Headline Sports podcast with Bruce MacGowan: Black pioneers in Bay Area broadcasting; Giants and A’s winding down 2022; plus more

Former KRON 4 Sportscaster Jan Hutchins is part of the discussion on Headline Sports with Bruce MacGowan on today’s podcast. Here Hutchins is in a publicity shot for the San Jose Rotary Club where he spoke in 2013 (Rotary Club of San Jose file photo)

On the podcast with Bruce:

#1 Bruce last regular home game for the San Francisco Giants hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Winding it down what changes do you see the Giants needing to improve in the off season.

#2 The Oakland A’s lost their 100th game on Friday it’s something a big league hates to have hanging over their season and go into the record books.

#3 San Francisco 49ers have some pressure after losing to the Denver Broncos last week. The 49ers really need to go after the Rams early on Monday Night Football.

#4 The Oakland A’s host the Los Angeles Angels starting this Monday night. The Angels and Shohei Ohtani will be on hand at Coliseum after Ohtani had signed a one year contract that takes him through 2023 for $30 million.

#5 The Golden State Warriors opened up their pre season in Japan this week. Talk has been the can repeat this season.

Bruce MacGowan podcasted Headlines Sports during Sunday SF Giants home games in 2022 at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Bid Sayonara To Tokyo Winning Game Two 104-95

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry sign autographs for fans in Tokyo during the Tokyo pre season series on Sat Oct 1, 2022 before their game with the Washington Wizards (@warriors photo)

Warriors Bid Sayonara To Tokyo Winning Game Two 104-95

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (2-0) took on the Washington Wizards (0-2) in the second game of their two game series amidst a sell-out enthusiastic crowd. As in game one the applause for the Golden State Warrior lineup was thunderous.

Draymond Green addressed the crowd before the game. “On behalf of myself, my team mates our coaching staff we just to thank you all for an incredible experience,” he said. “Being in Tokyo for these last five days has been absolutely amazing. I look forward to living here one day. Thank ya’ll, we love y’all.” News flash??? but that is what the man said.

This game was a close one going into halftime. The Wizards held a slim lead 56-54. Washington won the third quarter 29-20 to extend their lead 85-74. The fourth quarter was all Warriors stuffing the Wizards 30-10. The final was 104-95 in favor of Golden State.

After a quiet game one Golden State guard Stephen Curry finished this game with 17 points and five rebounds. Warriors Moses Moody and Patrick Baldwin Jr. both scored twelve points off the bench.

The Wizards had four starters in double digits; Kristaps Porzingis finished with 18 points, Will Barton with 12, and Rui Hachimura and Monte Morris both with 11.

There are a multitude of things to clean up for both teams and that’s why we have a pre-season. After 17 turnovers in game one for Golden State that will surely be one of them.

So back to the states for the Warriors gearing up for a game with the Los Angeles Lakers on October 9 at Chase. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Warriors Kickoff Pre-Season In Tokyo Beating Wizards 96-87

The Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (left) and the Washington Wizards Rui Hachimura (right) are presented before their game in Tokyo on Thu Sep 29, 2022 (@Warriors photo)

 

Warriors Kickoff Pre-Season In Tokyo Beating Wizards 96-87

By Barbara Mason

The NBA preseason got underway a world away last night in Japan. The World Champion Warriors took on the Washington Wizards in a two game series.

Friday night a sellout crowd in Tokyo got to see not only the defending champion Golden State Warriors but they also got to see Japan native Rui Hachimura who is a starter for the Wizards. He understandably got a huge round of applause from the crowd when introduce along with the Wizard starters.

It has been awhile. In fact, the last time a preseason series was played was back in 2019, that game a contest between the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors.

Fans got to enjoy the play of not only the starters but the bench as well. None of the Warriors played more than 20 minutes in this game and going into the third quarter both teams were digging deep into their benches.

The Warrior’s James Wiseman, after missing all of last season, played 24 minutes and had the high score with 20 points, He hit on eight of 11 shots and had nine rebounds on his return. It could not have gone better for Wiseman after so much missed time. The high score for the Wizards was Hachimura with 13 points and nine rebounds. Wiseman and Hachimura were the only players to finish in double digits.

