Category: NBA

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: From Oklahoma to Oakland Kevin Durant agrees to two year $54.3 M deal with Golden State

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hypetrak.com file photo: Former Oklahoma City Thunder Kevin Durant signed on with the Golden State Warriors on the Fourth of July

On the Warriors podcast with David, Kevin Durant has agreed to come on board at Golden State for a cool $54.3 million for two years the second year being an option year. This is the biggest deal since LeBron James going to Miami and since that’s all past LeBron is staying Cleveland and he’s not going anywhere. This move means a change in the roster there will and has already been a lot of turnovers for the Warriors.

The Warriors starting five will now be Steph Curry, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Durant. The amount of All-Star appearances amongst this group is almost record setting. There’s three MVPs amongst them, three MVP trophies, and everyone of those guys have been an All-Star at some point.

Davie Zizmor does the Warriors podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Kings continue to add players including Matt Barnes

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

 

matt barnes grizzliesBy Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings continued to be busy this weekend filling needs for player personnel that were not addressed in the NBA Draft. The moves being engineered by Vlade Divac and the front office appear to be focused on bringing in experienced players that will allow the rookies to be worked into coach Dave Joerger’s system slowly and deliberately.

Looks like you can come home again

One of biggest moves of the weekend may be the signing of a hometown product Matt Barnes to a reported two-year contact with the second year being a player option. Barnes was a prep star at Del Campo High School in Sacramento and played part one season with the Kings. Barnes played in Memphis for Dave Joerger last season.

Barnes averaged 10.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 28.8 minutes per game for the Grizzlies last year. He is known as being a tough, hardnosed, no nonsense type of player who can be volatile on the floor. Barnes will immediately take some of the pressure off of DeMarcus Cousins because he will be happy to take on the role of enforcer, defender and tough guy on the court.

Barnes is a 13 year NBA veteran who 36 years old.

Kings add some flexibility to the roster

temple

Multiple reports have the Kings signing former Washington Wizards guard Garrett Temple to a reported three-year, $24-million contract. This will actually be Temple’s second stint with the Kings. He was with the Kings for five games in 2009-10 season.

Temple has spent the last four seasons in Washington. He has played mostly small forward for the Wizards, but Temple can play also play at shooting guard and point guard. That versatility will make Temple a very valuable option in the upcoming season. Look for him to be used at point guard at least until Darren Collison returns.

The 6-foot-6 Temple averaged 7.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24.4 minutes of playing time. He made 43 starts for Washington last year.

Temple has six years of NBA experience. He entered the league undrafted after playing his college ball at LSU.

More help on the front line

tolliver

The Kings have reportedly signed 6-foot-8, 240-pound power/small forward Anthony Tolliver to a two-year contract worth $16 million with $2 million guaranteed for the second season. The reports have second year of the contract being a team option.

This is not a sexy starting five signing. Tolliver is a solid second unit player who can play the three or the four spots and will give you 15-20 minutes per night off the bench.

Tolliver played for the Pistons last year averaging 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per game. Tolliver attempts an average of 4.6 field goals per game and 3.8 of those attempts will be from 3-point land.

Tolliver has eight years of experience in the association. He has been well traveled as he has played for eight different teams.

Curry to be an unrestricted free agent

Reports have the Kings rescinding their qualifying offer to restricted free agent guard Seth Curry. With the depth at guard the Kings have added over the weekend the need for Curry has diminished.

Reports also have Curry’s agent asking the Kings to rescind the offer to speed the process up for his client to find a new team. With the qualifying offer in place, the Kings would have had the opportunity to match the offer delaying the process.

So long Rondo

According to reports, Rajon Rondo has signed a 2-year, $28-million contract with the Chicago Bulls. If the reports are true, the Kings had cooled on trying to re-sign Rondo.

