Sports

Does Aldridge Addition Make Spurs Title Favorite?

Published

10 years ago

July 7, 2015

In this Monday, April 27, 2015 file photo, Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, left, works the ball in against Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph during the first half of Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Don Ryan, File)

By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley
Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspaper

Free agent power forward LaMarcus Aldridge has never seen so much attention in his NBA career. The 29-year-old forward had a chance to change the NBA landscape, and he took his tools to San Antonio, reinforcing the Spurs as championship challengers and giving San Antonio possibly the best front line in the league. Aldridge joins Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard to give San Antonio a pretty intimidating Big Three. And then there’s still Tony Parker and Manu Ginóbli residing on the roster. The Spurs aren’t without their flaws, however. Age continues to be their biggest opponent, and the rest of the Western conference has enough talent to challenge San Antonio, even with Aldridge now alongside Duncan. However, NBA critics are already favoring the Spurs for another title parade next season, but is the celebration too premature? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate the question.

Green: I’m calling it right now: Spurs win the title in 2016. It took an all-out effort from the Los Angeles Clippers to upend the 2014 champs, and San Antonio showed in that series that they’re still spry enough to be a true contender despite the critics always pointing to their age being a concern. You add Aldridge to that roster beside Duncan, and I don’t see why San Antonio can’t replay the type of dominance they had when their twin towers were an aging David Robinson and a fresh-faced Duncan fresh out of college back in 1999.

Riley: I’m still sold on the Cavaliers winning it all next season. Cleveland’s summer task was built around resigning Kevin Love and that mission has been accomplished. The Cavs, undoubtedly, will start the season with Love, Tristan Thompson, Timofey Mosgov and Anderson Varejao as their big men with some guy named LeBron James rounding out the front court at small forward, so I wouldn’t be so quick to label the Spurs’ front court as the best in the league. On face value alone, San Antonio has some formidable names in their lineup but there isn’t a team in the league as deep as Cleveland when they’re healthy. They’ve already had a year of playing together and they won’t be trying to work in a major piece into their rotation like the Spurs will.

Green: It’s easier to work a four-time all-star big man into your lineup than what you’re making it sound like. Aldridge is the ultimate plug-and-play type of forward. You can throw it to him anywhere in the half court and have the offense play through him. He’s talented enough to make the most difficult shot and has enough vision to get it to the open man. He’ll fit in perfectly with San Antonio and they won’t miss a beat while he gets acclimated to their system. This was the ultimate addition for the Spurs. Aldridge fits their style perfectly and their size will give them a definite edge over the smaller Golden State Warriors, who just rode “small ball” all the way to a title. I’ll be eager to see how those two teams square off next season. but San Antonio definitely has a winning edge with Aldridge in black and silver now.

Riley: You already know about my respect for the Cavs but if we’re strictly talking about Western teams then I would definitely throw Golden State and the Oklahoma City Thunder as two possible wrenches that could mess up your Spurs obsession. The Thunder has given San Antonio problems over the past few years and they too will be returning a lineup that could be among the deepest in the league. Adding Aldridge doesn’t guarantee San Antonio a title. Heck, it doesn’t even promise them a spot in the Western Finals. Recruiting Aldridge was definitely a power play but the games still have to be played on the court.

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WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

3 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.

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OPINION: Politics, Football and Identity in Trump’s America

If you haven’t noticed, all Americans are engaged in an even bigger game that means so much more than the Super Bowl. Our democracy is falling apart.

Published

3 months ago

February 17, 2025

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Emil Guillermo

Two Filipino American stories made headlines recently.

First, Nikko Remigio, the Filipino and African American kick returner for the Kansas City Chiefs, did not win Super Bowl LIX.

The other, Alameda’s Rob Bonta said no to running for governor. I don’t blame him. It’s not like a mass of people wanted him to run.

But I did.

Whenever there is a Filipino American in a place you don’t expect, I’m rooting for that person.

As California’s Attorney General, Bonta is probably the most active defender among Blue States pushing back against Trump’s Extreme-Right agenda.

I’d like to Bonta run for California’s top job, but he’s better off waiting in line. The Democrats need a spot for Kamala Harris, and Bonta not running obliges the hierarchy.

History can wait. Bonta’s just 52.

Harris has held off speculation of her next move, saying she just moved back to the state. But it seems governor is the path for her.

For now, Bonta needs to continue taking the fight to Trump in the courts.

Football and Identity Politics

My dad, whose birthday would have been Super Bowl weekend, came to the US in 1928 as a colonized Filipino, an “American National,” where he couldn’t be a citizen, vote, own property or even marry the person he wanted.

Not if they were White.

Still, he believed in America. He never gave up.

Sort of like Nikko Remigio.

My dad would have loved Nikko.

If you haven’t noticed, all Americans are engaged in an even bigger game that means so much more than the Super Bowl. Our democracy is falling apart.

You want to get passionate about Eagles and Chiefs?

Let’s be passionate about our Founding Fathers, too.

Nikko didn’t change the game. He touched it three times and provided more yards than all of KC’s running backs.

That’s all I needed to see.

He’s our Filipino guy.

Detractors may call it “identity politics.”

People don’t seem to understand the fight for visibility. To be recognized. To be seen. It’s all wrapped up in the big idea of Civil Rights.

I was nowhere near as good as Nikko when I played. But when you are blessed to play football, you play your hardest.

For me, that was when I was 12 and 13 playing Pop Warner football in San Francisco. I was MVP for my team as a running back.

But I was ashamed of my dad. He wasn’t like the other dads. And I remember going to the team banquet to retrieve my trophy alone.

I didn’t realize it probably meant more to him than I thought.

I wish I had shared my MVP moment with him like Nikko shared his joy with his dad, Mark, born in Seattle to two Filipino immigrants, and his mom, whose mixture of Black and White made Nikko the picture of diversity.

Filipino American and Black and White at the Super Bowl.

But don’t forget, there is one game bigger.

The Super Bowl for Democracy. We’re battling for it every day Trump pushes a cockamamie idea that shakes the foundation of our Democracy.

About the Author

Emil Guillermo is an award-winning journalist and commentator. Watch his micro-talk show “Emil Amok’s Takeout/What Does an Asian American Think?” on www.YouTube.com/emilamok1 Or join him on http://www.patreon.com/emilamok