It’s early and it’s the preseason and so there were the expected early turnovers and erratic passes. Both teams shot under 33% in the first half and by game’s end they finished under 37%. Despite the less than stellar shooting, the crowd enjoyed a game that they will remember for a long long time. They got to see some of the world’s greatest players and they showed their appreciation with thunderous applause throughout the game.

Klay Thompson did not play in this game and Jordan Poole started in his place. The team continues to be cautious with Thompson since his return last January after suffering a torn ACL and a ruptured Achilles which sidelined him 2 1/2 season. He will not play in this series.

The second game of this series will be played on Saturday with tipoff at 10:00 PM on NBA TV.

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: All Star honor Griner with #42 jerseys; A’s Blackburn looking forward to meeting All Star teammates; plus more

Team Wilson’s Brionna Jones, right, tries to get at the loose ball as Team Stewart’s Alyssa Thomas, left, and Emma Meesseman get after the loose basketball in the second half at the WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago on Sun Jul 10, 2022. The players changed jerseys to #42 for the second half to honor Brittney Griner (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony R:

#1 At the WNBA All Star Game in Chicago on Sunday there was a void with Phoenix Mercury superstar Brittney Griner missing. The players dedicated the second half wearing #42 jerseys in honor of Griner who has detained in Russia for the last 145 days. Tony the second half dedication meant a lot to the players remembering Griner.

#2 The Oakland A’s named their lone player representative for the 2022 MLB All Star Game for July 19th at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles pitcher Paul Blackburn who started out with a flurry at 6-2 and currently is 6-4 with a 3.36 ERA. Blackburn said he’s looking forward to meeting with his American League teammates and also being able to talk with the Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani.

#3 The San Francisco Giants who are coming off a 2-2 split against the San Diego Padres and opened a three game series last night with the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 4-3 loss. The Giants were 6-14 in their last 20 games and after winning 107 games last season are a different team without the presence of former catcher Buster Posey.

#4 Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman was working on his game in the NBA Summer Leagues in Las Vegas. Wiseman who played only 39 games in the last 15 months. When Wiseman first came on the scene for the Warriors he was expected to be an anchor at the center position for him but he had troubles adjusting to the NBA and also his recovery from knee surgery was slow but is looking forward to working hard to get back with the club for the 2022-23 season.

#5 The Pittsburgh Steelers have renamed their Stadium from Heinz Field to Acrisure Stadium. Acrisure is a top ten global insurance broker with revenue exceeding $3.8 billion. Heinz Kraft Company said in a statement that after concluding a 20 year $57 million naming rights agreement that ran from 2001-2021. Acrisure out bided Heinz for the naming rights. Art Rooney the Steelers owner was hoping that Heinz would stay on as the naming rights holder.

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

NBA Draft podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors looking to develop Baldwin; Kings say Murray can help Mitchell and Fox

Milwaukee University’s Patrick Baldwin Jr is expected to be a big help for the Golden State Warriors who plan to take their time developing Baldwin (AP News file photo)

On the NBA Draft podcast with David Zizmor:

Golden State Warriors picked center Patrick Baldwin Jr out of Milwaukee who they can develop and take their time brining him up as they’re in a good position to do so. Baldwin comes up from the first round a 28th pick.

Baldwin according to scouting reports could be an elite NBA player at 6’10 he can shoot and handle the ball and play just as good as any guard coming out of the college ranks. Their is a concern about him staying healthy.

Baldwin played in only 11 college games this past season due to an ankle injury can he mesh that and get in more playing time. The Warriors medical staff are good with ankle injuries as they had time to work on Stephen Curry’s ankle a time or two.

Sacramento Kings picked Keegan Murray out of Iowa University a small forward drafted out of the first round as a four pick. Murray has a workout with the Kings prior to the selection and it just so worked out that Murray is now on board with the team.

The Kings say they are looking forward to seeing how Murray works with Davion Mitchell and D’Aaron Fox. They say that Murray will be a big help switching at the post and diversifying in the front court.