 

 

 

Kings to sign free agent shooting guard Arron Afflalo

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Afflalo Knicks

by Charlie O. Mallonee

There are multiple reports that the Sacramento Kings have made their first free agent signing by convincing veteran shooting guard Arron Afflalo to sign a two-year contract. The news of the deal was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical and confirmed by Sam Amick of USA Today – both credible sources. The deal is worth a reported $25 million.

Afflalo spent last season with the lowly New York Knicks. He averaged 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 33.4 minutes per game for the Knicks. Afflalo shot 44.3-percent from floor and 38.3-percent from 3-point range. He shoots 84-percent from the free throw line.

The Kings will be the sixth team that Afflalo has played for in his nine seasons in the NBA. He has also played for Detroit, Denver, Orlando, Portland and New York. Afflalo was a first-round pick (27th overall) of the Detroit Pistons in 2007 NBA Draft out UCLA. He played his high school basketball at Centennial in Compton, California.

What are the Kings getting in Afflalo? He is a solid, mid-range shooting guard that has played in situations where you have to patiently wait for your opportunity to take shots. When you play with Carmelo Anthony and Prozingis, you know that you are going to be at least the third option in the offense.

That is going to be the case in Sacramento as well. The offense runs through DeMarcus Cousins. All other players get involved only as necessary. Afflalo will have to adjust to that reality.

The Kings missed many scoring opportunities last season by not being able to convert mid-range jump shots especially off offensive rebounds. Afflalo with his shooting skills should be able to be of real help with that problem. He has not been a big 3-point shooter averaging just under four attempts and 1.3 conversions per game.

The signing of Afflalo probably ends the pursuit of Dion Waiters, but it does not mean the Kings are done looking for another shooting guard. No one would be surprised to be surprised to see current shooting guard Ben McLemore move via trade before the season begins.

McLemore who has been a starter for the Kings who has never lived up to the expectations the team had placed on him. Frankly, he was probably rushed into a starting role before he was ready. McLemore is also another victim of what has been the coaching chaos that has surrounded the team since he was drafted. Dave Joerger is McLemore’s fourth coach in four years with the Kings. The best thing for McLemore might be a change of scenery.

If McLemore moves on, the Kings need to find a shooting guard who can be a sixth man that can come off the bench and fire up the second unit with some quick scores. A guard who can hit some 3-point baskets would be ideal.

Sacramento does have Malachi Richardson coming from Charlotte in exchange for Marco Belinelli. He is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, but it would be nice to be able to work him into the offense slowly rather than just toss him into the fire.

Rondo Update: The possibility of Rondo remaining with the Kings is still a reality but rumors are circulating that the Kings have cooled on the idea of keeping the talented point guard. It is now being reported that the Chicago Bulls are showing interest in Rondo. The Kings will probably not participate in a bidding war.

Kings: the search for a starting point guard

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ronnie-price-seth-curry
Seth Curry runs the offense for the Kings

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Now that the draft is over, the Kings have started the search for their bench players. The real search is for who is going to play point guard and who can help the team at shooting guard.

The point guard situation has become clouded because of the situation with Darren Collison. Unfortunately, Collison has been indicted in a domestic violence case and will almost certainly face a suspension from the NBA related to the situation. When Collison will be available to play for the Kings is a major unknown at this point.

Last season’s starting point guard – Rajon Rondo – is a free agent and had a very productive year for Sacramento. The consensus is that Rondo would be open to signing another short-term contact of one to two years to stay in with the Kings. Sacramento does not have “Bird Rights” on Rondo so his salary would have to come out of this year’s cap money.

The big question is – do you want Rondo at the point again this season? There is no doubt that Rondo can produce assists and is capable of scoring in spurts. There is also no question that he will not provide the team with the type of defense the Kings are looking to establish this season.

Rondo has also become a target of the Brooklyn Nets who are looking to replace Jarrett Jack. There have to be other teams who are looking at what Rondo did last season and are thinking that he would be worth offering a big dollar-short term contract for that type of potential production for a season or two.

