DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) shooting guard Jordan Hawkins committed to Connecticut over Notre Dame, Texas, Georgia, Wake Forest LSU and others. Hawkins wrote an exclusive blog for SI All-American to go in-depth about the thought process behind his decision.

Whats up world, this is Jordan Hawkins and I am officially committed to the University of Connecticut.

It feels good to be able to say that! For me, it was about how comfortable I felt there; me and my parents loved everything about it.

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We love Coach (Dan) Hurley and the staff and we loved how committed they were to helping me reach my goals!

One thing I shared with the staff was that I wanted to be in college for one or two years and they understood and committed to helping me develop to fulfill that goal and hopefully achieve my ultimate goal of reaching the NBA.

Making a decision is hard but making a decision in a pandemic is definitely tougher.

I didnt get the chance to make any visits. I have never been to Connecticut!

I know that this has become normal for a lot of guys in my position since all travel is shut down for recruiting. The good thing for me is that the coaches and the situation made it easy at the same time.

I just felt in my gut that this was the right move for me.

RELATED: 2022 Center Enoch Boakye Commits to Michigan State

When I called Coach Hurley and the other assistant coaches, he ran off camera when we were on FaceTime because he was so excited. Haha!

It just let me know how much I was wanted there, and that was a good feeling.

This is such a weight off my shoulders. This is the biggest decision of my life and it was hard on me, just having everyone constantly asking where Im going. I feel good to have it out of the way.

I definitely want to bring in some talented players with me, but weve got a lot of talent there already with guys like Andre Jackson. Then weve got (Rahsool) Diggins in my class, so weve got a lot of good guys, and Im confident that we can make a deep run when I get there.

OK, Ive got to get going, but I just wanted to go a little more in-depth for you guys about why I picked UConn.

Go Huskies!

Dont forget to follow Jordan Hawkins:

Twitter: @golive23

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The Jordan Hawkins Blog: This is Why I Committed to Connecticut... - Sports Illustrated

WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC4 News) A vigil is planned Saturday night for the four people, including a homeowner, who died when a plane crashed into a West Jordan home last month.

Three people inside the plane died in the July 25 crash, Lee Wyckoff 43, who was the pilot, is 9-month-old daughter Coral Wyckoff, and a passenger, Milda Shibonis, 36.

Mary Quintana, 72, who was inside her home when the plane crashed through it, died on July 27, two days after receiving critical injuries when the small plane, carrying six people, crashed just after leaving West Jordans South Valley Regional Airport.

Quintanas family, friends, and community said they will remember her as a wonderful woman and a fierce advocate for her son Chris, who has very specific struggles due to a traumatic brain injury.

In her obituary, Quintana was described as a classy lady with her high heels, earrings, and mauve lipstick. When she wasnt dressed to the nines, you could find her in either her garden or your garden.

Milda Shibonis was an attorney in Salt Lake City. On the companys website, Shibonis is described as being known for being a perfectionist in her work who fights for her clients and wont back down from a challenge.

In the crash, a 12-year-old girl walked away uninjured, a 2-year-old received critical burns and a 36-year-old woman, the wife of the pilot, was critically injured.

The vigil is planned for 7 p.m. Saturday at the soccer fieleds located at 7800 South 4000 West in West Jordan.

*ABC4 was unable to find obituary information for Lee or Coral Wyckoff. If anyone has information about their lives they would like to share, please email us at News@ABC4.com*

Originally posted here:

Vigil to be held Saturday for victims of West Jordan plane crash - ABC 4

By: Michael Bamberger August 6, 2020

Jordan Spieth, pictured at Harding Park this week, hasn't won since the 2017 British Open at Birkdale.

getty

Ed. note: Weve heard the chanting outside our windows, at odd hours of the day and night, so here it is: the fourth of eight installments of Bamberger Briefly, PGA Championship-style. Previous installments: player-caddie relationships; Tigers memoir; Tour players grips.

***

A myth of the business is that the sportswriter doesnt root and a clich of the business, borne in truth, is that the sportswriter roots for the story. A famous example of the latter would be the 1971 Masters, won by Charlie Coody, with Johnny Miller and Jack Nicklaus finishing second. You dont have to wonder what Dan Jenkins was thinking on that Masters Sunday afternoon.

I have been rooting for Jordan Spieth since before he turned pro, and will be rooting for him this week, at the PGA Championship at Harding Park. Im drawn to his honesty, his intelligence, his memory, the way he interacts with his family, fans, reporters, fellow players, the wacky things he does on the golf course, his light steps in deep rough.

Hes 27 and he already has three majors: the 2015 Masters, the 2015 U.S. Open and the 2017 British Open. If he wins this week, he becomes the sixth: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods. You may know that when Sarazen did it, there was no catchy name for the feat, but now there of course is: the career Grand Slam.

At last years PGA in May, at Bethpage Black Spieth finished in a tie for 3rd, miles behind the winner Brooks Koepka. A fellow reporter and golf nut, Jeffrey Toobin, and I followed Spieth there, up and down the Bethpage hills, with Spieths teacher, Cameron McCormick, at times a chip shot away and looking worried. Jeff was there on a busmans holiday. His main beat is the Supreme Court and national politics. (When he arrived at a club for a game a while back, a club employee recognized him and said with notable nonchalance, Slow news day?) Jeff, like me, is a Spieth-o-phile.

I asked Jeff the other day what it is about Spieth he liked so much. He said, I love watching him because he doesnt just talk to himself and his golf ball but because he seems to have intelligent conversations with both.

Thats good. Spieth famously talks to himself and his golf ball on the course. The opening line of a three-part sonnet entitled Softly, by Spieth and edited by Alan Bastable after the 2015 Masters, begins majestically with this line:

hit it wind hit it wind just a little bit just a little bit

But Toobins insight here is that Spieth has a relationship with his golf ball, that its a two-way street. In other words, Spieth has all manner of internal battles. We all do, of course. But not many world-class athletes will admit to these internal struggles.

After he won the 2017 Open at Birkdale, Spieth described the dialogue inside him as he seemed to be kicking away the tournament. Stuff goes into your head, he said on that Sunday night. I mean, we walked for two minutes, three minutes in between shots. And you cant just go blank. You wish you could, but thoughts creep in.

As it happens, Spieth has not won a tournament, of any kind, since then. You dont hear people talking about the magic synchronicity between Spieth and his schoolteacher caddie, Michael Greller, anymore. Something has happened to Spieths boyish ease.

