Category: Golden State Warriors

Thompson’s career-high 41 points paces Warriors past Lakers

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — It’s official: Klay Thompson loves to play the Los Angeles Lakers.

Thompson scored a career-high 41 points, guiding the Golden State Warriors to their first home win of the season with a 127-104 victory over Los Angeles in front of a sellout crowd of 19,596 at Oracle Arena Saturday night.

“We got into a great offensive flow tonight,” said Thompson, who also grabbed five rebounds. “I thought if we could stay aggressive and play well, we could win.”

Stephen Curry scored 31 points and dished out 10 assists (turning the ball over just twice).

“We wanted to come out and be aggressive and feed off this crowd,” Curry said. “It was a collective win.”

Golden State found themselves down by 43-33 in midway through the second quarter, but went on a 25-4 run to take a 61-55 lead at halftime. After Los Angeles shot 63% from the floor in the first quarter, Golden State limited the Lakers to just 50% shooting in the second quarter.

Harrison Barnes added 15 points, and Draymond Green chipped in nine points and five rebounds while starting in place of injured power forward, David Lee.

Andre Iguodala and Leandro Barbosa scored nine points each to the lead the Warriors’ scoring off the bench.

“We got a lot to work on, but when you have Thompson and Curry in the backcourt, with the versatility of a [Harrison] Barnes and a [Draymond] Green, its fun to coach,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.

“I thought our energy didn’t really show up until the third quarter, but I liked how we responded and continued to play hard and executed  the game plan better.”

After shooting 3-of-10 from the field and scoring just eight points in the first half, Kobe Bryant scored 19 of his 28 points in the third quarter. Bryant and Thompson put on a show in the third quarter, trading baskets and playing each other aggressively. The Lakers’ legend also finished tied for the team lead with six rebounds.

“He’s [Bryant] is such a great player that’s done it all in the league,” Thompson said, “He’s amazing.”

Jordan Hill scored 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting, and Wesley Johnson added 15 points. Ed Davis had 13 points and six rebounds for the Lakers.

Los Angeles has dropped their fourth game in five nights and at 0-4, it’s the first time that the Lakers have started a season 0-4 in their history in Los Angeles.

The Warriors had their way with the Lakers down low, outscoring Los Angeles 62-42 in the paint. Golden State smothered Los Angeles’ 3-point shooting, handcuffing the Purple & Gold to 4-of-14 (28%) from beyond the arc.

The real story was the play of Thompson, who finished 14-of-18 shooting from the field, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Thompson’s previous career-high of 38 points came in Golden State’s home opening win last year against, coincidentally, the Lakers.

Many wondered after Thompson and Golden State agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $70 million if Thompson is even worth such a large financial commitment. I think with Thompson’s performance tonight, he’s answered the question that the money that Golden State has committed into keeping the “Splash Brothers” together, will be well spent.

“We had some great flow tonight…It’s always fun playing the Lakers,” Thompson said.

At 2-0, Golden State heads to Portland to take on the Trailblazers and Oakland native, Damien Lilliard, Sunday before returning home to take on their bitter rivals the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

Game Notes:

The Golden State Warriors announced Thursday that the team has exercised the fourth-year contract options on forward Harrison Barnes and center Festus Ezeli, which are for the 2015-16 NBA season. The team did not exercise the third-year contract option on guard Nemanja Nedovic.

 

Warriors Defeat Sacramento on Opening Night

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors got off to a good start Wednesday night in Sacramento defeating the Kings 95-77. For new head coach, it was his first win ever as a coach in the NBA.

The Warriors were without the services of their great Forward, David Lee, due to a hamstring injury. However, Marreese Speights, filling in for Lee, came off the bench and scored 16 points to help the W’s to the win.

The first half ended with Sacramento holding a slim 49-47 lead. The Kings controlled the board and the Warriors couldn’t get anything going. Centers Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli and ognjen Kuzmic all were in foul trouble in the first half. However, the Warriors defense was strong and the Kings shot just 31 % from the floor. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Mo Speights led the W’s in scoring.

