Warriors 'Outsiders' on NBC Sports Bay Area: Time To Call Napa State Hospital

I'M A CHARITABLE GUY; I ROOT FOR THE UNDERDOG. I love those rags-to-riches stories and I openly applaud creative thought and new things. Settling for the old guard and abandoning the idea of trying revolutionary content is against my religion.

That said and all, I recently watched, (more like, invested) a good chunk of time and effort (effort, because I knew in my heart that I would seriously hate, despise, severely loathe, use whatever phrase you like) this show, this adventure, called "Warriors Outsiders" on NBC Sports Bay Area.

I tried, seriously, please, give me credit for actually wanting to watch this tripe I had contempt for to begin with (without, yes, not even seeing it but I have tremendous intuition in projects like this) --somehow, someway, I would be wrong and that :Outsiders (Drew Shiller and Grant Liffmann, co-conspirators, pictured) would be plausibly awful and just slightly terrible) but I was wrong. How dare I even think that this hilariously bad video tofu would be merely uber-suckitis when it was so bad it was bad. I mean, bad, dude.

This is the Bay Area. We, theoretically at least, are supposed to have taste and possess strong virtue be it sports, culture, or news. Even in these bloated marginalized times you would think a bigtime player like NBC and its cable sports partners would be able to submit at least half-wit content and cable shit even if that content (filler programming, really) happens to be subsidized by a formidable partner like the Golden State Warriors who I guess gave the OK to this unmitigated bullshit because, well, it's their party and they'll cry if they want to. When you yourself get bloated and big like the Warriors are, then you allow 'Outsiders' and just hope they spread the brand and nobody gets hurt or offended.

There is plenty to offend if you watch Outsiders which if you do after a mere sniff, you need and deserve severe mental help and therapy immediately. A red button that connects Napa State hospital should be set up right away on your couch and your relatives should be informed of your sickness and deprivation. You are not allowed to walk the streets without a medical doctor monitoring your activity if you make it a point to observe Outsiders, so perilous and fragile is your mental state and capacity.

I could imagine if I was back at my high school watching Professor Kepler teaching all of us would- be television stars, future Rupert Pupkins, Boise sports anchors, Reggie Aqui, and the like, about projects. The 'Outsiders" remind me of this. The Outsiders look like a bad SNL skit performed by some after-work PTA parents' glee club in Plano, Texas.

The hosts here are supposed to look hip and gritty; have that wayward, non-garden-variety appearance of 'cool dudes' who thwart authority and get the inside dope, aka: Outsiders. Get it? NBC Sports Bay Area thought it would be really, radical, dude, that these two carcasses would hold us for multiple minutes. They'd be funny and interesting, slightly off base and entertaining. Sure, if you like making love to an aardvark.

Only Mr. Shiller, Killer, Miller, whatever his name and Liffman, Kiffmann, whatever, are not interesting. Nor gritty. Outsiders, Insiders, they are not worthy. And for guys looking like they're supposedly cool, in reality, they look like a couple of bartenders at a South of Market after-hour club, decidedly un-hip and ungodly boring and destitute.  In practical life, real assholes that score the drunk yuppie blond only when she regained her sobriety, told the dual assholes to take a hike and called her girlfriend to pick her up.

Yes, I'm hard on Outsiders. It isn't the fault of the double dudes NBC Sports BA put out an on-line ad for their project and decided on these two because the Fremont YMCA managers (Skip Doofus and Shep Budle) were not equipped after the first tryout. You would think Outsiders possess more street cred and viability but no sir.

Look, obviously I haven't gone into the details of what Outsiders is/was/willing to be. Why waste your time. It's a program devoid of specifics and only something, maybe, the booster club would like but I'd like to think the Warriors' fans have more taste and are more critical thinkers but I could be wrong here. Maybe I'm being hard, it happens from time to time.

Outsiders has a good ring to it and could possibly be a quarter educational. Drew and Grant could go to the bar at Chase Center with a fifty and see if they could buy two beers and have change left. Instead they volley for Draymond Green's sneakers and think it's positively hilarious --not exactly the drill but you get my drift.

Excuse me as it's time to circumvent life and detoxify myself from having committed any more thought or time to Outsiders. I need something stiff and strong, please help my cause.

415 Media Exclusive: Warriors' PA Announcer, Matt Hurwitz OUT; NBA Champs Go In 'New Direction'

Matt Hurwitz OUT as Dubs' PA announcer at Oracle Arena

Matt Hurwitz, the NBA champion, Warriors' PA announcer for over 18years is OUT, 415 MEDIA has learned through a source.

