Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Santa Cruz Warriors win over Spurs 97-83 advancing to D-League finals
Courtesy of the Santa Cruz Warriors
WARRIORS ADVANCE TO THIRD STRAIGHT NBA D-LEAGUE FINALS
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The Santa Cruz Warriors defeated the Austin Spurs, 97-83, in Game 3 of the Western Conference FinalsMonday night to advance to the NBA D-League Finals for the third straight time.
Santa Cruz was paced by Elliot Williams who recorded 31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocked shots. Ognjen Kuzmic, on assignment from the Golden State Warriors, finished with 20 points and a game-high of 16 rebounds.
The Spurs received a solid performance from Kyle Anderson, on assignment from the San Antonio Spurs, who finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals. Orlando Johnson contributed with 18 points.
Though Santa Cruz would lead by as many as 8 points in the opening frame, Austin stayed within striking distance to even the score four different times. The Warriors would never concede a first quarter lead, with the two squads knotted at 25 entering the second frame. The second quarter would continue the tightly-contested battle, with Santa Cruz entering the break with the four-point edge.
The third quarter would see Santa Cruz outscore the Spurs 29-20 to lead by as many as 15 points. Santa Cruz extended their lead in the final frame, coasting to a victory over Austin.
The Santa Cruz Warriors will head to Fort Wayne on Thursday to take on the Mad Ants in Game 1 of the NBA D-League Finals. Action is scheduled to tip-off at 5:00p.m. PST and will be broadcast on the Santa Cruz Warriors flagship station, KION 1460AM/101.1FM, and on ESPNews.
Tickets for the NBA D-League Finals are now on sale. Fans interested in purchasing playoff tickets are encouraged to log on to www.santacruzbasketball.com
Dates and times of the NBA D-League Finals are as follows:
Game 1
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Thu. April 23
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SCW at FWN
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5:00 p.m. PST
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ESPNews
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Game 2
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Sun. April 26
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FWN at SCW
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4:00 p.m. PST
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ESPNU
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Game 3
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*Mon. April 27
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FWN at SCW
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7:00p.m. PST
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ESPNU
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Warriors v. Pelicans - Game 2 Post Game w/the SPORTS NINJAS
Check out post game clips from Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, Pelicans head coach Monty Williams, The Splash Brothers, Pelican players Anthony Davis and Norris Cole and more!
The Pelicans learned from their mistakes in game one and jumped to an early lead on Golden State but Golden States playoff experience, defense and strong bench wouldn't be enough to tie the series and New Orleans would lead home down 2-0 in the first round of the W. Conference Playoffs.
Games 3 and 4 will be Thursday and Saturday respectively in New Orleans.
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Warriors roll to 2-0 in playoffs for first time since 1989
Vid by F. Purcell
The Golden State Warriors have had many record-breaking milestones this season and Monday night was no different rolling to a 97-87 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans and their 125th consecutive sellout to a crowd of 15,596.
Klay Thompson was the leading scorer with 26 points and Stephen Curry had 22. Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with 26 and Eric Gordon with 23.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was pleased with the way his team played offensively and defensively but said his team needed to get better at decision making.
It would be the first time in 26-years that the Warriors are 2-0 in a W. Conference playoff series. They are now 40-2 at home. Golden State scored under 100-points for only the second time this season and Draymond Green tallied his second straight double-double with 14-points and 12 rebounds. With his one blocked shot tonight he has 25 blocks for his playoff career tying former Warriors player Joe Barry Carrol for 7th on the franchise's all-time playoff blocks list.
Both teams will have some time to rest before Game 3 Thursday in New Orleans.
NOTES: TRhe Santa Cruz Warriors won Game 3 of their W. Conference Finals match up against the Austin Spurs 97-83.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Santa Cruz Warriors - Series tied 1-1 game decider Monday
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| Santa Cruz resident A. Lakey holds up his Western Conference Finals T-shirt Photo by F.D. Purcell |
By F.D. Purcell
The Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA's Developmental League had a full house of 2,300 Sunday night but the crowd noise wouldn't be enough to give them a 2-0 advantage over the Austin Spurs in the W. Conference Finals.
Missed shots and FT's would hurt the Warriors and the Spurs capitalized on rebounds, making important shots down the stretch in the 100-91 loss.
