Pre-Game Jitters

The third game of the NBA Finals in Cleveland will begin soon.  For the past few days the sports media chatter has been almost universally about Warriors dominance.  That may be so in the series, but it doesn't guarantee a win in this game.

In terms of the physical benefits of rest, the home team has a decided advantage in the first two games, especially in a time-zone spanning series like this one.  The Cavs crossed from the eastern to the western zone, with whatever effects that may have on sleep and sheer physical energy, presence and groundedness.  The Warriors hadn't gone anywhere in a couple of weeks.  They were totally there.

So we've seen only games in which the Cavs were at the biggest physical disadvantage in terms of time zones of the series. That advantage doesn't repeat to the same extent as the series goes on.  The Cavs will have some but a smaller advantage in their home time zone, but they've had to adjust as well as the Warriors.  The games are at about the same relative time, (5 or 6 p.m. West Coast time) so theoretically both teams now don't have to adjust as much.  But small differences in energy levels, in the ability to maintain focus, can have large consequences.

This is apart from the other aspects of home court advantage, such as familiarity with the space and especially the home crowd.

So how do the Cavs win this one?  If the Dubs come out shooting threes and don't make them, and especially if at some point in the game, the Cavs start hitting threes in droves.  Both things have happened before with these two teams.

The Cavs didn't shoot especially well in Oakland, and still managed to be competitive for most of the second game.  The Warriors went from only four turnovers in the first game, to 20 in the second.  As Steve Kerr said, they'll be hard pressed to win in Cleveland with that many turnovers.

So missed threes and turnovers that help to energize the Cavs with easy baskets early, followed by a rain of Cav threes.  Those are the obvious routes.  But of course every game is only itself: players in foul trouble and above all injuries can change the game, and injuries can still change the series.

Still, it's hard not to agree with media observers that the Warriors have so many weapons and are playing so well (and so fast) that over the course of a game, and certainly over the course of a series, they're very very hard to beat.

Another Record Setting Win for the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors won the second game of the Finals 132-113, setting a Finals record with the most made 3s at 18.  Steph Curry had his first playoff triple double, and Kevin Durant had a double double for the Dubs.  LeBron James had a triple double for the Cavs.

The Cavs changed their defensive approach and mixed their personnel.  Some of it backfired--they fouled to stop fast breaks, but Curry tied an NBA record by making all 14 of his foul shots.  But with an aggressive game by LeBron James, who also had a record number of assists in the first half, the Cavs kept coming close.  Still, the last actual lead they had was at 15-14 in the first quarter.  The Cavs had runs.  But the Warriors had blizzards.  They got a healthy lead in the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth.

Curry and Durant were the big guns, with momentum-changing and breathtaking shots and plays.  Klay Thompson got his 3 point stroke back.  Durant's defense was dominant as the game wore on.

Coach Steve Kerr was back on the bench for the first time since the first round.  In the post-game euphoria of the media, he cautioned that the Warriors turned the ball over way too many times, and if they do that on the road they are likely to lose.

Most Warriors fans probably remember the media euphoria last year, when some sportswriters wanted to declare them the ultimate winners after their first two home game blowouts, and even more so when they went up 3-1 with a fourth game win.  With a healthy Curry and Kevin Durant, whose play in these games invites some to call him the best in the game, this year is likely to be different.  But nobody should be counting their chickens just yet.

The important game 3--the next odd numbered one-- is Wednesday.  Obviously it's must-win for the Cavs, and it's all but over if the Warriors get the victory.

While a historically excellent team plays basketball in Oakland, San Francisco's baseball team struggles on the road, losing a series to the MLB basement dwelling Phillies, prompting at least one Bay Area sportwriter to proclaim them the worst Giants team in a generation.

Warriors Win Game 1

The Golden State Warriors became the first team in NBA history to win their first 13 games of the playoffs, prevailing against Cleveland in the first game of the Finals 113-91.

I remember the Lakers team of 2001 that swept the first three rounds but were unprepared for a rampaging Allen Iverson in the first game of the finals.  But they stifled him after that to beat Philadelphia in five games.

