Bay suffering Warriors blues
Darting here and there …
There’s a definite sense that the Bay Area still has a serious case of Warriors blues, and it could last awhile. But here at Darting Central, we’re playing the whale-sounds tapes and taking the Riley Curry perspective: It’s OK.
Championships are great, but they’re not the end-all. If that’s all you value as a fan — or even as an organization — you’re going to be bitter and angry a lot more than you’re happy.
The Warriors kept us wildly entertained for six months. They took it to the final minute with a chance to win it all. The finish was a shock, but it’s about the journey, and the journey was still tremendous.
And guess what? A new journey starts in less than four months. It’s not like we have to wait four years. It’s the best thing about pro sports seasons that run far, far too long.
On that count, the two-day breaks between games made the NBA Finals seem interminable. Yo, Adam Silver — if you must, two max per series.
Was LeBron James’ Game 7 block of Andre Iguodala actually a pin, and hence, a goal-tend? Sure was … if Festus Ezeli does it.
Keep this in mind: The San Antonio Spurs, as great as they’ve been for 20 years, never repeated as champions. And weren’t they supposed to be the Warriors’ chief threat this season? What happened to them?
In the end, the Death Lineup became the Dearth Lineup: 13-point fourth quarters in both Games 5 and 7. Ouch.
Small ball may continue to be a Warriors staple, but there’s little question they have to retool inside. Draft choice Damian Jones, coupled with last year’s top pick Kevon Looney, are 20-year-olds with “big” possibilities.
Be happy for Cleveland, if not LeBron and the Cavs. No city should be made to suffer 52 years without any kind of sports title. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame isn’t enough.
Next up, San Diego. Last title, the 1963 Chargers. Alas, the current Chargers don’t look close, the Padres aren’t even in the conversation, and last we checked, no NBA team seemed interested in moving to the beach.
Essential Listening Dept.: The last seven minutes of Tim Kawakami’s TK Show interview with Steve Kerr for Kerr’s unprompted perspective on the proliferation and lack of control of automatic weapons. More than just a great coach talking.
Has J.R. Smith stopped crying yet? Seriously, that was a moving and poignant postgame testimonial to his parents, almost transcending the Cavs’ actual victory.
Meanwhile, DeMarcus Cousins made waves for tweeting “Lord give me the strength” following the Sacramento Kings’ weird draft maneuverings. Upshot: For once, we’re actually with DeMarcus.
You know it’s been a long odyssey of a basketball season when you wake up the day after Game 7 and realize nearly half the baseball season is over.
OK, for the A’s, a baseball season pretty much all the way over.
Oakland is desperate for starting pitching. Are you ready now, Draymond?
The Giants have clearly exceeded expectations, particularly as they continue to win with Hunter Pence and Matt Duffy out. But with two No. 1 starters, all you usually need is a win on one of the other three days and you’re playing .600 ball.
Evidence: When Johnny Cueto or Madison Bumgarner start, the Giants are a combined 24-6. Then add in 9-4 when Jeff Samardzija starts and you’re more than covered.
The Dodgers, by contrast, are 14-1 when Clayton Kershaw starts and 27-32 when he doesn’t. But don’t worry, analytics mastermind Andrew Friedman has a 10-year plan.
How about the National League All-Star voting so far: An all-Cubs infield, Jake Arrieta likely starting, and Dexter Fowler with more votes than Bryce Harper. Greatest team of all-time, obviously, those Cubbies.
OK, you football fans are probably feeling left out. Here’s a morsel: a) Kaepernick, b) Gabbert, c) Manziel, d) punt.
Finally, NBA summer leagues start in less than two weeks. Mark your calendars!