Who does that leave for the Kings to target for the point guard position? Ricky Rubio of the Timberwolves appears to have become expendable with Minnesota drafting Kris Dunn. Rubio averages 10.1 points and 8.3 assists per game. A trade would be necessary to bring Rubio to Sacramento. The Kings do have Kosta Koufos and Ben McLemore that could be packaged in a possible exchange. The key worry involving Rubio would be his history of injuries.

Jeremy Lin is an unrestricted free agent who spent last season in Charlotte. He averaged 11.7 points and 3.0 assists per game. Lin made $2-million last season but he will want a raise this year and some security. UPDATE: Lin signed a three-year, $36-million deal with the Brooklyn Nets. That is a $10-million a year raise over his last contract. The Lin signing also potentially affects the Rajon Rondo situation.

Ty Lawson has experience and has been a major disappointment in his last two stops in Houston and Indiana. He also earned over $12-million last season.

Mario Chalmers played for Joerger in Memphis averaging 10.3 points and 3.8 assists per game but then was waived by the club. He made just over $4-million last year.

Ish Smith has become a legitimate starter in the league for the Sixers. He averaged 12.6 points and 6.5 assists per game. Smith will certainly want a raise from his $1.1-million salary. Also is he willing to go from one bad team to another just for the money? UPDATE: Smith signed a three-year,$18-million contract with the Detroit Pistons on Friday.

The best option for the Kings may be to re-sign Seth Curry, the combo point/shooting guard who came on strong for the team in closing days of last season. The team has given Curry – a restricted free agent – a qualifying offer so they have the opportunity to match or exceed any offer Curry would receive from another team.

This would mean the Kings would have to start the season with Curry and rookie Isaiah Cousins while they wait for the Collison situation to play itself out. It would allow the Kings to spend money on shooting guards that they so desperately need plus one of those shooting guards might be able to play some limited time at the point.

The Kings may well need to embrace “positionless” basketball to compensate for the lack of a star point guard. Former head coach George Karl said the best passer on the Kings is DeMarcus Cousins. Maybe the offense will need to flow through the high post until the point guard situation can be firmed up.

The worst thing the Kings could do right now is make a knee-jerk decision and spend too much on a player that they might not need later in the season or in seasons to come.

 

 

Wrapping up the Kings 2016 draft

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

 

Boogie Photo with tweetBy Charlie O. Mallonee

Sacramento – This is going to be a vain attempt to wrap up the 2016 NBA Draft for the Sacramento Kings. The one thing we have come to expect from the Kings ownership and management is lots of surprises. They did not disappoint on Thursday night. What looked like a simple two pick night turned into a four selection event that has had the basketball world talking all day and not necessarily in a good way.

Pick Number 59

The Kings had the next to last pick in the draft. With that selection, they chose guard Isaiah Cousins (no relation to DeMarcus) of the Oklahoma Sooners. Cousins is a four-year player who helped his Sooner team make it to the Final Four of the 2016 NCAA Tournament. He showed his versatility moving from shooting guard to point guard as a senior.

As a senior at Oklahoma, Cousins averaged 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He shot 40.8-percent from the floor and 41.1-percent from beyond the 3-point arc. Cousins averaged 1.4 steals per game.

At 6-foot-5 and 191 pounds, Cousins has excellent size for a point guard. Scouts say he knows how to use his size to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He is used to pushing the ball from running the up tempo Oklahoma offense. Cousins needs to improve his shot selection decisions and reduce his tendency to over penetrate the lane. He also needs to improve his free throw shooting.

Draft analysts like this selection by the Kings because it definitely fills a need. With Rondo’s status up in the air and Collison’s immediate future under the control of the courts, the Kings need point guards. If Cousins plays well in the Summer League, he has an excellent chance of winding up with a guaranteed contract.

Kings fans also remember a point guard named Isaiah that Sacramento drafted with the 60th pick that worked out pretty well. Unfortunately, Isaiah Thomas is now in Boston but he was an All-star last season.