The Warriors played arguably one of their best games of the year, and yet not the best they could, at least theoretically.  Their shooting was a bit off.  But their defense was stellar, as was their rebounding.  The most startling stat was turnovers--they had four as a team.  LeBron alone had 7.  Kevin Durant scored 38, with thunderous dunks and long 3 pointers.  Steph Curry picked his spots for his amazing 3s, that further deflated and panicked the Cavs, as did his stuttering drives.  For most of the game the team was fluid, fast and fun.

 The next day the Cavs were talking about increasing their "physicality."  That could be translated into, the only way they can win is if they hurt somebody.  The Dubs chemistry was incredible, with lots of assists and everyone contributing on both ends.  The Cavs won last year because Curry was hobbled and they goaded Draymond into a suspension.  It's their main hope this year as well.

That's the remarkable thing about that first game: both teams are at full strength for the first time in three finals meetings.  It was clear in that first game that if the Warriors are focused and getting shots to fall at near their normal clip, they are the better team.  Only a significant injury is likely to change that.

Most of the time the odd number games are the most important in a playoff series--1, 3 and especially 5 (and of course 7, duh.)  Winning the first game is a big deal.  But as we found last year, lots can happen.

Two Finals Set

Now it's certain: The Warriors and the Cavs meet in the NBA finals, starting in a week.  There's been a lot of noise about the Warriors sweeping but I'm not listening to it.  I will not be surprised if the series goes the full seven.  I do expect the Warriors to win it.

Congratulations to Stanley Cup champs the Pittsburgh Penguins who tonight made it back to the finals.  I don't follow hockey at all but it was always electric in Pittsburgh when the Penguins were in the finals.

Here They Come

Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors, who won the Western Conference championship, going 12-0 in the playoffs, to be the first team to qualify for the  NBA championship finals.

They did it with a very active Stephen Curry and a deadly Kevin Durant on both ends, over an injury-depleted San Antonio Spurs.  But even though they might not have swept the Spurs at full strength,  they likely would have won in 6 or fewer games.

The only shock of the playoffs this week was the collapse of Cleveland in their third game, overcome by a depleted Celtics team that made up a 20 point deficit in the fourth quarter.  The disappearance of LeBron James in the quarter suggests how dependent they are on him having great games in the finals.

The Warriors may worry about the continuing shooting woes of Klay Thompson, an unusual pattern for this streak shooter who rarely has even two bad games in a row.  They will need a spry Iguodala and the canny Zaza to keep giving the Cavs a different look at the rim.  And protecting the ball better is also essential.  But the Cavs caving like that certainly diluted the intimidation factor, assuming they emerge (as they probably will, in five or six.)  It won't be till June but here come the Dubs.

And all of a sudden here come the Giants.  More home runs provide another victory, this time over the WC Cubs.  Winning on the road is a good complement to winning at home.

Meanwhile the Pittsburgh Pirates, also with a disappointing start, have shown signs of getting back on track, especially as injured stars come back.  Both teams have a ways to go, but at least their season may not be lost after all.

Big Wins on Both Sides of the Bay

The San Francisco Giants won their fifth straight behind strong pitching from their youngest starter Ty Blach and their second over the visiting LA Dodgers.

They've won with new and improvised lineups due to injuries but now some of the hurt players are nearly ready to come back.  The problem becomes damaging team chemistry during the best streak of the year, which may not be the worst problem to have but is a delicate one.

Improved hitting, especially the home run streaks that both Buster Posey and Brandon Belt are on has made the difference, but some of the starting pitching has been surprisingly good.  Johnny Cueuto you expect, but how about the youngest (Blach) and the oldest, Matt Cain, who beat the Dodgers the other night and is 3-1.  He just broke into the top three of Giants pitchers in history in terms of innings pitched over the years.  He's kept the faith, kept his confidence in these last rough years and the Giants stuck with him for what was likely his last chance.  Now with Bumgarner out for several more months, they need both the young and the old guys.

Meanwhile the Golden State Warriors blew out the Spurs by the largest margin they've ever recorded in the playoffs, 136-100, to extend their playoff streak to 10-0.

