Tag: Jimmy Butler

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: NBA Expansion to Las Vegas

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is considering expansion teams to Las Vegas and Seattle that will be up for discussion sometime in 2026 (CNN photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: NBA Expansion to Las Vegas:

NBA Expansion to Las Vegas

That’s Amaury News Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

A decision on expansion (potentially to 32 teams) is anticipated sometime in 2026. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Las Vegas support for basketball. The Commissioner notes support in Las Vegas for the WNBA Aces, the Summer League, and the NBA Cup.  Seattle is also another city that the NBA is showing interest.

The Seattle SuperSonics played in Seattle for 41 seasons, from their inaugural 1967-1968 season until relocating to become the Oklahoma City Thunder after the 2007-2008 season. They were Seattle’s first major sports franchise and won one NBA championship in 1979 under legendary coach Lenny Wilkens.

I remember as I covered the Warriors visiting Seattle with the team and witnessed the support of the Supersonics fans, the arena where they played was right, where the World’s Fair was held in 1962, today known as Seattle Center,  next to the Space Needle and the Monorail. It was made even more famous in 1963 with Elvis as the star in the movie “It Happened At The World’s Fair”.

Expasion history: Last time the NBA expanded was in 2004 when the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) joined as the league’s 30th team. While there’s been talk of expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle, no new teams have joined since the Bobcats’ debut.

More Hoops: Below made the rounds here in the Bay Area and in the national news of one Golden State Warriors Fan complaining to owner Joe Lacob about the struggles of the team recenlty even as Stephen Curry scoring in big numbers but still no victories.

(via Justdutari/Reddit, Alex Simon/SFGate)

A Warrior fan wrote Lacob: “Dear Joe, Please do something about this team. What Steph need to do every night to win? Drop 50 points? Team is need a real second option. Jimmy tool are being underutilized because he is playing as a power forward due to the small position players. We have no true center.”

Lacob replied: “You can’t be as frustrated as me. I’am working on it. It’s complicated. Style of play. Coaches desires regarding players. League trends. Jimmy is not the problem.”

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

Headline Sports podcast Bruce MacGowan Sun Apr 27, 2025; Williams is what 49ers are looking for on defense; Raiders Jeanty could wind up being leading running back; plus more news

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San Francisco 49ers newest running back Mykel Williams is all smiles after being the first round draft pick and the 11th overall. Williams was addressing the media on Fri Apr 25, 2025 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Bruce MacGowan:

#1 Bruce, the San Francisco 49ers made it their mission to get first round draft pick pass rusher Mykel Williams. The 49ers had their eye on Williams but pumped the brakes two seasons ago because Williams had suffered an high ankle sprain. He recovered since and 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan hope to use Williams as a key and core person on the 49ers defense.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders made a great choice in getting running back Ashton Jeanty as their top pick in the draft. Jeanty was one of the most effective running backs in college football last season at Boise State and Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is confident that Jeanty will end up being the number one running back for the Raiders in the future.

#3 The Las Vegas Review Journal ran a headline that the Athletics still have not come up with the $1.75 billion as the A’s had said in a March 5th Las Vegas Stadium Authority meeting that the would have the money and would be ready by June to have shovels in ground. The article questions when will the A’s fund the park and there is a possibility it may not happen.

#4 The Golden State Warriors Jimmy Butler is still questionable for game 4 for Monday night against the Houston Rockets at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Butler who suffered a lower back contusion after getting his legs taken out from beneath him and missed game 3. Can Butler return and be playoff competitive Monday.

Bruce MacGowan is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast David Zizmor: Why Kevin Durant declined coming back to Golden State

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Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) said he didn’t want to leave the Suns in the middle of the season to play at Golden State and was happy to be the Suns when the opportunity came up for Durant to return to Golden State. (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 There was so much talk about why Kevin Durant didn’t want to return to Golden State, there was talk that he didn’t want to have to deal with Draymond Green again or as head coach Steve Kerr said that there was talk that Durant just jumped on the bandwagon when he had signed on as a free agent in 2016.

#2 With Green, Durant and Stephen Curry getting a little older if Durant had returned would age have made a difference or would the Warriors have improved their chances to get a shot at the finals again?

#3 Second half of the season gets underway on Friday night how do you see Jimmy Butler in this line up making a difference and giving Golden State a shot at making the post season.

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

Butler dealt to Golden State from Miami; Durant doesn’t want to come back to Warriors

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Newest Golden State Warriors and former Miami Heat Jimmy Butler comes over to San Francisco in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson who joins the Miami Heat a deal made on Wed Feb 5, 2025 (ESPN still photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Miami Heat traded Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. Butler was not happy in Miami and did not get along with Pat Riley team president. Former Golden State Warrior Kevin Durant said he did not want to be traded to Golden State as his current team the Phoenix Suns are searching for a landing place for Durant.

