Warriors down Nuggets in the preseason opener 107-105

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The Denver Nuggets watch the Golden State Warriors offense take lay ups and shots. The Warriors get a two point win to open the NBA exhibition season on Sat Dec 12, 2020 at Chase Center in San Francisco (photo from @warriors)

By Jerry Feitelberg

San Francisco- The Golden State Warriors opened the first of the three-game preseason with a win over the Denver Nuggets 107-105. It was the first game the Warriors had played since the NBA season stopped play last March. The Warriors had the worst record in the NBA last year. Injuries to key players and the loss of Kevin Durant, in a sign and trade deal to the Brooklyn Nets, caused the Dubs to flounder all season long.

The W’s superstar, Steph Curry, played in only five games last season. All-Star Klay Thompson did not play as he recovered from surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee. Klay will miss the entire 2020-2021 season due to a torn Achilles tendon. The Warriors traded for Kelly Oubre, Jr, to help make up for Klay’s absence. The team acquired Andrew Wiggins from the T-Wolves for D’Angelo Russell. Wiggins did not have a chance to work with Steph last season. The W’s are hoping that Oubre and Wiggins will fit in well with the Warriors’ scheme of attack.

The number one draft pick, James Wiseman, and the veteran forward, Draymond Green, were not available due to bouts with Covid-19. They should return soon. However, it might take time for them to blend in with the new players.

The Warriors are hoping for center Kevon Looney to stay healthy for the entire year. Looney had been saddled with injuries in his first four years with the team. W’s head coach Steve Kerr will have to determine who will be the starting center. Will it be Wiseman, Looney, or Marquiss Chriss. Chriss played well last year. In the five years, the W’s went to the NBA finals, they used three guys in the center position. They used Pachulia, JaVale McGee, and David West in the rotations. They hope to use the three bigs, in the same manner this year.

The W’s are hoping for improvement from the second-year player, Jordan Poole. Poole worked hard in the off-season to add new dimensions to his game. Damion Lee, Brad Wanamaker, Kent Bazemore will be fighting to get playing times this season. These four players will get time on the second unit. Another player who is trying to make the team is Mychal Mulder. Mulder did well last year late in the season.

Players on the bubble know that they have to make the most of their opportunities when they get into the game.

How did they do? The Warriors’ first game was against the Denver Nuggets at the Chase Center Saturday night. Steve Kerr and his staff are looking to see what players will make the team. The W’s had a formidable opponent. The Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2020 playoffs. They couldn’t handle the Lakers, but they are an outstanding team led by center Nikola Jokic.

The Warriors started Kevon Looney at center, Eric Paschall, who made the 1st team-NBA all-rookie team in 2020, was one of the forwards, Kelly Oubre, Jr the other forward, Andrew Wiggins, and Steph Curry were the guards.

How did they perform? Looney had eight points, six rebounds, and three assists. Paschall eight points, seven boards, and three assists. Oubre ten points, Wiggins eight, Steph 10. Steph made two threes in 22 minutes of actions. The subs did well too, Bazemore knocked down 13, Damion Lee twelve in eleven minutes of action. Brad Wanamaker, signed as a free agent, had eight. Jordan Poole 10, and Mychal Mulder 10 in 10 minutes of work.

Jokic led Denver with 26. Gary Harris 11, Paul Millsap 8, Jamal Murray 4. Backup guard Monte Morris added 10.

The Warriors play the next two preseason games against the Kings in Sacramento on December 15th and 17th. They open the season against the Brooklyn Nets on December 22nd. They will face their old teammate Kevin Durant who will be making his debut as a Net. It will be a must-watch game.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Superbowl Wayne: Colts, Rivers have won five of last six as Raiders prepare to host this Sunday

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The Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt (99) gets a second half sack on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) on Sun Dec 6, 2020 in Houston (AP News photos)

On the Raiders podcast with Superbowl Wayne:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders (7-5) in their last game in New Jersey at the Meadowlands against the New York Jets (0-12) needless to say shocked the nation when Raiders quarterback Derek Carr  with a Hail Mary comeback touchdown pass with 26 seconds left in the game for a 46 yard pass to wide Henry Ruggs III for the game winning touchdown.

