Category: NBA

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Outspoken Celtics Center traded and then Waived

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Enes Kanter Freedom as he appeared on the cover of the New Yorker was vocal about China and it’s politics was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Houston Rockets later to be released by Houston and is now out of the NBA (photo by the New Yorker)

Outspoken Celtics Center traded and then Waived

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Enes Kanter Freedom is a good solid pro-basketball player, but we are living during days when free speech has become a liability and not something that should be cherish and respected. Kanter Freedom was traded to the Houston Rockets and soon immediately waived by the Rockets, ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

He has been a critic of China and their abuses of human rights (something that is also part of the narrative of the current Winter Olympics) in Beijing, China, which many are calling the “Genocide Olympics” where US imposed a diplomatic boycott).

The trade, which includes other players aside from Enes Freedom, could just be a coincidence? Or does it makes more sense to come to the simplest of conclusions that the very lucrative NBA associate with the Chinese market was the main reason he got this treatment.

Last month co-owner minority billionaire of the Golden State Warriors Chamath Palihapitiya during an interview said “nobody cares about the Uyghur genocide in China”, then later apologized after being widely slammed for his remarks. Who knows, maybe the NBA now considers Freedom toxic?

The trade was made between the Houston Rockets, going nowhere this year with a 15-40 record and the Boston Celtics positioned to be in the postseason with a 31-25 record. The trade was made official as Houston traded center Daniel Theis to Boston in exchange for guard Dennis Schroeder, center Bruno Fernando, and center Enes Kanter Freedom. Theis spent his first 3 years in the NBA with the Boston Celtics.

As a player (who recently became a Naturalized American citizens and added Freedom to his name) Enes Kanter Freedom, has become an outspoken critic of China and Turkey and has voiced his opinions on several other social issues.

He was not a superstar player and was not getting a lot play recently, but as any American citizen he is entitled to his opinion. He told the Boston Globe, how much he has learned as an American. Nobody knows if he will be picked up by another NBA team. I can only hope and pray we always honor and respect the First Amendment, a key component of our democracy. Where I was born such thing doesn’t exist.

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

Knicks Edge Warriors For a Second Loss In a Row 116-114

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It’s written all over Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s face how could this happen as the Warriors lose their second straight game to the New York Knicks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Feb 10, 2022 (AP News photo)

Knicks Edge Warriors For a Second Loss In a Row 116-114

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (41-15) were back at Chase Center tonight taking on the Knicks (25-31) after getting shellacked by the Utah Jazz last night. The Warriors who dropped their second straight game this time to the Knicks in a close contest 116-114.

The good news for Golden State is that Klay Thompson was in Thursday’s lineup. The team badly needed him Wednesday night although it might have not been enough to get past the Jazz. The Warriors just ran out of steam in the third and fourth quarters in a very uncharacteristic level of play. Empty possessions, turnovers and lackadaisical play was the order of the day in that game. They couldn’t buy a basket.

Starters Thursday night alongside Thompson will be Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney and wonderkid Jonathan Kuminga.

Tonight the Warriors will try to get back on track against New York. The Knicks are coming off loses to the Lakers, the Jazz and the Nuggets last tuesday night so they are having a rough road trip. They are struggling offensively.

The Warriors fell behind in the opening quarter and trailed 33-28 as it came to an end. The Knicks had a great offensive effort in the first quarter and it looked like Golden State might have a struggle on their hands. New York is a great rebounding team with their size. Julius Randle had 11 rebounds in the first half.

After trailing in the second quarter by seven points the Warriors took a slim lead in the final minutes of the quarter extra possessions and second chance points by the Knicks were a huge reason for the Knicks success and was having a big impact on the game.

The final minutes of the half were all Warriors. With only one turnover in the quarter Golden State was taking more shots and at the half had a 62-57 lead. The best news of all for the Warriors was no points on turnovers which has been an issue for them in the past.

The halftime lead slipped away in the third quarter as the Knicks scored 11 unanswered points. After losing three road games this was a hungry Knicks team that was having a huge game so far. The Knicks outscored the Warriors in the quarter 31-20 taking a lead into the fourth quarter.