With 8:14 left in the third period and all three centers saddled with four fouls, coach Kerr went small and inserted Draymond Green at center. That move ignited the offense and they were able to be in rhythm and got momentum going. The Warriors defense shut down the Kings allowing them just fourteen points in the third period and fourteen points in the fourth period to secure the win. Steph Curry had 24 points, 5 assists, 10 rebounds and six steals. Klay Thompson had nineteen points, Mo Speights kicked in with 16 and Draymond Green had a double-double. Forward Harrison Barnes found his mojo and played a very strong game underneath the boards for the warriors. Final score 95-77.

The W’s announced that they waived the following players-Aaron Craft, Jason Kapono, Sean Kilpatrick, James Michael McAdoo and Mitchell Watt in ordet to get the roster down to 15 players.

The Warriors face the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night at the Oracle Arena at 7:30 PM

Warriors Guard Will Donate Three Life-Saving Bednets For Every Three-Pointer He Makes this Season To Help Protect Families In Africa from Malaria; Warriors To Match Donation

OAKLAND, CA – Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will once again lead his Three for Three Challenge for the 2014-15 season by donating three life-saving bednets to the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign for every three-pointer he makes this season, it was announced today. The Warriors also announced today the team will match Curry’s donation throughout the 2014-15 season up to $5,000.

During his first two seasons running the challenge (2012-13 & 2013-14), Curry donated 1,599 bednets to help thousands of families avoid malaria infection. During the 2012-13 season, Curry established a new NBA single-season three-point record with 272 three-pointers made and donated 816 bednets, and last season (2013-14), Curry recorded 261 three-pointers, providing 783 bednets to families.

“I am honored to support the Nothing But Nets campaign for the third season in a row to continue to help raise awareness and provide bednets to protect families from malaria,” said Curry. “This has been an issue close to my heart since my days at Davidson, and I am grateful that the Warriors organization is helping me once again this season to give to such an important cause.”

Since his time as a college star at Davidson when his college roommate, Bryant Barr, educated him and encouraged him to get involved in the cause, Curry has been a committed champion of the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign, which works with the UN and other partners to distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets to protect families across sub-Saharan Africa from malaria. Every 60 seconds, a child dies from malaria. Malaria kills more than 600,000 people worldwide every year, most of them children under five. Bednets provide a simple, cost-effective solution. It only costs $10 to purchase and deliver a bednet, and provide education on its proper use. Since 2006, Nothing But Nets has delivered millions of life-saving bednets to protect families in need thanks to the generous contributions from its partners, champions, and supporters.

“Last year, Stephen traveled with us to Tanzania and saw first-hand how malaria can devastate families,” said Chris Helfrich, director of theNothing But Nets campaign. “We are so grateful that he and the Golden State Warriors have inspired thousands of fans to get involved in the fight to defeat malaria.”

Fans can get involved to help Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the fight against malaria. Go to www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and help save a life.

Warriors report: Gruber will get a pass for emailing players about having to learn “Hoodish”language

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by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–On Monday Golden State Warriors co-owner emailed his players that he will have to learn how to speak different languages because of the team’s international background. Gruber wrote “I’m taking Rosetta Stone to learn Hungarian, Serbian, Australian, Swahili, and Hoodish, this year but it’s nice.”

Gruber corrected himself once it was pointed out to him that using the term “Hoodish” is a racially derogatory term in the text that he used it in his next email he backtracked and said he meant to say “Yiddish” although there are no Jewish players on the Warriors making his backtracking difficult for some to accept. Warriors media relations manager Raymond Ridder sent out an email to the press notifying them that the team extends congratulations to all 30 teams who have 101 players from 37 different countries.

