Category: Golden State Warriors

Agnos ramps up anti SF arena support with grass roots campaign

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by Ken Gimblin

SAN FRANCISCO–Former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos who said that the Golden State Warriors new arena proposal for downtown San Francisco at piers 30-32 would be a real estate money grab and he is correct and in this world you really can’t criticize people for wanting to make money and you look at all the sports teams today and their in business to make money and I use sports teams as an example because most people root for a team passionately not realizing it’s a business.

So of course they want to make money like Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Gruber, the question would be how much is the public going to have to contribute to make that money, that’s the big argument. They want to put that arena in that area that’s fine they want to foot the cost and they want tax payers to come in and supplement that. Agnos says that and also building on piers 30-32 is going to be a problem in terms of aesthetics and the environment, “they want the prettiest place in the city, I can’t blame them. But it’s the wrong site for a good team” said Agnos.

You can’t blame the Warriors for wanting that location and that’s a magnificent view looking onto the Bay and the bridge which the plan is to build a large window looking out onto the bay where basketball fans can see that wonderful view during the game. The development would come with two luxury hotel towers at least ten stories high, a 16 story luxury condominium complex across the Embarcadero, plus retail stores and a 500 space garage.

Agnos 70 who is campaigning to community groups at least two to three times a week is catching the attention of neighborhood groups around the city as the Warriors new arena proposal is the hottest San Francisco political issue. Agnos called the Warriors downtown arena the “perfect storm” for gridlock on the Embarcadero and that it’s being proposed by Warriors billionaire owners Lacob and Gruber who Agnos says don’t have the city’s best interest at heart but this is all about profit and affordable housing you can forget that.

“There’s no sense being in second, there’s no sense in doing something unless you’re going to do it right” said Lacob. The Warriors no doubt will be fronting their share of money for the build but there is little doubt that public tax payers funds would go into paying for the Warriors arena. The Sacramento Kings are using public funds for their new downtown arena set to break ground in downtown Sacramento next year the funds are reportedly coming out of the general fund and will be repaid with parking lot receipts and sales tax from tickets sold at Kings home games.

Warriors spokesman Nathan Ballard who is strategizing the project on the political side said “Art Agnos is a very smart guy and he knows that if the election were held tomorrow the Warriors would win it.” Agnos is running a grass roots campaign ran with a clipboard for notes and promises from the community that oppose the building at the waterfront they would support Agnos in stopping any kind of new development at piers 30-32. The proof is in the pudding after San Francisco propositions B and C lost in the October 2013 election last month to develop condominiums at the piers and the election wasn’t even close.

The San Francisco business community was out in full force behind the development effort with Mayor Ed Lee, former mayors Gavin Newsom and Willie Brown and the higher ups from the Chamber of Commerce. Although no one from that camp admits it Agnos played a huge part in getting the development proposal to get voted down and much can be said the same for the newest proposals for a new arena coming from the Warriors.

Ken Gimblin is covering the Warriors new arena proposal in San Francisco for Sportstalk Radio

Curry Returns But Warriors Drop a Chippy 113-101 Contest to Trailblazers

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By Matthew Harrington

The Golden State Warriors became another victim in the Portland Trailblazers’ 10-game unbeaten streak, suffering a 113-101 loss at Oracle Arena Saturday night. The Trailblazers (12-2) rallied in the closing minutes of the third and start of the fourth quarter to come from behind in a chippy affair that saw three ejections, 53 combined personal fouls and seven technical fouls.

LaMarcus Aldrige had his third career 20-20 game, dropping 30 points on the Warriors while reeling in 21 rebounds. Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 30 points before fouling out in the fourth while Stephen Curry added 22 points on 8 of 21 shooting in his return to the lineup. Andre Iguodala did not play for the short-handed Warriors (8-6) after straining his left hamstring in Friday night’s loss to the Lakers.

Golden State held a 54-49 lead at the half, but a third-quarter scuffle sparked a Portland comeback. The Warriors held a 77-63 lead when Aldridge was leveled to the court. Wesley Matthews received a technical foul after taking exception to the play and in the aftermath the Trailblazers’ Joel Freeland and Andrew Bogut began jawing and shoving each other, sending both benches into chaos. The referees restored order, handing out six technical fouls and ejecting Draymond Green from the game along with Portland’s Mo Williams and Matthews.

The skirmish inspired the Trailblazers to go on a run for the remainder of the quarter, cutting the Golden State lead to 84-81 before completing the comeback on a 12-2 run to open the final stanza, coasting for a victory from there.

