![Dieter Kurtenbach](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Dieter-Kurtenbach.jpg?w=85)
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.
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Expertise: Golden State Warriors; San Francisco 49ers; San Francisco Giants; Oakland A's; San Jose Sharks; developing trends in modern sports and the people who propel them.
All Stories
![Making Brandin Podziemski untouchable is unserious stuff. Making Brandin Podziemski untouchable is unserious stuff.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BNG-L-WARRIORS-0224-17.jpg?w=132)
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Kurtenbach: The Warriors look poised to make the two-timelines mistake again
Making Brandin Podziemski untouchable is unserious stuff.
![The San Francisco Giants need to go on a run to make the playoffs. These guys could spark that streak. The San Francisco Giants need to go on a run to make the playoffs. These guys could spark that streak.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BNG-L-GIANTS-0712-11.jpg?w=132)
Kurtenbach: 3 SF Giants poised for post-All-Star explosions
The San Francisco Giants need to go on a run to make the playoffs. These guys could spark that streak.
![The 49ers hold all the leverage in contract negotiations and Aiyuk is only wasting his own time. The 49ers hold all the leverage in contract negotiations and Aiyuk is only wasting his own time.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/BNG-L-49ERS-0912.jpg?w=132)
Kurtenbach: Brandon Aiyuk’s trade request is yet another unserious move by the 49ers star
The 49ers hold all the leverage in contract negotiations and Aiyuk is only wasting his own time.
![The Dubs have failed to answer the defining issue of last season. That could convince the franchise's defining player, Steph Curry, to re-evaluate his future. The Dubs have failed to answer the defining issue of last season. That could convince the franchise's defining player, Steph Curry, to re-evaluate his future.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BNG-L-WARRIORS-0417-60.jpg?w=123)
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Kurtenbach: If this is all the Warriors can do, it’s not good enough for Steph Curry
The Dubs have failed to answer the defining issue of last season. That could convince the franchise's defining player, Steph Curry, to re-evaluate his future.
![Baseball is providing a seller's market that's too good for the Giants to pass up. Baseball is providing a seller's market that's too good for the Giants to pass up.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BNG-L-GIANTS-0219-11.jpg?w=132)
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Kurtenbach: The SF Giants are playing good baseball. That means it’s time to sell
Baseball is providing a seller's market that's too good for the Giants to pass up.
![The Warriors have left themselves without any choice — they have to go all-in. The Warriors have left themselves without any choice — they have to go all-in.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/202304021854TMS_____MNGTRPUB_SPORTS-NETS-WIN-THIRD-STRAIGHT-WITH-VICTORY-1-NY5.jpg?w=115)
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Kurtenbach: It’s Lauri Markkanen or bust for the Warriors
The Warriors have left themselves without any choice — they have to go all-in.
![Klay Thompson is leaving for Dallas. He leaves behind serious wreckage in Golden State. Klay Thompson is leaving for Dallas. He leaves behind serious wreckage in Golden State.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BNG-L-WARRIORS-0417-123.jpg?w=132)
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Klay Thompson is gone and the Warriors’ situation has gone from bad to worse
Klay Thompson is leaving for Dallas. He leaves behind serious wreckage in Golden State.
![Klay Thompson's exit from the Warriors has been called "inevitable" by NBA insiders. Klay Thompson's exit from the Warriors has been called "inevitable" by NBA insiders.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BNG-L-WARRIORS-03041.jpg?w=132)
Kurtenbach: If this is it for Klay Thompson in the Bay, he leaves a spectacular, strange legacy
Klay Thompson's exit from the Warriors has been called "inevitable" by NBA insiders.
![NHL Draft: The Sharks selected defenseman Sam Dickinson No. 11 overall Friday. NHL Draft: The Sharks selected defenseman Sam Dickinson No. 11 overall Friday.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BNG-L-SHARKS-0629_fd0317.jpg?w=132)
Kurtenbach: Instant reaction to the Sharks’ No. 11 pick in the NHL Draft
NHL Draft: The Sharks selected defenseman Sam Dickinson No. 11 overall Friday.
![Macklin Celebrini does everything and does it well. Can that undeniable talent turn the Sharks' fortunes around? Macklin Celebrini does everything and does it well. Can that undeniable talent turn the Sharks' fortunes around?](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BNG-L-SHARKS-0629_c987b4.jpg?w=132)
Kurtenbach: Macklin Celebrini is officially a San Jose Shark. Now comes the tough part
Macklin Celebrini does everything and does it well. Can that undeniable talent turn the Sharks' fortunes around?