Category: NBA

Off and running: Kings’ rookie guards impress in pre-season opener

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AP17276183253751
San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills, left, dribbles away after being double-teamed by Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, center, of Serbia, and De’Aaron Fox, right, during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 106-100. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–What’s better than one speedy, playmaking, rookie guard? Two.

Especially if their unis have the same purple and gray hue.

Jay-Z and Roc Nation weren’t on hand for the Kings’ pre-season opener, but the rapper/sports agent’s phrasings had a place in the proceedings on Monday every time rookies De’Aaron Fox and Frank Mason had the ball and went into attack mode.

The 19-year old Fox and Mason combined for 33 points and a whole bunch of offensive aggressiveness in the Kings 106-100 victory over the Spurs. Coach Dave Joerger promised a team that plays fast, and Fox and Mason delivered by being dribble and drive nightmares.

Typical of pre-season, the game featured few, defensive stops, and Coach Greg Popovich and the Spurs weren’t necessarily on board with the race horse pace, but the Kings’ rookies had a lot to do with that. Spurs point guard Patty Mills especially appeared strained attempting to keep Fox out of the lane.

Mason finished with a team-high 17 points in 22 minutes, and Fox added 16 points in 17 minutes on 7 of 8 shooting.

Joerger opted to start all five of his veterans, including off-season acquisitions George Hill, Zach Randolph and Vince Carter. Those three were joined by Kosta Koufos and Garrett Temple. But when the veterans departed near the end of the first quarter, the youngsters took it from there, playing exclusively in the final three quarters.

The Kings didn’t just run, they shot it as well, shooting 52 percent for the game, including 45 percent from three. In all, seven different Kings hit at least one three, Temple and Mason each hit two.

The Spurs were led by LaMarcus Aldridge with 17 points, and Mills with 11. San Antonio opted not to play Tony Parker and off-season, free agent acquisition Rudy Gay. Last season’s MVP contender Kawhi Leonard was not with the team, and is expected to miss the entire exhibition schedule to rehab his thigh and ankle.

 

Warriors play first preseason game Saturday night fall to the Denver Nuggets 108-102

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Photo credit: GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The Golden State Warriors played the first of four preseason games Saturday night against the Denver Nuggets at Oracle Arena. The Dubs, preparing to defend their NBA championship, showed a lot of rust and the three-point shots did not fall. The Nuggets with their new addition of Paul Milsap leading the way beat the Dubs 108-102.

Coach Steve Kerr played his regular for about 20 minutes in the game. The Dubs wanted to give some of the players on the second and third units playing time.

The Warriors missed their first nine three-point shots and were 4-for-33 for the game. Draymond Green and Kevin Durant were each 0-for 5 and Steph was 1-for-7 in that department. Nick Young made the first three-pointer for Golden State late in the first half. The Dubs shot 40% from the field but had just seven assists which indicated that they didn’t have a lot of ball movement.

Denver shot 41% from the field in the first half. They made five three-pointers.

Warriors rookie Jordan Bell knocked down seven points in his first game as a Warrior.

Game Notes- Ben Wallace, winner of Defensive Player of the Year four times in his career, presented Draymond Green with the award.  Draymond, when he was a young man growing up in Saginaw, Michigan, idolized Wallace and he was totally surprised by Wallace’s appearance at Oracle Arena.

The Warriors fly to China on Sunday. They will play two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves there. The first game will be in Shenzen on October 5th and the second game will take place on October 8th in Shanghai.

Sports Headlines with Tony Renteria: Trump tells Fox News that owners need to do something about players taking a knee

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sports illustrated cover/twitter screen shots: Cover from Sports Illustrated and tweets sent out by Curry

On the Sports Headlines with Tony:

1 The cover of Sports Illustrated has the Oakland A’s Bruce Maxwell, the Baltimore Ravens owner, Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the Cavs LeBron, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and the Warriors Stephen Curry locking arms but there was one person missing from the photo. It was Curry who was asked at practice what he thought of former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick missing from the front cover and he replied “terrible.” Sports Illustrated said the reason why Kaepernick is out of the cover photo collage was because he is no longer in the sports arena.

2 The question now is with all the teams and sports getting in on taking a knee during the national anthem will this open the door for Kaepernick to be welcomed back into the NFL?

