Month: October 2015

NFL Podcast with Tony Renteria: NFL should stand pat on uniform rules; Falcons look to continue their streak to 6-0; the 49ers Brooks looks probable for this weekend

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On the podcast today Tony talks about the recent suspension of defensive lineman Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers suspension for writing “Iron Head” on his eye black a dedication to his late father Craig “Iron Head” Heyward who passed away in 2006. The NFL is standing by it strict uniform policy rules regardless and the suspension stands.

The Atlanta Falcons who are undefeated are getting set to face the Saints and feel prepared to take them out, Tony talks about the Falcons confidence and execution to win games. Also Tony talks about the certain areas of why the Falcons are such a successful team.

The 49ers offensive linebacker Ahmad Brooks who was away because of the death of his sister is likely to return this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens at Levis Stadium. Tony discusses how important Brooks is to the 49ers lineup.

The Oakland Raiders are taking this much needed bye off to regroup after loses to Chicago and Cleveland in weeks three and four. They’ll rely heavily on the offensive performances of quarterback Derek Carr and wide out Amari Cooper when they face the San Diego Chargers on Sun Oct 25th.

That’s the NFL podcast today with Tony Renteria take a listen below at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

photo credit by MSN of Cameron Heyward Pittsburgh Steelers

Denver Spoils Home Opener, Downs Warriors 114-103

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By Shawn Whelchel

The Golden State Warriors weren’t in championship form on Tuesday night, as sloppy play and a lack of defense spoiled the teams long awaited return to Oracle Arena in a 114-103 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

The Warriors defense looked uncharacteristically lethargic and porous, as the NBA champions failed to stop a rolling Denver offense that put up 63 first-half points. The Nuggets were able to use a 18-3 run late in the second quarter to give themselves a solid lead heading into the half and never looked back.

Klay Thompson had a particularly rough night for the Warriors, making just one-of-eight field goal attempts for eight points across 24 minutes of play. Draymond Green lead the starting five with 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting, while Steph Curry dumped in 14 points on a similar shooting line, going just 1-of-8 from behind the arc. Leandro Barbosa looked to be the most offensively consistent player for Golden State, adding a team-high 16 points off the bench on an efficient 5-for-8 shooting in just 15-minutes of play.

But while the Warriors failed to keep their foot on the offensive gas pedal throughout the middle-two frames of the game, the Nuggets, led by PF Kenneth Faried, took advantage of the spotty Warriors defense to score a preseason-high 114 points.

Faried led all scorers in the game with his double-double line consisting of 22 points and 12 rebounds. Five other Nuggets scored in the double-digits on the night, including four-of-five starters for Denver, and 16 points off the bench from PG Jameer Nelson.

Adding injury to insult, the Warriors lost Harrison Barnes in the second quarter after the small forward sprained his knee while running into a Denver player while running the floor in transition. The Warriors are expected to update his status on Wednesday.

After allowing the Nuggets to shoot 49.5 percent from the field on Tuesday, the Warriors will need to shore up their defensive effort before the Houston Rockets, and spurned MVP candidate James Harden, come to Oracle Arena on Thursday night.

 

Kings defeat Lakers, 107-100, in Sin City

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by Michael Martinez

picture credit Google Images

SACRAMENTO- Lady luck was on the Kings side tonight as they continued to show excellent team offense with 7 players in double figures while adding 26 teams assists, even with All Star Center Demarcus Cousins sitting out. The Kings’ passing and good shooting allowed them to hold a lead throughout the game. The Kings beat the Lakers, 107-100, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Kings started off slow in the 1st quarter as the Lakers lead for almost the first half of the quarter. However, Rajon Rondo once again stepped up for his team and showed that he is not only a passer. Rondo scored the ball well and the point guard known for horrible shooting, shot 3 for 5 from the field in the 1st quarter, scoring 7 points and adding 3 assists. He finished the game with 11 points, shooting 5 for 9 from the field, 1 for 4 behind the 3 point line, and added 6 assists in 25 minutes of play. Marco Belinelli also did a good job of scoring the ball for the Kings with 5 points, shooting 2 for 3 from the field. The free agent signings helped give the Kings a 31-27 lead heading into the 2nd quarter.