Ridder said a third of the team roster consisted of Warrior players Andrew Bogut, Leandro Barbosa, Festus Ezeli, Ognjen Kuzmic, and Nemanja Nedovic. Gruber retracked by telling the media it was a email faux pas and “someone brought to my attention that an email I responded to earlier contains the word ‘hoodish’ which I don’t think is even a word, and certainly is not the one I intended to use. I intended to type Yiddish. Either my mobile phone autocorrected or it was typed wrong. In any event I regret if anyone was unintendedly offended.” wrote Gruber.

Gruber is Chairman of Mandalay Entertainment Group and he bought into the Warriors ownership group becoming co-owner with Joe Lacob in 2010 paying an NBA record $450 million for an NBA a franchise. Gruber is a minority owner with former L.A. Laker Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

None of the players are saying that they are offended by Gruber’s use of the word “Hoodish” in needing to learn the language or if they believed him or not that he meant to use the word “Yiddish” even though there is no Yiddish speaking players on the Warriors.

Warriors star Stephen Curry said that Gruber’s intentions were harmless, “I know Peter, I know him personally, I talk to him, doesn’t sound like something he would say. To me it sounds like an honest mistake. I’ve read a couple emails from him and he has a little quirkiness about how he types. Hearing how his reaction to when he found out what happened sounds genuine, kind of got to assess the situation for his character and who he is and that’s how I’m going about it.” said Curry

Recently some NBA front office people were forced to quit over racial remarks, Bruce Levinson of the Atlanta Hawks sent out an email saying black fans scared away white fans at Atlanta Hawks home games “and there are simply not enough affluent black fans to build a significant season ticket base” Levinson was forced to sell his controlling interest because of his remarks. Levinson’s General Manager Danny Ferry responded saying while reading a scouting report that Luol Deng who now plays for the Miami Heat “has little African in him”. Ferry has since stepped down and has left the Hawks indefinitely.

Then there is Donald Sterling former Los Angeles Clippers owner who was forced to sell the Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer when he was recorded by his friend V Stiviano making racial remarks and discriminatory racist remarks about Stiviano bringing black friends to Clippers games. Sterling was banned from the NBA for life and had to sell the team for $2 billion.

Jerry Feitelberg covers Golden State Warriors basketball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

photo credit: google image

Thompson, Warriors hold off Nuggets in preseason finale

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — Looks like the Golden State Warriors are ready for the start of the regular season, especially Klay Thompson.

Thompson scored 35 points in 36 minutes of action as the Warriors nearly squandered a 17-point fourth quarter lead to take down the Denver Nuggets, 119-112, Friday night in the preseason finale for both teams. Golden State defeated the Nuggets, 104-101, in Des Moines, Iowa, on Oct. 16.

Stephen Curry added 17 points and 11 assists, Andrew Bogut chipped in 12 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Leandro Barbosa added 15 points to lead the Warriors bench.

Golden State (6-2), played as a unit, totaling 35 assists while turning the ball over 12 times, compared to the 29 turnovers the team committed in Tuesday’s victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors shot 51% from the field (44-of-86).

Denver (2-6), finished with six players in double figures, led by Jusuf Nurkic’s 16 points and eight rebounds. Randy Foye scored 13 points, while Danilo Gallinari and Alonzo Gee each had 10 points.

Both teams open up the regular season on Oct. 29, with Golden State heading to Sacramento to face the Kings, and Denver will host the Detroit Pistons at the Pepsi Center.

Game Notes:

Stephen Curry Bobblehead Giveaway

The first 10,00 Warriors fans received a free Stephen Curry bobblehead presented by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. 10,000 Warriors fans received an Andre Iguodala bobblehead presented by Lucky’s Supermarkets on Tuesday.

