Sports

Injuries Again Playing Prominent Role in NBA Playoffs

Published

10 years ago

April 22, 2015

Portland Trail Blazers’ Arron Afflalo, left, has his shot blocked by Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 9, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

JON KRAWCZYNSKI, AP Basketball Writer

The NBA playoffs have picked up right where the regular season left off — with key players fighting to stay healthy when they are needed most.

Injuries threaten to play a pivotal role in several first-round series, including all three Game 2s tonight — Spurs at Clippers, Nets at Hawks and Trail Blazers at Grizzlies.

The defending champions are missing big man Tiago Splitter, and his replacement Aron Baynes was exploited by the Clippers in their Game 1 victory. Tony Parker is also ailing, and the Spurs were hoping to take advantage of an extra day between Games 1 and 2 to get them both on the mend.

The Hawks lost defensive specialist Thabo Sefolosha just before the playoffs after a confrontation with police in New York City and Al Horford dislocated the pinky finger on his right hand in Game 1, but plans to play through it.

And the banged-up Blazers hope to get Arron Afflalo back from a strained right shoulder that kept him out for the previous six games while LaMarcus Aldridge continues to play through a torn ligament in his left thumb for the last three months.

“The intent and purpose for me being on this team this season with all the injuries we’ve had was to help us win and win big,” Afflalo said. “So I wasn’t brought here to watch. I wasn’t brought here just to play a small role, and obviously I felt I could’ve helped the team … I’m doing what I can to get healthy.”

The Grizzlies are on the other side — at least somewhat.

Memphis got Tony Allen (hamstring) back in the lineup and Mike Conley is playing with a sprained right foot. Both played well in their dominating Game 1 win.

“Hopefully they keep getting better and the time in between is nice and that should help,” coach David Joerger said.

In other series, Chicago’s Nikola Mirotic is hoping to play in Game 3 in Milwaukee on Thursday despite a strained left quadriceps and swollen left knee; Dallas forward Chandler Parsons tweaked a knee injury that bothered him at the end of the regular season and in Game 1 against Houston.

Here’s a look at the three NBA playoff games Wednesday (all times EDT):

___

Spurs at Clippers, Clippers lead 1-0, Game 2, 10:30 p.m. TNT

Blake Griffin and Chris Paul led the way for the Clippers in Game 1, but Jamal Crawford’s efficient play off the bench was huge to help balance things out for Los Angeles.

Crawford scored 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers to provide the all-important scoring bridge the Clippers needed when Paul went to the bench for a rest. The Clippers’ second unit has been a weakness for much of the season, especially at point guard behind Paul. But if Crawford, one of the league’s slickest ball-handlers at combo guard, can provide that type of lift on a regular basis, the champs could be in trouble.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Tiago Splitter could see more than the 10 minutes he played in Game 1, which would be a huge help to the overmatched Aron Baynes, who was dunked on twice by Griffin in an explosive performance.

___

Nets at Hawks, Hawks lead 1-0, Game 2, 7 p.m. NBATV

The Nets could get an emotional boost from the return of Mirza Teletovic. He was ruled out for the season on Jan. 23 with blood clots in his lungs, but coach Lionel Hollins said on Tuesday that he would be listed as probable for Game 2.

Teletovic averaged 8.5 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Nets in 44 games this season, but Hollins said his upgrade did not mean that he would play for certain.

Any little bit could help a Brooklyn team that appeared overmatched by the top-seeded Hawks for much of Game 1. Veteran Alan Anderson figures to get more playing time over youngster Markel Brown in Game 2 as the Nets try to keep up with Atlanta’s superior ball movement.

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer figures to get a warm welcome from the home crowd in his first game since being named NBA coach of the year. Budenholzer spent 16 years as Gregg Popovich’s assistant in San Antonio, and he got emotional while talking about Popovich’s influence as he accepted the award.

“This award has a permanent spot on his desk in San Antonio,” Budenholzer said. “He just shares it around the league every couple of years.”

___

Trail Blazers at Grizzlies, Grizzlies lead 1-0, Game 2, 8 p.m. TNT

This is the eighth postseason trip for Memphis, and the Grizzlies never have taken a 2-0 lead in a series. It’s also a detail they insisted Tuesday they hadn’t heard about before.

