Month: March 2014

Warriors refuse to lose, mount late comeback to top Grizzlies, 100-93

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By Gabe Schapiro

The Golden State Warriors (45-27) simply wouldn’t be denied as Stephen Curry led a late comeback to topple the Memphis Grizzlies (43-29), 100-93, Friday night, at Oracle Arena. A Grizzlies win would have tied the two squads in the standings, and extended their luck on the Warriors home court, having won four straight in Oakland. Golden State was without David Lee and Andrew Bogut, but they still put together one of their more impressive outings of the season, leading to very different headlines.

The contest was close throughout, and was played with a true playoff atmosphere. Neither side ever held more than a seven-point lead, as the two Western Conference foes duked it out. The Warriors had a three-point lead after the first quarter, and that was trimmed down to one point heading into half time.

After another close quarter in the third, as it often does it all came down to the final 12 minutes. Heading into the waning minutes the momentum swung decidedly in the Grizzlies favor, and it looked like they would outlast Golden State. With a bit more than three minutes remaining, Memphis had opened up a game-high seven-point lead. The Grizzlies wouldn’t score another point, however, and the Warriors came alive, going on a 14-0 run.

A huge Draymond Green three-pointer brought the Dubs back to within just two points, and a minute later Curry followed suit with a trey of his own to tie grab back the lead. Golden State suffocated the Grizzlies offense in the final minute plus, and Curry provided the dagger on the offensive end. Two Klay Thompson free-throws with a few seconds left officially sealed the Warriors victory.

Curry was fantastic, finishing with a game-high 33 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. If he was Batman, than Green may well have been his batman. He played a huge 32 minutes off the bench, and contributed 12 points and nine boards. Marreese Speights got his first start of the season, a decision that was initially confusing, but paid off. He had 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting, and eight rebounds.

On the negative side Bogut took a hit to the groin just four minutes into the game, and never returned after heading to the locker room. His status moving forward is unknown, but would be a huge loss if he has to miss any significant time.

Zach Randolph led the way for Memphis in the losing effort. He posted a team-high 21 points and seven rebounds. Mike Conley added 20 points and six assists.

The Warriors are back in action this Sunday, when the New York Knicks come to town. The game starts at 6:00 PM.

Kings lose in OKC 94-81

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Photo credit: NBAE/Getty Images

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings kicked off a three-game road trip in Oklahoma City versus the Thunder on Friday night. The outcome was no surprise as the Thunder defeated the Kings 94-81. The win improved Oklahoma City’s home record to improve to 30-7. Sacramento’s road record dropped to 10-26. The Thunder have won seven of their last 10 games. The Kings have lost seven of their last 10 games.

The Thunder were led by Kevin Durant who scored 29 points in just 29 minutes on the floor. Durant was nine for 11 from the field, a perfect eight for eight from the free throw line while recording six assists, two steals and two block shots. Russell Westbrook put up 18 points and Jeremy Lamb added 13 points.  

The Kings leading scorer was Ben McLemore with 18 points. McLemore hit on five of 16 shots from the field, hit three 3-pointers, distributed three assists and recorded two steals. Ray McCallum started at point guard with Isaiah Thomas out for the second straight game. McCallum put up 13 points while dishing out five assists. Both McLemore and McCallum recorded 45 minutes of playing time in the game.

Travis Outlaw had another big night. Outlaw posted 17 points hitting on five of six 3-point shots. Rudy Gay added just seven points in a limited outing of just 21 minutes of playing time. DeMarcus Cousins battled foul trouble and put just four points in 17 minutes on the floor.

The reduced playing time for Gay and Cousins may have also been pre-planned by Kings Coach Michael Malone. This was not a game that the Kings were expected to win. Sacramento plays Dallas on Saturday and the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. A rested Gay and Cousins could help the Kings pick up a victory in one of those two games.

The Kings shot just 36.5-percent (31 for 85) from the field but shot 50.0-percent (9 for 18) from 3-point range. The Kings shot below average from the free throw line at just 62.5-percent (10 for 16). Sacramento out-rebounded the Thunder 49-38. The Kings recorded 17 assists but turned the ball over 16 times.

The Kings left after the game for Dallas where they will play the Mavericks on Saturday night. The Mavs are 43-30 on the season and are currently in ninth-place in the Western Conference. Dallas is one game behind the Phoenix Suns for the eighth and final playoff spot.

