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Sunday, 1 March 2026

Cooper Flagg Makes His Team USA Dream Extremely Clear

As expected, Cooper Flagg has been one of the NBA's most impressive rookies this season. Unfortunately, we haven't seen the Dallas Mavericks forward in a couple of weeks.

Flagg has not played since suffering a left foot sprain on Feb. 10. Unable to help his team on the court, he's focused on staying engaged and developing off of it.

"It's just a part of of being on the team, being a competitor. wanting to help my team win no matter what," Flagg told Men's Journal this weekend. "So just showing up and doing what I can, telling the guys what I see, trying to help them in a lot of different ways, even if I can't do the job there."

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg entered the league with considerable hype. He was immediately embraced by Mavs fans, many of whom came out to meet him in person at the AT&T Dunk Bus stop in Dallas Saturday.

"The fans have been amazing. Ever since I got here, day one, they've been really supportive and they've showed up in a big way," Flagg said. "Obviously, the season hasn't gone the way we wanted it to, but the fans have done their part and showed up all the way through. Events like this are a great opportunity to connect with fans and just spend time."

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Flagg makes quick leap to pro game

The Duke University product has been as advertised in his first pro season, averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists over 49 games.

The current favorite to win Rookie of the Year, Flagg said being able to "prepare my body and prepare my mind and be ready" is something he was focused on before his injury. As far as adjustments go, it wasn't all about the game itself.

"There's a ton of adjustments, but I would say one of the big thing is just mentally," he explained. "It's a huge difference from the lifestyle and everything like that in college to being professional and carrying yourself the right way at all times. You know, you just have to be a pro. So I'd say just mentally changing and growing is a lot of differences."

LA 2028 on the horizon?

Flagg won a gold medal with USA Basketball at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in 2022. The 2028 Olympics are a little more than two years away, and the most recent roster projections for the American squad all include Flagg.

Suiting up for the red, white and blue in Los Angeles is something Flagg has on his mind.

"Playing for Team USA has always been a dream of mine. It's always been a huge honor for me," Flagg said. "When I was younger, playing for the under-17 team, it was such an honor to be able to play for your country in any way.

"It's going to be a dream come true for me, and obviously something that I would love to do. And if I get that opportunity, that would be amazing. I think that's one of the greatest honors you can have in our sport, and I really look forward to having the opportunity."

For now though, the focus is on rehabbing, and then once the offseason rolls around, working on his overall game for year two.

"There's a lot I want to improve on," Flagg said. "I just want to continue to work and grow at getting comfortable with the ball in my hand. I'll try and learn and get better at making reads, faster, quicker, being more decisive, shooting, defense. I mean, you can work on everything. There's always room for growth, so just keep trying to get better."

from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/ai4X7IB

Wu-Tang Clan's Oliver ‘Power’ Grant’s Cause of Death Revealed

Days after Wu-Tang Clan announced the passing of co-founder Oliver “Power” Grant, the cause of death was announced. The news coincided with the hip hop group’s nomination to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was 52.

Although Grant wasn’t a performer, he was served as executive producer on their first album, Enter the Wu-Tang and also helped fund the group in the early days.

What Did Oliver ‘Power’ Grant’ Die From?

Grant died following “a courageous and hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer,” his family and Wu-Tang Clan said in a joint statement to Rolling Stone.

What Should I Know about Pancreatic Cancer?

There were approximately 67,440 diagnoses of pancreatic cancer last year. The five-year survival rate is 13.3 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Risk factors include smoking, which causes about 25 percent of all cases of pancreatic cancer. Other risks include being overweight, having diabetes, or pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.

This cancer type disproportionately affects Black people, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/1kPjKnf

Saturday, 28 February 2026

You’re Using Drywall Anchors Wrong - Fix It Fast

Installing drywall anchors is pretty straightforward, right? First, choose a drywall anchor that’s rated to handle the weight of whatever it is you’re planning to hang from it. Next, use a drill bit that matches the diameter of the anchor to drill a hole in the drywall. Tap the anchor into the hole until it’s flush to the wall then drive the screw into the anchor with a screwdriver or drill/driver. It’s the final step where most people get it wrong.

What Most People Get Wrong

As Toronto-based woodworker and influencer Kenny Chan demonstrates in his TikTok video on the topic, most people drive the screw into the anchor and stop when the head is protruding about an 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch or so from the wall, so that it can function as a hanger.

This problem with the practice has to do with the way a drywall anchor works. The tips of drywall anchors are designed to expand behind the wall, creating a brace that can support from 10 to as much as 100 lbs. depending on the size and type of the anchor and the thickness of the drywall.

But in order for the drywall anchor to fully anchor itself, the screw must activate it. As the screw threads into the anchor, it forces the anchor’s tip to expand, creating the brace. This only happens if you drive the screw fully into the anchor so that it’s flush to the wall. If you stop a 1/4-inch short, the anchor won’t fully activate.

Without that brace fully extended, the anchor won’t adequately support the weight of the object you’re hanging. It also won’t be secure in the wall and may spin or tear the drywall. If you’re using the anchor to support a floating shelf or towel rack, the anchor can actually work itself loose over time, eventually failing.