Justin Thomas, his close friend and fellow member of the class of 93 (Thomas is three months older than Spieth), is, like Tiger Woods, a bachelor who lives in South Florida. They play a lot of golf together, at home and on the road. Jordan, married to his college girlfriend, is in faraway Dallas. He didnt make Tigers 2019 Presidents Cup team on points and he wasnt one of his four captains picks, either. Woods picked Tony Finau, Gary Woodland, Patrick Reed and, about a month before the event, Rickie Fowler, after Brooks Koepka pulled out with a knee injury.

I dont know how much that hurt Spieth, but I know how much it hurt me and I have a pretty good guess as to the pain Toobin endured, too. Jeff was trying to find hope for Spieth on the basis of his mans T-13 finish at the Memorial last month.

Were looking for this week to be even better.

Michael Bamberger may be reached at Michael_Bamberger@Golf.com

Michael Bamberger writes for GOLF Magazine and contributes to GOLF.com. He also participates in podcasts, primarily in tandem with Alan Shipnuck. Earlier in his career, he was a senior writer for Sports Illustrated for 23 years and a reporter on The Philadelphia Inquirer for nine years before that. He has written a half-dozen books about golf and other subjects. His magazine work has been featured in multiple editions of The Best American Sports Writing. He holds a U.S. patent on a utility golf club called the E-Club. In 2016, he was given the Donald Ross Award by the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the organizations highest honor.

Originally posted here:

Why Jordan Spieth is the most relatable (and likable) superstar in... - Golf.com

Former Hollywood publicist Amir Yass says he has had the sweetest experiences working with some of the highest-profile names in the industry. In fact, A-list celebrities like Michael B.Jordan, Donald Glover, Jennifer Lopez, and more are some of the most down-to-earth people in the business.

Yasss Corny-Ass Celebs Ive Worked For TikToks recounts his encounters working with a slew of stars ranging from getting love from the Kardashians at a red carpet event to comedian Nicole Byer who he describes as fabulous.

Although hes touched on some of his celebrity interactions on TikTok, Showbiz Cheat Sheet wanted additional details on his encounters and Yass was more than happy to spill.

Every day we would get pizzas delivered to his house for Michael Jordan, the basketball player, Yass recalls when he worked on actor Michael B. Jordans management team. People would like to prank him. Wed get a lot of fan mail from Japan especially, drawing pictures of Michael Jordan. So it was really funny, I loved going through the fan mail.

So I ended up kind of being like his right-hand man, Yass says. I was in my early twenties and was quite young, he was becoming more and more famous. He was quite gracious, I spent a lot of time in his house and he was moving. A lot of people dont know but managers help you move as well. But he was a really gracious, down to earth person.

Hed walk around the house in his boxers and no shirt on and he had that Creed body, he recounts. I was being professional, but he was very flirtatious as a person and he flirts with everyone. But he was very playful and his family lived with him. Yass also remembers Jordans BMW sustained a scratch and how Jordan stressed about the ding. We were in a meeting with like 15 people and Im like, Just buy a new car, you just got a $4 million check!' he laughed.

RELATED: Michael B. Jordan Said These 4 Movie Roles Led Him to Join the Protests: Are Creed and Killmonger Included?

Yass also says most celebrities dont carry cash when they go out. We went to a dinner and he ordered a bunch of stuff on the menu and I had to pay for it because a lot of A-list celebrities dont carry cash, he said. Actually, the manager pays. So I got reimbursed but I was getting paid like $10 an hour and I paid like $1,500 for dinner.

I did a celebrity photoshoot with J. Lo [actor/singer Jennifer Lopez], Yass says. I got to be on set with J. Lo. She was wonderful. It was a nine-hour shoot and she was so nice to everyone and so gracious. She wanted a bunch of candles and cold water. But she wasnt a diva or anything, she was absolutely wonderful.

Actor Donald Glover insisted on getting his own coffee. I didnt have a whole lot of interaction with him but just a couple of times, I remember he was like, Youre older than me, dont make me a coffee, Ill make it myself. He was very down to earth, Yass says.

RELATED: How Did Jennifer Lopez Get Her J.Lo Nickname?

He also recalls how Melissa McCarthy was extremely generous with her lifetime supply of chocolate. She has a lifetime supply with some chocolate company, he says. And she really didnt like chocolate so we always had chocolate in the office.

Yass is a huge Scheana Shay stan from Vanderpump Rules. Scheana is wonderful, he says. Shes really great, so gracious. She was at the opening at TomTom and was absolutely wonderful. Hes also so here for Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval, also from Vanderpump Rules. Schwartz especially, hes a cuddler, he will just come up and hug you, Yass says.

Another famous reality team he loved was Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. He worked with them when they were shooting the series The Simple Life. I did L.A. Fashion Week and they were walking in the fashion show, he says. So I had to be backstage with them. And they were like, Youre one hot b*tch! Everything youd want from them. Paris was like, I wanna put you in my pocket and walk around and youd just come out when I need you. They were just everything youd want from a celebrity.

RELATED: RHOBH: Former Publicist Recounts Nightmare Encounter with Erika Jayne (Exclusive)

Years later, he bumped into Richie. And she remembered me, she was like, Hi girl! Shes very nice, very friendly. And then when I was walking away she was like, Yas, hot b*itch!'

The rest is here:

Former Hollywood Publicist Dishes on Some of the Nicest A-List Celebrities Like Michael B. Jordan and Jennifer Lopez - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Another league legend has weighed in on the contentious NBA greatest of all time or GOAT debate.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson is riding with Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James as the best player in the history of professional basketball.

In an interview on the Fat Joe show, The Answer said that as much as he loves Michael Jordan, he views Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James as "the one."

"As much as I love Michael Jordan, man, LeBron James is the one," Iverson said. "He's the one, man. That motherf----- is the one."

A.I. is well-positioned to make a call between Jordan and James both of whom are universally regarded as two of the best players the NBA has ever seen after playing against both throughout his illustrious 17-year career. He faced Jordan 13 times between 1997 and 2003 the years in which their careers overlapped and recorded six wins. In the latter half of his time in the NBA, Iverson played against James 18 times and owned a 10-8 record.

Allen Iverson (left) drives past Michael Jordan during a 2002 NBA game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards. REUTERS/Jessica Persson

Iverson is not the first NBA icon to pick LeBron over Jordan in the age-old GOAT debate. Late last year, Magic legendary Los Angeles Lakers point guard Magic Johnson said James will probably be "the greatest that's ever played"if he wins a few more championships.

"For him to really catch Michael, it's that next two or three championships," Johnson said at the 29th Annual Achilles Gala in New York City. "If he could get a couple more championships, then he'll be probably the greatest that's ever played."

James is currently in the midst of his 17th year in the NBA, and the four-time NBA MVP is"playing as well as I've ever seen him play," according to Johnson. He, Anthony Davis, and the rest of the 2019-2020 Lakers clinched first place in the Western Conference with a 51-15 record, good for second-best in the league. James will pursue his fourth career NBA championship his first with the purple and gold from the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida.

