Bay Area Buzz 4/3: Good Morning Folks
By Eric He
Hope your week is going well, Bay Area fanatics. Here’s what’s piquing our interest this morning:
Dec 7, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots over Brooklyn Nets power forward Kris Humphries (43) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Warriors won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Stephen Curry Perfecting the Imperfect Art of Shooting in Golden State
"There was a time, years ago, when Stephen Curry shot the ball like Shawn Marion.His release wasn’t quite as peculiar — Marion can look like he’s trying to play two-hand bocce with a basketball — but it originated from the same navel-high location. This was during Curry’s sophomore year in high school and, while effective, his flip shot was unsustainable: too easy to block, too methodical. Or so Dell Curry decided. Father forced son to remake his jumper during the core of his high school career, bringing the ball up over his head. It was a risky move. The result, as Steph says, was “the most frustrating summer for me.” For a period of months, the kid who’d always been a deadeye shooter was stripped of his greatest skill.– Chris Ballard, Sports Illustrated"
Matt Flynn Embracing New Surrounding with Oakland Raiders
"Going from a playoff contender in Seattle to a rebuilding project in Oakland doesn’t seem to bother Matt Flynn much.If anything, the Raiders’ new quarterback is embracing his new surroundings — and his new role.With Carson Palmer having been traded to Arizona in a deal that was completed Tuesday, Flynn is expected to be Oakland’s starter next season after spending his first five seasons in the NFL as a backup.– The Associated Press (via The Times-Picayne)"
Dealing Ryane Clowe a Tough Call for Sharks
"Clowe may have been goalless this season. His point total may have slipped from 62 in 2010-11 to 45 in 2011-12 to 11 (in 28 games) this season. He may have demonstrated that in the newer, faster NHL there is less of a need for a slower and more physical guy who has a penchant for taking ill-advised penalties. However, he was an immensely popular man in the Shark dressing room. It had everything to do with the way he supported every teammate on the ice.– David Pollak, San Jose Mercury News"
Why the Giants Almost Always Open on the Road
"In the Candlestick days, the Giants preferred more home dates later in the season when kids were out of school. They also used the extra few days when the Giants were on the road to sell more tickets for those poorly attended games that followed the home opener.That is not an issue at AT&T Park, but the Giants still tell Major League Baseball they prefer to start on the road if that gives them a better chance to end at home, as they will this year.– Henry Schulman, San Francisco Chronicle"