Mychel Thompson was the top scorer finishing with 20-points; the younger brother of Golden State Warriors forward Klay Thompson, Mychel also finished with four assists. Taylor Griffin, younger brother of L.A. Clippers Blake Griffin is also on the team.
The Warriors will host a deciding Game 3 tonight at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz at 7:00 p.m.
Sports Ninjas - Game 1 post game recap versus Pelicans
Vid by D. Guingona
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Saturday, April 18, 2015
Warriors D-League Team also in Playoffs
Sports in the Bay!
The Golden State Warriors are celebrating their third consecutive tour to the NBA Playoffs and so is their D-League team The Santa Cruz Warriors who currently leading the Austin Spurs 1-0 in Round 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
They will host the next two games Sunday, April 19th (5:30pm) and Monday April 20th (7:00pm)
For more information go to: www.santacruzwarriors.com.
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Thursday, April 16, 2015
The Sports Ninjas - Warriors Regular Season Recap Finale
Golden State has home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Video by D. Guingona
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Friday, April 10, 2015
A Star Among Stars
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| From L: Shawn, Kailey, Kenadie and Kapri Geernaert with family member Aiden. Photos by F.D. Purcell |
By F.D.Purcell
Sports in the Bay/Antioch Herald
Many fans show up to Golden State Warriors games early in hopes of shaking hands or getting a photo op with their favorite player and this Thursday was no different. Except this time the roles were reversed; Warriors players shook hands and took photos with someone sitting court side near their bench.
That person would be six year-old Santa Rosa resident Kapri Geernaert who’s a star in her own right but unfortunately not under the best circumstances. Geernaert is one of the many faces of children who have battled brain cancer. With nearly 7k 'Likes' on her Facebook page Kapri has also been honored by the World Champion San Francisco Giants to name a few.
Last June after months of battling flu-like symptoms Kapri's illness would come to a head. While riding in the car with her mother Becki she suffered a seizure and the Geernaert's would receive the news that no parent should ever have to hear, their five year-old daughter had a brain tumor.
Medulloblastoma is a cancer mass that starts in the brain and spreads throughout the body. The most common malignant brain tumor of children, Medulloblastoma accounts for 20% of all childhood brain tumors and affects 250-500 of U.S. children yearly. It is not hereditary.
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| Kapri w/St. Jude NBA Ambassador Dave Lee (far right) and guard Steph Curry. |
“The past year has been crazy, a lot of anxiety,” said her father Shawn who contributed to St. Jude before Kapri's diagnosis and chose she received treatment there because of its stellar history treating children.
Doctors would eventually find multiple tumors peppered throughout her spine and brain areas, one the size of a walnut that was removed. The others were smaller and did not require removal.
In honor of the NBA’s Hoops for St. Jude Week April 3-9 Warriors forward David Lee, a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ambassador since 2011 hosted a pregame meet and greet with Geernaert and her family and donated $75,000 during a visit to the hospital last month.
"I was asked to be a part of it and I did my research beforehand. I felt like it was something great to be a part of. Once I visited St. Jude I immediately tripled my donation," said Lee who took it upon himself to also learn about other families at St. Jude in addition to the Geenaert's. "Hearing the stories made it all worth it to me and I'll be a part of it long after I'm out of the NBA."
Sitting with her big sisters, 11 year-old Kenadie and 9 year-old Kailey and 11 year-old cousin Aiden, the Geernaert girls describe their little sister as ‘funny’ and ‘cute,’ who ‘likes to do crazy things.’
Although they couldn’t be with their sister daily once she was moved to the St. Jude facility in Memphis in the June of last year, they kept her spirits up by giving her candy and face-time. They also helped with household chores of laundry and dishes at home to take the stress off their dad who commuted between the Bay Area and Tennessee.
“We love St. Jude, it’s a home away from home,’ said Becki who was not in attendance Thursday but face-timed with Shawn, becoming emotional when she saw Kapri’s interaction with Warriors players.
Donning a Warriors cap and personalized jersey with her name on the back the soft-spoken first grader told Sports in the Bay she enjoyed doing crafts and her favorite player was ‘#30,” because she ‘likes the way he shoots.’ For those of you living under a rock this season that would be two time all-star and MVP candidate Stephen Curry.
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| Kapri w/Warrior Dance Team members Danielle and JeKailah |
The Geernaerts credits their Faith and church, Spring Hills Church for providing a wealth of support over this past nine months along with a host of family and friends who held fundraising events and offered words of prayer and encouragement.