The Warriors now face unusual territory this season, sputtering through a three-game losing streak, including a two-game winless stretch at home. Last season, the Warriors only lost consecutive home games once, falling to the Houston Rockets and Milwaukee backs in both ends of a back-to-back. The Warriors have not lost more three games or more in a row at home since a five-game skid to end the 2011-12 season.

Golden State do not receive an opportunity to defend home-court until December, going on a four-game road trip with stops in New Orleans, Dallas, Oklahoma City before a return to California for clash with the Kings in Sacramento.

Tuesday’s tilt against New Orleans will give the Warriors their first look at the newly-branded Pelicans as well as a chance to try to regain a tie atop the Pacific Division standings with the Los Angeles Clippers. Golden State sits one back of first while New Orleans stands in dead last in the Southwest Division with a 6-6 record, tied for third-worst in the Western Conference.

Consenus from pro and con voters SF arena traffic main concern

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by Ken Gimblin

SAN FRANCISCO–Even voters in San Francisco who are pulling for a new San Francisco downtown arena admit that traffic and not views or environmental issues will be the main issue of debate. San Francisco officials which includes the planning commission have come up with an idea to ease traffic and that’s to construct a light rail line that will run from McCovey Cove from AT&T Park to the Warriors new arena at piers 30-32 which would include  $1 billion new condos and hotel, and that is expected to help cover the traffic flow when both teams play on the same nights or if their are events being held at the same time.

While discussion had been focused on no development at the San Francisco waterfront and demonstrated in the October election when voters voted down propositions B and C that would start condo development at the piers 30-32 location. Even with a new transit lane that would run from the Giants park to the Warriors new arena and the traffic issue question resolved the waterfront neighborhood still opposes the Warriors building a new arena that could block the view of the bridge and the bay.

 Former San Francisco City Attorney Louise Renne stated that she and San Francisco voters during the prop B and C election were against the development at that location. San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos said the Warriors and condo developers are not in it for basketball or entertainment but this is merely a land grab for pure profit.

The Sierra Club is one of the strong environmental non-profits who are demonstrating environmental issues with developing on the piers from not only the aesthetics but also animals and their protection to arguing the pier is fine just the way it is. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors or most of them are trying to make way for this development as this would surely be a profitable situation for the City.

Board of Supervisor Scott Weiner says the Muni improvements would cost $2.2 billion more than the new arena-condo project, “before there wasn’t nearly enough focus on transit impacts and transit needs, my sense that is shifting there’s a renewed focus. As negotiations move forward, it’s very important to have in mind the full transit impacts of the project to make sure those are being accounted for.” said Weiner

Ken Gimblin is covering the NBA arena projects for the Warriors and Kings for Sportstalk Radio

As Curry Sits, Warriors Drop 11th Straight to Memphis in OT

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By Matthew Harrington

One streak came to an end while another continued on strong in after 88-81 overtime defeat for the Golden State Warriors at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies (7-5) Wednesday night at Oracle Arena. With Stephen Curry sitting due to what is being termed a concussion, the Warriors were handed their first loss in six homes games this season, continuing a string of 11-straight losses to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Klay Thompson dropped a game-high tying 21 points on 9 of 19 shooting, while David Lee added 18 points on 9 field goals in 17 attempts. Andre Iguodala notched 14 assists in Curry’s absence. Zach Randolph scored 21 points to tie Thompson for the game best while pulling down 12 rebounds, most by any side Wednesday night. Marc Gasol also nabbed a double-double on 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The Warriors (8-4) raced out to a 26-16 lead and held a ten-point lead at the midway point for a 44-34 halftime score. Memphis outscored Golden State 25-13 in the third quarter to take a two-point 59-57 lead in to the fourth.

The wild fourth quarter saw the Warriors storm back from an early six-point deficit to chisel away at a 63-57. Thompson capped the comeback with a 3-pointer with 7:20 left to give Golden State the 68-66 lead. From there, the lead would change four more times before the quarter ended in a 75-75 deadlock.

Memphis controlled the overtime session, outscoring the Warriors 13-6. Mike Conley had five points in the extra frame and Tayshaun Prince added a pair of daggers on two contested desperation jump shots that hit their mark.

The Warriors coughed up 14 turnovers to Memphis’ 6. Golden State was limited to only 4 fast break points, struggling without the normal starting point guard against a stout Grizzlies defense.
Another Warrior went down with injury as Ognjen Kuzmic injured his right arm on the backboard during the first quarter. He now joins Toney Douglas, Jermaine O’Neal and Stephen Curry as wounded Warriors.

Golden State travels to Los Angeles to face the Lakers Friday night in a rematch of the opening night 100-95 victory. Tip-off is at 7:30 pm.

