's area, called the fines "mean-spirited and heartless." She said she sent letters to Mr. Trump and the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday, asking them to rescind Ms. Espinal's fine and allow her to stay in Columbus. Senator Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, said that his office had been "ensuring the facts of her case were heard by the relevant federal agencies." For now, the deportation case against Ms. Espinal, whose asylum claim was denied in 2017, has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati. When Ms. Espinal left Mexico with her father in 1995 as a teenager, she was fleeing violence and abuse, said her lawyer, Lizbeth Mateo. "If she is removed, she will go back to a place where she is subject to abuse again; her life will be in danger," Ms. Mateo said, adding that Ms. Espinal does not have a criminal record. Inside Columbus Mennonite Church, Ms. Espinal, who is Roman Catholic, said she prays to the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint, for the strength and courage to keep fighting. She said she is part of a group of women around the country living in houses of worship who check in regularly with one another, asking about their children and how they're faring as they remain confined. Ms. Espinal says she looks forward to weekends, when her children come to spend the night and they watch movies together. Two of her three children are United States citizens, and her husband and third child also have asylum petitions pending, she said. "We are ready to do everything we need to do to keep my family together," she said on Wednesday, adding: "I don't know if I can do it by myself. When the community supports me, I feel stronger."


President Trump on Sunday morning attacked the New York Times for reports on unsafe and squalid conditions in migrant detention centers at the U.S. border with Mexico. "Friday's tour showed vividly, to politicians and the media, how well run and clean the children's detention centers are. Great reviews!" Trump tweeted Sunday following a visit to a facility near McAllen, Texas, by Vice President Mike Pence and several Republican senators. "Failing @nytimes story was FAKE! The adult single men areas were clean but crowded - also loaded up with a big percentage of criminals," Trump added, citing no evidence. Friday's tour showed vividly, to politicians and the media, how well run and clean the children's detention centers are. Great reviews! Failing @nytimes story was FAKE! The adult single men areas were clean but crowded - also loaded up with a big percentage of criminals...... - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019 Quoting Trump's tweet, the Washington Post's Josh Dawsey, who accompanied Pence and the senators to the facility, noted the men Trump referred to, kept in a chain-linked holding area, were forced to sleep on concrete and told him they had not showered in days and did not always have access to toothbrushes. "It was sweltering hot and the stench was horrific," Dawsey added. The men, crammed inside fences, were sleeping on concrete and said they hadn't showered in many days. It was sweltering hot and the stench was horrific. https://t.co/oAdFmb7Eh2 - Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) July 14, 2019 Trump has repeatedly defended conditions at border detention facilities, despite the Times' and others' stories, as well as a report by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, which warned of "dangerous overcrowding." Many of his allies have acknowledged poor conditions and blamed congressional Democrats.


After word broke last week that the Nets had reach agreements to sign Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to four-year, maximum-salary contracts, a follow-up report indicated that the two stars would take less than the max to accommodate DeAndre Jordan 's four-year, $40M contract with Brooklyn. That's still the case, but turning the acquisition of Durant into a sign-and-trade deal helped allow the Nets to give both of its new stars deals that could still be worth up to the max, via incentives. ESPN's Zach Lowe and Bobby Marks have the specific details on those contracts, explaining that each player has about $1M annually in incentives. Irving's are considered "unlikely" and don't currently count toward his cap hit, while Durant's are viewed as "likely" and are included in his current cap charge. Irving's contract, which has a fourth-year player option, as previously reported , has a base value of of $31,720,000 in year one, according to ESPN, which is $1M shy of Kyrie's max. The deal features eight separate incentives worth $125K apiece   they'll be worth slightly more in each of his future seasons as the value of the contract increases. He can earn $125K bonuses in 2019/20 for meeting the following benchmarks, for up to $1M in total: Appear in 70 or more regular season games. Commit fewer than 2.4 turnovers per game (must appear in 60+ regular season games). Attempt at least 4.6 free throws per game (must appear in 60+ regular season games). Shoot at least 88.5% from the free throw line. Make at least 2.8 three-pointers per game. Commit fewer than 2.1 fouls per game. Nets score at least 114 points per 100 possessions with Irving on the floor in the regular season. Nets allow fewer than 106 points per 100 possessions with Irving on the floor in the regular season. For more details on the odds of Irving (and the Nets) reaching those marks, be sure to check out ESPN's breakdown . As for Durant, his contract   which also features a fourth-year option, as previously noted   features simpler incentives. KD's likely $1M bonus will be earned if any one of the following four criteria are met, according to ESPN: The Nets make the playoffs. The Nets win at least 43 games. Durant appears in at least 50 games. Durant makes the All-Star team. Durant is expected to miss the entire 2019/20 season, so the last two benchmarks won't be possible, but the first two are very realistic possibilities. Depending on whether Irving and Durant reach their incentives this season, this year's cap hits could be retroactively adjusted. Future cap hits could also be altered, depending on whether those incentives are still considered likely or unlikely after 2019/20.