Ticket Giveaway

For the 2014-15 season, the Golden State Warriors are once again donating tickets for every Warriors home game to local Bay Area youth organizations as part of the team’s Player Ticket Section program, it was announced today. Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr is also donating tickets as a part of the program.
The donations will make it possible for over 6,500 local youth, who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend an NBA game, to experience the joy and excitement of Golden State Warriors basketball at Oracle Arena. Additionally, Oracle will once again donate tickets to local groups to sit in the Oracle Zone.
Here is a list of this season’s special ticket sections:
 
                                          SECTION…………………………………………….. DONATED BY
                                          Kerr’s Krew………………………………………….. Steve Kerr
                                          Leandro’s Leaders………………………………….. Leandro Barbosa
                                          Boys & Girls Clubs of America……………….. Harrison Barnes
                                          Curry’s Corner………………………………………. Stephen Curry
                                          Anonymous………………………………………….. Anonymous
                                          Shaun’s Shorties…………………………………….. Shaun Livingston
                                          Rush’s Rascals………………………………………. Brandon Rush
                                          Team Marreese………………………………………. Marreese Speights
                                          Klaymakers…………………………………………… Klay Thompson
                                          Oracle Zone………………………………………….. Oracle

Fans Attend Open Warrior Practice

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors held a practice at the Oracle Arena that was open to the public and there was no charge to attend. The fans almost filled the Arena to capacity and there was at least 15 or 16 thousand people in the arena

to watch their team get ready for the upcoming season. The players were introduced to the fans with the biggest

ovations went to fan favorites Steph Curry, David Lee, Klay Thompson and Andre Igoudala.

New head coach, Steve Kerr, talked to the fans and explained what the team had to do to just warm up and the players went through a series of stretching exercises before even trying a shot. The players were in a playful mood and would pass the basketball to a fan in the seats. The fan had to through the ball back but what a thrill for the fan. Coach Kerr then had the players go through a series of exercises that the team uses before each game. they used a 5 man weave to et things going. The players then brought the ball up court as if they were in a fast break

and repeated the procedure going the other way. The coach had three sets of five doing this maneuver.

The Warriors broke up into two teams and several fans were included as the teams had to make fifteen shots to win the "game." First team to win two out of three sets were declared the winner. he team and the fans then were challenged as they tried to make buckets from the half court line. A couple of the fans made the shot much to the pleasure of the crowd.There were some more of these contests before the practice session ended and everyone went home happy.

Coach Kerr and General Manager Bob Myers both expressed they could not wait for the season to begin and that

will happen on Wednesday October 29th as the Warriors travel to Sacramento to meet the Kings in the opener.

First home game is November 1st in Oakland against the LA Lakers.

Curry, Warriors holdoff Clippers in preseason action

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — Stephen Curry scored a game-high 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field leading a Golden State Warriors squad that finished with seven players in double figures to victory 125-107 over the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday night at Oracle Arena. It was Golden State’s second victory in two weeks over their foes from Southern California.

Golden State (5-2), shot a blistering 59% from the field (48-of-78s), but committed a staggering 28 turnovers. Curry committed a team-high six turnovers while playing 31 minutes.

David Lee and Justin Holiday each finished with 12 points. Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli scored 10 points a piece. Ezeli (who turned 25 years old on Tuesday), played for the first time in 17 months after recovering from a serious knee injury.

The Warriors played without Brandon Rush (lower back spasms) and Shaun Livingston (right toe surgery). Both are expected to miss the team’s season opener on Oct. 29 at Sacramento.

Andre Iguodala scored 11 points,  center Ognjen Kuzmic (starting in place of Andrew Bogut), finished with eight points and a team-leading 10 rebounds. Golden State held the rebounding edge over Los Angeles, 46-31.

Jared Cunningham led the Clippers with 23 points, and J.J. Reddick scored 16 of his 21 points in the second quarter. Center DeAndre Jordan had a couple of highlight dunks on the night to go along with his 13 points and nine rebounds.

Golden State outscored Los Angeles 46-36 in the paint.

