RealClearSports: Oakland Teams Find There's No There There

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

OAKLAND, Calif. – She didn’t mean what we thought she meant. Gertrude Stein’s infamous quote about this town, “There is no there there,’’ was misinterpreted. The intent of teams that, like Stein, called Oakland home is well understood, however.

They can’t wait to get out.

Stein, the poet, author and art collector...

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© RealClearSports 2011

SF Examiner: It all comes down to one game for the Oakland Raiders

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Oh, those Raiders. So many penalties. “After the flags, guys come up to me on the sidelines, and say, that’s what happens when you play for the Raiders,”  mused quarterback Carson Palmer.

Oh those Raiders, blown out by Green Bay, giving up a late lead to Detroit, ranked fourth-worst in the NFL in total defense.

Oh those Raiders...

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: This year's San Francisco 49ers reminiscent of 1981 team

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

What’s made this 49ers season, this delightful journey, even more fulfilling is no one saw this coming. In a way, it’s similar to 1981, the year that changed the way the Bay Area, really the entire country, judged the franchise.

There were no expectations back then, other than the fact that somehow the Niners wouldn’t win. But as we know, they did win, and San Francisco, beside itself with joy, celebrated as it never did again. The first time never can be repeated.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: As Coach, Jackson's View Different Now

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

OAKLAND, Calif. — This was classic NBA, the near catchup, which keeps some fans in the arena and, more importantly, keeps others from turning off the TV.

A year ago, Mark Jackson, ESPN announcer, would have been thrilled as a lead of 19 points was reduced to five. "I would have embraced it and had about 10 catchphrases locked and loaded,'' Jackson said.

Now, Mark Jackson, Golden State Warriors coach, was properly concerned.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

RealClearSports: Disgrace, Disillusionment Infect World of Sports

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

Our world, the world of fun and games, is once more a world of shame, of a coach who failed to tell the truth, of a sports columnist accused of abusing young children, of an English soccer ace facing criminal charges for an alleged racial slur.

Another headline, another disillusionment, another question of what next?

One week Jerry Sandusky of Penn State, a few days later Bernie Fine of Syracuse...

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011