David Zizmor is an NBA analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Finals: Golden State Warriors World Champions After Beating Boston 103-90

Golden State Warriors celebrate World Championship victory at TD Garden in Boston after defeating the Boston Celtics in six games on Thu Jun 16, 2022 (@warriors photo)

Golden State Warriors World Champions After Beating Boston 103-90

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors took on the Boston Celtics and closed it out in six games winning the NBA Finals 103-90 at TD Garden.

The Warriors were 0-3 in playoff play when they had the chance to close out a series on the road. On the flip side of the coin the Boston Celtics have a 3-0 record in elimination games.

Teams leading 3-2 going into a game six have an 81% chance of winning. The last team to blow a 3-2 lead however, was the Warriors against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.

Game 6 recap: The Celtics came into the first quarter on fire taking a 12-2 lead in the opening minutes. A couple of turnovers from the Warriors and a couple of three’s from Jaylen Brown was the difference in this game with a long long way to go. Three minutes into this game Klay Thompson was already in foul trouble and later Kevon Looney would find himself in foul trouble as well with two fouls. In a 17 point turnaround the Warriors took a 27-22 lead after 12 minutes.

The Warriors took a 15 point in the first two minutes of the second quarter. Marcus Smart had his third foul in the quarter but the Celtics were fighting their way back into this game trailing 37-29 with a lot of time left in the second.

Looney picked up his third foul in the second quarter. With under three minutes left in the first half the Warriors had taken an 18 point lead 51-33. Draymond Green was having an amazing game offensively and defensively with five points, five assists and seven rebounds. Golden State led at the half 54-39 with the Splash Brothers each turning in 12 points.

Boston turned a 22 point Warrior lead into 12 in the closing minutes of the third quarter, With under two minutes left in the third Boston had made a real push trailing 76-66 after three. It had been a 16-4 run for the Celtics despite a 17 turnover tally.

Golden State turned it on in the fourth quarter leading 101-86 with 1:30 remaining in the game. There would be no collapse for the Warriors in this game. The Celtic turnovers were a huge factor in the Boston loss. The Golden State Warriors were the NBA World Champions. The final was 103-90. It was nothing short of a finals masterpiece.

Curry was back after a tough game five with 34 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Green was amazing with 17 rebounds, eight assists and 12 points. This was a real team effort that could not have been accomplished had it not been for every single player on the floor tonight.

A rough start for the Warriors turned into a glorious finish. “I’m so proud of our group. I thank God everyday that I get to play this game at the highest level with some amazing people,” said Curry the NBA Most Valuable Player after the game. “What we’ve been through in the past few years: it’s amazing. We hit rock bottom with injuries. We never take this for granted because you never know when you will be back here” he said.

It was a massive celebration for the Warriors on center court and a tough pill to swallow for the Celtics watching their opponents celebrate on their home floor. There was a huge celebration back at Chase Center with a watch party inside and out.

The Warriors now have their fourth championship in eight years, a level that few teams have been able to reach. They came so far in the past three years, going from worst in the league to world champions making this championship probably the sweetest they have ever celebrated.

NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors at the top of the mount again defeat Celtics 103-90; Win NBA Championship in six games

The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high fives teammate guard Gary Payton II (0) in second quarter action at TD Garden in Boston on Thu Jun 15, 2022 in game 6 of the NBA Finals (AP News photo)

On Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara:

The Golden State Warriors put away their fourth NBA title in eight years, with a defeat over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston on Thursday night 103-90. There was no stopping Warrior guard Stephen Curry who scored 34 points and receive the NBA Finals trophy for the Finals MVP.

The win awarded Golden State their seventh franchise trophy since winning their first one back in the 1974-75 season. After winning five straight championships the Warriors cooled off for three season which included a season worst for them three seasons ago.

For Warriors head coach Steve Kerr it was his ninth championship overall including five times as a player, his sixth as a head coach and his fourth title as coach of the Warriors.