Remember the name Bogdan Bogdanovic

One of the reasons the Kings made the trade for the eighth pick in draft with the Phoenix Suns was Bogdan Bogdanovic. In return, the Kings received the number 13 and 28 picks in the draft and the signing rights to Bogdanovic who the Suns drafted with the 27th selection in 2014.

Bogdanovic is from Serbia and plays basketball professionally in Turkey. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard had just informed the Suns that he would not be signing with them for the 2016-17 season. By waiting one more season, Bogdanovic will not be subject to the rookie salary limitations of the NBA. With his skill and experience, he may well be able to negotiate a “max” contract for a player of 0-6 years of experience.

For the Kings, Bogdanovic represents their 2017 first-round draft pick. Sacramento is still subject to losing their first-round selection to the Chicago Bulls in 2017 unless it is pick 1-10. Of course, the Kings are hoping to be playoff team and not a lottery pick team next season, so they had to make plans that would protect them should they not have a first-round selection next year. The rights to Bogdanovic is that protection.

“We got the rights to one of the best European players in Eastern Europe that Phoenix drafted a couple of years ago. Next year we are probably not going to have a pick because it is 1 to 10 protected by Chicago so I tried to think about next year too,” said Kings vice-president of operations/general manager Vlade Divac. “He’s definitely one of the best European player.”

Reactions to the Picks

Some analysts have been very critical of the Kings trading the eighth pick to Phoenix and passing on power forward Marquese Chriss. Chriss had been projected to go as high as third fell to number eight. The Kings do need help at the four spot but Chriss is a project that may be three to four years away from being a real impact player. At this point in time, the Kings are not a very patient team.

Georgios Papagiannis Round 1 Pick 13

The reaction to this pick has been harsh. Most of the criticism has centered on taking Papagiannis with the number 13 pick. Many of the analysts believe that the big man would have been available later in the draft which would have allowed the Kings to have addressed more pressing needs with this selection.

There have also been questions as to why draft another classic center which is exactly what Papagiannis is as a player. The Kings already have DeMarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos who play center.

This reporter is going to suggest that this is a selection for next year and beyond. DeMarcus Cousins will be a King for the 2016-17 season. Will he be with the Kings in after next season? Probably not. It will be the final year of his contract and the chances of him resigning in Sacramento are really “slim to none”. The Kings cannot afford to let their most valuable asset just walk away. A trade on or just before draft day next year is a very real possibility. At that point, the Kings may need a 7-foot-2 center who can fill the lane.

Malachi Richardson Round 1 Pick 22

This is the pick that does not yet officially exist. The Kings will trade guard Marco Belinelli to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for the number 22 pick Malachi Richardson. Richardson is a shooting guard out of Syracuse with good size who is an aggressive offensive player. The trade cannot become official until July 1st.

Reaction to the selection of Richardson has been very positive. Most analyst see him as being exactly the type of player the Kings have looking for at shooting guard. He is a good athlete who can score points in bunches. Richardson can also shoot the 3-pointer.

Skal Labissiere Round 1 Pick 28

The University of Kentucky connection continues. Labissiere is a “one and done” Wildcat that drew the attention of scouts from the beginning of the college basketball season last fall. Before we continue, no this selection was not part of a ploy to bring John Calipari to Sacramento. Please put that conspiracy to bed.

At one point, Labissiere was seen a lottery pick by many draft watchers. His troubles adjusting to the college game and the tough coaching style of John Calipari caused his stock to begin to drop. Labissiere’s inability to stay out of foul trouble on the defensive end also raised some red flags for many player personnel people.

Even with those difficulties, Labissiere is an intriguing prospect because of the natural talent he possesses. He did not play organized basketball until coming to the United States following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. In many ways, he is still learning the game. Labissiere is a project but to be fair most first-round picks in the NBA Draft are projects at this point.

Labissiere is quick and athletic for a big man. He can run the floor like a guard (think Willie Cauley-Stein). Even though he did not show it much at Kentucky, Labissiere has a nice touch shooting the 3-pointer. For the reason, look for him to be used as a power forward/stretch four in the Kings line up.

