Category: Sacramento Kings

Sportstalk podcast from Il Fornaio Ristorante in downtown Sacramento on Monday, September 23, 2019

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: ilfornaio.com

Cast: Charlie O Mallonee (host and Oakland A’s beat writer), Jeremiah Salmonson (Sacramento Kings reporter), Morris Phillips (Cal Bears reporter), Tony the Tiger Hayes (SF Giants columnist), London Marq (San Jose Earthquakes & Sac Kings reporter), Jeremy Harness (PGA Golf reporter), and Lee Leonard (Producer).

Podcasting from the wonderful and tasteful Il Fornaio Restorante at the Wells Fargo Center on 400 Capital Mall in downtown Sacramento. Our thanks to our host, General Manager Don McNerney, and the wonderful staff at Il Fornaio. You can cater your next event here at Il Fornaio in downtown Sacramento offering pickup and delivery catering services. Call (916) 446-4100 catering reservations within the next 24 hours. For banquets, Il Fornaio offers elegant and semi-private dining spaces with a wide range of specialized memos and services to match our authentic award winning Italian cuisine. For catering, call (916) 446-4139.

On the Sportstalk discussion, the Sacramento Kings’ Luke Walton is looking for Bogdan Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield, who are both vying for minutes on the floor. Walton says both players compliment each other well. Hield had led the Kings with 20.7 points, five rebounds, 2.5 assists, and shot 42.7 from three-point land. Bogdanovic had offseason surgery last season missed the first 11 games of the Sacramento’s 12. Hield had 14.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds and shot 36 percent.

Vlad Divac, who was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame, was noted for his flopping during his playing days and was a big man that helped the Kings during his playing days and later became the team’s general manager. Divac is hoping to bring the Kings to the postseason this year. Marvin Bagley averaged 7.6 points in 25.3 minutes and has pulled down 10.8 rebounds in 36 minutes. Bagley finished last assist percentage at 5.9.

Mumbai India will be the site of the Sacramento Kings’ preseason oasis. The Kings will open with the Indiana Pacers on Friday, October 4th and Saturday, October 5th, then on Thursday, October 10th vs. the Phoenix Suns, Monday, October 14th vs. the Utah Jazz, and in Melbourne, on Wednesday, October 16th, which closes their Mumbai road trip.

 

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders’ Brown threatens to punch GM Mayock over fine; Kaval meets with the media at Jack London Square to share dreams; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit sfgate.com: Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown shown in photo during his signing with the team during happier times threatened Raiders general manager Mike Mayock at practice on Thursday over his recent fines from the team.

On Headline Sports with Tony:

#1 Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown threatened Raiders general manager Mike Mayock after he was fined $53,000 for leaving camp twice. Don’t be surprised if Brown is cut. Brown also has not gotten his $30 million from his current contract and may not get it.

#2 The Oakland A’s held a presser last Tuesday afternoon at Jack London Square with team president David Kaval, who stood in front of a number of white cranes that help lift cargo shipments. Kaval said rather than remove them they would be part of the new stadium landscape kind of a conversation piece.

#3 It’s just simply a deal that has to get done. Kaval acknowledged that the environmental report which includes topic on toxic clean up, mass transportation, traffic conditions, and the railroads that circle the prized area where the A’s new ballpark is supposed to be built on.

#4 The New Orleans Pelicans’ Lonzo Ball said that his father Lavar’s brand sneakers The Big Baller ZO2 brand fell apart after each quarter “If you literally have those shoes from those games, they’re exploded,” Ball said. Not the ringing endorsement from the off spring of the founder.

#5 The Sacramento Kings owe Harrison Barnes $2.1 million. Barnes, who played for the Kings two different times, is owed the money after the Kings who originally signed him for $12 million and sent him to the New Orleans Pelicans with DeMarcus Cousins in 2016. After Barnes returned to Sacramento in 2018-19, he was paid but with $2.1 million left. Bottom line — how much will Barnes be missed in Sacramento?