"St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life threatening diseases," said St. Jude representative Adam Casey.
After seven rounds (five weeks of radiation) of chemotherapy and an 8-month residence in Memphis Kapri returned home a few weeks ago and is adjusting well. She enjoys visiting her classmates daily and is excited about returning to school.
"I would encourage people to give $5 or $10, anything to St. Jude because it's going to a great cause," said Becki.
Learn more about Kapri on her Facebook page: Kapri Geernaert.
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Friday, April 3, 2015
Warriors squeak past Suns 107-106
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| Warrriors players celebrate their last second victory over Phoenix. |
F.D.Purcell
Sports in the Bay/The Antioch Herald
When you have the best record in the NBA every team is going to bring their A-game and the (39-37) Phoenix Suns were no different. Scraping the bottom of the Western Conference and fighting for a possible playoff berth they played the (62-13) Golden State Warriors like a Game 7 of the NBA Finals. However, Golden State would prove why they've been a winning team all season answering the call when it mattered rolling to their 11th straight victory Thursday with a 107-106 win.
With a days rest coming off their four-point, 110-106 win over the Clippers on Tuesday, a layup by Harrison Barnes from Andre Iguodala with 0.4 seconds left in the game secured the Dubs their 62nd win of the season.
"I was supposed to clear out." "Obviously we wanted to get the ball to Steph (Curry) or Klay (Thompson). They jumped after those guys and Andre found me and I got a good roll," said Barnes afterwards who had a quiet night with four points. "Obviously it feels good to make that shot. I messed up twice defensively down here, so I'm glad we got a win today."
Their 119th sellout crowd of 15,595 was quiet for most of the game until the final minutes with the young physical Suns mixing and matching and playing on the Warriors lack of defense.
"You've got to take advantage of every possession," said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
That will be a huge factor as it doesn't get any easier for Golden State who heads on a three-game road trip to Dallas, San Antonio and New Orleans before hosting Portland next Thursday.
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Friday, March 27, 2015
Felicia Chats with Eddrick on Viewpoint Radio!
Felicia recently appeared on Viewpoint Radio hosted by Eddrick Osborne. She discussed the Warrior's season to date, Curry's MVP chances, and recaps the thrilling celebration of the '74-'75 championship team. Listen here:
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Player and Fan reminisce about '74 Championship
By Felicia D. Purcell
While most of my memories are vague of the excitement in and around Oakland after the Golden State Warriors won their 1974-1975 NBA Championship, there are a few things I do recall and that would be that the most popular player, Rick Barry and my cousin George Johnson shot under handed while at the free throw.
My first memories of the Warriors is keeping score in the back seat of our Impala for my beloved daddy as he drove. The legendary Bill King would be blaring, painting a vivid picture of each play; I felt as though I was in the arena but I took more pleasure in hearing my dad's reaction when I'd tell him the Warriors were ahead. However, my most momentous memory would be meeting George for the first time.
The back-up center to Clifford Ray, I would watch George on our small black and white t.v. in the living room of our E. Oakland home approximately 10-blocks from ORACLE Arena. My mom would gently point at the t.v. and say, "That's your cousin," whenever my dad had the game on. I don't recall my initial reaction but what I do recall is thinking wow, he's a tall handsome man with a cool mustache, huge biceps and a large Afro.
When my parents told me I would attending a party at our cousin Gloria's for George in honor of the Warriors winning the NBA Championship I was so happy; not only would I get the chance to stay up late I'd also get to meet that tall handsome man accompanied by his cool mustache, huge biceps and large Afro.
Earth, Wind & Fire's 'Get Away' was blaring through the dark room and everyone was dancing as I stood with my parents watching the love fest, all for George. I particularly remember my younger cousin Chris, Gloria's son, bopping up and down and playing air Congo drums as his small body swung side-to-side.
"Say hello to your cousin," my mother said proudly, a broad smile on her face. Partly afraid of this 6"11-foot monstrosity, it had to be o.k., after all my mom said so and my 5"6 superhero dad was standing there watching.