Barbara Mason was the Golden State Warriors beat writer for the 2021-22 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com. Also our thanks for to Jerry Feitelberg and David Zizmor for their podcasts on Warriors basketball this season.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Griner could be out of Russian jail in July; Mistakes the Celtics have made; plus more headlines

WNBA star and Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner mug shot from Russian jail. Griner could be released by the Russian government by July 2022 after being held since Feb 17, 2022. The Russians had wanted a prisoner swap Griner to the US for the Merchant of Death Viktor Bout. (file photo from NY Post)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 WNBA star Britney Griner reportedly will have to stay in a Russia jail another 18 days and could be released by July. Griner is being held in Russia after being accused of having hashish oil in her suit case while trying to leave the country. Griner has been in jail since Feb 17th and is facing 10 years upon conviction.

#2 Jessica as game 6 of the NBA Finals will tip off on Thursday night the Boston Celtics have struggled losing games four and five to the Golden State Warriors who are now on the brink of winning the NBA Championship. Celtics mistakes described are a cross court pass intercepted, a dribble hand off is dropped, and a lob pass is picked off.

#3 Jessica, wanted to ask you about a female minor league announcer of the Lynchburg Hillcats the single A minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Maura Sheridan whose story is making huge headlines after being sexually assaulted by minor league pitcher Daritzon Feliz of the Hillcats. Sheridan in August 2021. Feliz was let go by the Hillcats but the Hillcats further put out a job posting at the beginning of this season for Sheridan’s job. The Hillcats didn’t want any liability on road games with their announcers so they posted Sheridan’s job out.

#4 Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow speaking out on gun control during a press conference on Monday saying that there should be a law making it hard for people to buy those crazy guns. Burrow also said that no one should be able to just go in and buy one saying you have to go through the process to just go in and buy one.

#5 In another case of on the job harassment Phoenix Suns female employee Melissa Fender Panagiotakopoulos who reported that she was the target of bullying, retaliation from her employers after she complained of gender equity and misconduct. The Panagiotakopoulos had been with the Suns since 2007 and worked for eight years as a senior employee and resigned in May. Panagiotakopoulos had wrote a complaint letter to all 16 of the team’s ownership group.

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

NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors can close it out on Thursday in Boston

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, middle, shoots against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, left, and center Al Horford during the first half of Game 5 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon Jun 13, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors podcast with David:

#1 David, talk a little about game 5 as the Golden State Warriors move up on the Boston Celtics 3-2 and could finish the finals off on Thursday night to win the championship.

#2 Dave, what was the key to the Celtics shutting Stephen Curry down in game 5 they held him to only 16 points but while the double teaming worked the Warriors Andrew Wiggins led with 26 points.

#3 Just how tough will it be for Golden State to win game 6, the Celtics have been tough at home, they have one of the best defenses in the NBA and they have that crowd that’s been on Draymond Green all series long.

David did the Warriors podcasts throughout the 2022-23 season and will return with Headline Sports on Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s could get close to getting ballpark but affordable housing a huge issue; plus much more news

Artists rendition of inside of an Oakland A’s Howard Terminal ballpark. The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission votes on the park on Thu Jun 30, 2022

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury top story is the vote with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission on June 30 a huge vote that will help decide to keep the A’s in Oakland.

#2 One of the points that you raised a big hurdle for the A’s to get this one is that they need to address the affordable housing project issue with the city of Oakland. The city is asking for 450 apartment for affordable housing out of 3,000 units. Will owner John Fisher and the A’s bend to the City’s will?

#3 Amaury, turning to the NBA Finals it was back and forth for awhile but the Golden State Warriors as expected with the home floor put away game 5 and moved ahead of the Boston Celtics at the Chase Center on Monday night.

#4 Amaury talk about Warrior forward Draymond Green a little pushing and shoving underneath the basket with the Celtics which drew a crowd but punches thrown at 4:40 remaining in the game. Frustrations for the Celtics and Green doing some trash talking towards the end of the game later Green fouled out of the game.

#5 The Oakland A’s open a three game series at Fenway Park tonight. The Boston Red Sox are hot they’ve won eight of their last ten the A’s are not they’ve lost nine of their last ten games. A’s starting Jared Koenig (0-1, ERA 9.00) the Sox will be going with Nick Pivetta (5-5, ERA 3.78) a 4:10 pm PDT first pitch.

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