Month: February 2023

Plodding Bears can’t shoot it or hold on to it in 65-56 loss to Washington

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Can’t shoot straight or pass accurately? You’re in trouble, especially in the Pac-12 Conference, where opposing defenses feed off that level of disfunction.

The Cal Bears started competitively for a change and kept within range for 35 minutes, but 31 percent shooting and 15 turnovers weren’t going to cut it against visiting Washington.

Cal fell to UW, 65-56, their 12th straight loss since they last won against Stanford on January 6.

One of the confounding aspects of Cal’s worst-ever season (along with the fact that they likely won’t win five games, which is hard to do when they, like all Power 5 schools, have a stranglehold on how they schedule, and who they play) is they continue to compile high turnover numbers despite playing at one of the slowest paces in 363-member Division I.

It makes sense that Cal plays slow. They’ve been decimated by injuries at the ball handling positions and again played without guard DeJuan Clayton on Thursday.

It doesn’t make sense that they regularly register double-figure turnovers at this stage of the season. But Pac-12 opponents sense Cal’s lack of organization and hunt the basketball as much as they successfully keep the Bears from scoring.

Again, on Thursday, the formula worked.

“We kept the score, the pace of the game where we wanted it,” coach Mark Fox said. “(It’s) just unfortunate that we didn’t make more shots.”

The Bears also missed seven free throws and fell behind by 18 points at one juncture. That preceded a 15-3 run that brought them within 52-46. But Cal would get no closer. The Huskies responded with a pair of free throws and a Keion Brooks Jr. dunk to push their lead back to ten.

“They’re at home. They’re fighting, but our guys, at the end of the day, found a way to win,” UW coach Mike Hopkins said. “We made some foul shots down the stretch and got the stops we needed.”

Brooks led UW with a game-best 24 points and 11 rebounds.

“They came out and fought hard,” Brooks said of Cal. “They were physical. We knew they were going to do that. Those are the type of games that you get up for because you know it’s going to be a little back and forth. But credit to them, we got up big and they didn’t go away.”

The Bears’ final home came comes on Saturday at 2:00pm against Washington State at Haas Pavilion.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Athletics Investment Lobbying Group

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval has been negotiating with the state of Nevada. The A’s are getting serious about Las Vegas as they formed a group Athletics Investment Lobbying Group Kaval has been named as one of the lobbyists for the group (photo from mitchtobias.com)

Athletics Investment Lobbying Group

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–According to Nevada State records the Oakland A’s recently formed a lobbying group for Nevada’s 2023 legislative session, it is named Athletics Investment Lobbying Group. Among the lobbyist, Dave Kaval, President of the Oakland A’s is listed.

Greg Ferraro is the founder and President of the Ferraro Group, a public affairs firm that provides service in the government lobbying space in Nevada. Ferraro says the club is likely aware that, after this session, the Nevada legislature won’t convene again until 2025.

The A’s who seem to be serious of moving to Las Vegas are spending money to hire the Ferraro Group in order to build a new ballpark in Sin City. This group of A’s Lobbyist in Nevada would have to move quickly and get it done (come to an agreement) during this 2023 year. Last week the A’s added a third site where they could build their $1 billion indoor park in Las Vegas, as they are seriously considering the land where the Rio Casino sits, on Flaming Road just west of the Strip and Interstate 15.

This 2023 is the target year for the A’s to make a final decision, according to Robert Manfred MLB Commissioner, who said things with the City Oakland are not looking good.

This February 7 in Oakland, at the end of the annual mayor’s economic forecast, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said talks have resumed between the City of Oakland and the Oakland A’s for the new ballpark. When asked about the A’s negotiations with the city, she said that “it is looking good”. Any deal will have to be approved by the Oakland City Council.

Thao is currently dealing with strong criticisms for firing the popular Oakland-born ,Leronne Armstrong Chief of Police. Members of Oakland’s NAACP rallied to support Police Chief Armstrong, calling to bring him back. If talks are going on between the A’s and the City of Oakland at this time, they must be extremely secretive (something like CIA style) because nobody hears anything coming from Oakland City Hall, not even a leak.