Drive It Home

When you’re installing the screw into the drywall anchor, drive it fully in so the head is flush to the wall to fully activate the anchor. Then back the screw out so you can use it as a hanger.

Note: Just as it's important to drive the screw flush to the wall, it’s also important not to over tighten the screw as doing so can tear the anchor apart.

from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/1fGXM2U

Travis Kelce Financial Situation Adds to Difficult Retirement Decision

As one of the most consistent and dominant tight ends in the league throughout his career, Travis Kelce has typically been compensated handsomely for playing in the NFL. However, if he's going to return to the league and play another season, it sounds like he will actually be missing out on a lot of money.

As Kelce decides whether or not to return to the league for another year, Kelce faces a rather unique situation where playing another season might actually cost him money compared to his other alternatives.

Travis Kelce Faces Pay Cut

While the Kansas City Chiefs have made it pretty clear that they would like to have Kelce return to the team for another season, it sounds like he will be asked to take a rather significant pay cut if that happens.

Back in 2024, Kelce signed a two-year deal with the team worth $17.125 million per year that made him the highest-paid tight end in the league at the time. However, that two-year deal is expiring this offseason, which means that if Kelce returns to the Chiefs for another season, it will be under a new deal. And as Joel Corry of CBS Sports points out in his analysis of what Kelce would be worth if he decides to return, his salary under a new deal would almost certainly be considerably less than it was.

While Kelce is still one of the better and more productive tight ends in the league, finishing the 2025 season with 76 catches for 851 yards with five touchdowns – good for sixth in receptions and fourth in receiving yards among tight ends during the season – it's still clear that he is not the player he was a few years ago.

He might still be productive, but he's noticeably less explosive, and it shows up on the stat sheet as the legendary tight end is coming off the two least productive seasons of his entire career. If Kelce plays another season, he will be a year older and a year deeper into his physical decline.

It's not clear what Kelce would be paid should he decide to return to the Chiefs, but it will certainly be considerably less than he was being paid the past two seasons.

Other Lucrative Opportunities

In addition to what is expected to be a significantly lower salary for the 2026 season, electing to return to the league would also mean passing up some lucrative opportunities outside of football.

Over the past several years, Kelce has established a budding career for himself in the entertainment industry. He has already appeared as an actor in the FX series Grotesquerie as well as the recent Happy Gilmore sequel. Should he choose to retire, he would almost certainly have more opportunities.

In addition to these opportunities, Andrew Marchand of The Athleticreports that Kelce could step into a broadcasting career where he could command around $15 million as simply a studio analyst.

“Travis Kelce appears as if he will try to play another season before potentially trying broadcasting, where he would like to call games, but probably could pick up at least $15 million per year as a studio presence,” Marchand wrote for The Athletic.

Needless to say, it's pretty clear that Kelce would actually make more money should he choose to retire from the NFL than he would if he chose to play another season. It's not unlike Tom Brady, who now makes considerably more money as a broadcaster than he ever did during his playing career.

It's unlikely that will be the only factor in Kelce's decision, as he has made plenty of money throughout his career and will still make plenty of money should he return for another season. Still, this unique financial situation adds to what is already a difficult decision for the superstar tight end.

from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/mH8z6BI

Friday, 27 February 2026

Nike's Cozy Cold-Weather Hoodies Are on Sale for Just $39

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In This Story

Nike Therma-Fit Hoodies, $39 (was $65)

Why We Love This Deal

Nike makes really solid basic hoodies, but the good ones rarely drop below $50, particularly those with the brand’s performance tech. But that's exactly what's happening with Nike's Therma-Fit hoodies—they're now on sale for less than $40, and likely the biggest steal during the brand's pre-spring break sale.

The Nike Therma-Fit Hoodie is on sale for $39, a 40% discount off its full price of $65. They're listed at $49 on sale, but when you use the code GEARUP at checkout, it brings the price down to this sub-$40 mark. They’re available in sizes S to 2XL and come with a handful of tall size options as well, but the sale only lasts until Feb. 28, so get one while you still can.

Nike Therma-Fit Hoodies, $39 (was $65) at Nike

What Shoppers Should Know

Type: Workout hoodie
Sizes: S to 2XL
Lengths: Regular, tall
Color: Black
Best For: Workouts, cold-weather, errands, athleisure wear

These hoodies are built using Nike’s Therma-Fit tech, which regulates your body heat. Pair that with a supersoft fleece that’s lightly brushed on the inside, and you get one exceptionally warm, yet very cozy hoodie. While it is listed as a relaxed fit, numerous shoppers noted it runs a touch fitted, so grab your size accordingly. It also comes with front hand pockets and a handy zippered sleeve pocket for cards, cash, or your AirPods.

While the ever-popular Dri-Fit hoodies are great for wicking moisture, these Therma-Fits are better for colder months, but since they regulate body temperature well, you can wear them during the other chilly seasons just as easily, and as a fantastic warm-up pump cover pre-workout. With a fitted cut, they also look great to wear for errands or on the weekends, plus they’re an ideal choice for chilly spring runs outdoors.

