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New Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau is portrayed by opposing coaches as a defensive chess master and sensational game planner. He has creative moves to stop your best player and best play. He demands his players talk it up on defense. And to boot, he’s always adding defensive wrinkles for the next meeting. Thibodeau’s philosophy …

Malik B, a founding member of The Roots and solo artist, has passed away. He was 47. The Philadelphia rapper’s death was first confirmed by his cousin, former CBS News correspondent Don Champion, as well as founding members Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter. Born Malik Abdul Baset, the rapper and singer first …

Actress Eva LaRue says her late ex-husband John Callahan’s identity has been stolen by fraudsters. The “CSI: Miami” star revealed to Fox News that within days of Callahan’s unexpected passing in March, his home was ransacked, personal property was taken and, most distressingly, his identity was stolen. LaRue was married to Callahan — who died …

The Rangers might play as few as three games in Toronto or they could play as many as 33 in the tournament if they advance to the conference finals and Cup final that are scheduled for Edmonton. Regardless of how long the team’s stay in the bubble lasts, management will be evaluating personnel in advance …

The Tom Thibodeau “slander” continues — and it’s not just media. Former Pacers All-Star forward David West slammed the Knicks’ hire, saying they should have gone with a younger coach who relates better to players. West told The Athletic he witnessed how badly Thibodeau mismanaged the players on the Timberwolves during the 2017 preseason. Thibodeau …

Actress Royana Black has passed away after a battle with leukemia, her family announced. She was 47 years old. The sister of Black’s husband, John Hubbell, shared on a GoFundMe page that Black died “very suddenly” of acute myeloid leukemia on July 14. “Royana’s incredible energy and spirit will be a part of our lives …

ESPN’s NBA restart conference call was hijacked by questions about the Knicks coaching search and their new hire Tom Thibodeau. And Jeff Van Gundy took full advantage to fiercely defend his buddy and former assistant in New York and Houston about allegations he overplayed his top players and was too demanding, calling it “great slander.’’ …

DeAndre Baker, the Giants cornerback entangled in a serious legal battle, has been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, allowing the Giants to prevent any possible distraction while Baker gets paid to stay away from the team. Baker, 22, is facing four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault …

Regis Philbin will be buried on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, his beloved alma mater, according to reports. There will be a funeral service for the TV talk-show legend at the famed Catholic school’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart outside South Bend, Ind., followed by his burial in the university’s Cedar Grove …

“True Life” star Charlie Balducci has died. He was 44. Balducci passed away unexpectedly, his mother told TMZ, as he wasn’t sick. Law enforcement sources told the outlet that they discovered Balducci unresponsive in his bed Saturday night. The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office told Page Six on Monday that his cause of death …