3 Trump told Fox News that the NFL has to do something about the players taking a knee and that the NFL is afraid of the players. Doing something would create a huge problem if management orders the players to stop taking a knee. That’s not going to happen the players have lots of leverage and with freedom of speech any order like that won’t even get started.

4 Trump claimed in the interview that he talked to a couple of football owners saying something has to be done to stop these players from taking a knee. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said that he’s behind his team and he’s not the only owner to state so.

5 Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is remembered not only for a magazine for it’s playmates, celebrated articles of politics, music, pop culture, interviews, insightful reviews of entertainment but also it covered a lot on the NFL and wanted to reach out to it’s mostly male audience in it’s prime time era of the 1960s, 70s, an 90s.

Tony Renteria does the Headline Sports Podcasts each-thu-sep-28-2017eek at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Golden State Warriors report: Curry not invited to Trump White House

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President Barack Obama welcomes the 2015 NBA Champions, the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry The Golden State Warriors visit the White House, Washington DC, America – 04 Feb 2016 (Rex Features via AP Images)

By Jerry Feitelberg (SRS Staff writer)

OAKLAND–President Trump told the Golden State Warriors in a tweet that they were no longer welcomed to visit the White House and that the reigning NBA Champs were no longer invited for the presidential ceremony of honoring the top NBA team. Trump apparently offended by a recent comment by Warriors star Stephen Curry when he said that he did not agree with Trump’s policies. Trump in turn said “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team,” Trump tweeted. “Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!”

Curry also had a problem with Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank who sat on Trump’s advisory board and because he uses the Under Amour product and considered some of the things that Trump said about race and police brutality he thought endorsing Under Armour was a huge conflict of interest. At the time Plank called Trump “a real asset” and Curry said, “if you remove the ‘et’ from asset.” Plank and Under Armour with the rest of the advisory board were dismissed by Trump after board members said they were going to leave the board after Trump said that the rioters in the Charlottesville riots which included KKK and Nazi members and counter protesters were “both wrong on both sides.”

Golden State released a statement to the media Saturday afternoon saying they will use their designated visit to the White House instead doing community work in Washington DC with local youth and other DC community groups during their off day trip before they play the Wizards. The Warriors also said in the statement, “In lieu of a visit to the White House, we have decided that we’ll constructively use our trip to the nation’s capital in February to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion — the values that we embrace as an organization,” said the Warriors.

Curry had stated on Friday that he had no interest in going to the White House and that the team were planning to meet to discuss whether to go or not but Trump had disinvited them over the weekend before the team was able to meet.

 

 

 

Sports Headlines with London Marq: Florida teams scrambling to find places to play during Irma; Will LeBron sign with Lakers soon

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noaa.gov photo: Hurricane Irma making it’s way to Florida Keys by Sunday

On Sports Headline with London:

1 How bad will Hurricane Irma impact the Miami Dolphins, Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays and Bucs, Dolphins are already to scheduled to play their games in Los Angeles.

2 The Arizona Diamondbacks have a great streak going with 12 games in a row they’ve scored 78 runs and allowed 25 runs in those 62 games

3 Can the Lakers break through? The Lakers are pursuing Paul George and this all depends on what happens with the Thunder and will LeBron be joining the Lakers? It’s looking like it will happen for after Kyrie Irving left LeBron feels like there’s nothing left in Cleveland.

4 The San Francisco 49ers have shown some signs of improvement but can they get by the Carolina Panthers Sunday. Cam Newton and that offense will be a tough task.

5 The Oakland Raiders face the Tennessee Titans and quarterback Marcus Mariota and this should be a great match up facing Raider quarterback Derek Carr

London Marq does Sports Headlines each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Sports Headlines Podcast with London Marq: Irving says move to Celtics was about growth not playing around one player; Last minute deal that sent Verlander to Houston; plus more

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Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving, left, and Gordon Hayward hold up their new jerseys with General Manager Danny Ainge, right, during a news conference in Boston, Friday, Sept. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

On the Sports Headlines Podcast with London:

1 Kyrie Irving was pleased with leaving Cleveland and going to the Boston Celtics during Friday’s presser at TD Waterhouse Garden Irving said that the move will help him grow and that the team concept in Cleveland was playing around one player and he wanted a change. Also LeBron James might be joining the Los Angeles Lakers and Irving didn’t want to be stuck in Cleveland.

