Hey everyone, check out the latest Warriors Podcast here on Sideline Bay Area Sports Talk! Matt Steinmetz from 95.7 The Game will be joining me for the 100th episode!!
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Late in Tom Brady’s tenure as a Patriot, there was a span when, every season, without fail, we would all wonder if the dynasty was over. Most of those times, Brady and Bill Belichick then proved us wrong. So forgive me if this stretch of Warriors history feels eerily similar.
Golden State has shockingly not missed a beat despite losing longtime cornerstone Klay Thompson to Dallas. They still have the Belichick (Steve Kerr) and the Brady (Steph Curry). Maybe that’s enough:
The Warriors have started this campaign 7-1 after a momentous 118-112 win in Boston last night. Curry has missed multiple games, and Golden State went undefeated in his absence. Just … how?
First-year Warrior Buddy Hield is a big reason. Also an exquisite shooter, the 31-year-old is averaging a career-high 21 points a game, tied with Curry for the team lead, and is shooting over 50 percent from 3 on nine attempts per game. Whew.
I keep having to remind myself that we’re only eight games into the season … but the Warriors have looked scary. Maybe it’s the embedded dynastic memory we all have, but nonetheless, the eye test has been passed.
I asked Bounce writer Zach Harper, a much smarter basketball person than I, if we should consider them contenders at this point:
“I think you have to. Going into the season, I figured this team was deeper than last year and in a better position, as long as Draymond Green doesn’t get suspended for a couple weeks. The details are in the defense for them. They were middle-of-the-road defensively the last two seasons. In 2022, when they won the title? Best defense in the NBA. They’re in position to be that again.”
Remember, before that 2022 title, many people had called the Golden State dynasty done. Stay tuned. Read The Bounce for more details later this morning.
News to Know
Kelces on the phone incident
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said his brother Jason was “defending (his) family” last weekend, when the retired center angrily responded to a troll in public. The brothers discussed it on their popular “New Heights” podcast yesterday, and Jason elaborated on his apology for the incident, emphasizing his regret about repeating a word used by said troll. See more of their comments here.
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Holloway’s quick mend
One day after taking a hockey puck to the neck, Blues forward Dylan Holloway said he was feeling “way better” after a short stint in the hospital. He could return to the ice tonight. It’s a striking recovery after watching Holloway get stretchered off the ice Tuesday. More details here.
More news
Paul George faced his old team last night. He says he has “no ill will” toward the victorious Clippers, despite getting booed by fans.
Rory McIlroy thinks Donald Trump’s re-election will speed up PGA Tour-PIF negotiations.
Quarterback prospect Cole Leinart, son of USC legend Matt Leinart, committed to SMU yesterday.
A case of Wayne Gretzky rookie cards is going back to auction after the initial buyer did not pay the $3 million tab.
According to documents obtained by The Athletic, UNLV and Air Force got an extra $6.8 million to stay in the Mountain West.
Wait, Baseball? The possible $600 million man
This week, much of the baseball world will reside in San Antonio for MLB’s general managers’ meetings, which means we are already talking about free agency, just days after the World Series closed.
Three things to watch:
1. A Japanese star’s future
2. Juan Soto’s timeline
The top name on our MLB free agent big board could take his free agency into the spring, which is typical of a Scott Boras client, but could hold up the rest of the market by doing so. Contract whiz Tim Britton’s projected Soto terms: 13 years, $611 million. Lordy.
3. Betts’ move
Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts is not changing teams, but will be moving back to the infield next season, either at shortstop or second base, per L.A. general manager Brandon Gomes. It’s kind of incredible a guy of Betts’ stature is so willing to change positions nearly every year. A franchise player with this flexibility? I still can’t believe the Red Sox cheaped out on him.
While we wait on news, also scope out Keith Law’s top 50 free agents. The class is stacked, which means the winter will be fun.
Watch and Listen
📺 NFL: Bengals at Ravens
8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Just a massive game for both teams. Baltimore (6-3) wants to reclaim its elite status, while Cincinnati (4-5) has little margin of error the rest of the way. Two great quarterbacks, too. I’m jacked.
📺 NHL: Canucks at Kings
10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Division rivals who are both off to nice starts. Turn it on.
Get tickets to games like these here.
🎧 “The Athletic NBA Daily” talked about that Celtics-Warriors game and every other aspect of a busy night in the league. Listen here.
Pulse Picks
Meet Armando Villarreal, the man behind college football’s coolest helmets. I love these stories.
Dane Brugler published his midseason NFL All-Rookie team this week, which includes Jayden Daniels and Brock Bowers at the top … and some interesting surprises elsewhere. See the full team.
Speaking of NFL prospects: Nick Baumgardner has a post-trade deadline NFL mock draft up this morning, with both Colorado superstars in the top three picks. 👀
I thought this was interesting from Mike Vorkunov, on what the Celtics’ impending sale means for NBA ownership right now. Everyone is cashing out.
Dan Hurley has won two straight titles at UConn, but there was a time when he taught high school history. Doug Haller talked to his former students, which elicited this reaction from Hurley: “Oh, God.” Very fun story.