Again the Kings 2nd quarter woes continued, giving up a 5-0 run to start the quarter. The defense was lackluster until Eric Moreland came up big defensively with a couple blocks and added 6 points on the offensive end. Belinelli began to heat up again as he hit a couple of threes and Darren Collison continued that charge. The Kings got out on an 8-0 run until Lou Williams hit a pair of free throws. To finish out the half, Kosta Koufos, who replaced Cousins in the starting line up, tipped in a buzzer beater to give the Kings a 63-51 lead. At the end of the half, the Kings shot the ball 53.5% from the field with 15 assists.

To begin the 3rd quarter, Rondo made the first bucket of the half off an assist from Koufos. From there the Kings continued to push the ball around the perimeter while also getting the ball inside. Rondo assisted Rudy Gay who filled the lane in really well to give the Kings a 16 point lead. Gay finished the game with a double-double, 10 points with 11 rebounds in 24 minutes of play, although he shot 3 for 12 from the field. But the Kings defense struggled once more giving up a 7-0 run to the Lakers. Ben McLemore, who finished with 11 points on 3 for 9 shooting from the field, 2 for 5 behind the arc in 25 minutes, made a big 3 pointer to stop the Lakers in their tracks. Nonetheless, the offense for the Kings kept their lead to double digits. The big story of the 3rd quarter was Kobe Bryant leaving the quarter with a left leg contusion and sitting out for the rest of the game. Bryant finished with 10 points, going 4 for 12 from the field and his fadeaway jumper looked good early in the game. And Belinelli, the Kings top scorer of the night, once again shot the ball well to finish the first 3 quarters with 17 points, going 5 for 9 from the field and 3 for 5 on 3 point field goals in 23 minutes of play, shooting 50% from the field. The Kings lead to end the 3rd was 88-74, and their field goal percentage was 51.7%, with a 3 point field goal percentage of 40%.

As the 4th quarter got underway, Eric Moreland came up big with 2 more blocks and showed Coach Karl he is a huge asset on defense. The Kings held a lead throughout the 4th quarter, but let the Lakers make the game a little closer. Collison once again came up big and did a great job of scoring the ball while distributing to his teammates. Towards the end of the 4th, the reserves came in and D’Angelo Russell tried to make it interesting scoring 6 points in the final minute.

Collison finished the game with 16 points, 2 rebounds and 7 assists. The final Kings player in double figures was Moreland who scored 10 points in 15 minutes going 5 for 6 from the field. Moreland also tallied 4 blocks with 5 rebounds and revitalized the Kings effortless defense.

The overall team effort, ultimately leading to a win, now puts the Kings at 4-1 during the 2015 preseason. The Kings’ offense looks sharp as they continue to swing the ball and push it inside or find the open man, finishing with a 45.6% field goal percentage with 38 points in the paint. If the Kings can get their defense on the right path and pass the ball as well as they have this entire preseason, the 2015-16 regular season could be an exciting one in the City of Trees.

Jones and Sharks level Capitals

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By Pearl Allison Lo

~ San Jose goalie Martin Jones had his second straight shutout, as the Sharks blanked Washington Tuesday, 5-0, for their third straight win.

Jones made 31 saves and has a scoreless streak dating back to the first period of the season.

San Jose has now won their first three games to start the season for the fourth year in a row. They have scored five goals in two of those games.

Meanwhile, the Sharks’ record on the penalty kill remained pristine as they killed four power plays and are now 11-11.

Joe Thornton scored the first goal for his team again, on the power play at 10:54 of the first period. Joe Pavelski passed the puck behind him to Brent Burns, who readjusted and shot through traffic from the point, and Thornton was there at the end.  San Jose had 17 shots in the period for the second straight period, going back to the game versus the Ducks.

Mike Brown made it 2-0 at 2:36 of the second period. It was his first of the season and first since December 3, 2013. Brown passed to Chris Tierney, whose shot was blocked by goalie Braden Holtby, and Brown put in the rebound. Barclay Goodrow had the second assist.

At 7:25, Tomas Hertl scored his second, to make it 3-0. Matt Nieto passed across to Tommy Wingels, who moved into and shot from the middle of the right faceoff circle. The puck came back and Hertl put in the recoil.

The Capitals’ Dmitry Orlov had a goal at 10:21, but Sharks’ Head Coach Peter DeBoer used one of the new NHL rules to issue the team’s first ever challenge. It resulted in a review that reversed the goal. The referee credited it to goaltender interference by Jay Beagle, before the puck entered the net.

San Jose committed three penalties in the third, but scored two more goals due to an empty net. The Sharks avoided a 5-on-3 by five seconds midway through the period.

Holtby was pulled with 3:45 left. Nieto made it 4-0 with two minutes left and Tierney was aided by Goodrow with 47 seconds left. It was both scorers’ first goal of the season and the plays gave all three players two points apiece in the game.  

