Mike Can Coach!: Malone makes history in Nuggets 128-110 win over the Kings

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Doing big things after leaving the Sacramento Kings has a familiar ring. Isaiah Thomas, DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo did that. Tyrese Haliburton is a pretty good bet to do that. And Mike Malone might be the best example of that and he’s not even an NBA player.

Remember Malone? Not even his working relationship and belief in the mercurial Cousins could save his head coaching job eight years ago. The Kings fired Malone in 2015 after the team went 39-67 in a rough season and a sluggish start to the next. And Malone picked himself up and moved to Denver, where he’s won 300 games in seven seasons, culminating with the milestone win at Golden 1 Center Thursday night, 128-110 over the Kings.

“This is a tough business,” a proud Malone said after the game. “I got fired in my first job. I’ve seen my father get fired. This business is not for the weak-minded. Here’s to 300 more.”

That Malone has racked up the wins in Denver with a defensive mindset, and a versatile center who plays like Cousins in reigning MVP Nikola Jokic couldn’t sit well with the Kings’ leadership. While Malone continues to do with Denver what many think he could have done in Sacramento had there been more patience, the Kings are floundering defensively, allowing a league-worst 115 points per game after allowing 128 in their first game since the All-Star break.

“Against a team like that, if you turn it over they’re going to convert on the other end. In that fourth quarter they made a couple of 3s in a row that really hurt us,” Domantas Sabonis said.

The Kings trailed by as many as 13 points in the third, but rallied to within five, 92-87 at the end of the quarter. But the hosts became even more generous in the fourth, allowing 36 points as Denver ran away.

Jokic led the Nuggets with 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists as his 34 minutes of floor time was the only hindrance to him posting a triple-double. Will Barton and Monte Morris added 31 and 19 points respectively as Malone’s big victory was engineered by his three, most tenured players.

Sabonis led the Kings 33 points and 14 rebounds, and his 15 for 23 shooting was a major reason the Kings stayed within range for three quarters. De’Aaron Fox had 20, and Harrison Barnes 14 giving the Kings a balanced attack, inside and out. What hurt them was 20 misfires from distance, with ten, different Kings missing at least one 3-point attempt.

“We have to shoot the ball better,” coach Alvin Gentry said. “We had a lot of open looks we missed and they came down and converted. That’s where the separation starts.”

The Kings fell to 22-39 with 21 games remaining in their season. Their prospects for a 10th place finish aren’t great, but they could improve if the club can win at New Orleans and San Antonio next week, two of the three clubs ahead of them in the standings that must be displaced.

CRISIS IN UKRAINE TOUCHES SACRAMENTO: Kings’ center Alex Len and Svi Mykhailiuk of the Toronto Raptors issued a joint statement before the game that impassionately placed both natives of Ukraine in support of their homeland in the face of the Russian invasion of the Eastern Europe country.

“We pray for our families, friends, relatives and all the people who are in the territory of Ukraine. We hope for an end to this terrible war as soon as possible. Dear fellow Ukrainians, hold on! Our strength is our unity! We are with you.”

Sharks Beat Islanders 4-3 in SO, End Losing Streak

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New York Islanders defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) tries to get his stick and arms around San Jose Sharks right wing Timo Meier (28) at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Feb 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE- The San Jose Sharks defeated the New York Islanders 4-3 in a shootout Thursday night. The win ended a seven-game losing streak for the Sharks. James Reimer made 44 saves for the win in his ninth start in a row. Logan Couture, Jasper Weatherby and Alexander Barabanov scored for the Sharks. Brock Nelson, Zach Parise and Adam Pelech scored for New York. Ilya Sorokin made 25 saves in the loss.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner talked about James Reimer’s iron man streak in the Sharks net:

“Yeah, it’s a lot of hockey he’s played. Traditionally, if you look at [Reimer]’s career, he’s been such a good goalie in this league for a long time. But playing, I don’t know how many it is now, let’s call it eight, nine, ten in a row, you know, he’s not necessarily been in that position a lot. And, you know, he’s coming up with timely saves and he’s battling just as hard as everybody else and finding ways.”