The Warriors were struggling from deep going 14 of 44 trailing 102-94 with under seven minutes left in the game. This game would go down to the wire. With 6.2 seconds left in the game the Warriors had the ball but trailed 116-114. Thompson had a good look in the paint but came up short and the Knicks held off the Warriors for their second loss in a row. This is only the second time this year that the Warriors have lost two games in a row.

The Knicks had a great offensive and defensive game. Randle had a tremendous game with 28 points and 16 rebounds.

Curry had a great game with 35 points but was five of 16 from outside. Kuminga and Thompson both finished with 17 points.

Saturday night Golden State will meet the Lakers. They are hoping to avoid three losses in a row which would be a first this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings in Washington Saturday looking for second straight win

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Sacramento Kings players Domantas Sabonis, right, and Jeremy Lamb, left go over plays with Kings assistant coach Lindsey Harding before the game on Thu Feb 10, 2022 at Golden One in Sacramento (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Sacramento Kings (20-35) have won three of their last five games and picked up a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-35) 113-110 on Wednesday.

#2 The Kings Harrison Barnes played a big role in the win leading the Kings with 30 points.

#3 The Kings were in that terrible ten game losing streak and worked hard and figured a way out how much of that was head coach Alvin Gentry?

#4 De’Aaron Fox finished second in scoring with 27 points how important has Fox been in the role of contributing on offense for the Kings.

#5 The Kings are in Washington to take on the Wizards (24-29) the Wizards got a big win over the Brooklyn Nets 113-112 on Thursday night in Washington. Tell us how you see the Kings chances in Washington on Saturday.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the Kings podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings win third in five games defeat Timberwolves 132-119

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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards (1) shoots over Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Feb 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night at Golden One Center. The Kings were fresh off their biggest acquisition since they landed Harrison Barnes in free agency.

On Monday, The Sacramento Kings (21-26) traded away Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Triston Thompson to the Indiana Pacers in a deal headlined by Domantas Sabonis coming to Sacramento Kings (29-26). It was bitter sweet for the Kings who were excited to get a game changer like Sabonis who is also a two time all star.

On the other hand, the Kings will miss young up and coming Tyrese as well as Sacramento main stay Buddy Hield. Only time will tell how the trade works out. In the Kings last game they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Sacramento 134-114.

On Wednesday the Kings would look to flip the script and beat the Timberwolves in the second night of a back to back. The Kings on Wednesday beat the Timberwolves by the final of 132-119.

In the first quarter, the Kings came out looking flat. The Kings offense appeared a bit scattered. The new additions to the Kings lineup didn’t looked a bit disjointed in the first quarter. The Timberwolves outscored the Kings 37-31 in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, it was a different story for the Kings. The Kings had a fire lit under theme after the first quarter.

The Kings exploded in the second quarter on the offensive end. The Kings scored an impressive 42 points in the second quarter to go from behind to take the lead going into halftime. The Timberwolves offense cooled from their first quarter start and only scored 27 points in the second half.

The Kings took a 71-64 lead into halftime as they looked to get back in the win column. Harrison Barnes led the way for the Kings with 18 points as Anthony Edwards scored 20 for the Timberwolves.

In the third quarter, it was all Minnesota again. The Kings didn’t completely meltdown but they didn’t play any defense. The Timberwolves manage to regain the lead after outscoring the Kings 37-28 in the third quarter.

The Timberwolves couldn’t miss in the quarter as the Kings defense seemed to regress a bit. If the Kings wanted to win the game they would need to tighten up the defensive end of the floor. The Kings entered the final quarter down 101-99.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings sealed their comeback by defeating the Timberwolves by the final of 132-119. The Kings showed great heart on the defensive end as they held the Timberwolves to only 18 points.

It wasn’t a great defensive game for the kings but they managed to put the clamps down when it mattered. Harrison Barnes led the Kings with 30 points in the game.

