Author: Sports Radio Service

3 reasons why the Warriors’ signing of DeMarcus Cousins won’t work out

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Photo credit: @DimeUPROXX

By: Ana Kieu

When DeMarcus Cousins joined the Golden State Warriors, this forced many NBA fans to let out a heavy sigh, as the unstoppable force got even more unstoppable. Cousins reportedly signed a 1-year deal worth $5.3 million, which isn’t one of the biggest contracts, but still far less than what he likely could’ve earned with another team.

Cousins technically didn’t do anything he wasn’t allowed to do, according to the NBA salary cap structure. But this debatable fact hasn’t stopped fans from judging Cousins in a similar way like they likely did with Kevin Durant, who did something almost identical  a few years ago.

But here’s the question: Why did the Warriors sign Cousins? Obviously, the signing of Durant was helpful, but is Cousins the real deal?

Here are 3 reasons why the Warriors’ signing of Cousins won’t work out.

1. Is Team Chemistry An Issue?
The Warriors are apparently treating Cousins like he’s the next big thing when that title should be given to Durant.

Sure, Steph Curry may have called Cousins the third Splash Brother, but that doesn’t mean that he’ll be a positive force on the Warriors’ roster.

According to Twitter, Durant may not be Cousins’ biggest fan. Additionally, Draymond Green had a few words with Cousins before the deal was signed, and admitted that they’d need to put their differences aside in order to succeed.

So is the deal really worth the potential team chemistry issues that might arise? Either the Warriors signed Cousins because they know he’s not going to be around for a long time or he’ll be with the team long after Green, Durant and Klay Thompson sign contracts with other teams?

2. He’s Probably Not Going To Stay
On the topic of a short-term stay or an extended lodge, this isn’t likely going to be a long-term relationship between Cousins and Golden State. Regardless of where the Big Four end up, will Cousins really be around for the long run?

There has been speculation that the rest of the NBA didn’t come calling for Cousins and that’s why he signed with the Warriors. If that’s true, this will be nothing more than a showcase year to prove that Cousins isn’t injured. However, if he turns out to be successful, he might get a max contract next summer, but many players who need to prove that they’re worth the big bucks turn out to have no loyalty towards a team.

3. Warriors Have No Moves Remaining
The signing of Cousins was arguably the Warriors’ biggest move this summer. Some fans may suggest the Warriors won’t need to do anything else, but that might not be true, and even if they do, they can’t right now.

If you think that the signing of Cousins automatically means saying goodbye to Nick Young and Jamal Crawford, think again. The Warriors are losing to key players off their bench.

That being said, Cousins’ deal uses up the Warriors’ luxury tax mid-level exception. That means there will be less help from the bench, especially if Cousins recuperates from his injury and spends more time on the court than the Big Four. An injury to any one of these guys could be devastating as there will be fewer options in the backups department.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Jeremy Kahn and Michael Duca: He’s not vintage MadBum, but he’s been throwing pretty darn good of late

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nbcsports.com file photo: San Francisco Giants starter Madison Bumgarner is working on getting back to being vintage Mad Bum for the Giants

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael and Jeremy:

What the San Francisco Giants need to do to win this upcoming series in Oakland is to sweep, and to win it, you have to win the series and they’ve cleverly figured it out after they found out it’s a crooked number of games to do it. Maybe if it was at AT&T Park, we’ll have a quick rugby game afterwards.

Madison Bumgarner is not vintage Madison Bumgarner, but he’s been pretty darn good. He’s still not commanding of pitches in the strike zone and his breaking ball looks a little weaselly. Bum tries to shave the corner, as he was missing by two or three inches. Three quarters of a Bumgarner is equal to one of anybody else you can find from the National League’s pitching rotation.

Michael Duca does the SF Giants podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose State’s Josh Oliver named to the 2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

San Jose State senior Josh Oliver was rightfully recognized for his 2017 breakthrough season as a pass-catching tight end.