Warriors Cruise Past Utah 102-88, Thompson Drops 25 Points on Jazz

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By Matthew Harrington

The Golden State Warriors maintained their unblemished record at home Saturday night, besting the Utah Jazz 102-88 at Oracle Arena to improve their record to 7-3 on the season, keeping pace atop the Pacific Division standings with the Los Angeles Clippers. Klay Thompson led the warriors with 25 points on 9 of 14 shooting. Thursday’s hero Andre Iguodala pitched in 16 points and Stephen Curry added 15 to go with a game-high 11 assists. Derrick Favors lead the Jazz with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Andrew Bogut led all players with 11 boards.

The Warriors raced out to an early 27-13 lead after the first quarter in front of the sell-out crowd and by the half the advantage had increased to 51-34. The Jazz outscored Golden State in only one quarter, 29-23 in the third frame, to draw as close as down six points. The Warriors coasted to the victory though with a 28-25 final quarter for their fifth-straight win at home this season.

Victory came with a price for the Warriors. Backup center Jermaine O’Neal sprained his right knee and strained his right knee going to the basket with 11:26 left in the fourth. He was helped off the court and did not return.

Golden State will next head to Salt Lake City for a Monday night tilt that will have the Jazz seeking revenge for the Saturday night loss. Tip-off begins at 6 p.m.

Iguodala buzzer beater tops Thunder, 116-115

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By Gabe Schapiro

Welcome to Oakland Andre Iguodala.

On Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (6-3) won in thrilling fashion, 116-115, over the Oklahoma City Thunder (5-3). Iguodala was already making a name for himself with the Warriors, and anyone he hadn’t already won over is officially on board now. With 2.3 seconds remaining and the team down two, the ball went to Iguodala who nailed a three from the corner to beat the buzzer, sending the crowd into a frenzy, and sending the crowd home happy.

In this one both teams hit the ground sprinting. The first quarter featured few missed shots from either side, as the Thunder started particularly hot, shooting and incredible 68.4% from the field. They were also totally owning the boards, hauling in 16 rebounds compared to Golden State’s four. The Warriors kept the game close, however, thanks to eight Oklahoma City turnovers and some nice shooting of their own. Klay Thompson had an early nine points to lead the way, as Golden State got points from eight different players in the first frame. After 12 minutes, which saw 11 lead changes, the Thunder had a slight 33-32 lead.

The second quarter saw both teams slowly come down to earth a bit, but the same fast paced and close action continued. David Lee started to come alive, chipping in 10 in the quarter. Thompson stayed hot and added seven more to his total. Stephen Curry started to catch fire, contributing six points and four assists. In another extremely evenly played quarter, the teams were dead-locked at 62-62 heading into halftime.

Coming out of the locker rooms the Warriors grabbed the momentum and started to pull away. Curry took over the game for stretches, as Golden State led by as many as 14. Heading into the final frame the Warriors held a 95-86 lead.

At the start of the fourth Golden State seemed to almost be coasting, as they had little trouble maintaining a comfortable lead. With about six minutes remaining, however, the Thunder started to make a run. They got hot and the Warriors got cold. Golden State managed to hold onto their lead despite their struggles and the occasional miscue, up until Russell Westbrook stuck a dagger into the hearts of Warriors fans, hitting a deep three with 2.3 seconds left to give them the two point lead. All was not lost, however, as in stepped Iguodala to save the day. On a quick in bounds pass from Thompson, Iguodala turned and hit the fade-away three-pointer from the corner, over the out-stretched arm of the defender. Nothing but net.

Iguodala finished with 14 points and nine assists. Thompson had team-high 27. Curry just missed a double-double with 22 points and nine assists. Harrison Barnes had a great game off the bench, contributing 16 points in 23 minutes.

In the losing effort Westbrook had a game-high 30 points to go along with nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Serge Ibaka had a double-double, posting 27 points and 13 boards. Keving Durant, who was relatively quiet by his standards, had 20 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.

Former S.F. Mayor calls Warriors arena project a boondoggle

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by Ken Gimblin

SAN FRANCISCO–Former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos makes no bones about it that the motivation behind the Golden State Warriors move to piers 30-32 in the City is all about a real estate grab along the Embarcadero. Agnos said this is not about the Warriors or a sports arena but land development meant to be real estate profit.

Agnos who this month campaigned against the 8 Washington a waterfront condo project that would have been set for development near piers 30-32 and what would have led to the arena development. Agnos said that the city voters saw right through the project idea as a real estate grab and environmental groups were on board with Agnos in the defeat of city propositions B and C.

