Nuggets Journal: Mike Miller saw something special in Nikola Jokic. So he gave him a nickname.

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Nuggets Journal: Mike Miller saw something special in Nikola Jokic. So he gave him a nickname. MIAMI – If you listen closely, Mike Miller still pronounces Jokic with a hard “J”.Even now, close to a decade after their careers crossed paths in Denver, Miller falls into old habits.It was Miller’s inability (or perhaps unwillingness?) to properly pronounce the Serbian’s name that gave the NBA and Nuggets fans their greatest gift. That’s how the nickname “Joker” was born.“Because he was a goofball and Jokic, Joker, and to be honest with you, the way he played the game was like that to me,” said Miller, who sat near the court ahead of Denver’s triumphant Game 3 victory on Wednesday over the Heat in the NBA Finals.“Again, that’s why I fell in love (with his style) at his age, how much better he made players around him, how slow the game was for him and how creative he was, not just scoring but passing the ball,” Miller said. “That’s where I gave him ‘The Joker.’”Miller was at the back end of his lengthy and decorated career when he and the large, uniquely coo...

Welcome to Slowjamastan: Southern California's own 'micronation'

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Welcome to Slowjamastan: Southern California's own 'micronation' SAN DIEGO (KSWB) -- San Diego-based slow jams radio DJ, Randy "R Dub!" Williams, has spent his life visiting every country in the world. Now, he's the "sultan" of his own "country," right here in Southern California.Over the course of about a decade, Williams visited every single UN-recognized nation, from the regular tourist favorites to some of the world's most elusive destinations -- like North Korea, Venezuela, South Sudan and Somalia. Ahead of crossing off the 193th country on his list, the radio personality was looking for a new frontier to explore. That's when he visited a "micronation," or a self-declared territory, in Nevada known as the "Republic of Molossia."That visit cemented his next mission after visiting every established nation in the world: to found his own. Satellite images show impact of California’s historic rainy season "It has been an absolute dream and a mission to see every country in the world," Williams said to FOX5SanDiego.com. "I've seen some incredibl...

Decision day: SF Giants option Joey Bart, move forward with Patrick Bailey, Blake Sabol

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Decision day: SF Giants option Joey Bart, move forward with Patrick Bailey, Blake Sabol SAN FRANCISCO — “Absolutely,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler answered Saturday afternoon, asked if Joey Bart, the club’s highest draft pick since Will Clark, the supposed successor to Buster Posey, still had a future in the organization.The Giants’ actions Saturday, however, confirmed the current pecking order behind the plate: Bart was activated from his rehab assignment and optioned to Triple-A Sacramento. The catching duties, for now and perhaps years to come, belong to Patrick Bailey, the Giants’ top selection just two years after Bart, and Blake Sabol, their Rule 5 pick this past winter. Unlike Bart, both were acquired by the current Farhan Zaidi administration.“He was feeling physically healthy and there wasn’t a spot on the roster for Joey,” Kapler said. “We made the decision that was best for the group, which was to option him.”In the clubhouse before Saturday’s game, two stalls in the catchers’ clump of lockers w...

Report: San Jose man dies while snorkeling during Hawaii honeymoon, thief steals wife’s property during resuscitation attempts

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Report: San Jose man dies while snorkeling during Hawaii honeymoon, thief steals wife’s property during resuscitation attempts A San Jose man died while snorkeling during his honeymoon on the Hawaiian, and a local thief took advantage of the commotion by stealing his widow’s belongings while others were giving him CPR, according to published reports.The man, identified as 49-year-old Steven Phan, was snorkeling when he suffered from some kind of medical distress and was brought to shore. While some well-wishers attempted to resuscitate him with CPR, a thief grabbed a bag containing Phan and his wife’s belongings and ran off, the local news station KHON reported.The incident occurred June 1 on the island of O’ahu. Honolulu police have reported that since the incident, two more people have in the ocean in unrelated incidents with 24 hours, starting Wednesday.A GoFundMe page for Phan’s newlywed widow says the couple was married just three months before Phan died, and describes him as a “true friend and amazing husband.”“We are all shocked, in disbelief, and heartbroken...

Mets stop 7-game skid, beat Pirates 5-1 behind Canha’s 3 RBIs

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Mets stop 7-game skid, beat Pirates 5-1 behind Canha’s 3 RBIs PITTSBURGH (AP) — The New York Mets stopped a seven-game losing streak, their longest in four years, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Saturday behind Mark Canha’s tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning and three RBIs.Kodai Senga (6-3) allowed an unearned run and two hits in seven inning with six strikeouts and four walks. David Robertson and Adam Ottavino finished a three-hitter.New York (31-34), which started the season with a record $355 million payroll, had given up 51 runs during the skid.Rookie Francisco Álvarez hit his 12th homer and Brandon Nimmo had two hits and a RBI as the Mets overcame three errors.With the score tied 1-1, Starling Marte singled off Johan Oviedo (3-5) leading the seventh and stole second as Brett Baty struck out. Dauri Moreta relieved and struck out Tommy Pham and Pirates manager Derek Shelton order an intentional walk to left-handed-hitting Luis Guillorme.Canha, the No, 9 hitter, lined a double into right-center field. Usually an out...