Read the original post:

Allen Iverson: NBA's greatest of all time is LeBron James, not Jordan - Insider - INSIDER

DENVER -- Through reflection, Von Miller found motivation.

To understand his path of discovery, you have to first go the Pro Bowl on Jan. 26 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., before it became a bubble sanctuary for professional sports. Miller prepared for another enjoyable game, smiling, laughing, rushing, while not worrying about tackling.

Then the news clobbered the players. Kobe Bryant was dead at age 41, perishing in a helicopter accident in southern California.

"It kind of struck me hard. That started it for me," Miller said. "It was hard to believe it was real."

The fragility of life on his mind, Miller tested positive for COVID-19. It scared him, and affected his lifestyle. With the pandemic gripping the country and Miller recovering, there were no trips to the Kentucky Derby and Coachella, no filming of commercials.

"I really just thought about what can I do with all of this time? Man, I am going to train everyday as much as I possibly can. That's what I did," Miller said. "I kind of got lost in that."

His body changing physically -- he has added muscle in his upper body -- his mental focus followed after watching "The Last Dance" documentary on the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan. It forced a personal audit of last season, and Miller was not satisfied with the numbers.

"I asked myself, 'Hey, Michael Jordan was the best that ever played. Was I really making that commitment to the game? Was I really doing the same stuff he did?" Miller said Tuesday. "Kobe was one of the best to ever play. Was I doing the same things that Kobe was doing? Was I demanding more out of my teammates? Was I demanding more out of myself? I looked in the mirror, and I said I wasn't. I have just tried to change that."

It is a startling epiphany for a player entering his 10th season. At 31, years old, Miller boasts the type of resume that will land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When you are as good as him, seasons are measured in All-Pro honors and Super Bowl berths. Neither came last year as the Broncos suffered their third straight losing season for the first time since drought of 1963-72. Miller finished with eight sacks, his lowest total since 2013.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio mentioned last week that Miller was "hungrier" than in years past.

Miller's offseason provided a road map to his goals. Von read Bryant's book, "The Mamba Mentality: How I Play." He dissected Jordan's relentlessness.

"They would never ask their teammates to do something they wouldn't do themselves," Miller said. "I want my teammates to say things about me that they said about them."

These are legacy players who possessed the type of drive that danced between unhealthy and obsession. Miller has rolled up his sleeves in the past, his Quadzilla legs a testament to his training. But he's never dug deep into his own psyche or his way of interacting with teammates. Miller has always acted as caulking in the locker room, connecting guys at all positions with his outgoing personality.

This sits in juxtaposition to Kobe and Jordan, who were not remembered for making friends and keeping peace.

I asked Von if it was realistic to believe he could lead in this fashion, challenging players until they are uncomfortable.

"I might be 31 years old and year 10, but it's never too late to change. I have identified the leader I was before wasn't getting it done. It wasn't leading us to the right direction where we needed to be fast enough," Miller said. "I have to change, I have to demand more out of my teammates. But at the same time, I have to love on my teammates and let them know I appreciate them."

Therein lies the balance. Demanding respect while not losing yourself. Miller plans to talk with DeMarcus Ware and Peyton Manning, seeking advice. This is a crossroads season for Von, who has a club option for 2021, the last season of the contract he signed following his Super Bowl 50 MVP performance.

"I felt like I was a great leader before, but I shied away from being the No. 1 leader. Pressure is privilege," Miller said, explaining how his position has evolved. "To have that pressure to lead us to dominance, to lead us to Super Bowls, I want that pressure."

More here:

Inspired by Kobe and Jordan, Von vows to lead differently - The Denver Channel

Kyles update, 9:50 a.m.: Its official

The San Francisco 49ers today announced they had signed DL Dion Jordan to a one-year deal.

The Miami Dolphins originally drafted Jordan (6-6, 275) in the first round (third overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Throughout his seven-year career with Miami (2013-16), the Seattle Seahawks (2017-18) and Oakland Raiders (2019), he has appeared in 50 games (four starts) and registered 82 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and five passes defended. Last season with Oakland, he appeared in seven games and finished with five tackles, 2.0 sacks, and one pass defensed.

A 30-year-old native of Chandler, AZ, Jordan spent five years (2008-12) at the University of Oregon. He appeared in 45 games (25 starts) at Oregon, where he transitioned from tight end to defensive end and finished his career with 121 tackles, 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two passes defended. As a senior in 2012, Jordan made 12 starts and registered 44 tackles, 5.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pass defensed while earning First-Team All-Pac-12 honors.

On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers hosted two pass rushers. One, Ziggy Ansah, was familiar with defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. Usually, fans will want to sign the bigger name. The other pass rusher, Dion Jordan, was more productive in 2019 on a smaller sample size. Wednesday morning, NFL Networks Ian Rapoport reported that the San Francisco 49ers are expected to sign Jordan, who finished with a couple of sacks last season and 13 pressures on 125 snaps. Jordans pass-rush productivity was 7.1 compared to Ansahs 4.8. Jordan ranked 45th out of 123 edge rushers in PFFs PRP rating.

After Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Dee Ford, the 49ers didnt have any established pass rushers behind the trio. The production fell off a cliff once both Ronald Blair and Damontre Moore went down with season-ending injuries last season, so bringing in someone who has experience in the league and as a productive pass rusher made sense for San Francisco. Id expect Jordan to play more than 145 snaps, the amount he played with the Raiders last season, in 2019. The team will want to monitor Fords snap count as the season goes along to ensure hes healthy for the playoffs. With Blair on the PUP list, there was no reliable threat to get after the quarterback that was on the bench. Jordan is a quality depth signing. The Athletics Dave Lombardi tweeted that the 49ers dropped one sack per game without Blair or Moore available in 2019. Thats significant and gives the Niners even more of a reason to bring in someone with experience.

Jordan has battled some personal demons. As recently as last year, Jordan had to sit out 10 games for violating the PED policy. Jordan took Adderalla drug he was previously approved forbut admitted that his most recent suspension was different than his first three. Jordan, who has been sober for three years, also said his injury history is a thing of the past as well in the article. Hes 66, 273 pounds with eight percent body fat. This could turn out to be one of those low-risk, high reward depth signings that look great in a few months.

See the article here:

49ers free agency: 49ers are expected to sign pass rusher Dion Jordan - Niners Nation

Before officially launching in a new Royal colorway next month, the Air Jordan 14 is already thinking about its plans of action for the year 2021. Approximately one year from now in the Summertime, the Tinker-designed silhouette will deliver a brand new colorway that mingles together that of both neutral and multi-colored elements.

