June 14, 2015

Health June 14, 2015

A Look At Sports And Health In America

Play ball! Fore! Swish!

Americans love sports — watching them and playing them.

But as participants, Americans’ relationship with sports changes as we grow older. About three-quarters of adults say they played sports when they were younger. By the time people are in their late 20s, however, only 26 percent say they’ve played sports in the past year.

Those are just two of the findings from the latest poll by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that takes a look at sports and health in America.

The nationwide poll, conducted from late January through early March, gathered responses from more than 2,500 adults contacted by landline telephone and by cellphone. The margin for error is plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.

When it comes to recent participation, the higher your household income, the more likely it is that you’ll have played sports in the past year. People making at least $75,000 a year were more than twice as likely to have played sports in the last year as those making less than $25,000.

When asked the sport they play most often, adults reported playing more than 50 different sports, ranging from hockey and fishing to martial arts and bowling. Overall, the favorites (in order) were: golf, basketball, baseball/softball, soccer and running/track.

The favorites varied by age and gender.

Men under 50 played basketball and soccer the most. For those 50 and up, golf was No. 1. Volleyball was popular with women younger than 50. Walking was a winner for women 50 and older.

The top reasons adults say they play sports are for personal enjoyment (they’re fun!) and health, such as staying in shape or losing weight. When it comes to exercise, the workout seems like work. Only 17 percent of people said they exercised mainly for enjoyment or personal satisfaction. Nearly three-quarters — 71 percent — said they exercised for health-related reasons.

What do people say they get out of sports and exercise? Less stress and better mental health are high on the list. Improved physical health is another commonly reported benefit.

What about the important reasons cited by people who don’t engage in sports? Half say they refrain for a health-related issue, such as old age or a problem other than an injury. Almost half say they don’t have the time, money or opportunity.

You can find a full report on the poll and its findings here.

Our Sports and Health series continues over the summer, based on the results of our poll with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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Sports June 14, 2015

Warriors Take 3-2 Lead Over Cavaliers In NBA Finals

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, and forward Draymond Green address the media after Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Sunday. The Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-91 in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors can wrap things up Tuesday when the series shifts back to Cleveland. Ben Margot/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Ben Margot/AP

Stephen Curry came off a screen, dribbled behind his back and crossed over Matthew Dellavedova. He stepped back and swished a 3-pointer, then pounded his chest and pointed to the roof, seemingly controlling the sellout crowd of 19,596 on his fingertips.

One more win and the MVP will really have a moment to celebrate.

Curry made seven 3-pointers and scored 37 points, and the Warriors withstood another brilliant performance from LeBron James to outlast the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-91 on Sunday night for a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals.

“It was a fun moment, but it will only mean something – and I’ll probably have a better for that question after we win that championship – but signature moments only come for players who are holding the trophy,” said Curry, who also had seven rebounds and four assists before being treated for dehydration.

Curry was spotted rubbing his head and leaning over in a hallway after the game. The Warriors said Curry was receiving fluids in the locker room, watching highlights and should be fine.

With a sellout crowd rocking and roaring in their golden-yellow shirts, Curry and his teammates took control of the game – and possibly the series – in the final minutes. Curry connected inside and out – sometimes way out – to help the Warriors pull away and get in a position they haven’t been in 40 years.

The Warriors will try to win their first title since 1975 on Tuesday night in Cleveland, which hasn’t won a major sports championship in 51 years. Game 7, if necessary, would be in Oakland on Friday night.

“I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world,” said James, who has carried Cleveland as much as he could.

The four-time MVP had 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, slowing down the pace the way only he can. He made 15 of 34 shots in 44 minutes.

It was James’ second triple-double of this series. But the depleted Cavs, without injured starters Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, tired again late with a rotation that has gone just seven or eight deep.

“He has the ball in his hands a lot. Stick with the program. Don’t get discouraged if he makes shots. He’s going to,” Curry said of James. “Over the course of 48 minutes, we hope we wear him down to make it very tough on him.”

Draymond Green had 16 points and nine rebounds, Andre Iguodala added 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and reserve Leandro Barbosa scored 13 points for the deep and talented Warriors.

Tristan Thompson tallied 19 points and 10 rebounds, and J.R. Smith scored all 14 of his points in the first half for Cleveland, which shot 39.5 percent and had no answer for Curry late.

“Not a lot you can do, honestly. He made some terrific shots,” Cavs coach David Blatt said.

Under the current 2-2-1-1-1 schedule format, the winner of Game 5 in a 2-2 series has won the title 12 of 14 times. But nobody can feel too comfortable after this one.

There were 20 lead changes and 10 ties in a game that featured nearly as many bruises as baskets – but few big men – and the league’s two biggest attractions trading thrilling scores.

James made a 34-footer with the shot clock about to expire midway through the fourth to cut the Warriors’ lead to 80-79. Curry answered with a step-back 3-pointer and Klay Thompson, who scored 12, followed with another.

Iguodala later hit a 3 and then grabbed a rebound, tossing in a left-handed put back while getting fouled by Tristan Thompson. Iguodala strutted back to midcourt, staring at the crowd – just about all of them on their feet through the fourth – before missing the free throw.

