Cheers and Jeers: Goodbye to a Denver sports legend

CHEERS | Denver sports media luminary Irv Moss

The Denver sports world learned of the passing of former Denver Post reporter Irv Moss at the age of 85 on Thursday due to complications from esophageal cancer.

Moss spent 60 years working at the newspaper, covering anything and everything involved in athletics. And judging by the outpouring on social media to his death, he was beloved by many, if not all.

Rest in peace, Irv.

JEERS | Avalanche players lobbying for Cale Makar to make the all-star team

This isn’t so much jeer for Cale Makar’s teammates, who have been lobbying for him to earn a spot in this season’s all-star game as one of the NHL’s “Last Men In.” It’s more that he should already be heading to St. Louis, along with MVP candidate Nathan MacKinnon.

Makar ranks second among all rookies in points (32), trailing only Buffalo forward Victor Olofsson (35). Among all defensemen, Makar ranks fifth in the statistical category while also leading all rookies at the position.

But, don’t take my word for it. Take head coach Jared Bednar’s.

“He’s the exact type of guy you want in those games — a young star putting up elite numbers. He should be in,” Bednar said.

Or take the word of superstar Nathan MacKinnon: “He’s been unreal. One of the best d-men in the league already, at 21. It’s amazing to see him develop.”

CHEERS | Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic

The Joker has apparently found his groove.

On Monday, Nikola Jokic dropped 47 points on the Atlanta Hawks. He then followed it up with 33 points and the game-winning bucket in a showdown Wednesday on ESPN with Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.

Jokic also jumped two spots in the NBA’s all-star voting this week into the Western Conference’s top five, besting Kristaps Porzingis and Karl-Anthony Towns.

It may appear that Denver finally has its first perennial all-star since the days of Carmelo Anthony.

JEERS | The IOC’s ruling on political protests during the 2020 Toyko Games

The International Olympic Committee ruled on Thursday that athletes competing in this summer’s games in Toyko will not be permitted to demonstrate on behalf of political, religious or ethnic cause during medal ceremonies nor the opening and closing ceremonies.

“It is a fundamental principle that sport is neutral and must be separate from political, religious or any other type of interference. Specifically, the focus for the field of play and related ceremonies must be on celebrating athletes’ performance and showcasing sport and its values.”

But the ruling seems to be a lesson in hypocrisy, given the organization’s undeniable ties to global politics.

USA Today columnist Nancy Armour puts it this way:

“If you’re imagining this being said with a condescending tone of ‘Do as I say, not as I do,’ you are not alone. IOC leaders, president Thomas Bach in particular, have crossed that supposed bright line separating the Olympics from politics so often that it’s no longer visible.”