“But we like to be the first here in Memphis to try to do something different here, that hadn’t been done since I’ve been here,” Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said. “To go up 2-0 would be great for us, and it’s going to be tough with the way that they’re going to adjust.”

The biggest adjustment Portland can make is trying to hit shots. LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard combined to shoot 18 of 55 in losing Game 1 100-86. The Trail Blazers had their worst shooting performance of the season as Memphis set a postseason mark for holding Portland to 33.7 percent. Lillard was 5 of 21, missing all six of his 3-point attempts.

“Four out of the first five misses were halfway down, so they felt good,” Lillard said. “I felt good out there. I think it was just a game where we got outplayed and we weren’t good enough offensively or defensively to win the game.”

Memphis has won 10 of the last 11 overall against Portland.

___

AP Sports Writers Teresa M. Walker in Memphis, Tennessee, and Paul Newberry in Atlanta contributed to this report.

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Black History

Martial Artist Victor Moore: An American Karate and Kickboxing Pioneer

Throughout his career, Moore defeated many national champions, including Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Moore placed in every tournament he competed in from 1965 until his retirement in 1975, defeating renowned national champions such as Mike Foster, Chuck Norris, Fred Wren, Glenn Keeney, James Hawkes, and Jim Kelly. Moore emphasizes that winning or losing does not diminish a champion’s credibility — they are all champions in his eyes.

Published

1 day ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo Courtesy of BlackPast.Org

By Tamara Shiloh

Victor Moore, born on Aug. 23, 1943, holds a 10th-degree Black Belt in Karate and is a four-time world karate champion.

As one of the chief instructors under Robert Trias in the Shuri-ryu Karate system, Moore was also among the first ten members of the Trias International Society. Over his 50-year martial arts career, he trained in various styles, including Chito-ryu with William J. Dometrich, Judo, Kempo, and Bondo karate.

Moore began his martial arts journey at the age of 7 in Cincinnati, lifting weights and reading Charles Atlas books to guide his training. By age 9, he had learned the basics of jujitsu and judo, and at 12, he began training in Kempo karate under Ronald Williams, who awarded him his first black belt after five years of instruction.

In 1961, Moore expanded his training by joining a judo school led by Ray Hughes and later trained in Gyu Ryu-karate under Harvey Eubanks. He studied Kempo with Bill Dometrich and continued exploring different karate styles. Instructors at the time, required students to start as white belts in each new style, even if they held black belts elsewhere, which shaped Moore’s adaptability.

Chung Ling, an exchange student from China, introduced Moore and others to Chuan Fa, enhancing Moore’s understanding of martial arts. He also took up judo at a school in Cincinnati, where he earned his brown belt, and trained in karate with Jim Wax, who had studied under the Shimabuku brothers. Moore’s toughness was further honed by his boxing experience at the 9th Street YMCA, where he became a sparring partner for Tiger Joe Harris.

At Central State University, Professor Barry Yasuto trained Moore in Shotokan karate, but Moore was denied entry to the Japanese Karate Association, possibly due to his race. After returning to Cincinnati, Moore opened his first karate school and began competing in national tournaments. He traveled across the U.S., eventually meeting Robert Trias, who became his mentor and helped him rise to the second-degree black belt level. Under Trias, Moore continued training in Kempo and Goju-Ryu styles.

Moore also trained under Dr. Maung Gyi, learning Bondo karate, stick fighting, and kickboxing. In 1973, Moore and Joe Lewis introduced kickboxing to America on the Merv Griffin TV show. Moore competed in the first kickboxing tournament in the U.S., facing Jim Harrison in a historic fight.

Moore continues to teach martial arts, working with instructors and students nationwide. His daughters, Vickie and Vonnie, and his son, Vanceston, also train under his guidance.

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Bay Area

Cal State East Bay Athletic Department Holds Hall of Fame Gala

The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests. The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.

Published

1 day ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Honoree Lorenzo Hall of CSUEB's Men's Basketball Team 1986-1990 surrounded by his family at the CSUEB 2024 Pioneer Hall of Fame Gala at the Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward, California. Photo Courtesy of Dr. LaQuitta Simms.

By Carla Thomas

California State University East Bay Athletics (CSUEB) hosted their 2024 Pioneer Hall of Fame Gala at the Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests.