Klay Thompson did have a better game, though not a breakout one.  And indeed there seemed to be an attempt by the Spurs' Aldridge to undercut Kevin Durant on a shot, but without effect.  The Warriors did come out with a very strong first quarter, led by Steph Curry with 4 threes in the period alone.  Otherwise it was a big game up and down the lineup.

Andre Iguodala was out with a knee contusion but McCaw had a good game, scoring 18 with his increased minutes.  Zaza went out early with a heel contusion.  No word yet on whether they will be available for the third game, though it seems likely both will (assuming Zaza's x-rays are ok.)  Likewise it's not known if the Spurs main man Leonard whose absense was keenly felt in this game will be back when play resumes in San Antonio.

Pre-Games Notes

Just before game time, the Giants are on a sudden winning streak facing the Dodgers, and the Warriors prepare for the second game after coming back from 25 down to win the first game of the western conference finals over the Spurs.

The most promising aspect of the Giants' lately is better and more effective hitting.  They are scoring runs in bunches.

The Warriors look to have a much better first quarter tonight.  A conspicuous weakness in the first game was the play of Klay Thompson on both ends.  Unless there's something really wrong--which could be a real problem going forward--expect him to have a great game tonight.

What else to worry about?  Steph Curry's right wrist which gave him problems in the fourth quarter.  And retaliation by the Spurs to injure one of the Warriors stars.  When Popovich pops off about a dirty play, the rest of the team gets the message.

A plus for the Warriors--coach Kerr is more active and involved each game.

Giant Problems

It was a strong suspicion after the All-Star break last year, but now it seems inevitable: the days of the San Francisco Giants we've known this decade are numbered.  There will be big changes by next season.

Not just the patched-together and sometimes desperate lineups of this current race to the bottom, caused in many cases by injuries but also by the hard facts that this team is losing.  It can't seem to score runs or get anybody out anymore.

Many observers point out to left field but the Giants won World Championships without a stellar left fielder--and failed to win one when they had their biggest offensive force in decades out there: Barry Bonds.

No, the problem place is third base.  The Giants probably could not have won its last championship without Pablo Sandoval in the playoffs.  Apart from their perennial MVP Buster Posey, it was the pesky hitting of Sandoval and Pence that generated just enough offence to keep them in close games, and sparked other hitters in routs.  

Sandoval's eventual replacement Matt Duffy was a key to keep them competitive in the regular season, both in the field and as a hitter, although devastating injuries ruined their 2015 season.  And the attrition of the championship pitching staff began.

But with a healthy start, 2016 looked more than promising.  The infield of Duffy, Crawford, Panik and Belt was arguably the best in baseball.  But when the second half nosedive began, the Giants traded Duffy for a starting pitcher.  I felt at the time--and a case can still be made--that the Giants' chemistry collapsed without Duffy, and it's been pretty much downhill since.

On paper it may have seemed that all the Giants lacked was a big time closer, since that was the conspicuous cause for their failure in the playoffs.  It turns out not to have been so simple.

Another incredible raft of injuries has turned a bad situation into chaos.  The Giants are in last place for a good reason--they are playing like a last place team.

Is it possible that they reverse 2016, with a terrible first half but a great second half?  Possible, yes.  But not likely. It's gone past the point of individual changes--it seems like a group thing now.  Big changes are probably coming.  Giants fans should brace themselves.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are undefeated in the playoffs.  They've shown some resilience and adaptability, based on their wisely revived slogan of "strength in numbers."  If they stay healthy (and Cleveland does), a rematch of last year's finals looks all but inevitable.

The Bad Luck Giants, the Dubs Await, and Baseball History in Pittsburgh

The San Francisco Giants must have had a lot of very good luck in their championship years because their run of bad luck over the last two seasons and so far this season has been extraordinary.

On Thursday, the Giants started exactly one of their opening day starters in his regular position.  Catcher Posey played first, first baseman Belt played left field and third baseman Nunez played shortstop.  Only Pence played his usual position of right field.