Newcomer Domantas Sabonis scored 22 points in his debut for the Kings. The Timberwolves were led by Di’Angelo Russell who dropped 29 points. It was a great feel good win for the Kings who are entering a new era of Kings basketball.

Up Next: The Kings head out in the road to take on the Washington Wizards on Saturday at 4 PM PST. The Kings will only play one more game at home for the next nearly four weeks.

Warriors Winning Streak Snapped by Utah 111-85

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Utah Jazz forward Royce O’Neale tries to put a stop against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, in Utah on Wed Feb 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Winning Streak Snapped by Utah 111-85

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Golden State Warriors (41-14) took on the Utah Jazz (34-21) in Salt Lake City. Both teams are riding on winning streaks, the Jazz with three wins in a row and Golden State looking for their tenth win in a row. The Jazz came ready and shutdown Golden State’s offense for the 111-85 win.

Their last game on the road, New Year’s Day in Salt Lake City was a barnburner. The Warriors won that game 123-116 despite a horrific third quarter. The Jazz scored 41 points in that quarter while the Warriors had only 22 points. It was In the final minutes of that game that Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala made crucial shots from downtown plus three free throws from Curry.

Tonight’s game features two teams that excel in shots from outside. It will be a Curry vs Donovan Mitchell match-up and promises to be some exciting ball.

Rudy Gobert did not play tonight for the Jazz. The Warriors were missing Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson, and Nemanja Bjelica. Kevon Looney started this game being a game-time decision.

The Warriors started off the first quarter with a couple of three’s from Otto Porter and Andrew Wiggins. It was a nice start for Golden State taking a 13-0 lead to begin this game. It would just be a matter of time before the Jazz got going.

Mid-way through the quarter the Warriors led 15-2. Utah put an end to the Warriors surge and by the end of the quarter the Warriors led 31-30. The Jazz had shot five from downtown and Golden State with six.

Mental errors, empty possessions and turnovers in the second quarter did the Warriors no favors. The Jazz will make you pay every time you commit those turnovers and fouls. After two quarters the Jazz led 55-49. The 10-2 on turnovers gave the Jazz a real edge. The Warriors were struggling against the Jazz defense.

After tying up this game in the third quarter at 58, the Jazz began to make a move. More turnovers and empty possessions gave the Jazz a 79-65 lead after three quarters. The Warriors went 35% shooting which would hardly get the job done against Utah.

The Jazz offense went off in the third quarter and took it into the fourth. The Warriors had cooled off since the first quarter and just could not turn it back around.

The Warriors were not getting anything in the paint and Utah was not missing anything in the fourth quarter. Golden State’s winning streak would come to an end. The good news for the Warriors was the simple fact that they had gone 9-1 without Draymond Green. The Warriors have an amazing defense right now without their ace.

The Warriors Jordan Poole finished the game with 18 points. Bojan Bogdanovic was the high for the Jazz with 23 points. Hassan Whiteside not only had nine points off the bench for Utah but also had 17 rebounds.

The Warriors were outplayed by the Jazz and had a real off night offensively. They were skunked. It happens and so now it is back home for a date with the Knicks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Thompson getting the splash headlines leading in scoring

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) takes a shot over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) on Mon Feb 7, 2022 at Oklahoma City (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Dave it seem like Golden State Warriors (41-13) guard Klay Thompson has taken over the leaderboard of late he was the top scorer on Monday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-36) with 21 points.

#2 Has it been by design that Thompson would get more looks and it seems like he hasn’t missed a beat since he’s returned.

#3 The Warriors tip off against the Utah Jazz (33-21) tonight in Salt Lake City. The Jazz have won three straight and defeated the New York Knicks (24-30) in their last game 113-104. How do you see this match up tonight in Utah.

Join David Zizmor for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Not Tyrese!: Haliburton trade shocks Sacramento, Wolves clock the Kings, 134-114

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Kings’ fans already knew they have to patient and resilient, but they certainly didn’t know bidding adieu to their brightest, young star was the harsh addition to that reality.

Their message to the Kings’ organization:

It’s a lot (more) to ask.