Curry added a cutting layup, then lost Dellavedova off the dribble and stepped back for a 3 that gave Golden State a 96-86 lead with 2:44 left.

“It was an incredible play and I enjoyed watching it from my front-row seat,” Green said.

James hit a 3-pointer, and the Cavs began fouling Iguodala – a sub-par free throw shooter. But Curry never let the game get out of his hands, connecting on another 3-pointer with 1:12 remaining, sending fans into a frenzy and teammates running to give him hugs and high-fives.

“We didn’t let the moment slip,” Curry said.

James said the Cavs are content with the way they defended Curry.

“Was any of them not contested?” James said. “Falling, step-backs off the dribble. I’m OK with that. We’re OK with that. You tip your hat to the best shooter in the league.”

Kerr stuck with the small-ball lineup he used to help the Warriors win Game 4, starting swingman Iguodala over center Andrew Bogut. Blatt replaced 7-footer Timofey Mozgov with the streaky shooting Smith – sliding James to center – after Cleveland fell behind 8-2 in the opening minutes.

“I thought from the very beginning when they went small, had their shooters out there, I thought this is Steph’s night,” Kerr said. “This is going to be a big one for him because he has all that room. He took over the game down the stretch and was fantastic.”

Both teams lacked size. Neither lacked fight.

Smith made four of his first seven 3-pointers before going cold, but landed his biggest shot when he extended his right forearm and shoulder to plow through Green’s screen, knocking the Warriors forward to the ground. Officials called a flagrant 1 foul on Smith after a review.

Dellavedova dragged Green down going for a rebound in the second quarter, and the officials assessed double fouls after the players got tangled up on the floor. James Jones also grabbed Iguodala with two arms from behind on a layup attempt, which the Warriors argued should’ve been a flagrant foul.

The physical first half ended with Harrison Barnes putting back Curry’s miss for a dunk over James to start a three-point play that put the Warriors up 51-50. James scored or assisted on 16 of Cleveland’s 17 field goals in the half.

“We didn’t turn it over, we were patient,” Klay Thompson said. “And two words: Stephen Curry.”

Entertainment June 14, 2015

Box Office Report: ‘Jurassic World’ Explodes Into the Record Books

Here’s your estimated 3-day box office returns (new releases bolded):

1. Jurassic World – $204.6 million ($204.6 million total)

2. Spy – $16.0 million ($56.9 million total)

3. San Andreas – $11.0 million ($119.3 million total)

4. Insidious Chapter 3 – $7.3 million ($37.3 million total)

5. Pitch Perfect 2 – $6.0 million ($170.7 million total)

6. Entourage – $4.3 million ($25.8 million total)

7. Mad Max: Fury Road – $4.1 million ($138.6 million total)

8. The Avengers: Age of Ultron – $3.6 million ($444.7 million total)

8. Tomorrowland – $3.4 million ($83.6 million total)

10. Love & Mercy – $1.7 million ($4.7 million total)

The Big Stories

It has been 14 years since the last Jurassic Park movie hit theaters. But its been just a little more than two since the original came back in a 3-D version; probably the last notable instance of a re-release in the format to register as a success. The film grossed another $45 million in 2013, probably from a new generation still reveling in the opportunity to see rampaging dinosaurs on the big screen. It should have been no surprise that an audience still existed for this franchise. But I’m sure nobody in 2001 thought that when Jurassic Park III made $181 million in the U.S. that the next film would make more than that in a single weekend. Nor did anyone in 2015.

$200 Million Dollars In The Making

There is not a lot of perspective to be offered when a film grosses as much as Jurassic World did this weekend. You simply say Congratulations and let the next few weeks tell the full story. Until then, though, let’s just see where Jurassic World ranks in history.

Best Fridays Ever (Including Thursday Night Previews)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 ($91.0 million), Avengers: Age of Ultron ($84.4), Jurassic World ($82.8), Marvel’s The Avengers ($80.8), The Dark Knight Rises ($75.7), The Twilight Saga: New Moon ($72.7), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 ($71.6), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 ($71.1), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ($70.9), Iron Man 3 ($68.8)

Best Opening Weekends Ever

Marvel’s The Avengers ($207.4), Jurassic World ($204.5), Avengers: Age of Ultron ($191.2), Iron Man 3 ($174.1), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 ($169.1), The Dark Knight Rises ($160.8), The Dark Knight ($158.4), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ($158.0), The Hunger Games ($152.5), Spider-Man 3 ($151.1), Furious 7 ($147.1)

Best Openings In Universal Studios History

Jurassic World ($204.5 million), Furious 7 ($147.1), Fast & Furious 6 ($97.3), Fast Five ($96.1), Fifty Shades of Grey ($85.1), Despicable Me 2 ($83.5), The Lost World: Jurassic Park ($72.1), Fast and Furious ($70.9), Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax ($70.2), The Bourne Ultimatum ($69.2), Pitch Perfect 2 ($69.2)

Can you believe we would have to go all thew way down to 27^th on that list to find the first Jurassic Park? It started with just $47 million back in 1993, which at the time was the best opening weekend in Universal’s history. That is a fun list to revisit.