Reserve Hundley was catching. The rest of the team wasn't even on the team: Arroyo at third, Tomlinson at second, Hernandez in center.  Although the Giants' dearth of hitting might suggest starters were benched, it was actually injury.  After their left-fielder Parker crashed into the wall and hurt his shoulder, their center fielder Span crashed into the wall and hurt his shoulder.  Could this actually be happening?

The new blood helped--Arroyo and Tomlinson got two hits apiece--but not enough.  Once again the Giants could manage only one run, ruining a fine outing by starter Matt Moore.  And once again, the bullpen lost it, this time in the 10th, allowing 4 runs.

Splitting a low scoring four game series with the Dodgers was however a kind of improvement.  Still, the ESPN story noted that it was another sellout in San Francisco but empty seats were visible.  It might not be much longer before that string of sellout games comes to an unlucky end.

Meanwhile, the Warriors have swept Portland in the first round and await the winner of the Utah/LA Clippers series.  Kevin Durant helped them to a record-setting first quarter in the fourth game, but there's still no word on when Coach Kerr will return.

 In Pittsburgh, a player born in Africa played in a US Major League baseball game for the first time on Wednesday. He's an infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and in his first at bat he hit a single. He has a great baseball name, too: Gift Ngoepe.

It may seem weird since it took until 2017 for the first African to play while so many African Americans have played the game. In fact, the first all-black starting lineup also belonged to the Pittsburgh Pirates back in the 1970s. But the lack of African players has not been due to racial discrimination, at least not since Jackie Robinson. Baseball is apparently not a major sport in any African country, and to be born and raised in South Africa presents fewer opportunities to learn and play the game.

Two Sides of the Bay: Warriors Up, Giants Down

With the first game in the bank, the Golden State Warriors hit the home floor against Portland in the first round of the playoffs without Kevin Durant and two other injured players.  They dressed 11 guys, 5 of them centers.  Then during the game, both Steph Curry and Klay Thompson had off nights shooting, especially the 3s.

So game 2 was a loss, right?  Not exactly.  The Dubs won by 29 points.

High octane defense, especially in the third quarter, and other players more than rising to the occasion, especially rookie Patrick McCaw (starting for Durant) and tall flying man JaVale McGee.  McGee changed the game in limited minutes, and while McCaw made some big momentum-changing shots (banking a fearless 3 pointer, followed by a fearless layup in traffic) he was credited with defensive intensity throughout the game.

Even with lots of misses, both Curry and Thompson had some exciting moments, including some deadly Steph deep threes, and a Thompson sequence beginning with a soaring block at one end and a catch-and-shoot three at the other.  A fun game of highlights, especially the third quarter, when the Dubs held Portland to 12 total points.

While the Warriors keep looking better (and a final collision with Cleveland looking even more likely), the San Francisco Giants continued their woeful April.  Like the end of last season, every time it seems they've hit the low point, they go lower.  After surviving extra innings in Kansas City with a 2-1 win, their bats were again silent in support of Madison Bumgarner, leading to a scandalous fourth loss in his first four starts.

As bad as things were in terms of hitting percentage for left fielders, it got worse with the injury to J. Parker, who will be out awhile.  Two other potential left fielders are also injured, though former l.f.er Michael Morse is playing himself back in shape in the minors.

The only difference is that the bullpen pitching has been pretty good lately.  It's mostly a lack of hitting, especially run-producing hits.  Everyone expects that to begin happening, but for the sake of the season, it really should happen soon.

Update 4/21: First the Pittsburgh Pirates saw their season devastated by the suspension of star Marte.  Today an off the field injury to Madison Bumgarner that will keep him off the mound for several months pretty much devastates the Giants' season, which is already in bad shape.  MadBum started strong, hitting two homers and taking a perfect game into the sixth inning on opening day, and pitching very well since, despite absent run support.  But a pretty dumb dirt bike accident has wrecked the Giants' rotation, and who knows what it will do to his pitching future.  A  very sad turn of events.

NBA winding down, MLB starting up

The Lakers beat the Spurs, after which Stephen Curry and the Warriors outgunned the Suns, and just like that, the race for the Western Division championship was over.  The Warriors have clinched it, as well as the best record in the NBA for the third straight season.