#2 The Raiders had a lead against the Jets in the first half 17-13 but the second half the Raiders didn’t score in the third quarter and the Jets got 15 points in the fourth quarter before Carr’s game saving touchdown pass to get Vegas by the Jets.

#3 Carr threw well enough to win the game 381 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. But it was his pass to Ruggs III to win the game will be the play everybody will remember.

#4 The Raiders host the Indianapolis Colts (8-4) this Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise. This will be the Raiders first home game in three weeks after getting crushed by the Atlanta Falcons(4-8) in the first leg of their road trip before narrowly winning against the Jets last Sunday. The Raiders no doubt are looking for a little home cooking.

#5 Indianapolis Colts have won four of their last six games. The Colts quarterback Phillip Rivers has been doing a bang up job for Indianapolis in his last game he and the Colts beat a well prepared Houston Texans (4-8) team in a close contest 26-20. Rivers threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans.

Superbowl Wayne filled in for Rich Perez on the Raiders podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: 49ers @ Cowboys game for Dec 20th moved to 10 AM from prime time Sunday Night Football package

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton’s (14) body language says it all another rough day on the field this time against the visiting Baltimore Ravens in a rough loss in Dallas on NFL Tuesday Night Football Dec 8, 2020 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The NFL moved both the Dallas Cowboys (3-9) and San Francisco 49ers (5-7) prime time game on Sun Dec 20th from 5:20pm on NBC. Sunday Night Football to 10 AM on CBS because both teams lost last Sunday hurting their playoff chances.

#2 The 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said he was disappointed with the change and was looking forward to playing the Cowboys in prime time but said “It is what it is”

#3 The December 20th game also would not have feature 49ers starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo or the Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott both who are injured.

#4 Team Washington (5-7) starting quarterback Alex Smith for this Sunday Dec 13th’s game in Arizona. Smith a former quarterback for the 49ers at 36 years old has reinvented himself.

#5 Washington has won four straight including their last game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-1) 23-17 last Sunday which ended the Steelers 11 game undefeated win streak.

Join Jeremiah for the 49ers podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Cal-Washington State canceled before kickoff due to COVID issue

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By Morris Phillips

The Cal Bears were supposed to enjoy an exemplary season on the football field. Instead, their season was wrecked by COVID-19 in a such a devastating manner the conversation has regarding their fate has gone national.

And the likely final chapter to their story? The cancelation of Saturday’s game in Pullman against Washington State just two hours before the kickoff due to a Cal lineman registering a positive test on Saturday morning.

In accordance with Pac-12 contact tracing protocol, the positive test triggered the quarantine of additional players at the same position leaving the Bears below the required six scholarship players at that position. With those additional players quaranteened for two weeks, the Bears are unlikely to be able to field a team next weekend either, likely ending their season.

The Cal administration and Coach Justin Wilcox issued a statement that they would not immediately comment on the situation. What is known, the Bears traveled to Pullman Friday, but never took the field for warm-ups on Saturday and abruptly flew back to the Bay Area during the window in which the game was to be played.

“We’re always going to err on the side of caution as a conference,” WSU athletic director Pat Chun said.

That caution has hatched a bunch of critics of the Pac-12 who have had a string of cancelations combined with a delayed time frame allowing no weekend for makeups. Consequently, the Pac-12 season will end next weekend (with opponents still to be determined) with few of the schools completing as many as seven games the truncated season aimed for.

The Bears are currently 1-3 and can’t finish with at least a .500 record ruling out a bowl game appearance. Their COVID situation could hampet another team’s season-ending weekend as well as the conference has ruled out member teams playing outside competition.