Former San Francisco supervisor Aaron Peskin stated that with the measures going to defeat any future proposal to build at the waterfront for condos or the new arena for that matter would be a uphill battle. City government played a big role behind the propositions on the ballot possible but Peskin said this last election will slow down the Warriors move to the piers quite considerably, “this is not the end and it feels like a movement” said Peskin.

Agnos pointed out that the propositions lost by wide margins for prop B it lost by 25 points and for prop C it lost by 33 points. Former San Francisco City Attorney Louise Renne said the project was irresponsible and Renne spoke to the no on B and C supporters on election night telling them the fight is not over as the Warriors and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee’s office is gearing up to get the Warriors new arena on the San Francisco ballot calling the San Francisco planning commission who was behind props B and C, “utterly disgraceful” and “get your rest more to come San Francisco, San Francisco this is a victory for you, and to all those developers out there do not mess with our waterfront were not going to stand for it” said Renne.

Warriors Spokeman Nathan Ballard said the height of the new arena was addressed and the arena size adjustments should bring closure to questions with environmentalists and opponents being concerned about any views being blocked, “we’ve slimmed down the arena to make room for enough public open space to fit three Union Squares”. Design 0.3 as the Warriors have named the latest design has slimmed off the sides and the height of the arena.

Critics say despite the third design adjustment by the Warriors the neighborhood and voters won’t support development at the waterfront. Agnos says it’s just a gesture that really has no one fooled and that it still is a real estate grab and that the waterfront and Embarcadero neighborhoods stands together that no one will build and take away the view of the bridge and the bay from the neighborhood, “it sounds like window dressing, the bottom line is this is a mega real estate project.”

Adding to the arena project there is a $1 billion 105 room two hotel building project on the drawing board, a 175 foot condominium tower, 120,000 feet of retail to be built with the new arena at piers 30-32. The site is owned by the city and there is no changes in development other than some trimming of the Warriors new arena in height and circumference. The parking lot is called the Seawall Lot 330 at piers 30-32 nearby Red’s Java House Restaurant.

Ken Gimblin is covering the NBA for Sportstalk Radio

Warriors make easy work of Pistons, win 113-95

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By Gabe Schapiro

Tuesday night at Oracle Arena the Golden State Warriors (5-3) looked like they were playing a junior varsity squad in the Detroit Pistons (2-5), in a thorough dismantling that mercifully ended at a final score of 113-95. In what was a true team effort from the start, seven Warriors finished with eight or more points. With the win Golden State has now won five straight matchups against Detroit.

The Warriors domination started from the tip-off. In the first quarter six players scored four or more points, and they moved the ball around brilliantly. They dished out 13 assists, two off of the club record for a single frame. David Lee led the way with eight early points to go along with four rebounds. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson contributed seven points and three assists apiece. For the quarter they shot 60.9% from the field, and led 35-16.

The second quarter was more of the same. Lee’s hot start continued, adding nine more points to his total. Jermaine O’Neal had a quick seven points off the bench. Andre Drummond was doing his best to keep the Pistons within striking distance, scoring 10 points and grabbing seven boards, but he wasn’t getting much help. Golden State extended their lead out to 21 points, leading 62-41 heading into the locker room.

Coming out of half time any hopes the Pistons had at making this one interesting were quickly squashed. The Warriors hot hands didn’t skip a beat. The third turned into the Curry show, adding 12 points and dishing out a couple of beautiful passes. Heading into the final quarter Golden State had once again extended their lead to 94-71.

In a game that was essentially already locked up the fourth quarter consisted largely of garbage time, which allowed the final score to look closer than the game ever was. Golden State’s reserves got a lot of play as they coasted their way to the victory.

Curry led all scorers with 25 points. He also chipped in eight assists. Iguodala filled up the stat sheet, finishing with eight points, 11 assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Lee finished just shy of his customary double-double, posting 17 and nine.

Hurdle and Francona named top skippers of the year

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That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

Clint Hurdle the Pittsburgh Pirates manager was named National League manager of the year and Cleveland’s Terry Francona was named American League manager of the year on Tuesday. The vote to elect the two managers was taken by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Hurdle won 25 of the 30 first place votes beating out the Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and Fredi Gonzalez of the Atlanta Braves.

Francona edged the Red Sox John Farrell by 16 points, Francona had 16 first place votes and ten second place votes. Francona who led Cleveland to their first post season since 2007 gets much of the credit for turning around a Cleveland franchise that was trying to find their way and playing in front of some small crowds at Jacobs Field prior to Francona’s arrival.  Farell piloted the Sox to a World Series Championship this season.