#6 The Oakland Raiders kick off on Monday Night Football at the Oakland Coliseum to start Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. How do you see Raiders quarterback Derek Carr matching up against Broncos starter Joe Flacco in this one?

Tony does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Kings to open preseason in India Oct. 4th; Yanks-A’s series could be a maker-breaker for A’s in wild card; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: nba.com

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 The Sacramento Kings will be opening up their first preseason game on October 4th and you will be joining your broadcast colleagues for Kings coverage Jeremiah Salmonson, London Marq, Morris Phillips and Jeremy Harness for complete coverage of Kings basketball.

#2 That October 4th game will be played in Mumbai, India. It will be the Kings’ first preseason game in India and has to be very special for Kings managing partner Vivek Ranadive.

#3 The Oakland A’s have played some very exciting ball. They took three out of four from the Houston Astros and took the first two games from the New York Yankees at the Oakland Coliseum. This has turned out to be a very interesting series.

#4 The Oakland Raiders have won two of their first two preseason games and head coach Jon Gruden said this team will deliver “you can bet on that” The Raiders play preseason week three in Winnipeg against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.

#5 The talking head, the critics, and talk show hosts have said the 49ers offense is struggling and they showed signs of that against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football this week. 49ers starter Jimmy Garoppolo had three on completed passes out of six and zero yards. Was this a matter of Jimmy G just not prepared or just rusty coming off the knee injury?

Tony does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Russell’s value for Golden State; How Cousins fits at the Lakers; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: twitter.com

On Headline Sports with Tony Renteria:

#1. How much will the acquisition of DeAngelo Russell & Willie Cauley-Stein mean for Golden State?

#2 The Lakers are happy in picking up DeMarcus Cousins how much of a big piece of the puzzle and how much does he look forward to working with LeBron?

#3 The Miami Heat are rumored to picking up Russell Westbrook from the OKC Thunder. How badly does Westbrook want to go to Miami?

#4 Tony talks about the Oakland Raiders picking up running back Josh Jacobs and linebacker Te’Von Coney.

#5 How serious will the San Francisco Giants be about dealing pitcher Madison Bumgarner and reliever Will Smith  before the trade deadline?

#6 Kahwi Leonard signed a three-year, $103 million deal with the Clippers and the contract calls for a player option in his third year.

Tony Renteria does Headline Sports podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

California Classic Day 3 Recap

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By: Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — Wednesday was the third and final day of the California Classic at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. The four teams participating in the Classic would travel to Las Vegas after the festivities wrapped up on Wednesday afternoon to continue Summer League action.

Two games were on tap for Wednesday: The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors at 12 PM PST as well as the LA Lakers and Sacramento Kings at 2 PM PST.

Game 1
Game one featured the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors, who got off to a very slow offensive start. The Heat managed to put up a few baskets in the opening minutes, but the Warriors couldn’t muster anything. It wasn’t until 6:01 that the Warriors finally managed to score. Damian Jones was fouled and made both shots. The Warriors managed to regain control of the offense and score 38 in the first half. The Heat, on the other hand, stayed steadily mediocre. They scored 12 in the first quarter and 18 in the second to trail 30-38 at the half.

Damian Jones led the Warriors with 8 points into halftime. Davon Reed had 7 points. The Heat’s leading scorers in the first half were Yante Maten, who dropped 10 points, and Tyler Herro with 7 points.

In the second half, the third quarter looked much like the first. Both teams struggled on offense. Please give credit to good defense from both teams, but the real culprit was bad shooting. When the third was said and done, the Heat scored 15 and the Warriors had 12. The score was 50-45 in favor of the Lakers heading into the final quarter. In the final minutes of the game, the Warriors offense fell sharply and the Heat picked up the slack. The Heat scored 26 fourth quarter points compared to the Warriors’ 14. The Warriors fell to the Heat 73-65.

Kendrick Nunn led the Heat with 21 points. Other notable Heat scorers were Tyler Herro with 20 points and Yante Maten with 16 points. Leading Warriors scorers were Damian Jones with 15 points and Davon Reed with 12 points.