Best Openings In Universal Studios History (circa June 1993)

Jurassic Park ($47.0), Back to the Future Part II ($27.8), Back to the Future Part III ($19.0), Bird on a Wire ($15.3), Jaws 3-D ($13.4), Backdraft ($12.6), Death Becomes Her ($12.1), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas ($11.834), E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial ($11.83), Twins ($11.17), Back to the Future ($11.15), The ‘Burbs ($11.10), Smokey and the Bandit II ($10.8), Dragnet ($10.54), Parenthood ($10.50)

Jurassic Park made roughly $746 million in the U.S. adjusted for inflation. So more people will still end up seeing the first film in theaters than Jurassic World, but now we are on a serious watch to see if Colin Trevorrow’s virtual remake can actually take the top spot at the box office for 2015. At least in the U.S. (It has accumulated another $130 million internationally). It has jumped out ahead of the curve of Age of Ultron so $78 million is your designated over/under for next weekend. Spider-Man 3 is the only film on the all-time Top Ten opening weekend list to not reach $350 million. It needs $357 million to reach the original’s initial run. Anyway you slice it, the disasters this year of Blackhat and Seventh Son are distant memories for the studio since between Furious 7, Fifty Shades of Grey, Pitch Perfect 2 (and minor successes Unfriended and The Boy Next Door) plus pending successes in Ted 2, Minions and Trainwreck, this is turning into one heckuva summer for the studio.

Tales of the Top Ten

Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig’s Spy took an average dive in its second weekend putting it exactly on pace with her last starring vehicle, Tammy, which had $56.9 million after 10 days. Spy has the same. The film still has another week before Ted 2 opens and even it if fails to hit $71 million by next Sunday it will still likely be #3 at the box office with a lot of summer left, so at least $90 million could still be within its grasp. Tammy finished at $84.5 million.

Of the other openers last week, together they may struggle to make $100 million after big drops. Insidious Chapter 3 was hopeful its second week horror drop wouldn’t be as bad. But “B+” rating and decent reviews notwithstanding, it still took a huge 67% drop even if it should have no problem getting into profit. WB’s Entourage also took a 57% I expected it to and now will probably do no better than $35 million, keeping it in the red as another loser for the studio.

The good news for them though is that San Andreas will be making its way into profit this week; the first for Warner Bros. since American Sniper and only the third film of the summer to do so this year, though Insidious is not far behind and Jurassic World should be quickly there as well. Mad Max: Fury Road still needs about another $97 million to be a success. Poltergeist and Aloha both look like bonafide losers and it was reported this week that Disney is going to be taking about a $120+ million bath on Tomorrowland. Their worst since The Lone Ranger.

– Erik Childress can be heard each week on the WGN Radio Podcast evaluating box office with Nick Digilio.

[box office figures via Box Office Mojo]

Health June 14, 2015

As More Rural Hospitals Close, Advocates Walk To Washington

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Millions of Americans rely on rural hospitals for emergency medical care. But in the last five years, these facilities have been shutting down more frequently than in previous years. A group of activists from across the country are walking nearly 300 miles from North Carolina to Washington, D.C. to draw lawmakers’ attention.

Business June 14, 2015

John S. Carroll, Former Editor At 'LA Times,' 'Baltimore Sun,' Dies At 73

John Carroll, then executive vice president and editor of The Los Angeles Times, speaking at a panel discussion with fellow editors in 2003. Carroll died Sunday at age 73. Paul Sakuma/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Paul Sakuma/AP

John S. Carroll, a former editor of The Baltimore Sun and The Los Angeles Times, which he led to 13 Pulitzer Prizes in his short tenure — has died at age 73.

The LA Times describes Carroll as “a courageous editor [who had an] instinct for the big story and unrelenting focus” said he died today in Lexington, Ky., of Creutzfeldt-Jakob, a degenerative brain disease.

In his long career, Carroll also spent time at The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Baltimore Sun.

He joined the Sun as a reporter and covered the Vietnam War for the newspaper. Later, during his time as the paper’s editor, it “won two Pulitzer Prizes for an investigation into the dangers of shipbreaking and a series about a major league umpire’s children who were dying of a genetic disease,” according to the Sun.

“For a publisher, John was a dream to work with, always trying to improve the paper,” Michael E. Waller, publisher of the Sun from 1997 to 2002, was quoted by the newspaper as saying. “He was a genius at spotting small stories that he thought might hide bigger truths. He’d assign a reporter to check it out and often would wind up with a significant investigative project, such as the dangerous ship-salvaging business.”

The 13 Pultizers the Times won in his five years there compare to a total of eight won by the paper in the whole of the 1990s.

According to The Associated Press, his departure at the LA Times “came amid increasing tensions over newsroom budget cuts and the paper’s direction with corporate owner, the Tribune Company.”

“He received a standing ovation from the staff when he announced his resignation, and the Times’ then-publisher Jeff Johnson told The Associated Press that Carroll left behind an ‘extraordinary legacy of journalistic excellence.’ “

Sports June 14, 2015

NFL Critic Says Ray Rice Deserves A Second Chance

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