THE BULLETIN • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021 A7
NBA
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: I’m a 24-year-
old woman who has been
married for four years. My
husband, “Jerry,” and I have
two young boys. Jerry is mil-
itary. I stay at home with the
kids and work part time on-
line on an associate degree.
We struggle financially, but
our basic needs are met and,
overall, I’m happy with my
life.
My problem is I’m finding
myself struggling to control a
very strong temper. The kids
or my husband may be get-
ting on my nerves, or I’m late
turning in an assignment, or
I’m unable to get housework
done — these frustrations
build up inside and make me
want to throw a fit, scream
or throw things, essentially
NOT be the cool, responsible
adult I typically am.
I know this is incredibly
immature, and I realize I’m
well off in the grand scheme
of things, but this anger still
brews. I have never had a
problem controlling my tem-
per before. Can you help?
— Fired Up in Florida
Dear Fired Up: The quar-
antines and lockdowns may
be part of the cause of your
near meltdowns. Many peo-
ple are stressed and spread
thin, and the isolation isn’t
helping.
Because you are constantly
with your children, it’s im-
portant that you manage
your emotions before vent-
ing them on your little ones,
which can be destructive.
When an adult yells or acts
out in front of a small child,
the child will often shut down
out of fear that violence may
follow. This is why it’s so im-
portant for you to find appro-
priate ways to express your
emotions.
My booklet “The An-
ger in All of Us and How
To Deal With It” offers sug-
gestions for directing angry
feelings in a healthy way.
It can be ordered by send-
ing your name and address,
plus a check or money or-
der for $8 (U.S. funds) to
Dear Abby Anger Booklet,
P.O. Box 447, Mount Mor-
ris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping
and handling are included in
the price. Sometimes when
people are frustrated, they
lose their temper with those
presently around them. In
situations like this, it’s im-
portant to evaluate the source
of what might really be irri-
tating you rather than misdi-
rect your anger at a blameless
target. The ability to control
your emotions is crucial so
your children won’t grow up
thinking that exploding is
normal. There are healthy
ways of dealing with frustra-
tion. Among them: leaving
the room, going for a walk or,
better yet, a short run, or say-
ing to yourself, “Please, Lord,
don’t let me lose my temper!”
before opening your mouth.
Dear Abby: My boss has
been making passes at me
for the last five months, even
though I have told him it
makes me uncomfortable.
We went out to dinner once,
and he is insisting that we do
it again. How do I say no to
this married man and still
keep my job?
— Uncomfortable in the South
Dear Uncomfortable: Ask
your employer if he is sat-
isfied with your job perfor-
mance. Tell him a social rela-
tionship with a married man
is not what you signed on for
and, if he becomes punitive,
document it and point out
that what he is doing could
be considered sexual harass-
ment.
Former Ducks star Boucher carving out role with Raptors
BY JOEL ODOM
The Oregonian
It took Chris Boucher less
than a minute to make an im-
pact on Monday night as the
former Ducks star was back in
Oregon with his Toronto Rap-
tors to take on the Portland
Trail Blazers.
After checking in off the
bench at the 4:37 mark of the
first quarter, Boucher grabbed
a defensive rebound, then
drilled a three-pointer to put
the Raptors up 21-11. Mo-
ments later, Boucher put in a
layup, drew a foul on CJ Mc-
Collum and converted the
three-point play.
By the end of the night, on
his 28th birthday, Boucher
would log a season-high
32 minutes, drain 5 of 8
three-pointers, score 20 points,
pull down eight rebounds and
block three shots.
Of course, Boucher would
have preferred to leave the
Moda Center with a victory.
Instead, the Raptors lost by one
point for the second consec-
utive night, falling 112-111 to
the Blazers to drop to 2-8 on
the season.
Even as the Raptors have
struggled, the 6-foot-9
Boucher has been a bright
spot. He has carved out a sig-
nificant role off the bench and
averaged 14.3 points, 6.2 re-
bounds and 2.6 blocks in 22.2
minutes per game — all career
highs.
