Rangers defeat Capitals in Game 1

This was Chris Kreider late Thursday night, responding to a question about how it felt to have played such a significant role in the Rangers’ seven-game opening round victory over Ottawa that propelled his team into the Eastern semifinals fewer than three weeks after leaving Boston College as a junior:

“Maybe if I had a little time I’d be able to throw a few more intelligent superlatives at it,” said the 20-year-old winger, who had scored the winner in Game 6 in Ottawa and was so assertive in Game 7. “But right now, it’s just crazy.”

The Saga of the Can’t Miss Kid from Boxford (Mass.) grew even crazier yesterday afternoon.

AP

Rangers rookie Chris Kreider, playing in just his sixth NHL game, all in the playoffs, beats Capitals goalie Braden Holtby to put the Rangers ahead to stay in yesterday’s 3-1 win over the Capitals at the Garden.

It was Kreider who broke through the bumper-to-bumper traffic of a 1-1 tie to blow a 30-foot wrist shot past Braden Holtby at 7:00 of the third period just 90 seconds before setting up Brad Richards for another score to lift the Blueshirts to a 3-1 victory over the Capitals at the Garden and 1-0 series lead. The best-of-seven continues here tomorrow night.

“I’m kind of at a loss for words,” Kreider, who just three weeks to the day earlier had been playing and winning the NCAA championship game, said this time. “I’m just trying to keep my head down and work hard.”

The winger, who broke to the middle when Mike Green went for a change and ripped the puck home after taking a headman feed on his tape from Derek Stepan, is a low talker, in dramatic contrast to the noisy “Kreider … Kreider” chants that reverberated through the big room on Broadway after he had scored.

“It was a surreal experience. I got goose bumps obviously,” said Kreider, who entered the lineup in Game 3 against Ottawa after Carl Hagelin was suspended. “I was really tired after the goal but didn’t feel so tired when they started chanting.”

Kreider scored his second pro goal on what was just the Rangers’ 11th shot of the match. Indeed, the Rangers had just four shots in the first period, not one from a forward, and merely eight shots through 40 minutes, three from forwards.

This Gridlock Alert affair produced little artistry. Both teams blocked 15 shots, both clogged the middle and protected the house. The Blueshirts finished with 14 shots and Washington with 18 against Henrik Lundqvist in addition to a handful of attempts that clanged off the posts and crossbar.

But this is exactly the style of hockey the Rangers — who played without both Brian Boyle and Brandon Dubinsky — expect throughout the series.

“We’re going to remain patient and stick to our structure,” Richards said. “It’s very important that we stick to it and not lose our composure.”

The Rangers did exactly that when Jason Chimera scored with just 3.5 seconds remaining in the second to negate the 1-0 lead the Blueshirts had gained on Artem Anisimov’s wraparound at 12:38, soon after a penalty kill of 3:27 that included 34 seconds of playing two-men down.

Maintaining composure has proved every bit as much an asset for Kreider as his legs. It had to be daunting to join an NHL team on the cusp of the playoffs that had finished first with a group that had been together for months.

“I talked to the team before he came in about how it was going to be a hard situation for him to come into a tight group that had done the things we did,” coach John Tortorella said. “I think both parties have handled it well.”

There was intense speculation before Kreider signed the day before the playoffs, but Richards admitted he paid it scant heed.

“Jumping into this level straight from school, I didn’t expect this,” the alternate captain said. “The way he’s done this is evidence of his hockey IQ.”

One day soon he might use his IQ to string together intelligent superlatives. For now, though, this will do.

larry brooks@nypost.com

Chris Kreider, Braden Holtby, Rangers, Rangers, Brad Richards, Ottawa, Ottawa, Blueshirts, Blueshirts, Capitals, NHL

Nypost.com

Rangers goalie Lundqvist finalist for Hart Trophy

In the midst of the NHL awards season, there are few stars brighter right now than Rangers goalie Henrik Lunqvist.

After being nominated as one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender on Wednesday, Lundqvist got an even greater nomination Friday, becoming one of the three finalists for the Hart Trophy, given to the league’s most valuable player.

“It’s amazing,” Lundqvist said. “I’m not used to getting awards.”

Lundqvist joined the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin and the Lightning’s Steven Stamkos as the finalists. The award is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association and will be given out at the NHL Award extravaganza on June 20 in Las Vegas.

“This has been a fun year,” said Lundqvist, who finished the regular season third in wins (39), tied for third in shutouts (eight), fourth in goals-against average (1.97) and fourth in save percentage (.930). “The team has played well in front of me, helping me. I also feel like I pushed myself to play better this year.”

***

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin had two goals and three assists in his team’s seven-game first-round series win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins. Ovechkin is having a decidedly down year, and new coach Dale Hunter played him just 16:25 in the Capitals’ 2-1 overtime win in Game 7.

“He wants the puck on his stick a lot, most superstar players do,” said Ryan McDonagh, who along with blueline mate Dan Girardi will most likely get the call to shut him down. “He’s willing to try and do it himself, but he’s smart enough to use his teammates and create for them, as well. That’s what makes him so dangerous.”

***

The two most recent times the Rangers made the playoffs, they were eliminated by Ovechkin and the Capitals.

According to MSG Network, Game 7 of the Rangers-Senators opening-round series registered a 5.74 Nielsen household rating (424,000 households), making it the highest-rated Rangers game since Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals on June 14, 1994 .

Alex Ovechkin, Professional Hockey Writers Association, Steven Stamkos, Lundqvist, Evgeni Malkin, Rangers, Rangers, NHL, Vezina Trophy, finalists, Stanley Cup champion Bruins

Nypost.com

Giants give Kiwanuka new contract; Umenyiora waiting

The Giants gave a contract extension to one of their top defensive players, but it wasn’t Osi Umenyiora.

Mathias Kiwanuka, a converted defensive end who has found a home at outside linebacker, had three years tacked onto his contract, which keeps him bound to the Giants through the 2015 season.

Kiwanuka, 29, signed a two-year contract as an unrestricted free agent last summer. That was a modest deal because he was coming off a disk injury in his neck that forced him to miss the final 13 games of the 2010 season. His neck held up and the Giants paid up.

NFL DRAFT: ROUNDS 1-3

The new three-year deal is worth $21.75 million, including a signing bonus of $8.5 million and $10.95 million in guaranteed money.

It’s a significant extension illustrating the Giants’ belief in Kiwanuka for the long haul, something the organization has thus far not been willing to show Umenyiora.

Kiwanuka was scheduled to make $4 million in base salary in 2012 but that figure has been cut to $950,000. His base salaries moving forward are $2.9 million in 2013, $4.375 million in 2014 and $4.475 million in 2015.

This cannot bode well for Umenyiora, the disgruntled defensive end. Umenyiora is entering the final year of a seven-year contract that will pay him $3.975 million, and he desperately wants a new and improved multi-year deal.

Giving Kiwanuka a new deal means there is less money to go around and strengthens the Giants’ commitment to him. Umenyiora already has lost his grasp on a starting job — Jason Pierre-Paul is ensconced at right defensive end after a 16 1/2-sack season — and the role of a pass-rush specialist is not one Umenyiora embraces.

In an email to The Post, Umenyiora wrote he is “happy’’ for Kiwanuka, adding, “He deserves every penny. Especially all he has been through. It’s a good thing.’’

Addressing his own situation, Umenyiora wrote, “As for me, I don’t know what that means, but we will see. It’s a good, smart business move by the Giants. I understand it. Take care of a good player, and buy some insurance as well. Well done.’’

paul.schwartz@nypost.com

Exclusive Super Bowl merchandise featuring New York Post front pages

The Giants, the Giants, Giants, Giants, defensive players, contract extension

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Yanks’ All-Star Skowron dies

Bill “Moose” Skowron, who was a key part of four World Series titles with the Yankees, died yesterday of congestive heart failure at 81 after a lengthy illness outside of Chicago.

The first baseman hit .282, with 211 home runs and 888 RBIs in 1,658 career games, but he was perhaps best remembered for his performance during the postseason.

Skowron hit eight home runs in 39 career World Series games. He hit a three-run shot in the eighth inning of the Yankees’ Game 7 win over the Milwaukee Braves in the 1958 World Series and also drove in the game-winning run with a 10th-inning RBI single in Game 6 of the same Series to force the final game.

“There weren’t many better guys than Moose,” Yogi Berra said of the six-time All-Star. “He was a dear friend and a great team man. A darn good ballplayer, too. I’m going to miss him.”

Among Skowron’s other playoff heroics was a seventh-inning grand slam off Roger Craig and the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. He also had a leadoff homer in the fifth inning off Vernon Law in 1960, when the Yankees overcame a four-run deficit at Pittsburgh to take a 7-4 lead only to lose 10-9.

“Moose could really hit the baseball — especially home runs to right field,” former roommate Bob Turley said. “I was glad Moose was on my team because he always wanted to win.”

Skowron won a fifth title with the Dodgers in 1963 and was an annual presence at Old-Timer’s Day in The Bronx.

“He always had positive things to say,” Derek Jeter said of his conversations with Skowron. “He would always come over and comment on how you are playing or how things will turn around. He was just always positive.”

“Moose will always be remembered as being one of the key members of the Yankees’ dynasties in the 50s and early 60s,” owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. “He was a winner in every sense of the word, and someone the Yankees family cared deeply for. Baseball lost one of its finest ambassadors, and on behalf of the entire organization, I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Cookie, and his entire family.”

dan.martin@nypost.com

Bill “Moose” Skowron, congestive heart failure, World Series titles, Milwaukee Braves, the Yankees, 1958 World Series, Roger Craig, Bob Turley, World Series games, Derek Jeter, Hal Steinbrenner, Brooklyn Dodgers, Yogi Berra, Skowron

Nypost.com

Houston: Knicks have potential to beat Heat

MIAMI — Knicks assistant general manager Allan Houston is the expert on surviving a shortened, lockout schedule, turmoil, a bad seed, facing a tough Miami team in the first round, posting the upset and then getting within three wins of a championship.

Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson, in fact, asked Houston and recent front-office hire Larry Johnson, also part of the 1999 Finals team, to speak to the club this week for inspiration on what could still be. Houston’s magical series-winning runner off the rim and glass knocked No. 1 seed Miami out 13 years ago in Round 1.

N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg

GO FOR IT! Allan Houston, driving against Dan Majerle during the 2000 playoffs, knows a thing or two about beating the Heat in the postseason.