Game notes: Washington was without Alex Ovechkin. Brown led the team with three hits. Nieto had a game-tying three blocked shots. San Jose’s Patrick Marleau had a team high five shots. It was the Sharks’ Joel Ward’s first game against his former team. San Jose will now play their head coach’s former team, the New Jersey Devils, Friday at 4pm.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: Kings looking to use Rondo and Collison in the back court more often

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On the podcast tonight Charlie O discusses why the Kings are using Rajon Rondo and Darren Collison in the back court and will the Kings be doing more of this. Rudy Gay didn’t dress Saturday night and head coach George Karl tells us why. Ben McLemore has been struggling of late and Charlie O has some insight into why. Also what’s coning up for the Kings.

Later follow the game recap from Las Vegas with Mike Martinez Jr as the Kings and Lakers battle it out in pre season action.

Listen to the Kings podcast with Charlie O below:

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Sharks roll with shutout and third straight win in Washington

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On the podcast tonight Mary Lisa discusses Marc Edouard Vlasic’s long run and how he is about to set a team record for games played. Also Raffi Torres issued an apology for his hit on the Ducks Jakob Silfverberg in pre season play in Anaheim. The Sharks have won three straight in their victory over Capitals 5-0.

Mary Lisa also discusses how the Sharks are an improved team and that they have the talent to possibly make post season. It’s a work in progress but from the ring of it things are shaping up for San Jose. The Sharks also are counting on goaltender Martin Jones to give the defense some confidence up front with great performances between the pipes.

Sharks forward Joel Ward got some satisfaction playing against his former teammates in the 5-0 win over the Caps on Tuesday night. It’s always something special when you come back and face your former teammates and try and show them what they’ve been missing. Ward played four years for Washington.

Listen to Mary Lisa on he podcast below:

photo credit google images of Marc Edouard Vlasic SJ Sharks

Sac Kings beat reporter Jeff Hall passes away too young too soon; plus Jeff’s last podcast from Oct 2nd

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by Charlie O and Mike Martinez Jr

SACRAMENTO–He was probably in the circles of the Sacramento media one of the most welcoming figures to work with for veteran journalists and rookie journalists alike Jeff Hall passed away today and for those who knew him he was a friend, a great co-worker and an inspiration to many journalists alike.

Jeff who suffered from a stroke on Mon Oct 5th was hospitalized and while there was a brief ray of hope doctors said that Jeff would only have about a month left. He made it eight more days. His colleagues, friends and most importantly kids and family were at his side during the pending days and held vigils in hopes that Jeff would make a miracle recovery.

Jeff who passed at only 50 years old left a legacy of friends a laundry list of them that most people don’t get to enjoy in a lifetime. Jeff started out his professional sports coverage career working at KSMJ radio in Sacramento in the early 90s.

Jeff said that his biggest highlight during those early days of his media career was covering the 1992 MLB All-Star game in San Diego. Jeff covered many baseball events with the late and veteran Sacramento TV and radio anchor Ken Gimblin. Jeff said he enjoyed making his trip out to Camden Yards with Ken in Baltimore when Oriole Park was just built. The two took in the new park and walked on the field, did a number of interviews and enjoyed the crab cakes in the media room.

Jeff in the those early days of the 90s also covered the San Jose Sharks who started out their franchise year in 1991 where he and his broadcast partner Dave Goolsby would travel from Sacramento to Daly City to cover the NHL’s newest team and drive back after the game. Chris Collins who did color on Sharks radio and worked at KSMJ FM with Dave and Jeff would also make the trek to the Cow Palace.

Jeff got married and left the radio business and also his sports coverage and virtually very few in the industry heard from him again until 2014 when he came back to cover the Sacramento Kings after it was announced that the Kings would stay in Sacramento a move that Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive had a huge role in that made it possible. Jeff was pleased to be back doing what he loved doing the most covering professional sports.

Jeff had mentioned about his surgeries he had two of them for brain cancer and he didn’t want anyone’s sympathy he just wanted to be treated like everyone else and he muscled every bit of strength that he could to come out to San Francisco or Oakland to cover baseball or games at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento. Jeff literally laid it all on the line for his family, friends, co workers, and his co workers in the media.

Those that got to know Jeff treasured every second of working with him and admired his strengths for what he had done in and out of covering the games. Like KCBS’ Joe Salvatore said, “Rest in peace Jeff, you were a good friend but most important, a great father.”