NBA is back Kings get clobbered by Blazers in Portland 127-102

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) and Portland Trailblazers Damian Lillard (0) watch the play fold in front of them in Portland on Fri Dec 11, 2020 (nba.com photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The NBA is back! Most of the teams in the league came back into action for pre season play. The Sacramento Kings would be one of those teams. The Kings on a two game visit to Portland lost the first of the two on Friday night 127-102.

Kings fans come into this season trepidatious at best. The Kings had an off-season that could be described as turbulent. They fired their General Manager Vlade Divac, signed De’Aaron Fox to a max extension, lost Bogdan Bogdanovic to free agency, and tried to repair a shattered Buddy Hield relationship. All of this had taken place since the bubble in Orlando saw the Kings fly home.

The expectations for this year are tempered. The Kings didn’t do much to get better in the offseason. They are hoping that a young core including a healthy Marvin Bagley who can make a splash in a crowded conference.

The Kings took on the Portland Trail Blazers in their first matchup of the preseason. The results weren’t great. The Kings didn’t play well on defense. They allowed Blazers to score 127 points. Carmelo Anthony led the way in scoring for the Blazers with 21 points while recently departed King Harry Giles led the way in rebounds with 14.

For the Kings, who managed to put up only 102 points received 23 of those from Buddy Hield. Nemanja Bjelica led the way with seven rebounds for the Kings. The Kings allowed the Blazers to score 41 points in the first quarter to dig themselves an early hole. The Kings look to have a better performance in their next game on Sunday night.

Next up: The Kings will take on the same Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday at 6PM PST.

 

 

San Jose State Spartans game wrap: Gaels Win Sixth In A Row Handily Beating San Jose State 96-61

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The St Mary’s Gaels forward Sam Fotu (42) drives on San Jose Spartans center Hugo Clarkin (5) on Fri Dec 11, 2020 at McKeon Pavilion in Moraga (smcgaels.com photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the San Jose Spartans took on the St. Mary’s Gaels at McKeon Pavilion. St. Mary’s came into the game with a 5-1 record while San Jose’s record is 1-0 due to the cancellations they have experienced this year. The Gaels are riding high winning five games in a row. They most recently beat the University of Texas at EL Paso. Their only loss came at the hands of Memphis 73-56.

The San Jose Spartans handled Fresno Pacific by the score of 87-79. A win tonight for the Spartans would mean a second straight victory as well as their first win over the Gaels since 2000.

The Spartans would be looking for another explosive performance by sophomore Omari Moore and Richard Washington who had 38 points against Fresno Pacific. All eyes will be on this power duo. Right now the Spartans are the No. 1 ranked team in the nation in defensive rebounding.

The Spartans will be without 4 players in this game although it has not been announced that any of them have covid. Seneca Knight is one of those players which is a blow for San Jose. The Spartans were looking at a very real challenge in this game.

The Gaels will be highlighting Tommy Kuhse, one of their offensive leaders, who had 24 points in their latest win against UTEP. St. Mary’s will also be counting on Matthias Tass and Alex Ducas to carry their offense. Right now the Gaels are a high-scoring team recording 72 or more points in each of their last four games. Head Coach Randy Bennett is 7-0 against San Jose.

It was a very tough start for the Spartans trailing from the start of the game. It was all St. Mary’s as they took a 57-27 lead into the locker room. Nine different Gaels scored in the first half shooting 68 percent which gave them a 30 point lead.

In the first half the only Spartan that had shot in double digits was Richard Washington with 13 points. It was the dominating Gaels that had two players in double digits: Matthias Tass with 11 and Dan Fotu with 11. The Gaels had a combined 25 points off the bench while the Spartans only had 7.

Midway through the second half the Spartans were trailing 77-42 and they struggled to get anything going against the powerhouse Gaels. The Spartans got some nice play from Washington and Moore with 35 combined points but it was the Gael’s bench with the combined 30 points of Tass and Fotu that did San Jose in. The final score was a shocking 96-61. San Jose will be facing Cal Poly Sunday with tip off at 1:00.

