Let's start with the upcoming seasons first, namely the one with the smallest contingent of fans: The Galaxy. Despite being an avid soccer fan and purchasing tickets to Opening Day this Sunday, I must say the Galaxy are a mess. Millions of dollars to Beckham I get. Loaning him to Milan, I get. But come on, did anyone in the Galaxy front office really believe that after getting a taste of real football he was going to come back smiling? I have no problem supporting the MLS, and I enjoy watching Beckham play. His vision and touch are miles ahead of everyone else. However, I have now spent a bunch of money on Opening Day to see Donovan (overrated), an aging Eddie Lewis, and one of the worst goalkeepers I've ever seen. Last year was a debacle because they spent all their money on offense. Although Ruiz was hurt, they did score a lot of goals. Unfortunately they had no money left for the defense and gave up even more goals than they scored. If I were Beckham I'd be ticked as well. I figured that with Lalas gone, the Galaxy brass would figure it out. Now they have Arena who is an egomaniac and still have a questionable defense. Great. Looks like another season of frustration and Beckham opting out of his contract at the end of the season.
Next up the boys in blue. "I'm baaaaaaaaaack." Usually that phrase brings chuckles as people think of that crazy little girl from Poltergeist. This time, it brought nothing but joy to the people of L.A. Manny started off his press conference with that line and later, while discussing when he would begin playing this Spring said he wanted to take it easy to protect his gold glove and cannon of an arm. I swear I thought Torre was going to fall out of his seat laughing! Despite the hamstring strain we all know Manny is the key to the lineup. Look for Ethier to hit .300 with 20+ homers again and Matt Kemp to finally break out. I'm thinking .275, 25+ homers, 20+ stolen bases. I'm looking forward to early April, a couple of crushing victories over the Giants (and probable losses to Lincecum, that guy is sick), and of course I'll be at Chavez Ravine April 13 for Opening Day!
Lakers. Let's get up by 15, let the bench blow the lead, and try to pull out the victory late. Sound familiar? Yeah, it's called the Lakers for the last week and a half. Of course, we have to include the bad loss to Philly (real bad).
Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Beat LA?
Ah yes, the incessant chant of every Boston fan. It has also become the oh so unoriginal chant of every major sports team in America when playing a team from LA. The fact is Boston fan needs to officially take note that they are not the favorites to win the title. The Lakers gutty performance Thursday night coming off a win in Toronto the night before and a chance to go undefeated on this trip is a statement to the League.
A quick recap of this trip:
Minnesota: 132-119 (we may need to tighten the defensive screws)
Black Saturday - Memphis: 115-98 (somehow Kobe regains his composure to comeback against the Grizzlies)
New York: 126-117 (reeling from the news of Bynum's injury Kobe goes, well, Kobe and drops 61 in MSG)
Toronto: 115-107 (lot of minutes for Kobe and Pau going into Boston)
Boston: 110-109 (Ladies and gentlemen we have a Lamar Odom sighting!)
Check out the highlights from Lakers.com.
Sunday's game in Cleveland should mean more to the Cavs than the Lakers. It's their chance to prove dominance in the East and maintain their undefeated record at home. The Lakers are ending their longest road trip of the year thus far and can easily say a 5-1 record with a win over Boston is enough. I seriously doubt that is going to happen. Having watched Kobe Bryant for the last ten plus years leads me to believe we are about to witness a battle for the ages. LeBron wants this game. Kobe wants this game. They both went nuts in MSG. I'm calling for both to go for 50 with Ariza being able to pull some big defensive plays late (like in LA) and Pau outplaying "Z".
12:30 Sunday. LeBron vs. Kobe. Buckle your seatbelts, get out the popcorn and enjoy.
Bynum, get rested and get back before playoffs.
Out
A quick recap of this trip:
Minnesota: 132-119 (we may need to tighten the defensive screws)
Black Saturday - Memphis: 115-98 (somehow Kobe regains his composure to comeback against the Grizzlies)
New York: 126-117 (reeling from the news of Bynum's injury Kobe goes, well, Kobe and drops 61 in MSG)
Toronto: 115-107 (lot of minutes for Kobe and Pau going into Boston)
Boston: 110-109 (Ladies and gentlemen we have a Lamar Odom sighting!)
Check out the highlights from Lakers.com.
Sunday's game in Cleveland should mean more to the Cavs than the Lakers. It's their chance to prove dominance in the East and maintain their undefeated record at home. The Lakers are ending their longest road trip of the year thus far and can easily say a 5-1 record with a win over Boston is enough. I seriously doubt that is going to happen. Having watched Kobe Bryant for the last ten plus years leads me to believe we are about to witness a battle for the ages. LeBron wants this game. Kobe wants this game. They both went nuts in MSG. I'm calling for both to go for 50 with Ariza being able to pull some big defensive plays late (like in LA) and Pau outplaying "Z".