Michael Roberts ' complicated stretch continues. The tight end has now been traded, waived and claimed in a span of five days. With the Lions waiving Roberts after their trade with the Patriots fell through , he may have an opportunity in Green Bay. The Packers claimed the third-year tight end off waivers Monday, Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk notes . The Lions did not use an injury designation when waiving Roberts. He will join a more crowded tight end contingent with the Packers than he would have had with the Patriots. Jimmy Graham , Lance Kendricks and third-round pick Jace Sternberger reside on Green Bay's depth chart. The Packers also claimed tight end Pharoah McKever off waivers from the Jaguars recently. Roberts, 25, has 13 career receptions for 146 yards. The Toledo alum, who caught three touchdown passes last season despite playing in just eight games, retains practice-squad eligibility. Roberts suffered a shoulder injury that resulted in the former fourth-round pick finishing the 2018 season on IR.


The Houston Dynamo halted a three-game losing streak, defeating New York Red Bulls 4-0 at BBVA Stadium on Wednesday. Mauro Manotas struck for his seventh goal of the season shortly before halftime. Midfielder Tomas Martinez and forward Alberth Elis added three more in the second half to put away the Eastern Conference foe. Unable to capitalize on a handful of promising opportunities throughout the first 30 minutes of the match, Houston broke through in the 39th minute. In Houston's previous two games, Manotas, who entered the game as the team's leading scorer, had come off of the bench as coach Wilmer Cabrera gradually got his players back from personal obligations and international competition. ON TEXAS SPORTS NATION: Gold Cup matches a chance for Houston to make World Cup case In his first start in over a month, he put the team ahead. Martinez attacked from the midfield then passed the ball ahead to Elis on the flank. The Honduran hesitated to throw off his defender then broke toward the end line and crossed the ball across the mouth of the goal before Manotas jabbed it in for the go-ahead score. Ten minutes into the second half, the Dynamo burst forward on a fast break after winning possession near midfield. Manotas received the ball then paused to survey his options. He shipped a perfect through pass to forward Romell Quito who fought to get a step on his defender before Manotas's pass floated just over the defender to his feet. Quioto cut inside then squared a pass to Martinez at the top of the area but his shot was too strong and ricocheted off the crossbar. JEROME SOLOMON: Dynamo fan's birthday becomes big-time soccer event But his second chance came shortly after on an ensuing corner kick. Adam Lundkvist's kick into the box was headed away just outside the top of the area where it found Martinez, who whipped a long, skidding shot through a crowd of players into the corner of the net to double the lead. The Dynamo put the game out of reach in 72nd minute when Quioto crossed a pass to the opposite post towards Elis. The forward elevated and butted the ball to the ground where took a sharp bounce into the top of the net. In stoppage time, Elis broke loose then added one more when the goalkeeper made contact with his shot before it trickled into the net for a late-game brace. TEXAS SPORTS NATION: Get the newsletter for real sports fans sent directly to your inbox .