 

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: 2020 Worse News for Baseball? –No Minor Leagues–

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Reno Aces ballpark the Triple A team in Reno NV announced they will return for the 2021 season in a press release Dec 9th, 2020. The Aces are an affiliate for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Aces are a survivor of many of the minor league teams who are being cut in MLB (sierrasun.com file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball, after all, came out “very well”, during an abbreviated 60-game season, compared to other sports, playing during a worldwide Pandemic. But (in case some forgot) there was no Minor League Baseball in 2020.

As of 2018 there were 14 ML-affiliated Minor League teams. A total of 160 teams in large, medium and small markets across the country and also in Canada, plus a total 80 teams in three ML-affiliated rookie leagues in Arizona, Florida and the Dominican Republic.

It was on June 30, 2020 that it was announced there was not going to be Minor League Baseball this year. The announcement explained that the season had been shelved because Major League Baseball will not provide players. It was the first time the Minor League season was cancelled since the Minor Leagues were founded in 1901.

However, it was actually in (pre-covid) 2019 that Major League Baseball were planning to eliminate 42 Minor League teams, most in the lowest levels, with more than half of those 42 either at the Rookie League level or Short-Season, Class A. MiLB (Minor League Baseball) also is a revenue-generating business. Most minor league teams are not owned by major league clubs, but they have contracts as affiliates.

Generally teams in organized minor league baseball are generally owned and operated independently but most are directly affiliated with a major league team. Very important Milb, because they have contracts with MLB teams for player development. Because of what happened in 2020, MLB teams lost hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and therefore had furlough employees, some were told their services terminate at the end of this year.

In the Minor League with zero games played, and even with some payroll protection loans issued early, more jobs were lost. If MLB suffered by playing 60-games in 2020, you can imagine how much the Minor Leagues suffered with no season at all, not one game played. It is very important for baseball to keep their minor league structure for the future.

The game of baseball needs a lot of practice, repetition, seasoning “if you will” of their young talent. All players in the Minor League system have one goal. To be promoted to the Big Leagues, as simple as that. When I was playing as a kid in Cuba with my brother, or just playing catch with my father and on teams in the area.

I always dreamed of playing for a Major League team, I do not recall as a kid I ever dreamed of playing for the Cuban Sugar Kings of the Triple-A, International League, although that was a popular league as well as the Winter Leagues, kids dreams always relate to their Major League teams and stars, heroes.

Baseball has been always like that, and hopefully it will continue. We must remember than the overwhelming majority of the Major League stars began their professional careers and ascent to the Big Show in…yes, the Minor Leagues.

You cannot over emphasize the importance of the Minor Leagues. I can only hope 2021 will be played normally, and that there is a Minor League with younger players ready to come-up to the big team.

We all talk about how terrible 2020 has been, but we also must be positive and realize that we are ending this year with sort of a miracle. The development and approval of covid-19 vaccines, which took around 9 month from beginning to completion.

What Warp Speed Operation accomplished was unprecedented in the history of vaccines, we should be grateful that because of these vaccines (in days made available) millions of lives will be saved in the US and around the world, and this is exactly the news Baseball wanted to hear prior to 2021 Spring Training in Arizona and Florida, which is just two months and a couple of weeks away.

The Minority: These are some well known Major League Players, (some in the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown) who never played in the Minor Leagues. They came directly from High School or College to the Big Show: Al Kaline, Sandy Koufax, Bob Feller, Harmon Killebrew, George Sisler, Frankie Frisch, Joe Nuxall, Dick Groat, Dave Winfield, Mike McCormick, Mel Ott, Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Herb Washington.