The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.

The 1999 CalPac Player of the Year was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Danielle Stines and also on the 1999 team was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Angel Alcorcha.

In 2000, the Pioneers swept the premier CalPac Awards, and Rachel Abrams was named Player of the Year, Christy Smith was named Pitcher of the Year, and Karen Lee Yoder (Matteson) was named Coach of the Year. Their team record for batting average in 1999 still stands after 25 years with an amazing combined .347.

Lorenzo Hall of CSUEB’s Men’s Basketball Team 1986-1990 was recognized for his achievements as a two-time All-NCAC selection, ranking in the top-10 in program history for assists, steals, free throw percentage and scoring.

At the time of his graduation, Hall held NCAC records for assists and steals. He also served as an assistant coach for the Pioneers after his playing career and created the nonprofit First Step Basketball to guide the next generation of young athletes.

Inductee and Women’s Gymnastics Coach Dorie Krepton of 1971-1985 led the team through winning 145 of 171 meets, 84% of their competition.

Through her 14 years of leading the Pioneers, Krepton coached the program to five Golden Gate Conference Championships, and the team qualified and participated in six NCAA Gymnastics National Championships. She also coached 10 All-American Athletes, including Pioneer Hall of Famers Holly Moore Leonard and Janet Kramer.

The seven-time Coach of the Year honoree served as Kinesiology and Physical Education professor emeritus at Cal State East Bay, which offered a degree option in exercise nutrition in the Kinesiology Department.

Bob Olsen of the CSUEB Men’s Track and Field Team, 1976-1979, was a member of 1977 NCAA Division II National Championship team and the two-time Far Western Conference Champion in pole vault, 1978 and 1979. Olsen was a four-time All-Conference selection and in 1976, Olsen became the first freshman pole vaulter in Division II to clear 16 feet.

Olsen was in the top 10 in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II Championships four times in his career.

Honoree Kulwant Singh served as the men’s and women’s assistant soccer coach from 1983-1990. The women’s team won six straight conference championships from 1984 to 1989. Singh served on the coaching staff alongside Pioneer Hall of Famer Colin Lindores.

In 1985, Singh coached the women’s team to an undefeated regular season (18-0) and lost to UC Santa Barbara on a golden goal in the NCAA playoffs. Singh was assistant coach for the 1988 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship team and helped the 1989 men’s soccer team reach the NCAA Division II Championship semifinals.

Singh also played on the pitch as a Pioneer before coaching in Hayward and currently serves as commissioner for the Central Valley Conference.

The inductees also participated in several days of alumni activity, beginning with Pioneer Alumni Day on Thursday, Oct. 17.

With the addition of the new members, the Pioneers Hall of Fame now features 119 individuals and four teams.

During sports seasons, the Pioneer Gymnasium is open to the public, and guests can view the school’s Hall of Fame Wall.

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Bay Area

Love Life Organization Shows Love

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day. It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

Published

7 days ago

October 28, 2024

Oakland Post

Members of the 1975 NBA championship team, Charles Dudley (left) and Clifford Ray (right) embrace Love Life Foundation leader Donald Lacy for his antiviolence mission. Courtesy photo.

City of Oakland Celebrates 1975 NBA World Championship Team

By Donald Lacy

Special to The Post

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day.

It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

The 1975 NBA World Championship team were invited back to the City of Oakland last Friday, to be properly celebrated for their ground-breaking performance in 1975.

The heartwarming ceremony highlighted the recent passing of the legendary coach of that team, Al Attlles, and his former players Clifford Ray and Charles Dudley were on hand to represent the “Cardiac Kids” as they were called back then for their ability to make great comeback victories during their run for the title.

Warriors great Chris Mullin and former spiritual advisor Gary Reeves gave heartfelt testimonies of their experiences under Attles’ leadership and their relationship with the inspiration they received from the NBA 1975 World Champion Golden State Warriors.

The City of Oakland provided proclamations to all parties with speeches made by city leadership including Mayor Sheng Thao and Deputy Mayor Dr. Kimberly Mayfield and activity host Love Life non-profit founder and Executive Director Donald E. Lacy Jr..

There will be a celebration of life event Nov. 9 honoring Attles’ legacy at Alameda College.