This gives them home court throughout the playoffs; they'd already earned it for the Finals if they get there.  With Kevin Durant officially slated to return to action Saturday, the Dubs are strong favorites to win it all.

As the NBA season winds down and playoffs begin, MLB has started.  Unfortunately the SF Giants began by reenacting the same nightmare that ended last season and haunted them ever since: bullpen failure in the 8th and 9th to blow the save and lose the game, marring a dominant performance by MadBum, taking a perfect game into the sixth and becoming the first pitcher in MLB history to hit two home runs on opening day--and they were whoppers.

The Giants continued to blow leads throughout their first series.  On the bright side, they are hitting.  Usually hitters or pitchers dominate across the board at the beginning of the season.  Let's hope that's it.

Statement

Down 23-3 in the first quarter, the Golden State Warriors surged and overwhelmed the Spurs in San Antonio, in their second of a road back-to-back.  The previous night they defeated Houston.  The two nights added to a 9 game winning streak, which began immediately after their 3 losses in a row following Kevin Durant's injury.  And they won those 9 without Durant.

The victory pretty much seals the number one seed in the West for the Warriors, with a 3 game spread over the Spurs with 7 games left.  Thanks to continued losses by Cleveland in the past week or so, any of the West teams would have home court in the finals, including the Dubs.

This impressive if not incredible victory was actually a win for both the Warriors and Spurs because it pretty much settled the #1 seed.  Had the Warriors lost, they would have been ahead by a single game, and both teams would probably have felt the need to compete for the seed.  Now they both can see about resting players before the playoffs, although that will be complicated for the Dubs if Durant is ready to return for the last games of the regular season.  Coach Kerr would probably want him to play with his fellow starters.

The Warriors victory in San Antonio also has to be viewed as a statement game.  The Spurs surprised them with a rout at home to start the season, and their next meeting--also the second of a back-to-back on the road for the Warriors--resulted in Kerr resting his starters, and an easy Spurs victory.  But the Warriors outplaying the Spurs for three quarters after giving them a 22 point advantage, in the second of another back-to-back, and without Durant, has to sow some doubts in San Antonio.

No one yet knows when Durant will return, nor how he will play.  But with these nine victories against the most competitive teams in the West, the Warriors look fully capable of beating anybody with their current lineup--and Durant coming off the bench for additional defense and firepower.  All of this as it looks more and more that the winner of the West playoffs will be the favorite to win it all.

Back on Top

It took just a week or so, the end of a grueling road trip, some rest and some work on the home court.  The Golden State Warriors rattled off five straight wins, including four blowouts, the last two on back-to-back visits to competitive western teams, OKC Thunder and Dallas Mavericks.  OKC and the Milwaukee Bucks were hot, until their winning streaks were crushed by the Warriors.

And they did it without Kevin Durant in the lineup.

Curry and Thompson got their shot back but other members of the team responded to the challenge and the opportunity, particularly in the Dallas win.

Meanwhile San Antonio dropped two and are 2.5 back of the Dubs after briefly being in first for the best record.

The most challenging stretch left on the Warriors' regular schedule is next week, when they play back to backs in Houston and San Antonio, and then immediately host Houston again.  But it does not look like the home court in the playoffs will depend only on that game in San Antonio.

The Warriors now can be confident that they can compete and even dominate without Durant, though he seems to be healing on or ahead of schedule.  On these last two games with tough opponents, their defense was stifling and their 3 point shooting awesome.  They out-rebounded the Mavs.  The offensive flow was back, and so was the joy.

The big news for the San Francisco Giants is the return of Barry Bonds, in an official if advisory capacity with duties that sound pretty ad hoc but the symbolism is important.  Plus his baseball intelligence is extraordinary.

But other news not so great--after most of spring training passed without injury, there were a slew of them late: hamstring for Michael Morse, trying to return to the team; quad injury for Mac Williamson, and the worst, arm injury for pitcher Will Smith, requiring Tommy Johns surgery.

Still, pretty soon, baseball!