Felíz Hanukkah and Felíz Navidad

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: Alex Smith having success and fitting in as starter for Team Washington

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He’s come along way since this Aug 25, 2020 photo at the Washington training facility but  Washington quarterback who has won four straight games under center will be paying his old team the San Francisco 49ers a visit on Sun Dec 13, 2020 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale AZ (AP News file photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has really fit in really well with Team Washington.

#2 Since taking over he’s completed 69% of his passes and has won in four straight games for Washington.

#3 Joe last week against Buffalo the 49ers just had that one rough second quarter when the Bills scored 17 points and the 49ers were shutout.

#4 Bill quarterback Josh Allen had an afternoon against the 49ers 375 yards and four touchdowns. The 49ers pass rush just couldn’t get to him and he had time to keep or throw.

#5 Washington seems to have caught fire winning five of their last six games including their last win against the Pittsburgh Steelers that ended the Steelers 11 game undefeated win streak.

Join J Hawkes each Friday morning for the 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Tale of the two halves defense picked up in second half Cal still lost

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Cal Bears Matt Bradley takes a free throw shot against the Pepperdine Waves Wednesday night in Malibu. This was Cal’s second straight road trip as they return back to Berkeley on Saturday against USF (calbears.com photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, how big is it for Cal that they didn’t have to suffer too many postponed games, rescheduled games and pretty much rely on playing their home games at Haas Pavilion during this very strict Covid-19 shutdown.

#2 In Cal’s last game men’s basketball game at Pepperdine it was the tale of the two halves. The first half the Pepperdine dominated with a 44-30 whereas Cal improved the defense in the second half with the Waves just edging out Cal 32-30 but as you know it’s what the scoreboard shows at the end of the game as it was 74-62 Pepperdine.

#3 All things considered Michael did that second half show any improvements for Cal as they played a close second half against a very good Waves team who have made handy work of post season tournaments.

#4 Cal has now lost two straight including a loss to UCLA the game before Pepperdine they come back to Haas Pavilion for Saturday night’s game against USF (4-2). The Dons have won four straight after going 0-2. Knowing how well coached USF is how do you see this match up on Saturday?

#5 Michael talk about two of Cal’s top scorers from Wednesday’s game Grant Anticevich with 21 points and Matt Bradley who lead Cal with 27 points they had to work hard against the Waves.

Join Michael for Cal podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headlines Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: NHL plans for 52 game schedule with lots of bubbles; Jackson is back as Ravens get big win; plus more

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The NHL announced they will play a 52 game schedule that opens the regular season on Jan 13th 2021 with bubble sites for each division (fathead.com image photo)

On Headlines with Jessica:

#1 The NHL is planning to open the regular season on Jan 13th with a 52 game schedule using divisions playing each other and each division will be in a bubble. That includes all seven Canadian teams will stay in Canada and play in a bubble there. The schedule format is also planned to be a baseball schedule style three game series.

#2 The current pandemic has discussion for a 2020-21 season in a tentative position right now as things could change. No details on how post season would be handled but with Covid-19 the NHL plans to use every precaution to get the season underway and work.

#3 Jessica, the Baltimore Ravens(7-5) a big win over the Dallas Cowboys (3-9) 34-17 on Tuesday Night Football LeMar Jackson playing since being out from the Ravens last game Dec 2nd for Coronavirus related issues. Jackson on Tuesday threw for 107 yards two touchdowns.

#4 The NFL has played or will play their all sevens days of the week as the Ravens did last week on Wednesday night Dec 2nd and Tuesday. It’s rarity in the NFL but the 2020 season has brought the seven day football schedule. Will this be a regular schedule going forward the NFL is just trying to get this season finished before any further considerations.

#5 The NFL has not decided whether or not to play it’s post season in a bubble. The players union has talked to the players and they haven’t decided what to do yet. There have been a number of cases of Covid-19 infections during the regular season as teams travel from city to city. A bubble will keep everybody in one place but the players have not made a decision if that’s the way they’ll go.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports podcasts every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com