Based off of this mock-up by @zsneakerheadz, it appears that a majority of its look will be dependent on darker bases that integrate Particle Grey bases with stark black overlays along the rear and forefoot. The mid-foot plate is where the multi-toned accents could be present, perhaps offering a shimmery iridescent look and feel similar to that of the Doernbecher 14s from 2019. Stay tuned as we collect more images and information surrounding this release, and expect them to eventually hit Nike.com and select retailers for $190.

Elsewhere in the sneaker world, the Simpsons x Vans collection has been revealed.

Air Jordan 14 Black/Particle GreyRelease Date: Summer 2021$190Color: Black/Particle Grey/Multi-Color/WhiteStyle Code: 487471-001

Source: @zsneakerheadz

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Air Jordan 14 Black/Particle Grey Is Scheduled To Arrive In Summer 2021 - Sneaker News

At a time when we crave good news, the giant panda is a beacon of environmental optimism. Since becoming an icon for the conservation movement in the 1980s, 67 panda reserves and countless wildlife corridors have been created in the bamboo forested mountain ranges of central China. The most recent census suggests all that effort has paid off. There are 1,864 pandas living in the wild today, up from 1,000 in the late 1970s.

But in a new study, researchers discovered that whats good for the panda may not necessarily be good for the rest of the ecosystem. After studying images from camera traps over ten years, they found that large carnivores the leopard, snow leopard, wolf and dhole (an Asian wild dog) have retreated from where giant pandas have thrived. Their numbers appear to have fallen significantly in these panda reserves, and the researchers note that the wolf and dhole may be functionally extinct within them, while the tiger has already been driven to extinction here. Panda conservation doesnt appear to be benefiting other species, or the wider ecosystem.

These findings shake the foundations of one of conservations most enduring ideas that investing time and money into protecting particular large, influential species can pay dividends for the other species and habitats they coexist with. In the aftermath of that revelation, what do we really know about how to protect ecosystems and save wildlife from extinction?

Single species conservation was the dominant idea during the latter half of the 20th century. Conservation groups and governments identified particular species in need of urgent help and used their images to raise public support to help save them from extinction.

The poster children of this approach were the giant panda and the tiger. Both of which have been success stories, for the target species at least.

But while lavishing these charismatic species with attention and resources, this approach tends to overlook less attractive species, such as worms, despite them potentially having more ecological value.

Today, conservationists place much greater emphasis on protecting ecosystems and entire landscapes. The logic being that you can more effectively maintain an areas ecology if you treat it as a functional system.

A useful analogy is to compare an ecosystem with an organism, such as the human body. Each is made up of many working systems, whose roles are maintained by species in the case of the former, and organs in the latter.

A respiratory system needs healthy lungs, but both depend on the rest of the bodys systems. The lungs need healthy arms and legs to find and collect nourishment. The digestive system needs to be able to process that food to unlock the nutrients for the rest of the body, while the circulatory system needs to transport them to the lungs so they can do their work to keep the organism alive.

Alternatively, replace our organism with an aeroplane. For the aeroplane to fly and land safely, all the components need to work. If an engineer only maintains one component, like the engine, and ignores the wings, wheels and navigation system, the flight is going to end badly.

The lesson from both analogies is that all components and the roles they perform are necessary for keeping the whole functional and healthy. An aeroplane may only tolerate the loss of so many rivets, before losing one thats vital, or losing enough to cause mechanical breakdown. Losing the function of one organ can cause multiple systems to fail within the body.

Focusing on a single species in conservation isnt necessarily wrong, though. A focal species can act as a flagship, an ambassador that raises support (and money) for conservation of an entire area. Pandas are very good at this.

But there are also umbrella species. For example, beavers modify their habitats so extensively that they create numerous niches for other species to occupy. In that sense theyre like an umbrella, that if protected, will provide shelter for other species.

So why did panda-targeted conservation fail to revive populations of large carnivores in central China? Well, a pandas habitat requirements are small compared to a wolfs or a leopards, and the threats facing them in the wild are very different. Pandas are also famous for their specialised diet a carnivore turned herbivore and so their needs differ greatly from your average large predator. Put simply, a habitat catered to sedate, bamboo-munching pandas isnt likely to help a nomadic, meat-loving leopard.

Read more: How conserving nature's 'umbrella' species could benefit whole habitats

Large carnivores dont have it easy worldwide. They need large areas of suitable habitat and lots of prey. In most areas they once occupied, humans have destroyed habitat, removed native prey species and killed large carnivores by gun, trap or poison, either because they hunt livestock or because they are seen as a danger.

The tiger is one of the few large carnivores whose populations have increased in recent years. India has seen its tiger population grow by a third since 2014. Considering the challenges of coexisting with these large predators animals that occasionally kill humans this success is impressive.

Indias approach to tiger conservation prizes tolerance, education and working closely with the communities that live alongside this species above all else. Part of that education is recognising the tiger as just one part of the ecosystem, all of which needs protection.

What the panda study tells us is that we cannot assume a flagship species will also be an umbrella species. While individual species are important, some are more important than others for maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Read more from the original source:

Giant panda conservation is failing to revive the wider ecosystem new study - The Conversation UK

On August 4, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee (Committee) held a public meeting (Meeting) by video conference. The Meeting was prompted by the Committees recognition that businesses need capital to grow and survive, yet many underrepresented founders, including minorities and women, struggle to access investor capital, which impacts opportunities to grow their businesses. During the Meeting, the Committee heard from five underrepresented founders and investors of small businesses on their experiences and perspectives on capital raising and subsequently discussed ways to enable a more inclusive capital formation ecosystem. In the first in a series of alerts that will discuss diversity and inclusion issues in the investment management space, we take a close look at the Committees discussion and proposed recommendations for the SEC.

The Committee was established by the SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2016 pursuant to Section 40 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Committee was designed to provide advice and recommendations on SEC rules, regulations and policy matters relating to small businesses and has adopted seven recommendations to date. The Committee, currently consisting of 20 members of various expertise and backgrounds, holds quarterly meetings which are open to the public.

The Committee began the Meeting by presenting statistics on minority-owned businesses and investors. Since 2007, there has been an increase of almost 40% in the number of minority-owned businesses. However, minority-owned businesses start with almost three times less overall capital when compared with new White-owned businesses, which disproportionately impacts profitability of minority entrepreneurs. Among businesses that are backed by venture capital, 77% are White founders, while there are 1% Black, 2% Latinx, 2% Middle Eastern and 18% Asian founders. On the investor side, only 5.3% of angel investors are minorities while women make up 29.5% of angel investors and 11% of venture capitalists across the industry.