If the S.F. waterfront fails the Warriors can move next to AT&T Park: I can only go by the history of San Francisco and the city is a very tough town to build anything. The best example and were talking sports here to ask the San Francisco Giants how long it took the Giants to get an approved stadium to build a park in the City it took over a decade and three elections.

The Warriors are going to realize this is not Orange County or Santa Clara County, this is not an area where you can build a new stadium just about everywhere you wish if you have the money. San Francisco is a very environmentally minded city, the Environmental Protection Agency is going to come out with some studies about those piers there.

There might be some fish there that might be on the endangered species list whose been around for thousands of years. The people of the Bay Area belong to some very special cities and with all respect to the Warriors with the new ownership and the new management I don’t think they realize that. Warrior owners Joe Lacob is from the east coast and Peter Gruber is from Hollywood and is a big movie mogul.

The Angels were thinking of building a park in downtown L.A. and you know what that’s legal they can do it the Dodgers don’t have territorial rights in Los Angeles that’s why the Angels are called the Los Angeles Angels, the Dodgers wouldn’t fight that. The Southland is different and the Golden State Warriors are up for a rude awaking here.

The Warriors are really going to have to tweak this plan in many phases before the voters, EPA and other environmental groups before the voters of the city say “okay build your arena.” You can still have it but it’s not as easy as they thought it was going to be.

With ex San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos leading the charge against a water front arena it could be a big battle and look I’ll give you a comparison I just came back from a week in Hawaii, it’s a beautiful place, the water is clean, it’s just great the Islands are beautiful. San Francisco’s number one industry is not the Giants, it’s tourism.

If you build a big monstrosity on piers 30-32 where it would be an eye sore for the people who come to the city that is no good if I’m the San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee I would seriously have to think this one over, but I knew former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein years ago and I talked to her and I gave her an award for doing the Juan Marichal day and I’m sure if Feinstein were still mayor she would say, “San Francisco is a special city and you can’t appeal something just because you have $144 million.”

Let’s set the record straight right here, it’s not going to happen and let’s go back to the city any big structure could be an eyesore to the shoreline to the bay and the Warriors are thinking very hard about this and they better have some good attorneys ready because this could be a real long fight.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the former Spanish radio and TV voice for Warriors and Clippers basketball and does News and Commentary each week for Sportstalk Radio

Warriors new arena in S.F. has good chance to get voted down

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by Ken Gimblin

SAN FRANCISCO–After the defeat of San Francisco propositions B and C it was a clear sign to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee that voters do not want to change to look of the waterfront at the Embarcadero at piers 30-32. Former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos was an advocate of keeping the waterfront just the way it is with no changes.

Props B and C would open the changes for development building new condos and later a proposition at piers 30-32 and the Embarcadero waterfront that would have lead to a new Warriors arena. Voters on Tuesday resoundingly voted no on the props voting down prop B by 62 percent and voting down prop C by 66.5 percent. It was reported that the defeat of the condos called 8 Washington condos was not necessarily bad news for Lee but it could translate how unpopular the Mayor’s idea for development for the waterfront is.

Agnos had allied groups opposing the measure by the San Francisco Sierra Club, San Francisco Tomorrow and members of San Francisco Waterfront Alliance, they were on hand at the No on Props B and C campaign headquarters saying they were in it to win it opposing the condo development, “voters sent the overwhelming message that they don’t want to destroy 50 years of work on the waterfront, under no circumstances will we accept an arena on the bay” said Agnos.

The Warriors intend to develop for a new proposed arena at the cost of $170 million, the sell was that the condos were going to help for affordable housing with construction costs at the tune of $11 million but the point of voters was either mistrust of the Mayor’s proposals or as Agnos said voters want to keep the waterfront looking just the way it is.

Agnos suggested that development for a new arena may work near Candlestick Point or near the San Francisco Cal Train station at Fourth and Townsend Streets. Neither location would appeal to the Warriors who are dead set on building at piers 30-32, “Art Agnos just won a game of ping pong and now he thinks he’s a Wimbledon champion” said Warriors spokesman Nathan Ballard for the Warriors S.F. arena project in commenting on props B and C going down to defeat.

Lee who attended the San Francisco Bulls home opener at the Cow Palace on Friday night did not comment on the loss of the propositions but it was learned through sources at the Bulls that Lee wants Bulls team president and co-owner Pat Curcio to work with him in campaigning together with the Warriors in the construction of a new arena with the Warriors. If all goes to plan it would give the waterfront arena an NHL or minor league regulation size ice rink and a new basketball arena.

Ken Gimblin covers the NBA for Sportstalk Radio