Please listen to Jeff’s last podcast he recorded doing commentary on Sac Kings basketball from Fri Oct 2, 2015 click below

Sportstalk remote podcast from Gaylord’s Indian Restaurant in San Francisco Mon Oct 12, 2015

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Cast: Jerry Feitelberg (host), Jeremy Harness, Len Shapiro, Mary Lisa Walsh, Joe Lami and Lee Leonard (producer) podcast from Gaylord’s Indian Restaurant at One Embarcadero downtown San Francisco. Just a few blocks away from Embarcadero BART this jewel of a restaurant serves up some of India’s best dishes. Our thanks to owner Susil for hosting us.

Sportstalk radio got to enjoy Tika Malsala chicken, Tandoori Chicken, some of the finest nan breads garlic and onion nan, fried chicken sticks and fried cheese sticks, the sauces were excellent condiments for the breads, chicken and cheese. Find out what your missing in fine Indian dinning cuisine. For desert take our word for it we enjoyed the Kulfi a saffron flavored ice cream with pistachios and Rasmalai sweet dumpling topped with saffron milk sauce. Jeremy Harness spared no deserts on this night.

Sports headlines covered: Mary Lisa says the Sharks are improved, Joe Lami and Len Shapiro say the team needs more work but likes the goaltenders of Martin Jones and Alex Stalock. Look for veteran skaters Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Joe Pavelski to name a few to crash the nets as the Sharks start a road this this week in Washington, New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, before returning home on Thursday Oct 22.

Also Jerry, Jermey, Joe, and Len cover the MLB Playoffs to end the show.

Cal Bears Podcast with Morris Phillips: Bears will rest up this week get ready for UCLA on Oct 22nd

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by Morris Phillips

photo credit google images of Travis Wilson Utah Utes

BERKELEY–On the night that the Cal Bears (5-1) are at UCLA (4-1) on Thursday Oct 22nd it will be a battle for TV ratings as the 49ers play at Levis Stadium that same night. You got to wonder who scheduled these football programs but one of them is going to be disappointed in the TV ratings. In the game in Utah (5-0) last Saturday Bears quarterback Jared Goff threw for six interceptions and Goff obviously was trying to do too much.

In Goff’s post game comments head coach Sonny Dykes alluded that the interceptions were very uncharacteristic of him but at the same time you got to credit the Utah defense. Cal did well in terms of protection and Goff got sacked only once by the Utes all night. He was under tremendous pressure and the secondary was just incredible for Utah. Their ability to cover and make plays and you have to give the Bears credit for that.

When people talk about Utah and their games amongst the very best teams in the country it’s not a joke it’s not a typo they are a really good football team that is undefeated. Cal should at least be proud of themselves going into a tough hostile environment in Salt Lake City like that and giving it all that they had in the 30-24 loss. Utes quarterback Travis Wilson threw a tough game against Cal 170 yards two interceptions and one touchdown.

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears podcasts each week for http://www.sportsradioservice.com listen to the podcast below

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: When Utley gets back there could be bad blood between Mets and Dodgers

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by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

photo credit NY Daily News Utley sliding into Tajeda game 2 NLDS

LOS ANGELES–I watched the LA Dodgers Chase Utley’s slide so many times and he started the slide after he passed second base that should not be allowed and I agree with the two day suspension that Utley got as administered by Joe Torre in charge of MLB discipline. You want to be very careful I heard Torre said that the Arizona instructional league their teaching the players to slide into the base not around the base or not after the base.

What Utley did was that he started his slide after second base and he obviously took out the Mets shortstop Ruben Tajeda and broke his leg and Tajeda is out for the rest of the post season. Utley said it was a good slide but you should never slide after the base that’s what the bases are there for. To break your speed you should slide before the base and sometimes now you overrun the base.

I called a lot of games this year especially with the Angels on TV you overrun a base and an umpire calls him safe and then you go to the replay we see that the call is going to be decided by a fraction of an inch and the second baseman for example would throw to shortstop and the umpire would declare the runner out. This incident is going to be talked about now for the rest of this series between the Mets and Dodgers.

There could be some bad blood if the series goes on long enough and when Utley gets back in the Dodgers line up from the suspension. There could be fans cat calling and maybe some inside pitches thrown. The Mets are angry about losing Tajeda, although Utley got the two game suspension the Mets will be looking out for justice more than likely when Utley returns to the Los Angeles line up.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Angels Spanish TV voice and the A’s Spanish radio voice and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com