I reached out to Hurwitz who confirmed to me that he was indeed no longer with the team and not returning for the upcoming season.

"They (Warriors) indicated they wanted to go in a new direction. While I'm disappointed I had a great time --a great run for almost two decades," Hurwitz told me.

There's no word on a replacement as of this writing.

    The Warriors are scheduled to move into their new San Francisco arena, the Chase Center, for the 2019-2020 season.

How a Benign Fake Story of 'Theft' and 'Race' Ruined Mike Shumann's Livelihood; Warriors and KGO in Cross Hairs; Lazy Sports Journalism Trumps Common Sense; 415 Media Special Report

OF ALL the most heinous things coming out of the Mike Shumann/Warriors affair involving an alleged "stolen" jacket that was never stolen in the first place involves certain sports media players quick to condemn but never making attempts to talk to the accused.

And then driving the "story"into a racial matter when race had absolutely no play and was inserted as cover for some overzealous people including some Warriors players and lazy sports media members.

Shumann was accused of stealing a jacket from a Warriors' team security guard (who has recently left the organization) the initial story was reported by The Athletic; did its reporter make an attempt to ask Shumann for comment? Get his explanation? Surely someone with 25 years at his employer deserves that but there was no attempt made by the reporter.

Crappy journalism.

Monte Poole, a veteran sports columnist and Warriors' Insider for the local NBC Sports Bay Area cable outlet who is African-American, wrote a column about some Warriors' players who injected race into the matter even though Shumann has never had any issues with Bay Area sports teams, let alone issues involving racial matters. I bring this up because Shumann went out of his way to return the jacket to its owner that night in San Antonio; unable to get it to the security guard, Shumann gave it to a prominent Warriors' PR person. This is verified.

There was no theft. There was, conspicuously, a video that showed Shumann taking the jacket and looking around for its owner. Should Shumann have left it there as is? You can say it might have been the best thing to do in retrospect but Shumann had no ill intentions and only wanted to get it the security guard as quickly as possible.

Yet the story had already developed a narrative that Shumann was a thief! and a white thief at that who in addition to his crime, received special treatment. Mind you the fact that Shumann's record of 25 years at KGO was spotless and that there's never been any incident whatsoever to indicate this type of behavior nor racial elements; of course it is far easier to let the story go viral; why ask questions now because that would require heavy lifting and actual reporting; let the facts rush forward and damn any explanation after all it's just a guy that has a quarter-century worth of time at his employer and livelihood on the line.

I don't know Shumann all that well; only occasionally we bumped into one another at various Warriors' games and other Bay Area sporting events. I have no vested interest in his travails here monetarily or otherwise. I believe Shumann at his word that he didn't steal any jacket and that the whole thing was a misunderstanding and that, with the assist by social media, developed a storm of its own with members never bothering to consider the facts. There is nothing to consider otherwise. If Shumann had any incidents in his life to suggest some investigation, OK, he loses the benefit of the doubt. There is no mark.

Shumann had a spotless record and was let go by ABC execs because their relationship with the Warriors involved significant monetary assets which trumped even an innocent employee in the cross hairs of a mostly benign matter that had no business going viral, literal, racial, or otherwise.

Shumann is a devoted family man with a wife and daughter in college; he's had to sell his house and painstakingly reinvent his livelihood and name. "It's a nightmare", he tells me.

I believe him.

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Money Dictates Shumann's Fate; KGO-TV's Lucrative Relationship with Warriors Probably Spells Doom for Veteran Sports Anchor

I DON'T LIKE THE INEVITABLE DECISION coming regarding Mike Shumann's likely dismissal because of an alleged theft, but odds are the 28-year KGO-TV sports anchor will be fired.

There's several factors dictating this move but the biggest one is the most obvious: money.

It always is.

KGO makes a ton of money off its business relationship with the Warriors; those post-game shows involve several millions of dollars --no wonder it's all "exclusive" content.

"The revenue generated by the 'Warriors essentially pays the station its freight," said a KGO staffer familiar with the broadcast terms. Which means any deviation from its broadcast rights with the team is virtually unbreakable. That status probably spells doom for Shumann.

Shumann, according to those in the know, wasn't liked by many players on the team before the alleged theft incident in San Antonio.