That club also fought through tumult, including then-coach Jeff Van Gundy nearly getting fired and Latrell Sprewell’s and Marcus Camby’s awkward additions to the club. There was a coach-GM feud and even a report Phil Jackson was being actively courted.

“It was just how much we had to fight to get to that point,’’ Houston said of 1999. “These guys have done the same thing. They fought. They’ve gone through a lot to get to this point. They’ve gone though a lot of ups and downs. They remained a team. Nobody made excuses. In that way, it’s very similar. ’’

Houston said his talk was “mostly about them and the potential they had.’’

Houston’s heroic shot occurred in the old Miami Arena and it’s rare when he does not hear about it when in South Florida. Houston, who turned 41 last week, still has his touch — making two halfcourt heaves during the All-Star Weekend Shooting Stars competition.

“People remind me when I’m here,’’ Houston said. “It’s great history. It’s exciting to be part of what this team can do. We got a lot of dynamics. It’s exciting to see them coming together and just sacrifice. Nobody pointed fingers this year. Nobody doubted.’’

Houston has worked with Landry Fields on his shot and has been very hands-on in recent weeks, traveling with the club and sitting behind the bench.

“Last year [Fields] was playing with confidence, he has impact on game in so many ways outside of just shooting,’’ Houston said.

* Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert, a candidate for the All-Defense Team, will get to cover Dwyane Wade, a fellow Chicagoan.

“I’m used to it, knowing he’s from Chicago, his style of play,’’ Shumpert said. “I’m used to playing against that. I grew up playing against it. I feel there is a Chicago style. I can’t explain it to you but I know you can tell where everybody’s from just from their crossovers.’’

* Sources say Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire have grown closer because of all the talk they can’t play together.

“Before when we used to hear it, we tried not to pay attention to it,’’ Anthony said. “The more we started hearing it, the more we started getting closer and talking about it.’’

Anthony said he also wants to make sure Stoudemire is ready to assume a larger role after playing just four games in his comeback from a bulging disk that forced him to miss 13 straight games.

“It’s something me and Amar’e, we talked about it,’’ Anthony said. “I asked him how he felt out there as far as comfortable on the court being only a few games back and he said he’ ready to go. At same time we have to be on the same page and lead this team where we want it to go.”

marc.berman@nypost.com

Allan Houston, Houston, Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Miami, Iman Shumpert

Nypost.com

Weekly jobless claims fall by just 1,000, less than expected

WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans filing requests for jobless benefits was virtually unchanged last week, falling 1,000 to 388,000, the US Labor Department said Thursday, keeping claims near their highest level of 2012.

Claims from two weeks ago were revised up to 389,000 from 386,000. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch projected claims would drop to a seasonally adjusted 375,000 in the week ended April 21.

The average of new claims over the past four weeks, meanwhile, climbed by 6,250 to 381,750, matching the highest level of the year.

Continuing claims increased by 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 3.32 million in the week ended April 14, the Labor Department said. Continuing claims are reported with a one-week lag.

About 6.68 million people received some kind of state or federal benefit in the week ended April 7, down 87,160 from the prior week. Total claims are reported with a two-week lag.

To read more, go to MarketWatch

MarketWatch, US Labor Department, claims, Labor Department, jobless benefits

Nypost.com

With Knicks possibly up first for Heat, LeBron out to disprove playoff doubters

MIAMI — A year ago, it was all different. LeBron James calls it a transition phase, one where he was wrapped up in figuring out how his game was going to mesh with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

The way James sees it, the Heat growing pains are gone. And he hopes that means his annual championship quest will finally be fulfilled.

Driven by last season’s loss to Dallas in the NBA finals — a series where he made seven field-goal attempts in 68 fourth-quarter minutes — James and the Heat return to the postseason as the No. 2 seed on the Eastern Conference bracket. Their first-round opponent is still not determined. Their ultimate goal was determined long ago.

“I have to be who I am,” James said in an interview with The Associated Press. “Last year was the biggest teacher. The greatest teacher in life is experience. And I had that last year. I’m back to being the person who can take over games.

“I have no problem taking over a game now.”

Here’s an example: In one recent game, Wade was walking to the bench for a time-out. Halfway there, he was met by James. For the next 45 seconds, James was in his teammate’s ear about something. He did all the talking. Wade did all the nodding.

A year ago, such a display probably wouldn’t have happened where 20,000 people could see.

“Obviously, last year we kind of got cheated a little bit out of the greatness of LeBron as a vocal leader,” Wade said. “He had so much going on, so much in his mind that he was just trying to show everybody with his play and his toughness.

“But this year, especially of late, we’ve all been getting the vocal player, the intelligent player that LeBron is. His IQ of the game is second to none. So you listen. Especially me.”

Heading into Wednesday night’s games the Knicks were the team lined up to play the Heat, who are locked into the No. 2 seed after losing to the Celtics on Tuesday, which clinched the Eastern Conference’s top spot for the Bulls. The Knicks need two wins and two Magic losses to move up to the No. 6 seed or to fall behind the 76ers, who they are tied with, to drop to No. 8.

James’ message has not wavered in months. He’s finally happy after a year filled with change. He’s going to be that take-charge player again. He’s more consumed by a championship than ever.

Here come the playoffs, a chance to prove what those words mean.

“I want to win it all, as bad as other guys want to win it — if not more,” James said. “That’s why I play as hard as I do in the regular season, to build my habits, build our team’s habits. I’ve been bothered by last season a lot. It’s constant. I dream about it a lot, winning that trophy and seeing the confetti come down.

Next >

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LeBron James, James, Dwyane Wade, the Heat, the Heat, Heat, Chris Bosh

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Tomorrow’s Keeneland Entries

All horses appear in post position order

FIRST-1 1/16m; $26,000; str alw; 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Lucky Chuck(L),118

G Saez

1-3-2

Dodge

6-1

2 I Am the King(LA),118

E Baird

7-5-7

Rogers

5-1

3 Harborplace(LA),120

C Lanerie

1-3-3

Locker

8-1

4 L J's Way(LA),118

J McKee

6-1-3

Baez

10-1

5 Ghostwalking(LA),118

J Graham

5-1-1

Foley

3-1

6 Beatnik(LA),118

E Prado

3-3-3

Motion

5-2

7 Ridge Dance(LA),118

JLeparoux

2-1-5

Woodard

3-1

SECOND-7f; $37,000; cl($40,000); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Jemaru(L),118

J Enriquez

4-2-3

Castaned

8-1

2 Sgt. Mauro(LA),118

C Borel

1-8-1

Hanna

6-1

3 Murjan(LA),108

C Miller

7-9-10

Miller

20-1

4 George Ray(L),118

R Vazquez

3-6-7

Ward

12-1

5 Becky's Kitten(LA),118

JLeparoux

3-3-6

Maker

2-1

6 New Believer(L),118

J Garcia

2-1-1

Ward

4-5

THIRD-6f; $20,000; str alw; 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 PracticalJustc(LA),118

BHrnndzJr

3-5-4

Mills

5-1

2 Saint Will(LA),120

J Graham

5-1-3

Pomier

5-2

3 Winkatdawat(L),118

C Lanerie

5-8-6

Krdenbrc

8-1

4 Six Pack Abs(LA),120

P Ouzts

1-1-5

Anderson

5-1

5 Jot Em Down(LA),120

KDesormx

1-1-2

Jones

6-1

6 Stormin Larry(L),118

V Lebron

3-7-3

Demerte

10-1

7 Wonka(LA),120

C Cedeno

1-4-1

Sizemore

2-1

FOURTH-1 1/16m; $21,000; mdn cl($40,000); 3up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Sister C ,116

BHrnndzJr

2-5-x

Drury

12-1

2 Satyana(LA),116

RNaprvnk

11-6-7

Maker

3-1

3 FlashyAmercn(LA),116

JLeparoux

6-3-4

McPeek

5-2

4 Clare'sBrnrdn(LA),123

JCastanon

2-8-6

Nihei

10-1

5 Adamas(LA),116

B Creed

6-x-x

Reed

8-1

6 MillenniumStr(LA),116

M Mena

4-7-x

Catalano

8-1

7 Contessa'sVyg(L),123

V Lebron

x-x-x

Clarksn

15-1

8 Saint Aggie(L),116

C Lanerie

8-x-x

Oliver

30-1

9 Dazzletown(LA),116

J Graham

8-2-5

Keen

12-1

10 English Notes(L),116

KDesormx

11-6-2

Hess

8-1

11 Ournghtyscpd(LA),123

E Prado

8-8-x

Reed

20-1

12 Rena Starlight(LA),123

G Saez

3-3-4

Pizzo

12-1

FIFTH-1 1/16m(T); $58,000; alw; 4up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

2 Dos Lunas(LA),118

J Court

3-7-6

Pessin

5-2

3 Twist of Silver(LA),118

RAlbarado

2-8-3

Lovell

12-1

4 Annabel Lee(L),118

C Lanerie

5-5-9

Schwrtz

15-1

5 StephanieJyn(LA),118

C Borel

3-4-1

Burchell

12-1

6 MaidofHeaven(LA),118

M Mena

4-10-3

Gorder

7-2

7 Blue Maiden(L),118

JLeparoux

8-2-2

Clement

2-1

1 a-StartlingBty(LA),118

J Graham

3-1-6

Arnold

7-2

1A a-JapansGrdn(LA),118

J Graham

10-2-2

Arnold

7-2

SIXTH-1 1/16m; $25,000; cl($40,000); 3up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Even Forest(L),123

C Lanerie

2-5-2

McGee

6-1

2 Our Delight(LA),123

J Graham

5-2-3

Arnold

4-1

3 Noble Charlotte(L),123

JCastanon

2-2-1

Cheeks

10-1

4 Cool It Boys(LA),116

S Sellers

5-5-5

Sims

20-1

5 Miss Addison(LA),123

M Mena

9-3-5

Catalan

12-1

6 Heart Union(LA),123

RNaprvnk

6-8-3

Sheppard

5-1

7 Truly Devoted(LA),123

JLeparoux

4-1-3

Maker

5-1

8 Hob Nobin(L),123

G Saez

6-6-1

Hamm

15-1

9 BonitaMuneca(LA),116

LBethncrt

5-2-3

Jacobsn

10-1

10 Zeenut(LA),123

R Vazquez

2-4-5

Arnold

6-1

11 Aghamora(LA),123

M Pedroza

1-5-x

Rangel

30-1

12 Forever Vow(LA),123

E Prado

4-1-7

Wilkes

8-1

SEVENTH-6f; $50,000; mdn spcl wt; 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Mr. Producer(LA),121