“We were really surprised that Skal fell to 28th and that talent you couldn’t pass,” explained Vlade Divac.

What is to come

At the conclusion of the draft, Vlade Divac expressed that there is a lot of work left to do for the Kings. “This just the first step. Like I said, free agency is coming. We have summer league. We have two or three months before we assemble our team.

NBA/Golden State Warriors draft 2016 podcast with David Zizmor: Former Cal Bear Jaylen Brown believes he can be an asset for Celtics

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AP photo: Former Cal Bears Jaylen Brown sits down for radio interview after being selected third in the Celtics overall draft

On the NBA/Golden State Warriors podcast with David first former Cal Bears Jaylen Brown wasn’t the one you heard being booed by some of the crowd at the NBA draft when he was selected first pick to the Boston Celtics. It wasn’t Jaylen Brown it the Celtics brass including Celts GM Danny Ainge. Ainge want to got out in the seats and ask them what was wrong with picking Brown at Thursday’s draft.

The fans were looking like the Celts would be more interested in another draft pick someone that they’ve heard of like Kris Dunn from Providence. The Celts fans were looking for the Celts to trade away eight draft picks for an established NBA star.

Listen below as David runs down the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings picks on the podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

SAC drafts a wing at 22 and forward at 28

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

MRICHARDSON2

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Sacramento – The Kings directly addressed one of their major needs with the 22nd selection of the NBA Draft by taking shooting guard/small forward Malachi Richardson of Syracuse University. Richardson is seen as having the size, length and athleticism needed to be a wing player in the NBA. The Kings need have more production from the wing so this would seem like a good match.

Richardson will have no trouble adjusting to the NBA stage after playing in the pressure packed ACC. He was selected to the ACC All-Freshman team. Richardson was also a part the Orange team that became the first number 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament to reach the Final Four since the expansion to 64 teams in 1985.

Richardson started all 37 games for Syracuse in 2015-16. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 34.4 minutes per game. He shot 36.9-percent from the field and 35.3-percent from 3-point range. Richardson is a 72-percent free throw shooter and averages 2.1 assists per game.

Scouts see Richardson as versatile scorer who can put the ball on the floor and who can also shoot for range. He can also work his way to the rim and finish through contact.

skal

With the number 28 pick, the Kings went big again and back to Kentucky once more by selecting Skal Labissiere. Labissiere is a 6-11, 225 pound forward/center. He was projected as a number 15 or higher pick in many of the mock drafts.

Labissiere appeared in all 36 games for Kentucky and started in 18 of those contests. He averaged 15.8 minutes, 6.6 points, and 3.1 rebounds per game. Labissiere had a field goal percentage of 51.6 and a 66.1 free throw percentage.

Labissiere was the target of some criticism for underperforming last season. Still others criticized Coach Calipari for not using Labissiere correctly to get the most out of his skills.

Labissiere is quick and athletic. He runs the floor well. On defense, he is a stong shot blocker and help defender. As far as improving his game, Labissiere needs to cut down on the personal fouls, and he needs to get tougher especially under the basket.

Labissiere said that Coach Calipari told him his Kentucky teammates, “they are our brothers. They will look out for me.” It cannot hurt to have DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein watch your back when you are a 20-year old rookie in NBA.

 

Kings select center Georgios Papagiannis at number 13

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

 

PAPA
Photo Courtesy FIBA Europe

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Sacramento – The Sacramento Kings started making moves early on Thursday night accumulating three first-round draft picks by doing some wheeling and dealing. The Kings first selection was made at number 13, and it was a surprise.

The Kings need a point guard and a shooting guard in the worst way and with the number 13 pick they selected a 7-1, 240 pound center from Greece named Georgios Papagiannis. No you did not misread the previous line. The team that has DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein just drafted another center.

Papagiannis is an 18-year old from Amarousio, Greece. He played high school basketball in the United States at Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Papagiannis was highly recruited by colleges but chose to return to Greece to play professional basketball with Panathinaikos.

Papagiannis had to fight for playing time on a very talented Panathinaikos team. He played in 21 games in the top ranked A1 league. Papagiannis also saw limited action in six Euroleague games.

Papagiannis is known for being agile for his size with long arms and frame that should fill out as he grows older. He has soft hands and decent touch around the basket. Defensively he is known as a rim protector.

The reaction from fans on social media has been overwhelmingly negative. With all of the needs the Kings have right now, fans are having a difficult time trying figure out why the first pick of this draft was another center.

Golden State Warriors Arena at Mission Bay: Arena opponents gain momentum Save Muni group joins the fray against Dub Arena

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by Charlie O and Jerry Feitelberg (NBA beat reporters)

photo by district5diary.blogspot.ca: Golden State Warriors proposed new arena at Mission Bay

SAN FRANCISCO–It’s going down to the neighborhoods versus the Golden State Warriors in an attempt to build a new arena at Mission Bay. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Garrett Wong listened to both sides of the argument regarding the new arena, from the opponents Mission Bay Alliance and Save Muni and Jennifer Wade mother of a six year old son with rare cardiac issues who just recently joined the plaintiffs vs. the Golden State Warriors who also have their allies from San Francisco City Hall.

Judge Wong ruled that he will render a decision on July 18th. If the court rules against the Alliance or the Warriors rest assured this case won’t settle there more than likely there will be appeals. The Warriors are under pressure to beat this case and begin construction in Mission Bay as they are on a timeline to move out of Oakland and have the new arena ready. The team purchased the land at Mission Bay from Sales Dream Force where they plan not only to have the new arena but also retail and condos which would add value to the Warriors brand.

The Alliance and Save Muni say that traffic conditions and access to UCSF Hospital right next door will be impossible on game and event days at the arena. A study shows on the rare occasions that the San Francisco Giants or an AT&T event and a Warriors new Arena event (Chase Bank Arena) would double the traffic conditions let alone just a Warriors event.

Save Muni shares the same argument with the Mission Bay Alliance when it comes to traffic conditions they say that it would vastly alter public transportation in the South of Market particularly when traffic conditions are at it’s peak around 4:00 to 5:00 PM on week night games during afternoon rush hours. That in spite of increased Muni buses coming to and from the arena there will be traffic tie ups and it would impact Muni lines not only serving the arena itself but South of Market and lines going inbound to South of Market.

The Alliance and Wade added their concerns on traffic access to UCSF Hospital and emergency lanes as proposed by the City would not be the solution to getting to the hospital during an emergency. Wade for example has a six year son who from time to time has cardiac emergencies and needs quick access to the emergency room and if there is a back up to the arena Wade would have to wait in traffic to get to the ER for care for her son.

“He has emergencies from time to time” Wade said after last Friday’s hearing to Fox 2, “and I need to get him to UCSF in a timely matter. I’m just going to picture what’s going to happen if that’s the lead up to a Warriors game or a Beyonce’ concert or some other event especially if it’s happening at the same time as an event at AT&T Park, traffic is already bad over there.” Wade should know she lives only two blocks from the proposed arena site.

For Wade it’s the only hospital that specializes in treating her son’s rare cardiac condition “that’s the only hospital I can take my son to in an emergency other hospitals don’t understand his condition they dont’ have the pediatric cardiologists on staff at other children’s emergency hospitals. It’s a pretty rare condition that he has” said Wade.

Jerry Cauthen spokesman for Save Muni who represents transit activists, environmentalists, citizens concerned about Muni traffic impact of the Warriors new arena, and community activists said “it’s critically important” that the judge consider traffic conditions that a new Warriors arena would cause for rerouting and delaying Muni during rush hour and game night events.

Warriors spokesman PJ Johnston said it’s just shameful that the plaintiffs are going to such great lengths to try and stop the team from building the arena at Mission Bay, “it’s disappointing, it’s wasteful, to the workers and small businesses and neighbors in Mission Bay who are counting on this venue” said Johnston. The Warriors are hoping that the court will settle in their favor as the team plans to open the arena by the fall of 2019.

Jerry Feitelberg and Charlie O cover the NBA during the regular season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

NBA Finals: Warriors historic season ends in Game 7 disappointment

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by Michael Martinez

One of the greatest games I have witnessed in my life. And although I’m young, I have watched basketball for as long as I can remember.

So much was on the line before tonight’s tip off. For the Warriors, a chance to bring back to back championships to a city that ponder what winning was not that long ago. Steph Curry’s legacy was on the chopping block as well.

For the Cavaliers, it would be the first pro championship in the city of Cleveland since the Browns won the NFL championship back in 1964. That was before the Super Bowl era, which the Browns have never been to. LeBron James’ legacy was also on the line.

With two mega stars getting ready to battle it out, the anticipation was incredible. And the game did not disappoint.

The contest was back and forth for the entire game and the first half was dominated by Draymond Green.

Green who took blame for his suspension in Game 5, showed up huge for the Warriors when the league MVP did not. Green knocked down all five of his shots from three point range and went eight of ten from the field totaling 22 first half points. He also dished out five assists and grabbed five boards, playing more like himself as opposed to his lackluster Game 6 performance.

James finished the half with 12 points, a team high. Green’s performance allowed the Warriors to hold a 49-42 lead at the break.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, but in the third quarter each team showed up. Both teams were knocking down shots and the whole Warriors team got their shots in.

For the Cavs, Kyrie Irving helped ease the load off James with 12 third quarter points. And Golden State still had a one point lead going into the final quarter.

And as Curry became non-existent, James got the job done. James scored 11 points in the fourth and made some excellent defensive plays. He came up huge when his team needed it the most. Both teams found themselves struggling, but Cleveland’s ability to stop Golden State on the offensive end proved to be the difference.

Down three games to one in the best of seven series, the Cavs somehow found a way to be the first team to come back by that margin in Finals history. Cleveland defeated the Warriors, 93-89, to win the NBA’s most coveted prize.

Unfortunately, the Warriors got beat because they were unable to do what they do best, shoot the ball efficiently.

The home team shot 38.6 percent from the field and under 37 percent from beyond the arc. Curry and splash brother Klay Thompson combined for six of 24 from three point range. Two of the best three point shooters in the NBA shot 25 percent in the most important game of their careers.

Curry finished with 17 points and Green almost notched a triple double with a game high 32 points, adding 15 boards and nine assists.

James on the other hand did finish the game with a triple double. James had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists and quite frankly did not even have one of his better games. James joins Jerry West and James Worthy as the only players to get triple doubles in Game 7 of a NBA Finals.

Irving surely helped James get the victory with his 26 points and clutch shooting.

To no surprise, James won the MVP as he averaged 29.7 points, 8.9 assists and 11.3 rebounds in the series. After much scrutiny, James cemented himself as one of the greatest players ever and brought back a championship to the city of Cleveland for the first time in over 50 years.

Credit to the Cavs and James for playing great basketball, but the Warriors tremendous run comes to a disheartening close. The team who set the record for most wins in the regular season and came back from a 3-1 deficit of their own, watched a second championship slip away from the palms of their hands.

Curry was disappointing and did not have the best game of his career as he mentioned he would need to. And as Golden State found themselves with some injuries to key players, they allowed the Cavs to hold on to some life and it cost them a second championship trophy.

After all this team was able to accomplish, the Warriors appeared to get a little complacent. It will be interesting to see what players say in the next few days, but Golden State has a lot of things to hold their heads up high. Of course coming up short is truly discouraging, but the Warriors have the highest odds to win the championship next year.

Thank you for sticking with Sports Radio Service throughout this season and congratulations to the Cleveland Cavaliers, your 2016 NBA champions.