Following a breakthrough season, Spartans’ Josh Oliver became one of 64 tight ends named to the 2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List. The list was named after the Pro Football Hall of Fame legend, John Mackey, from the 1960’s and 1970’s, who later became the first President of the National Football League Players’ Association (NFLPA). Accordingly, the award honors the best tight end in college football each year.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 250 pounds, Oliver caught 35 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown in 2017. He ranked second on the Spartan team in number of pass receptions. A two-year starter for the Spartans, he was used more as a blocking tight end his first two seasons and had just seven receptions–two of them for touchdowns. His first major college touchdown came in San Jose State’s win in the 2015 AutoNation Cure Bowl.

The Paso Robles, Calif. native, Oliver is a three-time Academic All-Mountain West award recipient and a 2017 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar.

The 2018 John Mackey Award will be announced on December 5 and presented live on December 6 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.

Oliver and fellow teammate Bryson Bridges, a senior defensive tackle, will be the two San Jose State players participating in the 2018 Mountain West Football Summit on July 25 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Oakland A’s–What a Difference a Year Makes!

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Photo credit: nytimes.com

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

OAKLAND, Calif. — Part two of the Bay Bridge Series continues on Friday, July 20, at the Oakland Coliseum, as both Bay Area teams open the second half of their season. The last weekend prior to the All Star break, the A’s took two out of the three games against the Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

On this date in 2017, the A’s did not play. However, the next day–the first game of the second half–on July 21, they had a record of 43-53 and were in fifth (last place) with 23 games behind the Houston Astros.

As the A’s open the second half of this season, their record is 55-42 and they’re in third place, eight games behind the first-place Houston Astros and three games behind the second-place Seattle Mariners for a Wild Card spot.  From 2017 to 2018 to date, that’s an improvement of 12 more games won and 11 less games lost.

Anywho, the Giants on July 20, 2017, were in last place in the National League West with a record of 37-61, 29 1/2 games out of first-place, which was held by the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants ended in the cellar last year as they lost 98 games. In the second half of last season, the Giants had one of the worse second halves in their history, winning just 27 more games to to end the season with a 64-98 record. Because 2017 was such a pathetic season for the Orange and Black, they’re better this season. The Giants begin this series against the A’s in fourth place with 50-48 record, four games behind the first-place Dodgers and also four games behind a Wild Card berth.

Both teams are fighting to get into the postseason at this time, which is a totally different situation at this time last year when both teams finished in last place in their respective divisions. The big difference this season is that the A’s weren’t expected to contend. The Giants acquired two veteran players in Evan Longoria, who should return to the lineup soon, and Andrew McCutchen.

Both clubs have their fair share of injuries, especially to their pitching staffs, with the Giants suffering more than the A’s when it comes to position players. Two regulars, second baseman Joe Panik and third baseman Evan Longoria are still out.

Both teams, however, should be buyers. July 31 is the trade deadline, and after that day, players have to clear waivers and trades will become more complicated.

Notes: The A’s  released veteran Santiago Casilla. The 37-year-old pitched in 26 games in relief with a 3.16 earned run average. The Dominican began his career with the A’s in 2004, went to the Giants for the next six seasons, and came back home full circle to the A’s in 2017.

The A’s announced they’re opening Mount Davis, 8,190 seats behind center field this Saturday, and the game is at 6:05 pm PDT. On that day, the A’s will honor their 1989 World Champion team, who won the World Series against the Giants. Many A’s stars of the 1989 roster will be on hand.

The current total capacity of the Coliseum is 56,782. The record attendance for an A’s game at the Coliseum was established on June 26, 2004. Also, an A’s game against the Giants would’ve seen 55,989.

Sportstalk podcast at Diplomat Steakhouse in downtown Sacramento

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Cast: Michael Duca (mlb.com and host), Jeremy Kahn (SF Giants and Oakland Raiders reporter), Jeremy Harness (SF Giants and PGA reporter), London Marq (Sacramento Kings and SJ Earthquakes reporter), Jeremiah Salmonson (Sacramento Kings reporter), Charlie O (Oakland A’s and Sacramento Kings reporter), Lee Leonard (producer).

Sportstalk is proud to podcast at The Diplomat Steakhouse at 1117 11th Street in downtown Sacramento. Our thanks to our hosts: owner Ramesh Prasad, Marketing Patrick Harbison, Manager Chriss Lamm, Assistant General Manager Danielle “Feisty Spice” Feist, Event Concierge Aimee Spaulding, and Kaitlin Deathriage.

Being diplomatic is our brand’s core binding. We are intuitive when in conducting your dining experience, and can achieve peaceful resolutions to any quandary while facilitating intriguing discussion with anyone on the map. We broadened the scope and magnified the habitual steakhouse fare. We resolve differences by implementing international fusion cuisine to please any and all palates. We strive to achieve a peaceful atmosphere, and our ingenuity gives us the edge to connect to any guest.

Restaurateur, Ramesh Prasad, has has dined worldwide in the vast ever occurring steakhouse traditional fine dining concepts. Complacent with their predictability, he manifested his vision into reality. Sacramento is in the prime of revitalization, and developing a signature steakhouse is pioneering the industries’ cravings.

Raiders update: Papa out and Flores also out

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Photo credit: mercurynews.com

By Jeremy Kahn

Well, the Oakland Raiders will have a new play-by-play announcer when they take the field against the Detroit Lions on August 10.

Greg Papa, who replaced Joel Meyers prior to the 1997 season, will not be returning to the Raiders booth and will be replaced by veteran announcer Brent Musburger.

Tom Flores, who played in the NFL, was an assistant coach and head coach, and more recently, the color analyst alongside Papa, will not be returning.

Flores, who is 81 years old, led the Raiders to their last Super Bowl Championship, when they defeated the Washington Redskins 38-9 in Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984 at Tampa Stadium.

Raiders owner Mark Davis released this statement confirming the replacement of Papa with Musburger.

“The Raiders organization would like to thank Greg Papa for his two decades of service to the Silver and Black.. He wasn’t just given the job.. He earned it.. With intense preparation Greg was always ready for the call.. Just as my generation remembers Bill King and ‘Holy Toledo’.. The Raider Nation will remember Greg Papa and ‘Touchdown Raiders’.. We wish Greg and his family the best in whatever the future brings.”

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum for Jerry Feitelberg: Can A’s stay MLB’s hottest team as they host Giants Friday?

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Photo credit: @Athletics

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

The Oakland A’s start their second half of the season against the San Francisco Giants Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum after taking two out of three from the Giants last weekend in San Francisco. Daniel talks about the A’s starting rotation for the second half–Sean Manaea, Trevor Hill, Brett Anderson, and Edwin Jackson.

Will the A’s be sellers before the trade deadline? Will the A’s hold onto Jed Lowrie, Khris Davis, and Jonathan Lucroy? How impressive was the A’s hitting during the series in San Francisco last week? After the Bay Bridge Series, the A’s are in Texas for four games and in Colorado for three the weekend after next week.

Daniel is filling in for Jerry who does the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Musberger huge figure in Vegas; Raiders look to feed off his talent; Raiders fans in Oakland shocked by the change with Papa and Flores out

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Photo credit: oaklandnewsnow.com

On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony:

Broadcast teams–they come together or they don’t come together. Play-by-play announcers like former Oakland Raiders announcer Greg Papa was and color announcer which Tom Flores was they added two different aspects, but they were able to blend together and work well together.

Brent Musberger is in replacing Papa and I’m sure there has to be some color analyst that Musberger thinks he could work well together with and that’s who’s going to be the color person for Musberger, former Raider Bill Romanowski, maybe?

This firing of Papa and Flores caught a lot of people by surprise. It didn’t look like the Raiders were going to fire Papa and Flores until maybe after the Raiders left Oakland. What you want to do is embrace your fans in Las Vegas and not alienate your fans in Oakland.

Greg Papa’s call of “Touchdown Rrrrrrrrrraiders” is iconic. I don’t know if the band-aid has been pulled off so much now or if season ticket holders in Oakland understand the business side and realize the Raiders are moving and these are business related moves.

Tony Renteria does the Raiders podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: Latest news on the Black and Blue

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the SJ Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. The San Jose Earthquakes got shutout 2-0 by the Montreal Impact in Montreal this past Saturday. There were a lot of views ranging from fire coach Mikael Stahre to let captain Chris Wondolowski go. What’s your take on the hapless Quakes?

2. France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2018. Just how happy were the French men and women on this special day after Bastille Day in France?

3. In the past month, a whopping 40,000 people attended the World Cup viewing parties at Avaya Stadium. How does it feel to know that the South Bay has been coming together?

4. 16-year-old Homegrown players Gilbert Fuentes and Jacob Akanyirige made their professional debuts for Reno 1868 FC this past Saturday. Tell us more about these two guys.

5. Center-back Guram Kashia touched down in San Jose Sunday night in an attempt to help the Quakes. Do you think anything good is going to come out of this?

6. The Quakes host the Seattle Sounders Wed Jul 25th at 7:30 pm PDT. What are your three keys to the match?

7.  The Quakes continue their homestand this Sat Jul 28th at 7:30 pm PDT against Real Salt Lake. What does San Jose need to do to avoid another draw with RSL?

Catch Ana on the weekly SJ Earthquakes podcast at sportsradioservice.com

Warriors notes: The good news keeps on coming

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Photo credit: youtube.com

By: Ana Kieu

The back-to-back defending champion Golden State Warriors have faced a few setbacks so far this offseason, like when their head trainer, Chelsea Lane, left Oakland for a reportedly better job with the Hawks in Atlanta. Lane was arguably one of the most important Warriors even though she wasn’t a player or coach, as she reportedly juggled multiple roles: psychologist, doctor, adviser, trainer, friend and even a part-time comedian.

Anyways, Golden State isn’t showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. They recently re-signed head coach Steve Kerr to a contract extension. Per team policy, terms of the agreement weren’t released.

Warriors president of basketball operations and general manager Bob Myers told NBA.com, “We’re excited to have Steve under contract and poised to lead our team for the next several years … Under his guidance, we’ve been fortunate enough to win three NBA titles in four years and his ability to thrive in all facets of his job is certainly a primary reason for our success. He’s a terrific coach, but more importantly an incredible human being.”

Despite the lack of details, Kerr is the right fit for the Warriors, who have won three championships in four seasons. Kerr also owns a playoff mark of 63-20 or .759, which is currently the highest winning percentage in NBA history amongst head coaches who have coached a minimum of 25 playoff games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Kerr is the 25th head coach in Warriors’ history and the 20th since the team moved to California in 1962. And, if things continue to work as planned, Kerr will continue to hold down a coaching gig in Oakland.

Also, Golden State appears to be on the right track when it comes to navigating the perplexing free agent market, as they’ve signed NBA star DeMarcus Cousins and Swedish big man Jonas Jerebko along with some other lesser known ballers.

In addition, ESPN reported that Warriors’ Kevin Durant won the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, given annually to an athlete whose leadership has created a positive impact on their community through sports. Durant started the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation, which aims to enrich the lives of at-risk youth from low-income backgrounds through educational, athletic and social programs. Durant also committed $10 million to a local chapter of College Track–a program that helps disadvantaged students attend college, in Suitland, Maryland, donated $1 million to tornado victims in Oklahoma in 2013, and built basketball courts around the world for low-income youth.

Anywho, many sources have speculated that the Warriors’ dynasty may come to an end in the near future, and while that could happen–as no team will continue to dominate forever–they’ve been having a pretty good summer and can possibly do some damage on other teams this coming season.