E Prado

x-x-x

Motion

4-1

2 Turnofthecat(LA),121

J Court

6-4-7

Lukas

5-1

3 EdwardsMoon(LA),121

C Lanerie

x-x-x

Baker

12-1

4 An Shanachie(L),121

J Graham

6-x-x

Ewing

7-2

5 Rocked(LA),121

M Mena

5-5-6

Mtthews

4-1

6 D'tiger(L),121

JCastellan

2-3-5

Quast

3-1

7 Uska's Wall Cat(L),121

V Lebron

x-x-x

Bryant

12-1

8 Mykindagold ,121

M Pedroza

x-x-x

Orm

20-1

9 Hypothetical(L),121

C Borel

8-x-x

Ward

12-1

EIGHTH-5 1/2f(T); $58,000; alw; 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

2 Pure Tactics(LA),118

SBrdgmhn

2-1-1

Nicks

4-1

1 a-SwtndLwdwn(L),113

J Garcia

1-1-3

Ward

9-2

1A a-EverydayDav(L),118

J Garcia

4-4-11

Ward

9-2

3 DevotedWildct(L),118

KDesormx

1-1-1

Hess

5-1

4 Partly Mocha(LA),118

JLeparoux

1-1-4

Weaver

8-1

5 Gaelico(LA),118

M Mena

9-9-6

Romans

20-1

6 Shannon's Beau(L),118

D Sarvis

1-3-7

Begley

30-1

7 Icon Ike(LA),120

RAlbarado

5-1-1

Jones

4-1

8 RichmndCnty(LA),118

JCastellan

1-2-6

Weaver

3-1

9 Blings Express(LA),118

J Graham

6-5-2

Hamm

8-1

NINTH-6f; $17,000; cl($10,000); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Lunar Pass(LA),118

M Pedroza

3-7-7

Roberson

6-1

2 Pavoratti's Soul(L),111

LBethncrt

1-1-6

Deegan

15-1

3 Big Brian T(LA),118

E Baird

9-7-1

Rogers

15-1

4 Sky Victor(LA),118

BHrnndzJr

3-3-8

McKeeve

6-1

5 Banjammer(LA),118

G Saez

6-12-2

Reed

8-1

6 MississppHpp(LA),118

J Garcia

5-1-2

Ward

9-2

7 Rivers Legacy(LA),118

RAlbarado

6-1-8

Drury

12-1

8 Four Wealth(LA),118

C Lanerie

7-1-1

McCaley

10-1

9 Elusive Action(L),118

S Sellers

6-6-2

Lopresti

7-2

10 Stew Boy(L),120

J McKee

10-1-1

Sullivan

12-1

11 Archie Trucker(L),118

M Mena

6-3-5

Dodge

12-1

12 TeenageDistrss(L),118

JCastanon

6-1-7

Cheeks

15-1
Nypost.com

Former pals mixing it up

George Willis
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Blog: By George

FIGHTIN' WORDS

At this point, it’s not clear whether Jon “Bones” Jones and Rashad “Suga” Evans, two upstate New Yorkers and former training partners, still are friends or sworn enemies. Certainly, they have exchanged plenty of venom in advance of their showdown at UFC 145 tonight in Atlanta. But there are times their mutual respect comes through.

“Jon has grown so much within the last year,” Evans said of the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion. “He absorbs things really fast. He’s like a sponge. We had a good time training together and I enjoyed our time training together.”

Jones also had words of admiration for Evans, a former light heavyweight champion.

“I’m here to fight the best fighters in the world and Rashad is unquestionably one of the best fighters in the world,” Jones said. “He has the gift of speed and the gift of grappling and I’m excited to see if I can conquer that.”

Yet, it’s the trash talk that has made this one of the most anticipated matchups in MMA. Jones and Evans once trained together at Greg Jackson’s MMA camp in Albuquerque, N.M. But last year Jones replaced an injured Evans in a title match against then champion Shogun Rua. After winning, Jones said he would consider a fight against Evans if UFC president Dana White insisted. Evans felt betrayed and formed his own training team in Florida.

At this point Evans is tired of rehashing the split.

“I’m sick of talking about Jon,” he said. “I’m sick of looking at him. I’m sick of everybody asking what happened. I’m sick of talking about it. I just want to get in there and fight.”

Jones (15-1) is a fast-rising superstar, who went from fringe contender to champion last year, using his size (6-foot-4), reach (84 inches) and athleticism to dominate his opponents. He has won his last six fights by either knockout or submission and his takedown defense is among the best in the MMA.

Evans (22-1-1), five inches shorter and eight years older than the 24-year-old Jones, is more of a grappler with knockout power. He briefly held the title in 2008, and has won his last four fights.

“I know Rashad and my coaches know Rashad,” a confident Jones said. “We know his guard passes, we know his setups. We know what we’re getting into. When you know yourself and you know your opponent there’s no need to fear the result.”

Evans is from Niagara Falls, and Jones is from Rochester. But they’re fighting in Atlanta because New York does not sanction MMA. That could change this year. A bill to have the sport regulated by the New York State Athletic Commission passed in the State Senate last week and now moves to the Assembly.

* Heavyweight boxers Tomasz Adamek and Eddie Chambers will meet at the Prudential Center in the June 16 edition of NBC’s “Fight Night.” Both are trying to re-establish themselves after losing title fights to the Klitschko brothers.

Adamek was beaten by Vitali Klitschko last year, and Chambers lost to Wladimir Klitschko in 2010. Tickets are on sale at the usual outlets. Meanwhile, the network announced it has added another date, Sept. 21, for the series.

“There was some apprehension to be brutally honest about getting back into the boxing business,” said Gary Quinn, NBC’s senior director for program planning. “But all those fears are gone and the wonderful thing is that we can build more and more continuity.”

* Additional tickets have been made available for next Saturday’s light heavyweight fight between Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson in Atlantic City. ... Former Bantamweight champ Abner Mares (23-0-1, 13 KOs) of Mexico faces Eric Morel (46-2, 23 KOs) of Puerto Rico for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight title as part of a boxing doubleheader on Showtime tonight from El Paso, Texas.

george.willis@nypost.com

Rashad “Suga” Evans, Jon “Bones” Jones, UFC, MMA, point Evans, Jones, light heavyweight, light heavyweight, Wladimir Klitschko, Evans, Vitali Klitschko

Nypost.com

Aqueduct Charts

April 20th, 2012

Clear and Fast Turf Firm

©2012 Equibase. All Rights Reserved

FIRST-6 fur; $23,000; clm($15,000); 3up

Off: 12:50. Good. 3w into str, hand urge

Time: 22.05, 45.03, 57.34, 1:1.33.

Trainer: Gary Contessa

Winner: B G, 5, by Dance With Ravens-Broad Exchange

Scr: Token Sacrifice.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Afternoon Treat

117

2

4

4

3 4

1 1/2

Cmch,Jr.

6.40

Star Dance M D

122

3

3

2

2 1

2 2

Cohen

10.50

Have You Ever

122

7

1

1

1 hd

3 1 3/4

Velasqez

2.70

Never Right Joey

122

4

7

6

4 1

4 2 1/4

Lezcano

5.50

Passthepasta Plesa

122

9

8

7

5 1

5 2 1/4

Castellan

2.70

Understatement

122

1

5

5

6 1

6 1 1/2

Napravnk

5.60

He's a Scrooge

122

6

6

8

8 1

7 1 1/2

Studart

53.00

Artie Luvsto Party

122

5

9

9

9

8 3/4

Castro

23.90

Corofin

111

8

2

3

7 1 1/2

9

Ortiz

12.60

3-Afternoon Treat

14.80

7.20

3.90

4-Star Dance M D

14.20

5.50

8-Have You Ever

3.30

* Exacta (3-4) $184.00 * Superfecta (3-4-8-5) $3,834.00 * Trifecta (3-4-8) $1,205.00 *

SECOND-7 fur; $54,000; alw; 3up(f)

Off: 1:24. 4. bump start,bid 3w 1/4

Time: 23.23, 46.18, 1:1.06, 1:23.47.

Trainer: Dominic Galluscio

Winner: DK B/ F, 3, by Forest Wildcat-Serenity's Smile

Scr: Bailzee.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Wildcat's Smile

116

5

4

3

1 1/2

1 2 3/4

Castellan

1.45

Easy Ending

117

6

2

2

3 5

2 1/2

Ortiz

10.90

Sing Dixie Sing

118

3

1

1

2 1/2

3 3 1/4

Alvarado

0.90

Decorated Court

115

2

5

5

5 3 1/2

4 3 1/4

Garcia

94.75

Alphabet Jamerica

122

1

3

4

4 hd

5 4

Domngez

6.70

Jackie Mo

122

4

6

6

6

6

Velsqez

22.60

5-Wildcat's Smile

4.90

3.30

2.10

7-Easy Ending

8.20

3.60

3-Sing Dixie Sing

2.10

* Daily Double (3-5) $40.00 * Exacta (5-7) $31.40 * Quinella (5-7) $18.80 * Superfecta (5-7-3-2) $448.00 * Trifecta (5-7-3) $71.50 *

Winner picked by Debbie L.

THIRD-1 mile(T); $69,000; alw; 3up(f)

Off: 1:54. Good. 3w 2nd,alter in upper

Time: 23.79, 47.48, 1:11.1, 1:34.85.

Trainer: Alan Goldberg

Winner: B F, 4, by Dansili (GB)-Comic (IRE)

Scr: Acting Happy, Believe in A. P., Lindz Winz.

Horse

Wt.

PP

1/4

1/2

Str.

Fin

Jockey

Odds

Laughing

122

5

3

3

1 hd

1 1

Castellan

1.15

Silver Screamer

122

2

1

1

2 5 1/2

2 10 3/4

Alvarado

2.20

dh-Musical Rain

122

3

6

6

5 1

3 1

Domngez

3.60

dh-Classical Fashion

122

1

2

2

3 3

3 1

Naprvnk

12.10

In Te Domine

122

4

5

4

4 1 1/2

5 6

Garcia

8.90

Ghostly Darkness

122

6

4

5

6

6

Ortiz, Jr.

