Welcome to the INSIDE CHINA BASIN Baseball Podcast
Updated once a week and celebrating its 12th season on TheSportsVirus.com!
Former Giants reliever George Kontos won two World Series rings with San Francisco. Now he’s an analyst for NBC Sports Bay Area and he will help us dissect the Giants on a regular basis this season. Our first 2021 podcast took place on Thursday before the Giants home opener against the Rockies.
We discussed the rotation being the strength of the team so far and how a manager like Gabe Kapler should decide 
when to take a starter out of the game: “My view is, every game should be viewed as an individual variable. You have to watch the game and you have to see how the flow of the game is going and you have to see the contact and how hitters are reacting to the pitcher’s offerings and if the guy is cruising, the numbers in the third time in the order don’t really mean much to me.”
Listen To George Kontos
Check out our other Giants Podcasts throughout the season.
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In a win that may have saved their playoff hopes, the Warriors came back in the 4th quarter to beat the high-flying Milwaukee Bucks, who were without All Star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Steph Curry scored 41 points to save the day for Golden State. Ray and Joe analyze the game and zero in what the win means in the big picture of the season.
Without injured Steph Curry and Draymond Green the Warriors were blown out by 53 points on Friday night by the Raptors. Ray and Joe talk about some of the worst losses in NBA history and discuss the apparent lack of motivation for a playoff spot. Is James Wiseman regressing? Does Nico Mannion belong in the NBA right now? Important questions for Golden State as they struggle on the current road trip.
We know Steve Kerr as the successful Warriors coach with three NBA titles, but there’s so much more to the man. Scott Howard-Cooper, an award-winning sports journalist, has authored an in-depth biography (coming out 
on June 15) assessing the life and career of Kerr. Scott joins Ray and Joe to talk about Steve Kerr, A Life. It’s a special podcast and a book you won’t want to miss!
The Warriors dropped four games in a row for the first time this season with a blowout loss to the LA Clippers. James Wiseman sat the first three quarters as discipline after missing a Covid test during the All Star break. Ray and Joe talk about if that was the right way to handle the situation. We also discuss whether or not the Warriors should trade Kelly Oubre and/or Andrew Wiggins before the deadline in two weeks. And, you’ll hear what we think about the new rotation with rookies Nico Mannion and Jordan Poole.
Draymond Green admittedly gave away a recent game in Charlotte with a late double technical, so Friday night he was looking for revenge against the Hornets at Chase Center and he got it with a career high 19 assists as the Warriors won three straight games for the first time this season. Kelly Oubre, Jr. had 27 points on 11/15 FG as Golden State shot 
61% from the field in a game that featured numerous dunks and other easy baskets for the Dubs. Ray and Joe take a close look at why Oubre is playing well, discuss holes in the second unit and assess the very challenging upcoming schedule.
With James Wiseman (wrist) and Kevon Looney (ankle) still out and Draymond Green sitting with a sore ankle the Warriors still pulled off a stunning comeback from down 19 points to beat Miami in overtime on Wednesday night. Ray and Joe discuss how Kent Bazemore (26 points) led the attack and Steph Curry came up with key three-pointers after a miserable first three quarters of shooting. Green’s Monday comments about treatment of NBA players are also topic of conversation.
Steph Curry followed up his 57-point game in Dallas with a 32-point effort and more sensational shots in San Antonio, but the result was the same – a close loss. 20 Golden State turnovers were a big part of the reason the Warriors dropped a game in San Antonio for the 41st time in the last 44 games there. Ray and Joe debate when Curry should come back into the game in the 4th quarter of close games after Steve Kerr explains his big picture viewpoint.
The Warriors were already without center James Wiseman (wrist injury, out 7-10 days) when Kevon Looney also went down with a twisted ankle in a 111-107 loss to the Celtics. Ray and Joe dissect the game which included a 38-point night from Steph Curry. Kelly Oubre wasn’t at his best and we are left to wonder if his days in San Francisco are numbered.