Furthermore, after watching the video of the affair, many players stated they would no longer speak to him. That would complicate matters with KGO, which would obviously have to make a tough decision regarding Shumann's fate even if his "it was a total misunderstanding" reaction to the San Antonio is true.

KGO could simply take Shumann off the Warriors' beat (as they did before Sunday's and Tuesday's games) and replace him with Larry Beil; a decision on that and all other matters is supposedly being bandied about at KGO's 900 Front building.

Bill King Looking Down from Heaven on 2015 Warriors NBA Championship

 "The Warriors are Champions of the World Once Again!---HOLY TOLEDO!"


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Damon Bruce Called Dwight Howard A Little Bitch On SF Sports-Talk Radio Thursday (Audio)

 Ya'll know Damon Bruce, right?


Bruce likes to stir a lot of shit up on SF FM Sports-Talk and does a good job, at least most of the time. It's invigorating radio and it works.


Well, not always. But we digress.


Bruce was at it again on Thursday afternoon and he didn't mince words, calling Houston Rockets center, Dwight Howard, a bitch. Not once, but multiple times. (AUDIO here at 1: 28)


Bruce was out castigating Howard because Howard said after Wednesday night's game "I'm still a 'champion." Huh?

I agree with Bruce --I just might have used a better adjective. Putz? Uh, supreme schmuck come to mind, but that's just my opinion.


 




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1975 Memories: 40 Years Ago Brings Back Memories Plus A Warriors World Championship

1975: I was 13.


The Warriors first NBA Championship (I don't want to jinx but I smell another one coming) I recall a lot of things happening. President Ford is the target of two assassination attempts; San Francisco and Sacramento, Sarah Jane Moore and Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme come into the nation's lexicon.


Disco rules the world. Van McCoy's "Do The Hustle" is #1 and Barry White's "My Everything" is played on almost every jukebox. "When Will I See You Again" serenades the radio waves. KC and the Sunshine Band do a little dance, make a little love and get down tonight.


Jaws, the first long-line movie from Steven Spielberg debuts and scares the hell out of people.


 The "Win" button is born (Whip Inflation Now).


Patty Hearst is found on Morse Street in San Francisco in September; so too, Bill and Emily Harris from the SLA. The Giants are awful and the A's fail to win their 4th consecutive World Series. The Pittsburgh Steelers win their first Super Bowl.


Memories.


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KCBS Suits Not Entirely Thrilled That Willie Brown Did KGO Ronn Owens Show; Sussman In Line For Pay Cut; Happy KTVU; Roye And Tolbert Winning Radio Combo On Warriors PBP; Hot KGO Traffic Chick Only Dates 'Christian' Guys; Friday Notes; I'm Back

 WILLIE BROWN is regularly heard on KCBS every Friday morning during the AM news with Phil Matier of the Chronicle and KPIX.

It's about three minutes of political shop talk and SF/Sacramento/Washington nuggets.

Recently, Willie had a good one involving Hillary Clinton.

Cut to last Monday during the Ronn Owens show on KGO: Your guest, Willie Brown talking.

My CBS insiders said a few high suits had a hissy fit when they learned Brown did the Owens show although it's well known in SF media circles that Brown and Owens have been friends for over 30 years and in fact, Brown used to be Ronn's attorney.

Nonetheless, execs at 855 Battery were ticked off; the Chronicle could care less--they continue to bleed red ink. Another indication of budget mindedness? The Chron didn't send its own Cal beat writer down to cover the Bears-USC game in LA. Embarrassing. In the print edition, an AP-bylined story was used. Like I said, embarrassing.

FRIDAY ROUND-UP

*Brian Sussman and his dorky KSFO morning zoo bizarro is in for a surprise at the end of the year; "Suss" can expect a 50% pay cut which, given Cumulus' flat business situation, isn't surprising. He won't be the only one.

*Here's proof positive that the alleged FM sports station in town has a Program Director that doesn't know what the hell he's doing. Nice concept: Offend Hispanic community with show that nobody will listen to anyway, kind of like "The Game." He must have pictures.

*Take this with a grain of salt but from a good KTVU source, the natives are relatively happy since the Fox takeover. It's early of course.

*Best NBA play-by-play radio team hands down: Our illustrious Warriors tandem of Tim Roye and Tom Tolbert. Hard to believe they've only been together barley a year. Chemistry? Check. Knowledge? Check. Sense of humor? Check. Tolbert gets a little too giddy every now and then but he and Roye make the broadcast a pleasure to listen to. That would be good.