One of the deals was to have Durant come to the Warriors and Butler would go to the Phoenix Suns. The deal now has Butler signing a $111 million two year deal that runs through 2026-27. Butler has declined the player option of $52 million.

The Warriors have sent Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson to Miami that includes a top 10 protected 2025 first round draft pick. Dennis Schroder was traded to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz will now send former Miami forward PJ Tucker back to Miami. Tucker played for the Heat in 2021-22.

Guard Lindy Waters III will go to the Detroit Pistons leaving Golden State and Josh Richardson will go from Miami to the Pistons. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr informed the team of the trades before their game in Utah on Wednesday night.

Wiggins who got dealt to Miami was the team leading scorer with an average of 17.6 points. Wiggins was noted for being one of the best guards on the Warriors who defended both guards and forward and had the ability to play top level offense.

Wiggins was informed of the trade after taking warm ups before the game in Utah and shook hands with security guard, an assistant coach and two Warrior players before packing up his items at his locker in preparation for the trip to join the Heat.

Jerry Feitelberg is an NBA analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings clobber Warriors at Chase Center 129-99 for fourth straight win

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Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (22) who just recently joined the big club from the G League’s Stockton Kings goes for the high percentage shot against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Jan 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast:

#1 Sacramento Kings Malik Monk scored 26 points and 12 assists and the Kings also got help from Domantas Sobonis with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a huge win over the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco on Sunday 129-99.

#2 The win marks interim head coach Doug Christie’s fourth straight win against one loss and there is little doubt that he has this team fired up since taking over the reigns after former Kings head coach Mike Brown was fired after losing five straight games.

#3 What was amazing about Sunday’s win against Golden State was the Kings did it without DeAaron Fox whose been the Kings lead scorer and has been the focus of trade rumors.

#4 The Kings never were behind the Warriors through the Sunday contest and led at the half by a whopping score of 75-51. The Kings in this game looked every bit like a playoff contender despite occupying 11th in the Western Conference.

#5 It’s right back to work at Golden 1 Center as the Kings match up against the Miami Heat who are sixth in the Eastern Conference Monday night. The Heat have won four of their last six and lost two games in a row. They are having internal issues with their star player Jimmy Butler wanting to be traded and said he wants out of Miami. Its been reported that Butler does not get along with Heat executive Pat Riley. Butler’s argument is Riley has not put together a competitive team and Riley has suspended Butler for seven games for conduct detrimental of the team. It should be noted Butler had issues with other NBA teams in Chicago, Philadelphia and Minnesota before leaving those clubs as well. So who will want to pick him up is a big question. Golden State said they will take a pass on Butler after looking into Butler.

Join Barbara for the Kings podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Forget the game it’s all about Kelce and Swiftie; Warriors Green to nurse ankle for nearly 2 months; plus more news

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Travis Kelce’s mom Donna #87 and Taylor Swift (right) watch the action from a luxury suite at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in a game between the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs on Sun Oct 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 What the betting odds on how long that Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce will be staying together?

#2 Tickets for Chiefs home games tickets, Kelce jerseys, and Swift themed merchandise have been going off the racks at 25 percent mark up or more.

#3 Amaury, talk about how you see Golden State Warriors 33 year old Draymond Green’s bad ankle being a part of the aging process or age had nothing to do with it he’s just 33 and he got an ankle injury.

#4 How surprised were you when Jimmy Butler came out for his new look at Media Day at the Miami Heat with long hair and pierced lips and Jimmy Buckets saying to the media present “go ahead laugh.”

#5 Amaury, talk about how surprised you are at the top two base stealers in baseball the Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna Jr with 73 and the Oakland A’s Esteury Ruiz with 67.

#6 Amaury, check it out the odds makers have the Atlanta Braves winning the World Series by plus 260. The Braves liked you say are stacked with superstars, just for example the Braves had eight All Stars representing them in July.

#7 The Braves finished well ahead of the pact in the NL East 14 games on top over the second place Philadelphia Phillies. Do you see the Braves going through the post season like butter?

#8 Amaury, Best for last to talk about, the Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and the award that Camilo Doval received on Sat Sep 30th at Oracle Park.