Game 2
Unlike the first game of the day, the Kings offense got going early in this game. The Kings jumped to an early lead over the Lakers with quick points from Hollis Thompson. However, the Lakers began to roll offensively about halfway through the first and made it close at the end of the first quarter. The score was 23-22 in favor of Sacramento after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Kings and Lakers traded baskets without much separation coming between the two teams in the early minutes. Then, the Lakers offense slowed down as they were only able to put 17 points. Wenyen Gabriel led the Kings to a first half lead with 11 points. Hollis Thompson scored 10 points, and Kyle Guy had 10 points. The Kings took a 47-39 lead into the second half.

In the second half, the Kings kept the offensive pressure on the Lakers by scoring 28 in the third. That would be better than the Lakers’ 24 in the third. Sacramento was in the driver’s set 75-63 going into the fourth quarter.

However, in the fourth, the Lakers made it interesting. They outscored the Kings 36-22, and in miraculous fashion, won 99-97. The main reason the Lakers pulled this one out was because of Jordan Howard. Howard, who came into the fourth quarter with 8 points, dropped 17 points to lead the Lakers with 25 points. Other notable Lakers scorers were Nick Perkins with 20 points and Devontae Cacok with 13 points.

The Kings were also on the receiving end of many good performances from their young players, but were sadly downed by the Lakers. The most notable Kings performance came from first-year guard Kyle Guy, who scored 14 points on the night. Wenyen Gabriel added 16 points to his California Classic resume. Semaj Christon had 13 points.

All four teams now head to Vegas to continue their NBA Summer League Slate.

California Classic Day 2 Recap

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By: Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — Tuesday was day two of the California Classic at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. On tap for Tuesday was the first game of the evening between the Golden State Warriors and LA Lakers at 6 PM PST. The second game was at 8 PM PST featured the hometown Sacramento Kings against the Miami Heat.

Game 1
The Warriors and Lakers were first up on the schedule Tuesday night.

The first half was pretty balanced with both teams putting together good offensive stretches. The first quarter quarter went back and forth with the Warriors edging the Lakers 25-24. In the second quarter, the Lakers took advantage of sloppy defense and outscored the Warriors 24-15. Leading the way in the first half was Lakers forward Zach Norvell Jr., who managed to put up 10 on 4-5 shooting. Leading the way for the Warriors was forward Malachi Richardson, who dropped 9 points for the Warriors in just over 7 minutes in the first half.

The second half featured the Lakers continuing to hold their lead and eventually win the game. The Golden State Warriors had moments where they pulled closer, but it was the Lakers’ scoring that ultimately propelled them to a victory. Halftime scoring leader Zach Norvell Jr. would put up another 10 points (20 points for the game) in the second to lead the Lakers to a 100-90 victory over the Warriors. Other Lakers who put up good numbers were Devontae Cacok (16 points), Joe Young (13 points), and Marcus Allen (10 points).

Leading the way for the losing Warriors was Eric Paschall (18 points), followed by Jacob Evans (13 points), and Damian Jones, Jordan Poole, Alen Smailagic–all with 10 points.

Game 2
The second game of the night was set with the Kings and Heat ready to take the floor.

In the first half, both teams got off to a slow start with the first points coming by the heat at the 8:10 mark of the first. The Kings immediately took a timeout to regroup before continuing the first half. The Heat played exceptional defense early on in this game keeping the Kings from open looks. The Kings’ first points of the night came at 7:41 with Kyle Guy hitting a three from the right start. From there, the Kings offense seemed to click. At the end of the second half, they scored 45 points and led the Heat 45-36.

Leading the way for the Kings in the first half was Kyle Guy (11 points), Semaj Christon (10 points), and Hollis Thompson (7 points).

Leading the way for the Heat was Yante Maten (8 points), and Kendrick Nunn (7 points).