Tyrese Haliburton was dealt on Tuesday to Indiana along with Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson for Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and a second-round pick in 2023.

Throughout the league, the reaction was the same, why move Haliburton, a fan favorite that was a steal as the 12th pick in the 2020 Draft, who had posted career bests in points (38) and assists (17) in separate games in the last two weeks?

Well, the faltering Kings had to move someone, and no other Sacramento player possessed Haliburton’s trade value, reference the fact the move fetched an All-Star in Sabonis, and two quality, veteran additions to the team’s backcourt, which was desperate for a defensive upgrade, which they got.

In addition, Hield’s declining numbers didn’t match his sizeable contract, which has two years remaining, and the 25-year old Sabonis has a far friendlier deal that has him also signed for two more seasons.

But Haliburton is viewed as the most promising player in the deal, and that tilts it towards the Pacers.

The Kings took the floor Tuesday without the three traded players, but also without Richaun Holmes due to personal reasons, and Marvin Bagley, who has a sprained ankle. That left the hosts without much of defensive presence, and the Wolves pounced with 73 first half points, and 22 made threes in the game. The Kings trailed by 11 at the half, and showed life early in the third when they cut the deficit to four, but the Wolves seized control for good at that juncture.

Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota with 24 points, and Malik Beasley was spectacular off the bench with 21, consisting of seven made threes. Naz Reid added 12, and Jordan McLaughlin added 11, as did Taurean Prince.

Ironically, Beasley has also been the subject of trade speculation with the trade deadline approaching on Thursday at 12:00pm. His play and his words afterwards displayed his focus.

“This is my sixth year in the league, and I’ve been traded before,” he said. “The only thing you can do is control what you can control. … I’d rather be here, but it’s a business, so you can never know what can happen.”

The Kings got 29 from De’Aaron Fox and 21 from Harrison Barnes. Rebounding (49-38 for the Wolves) hurt the Kings, as did their 19 turnovers.

The Kings have dropped 14 of 18 and sit in 13th place in the Western Conference.

The clubs get a quick turnaround and face each other again on Wednesday at the Golden 1 Center.

Warriors Get Past Scrappy Thunder 110-98

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, left, takes a shot over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kenrich Williams at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Mon Feb 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Get Past The Scrappy Thunder 110-98

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Golden State Warriors (41-13) took on the OKC Thunder (17-36) at Paycom Center. OKC is a very young tenacious team that despite their record has had some nice wins lately beating the Trail Blazers twice, and the Mavericks. The Warriors held their own and picked up a win against the feisty Thunder 110-98 at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City.

Reported to be out on Sunday night, Lugentz Dort did play in this game which was great news for the Thunder. The Warriors got Otto Porter Jr. and Andre Iguodala back for this game so some great news for Golden State as well.

The Thunder started the first quarter with some outstanding defense. At one point in the quarter the Warriors were shooting at 30% and committing some careless turnovers.

Down by eight points mid-way through the quarter the Warriors had pulled to within three points to end the quarter 23-20. OKC’s excellent defense in the quarter was overshadowed by poor shooting. The Warriors were really lacking from downtown going 3 of 14 in the quarter.

The Warriors took the lead to start the second quarter. After a rather sluggish start Golden State really began to pick up the intensity. Their offense was a lot more efficient in the second quarter and the three’s began to fall.

With the half winding down Golden State was beginning to wear down the Thunder, forcing turnovers and denying shots from inside and outside. At the half the Warriors led by double digits 56-46. Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 13 points and Jonathan Kuminga had 11 off the bench.

The Warriors did extend their lead in the third quarter 85-72. The Thunder were scoring far too many points off Warriors turnovers. The 13 point lead was not at all a comfortable lead and Golden State would have to hunker down to win this one.

This game went right down to the wire. The Thunder were down by five points with three minutes left in the game. The Warriors had three turnovers in a row in the final minutes which could have spelled disaster. Stephen and Klay Thompson scored monster three’s which put this game away 110-98.