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

Headline Sports podcast with David Zizmor: Cavs sign Garland to 5 yr $231 M deal; Durant wants out of Brooklyn looking at Miami, Warriors sign Divincezo and Looney

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Cleveland Cavaliers’ Darius Garland (10) is thrilled during an NBA play-in basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Cleveland. Garland has agreed to a five-year, $193 million contract extension with Cleveland and could be worth as much as $231 million, the deal is the largest in team history according Garland’s agent Rich Paul as announced on Fri Jul 1, 2022 (AP News file photo)

On the Headline podcast with David:

#1 Dave, the Cleveland Cavaliers signed Darius Garland to a five year rookie extension contract for five years worth up to $231 million will the Cavaliers get their value out of the Garland signing?

#2 The Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant wants out from the Brooklyn Nets said as of Friday that he wants to play for the Miami Heat as long as Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry as his teammates.

#3 The Golden State Warriors are fortunate to keep Kevon Looney who agreed to a $25.5 million three year deal. The Warriors also signed Donte Di Vincenzo for a two year $9.3 million deal.

David Zizmor is the NBA analysist for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Too much Jimmy Butler and too many free throws give the Heat a 105-104 win over the Kings

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Photo credit: nbaanalysis.net

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Jimmy Butler returned to the Miami Heat lineup after missing 12 games due to “health and safety concerns”, and he made an immediate impact on a team that been floundering without him. Butler played 33-minutes and 36-seconds in his return and was his team’s scoring leader with 30 points. It was a typical shooting night for Butler as his went 8-for-19 from the floor, but he did his real damage from the free throw line. Butler converted 14 of 16 opportunities from foul line in the contest. He also added eight assists.

Sacramento started strong

The Kings – who were playing the second game of a back-to-back set – came out of gate very strong and showed no sign of fatigue after the battle they had with the Toronto Raptors on Friday night in Tampa.

Sacramento outscored Miami 35-24 in the first quarter behind some excellent shooting. Buddy Hield went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc to lead all scorers in the period with nine points. The Kings shot 60.9-percent (14/23) in the quarter. The only warning sign was the Kings did not go to the free throw line one time in first 12 minutes.

Second quarter writes a new story

Playing the second game of a back-to-back set caught up with the Kings in the second period. Their shooting percentage fell, they could not create a fast break, and they starting fouling the Heat.

Miami put up 33 points to just 24 for the Kings in the second quarter. Sacramento’s shooting percentage fell to 42.1-percent (8/19), but three of those eight buckets were 3-point baskets.

The Heat went 11-for-20 (55%) from the field and hit 2 of 5 from downtown. They also converted 9 of 9 100%) free throw opportunities in the second quarter.

At the half, the Kings were clinging to a 59-57 lead.

The third quarter: aka “the valley of fatigue”

Evidently, someone took all the energy drinks out of the refrigerator in the Kings locker room because they came out after halftime like a team that had not been on a break. They looked tired and out of sorts.

Sacramento shot just 38-percent from the field, hit just two 3-point shots, and missed both of their free throw chances. They did commit seven fouls, five turnovers (which became 11 points) and ended the period trailing the Heat 84-77.

Things looked very dim for the Kings as they headed to the final quarter.

Fox caught fire in the fourth quarter

De’Aaron Fox has been under some criticism for not being more of a leader since he signed his “max contract” in the off-season. On Saturday night, the Kings start point guard did everything he could do to get his team a win.

Fox scored 17 points by shooting 7-for-13 in the final period. He went 2-for-6 from 3-point range and converted 1 of 2 free throw tries. Fox dished out two dimes, grabbed three rebounds and made one steal while trying to lead his team to a fourth consecutive victory.

Ironically, it was a Jimmy Butler 3-foot turnaround bank shot with 42-seconds left in the game that gave the Heat a 105-104 lead that Kings would not be able to overcome in the remaining time.

Fox put his team on his back and tried to will his way to a road win. In the end, a grizzled veteran just off the “health and safety” list blew a hole six feet wide in the Kings hopes and dreams.

It’s always in the numbers

On Saturday night, it was all about free throws. The Kings put the Heat on the free throw line 26 times in the contest. Miami scored on 22 of those free throw opportunities. On the other hand, the Kings went to the stripe just 11 times which is totally unacceptable. An NBA team has to be going to the free throw line a minimum of 20 times per game just to stay competitive. Sacramento scored just five points off free throws. The Kings lost the game at the charity stripe.

The Kings recorded 22 assists and made 17 turnovers. The goal is a 2-to-1 ratio, so they fell far short in that category as well. Miami scored 27 points off of the Kings 17 turnovers.

De’Aaron Fox was the Kings scoring leader with 30 points.

Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 30 points.

Up next

The Kings will play in New Orleans on Monday.

The Heat will host the Hornets on Monday.