What Wearers Are Saying

These hoodies have 160 five-star ratings, with terms like “warm” and “comfortable” being the most commonly used to describe them. One shopper highlighted that they are the “perfect hoodie for cold weather days,” calling them “super soft and warm for coolest winter mornings.”

Another said they are lightweight and “super soft,” while noting that “the zipper pocket on the arm helps with small things to carry like keys.”

When highly rated gear from Nike hits a discount this steep, especially like a must-have staple, in these Therma-Fit hoodies, chances are sizes won’t be around for long—they’re already sold out in a few. Make sure you grab yours before it’s too late.

Shop More Deals

from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/u7FILpj

Thursday, 26 February 2026

This Is Hands Down the Worst Food for Artery Health, Cardiologist Says

When we were younger, we would moan and groan at the vegetables on our dinner plates, failing to understand why we had to tolerate such nutrient-dense foods. But as we get older, we start to understand the consequences of poor dietary choices, with heart disease and clogged arteries being among the most serious. With doctors' appointments and blood work becoming more frequent with age, we quickly learn that certain foods seriously fuel arterial plaque buildup, raising your risk of heart attacks and making mindful dietary choices critical.

"Processed red meats such as bacon, sausage, and deli meats are among the foods most strongly associated with arterial plaque buildup," says Scott Dawson, M.D., cardiologist of Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care. "These foods are high in saturated fat, often containing preservatives and sodium that adversely affect vascular health."

Not the gabagool! But alas, processed red meats accelerate plaque buildup by raising levels of ApoB-containing lipoproteins, including LDL ("bad") cholesterol. These particles are small enough to penetrate the inner lining of your arteries. Once LDL particles get stuck in the arterial wall, they become oxidized, triggering inflammation. The immune system sends macrophages to clean them up, forming "foam cells," which represent the earliest sign of plaque. Gradually, the buildup narrows arteries and can rupture, which is what causes most heart attacks.

"From a cardiovascular standpoint, the primary driver of plaque formation is not just dietary fat itself, but its effect on increasing circulating levels of atherogenic lipoproteins, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles and apolipoprotein B (ApoB)," Dawson says. "It’s important to emphasize that plaque buildup is cumulative."

Along with saturated fat, processed meats also contain high levels of sodium and chemical preservatives. Such compounds, like nitrates and nitrites, can contribute to endothelial dysfunction, increased blood pressure, and oxidative stress—all of which accelerate vascular injury.

Foods That Cause Plaque Buildup

You can likely guess other common foods that cause plaque buildup: ultra-processed foods, fast food, fried foods, sugary beverages, and the like. They all share commonalities of being high in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and sodium.

Beyond raising ApoB levels, these foods promote insulin resistance, visceral fat accumulation, chronic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. This accelerates the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in your artery walls.

"Regular consumption of foods that raise ApoB-containing lipoproteins accelerates this process, whereas diets that lower ApoB slow or even stabilize plaque progression," Dawson says.

from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/CJ5I1Kl

Wednesday, 25 February 2026

Nancy Guthrie Family Took Important Reward Step, per Retired FBI Agent

On Tuesday morning, Today cohost Savannah Guthrie announced that she and her family were offering a $1 million reward for information on the whereabouts of her 84-year-old mother Nancy, who has been missing since Feb. 1.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, retired FBI agent Jason Pack theorized that this new monetary prize could have a significant impact on the case.

Reward causes 'psychological pressure'

Pack told Fox News Digital that the $1 million reward could test the loyalty of any accomplices to the suspected kidnapping, assuming more than one person was involved.

"It applies psychological pressure on any accomplices," he explained. "Ransom schemes involving multiple people are inherently unstable. The more time passes, the more the financial disparity between holding out and collecting $1 million starts eating at the weakest link. The message is: your partners are not going to protect you. We will. It preserves moral offramps."

Pack also called the seven-figure reward a "direct market disruption," since it is markedly higher than the $100,000 being offered by the FBI and $102,500 put forth by 88-Crime.

This makes it more likely that anyone with information could come forward, not just someone directly involved in the crime.

"By introducing a private family reward at $1 million, the Guthries just changed the calculus for anyone sitting on information: a driver who saw something, an accomplice having second thoughts, a family member of the suspect weighing loyalty against a million dollars. That is a number that can fracture criminal conspiracies," Pack said.

Guthrie family 'still believe' Nancy can be found

In an emotional video shared on Instagram Tuesday, Savannah Guthrie revealed her family's reward offering and also pleaded for the public's help.

“So please, if you hear this message. If you’ve been waiting and you haven’t been sure. Let this be your sign. To please come forward. Tell what you know. And help us bring our beloved mom home. So that we can either celebrate a glorious, miraculous homecoming. Or celebrate the beautiful, brave, and courageous, and noble life that she has lived. Please be the light in the dark. Thank you," she said.

In another part of her message, Savannah sadly admitted her family is aware Nancy "may already be gone" but are still "blowing on the embers of hope" that the case will have a happy ending.

from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/cmRKZso