36.25

6-Laughing

4.30

2.80

2.10

3-Silver Screamer

3.30

2.10

4-Musical Rain

2.10

2-Classical Fashion 2.20

* Pick 3 (3-5-6) 3 Correct $91.00 * Exacta (6-3) $13.00 * Superfecta (6-3-2-4) $56.00 * Superfecta (6-3-4-2) $36.40 * Trifecta (6-3-2) $24.80 * Trifecta (6-3-4) $13.60 * Daily Double (5-6) $7.20 *

Double picked by Debbie L

Winner by Affrunti, Vic C., Consensus

FOURTH-6 fur; $20,000; mdn clm($12,500); 3up

Next >

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Nypost.com

Maryland to become first state to ban employers from demanding job applicants reveal Facebook passwords

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland is poised to become the first state to ban employers from demanding applicants or workers hand over their log-in information for social media sites like Facebook.

The measure, which handily passed the legislature earlier this month, keeps managers from snooping on password-protected content, a practice advocates of the bill say violates privacy and intimidates job seekers and employees.

Robert Collins, a former corrections officer in Maryland, said he was asked for his Facebook account information while being recertified for his job following a leave of absence.

Collins, who lives in Baltimore, complied with the request, but said he felt embarrassed and violated as an interviewer roamed his private messages, pictures and posts.

"It almost seemed that my compliance was compulsory," Collins said.

The voluntary social media screening for correctional officers, not all employees, is a natural extension of an already "inherently intrusive" background check for people working in law enforcement, said Rick Binetti, executive director of communications for the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

The practice was used to screen people who would be working in jails for possible illegal activity and gang affiliations.

"I'm sure if you asked a correctional officer if they were working alongside someone who was known to show gang signs on their social media, that would create an uncomfortable working situation for them," Binetti said.

A review by the corrections department last year assessed 2,689 applications, showing that seven candidates were rejected in part because of information found on their social media profiles.

Another candidate was rejected for the job solely because of content on a social media profile.

That candidate, along with others, used social media profiles that contained images of them showing known gang signs, according to the review.

In April 2011, a few months after the American Civil Liberties Union complained on behalf of Collins, the department issued a revised policy that asked job candidates to voluntarily participate in the review of social media use during their interview. The new policy stops short of asking for log-in or password information.

It is impossible to know exactly how often employers ask to tap into prospective workers' accounts, but Bradley Shear, a Bethesda, Md.-based social media attorney, said he believes it is happening more and more frequently.

Only a handful of clients have contacted him because an employer asked to test drive their accounts, but Shear said many more cases of social media snooping exist. Those asked to turn over their information are just afraid to come forward.

Next >

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social media, Rick Binetti, ANNAPOLIS, Md., job seekers, Maryland, Facebook, correctional officer

Nypost.com

Bubba Wins With Miracle Shot

AP

Bubba Watson hugs his caddie Ted Scott after winning the Masters golf tournament following a sudden-death playoff on the 10th hole Sunday.

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- For the second year in a row, the Masters was decided in the woods lining the 10th fairway. Last year on Sunday it was Rory McIlroy's disastrous drive into the trees left of the fairway that knocked him out of contention and opened the door for Charl Schwartzel. This year, it was Bubba Watson's Hail Mary wedge shot from deep in the trees on the other side that somehow, against all right and reason, wound up 15 feet from the pin. Two putts later, he had defeated Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff and won the green jacket.

"I had to keep it under 15 feet under a tree, then it started rising and hooked about 40 yards. Pretty easy," Watson said, describing the 160-yard shot.

For the second year in a row, the Masters was decided in the woods lining the 10th fairway. Jason Gay was there, and stops by Mean Street with the first-hand details. Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images.

More Masters Coverage

View Slideshow

Final Leaderboard

Jason Gay: A Tradition That Should Change

Jason Gay: Navigating No-Phone Zone

Watson, who broke down sobbing after his winning playoff putt, describes his style of play as "Bubba Golf." He has never had a lesson and has the most untraditional game on the PGA Tour, curving virtually every shot one way or the other, to reflect how he sees it in his mind. Yet he leads the PGA Tour this year in both driving distance and hitting greens in regulation. The Masters represented his fourth career win and first major.

It was the second truly historic shot of the day. The first came on the par-five second hole Sunday, when Oosthuizen scored a rare double-eagle. From 253 yards, he used a four iron to chase the ball down the length of the green and into the hole. The first double-eagle ever on that hole, and the fourth in Masters history, instantly vaulted Oosthuizen from third place at seven under par to first at 10 under par—the same figure that he and Watson finished at to force the playoff.

Peter Hanson and Phil Mickelson, who started the day in first and second place, respectively, faltered early. Hanson bogeyed two of the first three holes, and Mickelson suffered an excruciating triple bogey on the par-three fourth hole when his tee shot pinged off the spectator railing into a bamboo thicket.

They finished in a tie for third place, at eight under, with Lee Westwood and Matt Kuchar.

By chance, Watson and Oosthuizen played together as a twosome both in regulation and in the playoff. But their days were different. Oosthuizen spent most of the round, after his three-under-par miracle on the second, protecting his position, whereas Watson didn't punch his way into a share of the lead until the 16th hole.

The turning point for Watson came after he bogeyed the par-three 12th, to fall back to six-under par. He birdied the next four holes in a row to right himself.

On the par-five 13th, his booming drive around the corner left him less than 200 yards—and an eight-iron shot for him—into the green. He knocked the shot about 25 feet from the hole, and almost made an eagle.

The 14th was a critical hole for both Watson, who birdied, and for Oosthuizen, a South African with one of the coolest demeanors and sweetest swings in golf. He made a potentially costly mistake by landing his approach shot on the sloping front side of the green. The ball rolled back into the fairway. His pitch back to the hole left him 10 feet for par, and he calmly holed the putt to save par.

Watson, at that point, was only one shot behind.

Both players made tricky birdie putts at the par-five 15th. After Watson birdied 16, they were tied on the 17th tee—where both players hit stinker drives (Watson left, Oosthuizen right). After resourceful, pressure-packed scrambling, both managed to save par.

Then they both parred the difficult 18th hole, not once but twice, in regulation and the first hole of the playoff.

As on the 17th, both Oosthuizen and Watson hit horrible drives on the second playoff hole, No. 10. Oosthuizen caught a break when his ball bounced off a tree back into the first cut. From there he had a clean shot to the green, but the shot came up short and he failed to get up and down. Watson's par, after the Hail Mary from the trees, ended the day.

At the start of the play Sunday, most golf fans thought Mickelson, who began one off the lead and would play in the final group, would run away with his fourth green jacket. The course was set up for low scores, and that's Mickelson's specialty on Sunday here.

But the triple bogey on number four was a blow, and he couldn't make the magic happen.

On the back nine, where he shot 30 on Saturday, he managed only two birdies. He set up for several promising putts of the type that fans are accustomed to seeing Mickelson sink coming down the stretch. But this time they expired a few rolls short of the hole. His round, like those putts, ran out of gas. His score for the day was even-par 72.

Oosthuizen played courageous golf on Sunday and has nothing to apologize for. His putting was solid throughout the round and he never lost his cool.

But Watson on this day could not be beat. Known for making goofy YouTube videos and constant tweeting, the former University of Georgia golfer looked uncharacteristically grave coming down the stretch. He was as focused as he has ever been.

"I've never had a dream go this far," he said about winning the Masters, "so I can't really say it's a dream come true."

It's likely, however, that his untutored style will inspire millions of golf dreams by others. In the coming months, look for a big run on no lessons at golf courses across the country.

Bubba Watson, Louis Oosthuizen, Oosthuizen, Hail Mary, the Masters golf tournament, PGA Tour, the Masters, Charl Schwartzel

Online.wsj.com

Tomorrow’s Aqueduct Entries

All Horses appear in post position order

FIRST-1m; $67,000; alw opt clm; 3up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Fashion's Flight(L),118

D Cohen

1-2-2

McGgeyII

5-1

2 Victory forVLTs(L),124

CVelasquz

1-1-3

Rice

4-1

3 Glorietta Bay(L),118

RDomingz

1-3-x

McLaghln

3-1

4 Cherokee Trick(L),122

RNaprvnk

6-4-6

Englehrt

12-1

5 Winsockie(L),122

J Alvarado

1-9-3

Reed

12-1

6 Truth Will Tell(L),122

E Castro

2-3-3

Baker

2-1

7 Risk a Chance(L),122

A Garcia

3-3-1

Kimmel

8-1

SECOND-1m; $27,000; cl($14,000); 4up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Copper Forest(L),118

R Maragh

4-3-1

Baker

6-1

2 Pistols At Dawn(L),118

M Studart

1-2-4

Terraccin

5-1

3 BridgetoNowhr(L),118

R Silvera

1-6-3

G Brown

30-1

4 Metrology(L),118

I Ortiz, Jr

5-7-3

Campo

20-1

5 Magical Myth(L),118

C Lopez

7-4-2

Breen

15-1

6 MachoMuchach(L),118

J Alvarado

2-2-1

Parisella

4-1

7 Eminent Tale(L),118

RNaprvnk

4-5-6

R Dutrow

3-1

8 Worth a Buck(L),120

JVelazquz

1-5-1

Gullo

4-1

9 DiamondDistrct(L),118

CNakatani

3-1-1

Rodrigez

8-1

10 Custer(L),118

CVelasquz

6-4-7

Serey

12-1

11 Secret Getaway(L),113

SCamchJr

3-3-6

Young

30-1

THIRD-4 1/2f; $60,000; mdn spcl wt; 2YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 a-TheParty'sHr(M),115

R Silvera

x-x-x

Peebles

12-1

2 Majestic Wind ,118

I Ortiz, Jr

x-x-x

Miceli

6-1

3 Ju Ju Eyeballs(M),115

JVelazquz

x-x-x

Ward

3-1

4 ShanghaiBbby(M),118

RNaprvnk

x-x-x

Pletcher

2-1

5 DoYouSmellSmok,118

E Castro

2-x-x

McClelln

5-2

6 Zip City Miss ,115

M Luzzi

x-x-x

Badgett

10-1

1A a-CabsAreHer(M),108

W Garcia

x-x-x

Peebles

12-1

FOURTH-6 1/2f; $32,000; md ncl($30,000); 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Giant Indian(L),118

JVelazquz

7-x-x

Pletcher

7-2

2 Trickey Guy(L),118

OHernndz

3-3-2

Sciacca

10-1

3 Canwewin(L),123

CNakatani

2-3-10

Parisella

3-1

4 It's Truly Ahvee(L),124

RDomingz

6-3-3

Rice

6-1

5 Willy Pay(L),124

J Alvarado

3-4-6

Kimmel

6-1

6 Wicked Irish(L),118

R Maragh

5-5-3

CJohnsn

30-1

7 Tripendicular(L),118

RNaprvnk

2-4-8

Breen

6-1

8 Four Million(L),118

E Castro

6-x-x

Kennelly

15-1

9 Scrap Dragon(L),113

SCamchJr

2-2-4

Contessa

5-1

FIFTH-1 1/16m(T); $40,000; str hcp; 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 I Love It(L),115