*A big thanks to all of you that contributed to this website --overwhelmed. By the way, it takes a helluva lot of time and energy to keep this running 24/7. Being that I'm the one-man show that writes, sells ads, makes sure the crappy tech elements are in place, yeah, it's nice to keep it going. Huzzah to all.

*That extremely hot and gorgeous traffic lady on KGO Radio in the afternoon, (she's also at KRON) is single. But she only dates very religious Christian guys--yeah, must be tens of thousands here. Good luck.

*Overused words/slogans that are a pain in the ass: haters, selfies, just sayin', I'll take my answer on the air, And, oh, by the way?.

*If you, like me, like something, enjoy reading someone like a columnist or writer, just because it's on the Internet, it's not against the law to pay to read that person's work. We've managed to create a new generation that thinks and believes that everything is FREE. Wonderful society.

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Gary Radnich Just Said on KNBR That New Spurs Coach Becky Hammon 'Can't Relate' To NBA Guys; UPDATE: KNBR Omits 9 AM Hour/Radnich's Words

 Gary Radnich just stuck his foot in his mouth.

Radnich essentially said that Becky Hammon, the woman coach just hired by the San Antonio Spurs wasn't worthy of the job.


I'm paraphrasing, but Radnich basically said that women coaches; no matter how revered; no matter how much respected like Hammon, for example, can't relate, (Raddy's words), to present day, modern-era athletes. They can't coach men. Also Radnich's words.


Keep in mind that Hammon was hired by Spurs coach, Gregg Popovich, hardly a guy who's been accused of creating PR stunts. Popovich knows what he's doing--he just won his fifth NBA Championship-- and was very high on Hammon's work tenure.

Radnich is entitled to his misogynist opinion. He's pretty backward in this area. Too bad his KNBR colleagues didn't call him out. Well, they tried to; a little late to the party anyway.


When Radnich strays off into areas beyond the toy department and delves into deep social thought and process he tends to come off as an old, white-male boot. I won't say what I truly believe Radnich was saying because he didn't say it, but he might as well have.


It's a black and white issue if you know what I mean and I'm sure you do.






UPDATE: 12: 07 PM PT: KNBR traditionally places interviews and content on its podcast pages--it has curiously OMITTED the 9 AM hour of its "Gary and Larry" Show.


We're not surprised. But we're not stopping either. Perhaps KNBR will have a change of heart, gees I wonder why this hour was omitted --Oh, never mind.

Steve Kerr New Warriors Coach and KNBR and Kawakami MIA (Until The Last Minute)

    Steve Kerr is now the head coach of the Warriors. The move was reported first by TNT.

I have SOME QUESTIONS.

Where was Tolbert? He's only talked about his college friend and mentor 600,000 times. You'd have thunk Kerr would have confided KNBR's PM drive guy with a quick phone call.


Funny too, that locally, it was NBC Bay Area that reported the Kerr-W's development first just before 6 PM PT.


And finally, Mr. Warriors "Insider" for the SJ Merc, Tim Kawakami, the writer that knows everything; has his heart and soul on the Dubs' beat? Where was Kawakami? A little late to the party, it appears. Sorry, re-tweets of the scooper don't count.

Warriors Fire Mark Jackson and Immediately Fans Flock to Internet and KNBR Talk Show; Predictably Dubs' Fitzgerald Gets Irritated with Callers

 While the news got out on Tuesday that the Warriors fired their coach, Mark Jackson, immediately, fans migrated to the Internet and Twitter and yes, of course the talk shows too.

On KNBR, Warriors TV Play-By-Play broadcaster and talk host, Bob Fitzgerald gauged feedback. It should be noted Fitzgerald works for the Warriors. There's a conflict there --a direct conflict and it reared itself once again, awkwardly too when a few callers who were able to get in and criticized the move. And immediately there was a fair amount of rancor by Fitz and his partner directed toward the callers. Not a good sound and nothing new.

Fitzgerald is a pretty good TV guy; matter of fact, a superior analyst too very adept with statistics and all but his performance as a sports-radio talk show host is abysmal. And I'm being kind which is a shame because we hate to rip a guy who is talented enough but should really refrain from the radio gig when it comes to the Warriors because the Warriors butter his bread.


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So Far The Media Outnumbers Protesters in LA at Staples Center

 Your front and center live shots for the 5 and 6 News--10 and 11 too.


So far, as usual, there's a lot more media people and trucks outside Staples Center than there are protesters.