George picked me up and there I went, ascending into the air like a roller coaster chugging towards its peak. It all went in slow motion and my stomach tickled as I went Up...Up...UP, still a little apprehensive but excitedly awaiting to reach the top. "Hi little cousin," said the handsome man with the cool mustache, huge biceps and large Afro. Over the loud music and through my shyness I managed to mouth a 'hello.' Hey wait, am I heading down already, Before I reached ground level I felt a kiss grace my cheek. The gentle giant just kissed me on my right cheek! A typical kid I was embarrassed and happy at the same time. As soon as I felt my feet touch the floor I bolted to a corner and watched him the remainder of the evening, periodically touching my cheek.
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| My Cousin George and I. Photo by Z'ma Wyatt |
On the ride home I looked into the darkness watching the shadows of trees pass by thinking I couldn't wait to tell my classmates the next day about my night.
The next morning my mother summoned me to wash my face and that's when all hell broke loose. "Felicia, go wash your face," she said. I protested, telling her I couldn't wash off his kiss so I began washing my left cheek. My mother gave me that look before the whooping. "Honey, that is your cousin, you have to wash your face!" When you're seven that's irrelevant, I thought that washing off his kiss would somehow wash away the moment.
When I saw George recently I was finally brave enough to share my story and he gave a heartfelt chuckle.
As the team celebrated the 40th anniversary of their championship George and his teammates fondly reminisced with the media about days gone past. They laughed and got misty reliving their exploits and comical stories.
While I would never experience the path they traveled during that Cinderella year, I do have a wonderful memory of my own that I will never tire of telling, just like them.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Team Celebrates 40th year of NBA Championship
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| Head coach Alvin Attles, Clifford Ray, Jeff Mullins, Charles Johnson, Rick Barry, George Johnson, Jamaal Wilkes, Butch Beard and Assistant Coach Joe Roberts pose with their 74-75 championship trophy. Photos by Z'ma Wyatt |
F.D. Purcell
The banners that hang high in the raptors of ORACLE Arena for the players, teams and coach who've made contributions during their Philadelphia years and since their relocation to the Bay Area in 1962.
May 25th will mark 40-years since Golden State won their last NBA Championship. Comprised of a deep bench and players led by Hall of Famers such as Rick Barry and Jamaal Wilkes the Warriors finished with a 48-34 record finishing 1st in the Pacific Division.
"It was a fantasy year, said Barry the MVP of Game 4, we never quit and we never gave up. We were the deepest team in the NBA, a Cinderella team."
He's correct, the Warriors weren't the favorite to win and certainly weren't expected to sweep the then Washington Bullets in Washington especially after Bullets forward Mike Riordan attempted to get into the head of star player Rick Barry in the final game but instead it would be head coach Alvin Attles who would be ejected in the first quarter for standing up for Barry. Golden State scrapped their way to a 96-95 victory, their first and last championship since that date.
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| Game 4 MVP and HOF Rick Barry. |
Fast-forward 40-years later, a little more gray and some no longer with us a handful of those team members graced ORACLE Arena with their presence and it was as though they hadn't missed a beat. Butch Beard, George Johnson, Rick Barry, Clifford Ray, Jeff Mullins, assistant coach Joe Roberts, Jamaal Wilkes and head coach Alvin Attles were some of those present on Monday.
There were lots of laughs and Barry was in his usual dominate form taking over questions and choosing the longer route when answering questions and everyone else's; however, he also gave much deserved credit when it came to his former teammates and coaches.
The press room was packed as new media blended with old, times when you couldn't live tweet and watched the game on tape delay. Those in attendance sat on the edge of their seats marinating on every word from the championship team and each vivid detail from flying coach and the sometimes disgusting habits of teammates and legendary announcer Bill King. It was refreshing to hear an occasional expletive and raw honesty minus the direction of a spin doctor.
"I'm appreciative to the Warriors for bringing us all together. I'm excited to see everyone including the late Phil Smith's kids, said 1975 Rookie of the Year Jamaal Wilkes, then known as 'Keith'. It's very moving and touching."
A heartfelt ceremony was held before the 2nd quarter honoring the championship team and the sellout crowd of 15,595 gave a rousing standing ovation as former center Clifford Ray, known on the court as a menacing figure fought back tears.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr chose not to discuss any plays during the timeout instead opting to allow his team to soak in the ceremony. Afterwards Kerr said how special it was to have the championship team speak with his guys after their 107-76 victory over the Wizards.