E Castro

3-2-1

Rice

6-1

2 Big Sky Posse(L),121

R Maragh

5-3-2

Contessa

7-2

3 Ziptronic(L),116

RDomingz

3-7-1

Contessa

6-1

4 Bishop of Nola(L),115

J Lezcano

5-9-4

Rodrigez

6-1

5 MillenniumLaks(L),117

J Bravo

3-1-7

Servis

8-1

6 Outlaw Man(L),114

J Alvarado

3-4-7

Reed

20-1

7 Free Brave(L),117

I Ortiz, Jr

2-2-6

Scott

8-1

8 Cantonic(L),119

RNaprvnk

4-8-2

Maker

10-1

9 Midnite Silver(L),121

D Cohen

4-1-2

Jacobson

3-1

10 BailOuttheBnks(L),118

A Garcia

2-1-3

Violette

5-2

11 Majestic Hope(L),118

RDomingz

5-1-3

B Brown

7-2

12 Take Down Two(L),113

NoRider

4-6-5

Contessa

8-1

SIXTH-6f; $35,000; mdn cl($35,000); 3up; (f&m)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Ancient Devil ,124

M Studart

7-8-x

Appel

30-1

2 Zippy Kitty(L),118

SHusbnds

6-7-6

Ronen

30-1

3 Prizemm(L),119

OHernndz

6-4-x

Quick

5-1

4 Bonita Sonata(L),113

SCamchJr

2-5-4

Bond

7-2

5 Freud's Dream(L),117

J Ortiz

3-3-3

Ryerson

3-1

6 So Fashion(M),117

W Garcia

6-4-7

SJerkes

12-1

7 Inquiring(L),124

R Maragh

6-x-x

Albertran

4-1

8 Tati(M),118

D Cohen

x-x-x

Bush

12-1

9 Ten Pin Tide(L),124

F Boyce

7-3-3

Allard

12-1

10 HookedOnDrms(L),118

CVelasquz

4-3-2

Stoklosa

6-1

SEVENTH-1 1/16m(T); $67,000; alw opt clm; 3up

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

2 TwoMonthsRnt(L),116

CNakatani

7-3-5

Toner

10-1

3 Flamin' Hot(L),122

A Garcia

8-3-8

Violette

6-1

4 Voter(L),122

J Alvarado

5-1-3

Mott

12-1

5 Hyper(L),122

J Lezcano

1-1-1

C Brown

7-5

1 a-Hockley(L),122

I Ortiz, Jr

2-7-3

McLaghln

4-1

6 Africanist(L),116

RDomingz

2-6-1

Kennelly

3-1

7 Mr. Irons(L),122

RNaprvnk

6-1-4

Abbott

20-1

1A a-Liston(L),122

J Bravo

1-2-3

McLaghln

4-1

8 KeepMeInfrmd(L),122

NoRider

1-5-8

Mott

5-2

9 BernietheMastr(L),122

NoRider

1-6-3

R Dutrow

5-1

10 Crown theChief(L),122

R Maragh

3-5-4

Contessa

6-1

11 Mineswept(L),122

NoRider

6-2-2

Rodrigez

6-1

12 LayshLyshLysh(L),122

CVelasquz

5-4-6

R Dutrow

4-1

EIGHTH-6f; $44,000; Soc($50,000); 3YO; (f)

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Legalized(L),118

J Bravo

3-1-1

Alvarado

7-2

2 MillBranchMilli(L),113

J Ortiz

1-8-3

Friedmn

20-1

3 SweetMoonbm(L),113

SCamchJr

2-1-5

Serey

8-1

4 Mon Rose(L),118

A Smith

4-1-5

JJerkens

12-1

5 Smokin' Alice(L),120

CVelasquz

1-4-1

Rodrgez

12-1

6 Downhill Joey(L),118

J Lezcano

2-5-1

DiPrima

15-1

7 Starship Girl(L),120

RNaprvnk

1-3-x

C Brown

4-1

8 Beautiful Affair(L),118

JVelazquz

1-1-5

Stidham

5-1

9 Winiliscious(L),120

RDomingz

1-3-1

A Dutrow

5-2

NINTH-1m(T); $43,000; mdn cl($65,000); 3YO

PN Horse, Wt.

Jockey

Last 3

Trainer

Odds

1 Super Saturday(L),120

J Lezcano

8-8-6

Trombett

8-1

2 Mr.BeerGoggls(L),113

W Garcia

5-4-3

Persaud

20-1

3 Mr E Philip(L),120

JVelazquz

6-5-4

Kennelly

8-1

4 Go for Two(M),120

J Alvarado

x-x-x

Goldberg

8-1

5 Get Right(L),120

R Maragh

4-3-7

Contessa

3-1

6 Godofgoodfrtn(M),120

E Castro

x-x-x

Schettin

12-1

7 LureoftheSouth(L),120

A Smith

9-5-5

P Kelly

30-1

8 Big John B(L),120

RDomingz

3-2-5

Maker

5-2

9 Cocodimama(L),120

A Garcia

7-x-x

Tagg

5-1

10 Duncans Circle(M),120

D Cohen

x-x-x

Benzel

12-1

11 EastBoundTrain(L),120

S Uske

5-9-x

Tammar

20-1

PN Horse, PN Horse, PN Horse, 3upPN Horse, 3upPN Horse, Horse, 4upPN Horse

Nypost.com

Knicks center Chandler likely to make Team USA

With the announcement five days ago LaMarcus Aldridge will undergo season-ending hip injury, Knicks center Tyson Chandler has become a favorite to make the U.S. Olympic team, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Chandler was named as one of the 20 finalists for the Olympic Team named in January. Team USA has just one center on the roster, Dwight Howard, and he’s out indefinitely with a bulging disk. That also bodes well for Chandler’s presence on the club.

Chandler, who had 20 points and seven rebounds in the Knicks’ 118-110 victory over the Celtics Tuesday night at the Garden, is a candidate for the defensive player of the year award and roundly saluted for his leadership on Dallas’ NBA championship-winning team and this season’s Knicks club. Chandler also has a great supporter in former Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, who will return as Team USA assistant.

Team USA CEO Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski are evaluating the 20 players during their regular season and Chandler fits the bill in every category, especially intangibles and character. Chandler had a good showing on Team USA in the 2010 World Championships. The 12 roster members will be selected in late May.

“I feel like I have a great opportunity to play,’’ Chandler told The Post. “It all comes down to what they feel jells and fits with each other.’’

The Blazers’ Aldridge would have been the favorite as Howard’s backup, if he was healthy. Last week, it was announced he would need arthroscopic surgery to repair a slight labral tear. A surgery date has not been set, but sources said it takes two to four months to heal.

The Olympic team will assemble in Las Vegas for training camp the first week in mid-July and the Games begin in late July.

***

Mike Bibby saw extended action for the first time since January. Bibby had just three points but added six assists. Baron Davis, who interim coach Mike Woodson said was battling a stomach flu, played just 18 minutes. He didn’t have a point and had just one assist.

***

The Knicks make their last visit to New Jersey Wednesday night to face the Nets at the Prudential Center. The rivalry will heat up next season when the Nets get to Brooklyn.

Tyson Chandler, Knicks, Knicks, Team USA, Dwight Howard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Olympic team, Olympic team, Mike Krzyzewski, Jerry Colangelo, Mike Woodson

Nypost.com

Turf Paradise Results

FIRST-870 yds; $3,100; mdn cl($5,000); 3up

6

Wth Lv T (Immrn)

3.40

2.40

2.10

3

Christina Ruth (Ybarra)

2.40

2.20

1

Merreekay (French)

3.00

Scr: June Carter Dash.

* $1 Exacta (6-3) $2.80 * $1 Quinella (3-6) $2.10 * $1 Superfecta (6-3-1-7) $17.40 * $1 Trifecta (6-3-1) $6.20

Trifecta picked by Affrunti

SECOND-6f; $5,500; mdn cl($5,000); 3up

4

Korcnch (Aldrete)

15.60

4.80

2.60

3

Braziliano (Lopez)

2.60

2.10

1

Penny's Image (Kato)

2.20

Scr: M L's Money Maker.

* $1 Daily Double (6-4) $13.60 * $1 Exacta (4-3) $17.30 * $1 Quinella (3-4) $6.70 * $1 Superfecta (4-3-1-2) $78.10 * $1 Trifecta (4-3-1) $37.90

THIRD-6f; $13,000; alw; 3up; (f&m)

2

W Hghlnd Lss (Frnc)

12.60

3.20

2.60

6

Purpl Strdustr (VonRosn)

3.60

2.10

4

Shine'n Time (Baze)

2.20

Scr: Lady Jila.

* $1 Pick 3 (6-4-2) 3 Correct $94.00 * $1 Daily Double (4-2) $51.20 * $1 Exacta (2-6) $19.20 * $1 Quinella (2-6) $7.40 * $1 Trifecta (2-6-4) $55.60

WInner picked by Affrunti

FOURTH-5f; $15,500; alw opt clm; 3up

3

Two Violins (Baze)

3.80

2.20

2.10

1

Brt Eyd N Lucky (VnRsn)

2.60

2.20

5

Some Kinda Boy (Collins)

3.00

Scr: Payment Approved.

* $0.5 Pick 4 (4/6-4-2-3/4) 4 Correct $115.70 * $1 Pick 3 (4-2-3) 3 Correct $110.50 * $1 Quinella (1-3) $2.10 * $1 Superfecta (3-1-5-7) $50.40 * $1 Trifecta (3-1-5) $19.00 * $1 Daily Double (2-3) $14.60 * $1 Exacta (3-1) $5.00

FIFTH-7 1/2f(T); $8,000; cl($6,250); 3up

1

a-Slnt Sul (VnRsn)

2.40

2.20

2.10

5

Western Twist (Aguilar)

8.80

4.80

4

Steel Blue (Keith)

2.60

Scr: Langfuhrious, Seattle Memo.