In the second half, the Kings appeared to be on their way to another victory. They kept pace with the Heat in the third and carried a 71-63 lead into the final quarter, but things didn’t go the Kings way in the final 12 minutes. The Heat outscored the Kings 26-17 in the fourth to win the game at the buzzer 89-88. Leading the Heat to victory was Kendrick Nunn, who scored 27 points on 9-20 shooting. Also, another good Heat performance was by Yante Maten, who dropped 21 points.

Even in defeat, the Kings had some positive takeaways from day two of the California Classic. Hollis Thompson was the leading scorer for Sacramento with 18 points. Kyle Guy and Eric Mika both scored 13 points while Semaj Christon and Marcus Derrickson dropped 10 for Sac.

Up Next: Wednesday the California Classic wraps up with the Heat and Warriors playing at 12 PM PST and the Kings and Lakers squaring off at 2 PM PST.

California Classic Day 1 Recap

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @abscbnsports

By: Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — Golden One Center was ready on Monday night to welcome in the California Classic for the second time. Kings, Warriors, Heat, and Lakers fans began to descend upon the arena when the gates opened at 5 PM local time in Sacramento. On the slate for Monday evenings action was the first game of the Miami Heat facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers at 6 PM PST. On tap for the 8 PM game was the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors.

Game 1: Miami Heat vs. LA Lakers at 6 PM
In the first game the Heat and Lakers showcased their young talent. Even though the score doesn’t particularly matter in summer league action, the Heat drubbed the Lakers. The Lakers appeared to get off to a fast start in the first quarter, but fell behind in the later minutes and the Heat took the lead.

The Heat then began to pour it on in the next two quarters as the Lakers couldn’t muster anything on defense. At the end of the third the Lakers trailed the Heat 86-54. You could guess what happened the rest of the way. The Heat continued to put up points and down the Lakers 106-79.

However, if you’re reading this, you probably care more about which players put up the best numbers than what the score was. The Heat’s leading scorers were Tyler Herro (18 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists), Duncan Robinson (17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), and Charles Cooke (15 points, 2 rebounds).

The leading scorers for the Lakers were Rosco Allen (13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assists), and Zack Norwell Jr. (11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists).

Game 2: Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors at 8 PM
In the second game, it was time for the Kings and heat to see what their young talent and newly drafted players could do.

The first half would prove to be an up and down battle between both teams. The Warriors outscored the Kings in the first quarter 23-18, but then the Kings came back and outscored the Warriors 23-9 in the second quarter to take a lead into halftime. Leading scorers for the Kings in the first half were Wenyen Gabriel (11 points), and Hollis Thompson (8 points). Leading the way for the Warriors were Jimmer Fredette and Damian Jones, both with 7 points.

In the second half, it remained a close game with the Kings and Warriors trading baskets. The Kings were outscored by the Warriors 21-19 in the third. Going into the fourth, the Kings would still have the lead 60-53.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings faltered a bit to the Warriors. They allowed them to come back and take the lead midway through the quarter. However, Sacramento was able to battle back and secure the win 81 to 77 over the Warriors. The Kings’ notable scorers were Wenyen Gabriel (22 points), Hollis Thompson (11 points), and Semaj Christon (13 points). The Warriors’ notable scorers were Jacob Evans (18 Points), Damian Jones (14 Points), and Jimmer Fredette (14 points).

The Kings’ newly drafted prospects Kyle Guy and Justin James also logged good minutes. Guy scored 10 points and James scored 7 points in their Sacramento debuts.

Notes: Kings regulars De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley, Harry Giles and Bogdan Bogdanovic were all in attendance for the Kings game. Also in attendance was Kings legend Chris Webber.

Next Up: The California Classic continues on Tuesday with the Lakers facing the Warriors at 6 PM PST and the Heat facing the Kings at 8 PM PST.

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Could Pope and Bullock end up as Warriors?; How could 4 people get shot at Raptors parade?; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @WarriorNationCP

On the Headlines Podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 The Los Angeles Lakers, who signed Anthony Davis are looking for more, but so are the Golden State Warriors, who are looking at the Lakers’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Bullock. Will these additions at Golden State fill that void that the Warriors lacked during the final game of the NBA Finals?