Romelu Lukaku’s late miss caps tough-luck Champions League loss for Inter Milan

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Romelu Lukaku’s late miss caps tough-luck Champions League loss for Inter Milan ISTANBUL (AP) — The chance for Inter Milan to score and tie the game late in the Champions League final was as clear as any team could hope for.The ball floated slowly across the Manchester City goalmouth in the 89th minute toward the head of towering striker Romelu Lukaku, who stooped slightly four yards (meters) out with half the goal open to aim for.Lukaku’s forehead guided the ball toward the net -– but almost straight at goalkeeper Ederson, whose left leg pushed it toward safety.Somehow the 1-0 lead was intact and minutes later Man City was European champion for the first time, completing a rare treble with the English league and cup titles already sealed.“I’m still wondering how it’s possible that we didn’t score at the end,” Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said. “We clearly deserved more.”It had seemed inevitable that a striker of Lukaku’s quality, the all-time record scorer for Belgium, would find the net. Almost 20,000 Inter fans massed at that end of the stadium could hardly be...

Phillies’ Thomson ejected after pitch clock doesn’t reset for Nola

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Phillies’ Thomson ejected after pitch clock doesn’t reset for Nola PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies manager Rob Thomson was ejected in the sixth inning of Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers for arguing when plate umpire Roberto Ortiz apparently wouldn’t reset the pitch clock after Aaron Nola requested a new baseball.While facing David Peralta with two outs, Nola took a return throw from catcher J.T. Realmuto, circled behind the mound and indicated to Ortiz that he wanted a new baseball and threw the one he had toward the Phillies dugout.Ortiz handed a ball to Realmuto but put both arms out to his side, and the pitch clock was not reset. It appeared that there were 10 seconds on the pitch clock when Nola threw the baseball away. Thomson emerged from the dugout and began a heated exchange with Ortiz before becoming even more vehemently upset with third-base umpire Bill Miller, who tossed Thomson.Phillies fans gave Thomson a loud ovation as he walked off the field. The manager angrily folded his game notes when he returned to the dugout befor...

Tatís, Machado lead Padres over Rockies 3-2, Colorado’s skid at 6

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Tatís, Machado lead Padres over Rockies 3-2, Colorado’s skid at 6 DENVER (AP) — Fernando Tatís Jr. had a go-ahead, two-run single in the sixth inning that led the San Diego Padres over Colorado 3-2 on Saturday and extended the Rockies’ losing streak to six.Manny Machado had three hits and made a crucial catch in the eighth inning to help help ensure the Padres’ third straight win. Gary Sánchez had a first-inning RBI single and is hitting .282 with five homers and 12 RBIs in 11 games since San Diego claimed him off waivers from the New York Mets.San Diego trailed 2-1 before loading the bases in the sixth against Jake Bird on a single and a pair of walks. Tatis lined an opposite-field single into right, giving him 32 RBIs in 28 games since returning from an 80-game drug suspension.Machado’s hustle produced San Diego’s first run when he scored from first on Sánchez’s single, then saved a run in the eighth. With Ezequiel Tovar at third and one out, Mike Moustakas popped into foul territory near the Padres’ dugout. Machado ran over from thi...

Así es Drive Pink, el estadio que alberga al equipo donde jugará Lionel Messi

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Así es Drive Pink, el estadio que alberga al equipo donde jugará Lionel Messi (CNN Español) — Si bien Miami es ampliamente conocida por sus playas, por los diversos eventos deportivos y culturales que alberga, por la diversión, la fiesta y la alegría que representa y por la multiculturalidad que acoge, el fútbol no es, ni de cerca, parte de su carta de presentación ante el mundo.Pero todo cambió este miércoles 7 de junio, cuando se dio a conocer la noticia de que Lionel Messi, el astro argentino, actual campeón del mundo y siete veces ganador del Balón de Oro, llegaría a jugar al equipo de la ciudad. El planeta fútbol se revolucionó por completo, tanto así, que muchos recurrieron a internet para averiguar hasta el más mínimo detalle de su nuevo equipo, el Inter de Miami, y de la que será la nueva casa de “La Pulga” Messi, el estadio Drive Pink.Antes, Estadio LockhartAunque alberga al equipo Inter de Miami, no está ubicado en esa ciudad, sino unos 40 kilómetros al norte de allí, en la vecina Fort Lauderdale.El estadio, originalmente llamado Lockhart, fue...

Denver Zoo extends weekend hours for reduced entry fee

Published Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:50:42 GMT

Denver Zoo extends weekend hours for reduced entry fee DENVER (KDVR) -- The Denver Zoo is extending its hours for the next two weekends and guests can get in for just $5 after 5 p.m.The zoo will be open until 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10 and 17, and Sunday, June 11 and 18. Regular general admission for adults is $24 so it's a good deal. The zoo has a few other events this summer including BFF days where members can bring a friend for free, wild workouts and adulting with the animals. Tickets must be purchased for the events ahead of time. The Denver Zoo is located at 2300 Steele Street and encompasses 84 acres with more than 3,000 animals.