Truth-be-said: At this time it is evident the Oakland A’s are not very hopeful that they can come to an agreement with the City of Oakland in order to build their new proposed Howard Terminal stadium. Especially after the recent setbacks, specially the grant of $190 million for Oakland that was not approved.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead radio Spanish voice for the Oakland A’s radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: How Wiggins out of the line up impacts Golden State going against Lakers tonight

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Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots against Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis, left, during the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Feb 13, 2023. This would be Wiggins last game as he has been out due to personal reasons. (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Jerry, first of all as you know Andrew Wiggins was out of the line up for their last game just before the All Star break on Tue Feb 14 vs. the Los Angeles Clippers a game the Warriors lost by ten 134-124.

#2 Wiggins has been listed out of the line up because of undisclosed personal reasons. As to how long Wiggins will be out of the line up the Warriors don’t even know yet.

#3 Jerry what dimension does Wiggins bring to the Warriors game and how will head coach Steve Kerr compensate for his absence?

#4 Wiggins has missed 21 games this season and a bulk of those come in December and that was a month that Stephen Curry missed a good number of games and now both are out starting the second half of the season.

#5 The Warriors host the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Warriors have lost five of their last ten games and the Lakers have lost four of their last ten games. How do you see this battle tonight?

Join Jerry Feitelberg for the Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Prunty takes over as Hawks head coach; Will Miller be indicted for gun giveaway in Alabama murder?; plus much more

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Joe Prunty takes over as the interim head coach for the Atlanta Hawks after firing former head coach Nate McMillan (SI file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 The Atlanta Hawks fired head coach Nate McMillan who was 99-80 in three seasons as head coach. The Hawks are 29-30 this season and eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Hawks general manager Landry Fields said the decision to fire McMillan was difficult but said it was in the best interest of the team to move forward. Joe Prunty was named as the Hawks interim head coach.

#2 The Alabama Crimson Tide’s number two basketball star player in the country Brandon Miller provided a gun that was used to kill Jamea Jonae Harris in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Harris was allegedly killed by former Miller teammate Darius Miles with another accomplice Michael Lynn Davis. Miller has not been charged but says

#3 Jessica, Rob Manfred MLB Commissioner says that MLB will rescue some 14 teams who invested in Bally Sports Network are on the verge of missing their payments as Bally was about to air those 14 teams play by play broadcasts. Manfred said that games will be shown on local cable and will find a streaming source for the games audio coverage as a back up plan.

#4 New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that pitcher Frankie Montas was not all that he was cracked up to be. Montas whose having shoulder surgery and could miss the rest of the season had Cashman saying the Montas acquisition didn’t work out and that “we didn’t get anything out of it.”

#5 The subject of opting out is catching on first the San Diego Padres Manny Machado said he would opt out at the end of this season now the New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer 38, says he considering opting out after this season. That’s when Mets owner Steve Cohen stepped in and assured Scherzer that the Mets are going to win the World Series no matter what it takes. Scherzer is getting $130 million on a three year contract that includes a no trade clause which he agreed to in the fall of 2021.

Join Jessica Kwong for Headline Sports podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal look to get back on winning track against Washington Thursday at Maples

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Southern California forward Kijani Wright (33) reaches for a rebound next to Stanford forward Harrison Ingram (55), guard Michael O’Connell (5) and forward Maxime Raynaud (42) during the second half at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Sat Feb 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael:

#1 Boogie Ellis enjoyed a career night for Southern California on Saturday, as the Trojans beat Stanford 85-75 in men’s basketball at Galen Center.

#2 Ellis, a senior guard, recorded career highs with 33 points, seven assists and six 3-pointers. His 33 points were the most for a USC player since Onyeka Okongwu scored 33 on Nov, 19, 2019.

#3 Drew Peterson hit 8-of-14 from the field and scored 21 points to go with seven rebounds. Reese Dixon-Waters, back from missing four games due to injury, scored 12 points, and contributed three rebounds and two assists.