#2 Regarding the shooting of four people at the Toronto Raptors parade in Toronto, does this indicate no one is safe anywhere and this could go down again if Toronto was to win again?

#3 The NBA Draft is coming up and the Sacramento Kings are expected to get some of the top picks. Where do they need to start from first?

#4 The Los Angeles Dodgers came back after dropping the first game of this three-game series with convincing wins, thanks to some great offense, On Tuesday night, the Dodgers got a 9-0 shutout and the Dodgers dominated again with a 9-2 win over the Giants on Wednesday night.

Tony Renteria does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: World Cup–US Women no match for Thailand in 13-0 blowout; Kings to host Summer League at Golden 1; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @BostonGlobe

On the Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 In the World Cup, US Women downed Thailand 13-0, Alex Morgan scored five goals and there was no mercy rule as the US Women kept pouring it on in Reims, France. The US took it to Thailand right from the kickoff.

#2 The win by the US topped the old record when Germany took it to Argentina in an 11-0 win in the 2007 World Cup.

#3 The Sacramento Kings will be hosting a California Classic Summer League at Golden 1 Center from July 1st through 3rd. Fans will get to take a look at the following teams: the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.

#4 With the Summer League coming up, where does Sacramento Kings head coach Luke Walton stand? He has been accused of sexual assault. His accuser is also holding the Warriors and Lakers legally responsible for the attacks. Is the Luke Walton case going to be a distraction or can Luke guide the Kings and get past it?

#5 The San Jose Earthquakes won a friendly 4-3 over Sacramento Republic FC on Tuesday night at Avaya Stadium. Earthquakes star Chris Wondolowski said that the team is in a zone a winning mental state right now, and even though it was like a preseason game, the Quakes are pushing to win and won’t take any prisoners right now.

#6 Former San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence hit another one off the fence for the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night against the Red Sox. Pence chalked up his 14th home run for an inside-the-park home run against the Boston Red Sox. Pence has been in the zone this season. He’s also got the Rangers clubhouse pretty loose right now.

London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Marvin Bagley III pops up in wiretaps about payments to recruit him to key schools

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

 

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Multiple reports have the name of Marvin Bagley III appearing in transcripts of wiretaps that indicate payments were needed to steer him to USC to play his college basketball. The money would have come from an athletic shoe company and would have been funneled through an assistant coach or a “wannabe” agent trying to establish himself in the representation business.

It is very important to note that Bagley III is not a person of interest in the case. He is in no way a subject of the investigation. There is no implication that Bagley III ever knew that any proposed payments were being offered for his services as a college player to align him with a specific shoe company as he transitioned into the NBA.

Marvin Bagley Jr. may be a focus of the investigation. It was reported that the Bagley’s filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2008 and appeared to have lost their home in Phoenix to foreclosure. In 2012, the family moved into a very upscale gated community in Southern California while Bagley III enrolled in a very expensive private school.

The implication is that Nike was very kind to Bagley Jr. and his club team Phoenix Phamily in Arizona. High-level AAU club team being supported by apparel companies for travel and shoes etc. is no secret. It has been done in the open for years. The fact that it has bled over to college recruiting is a logical progression.

This investigation is being driven by some junior assistant Federal Prosecutors who have seen the chance to make some big tabloid headlines because some big name basketball stars and their families are involved. This whole situation should be turned over to the NCAA to deal with and adjudicate. The Federal Prosecutors should be concentrating on things like Russian meddling in our elections.

In the meantime, the NBA could help stop this chaos by allowing 18-year old players to enter the draft without having to play a “sham” year at the college level. If the players do not get drafted, let them play in the G-League and develop their skills in the minor leagues like baseball has for years. It’s time for the NBA to step up and pay to develop their talent.

For Kings fans, do not fear. Marvin Bagley III is not going to go to jail. He is an innocent bystander in this situation. Marvin Bagley Jr. may have some legal issues. Only time will tell if he will have to deal with Federal Prosecutors for his actions.