The Best Team in the NBA

Update 3/11: After a one point loss in MN--with Steph Curry once again failing to hit the kind of winning shot he regularly did last year--Coach Kerr elected to rest...well, nearly everybody...in San Antonio.  The Spurs were also short-handed but made easy work of the Warrior bench, which couldn't defend or score in the first half.  The victory puts the Spurs a half game behind the Dubs for top seed in the West, and their second win over the Warriors this year guarantees them the tie-breaker.  All of this could come back to haunt Golden State, as the Spurs pretty much prove they're deeper, and right now, better.

One other fascinating aspect of this game: how do you get the attention of perverse schedule-makers that try to maximize profits at the expense of the health and long-term viability of players for the prohibitive favorite of the year?  The Golden State Warriors and Coach Kerr did it very well.  No one can argue with Kerr's rationale for resting his starters, but obviously the league didn't anticipate he would dare do so in such an important game.  So fans in the arena and those who tuned into the mega-hyped broadcast were sorely disappointed, and that pretty much scuttles the NBA's too clever by half move of trying to squeeze the Warriors with a back to back middle of the night flight from MN to Texas, after a bizarre road trip with a home game sandwiched in.  It's no guarantee anything will change, but the schedule makers may think twice before doing this next year.  (Nevertheless, the Warriors will play the Spurs once more, again in San Antonio and again the second of a back-to-back.)

For most of the year the question usually asked was whether the best team in the NBA was Golden State or Cleveland.  At this point in the season, neither are.  The best team in the NBA at the moment is the San Antonio Spurs.

They are solid, well-coached and have been winning close games in the fourth quarter, and K. Leonard is this year's Steph Curry in terms of making the needed shot to win.

The Warriors are not where a team wants to be that expects to get deep into the playoffs and contend for the championship.  The injury to Kevin Durant made them beatable, but the shooting woes of the Splash Brothers have become worrisome.  They've lost three of their last five games, though they did win back to backs.

Now they fly to Minnesota for a tough game there, and then to San Antonio for only their second game with the Spurs.  Both of their remaining games with the Spurs in San Antonio are back to backs.  Tell me who put this schedule together.

The Warriors could catch fire at any time, and Durant could be back in time and in shape to a difference.  But at the moment I'd rate the Spurs as the favorites in the West and maybe for the championship.  Cleveland has built itself for the playoffs, especially against the Warriors, but is having trouble getting there.  Right now the Spurs have the mo and the mojo.

The game in San Antonio on Saturday will be a good test, but it will hardly be the last.  I expect the Dubs and the Spurs to see a lot of each other before it's over.  Neither team right now has much idea of how they match up.

The media may not take the Spurs seriously but I'll bet the Warriors do.  Cleveland better be thinking about that, too.

Drama Comes to Golden State

The Warriors were rolling, seemingly unstoppable.  They came out of the All-Star break without breaking stride.  Kevin Durant was out for a game with illness, the Dubs won.  Steph Curry couldn't make a single 3 for an entire game, the Dubs still won.  They clinched a playoff spot, either earlier than anyone ever had, or had in a long time, depending on what story you read.

Then it seemed to all come tumbling down along with Kevin Durant.  His knee injury took him out of action reportedly for the rest of the regular season, at least.
The Warriors, on their last long awkward road trip through the east and midwest, lost two games in a row for the first time since late in 2015.

Fans have to hope that the season low point was in Chicago, the first entirely Durant-less game, when Curry and Thompson and everybody else was stone cold.

The season--and the playoffs-- at best got interesting.  The Spurs (who host the Warriors at the end of this ridiculous trip) have more to play for now, as the top seed in the West is more imaginable.  Meanwhile, the Cavs got some apparently meaningful help before the trade deadline, while the Warriors seemingly got less.  How that actually plays out remains to be seen, but on paper the Cavs got a deeper bench, and nothing is more important to LeBron James than rest.

So now it's gut check, character time for the Warriors. They're still expected to beat most teams, but maybe not the elite.  For the first time in a long time, they are underdogs.

Meanwhile, spring training games for the San Francisco Giants started great but soon got messy.  But there's a lot of competition to make the team, and the Giants are learning more about who to watch for call-ups down the road.  So far, Mark Melancon is looking like a great addition as the closer.