Brock Nelson opened the scoring at 14:56 of the first. With almost all of the skaters on the left side of the ice, Scott Mayfield sent the puck all the way around the boards to an undefended Nelson. Nelson’s shot went over Reimer’s shoulder on the far side. Assists went to Mayfield and Kieffer Bellows.

Alexander Barabanov tied it up with a power play goal at 15:55, just six seconds into the man advantage. His shot came from above the face-off circle and went through traffic. Assists went to Brent Burns and Tomas Hertl.

Jasper Weatherby gave the Sharks a lead at 17:32. Holding the puck along the boards as if looking for a pass, he opted to send it to the net where it found its way in. An assist went to Jeffrey Viel.

Zach Parise tied it back up at 12:48 of the second period. Sebastian Aho carried the puck down below the goal line before making the pass to Parise just above the blue paint. Aho and Matthew Barzal got the assists.

Logan Couture made it 3-2 on the power play at 16:31. Couture’s shot went through traffic and past Sorokin on the stick side. Assists went to Ryan Merkley and Tomas Hertl.

Adam Pelech tied it again just 19 seconds later, shooting from the slot through a mass of bodies. Assists went to Barzal and Parise.

Half way through the third period, the shots were 10-0 Islanders. At 13 minutes in, it was 12-0. There were fewer than six minutes left by the time the Sharks got a shot on goal. Overall, the Sharks were outshot after the first period 30-13. The Sharks had one shot in overtime to the Islanders’ four.

James Reimer stopped all three shots in the shootout and Logan Couture scored. Ilya Sorokin stopped a shot from Tomas Hertl.

Thursday, Zdeno Chara surpassed Chris Chelios for the most games played by an NHL defenseman. He marked the occasion by fighting Jeffrey Viel. After the game, Sharks defenseman Jacob Middleton said: “What he’s done for so long in this league is just so impressive. Still, at 44 he’s someone, night in and night out, is a presence and plays the right way and the leader he is. Everything he does is impressive.” Of Viel’s fight, he said: “That’s pretty impressive. Chara asked him too, from the sounds of it. So, for Viel to say yes, and go with a guy who’s that big, it just did give us some life on the bench, that’s for sure.”

Nicolas Meloche was injured late in the first period during a board battle with Zach Parise. He left the ice favoring his right side and did not return to the game.

The Sharks next play on Saturday at 7:00 PM PT at home against the Boston Bruins.

Warriors Open Second Half With Dominating Win: Golden State 132-Portland 95

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, gets ready to shoot the underhand shot against the Portland Trail Blazers forward Trendon Watford in Portland on Thu Feb 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Open Second Half With Dominating Win: Golden State 132-Portland 95

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (43-17) took on the Portland Trail Blazers (25-35). Going into the All-Star break the Warriors had lost four of five games and badly needed this time off to re-group heading into the second half of the season.

Hopefully Stephen Curry will go into the remainder of the season the same way that he went into the All-Star game. It was raining three’s in the All-Star game for Curry and that’s exactly what they need to see in tonight’s game.

The rest that the team got in this break will undoubtedly benefit the Warriors as they look ahead to the post season. The Warriors will have their work cut out for them in this game. While the Trail Blazers are short-handed without Damian Lilliard and the trade of CJ McCollum they are still a dangerous team with Anfernee Simons the 2018 first round pick.

In the first quarter the Warriors began to pile up the personal fouls. They were having trouble containing Anfernee Simons and Josh Hart. The Trail Blazers took a 22-14 lead mid-way through the quarter which was cut short when the Warriors started to heat up.

Even though Portland was short-handed they did not look at all like the underdogs. The Trail Blazers were shooting at 72% looking very good offensively. It was not a great start for Golden State although they did make up a ten point deficit to trail by a single point after shooting 42%. Portland led after twelve minutes 32-31.

Going into the second quarter, the Warriors had turned a corner and gotten into a good rhythm. After a slow start the Warriors had taken the lead 40-35 in the opening minutes of the quarter. The Warriors had completely flipped this game leading by double digits 52-38 at 7:22.

The Trail Blazers were shooting at one point in this game at 72% but were having some real offensive trouble in the second quarter. Portland made a push at the end of the first half trailing 70-57 cutting a twenty point deficit to thirteen.