Just once I'd love to hear a reporter say, aloud, off-script and notes: You know there's really nothing going on here and it looks as if it's business as usual.


Of course that would be too honest and counter to the whole idea of the reporter going down to LA in the first place.


The Sterling ban, ordered by NBA commissioner, Adam Silver was bold and loud, definitely a statement. And it's topic A on all platforms; sports, news, entertainment and culture. Even Oprah weighed in. That said, the voluminous amount of satellite trucks and talking heads was kind of funny to see outnumbering the protesters of zero but to be fair, LA's populace around Downtown is good for patience. We are, after all, near the zenith of OJ, Rodney King, BART cop trial and the like.


Waiting for impending "BREAKING NEWS!"--Is there a game Tuesday Night? What game.


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Donald Sterling Racial Insults and Local/National Media Implications; Clippers-Warriors Mini Drama Sunday in Oakland; Tolbert Should Have an Interesting Take

 By now you're aware of the statements alleged to be those of the owner of the LA Clippers, Donald Sterling.


We use alleged here because so far, it's not 100% certain Sterling's voice is the actual voice on the taped phone call, only about 99. 999 %.


Here's some immediate notes about the whole brouhaha including some local media connections...


*ABC, I'm assuming, isn't going to try to kick aside this Sterling mess before today's nationally-televised game, or will they? It's the number-one discussion and media story all over the country. Talk about a bind: if they swoosh it after just a quick mention, they're guilty of dismissal and news judgement --if they concentrate too heavy, they'll be ripped for taking advantage of the situation. Catch-22 personified. Look for something in the middle.


*I want to especially listen to KNBR and Warriors radio analyst, Tom Tolbert, who has consistently talked about his playing days with the Clippers and how Sterling was a bozo way back when...before this latest nationwide blunder. I'm sure Tolbert will have an opinion or two both Sunday and on his KNBR talk show.


FIVE things already on the horizon as a result of the Sterling racial Hindenburg remarks:


1. Almost every radio talk show--sports and news--will digest the topic Monday when the whole shelf life is fresh and arid. There's both good and bad news there and you'll understand almost immediately.


2. Ronn Owens will have Dr. Harry Edwards on and ask him what he thinks of Don Sterling's act and Mr. Edwards will lecture all of us that what Sterling said is nothing new and pontificate for 45 minutes further.


3. Radnich and Krueger will talk about the game and Sterling subplot --Gary will try to spin this both ways with an undercurrent of his brand of humor and Krueger will try to stick to shooting percentages.


4. Damon Bruce is already practicing his 17-hour monologue.


5. Those in the media race-baiting machine will try to exploit this Sterling-hits-the-fan imbroglio with the usual hysteria which means a lot of screaming and shouting. Expect multi-played Jessie Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton actualities.


*Of course what Sterling, 99.99%, said is awful and disgusting--are any of you shocked? My two cents: It's not Sterling, an 80 year-old wealthy wart who owns half of LA and made his $1.8 billion fortune in real estate, to go after...it's the institutional racism practiced daily by corporate CEOs who are primarily white guys with suit and ties who keep their bigotry quiet and in-house--now THAT's a subject matter the talk-show mavens could and should discuss but Sterling is the flavor of the day. I'm not defending Sterling mind you but I hope you knew that.


One last thing: Even dopes like Sterling have rights--isn't it illegal to tape phone calls without letting the caller know you're taping them? Paging the lawyers.


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John Madden calls out Steve Bitker on KCBS; And gives out a Shout for Oakland; Rips Warriors Proposed Move to SF; Friday Starter

John Madden confronted a justifiable IN-YOUR-FACE  to a clearly flustered Steve Bitker on KCBS Friday morning.

Good for the coach.

Talking about the now-concluded Warriors season, Bitker, towing a company line about how the Warriors will have more fun and pack the new arena in SF, (I'm paraphrasing), was put in his place by Madden.

Madden thought it was a sham that despite the Warriors packing the Oakland/Oracle Arena, they'd be moving across the bay, (we'll see), to SF. Bitker was incredulous. So was Madden.

Madden seemed pissed off. "How do you, (Bitker), know they'll be a 'success in SF--What about Oakland?"

Bitker finally acknowledged "your allegiance to Oakland, John." Gees, thanks Steve for your insight.

I like Madden. I like the fact that he bitch-slapped Bitker ON THE AIR. While the other SF Media sports lemmings dare lament the fact that Oakland and the Eastbay have SOLD OUT the building, made it the loudest arena in the NBA, etc, Madden, of all people, called out Bitzie, who should know better.