Data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small business owners show that small businesses owned by minorities were disproportionately impacted. Compared to an overall decline of 22% of small businesses between February and April of 2020, there was a 26% decline in women-owned businesses, 41% decline in Black-owned businesses, 32% decline in Latinx-owned businesses and 26% decline in Asian-owned businesses.

The Committee heard from five underrepresented founders and investors who shared their experiences and perspectives on capital raising and support for underrepresented founders. The speakers included CEOs and founders with experience in software development, wealth creation platforms, the venture capital industry and seed acceleration.

Drawing on the speakers perspectives as well as the Committees expertise, the Committee discussed potential regulatory solutions to enable a more inclusive capital formation ecosystem. The discussion included the need to:

After the discussion, the Committee unanimously voted on a resolution to submit the following observations and recommendation to the SEC:

The Committee recognized that this was just a starting point and that changes to the capital raising ecosystem will require long-term structural changes. The Committee expressed desires to continue discussing ways to improve capital formation participation for underrepresented founders in its future meetings. The next meeting of the Committee is set for August 8, 2020.

We agree with the Committee that in the midst of the recent renewed focus on racial injustice and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is an opportune moment to push for equality in the capital formation ecosystem. We are enthusiastic about the Committees efforts to allow underrepresented founders equal access to capital and to increase diversity among investors and fund managers. We will continue to monitor developments in SEC rules and regulations that would impact capital formation for small businesses and underrepresented founders and would promote a more diverse and inclusive financial industry.

2020 Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. All Rights Reserved.National Law Review, Volume X, Number 220

Continue reading here:

Diversity & Inclusion in Capital Formation - The National Law Review

The Harlem Tech Summit announces that the 2020 edition will be held on August 12, when a community of tech and business leaders will showcase Harlems emerging tech ecosystem while promoting a more inclusive future.

Blacks and Hispanics make up around 80% of the population in Harlem but only have access to 6.4% of loaned capital. With 54% of Harlems population being women, some 24% of its residents have access to only .2% of raised capital, according to the Harlem Tech Fund.

Founded by Derrick Lewis and Eddie Cullen, the Harlem Tech Summitwill look to address strategies to promote more inclusion for marginalized communities, and the event will be the first in a series of national tech summits put on by the Impact USA Group.

Communities who have been historically marginalized are not accepting the status quo anymore Derrick Lewis

At the Harlem Tech Summit we recognize that our society is facing unprecedented challenges, said Lewis, in a statement to the press.

Communities who have been historically marginalized are not accepting the status quo anymore.

All leaders need to review their strategies now, and to collaborate to find the right solutions to create more inclusive environments in the times ahead, he added.

With free admission, the Harlem Tech Summit will be held both virtually and in-person at the Harlem Collective.

The event will count on the participation ofmultiple stakeholders, including notable tech industry professionals who will share their ideas, experiences, knowledge, and resources with the Harlem community.

Notable speakers include:

The conference aims to support Harlems emerging tech ecosystem while highlighting innovations and best practices for integrating technology in the Harlem community.

When we bring our national community together, the skys the limit. We can accomplish anything Eddie Cullen

It is time we change the narrative for an inclusive future, said Co-Founder Cullen.

In order to achieve change, we must have actionable economic outcomes. When we bring our national community together, the skys the limit. We can accomplish anything, he added.

The Harlem Tech Summit will be held from 9AM to 5PM Eastern Standard Time on August 12.

Collaborating partners for the event include Purdue University, Univision, The Harlem Collective, NYC/EDC, Harlem Capital Partners, the Universal Hip Hop Museum, Cadre, Work School, Planet FWD, SAM, Common Good, Pastors Walk Enterprises, America Media, Knowledge House, and Hillcrest Venture Partners.

The Impact USA Group was founded by Lewis and Cullen in January, 2019 as adevelopment firm for modern social, educational and economic initiatives.

Both Cullen and Lewis recently signed a joint pledge to supportentrepreneurs that are building impact companies that address the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.

The joint pledge was launched by the worlds largest pre-seed startup accelerator, the Founder Institute.

Founder Institute unveils joint pledge to support entrepreneurs building impact companies for UN SDGs

Continue reading here:

Harlem Tech Summit to showcase emerging ecosystem while promoting a more inclusive future - The Sociable

Mercedes-Benz is employing a new digital production system in Tuscaloosa which it looks to implement throughout its auto plants around the globe.

MO360 uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology, along with artificial intelligence, to give the most thorough, up-to-the-minute data picture of what is going on in vehicle production, company officials say.

Its all about data, Jrg Burzer, member of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for production and supply chain management, said. We can already see high efficiency gains on the assembly lines.

MO360, which is already partially in use at more than 30 plants around the world, is described as a digital ecosystem using hardware and software. The new Factory 56 in Sindelfingen, Germany, which will open in September, is employing the full system. The idea is to use a platform that will track the production of individual vehicles on the line, providing real-time numbers, with the simplicity of a smart phone app.

It does this using a single control software language - Integra - from sensors up to production control.

All teams systematically utilize continuous feedback from production to optimize and enhance the digital tools, Jan Brecht, chief information officer for parent company Daimler and Mercedes-Benz, said. All teams systematically utilize continuous feedback from production to optimize and enhance the digital tools.

For example, the system keeps an eye on production and control issues. If a problem develops on the production line, the systems artificial intelligence can look at the problem, comparing it with comparable information from other plants, and propose a solution to workers on the line.

AI is not magical, Michael Goebel, president and CEO of MBUSI, said. AI is basically the recognition of patterns in a large amount of data. We gather data from all quality-related incidents, and AI can find similar patterns in the past and deduct the proper step to alleviate that problem. Its not just drawn from the individual experience of one person. The algorithm can draw on experience from all plants.

Other aspects of MO360 include repairing or replacing equipment and improving logistics between plants. One other facet of the program is the paperless factory, where information, including quality inspections, is given in digital form. The company estimates that this will save 10 tons of paper a year at the Sindelfingen factory alone.

Goebel said parts of the system, such as digital shop floor management, have already been implemented in the Tuscaloosa County plant.

The system can also be eventually integrated into auto suppliers. Mercedes-Benz believes the system will increase production efficiency by more than 15 percent by 2022.

We are ensuring the complete digital support of each member of the production staff, Burzer said.

Read more:

Mercedes-Benz production system MO360 working in Tuscaloosa - AL.com

The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing non-profits to reinvent their interventions and business models at lightning speed, and many donors, philanthropists, foundations and corporate social investors are rising to the challenge and supporting them ad-hoc. But when the dust settles, the humanitarian sector will need to take strategic steps to restore and strengthen its capacity to contribute effectively to a post-Covid world.