Those numbers are similar
to Boucher’s averages in his fi-
nal season at Oregon in 2016-
17, when he averaged 11.8
points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.5
blocks as he and Jordan Bell
gave the Ducks a stellar defen-
sive tandem before Boucher
suffered a torn ACL during the
Pac-12 tournament.
Oregon State
YOUR HOROSCOPE
Continued from A5
By Madalyn Aslan
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
õ õ õ õ õ DYNAMIC | õ õ õ õ POSITIVE | õ õ õ AVERAGE | õ õ SO-SO | õ DIFFICULT
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13, 2021:
Goal-oriented, proud and autonomous, security and standing are important
to you. This year, take a chance on a project you have doubts about, as it will
be tremendously successful. Remember that money isn9t everything. If sin-
gle, you meet someone this year who hasn9t had the advantages you have,
and this is the one. If attached, you are with your prince or princess. VIRGO is
the original princess and the pea.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
õõõõõ Today unexpectedly ushers in hours of joy and laughter with
different people. Focus on the future. Determine your most important pri-
orities. Affirmations and meditations are especially valuable. Observe and
listen. Meet others halfway to resolve tensions. Tonight: It all becomes quite
intriguing.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
õõõõ Economics and social conditions can affect your profession. Consider
external factors and use them as guidelines. You are not an island. There is a
strong awareness of how your destiny interconnects with the world around
you. Tonight: Capitalize on valuable contacts.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
õõõõõ Wanderlust strikes today. A trip overseas or cross-country would be
uplifting and fantastic. It9s a shame we are in the middle of COVID. Try visiting
places of historical and spiritual significance instead. Tonight: Record in a
journal and interpret them to gain insight of a higher self.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
õõõõõ Others make suggestions about money management. You may
develop a new job skill or are offered a second job. Act on it quickly. But
check with your inner psyche before acting too quickly on unsolicited advice.
Tonight: Clear your slate.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
õõõõõ You9ll seek different partnerships and feel like a relationship has
run its course. There9ll be new schedules at work and different job skills need-
ed. Your versatility allows you to adapt beautifully. Tonight: Others comment
they didn9t know you as well as they thought.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
õõõõõ There can be a new psychic rapport with pets. There9s a more pro-
gressive daily routine, and you have good luck if searching for a job or using
time with the utmost efficiency. The financial outlook brightens. Tonight:
Your judgment is good. Make choices and commitments.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
õõõõ You9ll feel like a child today. You9ll enjoy gambles and intriguing risks.
Adventurous leisure activities have appeal. Regarding love, you9ll seek a situ-
ation that is thrilling rather than safe and secure. Business takes a back seat to
social and creative interests. Tonight: Relax.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
õõõõ You9ll be making decisions about family and private life. You9ll be
evaluating your residence with care and deciding whether to keep it or im-
prove it. You learn some interesting facts about family members. Tonight: Do
not act out any of their characteristics. Just your own.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
õõõõõ You9ll feel the urge to travel a bit. A new vehicle, perhaps a bicycle
or Jeep, could seem to fit your needs. Don9t write emails or letters or make
phone calls if you9re upset. Be patient with a neighbor or sibling. Travel in
your mind. Tonight: Researching history.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
õõõõõ Today emphasizes appreciation of possessions. You can add to a
collection or find a treasure in an antiques store. Browsing online through
shops is an appealing pastime. If you need a new garment or jewelry, you can
locate the perfect item now. Tonight: Celebrating quietly.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
õõõõõ There9s considerable excitement today. Don9t cling to the past.
You9re about to be jolted out of a rut. Travel is likely. The gambler and adven-
turer within you awakens. You9re weary of the details of a routine and long
for expansion. Tonight: Stay cheerful.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
õõõ Today makes you sympathetic and helpful, but also more emotional
than usual. You9ll put changes on hold and recognize a need for conformity.
Get extra rest and be patient with yourself. You take a little longer than
planned for projects. Tonight: Old memories are strong.
Oregon State has been as
active as any FBS program in
finding the players through the
portal. Since the fall of 2018,
Smith has acquired 16 FBS or
FCS transfers, including four
during the past month.
