Sports Columnist

Dieter Kurtenbach

Sports columnist Dieter Kurtenbach analyzes the amazing and roasts the absurd in the world of sports for the Bay Area News Group. He was previously a national sports columnist for Fox Sports and a staff writer at the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can also be heard on KNBR (104.5-FM, 680-AM). He graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., with a BA degree in journalism.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

Kurtenbach: Did the Warriors make a mistake in trading Jonathan Kuminga?

March 3, 2026 at 12:02 p.m.

Jonathan Kuminga is averaging 21 points per game for the Atlanta Hawks.

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter of the game at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kurtenbach: Divorced dad vibes and palpable ennui — there’s a weird energy to Warriors-Lakers

March 2, 2026 at 11:10 a.m.

The NBA's showcase game between the Steph Curry-free Warriors and the we-don't-want-to-be-here Lakers is going to be 200 minutes of strangeness.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks during a press conference Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Kurtenbach: Mock this — I’m planting a flag on who the 49ers should draft in the first round

March 2, 2026 at 12:01 p.m.

This under-the-radar prospect is exactly who the Niners need in the 2026 NFL Draft.

San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams (71) during practice at the 49ers training camp at the practice facility at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Thursday, July 24, 2025. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Kurtenbach: The 49ers’ Trent Williams problem has only one right answer

February 25, 2026 at 5:15 p.m.

The Niners and their left tackle are in another contract standoff. This should end the same way the others have.

Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski (2) is all smiles after making a basket in the third quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Denver Nuggets 128-117. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Kurtenbach: Brandin Podziemski cracked the code vs. Denver. Will he remember the combination?

February 24, 2026 at 4:46 a.m.

Brandin Podziemski's brilliant fourth quarter against Denver showed that he's at his best in a different role.

Golden State Warriors’ Kristaps Porzingis #7 reacts in the fourth quarter of their NBA game against the Boston Celtics at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Kurtenbach: Too good to tank, too bad to matter — the Warriors are trapped in purgatory

February 21, 2026 at 7:55 a.m.

Without Steph Curry for at least four more games, the dream of the real playoffs has slipped away for the Dubs.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) walks off the field after fumbling the ball in the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the San Francisco 49ers 26-21. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

The NFL always gets even. The 49ers will pay the toll in 2026

February 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

The Niners are estimated to travel more than any team in NFL history for the 2026 season.

Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) shoots past Sacramento Kings’ Nique Clifford (5) in the fourth quarter of their NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings 137-103. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Kurtenbach: The NBA’s race to the bottom is lift the Warriors need

February 19, 2026 at 4:21 a.m.

The NBA's low-down dirtiest tankers have something in common — they play the Dubs down the stretch.

San Francisco Giants new president of baseball operations Buster Posey, left, arrives to a press conference with CEO Larry Baer, second from left, and Chairman Greg Johnson, right, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in San Francisco, Calif (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Kurtenbach: Yes, SF Giants fans should be angry — they’re being gaslit

February 18, 2026 at 1:20 p.m.

The Giants bring in absurd revenue. So why are they pushing a policy of fiscal prudence?

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 10: Manager Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants watches practice during Spring Training at Scottsdale Stadium on February 10, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)

Kurtenbach: Does SF Giants manager Tony Vitello actually want to be here?

February 17, 2026 at 3:48 a.m.

The Giants manager's strange Monday presser opened up big questions that shouldn't be asked in spring training.

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