When the sector turns its attention to rebuilding, an important part of the way forward will be revisiting how to create systems change. When grantmakers, investors and donors review how Covid-19 has affected their partners and grantees operating models, as well as their ability to deliver impact, liquidity and solvency, it will become clearer than ever that viewing social change from a simplified perspective is insufficient.

To create, support and maintain systems change will require funders to invest in organisations that act on different levels, including direct service delivery, research into new solutions, innovating to take advantage of technological opportunities, capacity building and advocacy. Indeed, starting now, all actors in the sector need to begin thinking about what a vibrant, post-Covid-19 humanitarian ecosystem could look like; which actions are conducive to rebuilding it; and how to finance its different elements, including innovation, research and development, capital investment and operating support.

The sector will also need to revisit its legitimacy. Even before the pandemic, there were many critical voices about the efficacy of the sector, which many influential voices called unaccountable, non-transparent, donor-directed, perpetual and tax-subsidised.

Going forward, the sector will need to demonstrate the value it delivers much more clearly, as well as show greater transparency and prove that it is using scarce resources effectively to drive measurable impact.

The big redesign

When the emergency stage of Covid-19 has passed, the sector will face massive additional social need, depleted government coffers, a reduction in donations and additional uncertainty in financial markets. However, the rebuilding also offers four opportunities that - if approached holistically and strategically - can enhance the vitality and resilience of the entire humanitarian ecosystem.

These opportunities include rethinking financial incentives, improving transparency, investing in technology and taking collaboration to the next level.

Although the sector is still responding to the emergency, it has become critical for all of us to start preparing to rebuild. There are eight things the ecosystem can do collectively to lay the groundwork for integrated sustainable socio-economic development.

By optimising the conditions that contribute to sustainable development, by taking advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead, by restructuring outdated financial models and ineffective interventions, by leveraging technology for development, by being more transparent and accountable for our work and by backing the next generation of forward-thinking leaders with the right resources, we can ensure the humanitarian sectors future survival.

About the author

Reana Rossouw is the owner of Next Generation a specialist consultancy that assist organisations to achieve high impact through social innovation that leads to sustainable and shared value.

Read the original here:

Rebuilding the humanitarian ecosystem in South Africa - Next Generation - Bizcommunity.com

Ample Market Research has added a detailed study on the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market which provides a brief summary of the growth trends influencing the market. The report also includes significant insights pertaining to the profitability graph, market share, and regional proliferation and SWOT analysis of this business vertical. The report further illustrates the status of key players in the competitive setting of the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market, while expanding on their corporate strategies and product offerings.

Further, the report also takes into account the impact of the novel COVID-19 pandemic on the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market and offers a clear assessment of the projected market fluctuations during the forecast period.

The research study concisely dissects the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market and unearths valuable estimations pertaining to the profit projections, market size, sales capacity, and numerous other crucial parameters. Also, the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market report appraises the industry fragments as well as the driving factors impacting the remuneration scale of this industry.

The report is an exhaustive analysis of this market across the world. It offers an overview of the market including its definition, applications, key drivers, key market players, key segments, and manufacturing technology. In addition, the study presents statistical data on the status of the market and hence is a valuable source of guidance for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Additionally, detailed insights on the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and market shares for key vendors are presented in the report.

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Competition landscape

-Business Strategies of Leading and prominent market players in COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem.

-Product offering and development analysis.

-Market share & positioning analysis.

-SWOT analysis of the prominent market players.

-Industry-wide business strategies and trends.

Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers: Chubb Limited, AmTrust International Underwriters, Pitzi, Asurion, Conecta, American International Group, Inc., GoCare Warranty Group, Brightstar Corporation, Apple Inc., Assurant.

The COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market has been segregated into various crucial divisions including applications, types, and regions. Each market segment is intensively studied in the report contemplating its market acceptance, worthiness, demand, and growth prospects. The segmentation analysis will help the client to customize their marketing approach to have a better command of each segment and to identify the most prospective customer base.

Market Analysis By Applications:

Mobile Operators, Device OEMs, Retailers & Others

Market Analysis By Type:

Physical Damage, Theft & Loss, Others

Market Analysis By Regions:

North America (Covered in Chapter 7 and 14), United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe (Covered in Chapter 8 and 14), Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia

Some important highlights from the report include:

-The relevant price and sales in the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market together with the foreseeable growth trends for the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market are included in the report.

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-The report also covers the industry concentration rate with reference to raw materials.

-The report also suggests considerable data with reference to the marketing channel development trends and market position. Concerning market position, the report reflects on aspects such as branding, target clientele and pricing strategies.

-Impact Analysis of COVID-19 on COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market

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Reasons for Buying this COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Report:

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To conclude, the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market report will provide the clients with a high-yielding market analysis assisting them to understand the market status and come up with new market avenues to capture hold of the market share.

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Major Points Covered in TOC:

Overview: Along with a broad overview of the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market, this section gives an overview of the report to give an idea about the nature and contents of the research study.

Analysis on Strategies of Leading Players: Market players can use this analysis to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors in the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market.

Study on Key Market Trends: This section of the report offers a deeper analysis of the latest and future trends of the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market.

Market Forecasts: Buyers of the report will have access to accurate and validated estimates of the total market size in terms of value and volume. The report also provides consumption, production, sales, and other forecasts for the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market.

Regional Growth Analysis: All major regions and countries have been covered in the report. The regional analysis will help market players to tap into unexplored regional markets, prepare specific strategies for target regions, and compare the growth of all regional markets.

Segmental Analysis: The report provides accurate and reliable forecasts of the market share of important segments of the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market. Market participants can use this analysis to make strategic investments in key growth pockets of the COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem market.

You can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report versions like North America, Europe or Asia or Country like US, UK, China and other.

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Our end goal is to provide quality market research and consulting services to customers and add maximum value to businesses worldwide. We desire to deliver reports that have the perfect concoction of useful data.

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COVID19 Outbreak Mobile Phone Insurance Ecosystem Market Projected to Garner Significant Revenues by 2025 - Levee Report

Away from its initially divisive UNION LA collaboration, the Air Jordan 4 has had one of the more celebrated release rosters of 2020. And scheduled to join said catalog on August 14th is the kids-exclusive White/Lemon Venom/Pink Blast option.

As with Mays Metallic Pack, this forthcoming Jordan 4 sets the stage for its eye-catching accents with a White base. Hardware, overlays, and mesh construction, however, indulges not only in either vibrant Lemon Venom and Pink Blast hues, but also in semi-transparent makeups (Grade School size only). Jumpman logos on the tongue and heel boast pink and white palettes, respectively, while their upside-down AIRJORDAN co-star behind the tongue has each letter alternate between the pairs highlighter-reminiscent colors. Underfoot, sole units maintain a tonal White arrangement thats slightly interrupted by coral-colored branding on the tread.