#4 Harrison Ingram led the Cardinal with 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds in Stanford’s only regular-season meeting with the Trojans. 

#5 The Cardinal return to Maples Pavilion for their final two home games of the season, hosting Washington State on Thursday and Washington on Saturday.

Catch the Stanford Cardinal podcasts with Michael Roberson Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Francona feels ready and healthy for 2023; Jays Schneider saves woman from choking to death; plus more news

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Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona makes a pitching change during the team’s baseball game against the Houston Astros, Aug. 4, 2022, in Cleveland. Francona says he feels much better going into a season than he did in 2020 and 2021. (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amaruy News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Cleveland Guardians manager Tito Francona is heading into his 11th season and has his health issues behind him he had the toe and hip surgeries in 2021 and he had the blood clot and gas issues in 2020 and Francona says he’s not hanging it up anytime soon.

#2 Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider’s sixth grade education on the Heimlich maneuver was a life saver last Saturday when Schneider was taking a lunchbreak with his wife Dunedin Florida when a woman at another table started choking the others at the woman’s table didn’t know what to do that’s when Schneider stepped in and performed the maneuver and saved her life. She had been choking on a shrimp.

#3 New York Yankees star Aaron Judge has it all going for him the $360 million contract, the 62 home runs, the team captaincy any pressure for Judge to keep it going for the 2023 season.

#4 As announced by the Toronto Blue Jays their on air broadcasters will do all their road games from a studio as mock up baseball they won’t need to hit two sticks together to make the ball hitting the bat sound but Blue Jays announcer Jerry Howarth said he was “very disappointed” by the decision.

#5 Turning to the NBA Amuary, there is talk about NBA players changing teams like players changing uniforms. If a player doesn’t like where he’s at he just simply gets a trade such as the case as the Brooklyn Nets shipping Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns, Patrick Beverly signed with the Chicago Bulls and Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaruy’s News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 3 Stanford women hold off No. 17 UCLA 71-66

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Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Emily Bessoir (11) during the first half at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Feb 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Monday, February 20, 2023

Junior Cameron Brink scored 25 points to go with a perfect night at the free throw line, as the No. 3 Cardinal held off No. 17 UCLA 71-66 Monday in Pac-12 women’s basketball at Maples Pavilion.

Brink sank all 15 of her foul shots; the last one put the Cardinal (26-3 overall, 14-2 Pac-12) ahead to stay with 1:53 to play. Haley Jones, one of the “Funky Four” Stanford seniors, scored 18 points and had three steals. Jones’ layup with 1:22 to play gave the Cardinal a three-point lead.

Jones made a go-ahead jumper at 2:45 of the second half before Lina Sontag answered with a 3-pointer for the Bruins, putting UCLA ahead 65-64. The Bruins’ lead was erased for good when Brink hit her 14th and 15th free throws of the game.

Stanford led by 16 with 6:03 left in the second quarter and held a 39-24 halftime lead.

Freshman Londynn Jones led the Bruins (21-7 overall, 10-6 Pac-12) with 14 points, followed by Charisma Osborne and Kiki Rice with 11 points each. Lina Sontag was next with 10 points.

While Stanford won its fourth straight game, the loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Bruins, who outrebounded the Cardinal 36-33. Brink and Jones each had six rebounds for Stanford, while Osborne pulled down a game-high seven boards for UCLA, along with six assists and six steals.

Brink blocked two shots, giving her 102 for the season. She set the school record for blocks last week in Stanford’s win over Southern California.

Stanford wraps up its regular season with a road trip to Colorado on Thursday and Utah on Saturday.

Reimer stops 26 shots as Sharks shut out Seattle 4-0

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San Jose Sharks center Nico Sturm (7) celebrates the goal of teammate left wing Evgeny Svechinkov (10) who scored against the visiting Seattle Kraken in the second period at SAP Center in San Jose on Mon Feb 20,. 2023. Referee Mike Dunning (20) watches against the glass. (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Monday, February 20, 2023

James Reimer earned his second shutout of the season Monday, as San Jose Sharks blanked the Seattle Kraken 4-0 in a President’s Day matchup at SAP Center. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Sharks.