* $1 Pick 3 (2-3/4-1/6) 3 Correct $47.00 * $1 Daily Double (3-1) $3.40 * $1 Exacta (1-5) $11.70 * $1 Quinella (1-5) $7.20 * $1 Superfecta (1-5-4-2) $101.10 * $1 Trifecta (1-5-4) $45.40

Exacta picked by Affrunti

SIXTH-6 1/2f; $5,500; mdn cl($5,000); 3YO

7

War Sgnl (Crreno)

10.80

4.60

2.80

5

Nemrac (Williams)

2.80

2.20

3

Serge to Paradise (Baze)

2.60

* $1 Pick 3 (3/4-1-7) 3 Correct $22.40 * $1 Daily Double (1-7) $5.00 * $1 Exacta (7-5) $16.10 * $1 Quinella (5-7) $8.00 * $1 Superfecta (7-5-3-4) $93.40 * $1 Trifecta (7-5-3) $48.20

SEVENTH-6f; $13,000; alw; 3up

3

Truckin (Carreno)

8.40

4.40

2.80

4

Arabn Storm (VonRosen)

3.40

2.40

1

Contreve (Dieguez)

2.20

Scr: Exchng Traded Fnds.

* $1 Pick 3 (1/6-7-3) 3 Correct $59.50 * $1 Daily Double (7-3) $27.30 * $1 Exacta (3-4) $16.90 * $1 Quinella (3-4) $7.50 * $1 Superfecta (3-4-1-6) $113.20 * $1 Trifecta (3-4-1) $44.60

EIGHTH-$13,000, alc, 3YO up F&M, 7{f, tf., clear.

3

Devne Sge (Dguz)

9.00

5.00

2.80

6

Candy Lady Br (Stevens)

4.20

2.40

1

R Sweet Valentine (Piermarin)

3.20

Scr: Never Ending Love.

* $1 Pick 3 (7-3-3) 3 Correct $115.80 * $1 Daily Double (3-3) $28.20 * $1 Exacta (3-6) $15.20 * $1 Quinella (3-6) $7.20 * $1 Superfecta (3-6-1-5) $90.30 * $1 Trifecta (3-6-1) $62.20 ; Handle: N/A

Trifecta, Daily Double, Quinella, Superfecta, Superfecta

Nypost.com

Debbie Little at Monticello

Best Bet: Art Glass (6th)

FIRST: mile; pace; $4000; cl($2300)

5 Briars Return

(JTaggartJr)

4-1-1

5-2

3 Michaels Jewel

(MForte)

3-2-3

3-1

1 Big John B

(JMarohn)

4-3-6

4-1

2 Mr Socks

(GMerton)

4-1-4

7-2

4 Full of Heart

(GDeckerJr)

6-1-6

8-1

6 Mister Mystic N

(WParkerJr)

5-5-1

10-1

7 Hopulence

(JDevaux)

1-3-2

9-2

8 Eyesbold

(JPrimeau)

1-6-4

12-1

SECOND: mile; pace; $3400; cond

1 Badlands andArt

(JTaggrtJr)

4-8-1

7-2

6 Rich N Flashy

(WParkerJr)

6-7-6

9-2

8 Southwind Irvin

(JDevaux)

1-3-1

5-2

2 Wilson Jay N

(GMerton)

5-1-5

3-1

3 Real Liar

(CStratton)

2-2-6

8-1

4 Arts Mattjesty

(JPrimeau)

6-5-2

10-1

5 Comanche Hall

(KSwitzerJr)

3-1-2

12-1

7 MightyRiverA

(KDIBenedett)

4-5-1

4-1

THIRD: mile; pace; $2700; cond

1 Halsey Hanover

(MForte)

3-2-3

3-1

4 FoxValleySosa

(KDIBendett)

5-6-4

5-2

6 In Ethans Honor

(JSherota)

6-7-4

8-1

2 Four Starz Pop Pop

(JDvaux)

5-1-7

7-2

3 Roan Shark

(JTaggartJr)

7-5-3

5-1

5 Basso Hanover

(KSwitzerJr)

6-4-4

9-2

7 ComeHomeHoney

(WPrkrJr)

5-8-3

12-1

8 South Park Kid

(RVinci)

2-4-2

10-1

FOURTH: mile; pace; $2000; cond

3 Badlands Josh

(MForte)

3-4-4

3-1

2 Ouzo

(JDevaux)

3-7-6

5-2

4 Diablo

(WParkerJr)

5-2-3

7-2

1 Betting Molin

(SMcaleese)

4-6-4

9-2

5 In The Mix

(GMerton)

6-4-7

4-1

6 Master N DSkies

(JTaggartJr)

8-8-8

12-1

7 Bouncy Three

(JMarohn)

7-6-4

10-1

8 Deceived By Trust

(MMrton)

7-5-4

8-1

FIFTH: mile; pace; $2000; cond

6 Paulimony

(WParkerJr)

7-5-3

5-2

1 Richess King

(KDIBenedetto)

7-2-4

7-2

4 FischersMajorrsk

(KSwtzrJr)

4-2-8

3-1

2 La Pensee Du Jour

(RVinci)

4-4-7

6-1

3 Trappers Treat

(TGale)

8-6-5

12-1

5 Smooth Eric N

(KDevaux)

2-5-8

4-1

7 Loyal Vale N

(MForte)

6-5-8

10-1

8 Five Somewhere

(JMarohn)

6-4-5

9-2

SIXTH: mile; pace; $3400; cond

1 Art Glass

(KSwitzerJr)

1-1-1

9-5

4 Star Power

(WParkerJr)

2-2-1

3-1

5 Broule Hanover

(JDevaux)

3-3-3

5-1

2 My Edward

(SMcaleese)

3-1-4

4-1

3 Top Flight

(JSherota)

5-7-7

10-1

6 L M XKR

(MForte)

7-7-10

8-1

7 Christoffer Bliss

(JOney)

7-7-1

12-1

8 RooRooRusty

(KDIBendetto)

1-5-2

7-2

SEVENTH: mile; pace; $2700; cond

3 Essential Signs

(JStratton)

3-6-8

5-2

4 CivilizedHanover

(JTaggrtJr)

2-5-3

4-1

8 See You Smile

(WParkerJr)

2-5-5

3-1

1 Tigers Destiny

(JMarohn)

3-5-8

6-1

2 Jadestone

(KSwitzerJr)

3-1-7

10-1

5 Bay Street

(MMerton)

6-8-2

7-2

6 Gota Go Bullville

(AButtitta)

4-7-1

12-1

7 FoxValleyRper

(KDIBendett)

4-1-1

9-2

EIGHTH: mile; pace; $5400; cond

3 Eagle Now

(JStratton)

6-6-7

4-1

4 RedneckRivier

(KDIBenedett)

6-6-3

5-1

1 Gone Baby Gone

(WParkerJr)

2-1-3

5-2

2 Game Jocko

(JTaggartJr)

4-3-1

3-1

5 Delco Tross

(RHarp)

2-6-1

8-1

6 CamcrackerDynasty

(MFrte)

7-8-5

6-1

NINTH: mile pace; $10000; cl($4000)

4 Our Connor MacN

(JStratton)

5-2-5

5-2

5 BehindEnemyLines

(JDvaux)

7-7-3

3-1

7 Farewell Sky

(MForte)

8-4-1

7-2

1 Rare Display

(JTaggartJr)

8-1-4

4-1

2 WindsunFireNIce

(WPrkerJr)

5-2-5

9-2

3 Tim Whiskers

(KSwitzerJr)

2-1-3

8-1

6 Million Dollar Bay

(MMerton)

4-2-2

10-1

TENTH: mile; pace; $4000; cond

4 Arts Blaze

(WParkerJr)

5-2-4

5-2

5 AllTrickedOut

(KDIBenedett)

8-5-5

8-1

7 Wantasmile

(SMcaleese)

7-3-3

3-1

1 Five Star Stud

(JTaggartJr)

5-6-4

9-2

2 Life of Ease

(RPetitto)

4-1-2

10-1

3 Cheyenne Bogart

(MForte)

5-6-2

12-1

6 Victory Spirit N

(KSwitzerJr)

8-1-8

5-1

8 L Flaviadi

(KDevaux)

5-6-5

4-1

ELEVENTH: mile; pace; $4300; cond

2 Hot Pistol

(GMerton)

5-1-2

5-2

5 Happyending

(MMerton)

2-3-4

9-2

7 Aruba Sunset

(WParkerJr)

4-6-1

12-1

1 Duncans Western

(MForte)

8-5-1

3-1

3 Out To Kill A

(KDIBenedetto)

4-3-8

6-1

4 Freedom Soldier

(KSwitzrJr)

7-8-6

4-1

6 PictoniansSouwest

(CStrttn)

3-8-1

10-1

8 Break Dancer

(JTaggartJr)

2-6-1

7-2

TWELFTH: mile; pace; $4000; cl($2300)

3 Sun Moon Lake

(GMerton)

1-3-4

5-2

4 Kamwood Jasper N

(RHarp)

2-4-2

7-2

8 Optimist N

(WParkerJr)

8-2-4

3-1

1 Cheyenne Ryan

(KSwitzerJr)

2-2-2

4-1

2 Baruch Hanover

(JTaggartJr)

1-6-3

9-2

5 Maximum Viking

(WMann)

8-6-2

8-1

6 Up Front J S

(CWashington)

8-6-1

12-1

7 KeystoneSwnger

(ASchwrtz)

7-5-1

10-1

Halsey Hanover, Wilson Jay N, Michaels Jewel, Rich N Flashy, Basso Hanover, Broule Hanover, Southwind Irvin, cond3 Badlands Josh, cl, mile pace

Nypost.com

'Our house:' GW blanks Cardozo in rematch, wins host tournament

When a group of Cardozo players arrived at George Washington blasting Jadakiss’ “The Champ is Here,” Nelson Rodriguez gritted his teeth. After the Judges chanted “Our house,” before Thursday’s George Washington Tournament final, he seethed inside but said nothing.

The pro prospect and his teammates let their actions do the talking. The Trojans plated four first-inning runs, Edwin Corniel tossed 6-1/3 shutout frames and GW cruised to a 6-0 win over Cardozo five days after falling to the Queens school.

“This is our house,” Rodriguez said, “and we protect this house.”

Lauren Marsh

George Washington won its host tournament, topping Cardozo, 6-0, on Thursday.

Photos: George Washington-Cardozo

Lauren Marsh

George Washington's Edwin Corniel tossed 6-1/3 shutout innings for the win.

Photos: George Washington-Cardozo

Corniel took a step further, saying he felt “disrespected" by the pre-game taunts.

“Talk is cheap,” he said. “We showed them the kind of team we are.”

Unlike the previous meeting, George Washington played a clean game in the field. Cardozo, which replaced its foe atop The Post's PSAL rankings after the win, went with soft-tossing righthander Calvin Luk. He threw two shutout innings last Saturday, but was touched up for five runs this time, the big blow Yasmany Gomez’s three-run, first-inning home run to the opposite field.

Co-aces Adrian Castano and Connor Doyle worked the final five innings and were solid – Alexis Torres’ run-scoring triple was the lone blemish – but the Judges could do little against Corniel. The hefty righty, who was ruled ineligible last year after transferring from A.P. Randolph, allowed just three hits, struck out eight and walked three in an impressive 104-pitch outing.

“He was on his ‘A’ game,” Rodriguez said. “He was locating his pitches and his curveball was on point.”

He found trouble in the third. Chris Campbell singled and Doyle walked, but Gomez made a leaping catch against the right-field wall to rob Nicanor Luna of an extra-base hit and Corniel fanned Diego Gonzalez to end the threat.

“He singlehandedly beat us,” Cardozo coach Ron Gorecki said of Gomez.

In an ironic twist, Mandl said he has taken out Gomez late in games for defensive purposes. He is, in fact, only in the lineup because center fielder Fernelys Sanchez fractured his ankle during the preseason.

“That play was very big, it could’ve been one or two runs,” Corniel said. “I love that kid. He’s a monster.”

Despite the loss, Gorecki considered this week a bonus. Cardozo went 4-2, proved to itself it can not only play with GW but beat them, and also topped playoff contenders Walton and John F. Kennedy in impressive fashion.

“In Queens we don’t have this type of depth, this type of strength,” the coach said. “I think this has been beneficial to my guys.”

GW coach Steve Mandl played down the victory’s significance, other than it was important to win the tournament. He actually felt his team played well in the loss to Cardozo aside from a few defensive miscues. Those were gone on Thursday.

“Today we played good defense, hit when we had to hit and we got great pitching,” he said.

His team felt differently – that was clear by how they reacted to the victory. They rushed closer Reynaldo Hernandez after he punctuated the victory by striking out Castano. Minutes later, they dumped the Gatorade bucket on Mandl and whatever was left on Corniel. It had nothing to do with the opponent, Rodriguez said. It was about winning a title.

“Every time we win a championship, we do a dog pile,” he said. “It’s fun to do that.”

George Washington hopes to have another title to celebrate in June.

zbraziller@nypost.com

George Washington, Washington, George Washington, Edwin Corniel ebook download, Nelson Rodriguez, Rodriguez, George Washington-CardozoCorniel, GW, GW, MarshGeorge Washington, Corniel, shutout innings, Steve Mandl, John F. Kennedy

Nypost.com

Icahn files pharma suit

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn sued Amylin Pharmaceuticals, demanding records related to a $3.5 billion takeover offer by Bristol-Myers Squibb as he seeks to start a proxy fight against Amylin’s board.

Icahn, Amylin’s third-largest investor, is seeking records about the directors’ “evaluation and rejection of the Bristol-Myers proposal,” according to a lawsuit filed yesterday in Delaware Chancery Court. Earlier this week, Icahn filed a separate suit aimed at bylaws that hamstring investors from seeking to vote out current directors.

Icahn, who has targeted at least seven drug companies in the past five years, has threatened a proxy fight over the Amylin board’s rejection of the $22-per-share Bristol-Myers offer and urged the drugmaker to pursue a sale.

Amylin officials turned down the $3.5 billion offer in February, people familiar with the bid said on March 28. The San Diego-based company has never confirmed the offer.

Amylin rose 52 cents, or more than 2 percent to close at $24.28. The shares are up nearly 58 percent since March 27, the day before Bristol-Myers’s bid was reported.

Icahn has been critical of Amylin’s directors, saying in an April 4 letter the board is “dysfunctional and is not operating in a manner that enhances shareholder value.”

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Amylin, Delaware Chancery Court, Bristol-Myers Squibb, investor, proxy fight, ebook download

Nypost.com

Knicks lose to Bulls; face big test vs. Bucks

CHICAGO — This was not the kind of sluggish performance the Knicks needed on their way to the Brew City showdown.

As decrepit on the offensive end as they have been all season, the Knicks suffered an ugly 98-86 loss to the Bulls Wednesday night at United Center to fall back to eighth place. It sets the stage for the Knicks to tumble out of playoff position by late tonight if they lose to the Bucks.

The Knicks fled Chicago by bus late last night for the 90-minute journey, hoping to rediscover an offensive flow.

PHOTOS: KNICKS FLOP IN CHICAGO

“It’s a must-win for us,” Tyson Chandler said. “We have to approach it as if it’s a Game 7 playoff game. We have to understand what’s at stake. We have to leave it out on the floor.”

Reuters

NO HEROICS THIS TIME: Carmelo Anthony, who scored 29 points, lunges for a loose ball as Omer Asik defends during the Knicks’ 98-86 loss to the Bulls last night.

The Bulls were without Derrick Rose, who suffered a sprained ankle in Sunday’s 100-99 loss at the Garden, and the Knicks were without capable point-guard play. The Knicks didn’t take advantage of Rose’s absence as Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau’s top seed put the clamps on the Knicks, who shot 42.5 percent.

Chicago also massacred the Knicks 51-33 on the boards and allowed 25 second-chance points. Chandler had 15 rebounds but no other Knick had more than five, and Carmelo Anthony, who scored 29 points, had just two.

“We got outhustled, that’s the thing they do — hustle,” said Anthony, who also said Wednesday night’s game is a “must-win’’. “We lost the game on rebounds, second-chance points, loose balls. Two rebounds — I have to do better than that.”

The Knicks (29-28), who fell from seventh to eighth with the Sixers’ victory over the Nets, face the Bucks at the Bradley Center and a loss would toss them into ninth place with eight games remaining because the Bucks would own the tiebreaker.

If the season ended today, the Knicks would face the Bulls in Round 1. Chicago won the season series, 3-1.

“It was one of those games offensively, we just didn’t have it,” said interim coach Mike Woodson, who fell to 11-4. “We didn’t have ball movement, it didn’t flow. It’s the first time I’ve seen that as head coach. It seemed everyone was trying to do it by themselves.”

The Knicks are 2-10 in the last 12 meetings against Milwaukee, which scored 119 points against them in the last meeting at Bradley Center.

“It’s a big game [Wednesday night], and we have to put this one behind us,” Woodson said. “We played them well last time, but it’s not going to be an easy game.”

The Knicks’ bench play was pitiful and only Anthony showed any sharpness on offense, shooting 11-for-19 from the field to follow up on his Easter Miracle 43-point effort.

Reserve J.R. Smith was the next leading scorer with 14 points but wasn’t selective enough. Steve Novak’s two free throws late represented the only other bench points. Novak finished 0-for-4 and was 0-for-8 in the home-and-home series. Seven of those attempts were from the 3-point line. Novak, the league’s leader in 3-point percentage, better get hot in his hometown tonight or this club may not have enough offense or point-guard play to compete against Brandon Jennings and the Bucks.

The Knicks’ offense went from streaky in the first quarter to completely dead the rest of the way. Their 10-point second quarter cost them the game. The continued injury absences of point guard Jeremy Lin and Amar’e Stoudemire was deeply felt.

“I thought we were a little flat,” Chandler said. “If we’re going to be undersized, we have to do the little things and box out.”

The Bulls got a bench boost from shooter Kyle Korver, who buried the Knicks in the fourth quarter with 11 of his 14 points. Korver dove on the floor for a loose ball in the fourth, ripping it from Baron Davis, and fed Taj Gibson for a dunk.

The Bulls are now 16-7 without Rose.

“We feel great about our depth,’’ Thibodeau said before the game. “We feel we have enough guys to play with.’’

Unfortunately for the Knicks, they did.

marc.berman@nypost.com

Knicks, Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, The Knicks, the Bulls, The Bulls, Bulls

Nypost.com

Tory Burch talking to Coach, Gucci parent PPR about selling stake in label

EXCLUSIVE

Tory Burch has Coach bags on the brain.

The flaxen-haired fashion designer recently held talks to sell a big stake in her label to Coach, the New York handbag behemoth run by accessories impresario Lew Frankfort, The Post has learned.

While discussions between the two labels recently broke off, they’re not necessarily dead, according to sources close to the negotiations. And whether or not she ties the knot with Coach, sources said Burch is still hoping to land a deal that values her company at upwards of $2 billion.

“It’s still very early, and [Tory Burch is] talking to a lot of different people,” according to a source close to the talks. “It’s still a learning process at this stage. There could end up being no deal at all.”

Officials at the fashion house declined to comment, and a Coach spokesman said the company doesn’t comment on “rumors or speculation.”

A tie-up between Coach and Tory Burch could create a powerhouse in lower-priced luxury — among the most lucrative and fastest-growing segments in retail.

Still, Tory Burch continues to hold talks with a bevy of potential suitors, including private-equity firms, overseas investment funds and high-net-worth individuals, according to a source.

The preppy label even had informal discussions recently with a director at PPR, the French luxury conglomerate run by Francois-Henri Pinault that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Boucheron, according to a source.

The stake that’s for sale, equal to nearly 30 percent of the company, is owned by the designer’s ex-husband Christopher Burch, an eccentric retail entrepreneur who co-founded the label with his then-wife in 2004.

As first reported by The Post in December, Tory Burch hired Barclays Capital to find a buyer for the stake as tensions between the Burches escalated last year.

The key sticking point: Christopher Burch, to the chagrin of his ex-wife, has launched a retail venture, C. Wonder, which some critics say looks like a lower-priced version of Tory Burch.

Speculation about a potential lawsuit over C. Wonder, whose merchandise mimics the bright colors and clean-cut clothes at Tory Burch, has raged for months.

Nevertheless, Tory Burch is still resisting a legal tussle, hoping Christopher Burch will change the merchandise, logo and look of the store so it is less “confusing” in its similarity to Tory Burch, a source said.

“No investor is going to come in [to buy the Tory Burch stake] while this C. Wonder situation remains unresolved,” according to one insider.

Another big stumbling block, however, is price: Christopher Burch has demanded nearly $600 million for his stake, according to people briefed on the situation.