Enjoy official images of the kids Jordan 4 Lemon Venom here below, as you wait for pairs to hit Nike.com on August 14th.

In other confirmed Jordan release dates, the Jordan 3 Laser Orange is scheduled to launch for women and kids on August 21st.

Air Jordan 4Release Date: August 14th, 2020$140/$80/$60Color: White/Lemon Venom/Pink BlastStyle Code: CV7808-100 (Grade School)Style Code: CV7809-100 (Pre-School)Style Code: CV7807-100 (Toddler)

Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.

Where to Buy

Read more:

Official Images Of The Kids-Exclusive Air Jordan 4 Lemon Venom - Sneaker News

West coast boutique UNION LA surprised suddenly with their Air Jordan 1s quite a bit back, both colorways replete with vintage ethos. For Fall/Winter 20, the imprint is following up their previous set with not just two but four different pairs for release at the end of August. From their duo of Air Jordan 4s to their Jordan Zoom 92 and Jordan Delta Mid, the Sophomore Album as they call it delivers a theme still retro-inspired and filled to the brim with Chris Gibbs personal touch.

The undisputed helm of the entire collection, the two Air Jordan 4s effectively retrace past ideas with new additions. Off-Noir, as a visual mirror of the aforementioned AJ1, brings the same palettes of black, white, red, and blue with a material composition plush and like that of Birkenstock sandals as Gibbs states. Its vibrant complement, the Guava, takes the same color story and dials it to a neon 11 the upper masked in bright pink while the accents adjacent mix in more saturated shades along with pastel blues and vintage yellowing. But while their palettes are significantly loud, the structural details are far more interesting as the tongue is loosely stitched down for a shorter look while the paneling adds an extra element for a profile unique to UNION themselves.

Then, though left out of previous leaks, the Jordan Delta Mid arrives as a tweaked replication of the Off-Noir pair. Blues dress the collar as black neutrals dye the majority, while subtler details deliver muted orange branding and red contrast stitch as well as heel counter panels. React foam ushers in the silhouettes attention to technical improvement while the general aesthetic is all UNIONs own doing. In a similar vein, the Jordan Zoom 92 reflects Guava in its choice of presentation everything translated to the Frankensteind silhouette via its eye stay molds, tooling, layered paneling, and the like.

Grab a detailed look at the entire set of footwear here, and with much more on the way, expect quite a large launch come August 29th.

UNION LA x Air Jordan Sophomore Album Release Date: August 29th, 2020

Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.

Where to Buy

Read this article:

Union Los Angeles And Jordan Collaborate On Four Shoe Collection - Sneaker News

Fall 2020, as teased by Jordan Brand only a few months ago, is poised to be one of the more eventful seasons in terms of its releases a set that includes the Air Jordan 3 in its raw denim inspired form, the revival of the Air Jordan 1 CO.JP, and even the ever-luxe, womens exclusive Air Jordan 1 Satin Red. A nod to the far and relatively recent past, the pair takes satin, faux snakeskin, and the beloved Black Toe colorway and delivers an offering nearly brand new. Bright red overlays are coated in the high quality fabrication from the toe cap to the eye stay and collar while the underlying base prefers a neutral white smooth leather. Black heel counters, ankle flaps, and swooshes then contrast with the reptilian texture, adding further dimension to an already tweaked homage. Grab a yet another look at these here and expect a release to arrive at Nike SNKRS and select retailers come August 6th.

In other news, the Air Jordan 5 Bel-Air should be arriving soon as well.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG WMNS Satin RedRelease Date: August 6th, 2020$170/$80/$60Style Code: CD0461-601 (Womens)Style Code: CU0449-601 (Pre-School)Style Code: CU0450-601 (Toddler)

Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.

Where to Buy (After-market)

Where to Buy (W)

Where to Buy (PS)

Where to Buy (TD)

Images: Sneaker Politics

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Where To Buy The Air Jordan 1 Satin Red - Sneaker News

Yesterday, the significant other and I sat there with our feet up on the ottoman as we watched the Cubs game. And whenever my foot sits next to hers, I feel like a mega-giant human being. You need a beanstalk to reach me! Although, that feeling is usually proceeded by a humbling thought about the size of NBA players. For reference, I stand at roughly six-foot-three with a size 12 shoe, but compared to a lot of players in the league, thats nothing. Not to mention, Im not walking around with a ton of meat on my bones. Part of me wishes I could be the size of, say, Daniel Gafford for a day or two six-foot-ten and 234lbs. I have to imagine Id feel like a superhero.

I probably shouldnt speak too soon, though. The chances of more cons than pros at that height is rather high. Lets flesh some out. Cons: Buying clothes that fit well, sitting comfortably in a car, having enough legroom on an airplane, bending down super far to pet a cute puppy on the sidewalk, always having to be the person to grab things on the top shelf, laying in anything other than a king bed, staring at the top of peoples heads all the time and awkwardly catching their bald spots, and constantly dealing with theclassic hows the weather up there? Pros: putting things out of reach of others, always being able to see the stage at a concert, riding any ride ever, having an excuse to sit in more spacious areas, and of course potentially getting a better shot at the NBA and then making a ton of money.

Something to be happy about:

While not playing in the bubble is a constant reminder of how to trash the Bulls were, at least we know their draft odds will remain in a solid place. Were now only 19 days away from the Draft Lottery by the way, which I find to be pretty darn exciting. With little Bulls news to gnaw on right now, the draft lottery results will give us an opportunity to talk more realistically about the upcoming 2020 draft (which is scheduled for October 16th).

lolz MJ made everyone look so silly.

Michael Porter Jr. looks like hes on the verge of a breakout, but I wouldnt go as far as to say Bulls fans should be furious about not drafting him. (1) Its not like he went No. 8 overall, right behind Wendell Carter Jr., and (2) there were some serious injury concerns surrounding him. Also, lets not just write off WCJs value. I know Bulls fans arent entirely hyped about him right now, but many folks around the league still consider him to be one of the leagues rising stars.

Oh, and if you happen to like how Denvers built, we now have the guy who put together that team running the Bulls.

Reason 4,560 to fire Boylen: Other reporters around the league can make these jokes about the Bulls:

Speaking of which, nothing has changed on the Boylen front, according to K.C. Johnson. He continues to have a voice within the organization as the evaluation continues, and things will reportedly stay this way until at least September. Note: Theres more coming on Boylen soon, after another report from Joe Cowley, but I dont think youre going to like it. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, its not like the players have his back.

Id pass out after two minutes of a Zach LaVine workout.

Accurate.

Swirsky knows whats up.

Read this article:

At Least the Bulls Draft Odds Won't Get Worse, Jordan's Ball Fakes, LaVine's Workout, and Other Bulls Bullets - bleachernation.com

T.J. Warren has been a certifiable bucket-getter his entire life.

As a sophomore at NC State, Warren led the ACC in both scoring (24.9 points per game) and field goal percentage (52.4 percent) to take home conference player of the year honors over eventual No. 2 overall draft pick Jabari Parker. What made Warren so fascinating to watch in those days wasnt just how much he scored, it was how he did it. Warren stockpiled points on a barrage of floaters and runners, leaning layups, and mid-range pull-ups. It seemed like he scored on everything but three-pointers.

The Phoenix Suns would tab Warren with the final pick in the 2014 lottery, where he established himself as a misfit scorer who didnt coalesce with the leagues larger trends. Namely: Warren still wouldnt shoot threes, even with the leagues long distance revolution in full swing. He failed to even attempt 100 three-pointers in a season through his first four years, despite averaging nearly 20 points per game in 2017-18.

Eventually, the Suns started another rebuild and Warren felt like a holdover from previous era. Last offseason, Phoenix essentially gave him away in a cash dump, trading him to Indiana just to get his contract off the books before free agency.

Warren is now playing the first meaningful basketball of his career on the Indiana Pacers, starting every game for a team thats currently No. 5 in the Eastern Conference. With his playoff debut just around the corner, the 26-year-old forward is showing everyone his game translates to the highest level of play.

Because right now, T.J. Warren is acting like the best scorer alive inside the NBA bubble.

Here are Warrens stats through three games in the bubble:

Best of all, the Pacers are 3-0 inside the bubble, one of only two teams that can say that right now. The other? Warrens former team in Phoenix. The Suns and Pacers face-off on Thursday, too.

Warrens bubble breakout started with the best game of his career: 53 points on 20-of-29 shooting from the field against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. It was one of the most impressive scoring displays weve seen all season.

Warrens outburst was the third-highest scoring effort in Pacers history, joining Reggie Miller and Jermaine ONeal as the only other to score as much in a game for the franchise. What stood out about Warrens effort was his unbridled confidence from three-point range.

The scorer who has always preferred to do his damage from inside the arc finally found his stroke from downtown. Warren hit 9-of-12 three-pointers in the game, hitting several shots from significantly behind the line to stretch the Sixers defense out as much as possible.

Just look at where he fired his final dagger of the night to ice the win for Indiana:

For a full breakdown of Warrens opening performance in the bubble, read Caitlin Cooper the best Pacers analyst around over at Indy Cornrows. Warren didnt stop there.

Two days after torching Philadelphia, Warren went off again against the Wizards. This time, he only shot 1-of-6 from three-point range, but he still dropped 34 points on the night. Warren had his mid-range and around-the-basket game going in full effect:

Warren has always been had great size for a hybrid wing, listed at 68, 220 pounds. He clearly kept up with his conditioning during the hiatus, and hes looking fast and strong since entering the bubble.

His ability to absorb contact, regain his balance, and finish around the rim has long been a key to his game. Yes, this finish comes over the pint-sized Ish Smith, but its indicative of how Warren has been getting buckets his entire career.

Warren came out hot again vs. the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. He went 7-for-7 in the first quarter on his way to 32 points for the night. Warren again had three-ball working for him, hitting 4-of-5 shots from deep, but he wasnt overly reliant on shooting from beyond the arc.

Instead, Warren was using his touch inside the arc to score in his signature ways. This looked like the player who once led the ACC in scoring:

The tough mid-range looks and long floaters Warren specializes in are the types of shots opposing defenses want to give up. As the game continues to slow down in the playoffs, Warrens deep bag of tricks inside the arc should become even more effective.

The Pacers were dealt a crushing blow when All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis had to leave the bubble to treat plantar fasciitis. Without him, Indiana has adopted a three-guard lineup with Malcolm Brogdon, Aaron Holiday, and Victor Oladipo starting together with Warren at the four and Myles Turner at the five.

The extra space has been a huge benefit to Warren. With shooters around the perimeter including Turner, who is 7-for-9 from three inside the bubble Warren has had all the room he needs to bully his way inside and finish even when the defense is keyed in on him:

The Pacers are largely an afterthought in the Eastern Conference playoff picture in the wake of Oladipos lingering quad injury and now Sabonis foot problem. Right now, theyre in line for a first round matchup with the Miami Heat that no one will expect them to win.

Fortunately, the Pacers dont really care. They will play their game and dare anyone to beat them.

Who knows what could happen in the playoffs? Fans are already having fun with just how great Warren has been inside the bubble.

Warren has been getting buckets for a long time, so dont say this scoring barrage came out of nowhere. For as long as theyre in the bubble, the Pacers will need him to keep it up.

Visit link:

T.J. Warren is the Michael Jordan of the bubble - SB Nation

Watch Now: Report: 49ers Add TE Jordan Reed (2:22)

The San Francisco 49ers were in the market for a veteran defensive end, although the one they've apparently opted to add to the team is a surprise. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, San Francisco is expected to sign Dion Jordan to a contract, choosing the former No. 3 overall pick over Ziggy Ansah, who worked out with the team earlier this week.

Jordan played seven games for the Oakland Raiders last season, finishing with two sacks, five pressures and two quarterback hits in seven games. He tallied just 173 snaps after serving a 10-game suspension to open the season for violating the league's PED policy. Jordan was suspended due to usage of Adderall, as his therapeutic use exemption had expired. He appealed the decision, but it was denied by the league. This was Jordan's second violation of the PED policy, the first being in 2013 after testing positive for a banned stimulant.

Despite being the third overall pick in 2013, Jordan's career has been a disappointment -- both on and off the field. Only starting four of the 50 games he's played, Jordan has just 10.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits with the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks and Raiders. Jordan has violated the league's substance-abuse policy on multiple occasions, which included a diluted sample in December 2014 that led to a minimum one-year banishment from the NFL in 2015. He missed two full seasons before returning to the league with the Seahawks in 2017, signing with the team just 11 days after the Dolphins released him.

Jordan vowed to clean up his life and he's still continuing his NFL comeback. Knee problems have limited Jordan, but he'll compete for the No. 4 spot at defensive end withKentavius Street, Kerry Hyder, and Ronald Blair.Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa and Dee Ford have the top three end spots in the rotation on lockdown. If Jordan can crack the rotation, he has the opportunity to make an impact on one of the top pass rushing units in football.

More here:

49ers expected to sign former top-five pick Dion Jordan to add depth to defensive line, per report - CBS Sports