NFL Report: Culliver arrested for hit and run and brass knuckles;former Cal star Jackson done in Philly

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by Morris Phillips and Ken Gimblin

SAN JOSE–San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver who was best known for making anti gay remarks before Super Bowl XLVII, hit a bicyclist in South San Jose at 7th and Tully Roads on Friday morning, Culliver hit the cyclist and took off around 10AM. Culliver who was driving with a suspended license was then followed by an unnamed witness.

When the unnamed witness cornered Culliver, Culliver got out of his car and threatened to beat the witness with brass knuckles. The witness didn’t move his car and Culliver who was boxed in tried to flee and in doing so hit the witness’ car and police arrived at the scene and Culliver was arrested for felony and misdemeanor hit and run and carrying brass knuckles which are considered illegal contraband.

Culliver missed the entire 2013 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Culliver who said during Super Bowl week in 2013 regarding possible gay teammates in the locker room that “a gay player wouldn’t be welcome on the 49ers” after much critcism for Culliver’s remarks he apologized saying, “they are very ugly comments and that’s not what I feel in my heart. Hopefully I can learn and grow from this experience and this situation.”

The 49ers front office released a statement regarding Culliver’s arrest saying “we will remain in contact with Chris and the local authorities as we continue to gather the facts regarding this situation, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we will reserve further comment at this time.”

DeSean Jackson released by Eagles: Former Cal Golden Bears receiver DeSean Jackson was released from the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. Jackson who finished his second year with the Eagles in the middle of a five year contract was released by the team because of his off field activities and connections.

According to NJ.com it was reported that Jackson had reputed ties with a Los Angeles street gang also the Eagles released him according to a source for “work ethic and attitude” issues. The Eagles were mainly concerned about Jackson’s gang activities and that the team had no other choice but to use the NFL’s policy of off field conduct code in releasing Jackson.

The Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, general manager Howie Roseman, and owner Jeffery Lurie had discussed this matter over a span of 24 hours prior to releasing the Eagles superstar with team lawyers. The team had been in trade talks with other clubs but that converstation was halted after the NJ.com information came out about Jackson’s gang ties.

Jackson for his part denies that he was affiliated with any gang whatsoever in a statement he released on Friday saying, “I would like to address the misleading and unfounded reports that my release has anything to do with any affiliation that has been speculated surrounding the company I keep off the field. I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang. I am not a gang member, and to speculate and assume that Iam involved in such activity off the field is reckless and irresponsible.”

Ken Gimblin and Morris Phillips host Sportstalk on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s blank Giants in exhibition tilt at AT&T Park

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By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, March 27, 2014

In a pitching matchup involving reclamation projects, Oakland came out on top over San Francisco 4-0 Thursday in exhibition baseball at AT&T Park.

Scott Kazmir scattered two hits over five-plus innings for the A’s, while the Giants’ Tim Hudson had a tough go as he continues his comeback from a severely broken ankle suffered last season while pitching for Atlanta.

Josh Reddick belted a two-run homer, and Josh Donaldson doubled, tripled and drove in the other two Oakland runs.

This is the third time in Hudson’s last four spring starts that the veteran had a tough outing. He allowed all four A’s runs over six innings.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: On March 24, The Sacramento Bee’s Victor Contreras reported if the 10-year lease extension that the A’s desire is granted, “it (the City of Oakland and Alameda County) will be turning its back on the NFL Raiders.

Bob Rose, Athletics director of public relations, issued this response: “For the record, the A’s request is not dependent on dislocation of the Raiders.”

FAREWELL TO PHOENIX MUNI: On Wednesday, the Athletics completed their final Cactus League season of spring training at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Next year, the A’s move into renovated HoHoKam Stadium in Mesa, the previous longtime spring home of the Chicago Cubs.

Arizona State’s baseball program will move to Phoenix Muni next year, and Packard Stadium, the on-campus home to Sun Devils baseball since 1974, will be “redeveloped“ to help finance the renovation of Sun Devil Stadium. ASU signed a 25-year lease to play its home games at Phoenix Muni, located 2 ½ miles from the school’s Tempe campus.

Built in 1964, Phoenix Muni was home to the PCL’s Phoenix Giants/Firebirds, and has served as the Athletics’ spring base since 1982.