Reimer made 26 saves, and got offensive support from Logan Couture, Evgeny Svechnikov, Noah Gregor and Michael Eyssimont. Erik Karlsson assisted on two of the Sharks’ goals.

Kraken goaltender Martin Jones stopped 19 shots against his former team, but suffered his fourth straight loss as Seattle (32-19-6. 70 points) was shut out for the third time this season.

After a scoreless first period, San Jose (18-29-11, 47 points) took a 1-0 lead on a fluke goal credited to Couture midway through the second period. Couture was in a faceoff with the Krakens’ Yanni Gourde, who won the draw but inadvertently sent the puck back past Jones and into the net. It was Couture’s 20th goal of the season.

The Sharks made it 2-0 later in the period when Svechnikov intercepted a clearing pass and beat Jones on a rebound shot. The unassisted tally was Svechnikov’s seventh goal of the season. With 17.2 seconds left in the second period, Gregor scored. Eyssimont made it 4-0 late in the third period with his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Couture and Karlsson, his 58th.

Each team was 0-for-2 on the power play.

The Sharks host Nashville on Thursday and Chicago on Saturday.

Barracuda blow out Canucks on the road 7-2

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Barracuda Twitter. Barracuda players celebrate a goal against the Canucks on February 20th.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

The second game in a row against the Canucks ended up being a blow out for the Barracuda on the road by a final score of 7-2.

For San Jose Strauss Mann got the start in goal while Spencer Martin started for the Canucks.

Barracuda’s offense got off to a hot start in this game as less than six minutes in William Eklund on a breakaway scored his 16th goal of the season.

Not long after the goal Abbotsford took a tripping penalty that lead to Eklund one-timing home his second geno of the night.

The offensive out pouring continued in the first as Artemi Kniazev sniped on blocker side taking San Jose’s lead to 3-0.

Yushiroh Hirano took a penalty once again putting San Jose on the power play and Kyle Criscuolo one-timed a pass home from Eklund stretching the Barracuda’s lead to four.

Eklund ended up finishing the first period with three points truly putting a highlight reel 20 minutes together.

Scoring in the second period didn’t take long to get going as just 2:56 into the period C.J. Suess scored on a beautiful feed from Tristen Robins.

A little after Suess’s goal the Canucks finally got a response from Tristen Nielsen who scored his 13th goal of the season.

Later in the second on a scramble out front Robins tucked it in tallying his 11th of the season.

That ended up being all of the scoring in the period with the shots finishing in favor of the Canucks at 25-22.

In the third period Abbotsford kicked things off as Kyle Rau banged home his 13th of the campaign.

Danil Gushchin responded making it 7-2 on a great effort as he wrapped the puck around and sniped it over Martin.

That ended up being the final goal of the game with the shots finishing in favor of the Canucks 39-34.

The three stars of the game were 1st: William Eklund 2nd: Strauss Mann 3rd: Tristen Robins

San Jose’s next game will be against the Ontario Reign on Friday at 7 p.m. on the road.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal take on UCLA tonight; Stanford looking to sweep the homestand

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Stanford guard Indya Nivar, front left, blocks a shot by Southern California guard Kayla Williams, front right, during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Feb 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford podcast with Michael:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (26-3) No.3 are coming off that big win against the USC Trojans (19-8) 50-47 a close game against an unranked school.

#2 Once again Stanford got offensive help from Cameron Brink who led with 12 points.

#3 Michael, talk about guard Kiki Irafen and her contribution to this offense she got nine points on Friday night at Stanford.

#4 Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer says that confidence down the stretch in a game against USC and it was close with Stanford winning by three points.

#5 The Cardinal match up tonight against UCLA No.16 (21-6 at Maples Pavilion. how do you see this match up tonight?

Join Michael for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com