Back to the NBA, Baby Buss and his bro tried to take the Lakers back from Jeannie Bush and Magic Johnson, but so far have failed.  A board of directors vote they are expected to lose appears to be their last chance.

NBA Moves, MLB springs

Biggest news out of the NBA All Star break was the DeMarcus Cousins trade to New Orleans, and the major management shakeup at the LA Lakers.

For the Warriors, it's the Cousins trade that poses the most immediate challenge.  If he can jell with his new team soon enough, the New Orleans Pelicans can make the playoffs.  If the Dubs stay on top, they'd likely meet in the first round of the playoffs.  With two very skilled big men, the Pelicans could create difficulties for the Warriors defense.  The two teams will meet once before then, so more will be known.  In the meantime, San Antonio remains the biggest challenge for the Warriors in the second half.

The Lakers finally got rid of Baby Buss who tried to make the team his own and sort of did, but not to the team's benefit.  The new head of basketball operations is none other than Laker great Magic Johnson.  He had an advocate in Kobe Bryant, and he is an advocate for involving Kobe in the team's future.  As a member of the Lakers' extended family, first year coach Luke Walton will likely get a chance to work with the new management, that reportedly now will include Kobe's former agent as GM.

Meanwhile, MLB spring training is underway.  As predicted, the SF Giants have let go both Romo and Casilla--only Kontos remains from the bullpen that won those championships.  Several veteran pitchers and position players are in camp to make the team, and some likely will.  Sports writers keep harping on left field but the Giants don't seem to be desperate to trade or acquire a starter.  At least to start the season, one of the younger players will be out there, Parker or Williamson probably.  Still there is backup experience at nearly every position, and several players will get a chance this spring to play at different positions to increase versatility off the bench, and to rest regulars in the hope of keeping them fresh and less prone to injuries for the long haul.  

Dubs Challenge

Photo:  Steph Curry's special edition shoes, which he wore to honor President Obama at the end of his term in office.

With the NBA season nearly half over, the new Golden State Warriors are playing the best they have so far.  Their convincing three in a row victories over Cleveland, Oklahoma City and at Houston featured fearsome defense and fewer turnovers to go with smart and efficient shooting.

But their challenge for the championship may still be waiting out there.  They played the San Antonio Spurs the first game of the season and got blown out.  They haven't seen them since, as both the Dubs and the Spurs have improved.  They play them twice at San Antonio in March.  That will be there final meaningful pre-playoffs test.

The likely if not near certain East winner, Cleveland, remains a challenge.  In their two games, the visitor was deep into a road trip and on a back to back.  Both home teams won, though Golden State was the more convincing win.  Meanwhile, the Spurs just beat the Cavs in overtime, in Cleveland, even short-handed.

So the Dubs can't underestimate the Spurs.  They didn't have to meet them in the playoffs last year but are much more likely to this season.  The Dubs are not the automatic West team to face Cleveland.  

Update:  Even with a road loss to Miami, Golden State has the best record in the West, which this year means the best in basketball.  The East has one team with 30 wins (Cleveland.)  The West has 4 teams with 30 or more wins (and one more with 29.)  Thirty wins leads the East, but it gets you fourth in the West (LA Clippers.)  

And let me repeat: like last year, the Dubs are getting the publicity but the Spurs are winning, too--just 2 back in the lost column now.  The first seven teams in the West are above .500 and all are capable of beating anybody.  So to win the West regular season is an accomplishment with playoff payoff.  But the Western Conference playoffs will be very competitive.  The second half may hold some surprises--injuries can change things quick--but the Spurs look to be the chief challenger to the Dubs, and neither team can look past any other opponent in the playoffs.

Another Reason I Love Stephen Curry

"One thing my pops always told me is you never count another man's money. It's what you've got and how you take care of it. And if I'm complaining about $44 million over four years, then I've got other issues in my life."
Stephen Curry

Early December

The San Francisco Giants made a deal to address their biggest need by signing former Pittsburgh Pirate closer Mark Melancon.  Reportedly, ex-Giant and a Pirate last year Ryan Vogelsong was instrumental in praising the Giants team culture, and Melancon--like Durant to the Warriors--really wanted to play for them.