Los Angeles (1-5) played without superstar point guard Chris Paul and power forward Blake Griffin, who didn’t make the trip to the Bay Area. Newcomers Jordan Farmar (lower back tightness) and Glen Davis (strained right groin), remained in Los Angeles as well.

Golden State finishes up the preseason Friday against the Denver Nuggets, while Los Angeles play their final preseason game at Staples Center Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns.

Notes:

The Golden State Warriors have signed free agent guard Sean Kilpatrick to a contract, the team announced Monday.

Kilpatrick, 24, earned First Team All-America honors as a senior at the University of Cincinnati in 2013-14, posting an American Athletic Conference-best 20.6 points per contest to go with 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.41 steals in 34 games, while leading the conference in three-point field goals (93). In four years with the Bearcats, the 6’4” guard tallied averages of 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.19 steals in 30.8 minutes over 140 career games, finishing as the school’s second all-time leading scorer behind only Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. He was a Second Team All-Big East selection in 2011-12 and 2012-13 before earning First Team All-AAC honors as a senior.

 

Rockets Hand Warriors Second Loss of the Preseason

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

After winning the first four games, the Golden State Warriors dropped their second straight preseason contest Sunday. Golden State fell to the Houston Rockets 90-83 from State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas just two days after losing its first game of the tune-up season Friday against the Miami Heat.

Justin Holiday notched a game-high 18 points for the Dubs off the bench. Nemanja Nedovic, Sunday’s starting guard for the Warriors, added 16 on 6 of 10 shooting while fellow starter Harrison Barnes pitched in 13.

The best backcourt in the NBA, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry, got the night off from coach Steve Kerr. The absence of two of their best shooters saw the Warriors (4-2) connect on only 33 of 79 field goals.

For the Rockets (4-1), starters Dwight Howard (11), Trevor Ariza (13), James Harden (15) and Patrick Beverley (11) all broke double-digits in scoring. The Rockets committed 14 turnovers to the Warriors 21.

Golden State now sits just two match-ups away from the start of the regular season. Both contests come on home turf, with the Warriors taking on the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday before a Friday night tilt against the Denver Nuggets.

Notes: Warriors Co-Executive Chairman and CEO Joe Lacob donated $1 million to Washington University to fund a Business of Sports program in the university’s school of business. Lacob will also deliver the first presentation in the Joseph S. Lacob Business of Sports speaker series….Sunday was the first time the Warriors didn’t break 100 points in a game this preseason…Andre Iguodala was the only expected Warrior starter who played more than 10 minutes Sunday…David Lee (10 minutes) and Andrew Bogut (9) didn’t crack the plateau, while the Splash Brothers sat out.

The Warriors Win Their Fourth in a Row, Beat Denver

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Stephen-Curry-2013.jpg

The Golden State Warrior traveled to Des Moines, Iowa Thursday night to play the Denver Nuggets as they get ready for the 2014-15 NBA season. The Warriors came from behind to win their fourth straight game beating the Nuggets 104 -101.

The game marked the return of Harrison Barnes to his home state of Iowa. Barnes grew up in nearby Ames. Barnes played 35 minutes but scored just 5 points but his 3 point jumper late in the game proved to be the difference for the Warriors.

The Warriors down by nine points at the half trailing the Nuggets 62-53 and by thirteen at the end of the third period but they rallied to outscore the Nuggets 32-16 in the fourth period and won the game by three. The Warriors did not play Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli,Shaun Livingstone,Mitchell Watt and David Lee. The regulars, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, each played 17:27 minutes. Curry scored thirteen and Thompson had 18. James Michael McAdoo led the Dubs in scoring with twenty and he scored sixteen in the fourth period.

The Nuggets played their regulars for over 26 minutes each and were led by forward Wilson Chandler and center Timofey Mozgov as they each had 18 points. Kenneth Faries and Arron Afflalo scored 11 and Ty Lawson contributed 8 points .

Warrior Notes:

WARRIORS ANNOUNCE SIX BOBBLEHEAD NIGHTS DURING THE 2014-15 SEASON

First 10,000 Fans Will Receive Andre Iguodala Bobblehead October 21; Stephen Curry Bobblehead October 24

OAKLAND, CA – The Golden State Warriors announced today that the team will host six (6) Bobblehead nights this season, beginning with consecutive Bobblehead giveaways during the team’s two preseason games at home on Tuesday, October 21 against the Los Angeles Clippers andFriday, October 24 against the Denver Nuggets. The first 10,000 fans in attendance on October 21 will receive an Andre Iguodala Bobblehead, courtesy of Lucky Supermarkets, and the first 10,000 fans who enter Oracle Arena on October 24 will receive a Stephen Curry Bobblehead, courtesy of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

Below are the dates for all Bobblehead Nights this year. The first 10,000 fans who enter Oracle Arena will receive that night’s Bobblehead.

•Andre Iguodala –October 21vs. Los Angeles Clippers, courtesy of Lucky Supermarkets

• Stephen Curry –October 24vs. Denver Nuggets, courtesy of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

•Šarūnas Marčiulionis–December 4 vs. New Orleans Pelicans, courtesy of The Clorox Company

•Draymond Green –January 7vs. Indiana Pacers

•Manute Bol –January 27vs. Chicago Bulls, courtesy of Kingsford Capital Management

Rick Barry –March 23 vs. Washington Wizards, courtesy of adidas

WARRIORS AND CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT TO UNVEIL REFURBISHED BASKETBALL COURTS IN RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA

Team Partners With Healthy Richmond, Richmond Community Foundation And The City Of Richmond To Unveil Refurbished Basketball Courts

In Honor of Hall Of Famer Mitch Richmond;

Mitch Richmond To Attend And Officially Unveil Courts For Richmond Youth

OAKLAND, CA – The Golden State Warriors are tipping off this season’s “Step Up Your Game” initiative in partnership with private, statewide health foundation, The California Endowment, to unveil newly refurbished basketball courts at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (360 Harbour Way South) in Richmond, California in honor of Hall of Fame Inductee Mitch Richmond, it was announced today. Mitch Richmond and the Warriors Community Foundation will join The California Endowment, Healthy Richmond, the Richmond Community Foundation, the City of Richmond and local elected officials to unveil the new courts and conduct a basketball clinic for 50 local youth on Monday, October 20 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Youth from Richmond College Prep and the Richmond Police Athletic League (PAL) will attend the unveiling and participate in the Warriors Basketball Clinic. The new courts will feature a 14,000 square foot all-weather acrylic playing surface, four new NBA plexiglass hoop systems, new spectator seating and a drinking fountain.

Kings downtown arena: Attorneys argue traffic congestion issues; Kings and City to consider street car plan to ease pain

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by Jerry Feitelberg

SACRAMENTO–Sacramento City attorneys and Sacramento Kings attorneys argued in the Sacramento Superior Court of Judge Timothy Frawley saying that the traffic impact report that plaintiff lawyers who are making claim that there will be well over 17,500 fans in downtown to the higher number of 31,000 plus would be rarer in size. The 31,000 count assesed by attorney’s representing groups concerned about environmental traffic issues say that on non-game nights concerts, ice shows, boxing, WFC, and any other event could draw the 31,000 mark.

Extra seats could be sold where standing room and outside perimiters of the Kings Arena could have concert goers inflate the usual 17,500 that would attend Kings games. Frawley heard closing arguments in lawsuits that were filed by two seperate environment groups. The final decision of the lawsuit is expected in less than 30 days from now.

Frawley contended that most parts of the lawsuits arguing about unruly fans, pollution,fan riots and use of public subsidies by the city had been for the most part thrown out. Former Caltrans director Adrianna Saltonstall whose lawsuit about traffic conditions in downtown was allowed to stay in the fight. Saltonstall said that the city failed to include “enforceable performance standards” that would assist the Kings new arena traffic management in the planning to reduce traffic in downtown.

Most retailers have already moved out of the center portion of the Downtown Plaza and the end parts of the plaza are occupied by Starbucks, Macy’s and Forever 21 on one end and 24 Hour Fitness and Sketchers shoes at the other end of the plaza. It just so happens one of the Kings co-owners Mark Mastrov is the founder of 24 Hour Fitness and his store at the plaza will remain in place.

If Saltonstall’s arguement is found relevant by Frawley the Kings very well might have to revisit it’s traffic obligations if the environmental impact report or the outlines of the California Environmental Quality Act are not met the Kings then would have to develop a budget to satisfy the CEQA standards and spend more dollars to work with Arena Traffic Management in making street access and freeway traffic conditions practical for fans arriving at the arena for events.

Studies have shown by the city’s arena traffic analysis that traffic one hour before events coming from either I-5 North or South off ramps at Third and J Streets would suffer congestion anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour before events. The Kings attorneys said that the team have put $500,000 into studies that would construct a street car plan that would run past the arena by the cities of West Sacramento and Sacramento.

Caltrans officials have concluded that a new street car line going past the arena and into downtown would reduce traffic on the I-5 corridors and the estimated cost of construction from start to finish on such a project would run $130 million. The Kings and City attorneys are studying a financing plan for such a street car project. The approval of the traffic measurement plan by the Sacramento City Council left out one issue after the final drafts were approved and that was paid police officers at the foot of the I-5 ramp at J Street directing traffic.

With Frawley throwing out most of the arguments made by the plaintiff’s attorneys challenging the traffic conditions the Kings and the City will have to tighten down the traffic congestion issues before games and events. City Attorney Shaye Diveley of Mayer Nave said that the oversight on the traffic documents do not affect the traffic’s enforceability.

Sacramento for Shared Prosperity attorney’s Kelly Smith and Don Mooney begged to differ stating that the oversight into the plan could make it more difficult to enforce the traffic mitigation plan. Mooney had called the oversight “fishy” and that the true count for events would be more than the 17,500 that the Kings claim but there would be a outdoor plaza that could fill up to 12,000 fans, and a room for standing only for 2,000 fans.

Jerry Feitelberg is covering the arena developments for the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

photo credit: google images

Warriors Continue Undefeated Preseason, Romp Lakers

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

The preseason continues to be an unmitigated success for the Golden State Warriors following a 116-75 romp of the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday evening from Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif.

Stephen Curry had a game-high 25 points for the Warriors, while fellow starters Klay Thompson (16)and David Lee (14) cracked double-digit scoring for the Dubs as well. The bench combined for 50 total points, led by Marreese Speights’ 11.

The Warriors held Kobe Bryant to just 3-of-13 shooting for a total of six points. Guard Wayne Ellington and center Robert Sacre topped the Lakers with 12 points apiece, with both players coming off the bench for their team-leading totals. Los Angeles starter Jordan Hill matched Warriors center Andrew Bogut with seven rebounds each.

Golden State lit up the hosts early, scoring just one point shy of 40 in the first quarter. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 24-23 in the second quarter to take a 63-36 lead at the midway point. Another 35-plus point quarter but the Dubs up 100-60 with three segments in the books. Neither team lit up the score sheet in the final fourth, with Golden State outpacing the Lakers 16-15 down the stretch to finish up the blowout.

Andre Iguodala, who had his nose broken in a game against these same Lakers on Thursday, played in a protective facemask. He once again starred in a preseason play that may call attention after Ronnie Price came out of his shoe trying to defend the Warriors point guard. Price tossed his shoe non-maliciously at Iguodala in an attempt to knock the ball loose.

The Warriors now roll on to Des Moines, Iowa where they will take on the Denver Nuggets. The October 16th contest will be played at the Wells Fargo Arena.