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| Center George Johnson shows his championship ring. |
"It's just good encouragement for the mission that we're on this year. I think there is something special about it being their 40th anniversary of winning the championship, said center Marreese Speights who finished the game with 16 points. Having them all here gives us a visual of where we want to be. I think it's a good motivation for the last part of this regular season and then once we get to the playoffs."
Golden State will return for one game on Thursday, April 2nd versus the Phoenix Suns after a four-game road trip. They will head on the road again for a three game road trip that includes Dallas, San Antonio and New Orleans.
They will host their final four games at home: Portland, Minnesota, Memphis and finish their regular season versus the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, April 15th.
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Friday, March 20, 2015
Warriors set to honor 74-75 Championship team
Sports in the Bay
Heading back down memory lane the Golden State Warriors will be honoring the 40th anniversary of their 1974-1975 NBA championship team on Monday, March 23rd at ORACLE Arena. A select group of Warriors players from that team such as head coach Al Attles, Rick Barry, George Johnson and Clifford Ray will be available pregame to fans from 6:30-7:30 in Section 112 along with the championship trophy.
Footnote: Monday's game is versus the Washington Wizards the very team the Warriors team swept (then the Washington Bullets) in a best of seven series on May 25, 1974. It is also the only West Coast championship the team has won since moving from Philadelphia.It was the first time two African American head coaches in any league have faced-off in Alvin Attles and K.C. Jones. Who would go on to win championships as the Boston Celtics head coach.
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Ruby Lopez - More than just 'Hype"
By F.D. Purcell
Since 2008 Ruby Lopez has been the 'ying' to Warriors in-house hype man Franco Fin's 'yang'. The Hayward native and San Francisco State graduate can be seen on the court pregame connecting with fans and throughout the stands during timeouts getting the ORACLE crowd hyped. Not only is Ruby a role model for young Latina girls but also women, proving you can still achieve your dreams and goals as a wife and mother.
Vid by D. Guingona
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Thursday, March 19, 2015
On the Court Report - Post Game Versus ATL
Sports in the Bay
It was the best of the best, the East versus the West, the #1 in the league versus #2 in the league in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The Warriors proved why they were in fact 'Golden' putting a hurting on the Atlanta Hawks 114-95 at ORACLE Area.
Sports in the Bay's Felicia and Dave do a post game wrap-up.
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The Best in the West Answers The Test
Photos by F. Purcell
Sports in the Bay
The Golden State Warriors have been fighting for their right to be mentioned as one of the premier teams in the league since their playoff run began three seasons ago. The reasons ranged far and wide and some were valid; they're too small and in need of a big man, they live and die by the 3-pointer and they don't play defense.
On Wednesday the team with the best record in the league would silence all doubters in a nationally televised game versus the #2 team in the league and the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks a match-up that could be possible preview of the NBA Finals.
Atlanta playing without their premier shooter Kyle Korver (broken nose) and Golden State without their second best player Klay Thompson (who sustained an ankle injury Mondays versus the Lakers) Wednesdays game would be without the excuse that the other won without their respective players.
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| 2x All-Star Stephen Curry sees a bright future for him and his G'State teammates |
Curry, the commander of the ship got the chance to watch his teammates shine. Harrison Barnes lead the scorers with 25-points, Andre Iguodala wasn't far behind with 21 solidifying their #1 status finishing the game 114-95.
"I want to keep getting better said head coach Steve Kerr afterwards. I don't worry about anything but staying healthy."
FUN FACTS:
It was the 10th consecutive home win for the Warriors who are now 31-2 at home. They haven't had multiple home win streaks of at least 10 since 1975-1976.
Golden States next home victory will tie the franchise's second-most home wins ever (club record is 36 set in 1975-1976).
It was also their 115th straight sell-out of the season to a fan base with a season-ticket waiting list of over 10,000 strong proving not only they are the best in the West but have the best fans in all of the league.
Monday, March 16, 2015
On the Court: NFL Coach visits Warriors, wishes guard a Happy Birthday
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera happened to be in the Bay Area for a function for his alma mater Berkeley this past weekend and he stopped by ORACLE to wish Warriors guard Steph Curry a happy 27th birthday and present him with a personalized Panthers jersey.
Vid by D. Guingona
Vid by D. Guingona
Thursday, March 12, 2015
On the Court: Warriors/Pistons Post game
Golden State wins their 8th straight win over the Pistons. Felicia and Dave talk post game.
Vid by D. Guingona
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