Five Oregon State start-
ers during the 2020 season
were FBS transfers in center
Nathan Eldridge (Arizona),
quarterback Tristan Gebbia
(Nebraska), linebacker Av-
ery Roberts (Nebraska), right
tackle Brandon Kipper (Ha-
waii) and punter/kickoff Caleb
Lightbourn (Nebraska).
In addition, receivers Ty-
jon Lindsey (Nebraska) and
Tre’Shaun Harrison (Florida
State) played significant min-
utes this past season.
Kipper, it should be noted,
signed in February of 2018,
prior to the start of the transfer
portal.
Only two portal transfers of-
ficially didn’t work out for Or-
egon State in defensive tackle
Charles Moore (Auburn) and
safety Myles Green-Richards
(Washington State).
The latest group of OSU
transfers — receiver Makiya
Tongue (Georgia), running
back Deshaun Fenwick, cor-
nerback E.J. Jones (Kansas)
and offensive lineman Heneli
Bloomfield (Utah State) — are
expected to make an impact
the next several years.
Clearly, Smith was in need of
players when he took over Or-
egon State’s football program
in December of 2017. But the
base of talent has improved
heading into 2021. If this con-
tinues, does it make sense to
add to the roster through ag-
gressive use of the transfer
portal?
Smith says probably, yes.
“Percentages wise, we’re
still going to sign the most
from high school,” Smith said.
“But we’re still going to look
at junior colleges and now, the
transfer portal.”
Smith looks at roster build-
ing as “avenues,” with four such
streets leading to players. High
school recruiting is the busi-
est avenue, filled out by junior
colleges, transfer portal and
walk-ons.
Using the transfer portal
to acquire players is part of
Smith’s strategy going forward.
“It’s an avenue to help your
roster,” Smith said. “So long
term, we will probably continue
Steve Dykes/AP photo
Toronto Raptors’ Chris Boucher, left, tries to shoot as Portland Trail Blazers Carmelo Anthony, center, and
Enes Kanter, right, defend during Monday night’s game in Portland.
“(Chris Boucher is) playing
at a super-high level. I think
we all know he’s continued
to grow each and every year.
But yeah, he’s certainly been
a real bright spot. I think,
again, he plays with great
tenacity always and I think
that always puts you in good
position.”
Now in his third season with
the Raptors, Boucher has hit
the 20-point mark four times
in 10 games after doing so just
three times in 62 regular-sea-
son games last season.
“I think when the preseason
started, I started on a bad foot,
just not playing with a lot of
energy,” Boucher told reporters
Monday night. “Coach (Nick
Nurse) told me I can’t have a
day off, especially coming off
the bench, I got to be ready all
the time. I just started focusing
on those things and just trying
to be consistent and find a way
to help the team, no matter
what it is.”
Boucher is hitting threes at
a clip of 47.2% and ranks No.
2 in the league in player effi-
ciency rating at 27.97.
“He’s playing at a super-high
level,” Nurse told reporters. “I
think we all know he’s contin-
ued to grow each and every
year. But yeah, he’s certainly
been a real bright spot. I think,
again, he plays with great te-
nacity always and I think that
always puts you in good posi-
tion.”
The Raptors, who are play-
ing their home games in
Tampa, Florida, because of
travel restrictions in place in
Canada amid the pandemic,
now head back to Florida after
going 1-3 in their four-game
trip to the West.
But after dropping those
three games by a combined
nine points, Boucher said there
were positives to take away
from the trip.
“You can tell we’re back to
playing Raptors basketball and
I think everybody started see-
ing a little bit of flash of the
way we could play,” Boucher
said. “We’ve just got to be able
to finish games.”
to be selective. If there are po-
sitions of need or a way we can
upgrade that position, we’re go-
ing to look into doing it.”
But using the transfer portal
in 2021 and beyond isn’t just
an Oregon State thing.
“Every program, you need
to be looking at it,” Smith said.
“Every program is going to end
up losing players into it. It’s a
part of roster management.”
— Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors
head coach