12:30 Sunday. LeBron vs. Kobe. Buckle your seatbelts, get out the popcorn and enjoy.
Bynum, get rested and get back before playoffs.
Out
Friday, January 30, 2009
Charlotte? I hate these losses
I really don't get it. For years now, basically for every season that Phil has coached, the Lakers seem to lose these kinds of game. Call it what you want, loss of focus, over-confidence, I don't care, but this is unacceptable. The Bobcats were without Wallace for large parts of the game and the Lakers just hung back waiting. Now they did have a nice come back and should have won the game, but it should have looked like the Clipper game. Kobe's cheap foul-out and the loss of the "Cobra" (Ariza), obviously was devestating but...
Feel free to look back over the season, but I'm pretty sure that in every loss, Pau has struggled. To me that stat alone earned him that All-Star berth. Congrats to the "Vulture".
Watch for Bynum to be a perennial All-Star.
One last comment for the week. Shaq, Shaq-Daddy, the Big Aristotle: Congratulations. Although you have nearly destroyed Steve Nash's career (not your fault, that's Kerr's) you have had a Renaissance in the desert. You should now be known as the Big Phoenix.
"Can you dig it?!?!?!?!"
Out.
Feel free to look back over the season, but I'm pretty sure that in every loss, Pau has struggled. To me that stat alone earned him that All-Star berth. Congrats to the "Vulture".
Watch for Bynum to be a perennial All-Star.
One last comment for the week. Shaq, Shaq-Daddy, the Big Aristotle: Congratulations. Although you have nearly destroyed Steve Nash's career (not your fault, that's Kerr's) you have had a Renaissance in the desert. You should now be known as the Big Phoenix.
"Can you dig it?!?!?!?!"
Out.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I Love L.A. !!!
The purpose of this blog is to present updates and opinions on two of the greatest sports franchises in history (both of whom happen to be from Los Angeles): the Dodgers and Lakers. Also, check out the links on this site and check out some other great blogs about European soccer teams, MLB, and NBA.
A couple of times each week this blog will provide information on these two teams.
To begin with, how bout them Lakers?!?!?!?!
Boston who?
Cleveland what?
Okay so we blew it against Orlando twice, but Bynum's destruction (42 and 15) of the hapless Clips is a sign that he can and will be a force as the season continues.
San Antonio? Lost on a ridiculous mistake by Fisher and a sketchy no-call on Ariza's drive and we were waaaaaaaay short handed.
Dallas? Done. Phoenix? Please, Porter and Kerr are already finding excuses to save their job.
Denver? Billups is a great addition, but still can't find a defense. Utah? Try winning away from home. New Orleans... okay, maybe. But injuries and a bad bench will keep Byron from getting to the Finals again.
Lakers win the Pacific Division running away, the Western Conference Championship (over New Orleans) and then the Cavs in the Finals in 6 games. LeBron has made me a believer, but in the same way I always went with Magic over Jordan (although I know Jordan is the greatest ever) I have to stick with L.A. and take Kobe as the best player, but I'll give LeBron the MVP.
Dodgers - just re-upped on my season seats. Now pay Manny.
Long Live Randy Newman!
Out
A couple of times each week this blog will provide information on these two teams.
To begin with, how bout them Lakers?!?!?!?!
Boston who?
Cleveland what?
Okay so we blew it against Orlando twice, but Bynum's destruction (42 and 15) of the hapless Clips is a sign that he can and will be a force as the season continues.
San Antonio? Lost on a ridiculous mistake by Fisher and a sketchy no-call on Ariza's drive and we were waaaaaaaay short handed.
Dallas? Done. Phoenix? Please, Porter and Kerr are already finding excuses to save their job.
Denver? Billups is a great addition, but still can't find a defense. Utah? Try winning away from home. New Orleans... okay, maybe. But injuries and a bad bench will keep Byron from getting to the Finals again.
Lakers win the Pacific Division running away, the Western Conference Championship (over New Orleans) and then the Cavs in the Finals in 6 games. LeBron has made me a believer, but in the same way I always went with Magic over Jordan (although I know Jordan is the greatest ever) I have to stick with L.A. and take Kobe as the best player, but I'll give LeBron the MVP.
Dodgers - just re-upped on my season seats. Now pay Manny.
Long Live Randy Newman!
Out
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