A plaque near the press box entrance denotes the relocation and installation of the light standards from the Polo Grounds in New York. The Giants moved the lighting system here in 1964 shortly after the legendary stadium was razed.

HoHoKam Stadium was built in 1997 on the site of HoHoKam Park, where the Cubs played its Cactus League games from 1979 through 2013. The A’s previously trained in Mesa from 1969 through 1978 at old Rendezvous Park.

Giants back, offense isn’t in loss to the A’s

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By Morris Phillips

Giants’ fans, all you had to see was Tim Hudson pitching in the top of the fifth inning.

Of course, if Giants’ fans wanted to see more, they couldn’t. Hitting, for instance, wasn’t on display Thursday night as the A’s shut down the San Francisco bats on four hits, in a 4-0 shutout.

The former Braves and A’s pitcher, who’s 2013 season ended grotesquely, showed what kind of bite he’ll have in his pitches as a Giant, throwing six innings allowing four runs in the Bay Bridge Series opener at AT&T Park. The veteran looked healed and ready, fighting off a jam in the fifth and showing great life on his pitches throughout. And if you’re seeking a barometer on the prospects of the 2014 Giants, starting pitching is where to start. Hudson fit the bill in Thursday’s debut and throughout the spring as well.

Hudson handled the bat well, moved great, and generally looked like a 38-year old professional athlete who’s obviously taken good care of himself over the years.

“I’m still a little ways away,” Hudson said. “I feel I’m close enough to go out there and compete and give us a really good chance to win.”

But after striking out Brandon Moss looking on a 88-mile an hour fastball in the sixth, Hudson allowed a hard hit single through the infield to Yoenis Cespedes, and Josh Reddick turned on one that avoided the splash by directly impacting the third flagpole in right and bouncing back on the to the field with an assist from Levi’s Landing.

Buster Posey struck out in a big spot in the sixth, fishing at an off speed offering from Dan Otero. Pablo Sandoval followed with the extremely-rare 415-foot out to right center. “Everyday” (Hunter Pence) had two of the four hits, but the Giants were stymied by a combination of starter Scott Kazmir, Otero, Drew Pomeranz and Evan Scribner.

Pence leads the Giants this spring with 23 hits and five home runs. Hector Sanchez leads the club in RBI with 16.

Oakland has captured four of the five spring meetings with the Giants thus far.

The Giants are 17-11-1 in spring action that like wraps tomorrow night at AT&T Park with Saturday’s game doubtful with rain expected. Tim Lincecum will make his final warmup appearance on Friday night with the A’s Jesse Chavez scheduled for Oakland.

 

Jets upset Sharks at home

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By Ivan Makarov

SAN JOSE, CA — It was a wild and and a crazy game at SAP Center on Thursday night but the Sharks found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard as they dropped the two points in an upset to the visiting Winnipeg Jets.

Dan Boyle, Brent Burns and Logan Couture scored for the Sharks, and Antti Niemi made 27 saves, but none of that was enough this time around as Winnipeg score one more than the Sharks and walked away with victory.

The game got off to a quick start, with Dan Boyle scoring his 9th goal of the season only 1:57 into the game. Sharks defenseman put the puck in the next on a deflection from Marty Havlat’s shot, as Boyle joined the attack and was standing right next to Winnipeg’s goaltender Al Montoya. Winnipeg tied the game 36 seconds later as Andrew Ladd scored on a counter attack and 2-on-2 opportunity. Brent Burns scored towards the end of that period on a power play putting a backhand shot in the net as he got a great pass from Joe Pavelski to put Sharks head 2-1.

The first period was very characteristic of the rest of the game. Both teams were playing open hockey, the defense wasn’t stellar, the puck was bouncing (Logan Couture complained about the ice conditions after the game), and both teams had plenty of chances in front of their opponents’ net.

Jets scored the next two and got ahead on goals by Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien, but their lead didn’t last.

Logan Couture scored one of the more painful goals of his career when he tied the game at 3-3 at 11:23 of the second period when Sharks scored another power play goal (their second) as he tipped the puck on a shot from James Sheppard who continues to play some of the best hockey of his career lately. Couture tipped the puck and was bent over crouching on the ice right after puck went in. But hands went up and he still celebrated his 20th goal. He mentioned after the game that the puck hit him in the thumb on its way into the goal.

That tying goal setup a great third period for both teams still having a chance to win the game with a good strong finish.