Curry had 18 points and ten assists in the first half. The Warriors were very aggressive in the second quarter. Jonathan Kuminga got to the free throw line ten times. The Blazers Anfernee Simons finished the half with 21 points.

The Warriors only had six turnovers and were playing some great defense. After shooting at 72 % in the first quarter, Portland finished the second half shooting 43%. The Warriors had taken control of this game at the half.

Portland is coming off a four game winning streak and they would be coming after the Warriors in the second half of this game. With 4:17 left in the third quarter the Warriors took their largest lead of the game 91-68.

After a very slow start, Andrew Wiggins came to the party with ten points in the quarter. The Splash brothers had 18 points apiece, leading after three 100-73. Off the bench Jonathan Kuminga had 15 points. Curry was right in the middle of every possession with 14 assists.

It was all Warriors in the second half. You could not have asked for more offensively and defensively from Golden State. They had 18 players in double digits. The final was 132-95.

Curry and Klay Thompson finished with 18 points each. Kevon Looney and Wiggins finished with ten points apiece. Another great game for the Warriors bench. Kuminga had 17 and Jordan Poole with 15 points.

This was a great way for the Warriors to start the second part of the season. They have a very challenging upcoming schedule and need to take it one game at a time.

Sunday afternoon the Warriors will be taking on the Dallas Mavericks. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Will the rest of Mickelson’s sponsors walk out on him; Holmes could be on his way out at Kings; plus more

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Phil Mickelson seen here during the third round at the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course on May 22, 2021. Mickelson this week lost two of his sponsors because on controversial remarks made possibly joining a Saudi super golf league (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports with Tony Renteria:

#1 After golfer Phil Mickelson’s remarks in his new autobiography that were actually suppose to be off the record according to Mickelson saying that the idea of a Super Golf league in Saudi Arabia would be a great idea and saying he was aware of human rights abuses in Saudi including the death of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi who was murdered on Oct 2, 2018 by Saudi and Turkish officials in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul that he would like to join a Saudi Super golf league. After the remarks were published Mickelson’s sponsors Heineken and Amstel dropped him. Because of the heavy fall out of the remarks do you think Mickelson could lose the rest of his sponsors?

#2 Talk to the hand: The Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard has received a tsunami of coverage since his open slap to the head of the Wisconsin Cowboys assistant coach Jake Krabbenhoft after the line hand shake last Sun Feb 20th. Howard who was suspended for the rest of the season and fined $40,000. Howard will be back in front of the bench on March 9th for the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.

#3 Tony talk about former Oakland A’s pitcher Goose Gossage who said this week that he would to stuff Yankees general manager Brian Cashman in the trash bin head first for using analytics saying “it breaks my heart what happened to this game.” Gossage said he would like to punch MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in the nose. Baseball writer Bob Nightengale wrote “what is Gossage doing these days? Nothing but burning bridges.”

#4 How much danger does baseball get into if they can’t get an agreement this Sunday and as announced by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred the beginning of the season March 31st could you see one to three weeks of the regular canceled?

#5 The Sacramento Kings after picking up Domantas Sabonis most likely will trade Richaun Holmes. If that happens Holmes would have played for the Kings for three seasons since the 2019-20 Holmes is averaging 11 points per game.

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

Cal Bears podcast with Michael Duca: Cal squares off against Stanford Saturday for last home game of season

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Utah guard Gabe Madsen (55) drives to the basket against California guard Jordan Shepherd (31) at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Feb 19, 2022. Cal concludes their regular home season against the Stanford Cardinal Sat Feb 26, 2022 at UC Berkeley (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael, the Cal Bears (11-17) struggled throughout much of their game against the Utah Utes (11-16) on Saturday but towards the end of the game Cal cut the Utes lead to two but the Utes were able to defend and hang on for the 60-58 win.

#2 The Utes didn’t have a field goal in six minutes but were still able to keep the lead right there did the Bears just fail to execute and take advantage?

#3 Cal got close twice coming within two points the first time was with 19 seconds left in the game and the Utes Lazar Stefanovic hit a pair of free throws before the Bears Jalen Celestine canned a three with five seconds remaining and Utah escaped.

#4 The Bears missed eight of their last 10 shots, and went more than four minutes without a field goal before Celestine’s three pointer in the final seconds. 

#5 The Stanford Cardinal (15-12) are next for the Bears they have lost five of their last seven games and lost their last game to the Colorado Buffaloes (18-9) 70-53. The Cardinal have been hurting on scoring Michael how do you see Stanford at Cal this Saturday night at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley?

Join Michael for the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Condors power past Barracuda 6-3

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The San Jose Barracuda dropped their ninth out ten games against the Bakersfield Condors on Wed Feb 23, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose (image from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE— When you play with fire you usually get burned.

The San Jose Barracuda got into penalty trouble and the Bakersfield Condors made them pay in a convincing 6-3 win on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose have lost nine of its last 10 games. Bakersfield snapped its three-game losing streak.

The Condors were in control from the start of the game and forced the Barracuda to chase the game early on, which they could not recover from.

Bakersfield (21-12-4-4) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Luke Esposito centered a pass from the behind the net over to Raphael Lavoie who roofed a wrist shot to the short side past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his 12th goal of the season at the 4:46 mark.

The Condors doubled its lead on the power play under two minutes later. Yanni Kaldis set up Seth Griffith who sniped home a wrist shot for his team leading 18th goal of the season at the 6:22 mark.

Griffith, the AHL’s fifth leading scorer, has been on a hot streak with 16 points over his past 12 games. He has 14 points in 14 games against San Jose.

Bakersfield scored its third unanswered goal of the period near the halfway mark of the opening frame. Michael Kesselring’s shot from the right point was redirected past Melnichuk by James Hamblin for his 12th goal of the season at the 9:18 mark.

“We came out flat against a team and they took advantage of it,” ‘Cuda head coach Sommer said. “They basically put the game away in two periods and sat back in the third (period).”

San Jose (15-28-1-0) answered back with a power play goal late in the period. Nick Merkley centered a pass from behind the net and Jayden Halbgewachs beat Condor’s goalie Stuart Skinner with a one-timer to the short side for his 13th goal of the season at the 15:16 mark.

Bakersfield regained its three-goal lead 27 seconds into the second period. Dmitri Samorukov centered a pass to a trailing Dino Kambeitz who fired home a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his sixth goal of the season. Kambeitz has scored in back-to-back games.

The Condors continued their dominance with its second power play goal of the game. Dylan Holloway set up Griffith along the right slot and Griffith blasted a shot past Melnichuk for his second goal of the game and 19th of the season at the 3:24 mark.

Halbgewachs scored his second goal of the game when he cleaned up a rebound off of a Jake McGrew shot for his 14th goal of the season at the 8:19 mark.

Bakersfield responded back right away as a turnover in the neutral zone led to a break for the Condors. Cooper Marody set up Tim Schaller who beat Melnichuk with a wrist shot for his seventh goal of the season at the 9:57 mark.

“Without scoring, without defending down in our own end, we’re not going to win games. Right now (we need) everybody trying to buy in and we gotta give it our all to win games. We keep coming up short,” Halbgewachs said.

Sommer pulled Melnichuk after giving six goals on 15 shots and replaced him with Zachary Emond.

San Jose scored its second power play goal of the game near the halfway mark of the third period. Merkley skated in from the left wing a wired a wrist shot to the far side past Skinner for his eighth goal of the season at the 8:19 mark.

Merkley has scored in back-to-back games for the ‘Cuda.

Skinner, the ‘Cuda killer, finished the game stopping 21 of the 24 shots he faced to earn the victory. Emond made was perfect in mop up duty stopping all seven shots he faced.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-5 on the power play. Bakersfield was 2-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Griffith 2) Halbgewachs 3) Schaller

Center Lane Pederson recorded two assists in his first game with San Jose since being placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks and being assigned to the Barracuda on Tuesday as the Sharks recalled Jasper Weatherby.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Bakersfield battle it out again next Wednesday 3/2 at 7:00pm at Solar4America Ice.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Flores left millions on table won’t drop lawsuit; Packers Rogers hedging Adams staying on whether he’ll stay or not; plus more

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Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross (left) and Dolphins former coach Brian Flores walk off the field after a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Miami on Oct 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

On Headlines Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said that he declined to sign a separation notice after leaving the Dolphins that would have silenced him from speaking out about the team discriminating by firing him. Flores by not singing the separation notice left millions of dollars behind but it also freed him up to speak out against the Dolphins firing him.

#2 Green Bay Packers Aaron Rogers quarterback said that he’s not sure if he’s returning next season. One of the key things that could keep Rogers in Green Bay is if the Packers sign wide receiver Devante Adams. Adams is to become a free agent in March and a lot hinges on Adams coming back to keep Rogers in Green Bay.

#3 In the MLB lockout negotiations the players union agreed to go down from 80% to 75% of the players that could go for arbitration after two seasons but wanted to up on the minimum salary structure. MLB saw this as a step back as the two side who met Tuesday are digging in.

#4 Its hard to believe Jessica but a 1997-98 Kobe Bryant Metal Gems card sold for $2 million to a private buyer the deal was brokered by PWCC Marketplace the deal was the highest purchase for a Kobe basketball card.

#5 Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was said to be using the NBA All Star game last Sunday to put the Lakers on notice that he might want a trade in the off season. LeBron 37 is in the last year of his contract and said that he wanted to go out playing with his son before he retires and said during the All Star break that he would consider coming back to Cleveland to finish his career.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Popular A’s Players could be Traded

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Oakland A’s slugger Matt Chapman could be on the trade block once the lockout is over along with many other key A’s players (AP file photo)

Popular A’s Players could be Traded

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–As the negotiations continue this week in Jupiter, Florida, between MLB and the MLPA, there are potential trades. These trades cannot happen until the Collective Bargaining Agreement is agreed on by both sides by the owners and players.

The negotiations continue this week in Jupiter, Florida and according to Commissioner Rob Manfred if by the 28th of this month they do not come to an agreement, games scheduled to begin on March 31 (Opening Day) season would be in jeopardy and MLB games would begin to be cancelled every day and taken off the schedule. If the lockout continues.

Some big names are still on the trading block, although not much is happening at this time. Perhaps the biggest name is that of World Champions Atlanta Braves, first baseman Freddy Freeman.

The Braves offered him a five year $135 million contract, but is reported he is looking for a six-year deal. Hard to see how the Atlanta Braves cannot resign him. There still time for the Braves to keep one of their most popular players since Hank Aaron in Atlanta.

As far as the A’s, these established players could be on the move, (not necessarily all of them)  Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Sean Manaea, Chris Bassitt, Frankie Montás and Lou Trivino. A fire sale?  It could happen, as the A’s are looking to trim payroll and hope to remain competitive with a load of prospects that they would receive in return.

#1 Most probable to leave Oakland: Matt Olson who could is in high demand. If the Atlanta Braves  cannot resign their All Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, Atlanta is a good place for him after all he was born there, 27 years ago.

Another place for Olson, the New York Yankees, who might not be able to keep Anthony Rizzo at first base. Matt Olson ended tied for #5 in home runs in the American League (2021) with 39. Olson has won two Gold Gloves and three Fielding Bible Awards, and was an All-Star in 2021.

Right after the 2021 season ended and prior to MLB lockout on December 2, the Yankees were first to show interest in the slugger, who could be a menace at Yankee Stadium, where the ball really flies to right field.

#2 Possibility: Matt Chapman, one of the best third basemen in the game who has won three Gold Gloves, the Yankees were rumored to seek his services, Chapman defensive reputation is such, that the Yankees brass believe they could even use him as their everyday shortstop.

Other teams include: Seattle, Tampa Bay, Colorado, LA Dodgers and Toronto. However, Chapman is an arbitration eligible player with two more years of control by the A’s. He is due to make a $9.5 millions this season.

#3 Chris Bassitt who enjoyed his best season in 2021 and was selected to the All Star game. Bassitt has been coveted by a handful of teams including the LA Angels, who are still in need of more starting pitching. Bassitt had a remarkable 2021 season.

He got hit in the head by a line drive in Chicago in the month of August, but completed  his best season to date, 12-4, 3.15 ERA in 27 games started, pitched 157 1/3 innings  and recorded 159 strikeouts. Good starting pitchers are not in great supply these days, so the possibility of Chris Bassitt leaving Oakland, in my opinion, is over 50%.