2 At the last minute of the August trade deadline on the last day of that month the Detroit Tigers barely got Justin Verlander sent away and to a pennant contender at that as Verlander joins the Houston Astros. Verlander’s first choice was playing for the Chicago Cubs but going to Houston who has all the moving parts was alright too.

3 Despite a five game losing streak the Los Angeles Dodgers will soon get back on track again. After having such a great run all year the Dodgers were due for a slump but it won’t be long when they’ll snap out of it.

4 The Oakland Raiders finished pre season with a 0-4 record and the visiting Seattle Seahawks 4-0 and are expected to finish on the top of the league and odds makers like their chances of getting to the Super Bowl.

5 The San Francisco Giants in dropping another tough game on Thursday night it was weird happenstance for Brandon Crawford who hit a home run only to have it called back because of fan interference and Giants reliever Mark Melancon walked a runner in with the bases loaded how much worse can it get.

London Marq does Sports Headlines each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sportstalk Podcast Remote at Rookies Sports Lodge downtown San Jose Thu Aug 24, 2017

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photo by Ehsan N (Yelp!.com): the Juicy Lucy burger one of the most popular food items at Rookies Sports Lodge in downtown San Jose

cast Jerry Feitelberg (host), Mary Lisa Walsh, Jeremy Harness, Marko Ukalovich, Joe Lami and Lee Leonard (producer), podcasting from Rookies Sports Lodge at 99 South First Street in downtown San Jose. Our thanks to our hosts for the evening Michael Hobson owner, Ricky Hobson general manager, and servers Sarah and Thania. Sportstalk highly recommends dinning at Rookies for all sports fans and even non sports fans Located in the heart of Downtown San Jose, on the iconic corner of South First Street and San Fernando Street, we are Downtown SJ’s newest sports bar and grill. Our menu features an array of options from sandwiches and pizzas to salads and tasty appetizers. The full bar has what you’re looking for and our beer taps pump cold delicious beer. Being that we’re a sports themed bar and grill, we made sure to install some of the largest TV screens we could find and will always have the game you’re looking for on at least one of our dozens of TVs. From lunchtime and happy hour to family dinners and late-night parties, we are here to serve you.

On the podcast discussions on the San Jose Sharks and how this year’s team shapes up for a chance at improving in post season play with Joe Thornton, Marc-Eduard Vlasic, Joe Pavelski and head coach Peter DeBoer. Pre season football enters it’s third week and the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders take a look at their starters and will see how the bench plays this Saturday as the 49ers are in Minnesota and the Raiders are in Dallas. The Oakland A’s who just dealt Rajai Davis to the Boston Red Sox traded for an 18 year old outfield prospect from the Dominican Republic. The Warriors are expected to continue to roll after the summer going into pre season play in October. The Sacramento Kings are looking to improve after a rocky season a new head coach, and dealing their star player to New Orleans.

 

 

 

 

 

Z-Bo arrested – Did the Kings plan for veteran leadership just go up in smoke?

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Z-bo Police car damage
Photo from totalprosports.com

NBA veteran and now a member of the Sacramento Kings Zach Randolph was arrested in the Watts area of Los Angeles on Wednesday night on suspicion of marijuana possession and intent to sell. He was one of three men arrested by LAPD. One individual was arrested for being an ex-convict in possession of a gun.

What’s the big deal — isn’t weed about to be legal in California

cali sign

The big deal is the amount of marijuana that was seized in the arrest. According to TMZ Sports, two pounds of marijuana was taken into custody during the bust by Los Angeles Police. You read that amount correctly — two pounds. That is just a “tad” above the amount that is considered to be for personal consumption.

Randolph has earned an estimated $175-180 million in salary alone in his 16-years in the NBA. One would not think he would need to be selling “weed” to in order pay his bills. The problem is being associated with a large amount of marijuana that is considered beyond what would be normal for personal consumption places a person in the potential sales and distribution business. Even if the individual were giving the product away for free, that act could be deemed illegal.

The whole scene got out of control

According to reports, when LAPD rolled up on the scene a pursuit began for three adult males. That pursuit involved the entry into a home in the area. When the three suspects (one of which was Randolph) were brought out of the house, the crowd that gathered in the area turned ugly.

According to the Los Angeles Daily News, a dispersal order was issued by law enforcement. The crowd then began throwing rocks and bottles at police. They also proceeded to damage several police vehicles.

Fortunately no one in the crowd or any officers were injured in what had to be a very tense situation.