Madden doesn't do this for shock. He's irritated and so am I in case you can't tell. I realize, as did Bitzie, that the proposed move to the city is all about money and location but Oakland deserves better. It's Oakland and the ROARCLE fans that are taken for granted by the Warriors owners. Do any Bay Area writers or broadcasters talk about this? Madden got it right. Too bad the writers and some broadcasters are clueless.

More Madden: "You know, Oakland needs a win. " Coach, you couldn't have said it any better.

Here's a link to the podcast

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Warriors Radio Team also a Winner; Roye and Tolbert in the NBA Broadcast Booth; Chemistry and Humor; Friday Sports Media Wrap-Up



Tom Tolbert



Tim Roye

The Warriors are the talk of the town. You win, you have a loyal and loud fan base and you captivate a region with a sport that almost everyone loves...well, you know the rest of the story.

I'm happy for the team but most especially, their play-by-play broadcaster, Tim Roye. He's among the elite NBA broadcasters and he's one of the very best and actually, most underrated.

Roye has an exciting delivery and knows his game--his style resembles the late Bill King, the Warriors legendary radio PBP guy whose rapid-fire descriptions and worldly vocabulary made for must-listening. (Unless you were a ref).

Roye isn't King, but damn near close. And he's also not a homer too which many NBA guys are all too often. Early in his career with the Warriors, Roye created a signature great call, Elevation Sensation!, sort of a Bill King's Holy Toledo! I was not to thrilled to hear it at first but it's since grown on me and now look forward to hearing it.

Late in the season, Roye  was joined by Tom Tolbert, the ex-Warriors player and talk host on KNBR. Tolbert is good. While at times, I've been critical of his talk style, I enjoy his color analysis and sense of humor. Most jocks-turned-broadcaster are boring because they usually either say nothing or offer very little substance. Tolbert offers more of a variety and his chemistry with Roye, particularly in the playoffs, is quite evident.

The Warriors have begun a mojo on the court--it's nice to know they have a great radio broadcast team off the court as well.

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Warriors Radio 'Game' Changer; Sports Media Notes; Monday Quick Start

SPORTS MEDIA NOTES MONDAY--

The Bay Area is basketball nirvana. Good for the Warriors to take center stage and capture the region with a bunch of terrific players and all nice guys too.

*When you win and become the center of attention, you tend to look at a lot of things...like media placement. The Warriors have never been thrilled with their 'little-sisters-of-the-poor'-status on KNBR. Being that the Giants control the entire KNBR/Cumulus 680 AM domain, the Warriors have been largely confined to 1050 AM, Knibber's sloppy second. Sunday night was a rare exception for the playoffs. But keep in mind the team is usually home this time of year and prime radio real estate hasn't been an issue. Hell, even the 49ers are OK with it and just re-upped with Knib for another 10 years. They acknowledge the station's 50,000-watt, (680 AM) power source and the fact, for better or worse, KNBR's sports brand, it's talk shows, mediocre or otherwise, help promote their clients. It's a winning combination. Ask the Giants.

That said, the Warriors, who have a billion-dollar new arena destined for the SF waterfront in about 5-6 years, (figure a decade), want their own radio schedule. They're done with being second and third-class convicts from the prison farm and their contract is up. (contract runs through 2015).

Enter 95.7 FM, 'The Game', Entercom's all-sports FM property with a cacophony of mostly empty talk show hosts but with a growing legion of sports fans who dread KNBR and are willing to listen to anything but the earwigs at 55 Hawthorne.

The Game is the flagship radio station of the Oakland A's and just got the Raiders. They don't have a particularly strong signal and in some parts of the Bay Area, you can't hear their air. But they have enough corporate juice and they're not the SF Giants and Larry Baer's kitchenette.

Enter the Warriors.

There's already enough schmoozing going on between the station's execs and Joe Lacoub and company, the new W's owners. Clearly the team wants its own home, more importantly, they want their brand to have its own identity and don't like being on 1050. It helps, too, that the Warriors are winning. Pro basketball has always been big here but now that the Golden ones are gracing the inner sanctum of TNT and Chuck Barkley land and ESPNville, all the more ammo for working for a deal to get better radio treatment.

*NOTES....

Tim Roye and Tom Tolbert have been superb on the Warriors radio broadcasts...Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda are the only reason I watch and listen to hockey.