Other possible A’s to depart Oakland via trade: Pitchers Frankie Montás and Sean Manaea. After Bassitt, Frankie Montás was the best starter for the A’s. Sean Manaea is a good strong lefty with experience and he could easily fit on many teams either in the American or National League.

Reliever Lou Trivino is a possibly specially when closer Trevor Rosenthal who signed  a 1-year deal in 2021 for $11 million, required two surgeries and never threw a single pitch for the club, could be ready to pitch this season.

But the biggest news for the Oakland Athletics in this 2022 season remains the conclusion of their search for a new ballpark. The Oakland City Council recently voted 6-2 in favor to certify the environmental impact report for the A’s proposed stadium project at Howard Terminal.

A’s President Dave Kaval mentioned that was as positive step to keep the A’s in Oakland, but also reiterated he is working in parallel plans with Oakland and Las Vegas.

Only in Baseball: It was reported that Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto was offered a 13 year $350 million contract and rejected it. Born in República Dominicana, Soto, just 23 years old, is regarded by many in baseball as the best left handed hitter in the game, last season he ended with a .313 average 29 home runs and 95 runs batted in.

Finally regarding the current lockout: According to Associated Press MLB players would lose around $20.5 million daily for each regular-season day missed. The owners much more than that.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose State Spartans SID Hall of Famer Lawrence Fan passes at 67

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Photos of San Jose State Spartans SID Lawrence Fan (left) holding up Fan Cakes and (right) addressing the news media at San Jose State University (file photos by San Jose State Spartans)

By Michael Duca and Ana Keiu

SAN JOSE–Lawrence Fan, the longtime SID for the San Jose State Spartans, has passed away at age 67, as announced by the Spartan Athletic Director Jeff Koyna Wednesday afternoon. The news of Lawrence’s passing was a shock to Spartan athletes, employees, members of the media, students and alumni, as many had just seen Lawrence at work Monday.

It was reported that Lawrence, who normally showed up to work like clockwork, didn’t call or show to work on Tuesday and the University became concerned and later learned of his passing on Wednesday as announced by Koyna.

Lawrence worked with thousands of student and student athletes over his illustrious 42 year career. Many can look back and thank Lawrence for his advice and helping them advance whether it was in athletics or in their media careers.

One of the highlights for Lawrence was in 2012 when he was elected to the CoSIDA Hall of Fame. Lawrence, started as an SID at SJSU in 1980, (that was the same year that the hit movie The Blues Brothers was a box office smash), never missed work and worked all the sports at the University.

Former Spartan football player Neil Perry suffered amputation of a leg, but returned to playing football for the Spartans in 2003 for eight games. Needless to say, this inspirational story drew national attention. A flood of press coverage at his first game was one of Lawrence’s many shining moments. Lawrence was inundated with media requests from all over the country, which at the time Lawrence said was the busiest period he had ever had at Spartans football.

Another highlight for Lawrence was the 2020 football team that went 7-1, an almost perfect season. That Spartan team took the Mountain West by storm finishing finishing ahead of second place Boise State by two games. We never got a chance to interview Lawrence about his long 42 year career but what stories he could have told. 

Lawrence was also know for Fan cakes, which were served to the media during Spartans basketball games. It was a treat that everyone that covered Spartan games looked forward to.

The Spartan’s women basketball team were playing Air Force at SJSU in a 68-59 loss when officials learned of Lawrence’s passing. The Spartan women didn’t learn about the shocking news until 1:30 pm.  All athletic staff and athletes  were in a state of disbelief  at the news.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors have lost four of last five games visit Trailblazers who have won four straight Thursday

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) goes for a finger roll shot against the Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed 16, 2022. The Warriors face the Portland Trailblazers in Portland on Thu Feb 24th (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Dave:

#1 The Golden State Warriors (42-17) have lost four of their last five games what would you say were the key things to these loses and head coach Steve Kerr did say the All Star break did come at the right time.

#2 What does it do for Stephen Curry and the team’s morale coming off the All Star game after Curry scored 50 points and shined during the mid season classic representing the Warriors.

#3 The Portland Trailblazers are coming off a 123-119 win over the Memphis Grizzlies (41-19) from last Wed Feb 19. The Blazers host the Warriors in Portland on Thursday night and have a four game winning streak.

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