A lot of credit to the scrappy Thunder who played a great defensive game. They just didn’t have enough fire power to take this game. Thompson had the high score with 21 points and Curry with 18. They had seven shots from downtown between them and closed this game out for Golden State. Kuminga had another great game with 16 points off the bench.

For a minute the Thunder had a glimmer of a possible win but it faded in the final minutes of this game. It was a nervous game but in the end the Warriors had won their ninth game in a row.

“We were just trying to hang on. I was glad to see Klay hit those shots. It’s great to have Klay back,” said Coach Kerr after the game. “I thought Jordan Poole played a fantastic game. JK is getting better every day,” he said. “It wasn’t a great night defensively.

Wednesday night the Warriors are off to play the Utah Jazz. Tipoff is scheduled for 7;00 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors visit struggling Thunder tonight on brief 2 game road trip

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Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) attempts to take it to the hoop between Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) and forward Jonathan Kuminga in first quarter action at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Feb 3, 2022. The Warriors host the Oklahoma City Thunder Mon Feb 7, 2022 in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, Klay Thompson had his way last Thursday night with the three pointer hitting six three pointers at the Chase Center in San Francisco getting the Golden State Warriors (40-13) on the way to a 126-114 win over the visiting Sacramento Kings (19-35)

#2 The Kings have won two of their last ten games they did win Saturday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-35) 113-103 but on Thursday night the Kings just couldn’t get any traction going against the Warriors.

#3 Thompson said that he was satisfied with the kind of game he had on Thursday leading Golden State in scoring with 23 and his six three pointers were the crux of his game that night.

#4 In the second quarter against the Kings Thompson hit four straight outside shots from deep Thompson said he wants to be lights out like that every night.

#5 The Warriors will have a turn at the Thunder on Monday night a 7:00p tip the Thunder have lost eight of their last 11 games including a loss to the Kings on Saturday night in Sacramento 113-103. Barbara tell us how you see these two teams matching up.

Join Barbara for complete coverage on Warrior podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings pick up second win in eight games; Defeat Thunder 113-103

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Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) guards Oklahoma City Thunder forward Darius Bazley (7) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sat Feb 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (20-35) were back in action on Saturday after a day off on Friday. The Kings last played on Friday when they took on the Golden State Warriors. The Kings lost that game by the final of 126-114 as they struggled to contain the Warriors.

On Saturday, the Kings welcomed to Sacramento the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-35). Tip-off was set for 7 PM PST at Golden One Center. The Kings defeated the Thunder 113-103 at home.

In the first quarter, the Kings offense came out shooting. On the other hand, the defense didn’t look great. The Kings allowed the Thunder to score 30 points in the first quarter.

The Kings offense did enough work on the other hand though to take a first-quarter lead. The Kings outscored the Thunder 36-30 in the first to take the early lead. The Kings would look to build on that in the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings played a solid quarter. They weren’t able to expand the lead much but they didn’t lose it either. The Kings outscored the Thunder 29-27 in the second quarter as the lead going into half expanded by one point.

The Kings went into the locker room up 64-57. Moe Harkless scored 16 points in the first half as did Harrison Barnes. Josh Giddey led the way for the Thunder scoring 11 points. The Kings would look to seal the deal in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings continued to be just a little bit better than the opposition. The Kings outscored the Thunder 25-22 in the third quarter. The Kings hadn’t really pulled away in the game but you could sense they were right on the brink of pulling away. Could the Kings pull away in the fourth quarter and seal the win? They led heading to the final 12 minutes 89-79.

In the final quarter, the Kings and Thunder played a very even quarter. The Kings and Thunder both scored 24 points in the fourth quarter. The Kings took advantage in the early minutes as the Thunder battled back in the later minutes. Ultimately the Kings would win the game 113-103. It was the Kings second win in a row at home.

The Kings were led by Harrison Barnes who scored 24 points. Josh Giddey for the Thunder scored 24 points in defeat as they fell to 17-35 on the season. The Kings record improved to 20-35 as they continue to push for a playoff spot.

Up Next: The Kings welcome in the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday at 7 PM PST.