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Durant and Leonard could be signed with a new team by next week; Baseball epidemic, nets needed to protect fans; plus more

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Photo credit: @NBCSBoston

On Headline Sports with Tony Renteria:

#1 The Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant and the Toronto Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard are going free agency to see if they can get the maximum for their buck.

#2 Some of the teams that most likely will show interest in Durant and Leonard are the LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks. It’s very likely everyone should learn either by Sunday night or Monday morning where they’ll be going.

#3 The Houston Rockets are shopping center Clint Capela, guard Eric Gordon, and forward PJ Tucker in their bid to get Philadelphia 76ers star Jimmy Butler. The Rockets are to trying to solidify themselves after failing to make the NBA Finals in the last two seasons.

#4 In the game of baseball, fans come many sit as close to the action as they can. After some serious injuries to fans last season, the MLB thought they got it covered with all the netting they possibly muster up to protect the fans. Last Sunday, a young girl was hit in the eye with a bullet hit by the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, and on May 29th, a two-year-old girl was hit by a foul ball hit by the Chicago Cubs’ Albert Almora Jr. that fractured her skull at Houston’s Minute Maid Park leaving her with injuries that she will have to battle with for years to come. The Dodgers, Nationals, and White Sox have said during the All-Star Break, they’ll be netting their entire stadiums from foul pole to foul pole.

#5 The San Francisco Giants’ lineup has been noted for having the worst offense in baseball and possibly the worst in their franchise history. The Giants do not have a batter hitting over .300 in their lineup and have lost nine of their last 12 games.

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

No brotherly love in Philly: Sixers beat the Kings 123-114 on Friday night

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76score
Photo/Graphic: @NBCS

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The road to the NBA Playoffs just became a long, uphill battle for the Sacramento Kings after they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 123-114 on Friday night to wrap up a four-game road trip. The Kings will return home having won just one of those four games. At a bare minimum, Sacramento needed to go 2-2 on the trip.

Sacramento is now two games under .500 with a record of 33-35. The team is 3-7 over their last 10 and has lost three consecutive games. The Kings are mired in ninth-place in the Western Conference 6.0 games behind the LA Clippers and Utah Jazz who are tied for seventh-place. With just 14 games remaining in the season, time is running out for the Kings unless they can go on an incredible multiple game winning streak.

The Kings played better basketball on Friday than they did on Thursday night in Boston. They improved their performances from the free throw line and from behind the 3-point line. Sacramento took care of the ball turning it over just nine times.

It is not often that a team improves its play in the second game of a back-to-back set on the road.

Why did the Kings lose?

76WCS
Photo: @NBCS

  1. They played a better team. The Philadelphia 76ers are a talented team that should go deep into the Eastern Conference Playoffs. All five of the Sixers starters scored in double figures with Ben Simmons being the low scorer with 18 points.
  2. The Sixers shot 50.5-percent from the field. It is very difficult to win when your opponent shoots over 50-percent for the contest.
  3. Philadelphia won the battle at the free throw line converting 24-of-27 (88.9%) opportunities. It does need to be noted that the Kings dramatically improved their free throw shooting performance over Thursday night by sinking 19-of-24 (79.2%) of their chances from the charity stripe.

Kings top performers

  • Marvin Bagley III was not the Kings leading scorer, but he did score 15 points in just over 20 minutes of playing time. His playing time is being limited after missing five games from suffering a knee sprain. Dave Joerger said after the game that he hated to take him out, but he knows there is no reason to risk rushing MB35 back into longer minutes.
  • Harrison Barnes continues to show why the Kings would like him to exercise his player option on his 2019-20 contract or request to talk to management about long-term options. Barnes recorded 16 points, six rebounds and three assists versus the Sixers.
  • Harry Giles III put up 12 points in just over 18 minutes on the floor. H20 shot 6-for-9 from the field and pulled down four rebounds. He also dished out four assists.
  • Other contributors: De’Aaron Fox 16 points, Buddy Hield 14, Willie Cauley-Stein 13 points and seven rebounds.

Philadelphia performers

76Simmonds
Photo: @NBCS

  • Jimmy Butler was the leading scorer in the game with 22 points. He also added seven assists and six rebounds.
  • Joel Embiid put a double-double in the book scoring 21 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. He is just a force on the defensive glass.
  • Tobias Harris continues to show why the Sixers made a trade to get him as he scored 19, made seven rebounds and distributed four assists.
  • JJ Redick put 19 up on the board. Redick went 4-for-9 from downtown.

Up next

The Kings traveled back to Sacramento after the game and will have Saturday off. Sacramento returns to action on Sunday at 3:00 PM when they will host the Chicago Bulls at the Golden 1 Center.

The Sixers head out on the road and will have to face the “Greek Freak” and company in Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon.