Monthly Archives: March 2020

Our weekly look at four topics players, issues, numbers, trends that are impacting and, in some cases, changing the game.

How much is too much?

Unless were talking Girl Scout cookies, Al Pacino movies or Stevie Wonder albums, everything has a saturation limit, or at least it should.

Is scoring in the NBA reaching that point?

For a league that was desperate to see scoring reach the 100s when games were slow marches to 90, the rules were opened up to increase scoring, limit overly physical play and display the athletes at their best.

That has had the desired effect almost too well.

(Yahoo Sports illustration)

Every team is averaging well over 100 points per game (league average 111.4), with the Charlotte Hornets bringing up the rear at a measly 102 per night the same production as the Miami Heat back in 2010-11.

Yes, thats the first year of the LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh partnership.

The game were watching nightly is so drastically different from the contests we saw even five years ago.

Remember that Stephen Curry bomb on Feb. 27, 2016, against the Oklahoma City Thunder in one of the greatest regular-season games of the decade? The 40-ish footer from barely a step inside of half-court that caught everyone off-guard, especially Anthony Roberson?

Well, LeBron James has hit shots from that zip code twice in the last week. The first was the not yet, kid triple Sunday that quieted the frenzied New Orleans crowd after Zion Williamson brought the house down with a dynamite dunk on a nationally televised game.

The second was a calm, walk-up triple Tuesday from the Los Angeles Lakers logo a couple nights ago.

The skill levels of the incumbent players as well as the young stars entering the league have been aided by the rules being so loose.

According to basketball-reference.com creator Justin Kubatko, February was the second month in league history in which six players Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Trae Young, Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard averaged 30 points or more.

The first month that occurred?

January 2020, with Kawhi Leonard and Devin Booker joining Lillard, Westbrook, Young and Beal.

Notice the names that havent been mentioned? Luminaries like James, Curry, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Curry has been out most of the year, but he could wind up on that list next year, and with Durant recovering from an Achilles injury, he could return to elite status next season.

For all we know, we could be in the most golden of golden eras of scoring, with talent like Zion Williamson and Luka Doncic ready to do more damage as time goes on.

But if these explosions are so commonplace, does it diminish how special it feels, especially with defenses not having much of a chance to earn the benefit of the doubt?

Whether its the gather and two steps rule or no more hand-checking or mere evolution, it feels like were in a juiced-ball era that would make the slow-down coaches of the 90s cringe.

This isnt opining to go back there, not by a long shot.

But maybe, just maybe, we can play some games on All-Madden once in a while?

OK, old man no longer yelling at cloud.

Speaking of scoring in bunches, Brooklyns Caris LeVert claimed best performance of the week with his 51-point showing (the 20th time a player has dropped 50 this year) against the Celtics on Tuesday night, with 37 coming in the fourth quarter and overtime in a comeback win.

Hes an intriguing piece for the future as the Nets will have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving presumably back in the fold next season. He can play both swing positions and his three-year, $52 million extension kicks in next season as the Nets expect to contend.

Hes had freakish injuries in college at Michigan and with the Nets the scariest one last year when he injured his foot on an awkward fall in Minnesota that many feared could cost him his potential. He missed eight weeks this season following surgery on his right thumb, but made the turn following the All-Star break, averaging 21 before the 51-point explosion.

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Health is a big part of that, LeVert, 25, told Yahoo Sports. Confidence and mental approach has been the same throughout but injuries are a big thing. Most of the time, theyre unpredictable. Its tough coming back from those, for sure. From the outside looking in, it doesnt look that way. Its like, you had a finger injury, you should be back to yourself within a week.

Its not always like that. Minute restrictions, different role. Getting that stuff behind me, thats big for sure.

Especially with Irvings injuries being more frequent and the star guard having a third season-ending injury, getting the supporting pieces right could be the difference in their franchise being a true contender or being a tier below it.

Identifying the right role for LeVert could be priority No. 1. Is he a second option or a third one? Assuming his health, the rest of the season could be an audition for LeVert to establish his value on this team or around the league.

I dont look at it like that, LeVert told Yahoo Sports. We have 21 games left. So for me, thats 21 opportunities to get better. Everyone wants to be that guy. Nobodys coming in here this year. Ky just had surgery. Kevins probably not coming back this year. So its just fun. Living in the moment, trying to win games.

LeVert calls Durant a big brother-like figure, someone whose voice resonates because he speaks up so rarely. And if nothing else, the two can bond over shared experiences of the dreadful days of rehab.

But LeVerts a curious piece moving forward, and should the Nets want fewer ball-handlers around Durant and Irving, plenty of teams will line up to take a player who hasnt yet reached his potential.

Im still trying to figure it out, LeVert told Yahoo Sports. I dont put limits on myself. Its exciting to go out there and try to reach what that is. [Tuesday] was a huge milestone for my confidence, but I dont put limits on it. I dont feel like thats the last time Ill do that. Its more opportunity for me to do that and more.

The NBA isnt in panic mode over the coronavirus yet.

Across the world, other leagues are taking precautions, even having games without fans.

Thats not where the NBA is, and it isnt known how bad things would have to get domestically for it to take that road.

The league postponed the inaugural Basketball Africa League on Tuesday after escalating concerns and sent out memos to teams about how players should physically interact with others, regarding high-fives, autograph signings with fans and jersey exchanges.

One owner who spoke with Yahoo Sports called the daily memos more informational than directional, with the NBA taking the lead from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and making suggestions on keeping arenas as sanitized as possible, with more hand-washing stations around concourses and concession stands.

There isnt a sense anything drastic will happen, but the NBA is closely monitoring the situation.

This will be short and sweet.

Welcome back, Stephen Curry.

While it would've been understandable if Curry chose to sit the rest of the season because of his left hand injury saving his body after five long playoff runs and giving the Golden State Warriors the best odds at a top pick in this summer's draft he's returning to play out the season, beginning Thursday night at home against the Raptors.

Dont forget: There are fans who've paid top dollar to fill that new arena across the Bay Bridge, too.

As far as NBA ambassadors with accomplishments and equity with the fans, there's LeBron James and Curry and Curry is building up even more currency by playing the rest of the year.

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Is there too much scoring in the NBA? - Yahoo Sports

The House of Representatives passed a bill for allotment of funds in an emergency pool earlier this week, which is to be used to counter the damaging effects of the coronavirus outbreak is expected to have on the domestic economy.

Let us analyze which stocks are expected to benefit from this emergency stash.

House Allocates $8 Billion to Emergency Funds

On Mar 4, the House passeda legislation that allocates more than $8 billion to emergency funds to battle against the spread of coronavirus. The bill won by a voting ratio of 415-2. Republican lawmakers Ken Buck of Colorado and Andy Biggs of Arizona were the only members who voted unfavorably.

The emergency funds aim to provide more than $3 billion for vaccine research and $2.2 billion for efforts in prevention and preparedness. Medical tests and vaccine research to combat the pandemic are urgent tasks right now, which many biotechnology firms in the country are working on actively.

Companies, such as Moderna, Inc. MRNA, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. INO and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. VIR are currently in the process of developing the much-needed vaccines.

The congressional spending proposal is considerably higher than the $2.5 billion that the White House had proposed in late February. The bill also authorizes about $500 million to allow Medicare providers to offer telehealth services, which would benefit elderly patients to receive care in the comforts of their homes.

The bill is now headed to the Senate for approval. Should it be passed effectively, it will then make its way to President Donald Trumps desk, who is expected to give a green signal. Trump had earlier indicated at a news conference that he would spend whatever is appropriate to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

After all, death toll in the United States climbed to 11 and minimum 138 are infected. Of the 11, 10 deaths were confirmed from Washington while one was registered in California. Globally, the pandemic claimed more than 3,100 lives.

3 Stocks in Focus

We have, therefore, handpicked three vital stocks that are actively developing vaccines to address the novel coronavirus. One may take a closer look at these.

Modernais a clinical stage biotechnology company. Last week, the company saidthat its first batch of vaccine against the COVID-19 disease, called mRNA-1273, was ready for the government to test on humans.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Modernas current-year earnings has moved 5% north in the past 60 days. Shares of this company, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Geneticsindustry, have risen 40.5% against the industrys decline of 2.6% on a year-to-date basis. (Read more)

Moderna carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can seethe complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Inovio Pharmaceuticalson Mar 4 announcedan accelerated timeline to develop its DNA vaccine INO-4800 to battle COVID-19. Inovio's President & CEO Dr. J. Joseph Kim mentioned this accelerated timeline at the U.S. Coronavirus Task Force meeting at the White House on Mar 2.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals carries a Zacks Rank #3. Shares of this company, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Geneticsindustry, have risen 143.2% against the industrys decline of 2.6% on a year-to-date basis.

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Vir Biotechnologyis a clinical-stage immunology company. The firm, along with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ALNY, announcedon Mar 4 that the two companies would expand their continuing collaboration to make an attempt to develop RNA interference treatments for SARS-CoV-2.

Vir Biotechnology carries a Zacks Rank #3. Shares of this company, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Geneticsindustry, have risen 257% against the industrys decline of 2.7% on a year-to-date basis.

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Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportModerna, Inc. (MRNA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAlnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALNY) : Free Stock Analysis ReportInovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (INO) : Free Stock Analysis ReportVir Biotechnology, Inc. (VIR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.

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House Okays $8 Billion Funds to Combat COVID-19: 3 Winners - Yahoo Finance

Last week, just after candidates for the Democratic Party presidential nomination gathered to debate in downtown Charleston, S.C., a rising star of the Republican Party was also talking about the future. We have a lot left to do, Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said at the first annual Women for Women Summit organized by the College of Charleston School of Business.

Haley, who spoke after receiving the Woman of Courage Award, didnt announce she will run for president on the Republican ticket in 2024. But she has been mentioned as a potential running mate to Donald Trump this year or a candidate for the presidency herself in 2024and there was little doubt that possibility was on the minds of those present. Shes definitely going to run, said a fellow speaker at the event, not for attribution. I dont think theres any question about it: This year is Trumps, but shes laying the groundwork for the race after that.

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. with Nikki Haley. Photo by Michael Candelori / Shutterstock

Lining up to get her picture taken with Haley before her speech, a business school student effused, Im a Democrat, but Id definitely vote for her. Shes a woman who doesnt let herself get pushed around.

Haley has an advocacy group, Stand for America, which promotes that image. Merchandise baring the quotes I will not shut up and With all due respect, I dont get confusedrefer to comments she made during her time with the Trump administration. Haley, who was a member of Trumps cabinet and the National Security Council until she left her UN post in October 2018, made the first comment to Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat at the UN after the administration decided to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. The second comment was directed at Trump economic advisor Larry Kudlow after he told reporters that Haley had gotten ahead of the curve and suffered momentary confusion in previewing policy around sanctions against Russia.

Her ability to stand apart from but also voice support for Donald Trump is what has made her an intriguing figure in Republican politics. A memoir, With All Due Respect: Defending America With Grit and Grace, released in November 2019, continued her tightrope walk. In it, Haley criticized former secretary of state Rex Tillerson and former White House chief of staff John Kelly, much to Trumps delight.

At the Women for Women Summit, Haley talked about her war stories, including the Kudlow incident, and urged her audience to be true to themselves. Haleys truth is still unclear, but its likely well see her in politics again, soon. As she said at the end of a short film that played before her talk, Im too young to stop fighting.

Haley declined an interview with Worth.

The post Nikki Haley Is Planning Her FutureAnd It May Include a Presidential Run appeared first on Worth.

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Nikki Haley Is Planning Her FutureAnd It May Include a Presidential Run - Yahoo News

The Houston Astros know what kind of reception theyll get on the road in 2020. Opposing fans have made that clear, relentlessly booing the team during spring training. While the Astros will have to take their lumps on the road, at least theyll get a reprieve from that criticism when they play at home. Theres no way the teams fans would turn on the Astros, right?

[Batter up: Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for free today]

Well ... that might not be true. Sure, some Astros fans are willing to continue supporting the club, but others feel betrayed as a result of the teams cheating. One brave fan even confronted the team during a spring training game:

That fan was able to get right next to the dugout to heckle the Astros. He asked the team if they are keeping the trophy. He then asked about Jose Altuves MVP award and the World Series rings.

Most players ignored the fan, and didnt even look in his direction. However, one member of the Astros decided to respond to the fans jeers. Someone in the Astros dugout told the fan, As long as you keep paying to come see us. The person who says that briefly appears in the lower left-hand corner of the video.

Thats a pretty terrible answer, but the fan handled it well. He responded to the Astros by saying, Ill come and do this.

The entire exchange perfectly summarizes why people are frustrated with the Astros heading into 2020. Its not just that the team cheated and suffered virtually no consequences, its the entire organizations lack of remorse. Fans wanted more contrite apologies and some humility from team owner Jim Crane. Instead, they got players indignantly claiming they are going to shut people up and telling fans the team just wants their money.

While frustrated fans may find the above video cathartic, that type of heckling isnt going to carry over into the regular season. When the Astros are at Minute Maid Park, the team will have more control over the situation, and a larger security force to send after fans.

It might be a different story when the team leaves Houston. As long as its respectful, fans will have more leeway to pull off stunts like this when the Astros go on the road in 2020.

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Fan confronts Astros over sign-stealing scandal: 'You guys keeping the trophy?' - Yahoo Sports

Stephen Curry is officially back.

The Golden State Warriors star will make his return on Thursday at home against the Toronto Raptors, the team announced Wednesday.

News of Currys return was first reported by The Athletics Anthony Slater. It is not known if Curry will be on any kind of minutes limit.

What is known is that the sharpshooter is amped for his return.

The Warriors have been without Curry since he broke his non-shooting hand in the teams fourth game of the season. He had previously been on track for a return at some point in March.

Currys first game back will feature a tough opponent in the 43-18 Raptors, a team that ranks second in the league in defensive rating. Of course, the Warriors arent exactly in a position where they need wins right now.

In Currys absence, the Warriors have completely floundered.

The team is 13-35 in games without its superstar and currently holds the worst record in the NBA. Currys backcourt partner Klay Thompson has already been ruled out for the season, and this summers offseason prize DAngelo Russell has been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for draft picks and reclamation project Andrew Wiggins.

Even with Curry back, the team is clearly coming nowhere near playoff contention. The goal with Currys return is likely less to mount a comeback in the final 20 games of the season and more getting him and his teammates up to speed for next year.

The Warriors currently have a four-game lead in the loss column for the top spot in the NBA draft lottery, and a quirk of the lottery odds is that their position will be the same as long as they stay in the bottom three. That gives them at least a few games for Curry to potentially show the team is still to be feared when next seasons comeback tour rolls around.

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Stephen Curry returning to Warriors on Thursday vs. Raptors - Yahoo Sports