Dustin Byfuglien went on to score his second goal of the night when Sharks were in penalty trouble late in the third period. After nearly killing off Brad Stuart’s holding penalty, Sharks sent another player into the penalty box when Logan Couture sent the puck over the glass while clearing it. That penalty was costly as Jets capitalized on their man advantage to take 4-3 lead with three minutes left in the game.

Sharks pulled Antti Niemi for another man, but were unable to come back in this one.

“Obviously, we were not good enough,” said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan after the game. “I liked the power play, and did not like the penalty kill. The mistake at the end is something we work on all the time and was very preventable, which is disappointing.”

Sharks are now headed to Denver for one game road trip where they’ll play Avalanche on Saturday before returning back to San Jose to face Oilers on Tuesday.

Stanford’s unlikely run comes to an end

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By Jeremy Harness

Those who have watched Stanford’s basketball team throughout the season did not see this coming. Sure, they would have some notable wins early on, such as the road win at Connecticut, but the Cardinal surely would have just fallen back into the middle of the pack and not be heard from again for the rest of the year.

Then came the magical run through the NCAA Tournament, during which Stanford upended heavily-favored Kansas in the second round to get to the Sweet 16. However, Dayton put the brakes on the Cardinal on Thursday night, 82-72, in Memphis’ FedEx Forum.

Even though Stanford was not able to maintain its NCAA run, it most likely saved its basketball coach’s job. At the start of this season, many believed that Johnny Dawkins was on the hot seat and was in possible danger of being relieved of his duties.

However, that has all seemed to change.

Dayton, meanwhile, is moving on and will take on Florida in the Elite Eight. The Flyers did it by wearing down the Cardinal, using 12 players in the first half to set the tone for what was to come.

Stanford got quality play from their starters – Chasson Randle scored 21 points to lead the Cardinal while Dwight Powell had 17 and Stefan Nastic added 15. Problem was, Stanford could not stay out of foul trouble, as Nastic actually fouled out with more than five minutes remaining in the game.

The other issue was that Stanford got next to nothing from its bench. Dayton’s bench outscored Stanford’s by a 34-2 margin.

Warriors at Piers 30-32: Judge rules that voters can decide on Waterfront height restriction

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by Ken Gimblin

SAN FRANCISCO–The supporters for development on the Waterfront particularly the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants didn’t get what the Sacramento Kings got. The Kings won a court ruling preventing an initiative from going on the ballot in Sacramento to strike down a proposition that would ask voters if public money should be spent to build the new downtown Sacramento Kings arena.

Ballots that were submitted to the Sacramento County Clerks office in favor of the initative were ruled not to have legal wording and that the initiative was therefore kept off the ballot. The Warriors who want a brand new arena built at Piers 30-32 and the Giants who want to develop retail and condos at AT&T Park were told that Proposition B a height striction initiative would be allowed on the June ballot that would ask voters if height restrictions should be in play for any new development for the Waterfront.

The Giants who are underwriting a legal challenge to Prop B with three plaintiffs fronting the charge to stop the initiative Tim Colen Executive Director of the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition, Michael Theriault a leader of the building and construction trades, and Corrine Woods a neighbor of the project site.

Intially the Giants wanted the court to hear the appeal which would strike down the initiative but the state appellate court of appeals would not hear the legal challenge and denied the appeal. The Giants group were contending that illegal encroachment on state shoreline laws and that local or city jurisdiction could not prevent the Giants group from development.

The Giants further argued that the San Francisco Port Authority had jurisdiction on waterfront development laws but the judge Marla Miller had denied an earlier request to strike down Prop B from the coming election in June. One reason was that the voters have virtually spoken with more than double the required 9,702 signatures to put Prop B on the ballot. Miller also added that any legal challenge would be heard after the election.

The Warriors want a brand new arena built on Piers 30-32 the intial build on the piers are estimated double the original cost at $180 million. The waterfront neighborhood want the height restrictions enforced and don’t want to lose their views of the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island and the bay. The Warriors by building at Piers 30-32 would get a brand new 12 story arena, a 17 story luxury condo and a ten story hotel which would be built across the street from the arena.

After Thursday’s appeals court decision opponents to the initiative said the denial for development of the projects would have an economic impact on the city for years to come and that it would put 3,690 housing units in jeopardy at the cost of $8.5 billion in port costs.