Welcome to the LA County Jail

0810-zach-randolph-booking-info-3

Randolph was booked into the LA County Jail. He was released on Thursday morning at 8 a.m. on $20,000 bail.

“The charges are false and misleading,” Randolph’s agent and attorney Raymond Brothers told The Associated Press. “We’re looking at all options to resolve this matter.”

He has been arrested not convicted

innocent

It is really important that fans remember that Randolph has been charged with crimes not convicted. Because he is such a high profile person, there is a tendency to assume guilt rather than wait for the trail process to play itself out.

Does the situation look bad? It looks horrible, but that still does not mean Randolph is guilty. He deserves his day in court.

What about his future with the Kings and the NBA?

z-bo headshot
Zach Randolph Photo: bet.com

The Kings have acknowledged that they are aware of the situation but the team is withholding any statement at this time which is not surprising.

If Randolph is found guilty of involvement with marijuana, he would also face sanctions from the NBA for violating the league policy on drug use.

The Kings have to make some big decisions in a short period of time

Vlade_Divac_2016-mc.rs_
Vlade Divac Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Kings signed Randolph — a 16-year NBA veteran — to be a mentor “on toughness” for their young players. The question the Kings must answer quickly is whether they still want Randolph to mentor their four rookies, three second-year players and other young members of their team.

This not a situation that vice president and general manager Vlade Divac and head coach Dave Joerger were planning on having to deal with as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Photo of Randolph leaving jail taken from TMZ Sports video

Kings reveal their new Nike uniforms

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

Adidas is out … Nike is in as the uniform supplier for the NBA

  • There are no longer traditional home and away uniforms
  • Home teams will decide what uniform they want to wear and the visiting team will then choose a contrasting uniform from their wardrobe to wear
  • The traditional home white uniform is now known as the “Association Edition” while the traditional road uni is now designated as the “Icon Edition”
  • Two more uniform editions per team will be revealed in the fall
  • Eight teams will have a fifth uniform known as a “Classic Edition” that they can wear occasionally (sounds like “throwbacks” to me)

Check out the upper left portion of the uniform opposite the “swoosh” and you will see the Blue Diamond Almond patch. All NBA teams are allowed to have a discreet sponsor logo on their uniforms starting this season. Blue Diamond was one of the first companies to sign up.

  • Each uniform is made of Alpha Yarns and recycled polyester
  • Every uniform represents approximately 20 recycled PET (plastic) bottles
  • The new uniforms will wick sweat faster and dry quicker than the current ones

Start saving up your money. It is time to update your NBA wardrobe. Hmm, I’m thinking I would look good in a number 50 “Z-Bo” jersey with the “SAC” logo. (Just a reminder to my family, friends and colleagues, my birthday is next month).

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: Trout and Harper highlight series for Halos-Nats; OJ most likely to get out jail pass; plus more headlines

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FILE – In this May 14, 2013 pool file photo, O.J. Simpson sits during a break on the second day of an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas. Simpson, the former football star, TV pitchman and now Nevada prison inmate, will have a lot going for him when he appears before state parole board members Thursday, July 20, 2017 seeking his release after more than eight years for an ill-fated bid to retrieve sports memorabilia. (AP Photo/Ethan Miller, Pool, File)

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast:

1 Mike Trout of the LA Angels and Bryce Harper of the Washington Nats match up in this series in Anaheim starting tonight. Tickets reportedly moving briskly for the series as the Nats take a five game win streak into the series

2 Former San Francisco 49ers running back OJ Simpson will be appearing at a parole hearing this coming Thursday to see whether or not a parole board will set him free after spending nine years in a Las Vegas jail for his participation in a hotel burglary in trying to recover sports memorabilia that Simpson says was his property.

3 Oakland A’s executive vice president Billy Beane said that after any A’s team that had successful players it’s difficult to keep those players because often they get offered more salary elsewhere and Oakland has basically been a jump off point or stepping stone for players when another team comes calling

4 Former San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kapernick who has not signed on with an NFL club yet may not get the chance soon according to former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. Vick said Kaepernick should have his afro cut and get a respectable haircut before the NFL let’s him back. More reliable sources say Kaepernick is being kept out for taking a knee during the national anthem. Kaepernick responded today by saying he would consider getting the haircut.

Amaury has much more on the podcast take a listen below

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week, also he is the Angels Spanish TV voice, the Oakland A’s Spanish radio voice.