Another Pirates to Giants move is still possible but looks less likely now--the Pirates are less than quietly shopping around their star, Andrew McCutchen.  I was surprised to see what a bad year he had last year, even defensively.  But he played center well enough to beat the Giants (with Vogelsong on the mound) when I saw them play each other in August.

  Cutch would be a huge loss to Pittsburgh--he's always said he wanted to play there forever, and he was a star there on bad teams before they got good.  Now they may be on the wane again, and Pittsburgh has to watch its payroll still it seems.  He would fit in well in SF, though it poses questions for who plays where in the outfield.  But Giants officials are playing that possibility down, expressing faith in farm system grads Parker and Williamson to share left. And probably figuring a healthy Hunter Pence and better years by one or two others will add to the long ball totals.

Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors are rolling.  Their top four have all set some sort of record already in this young season, including Steph Curry's record 13 treys in a game and last night, Klay Thompson dropped 60 points in less than 30 minutes of playing time--for the first time in the shot clock era.  It's also the highest point total by anyone this season.

The offense is fast, sharing and joyful--breaking records for assists, and putting up lots of points.  The defense is a work in progress but there are brilliant plays every game, most often by Durant and especially Draymond.

Congratulations Chicago

Congratulations to the Chicago Cubs for winning the World Series, their first in 108 years, the longest period without a championship in American sports.

They were also the first team since the 1979 Pirates to be down 3 games to 1 and win the Series on the road.  I sure remember the feelings from that series--I watched every minute of it (except when I was pacing around in the next room) and I recall the feeling when it was over.  It was the third Pirates world championship in my lifetime, and so far the last.  But Pittsburgh also had a long drought--before 1960 they hadn't won it since 1925.

I loved the stories of the Chicago fans, sacrificing seeing the game to gather together outside Wrigley Field.  And the stories about the memories of absent fans, family and friends who didn't live to see this.  Getting into the Series seemed to reawakened memories of them.

As for this seventh game, the Cubs had it won until the 8th inning, just as the Giants had their last game won until the 9th.  Like the Giants in that game, the Cubs saw their closer fail--only they have one of the top closers in the game, who was just gassed from recent appearances.  But they didn't lose it, they were tied, and went to extra innings.

But before the 10th started, there was a rain delay, something like 17 minutes.  I can't imagine what that was like for the teams.  Maybe it settled the Cubs down, who knows?

But in the 10th they scored the go-ahead runs exactly as they came back against the Giants, with opportune hitting: going with the pitches, finding the holes.  Of course, earlier homers helped, as did terrific base running.  Both teams made big mistakes, and big plays.  Cleveland got closer but couldn't prevail.  It ended with the tying run on first, 8-7.

I admit that once the Series started I was rooting for the Cubs.  I went to college in Illinois and I thought about all my classmates from Chicago.  John Podesta being one.  But then Hillary and Barack are also Chicago people.

On the other hand, being from the Pittsburgh area, hating Cleveland teams is second nature, and I particularly hate the racist name and logo of their baseball team. So I sure wasn't rooting for them.

The Cubs are a young team, and they'll probably be a factor for years to come.  Right now they're world champs, and there's going to be some joy for awhile in Chicago.

The NBA season has started.  The Warriors ended all suspense about how many games they would win in a row to start the season.  Turned out: none.  But they've won three games since, starting to get it together against Portland the other night. Thursday they face the Thunder, and all eyes will be on Durant and Westbrook playing against each other.  Plus Durant has to score 20 to keep his streak going, to match Michael Jordan for second most consecutive number of games with 20 or more points.

Durant looks great but it's Curry who is a big relief--after his injuries hampered him in the finals, he looks like his old self, moving, shedding defenders, hitting lightning-quick release and otherwise impossible 3s.

It's probably too early to tell, but I get the sense that there's a lot more parity in the NBA than sport writers said.  It's supposed to be a boring year, but I don't think so. Some teams look better than they're supposed to.  Could be a more competitive year than the experts think.