For proponents of the initiative it was a great victory as neighors said that with the initative they will get their views and neighborhood back, some neighbors said some of the housing units proposed by the Giants and Warriors wouldn’t be for affordable housing but for high profit margin move ins. Jim Stearns who is a political advisor who was supporting Prop B said, “we’re pleased that this issue has been kicked out of the courtrooms and back to the voters where it belongs.”

Ken Gimblin is covering the arena developments of the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings for Sportstalk radio

SMU’s big three sinks Cal in the NIT

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By Morris Phillips

A game featuring coaches with a combined 2,400 career wins figured to be fiercely competitive.  That Mike Montgomery and Larry Brown sniffed out the other’s intentions on the biggest possession of the night in itself was fitting.  This time, Brown’s execution was a step ahead of Montgomery’s anticipation as Nic Moore’s 3-pointer with nine seconds remaining won it for SMU, 67-65.

The Cal Bears finish their season at 21-14, one game short of a NIT semifinal appearance in Madison Square Garden.

SMU will make the Garden appearance, and continue a renaissance season under Brown, who is making the 13th stop in his Hall of Fame coaching career.  The Mustangs were the most notable NCAA tournament omission, and they’ve displayed their worthiness, by winning three straight in the NIT.

But this one was whisker-close, and had it gone the other way, could have easily stood as the biggest win in Montgomery’s exemplary six years at Cal.

The Bears played without Richard Solomon and Kameron Rooks and saw Ricky Kreklow compete bravely with a broken nose, but never backed down from bigger SMU, which lost only one game all season at sold out Moody Coliseum.  With three lead changes in the final 90 seconds, this was a crowd pleaser, well above typical NIT fare that pales to the bigger NCAA bracket.

“The environment, the atmosphere was terrific,” Montgomery said.  “It’s great to see the job Larry has done here and got the excitement back up.  It was loud.”

Cal shot well early and led most of the first half, only to see SMU respond in the final minutes to lead, 32-29 at the break.  Spearheaded by Jabari Bird, who scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half, the Bears erased SMU’s seven-point advantage and led 18 seconds remaining.   That’s when the Bears abandoned the zone look they’d used for most of the night. The 67-year old Montgomery knew SMU would solve a zone in that situation and create a quality look to win.  But the 73-year old Brown was a step ahead.

“I thought they would play man, they had played zone the whole time, and fortunately they played man and Markus (Kennedy) set a good screen and we got a wide-open look,” Brown said.

Sophomore guard Moore raced along the three point line from the baseline and caught and shot the game winner in a flawless sequence.

“(Brown) called the one that I wanted to hear and Nick Russell found me and I hit the shot,” Moore said.  “Moody magic came out.”

“I thought it was the right decision,” Montgomery said of the defensive change.  “We were switching all the ball screens…everybody was prepared to do that. Tough shot…good result for them.”

Justin Cobbs raced up court when Cal eschewed a final timeout, but his three attempt at the buzzer just missed. The senior guard had just given Cal a led with 18 seconds to go, on a shot from distance, but this one was barely off.

”It felt good actually,” Cobbs said. ”It just didn’t go down.”

Cobbs helped lead Cal with 18 points in his final college game.  Bird had his best game of his young career, scoring in double figures for the third straight game for the first time.   In the absence of Solomon, David Kravish gamely played 38 minutes, scoring 12 points with eight rebounds.

Markus Kennedy had 19 points for SMU and Moore added 11.  The Mustangs enjoyed a huge disparity on the glass, 35-22.

Knicks Knock Off Kings

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By Tony Renteria

The New York Knicks(30-42) came into Sacramento to play the home town Kings(25-46) on a storming Wednesday night and brought a storm of their own as they handled the Kings in route into a 107-99 road win.

Near the end of the 2014 season the Kings still need to find a way to put away teams at there level at home.   They are up and down all season but at home where they are suppose to find some balance, they still struggle. 

The Knicks were lead by Carmelo Anthony and his 36 points and held off a rally near the end by the Kings, but as this season has proven the Kings are still trying to learn how to play NBA basketball.

DeMarcus Cousins is still improving as he had 32 points and 15 rebounds.  

The Knicks close to securing a playoff berth played well coming off a loss down south the Lakers in the previous game.   The Kings head to Oklahoma City to play the Thundar on Friday night.