That lofty figure would imply an eye-popping value for the company of about 14 times its roughly $140 million in Ebitda, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

“Basically, he’s been holding his stake for ransom,” according to one source close to the talks. “It’s very difficult for a lot of people to take a number like that and make it work.”

jcovert@nypost.com

Tory Burch, Coach, Christopher Burch, Yves Saint Laurent, Lew Frankfort

Nypost.com

Sports Shorts

MLB: Ozzie Guillen wants to apologize

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said he’ll be at Marlins Park in Miami today to apologize for telling Time magazine he loves Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and respects him for staying in power so long.

Yu Darvish overcome a rocky start to win his major league debut in the Rangers’ 11-5 win over the Mariners last night. After giving up four runs while throwing 42 pitches in the first inning, then allowing another run in the second, Darvish settled down and later retired 10 in a row while pitching into the sixth. . . .Second baseman Ian Kinsler said he and Texas agreed on a new $75 million, five-year contract . . . Cleveland catcher Carlos Santana agreed on a multi-year deal.

Matt Holliday, David Freese and Yadier Molina homered in the first inning as the Cardinals beat the Reds 7-1. . . . Barry Zito pitched a four-hitter for his first shutout in nine years to lead the Giants to a 7-0 win over the Rockies. . . . Ryan Sweeney singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth as the Red Sox rallied for 4-2 win at Toronto.

NBA: Injured Kobe scratched from lineup

Kobe Bryant was scratched from the lineup for the Lakers’ 93-91 victory at New Orleans last night because of the left shin injury that also sidelined him two nights earlier. Coach Mike Brown said it is not yet clear when he’ll return.

Dwyane Wade, who sat out Sunday’s win over Detroit because of a sore ankle, plans to play tonight when Miami hosts the Celtics to close a five-game homestand.

Antoine Walker, the former NBA All-Star, announced his retirement at age 35 after spending two seasons trying to rejuvenate his career with the D-League Idaho Stampede.

Etc.: Jets in chase for Yeremiah Bell

The Jets are one of three teams interested in Dolphins freeagent strong safety Yeremiah Bell, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. The Patriots and Eagles also are chasing the eight-year veteran.

The men’s and women’s basketball programs at Baylor are facing possible NCAA sanctions following an investigation that uncovered more than 1,200 impermissible phone calls and text messages during a 29-month span, ESPN.com reported.

Isiah Thomas’ firing last week at Florida International sparked a protest by his former players who last night quietly walked out of a university athletic department banquet.

Thomas Robinson, the brawny 6-9 junior forward who led Kansas to a national runner-up finish this season, is leaving for the NBA. . . .Former LSU basketball coach Trent Johnson was formally introduced as TCU’s new coach.

Ozzie Guillen, Fidel Castro, Yadier Molina, Carlos Santana, David Freese, Darvish, Barry Zito, Ian Kinsler, Yeremiah Bell, Coach Mike Brown, NBA, Red Sox, Ryan Sweeney

Nypost.com

Workers need to tune out at times

The stress of the electron leash that keeps you tethered to the office 24/7 may require more than just taking a mental-health day to recuperate.

Stewart Friedman, a management professor at Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, says that being perpetually connected by portable electronic devices is hindering people’s ability to separate the important things from the minutiae in both work and life.

The wired world is stealing the regular downtime that workers used to enjoy. And this time off — even if it is just hours spent vegging at night in front of the TV — helps improve worker productivity the next day.

“Employers are recognizing that it is helpful for employees to have boundaries,” says Friedman. But bosses need to be on board for this to work.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2010, the average American works 8.6 hours per day, compared with 7.6 hours sleeping and 2.6 hours involved in leisure or sports. About 35 percent of Americans also work on the weekends — and that’s in the midst of a lousy economy.

It may seem unreal to demand that workers not check their e-mail for an entire weekend or week of vacation. For some people, being completely disconnected is more stressful than the work itself.

Friedman believes that a tailored approach is best, depending on the industry, the company and the individual.

“It’s better to take an hour a day to check in with the office before they go to the beach or go on a hike with their family,” he says, adding that some people prefer to have limitations on working during non-working hours or vacation but not be barred from it altogether. “Flexibility is the essential element. But it’s got to be defined and driven by the employee.”

Of course, the employee doesn’t dictate what the boss demands.

Just knowing that you could be contacted by your office — even if you aren’t — can put today’s worker more on edge than his counterpart in the pre-cellphone era, when a person could skip away from office chores (not to mention family ones) without the possibility of being tracked down.

A 31-year-old woman on the Upper West Side who runs a foundation says, “I think a lot of bosses give lip service to the idea of ‘don’t work too much,’ but in reality they want you to be available around the clock.”

Another New Yorker, who works in branding, explains that being available and connected 24/7 is the new normal.

“I’m never disconnected — except in the subway. They want us to be available for them all the time, for sure.”

Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2010, Friedman, workers

Nypost.com

Pitching Form

(Game time)

2011

'11 vs OPP

CAREER

LAST 3 STARTS

LINE

W-L

ERA

*REC

W-L

ERA

vs OPP

W-L

IP

ERA

*AHW

Yankees

Hughes (R)

(1:40pm)

5-5

5.79

9-5

1-0

2.08

4-3

---

----

----

----

Rays

Hllickson (R)

Pick

13-10

2.95

16-13

1-1

4.07

2-1

---

----

----

----

Braves

Minor (L)

(1:10pm)

5-3

4.14

10-5

1-0

7.80

2-0

---

----

----

----

Mets

Niese (L)

Pick

11-11

4.40

13-13

2-0

4.26

3-2

---

----

----

----

Marlins

Zambrano (R)

(1:10pm)

9-7

4.82

13-11

1-1

7.15

17-11

---

----

----

----

Reds

Arroyo (R)

6 1/2-7 1/2

9-12

5.07

15-17

1-1

3.00

1-3

---

----

----

----

Phillies

Worley (R)

6-7

11-3

3.01

16-5

0-0

6.00

0-0

---

----

----

----

Pirates

McDonald (R)

(1:35pm)

9-9

4.21

14-17

0-2

8.00

0-2

---

----

----

----

Rockies

Nicasio (R)

Even-6

4-4

4.14

7-6

---

---

---

---

----

----

----

Astros

Norris (R)

(2:05pm)

6-11

3.77

13-18

0-0

7.20

0-0

---

----

----

----

Cardinals

Lynn (R)

(2:10pm)

1-1

2.86

1-1

0-0

0.00

0-0

---

----

----

----

Brewers

Wolf (L)

5 1/2-6 1/2

13-10

3.69

19-14

3-2

5.34

8-8

---

----

----

----

Nationals

Zmmermann (R)

7-8

8-11

3.18

13-13

0-1

5.68

0-2

---

----

----

----

Cubs

Smardzija (R)

(2:20pm)

8-4

2.97

0-0

0-0

1.93

0-0

---

----

----

----

Dodgers

Harang (R)

(4:05pm)

14-7

3.64

17-11

---

---

3-4

---

----

----

----

Padres

Richard (L)

5 1/2-6 1/2

5-9

3.88

6-12

0-1

2.70

4-1

---

----

----

----

Giants

Cain (R)

(4:10pm)

12-11

2.88

18-15

4-2

3.92

10-6

---

----

----

----

D'Backs

Cllmenter (R)

Pick

10-10

3.38

12-12

2-1

4.50

2-1

---

----

----

----

Red Sox

Buchholz (R)

(1:05pm)

6-3

3.48

9-5

0-0

2.08

1-1

---

----

----

----

Tigers

Scherzer (R)

Even-6

15-9

4.43

21-12

0-1

31.50

0-2

---

----

----

----

Blue Jays

Carreno (R)

(1:05pm)

1-0

1.15

0-0

---

---

---

---

----

----

----

Indians

Lowe (R)

5 1/2-6 1/2

9-17

5.05

15-19

—

—

6-9

---

----

----

----

Twins

Swarzak (R)

(1:35pm)

4-7

4.32

5-6

0-1

13.50

0-1

---

----

----

----

Orioles

Hammel (R)

Even-6

7-13

4.76

12-15

---

---

1-0

---

----

----

----

Royals

Sanchez (L)

(3:35pm)

4-7

4.26

9-10

---

---

0-1

---

----

----

----

Angels

Santana (R)

8-9

11-12

3.38

17-16

0-1

5.95

5-5

---

----

----

----

White Sox

Floyd (R)

(8:05pm)

12-13

4.37

14-16

1-1

0.64

2-3

---

----

----

----

Rangers

Harrison (L)

8-9

14-9

3.39

20-10

0-0

4.76

2-0

---

----

----

----

* REC: Won-lost record of pitcher's team in games he has started.

* AHW: Average total of hits and walks yielded per nine innings.
Nypost.com

Longoria, Rays turning the page

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Yankees and Rays will open their regular seasons against each other today at Tropicana Field, the same place where their regular seasons came to an end a year ago.

And no matter what happens in today’s game, or how important Opening Day is to some people, it won’t approach the drama of last season’s finale, which ended when Evan Longoria completed a comeback from 7-0 down with a game-winning solo homer in the 12th inning off Scott Proctor.

“Over the four years I’ve been here, we’ve done a lot of different things and they all go in the memory bank,” Longoria said. “That’s definitely up there.”

EVAN LONGORIA
Last September’s hero.

But the stunning close of that game, which capped a stunning run by the Rays — and a monumental collapse by the Red Sox — won’t have much of an impact on this season.

“There’s a little bit of a carryover and momentum going into this year because of what we did last year,” Longoria said. “But the most important thing is that we have to turn the page.”

Despite the exciting conclusion to 2011, Longoria wouldn’t mind avoiding a similar close call this time around.

“It’s really tough to climb back against these guys,” Longoria said. “I don’t want to do that again.”

Longoria was one of a handful of Rays to show up for an optional workout at Tropicana Field yesterday.

“This division has been tough since I’ve been in the league and it never gets easier,” said Longoria. “The Yankees and Red Sox are gonna be the Yankees and the Red Sox. We feel very strongly about our team. It’s a good feeling to know when you play them, you’re not just looked at as a doormat; you’re not overlooked.”

And the Rays seem to have as good a shot as anyone of getting back to the playoffs.

“We like to feel as a group that we put ourselves in a situation to be included in the same category as them as far as a viable opponent in the AL East,” Longoria said.

They have been more often than not, but Longoria doesn’t want them resting on their laurels.

“All of those memories were great — up until the point until we didn’t get past the first round again,” Longoria said. “The time for reminiscing is over.”

dan.martin@nypost.com

Evan Longoria, Longoria, Red Sox, Tropicana Field, Tropicana Field, ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Rays, the Rays

Nypost.com