A few of you may be wondering, “Why didn’t this kid post something after the Lakers took the Western Conference Finals?” Please don’t get the wrong impression. I’m proud of the boys in purple and gold. But to be honest, this comes as no surprise to me.
In fact, before the playoffs began, here’s what I predicted: Continue reading NBA Finals – Muppet Theatre’s Grande Finale
Game Five of the Western Conference Finals was a tight and entertaining contest up until the fourth quarter. There, the game grew disappointing and left me with a bad taste. That is saying a lot considering last night’s dinner, Panda Express.
I am already anticipating Game Six and hope that it brings the series back to the nail-biting experience that was Games One through Three. Still, I will indulge with two points of analysis I believe sum up Game Five. Continue reading Lakers Go Fourth to Victory
Sweaty and disoriented, I go to grab some water. My legs ache, my vision is blurry and I’m out of breath. I adjust my shorts, grab a quick stretch and walk for a bit… to the fridge for some orange juice.
I wake up about the same time most elite entrants are nearing the finish line. I feel a little embarrassed as I told one Stan Lerner that I would meet him to watch as runners come in. Sorry, Stan. I will not be hi-fiving any sweaty strangers today. I could barely get out of bed this morning. No, I have not partied myself into a head-cold. I’ve actually taken it relatively easy this weekend. And yet, I feel sick and feverish.
Please, do not mistake me for another skeptic looking for excuses. I appreciate any showmanship of athleticism. Moreover, I’ve bared witness to what it takes to prepare for a marathon. And as many of us do, I’ve lived vicariously through someone better suited to tackle such feat, my girlfriend Nina. Continue reading LA Marathon
For the third time in my life, the Los Angeles Clippers won the NBA Draft Lottery. The first time I was just a pup, but the resulting selection, Danny Manning, helped form my appreciation for the perennially subpar club. Manning had just finished a stellar career at the University of Kansas where he led the Jayhawks to the 1988 national championship and won the Naismith and Wooden Awards as the country’s top player – a sure star at the next level.
Ten years later, coming off a 17-65 season, the Clippers again won the right to pick first overall, this time getting seduced by scouts’ whispers of a remarkably athletic behemoth from the University of the Pacific named Michael Olowokandi. Rather than using the pick on established college stars such as Mike Bibby, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter or Paul Pierce, or even gambling on foreign sharpshooter Dirk Nowitzki or high school prospect Al Harrington, all of whom have enjoyed long, productive NBA careers, the Clips figured a Nigerian kid that was raised in England and had five years of basketball experience was fit to carry the franchise into the 21st century.
Obviously neither of those choices turned out especially prolific careers, and the latter may well be considered the biggest bust in draft history. So what makes the chances of success in this year’s draft any different? Well, this is the first draft since LeBron James’ professional debut in 2003 that the top pick is just about impossible to mess up. One player, University of Oklahoma sophomore Blake Griffin, so far exceeds his peers in skill, athleticism and preparation that coach/general manager Mike Dunleavy has already tagged him as their selection, if ever-so-nonchalantly: “Clearly, we’re taking Blake Griffin,” he told the LA Times on Tuesday.
Great, so that is settled. Now comes the interesting part. Continue reading Rough Draft
They’ve been formidable opponents all season long. Since the beginning, one has been considered the favorite and likely to take the whole thing. The other has been somewhat revered but has recently improved and gained a greater appreciation of fans and experts. One was a hometown favorite. The other has gained some local following. Last night, both contenders gave it everything they had in a memorable grudge match. Who will be the victor remains to be seen.
But enough about American Idol. And don’t worry. I’m not moving on to speaking about Mario Lopez throwing out the ceremonial first pitch again. Matthew McConaughey is scheduled to do the same this evening in Chavez Ravine. Clearly, with films such as “Dazed and Confused” and “Failure to Launch” (which by the way features Steelers great Terry Bradshaw), McConaughey has had the better career. Okay, let’s get serious. “Failure to Launch” was awful. Wait. Let’s really focus, on sports.
Enjoy your Wednesday, L.A. sports fans. The Dodgers added another win to their impressive home record, the Lakers topped the Nuggets in Game One of the Western Conference Finals and the Clippers (Yes, those Clippers), came away with the first pick in last night’s NBA Draft Lottery.
Staples Center was at capacity Tuesday evening, much to the chagrin of pop-culture experts. Many anticipated the center would be empty due to the “American Idol Finals” held at the neighboring Nokia. It appears that LA Live survived the evening’s festivities. Although, this was similar to the blunder made by the Nugget’s front office.
The Pepsi Center however, is not as equipped as LA Live to handle simultaneous events of such grandeur. Game Four of the Western Conference Finals is in direct conflict with Monday Night Raw, a pre-scheduled World Wresting Entertainment event. Clearly, both platforms of athletic prowess cannot be featured on the same evening.
Athletic prowess?
Hey, even if I didn’t find professional wrestling to be a commendable sport, I’m fearful of what Chairman Vince McMahon might do to me. McMahon recently challenged Nuggets and Pepsi Center owner Stan Kroenke, claiming Kroenke should have expected his team to make it this far in the postseason. McMahon’s negotiating tactic? Giving Kroenke a Kobe Bryant jersey and delivering an invitation to a steel-cage grudge match. So rah, rah for Monday Night Raw!
Still, McMahon might have tipped his hat to the Nuggets last night, as they took on the Lakers in one of the chippiest, hard-nosed games I’ve seen in quite some time. Continue reading Take a Bow Los Angeles
In my 23 years in Los Angeles, I had never ventured south of the 10 Freeway to watch a professional baseball game. And why would I? The ballpark that houses the Los Angeles Dodgers is, in fact, solely responsible for my baseball passion. It wasn’t playing catch with my dad, hitting a home run in Little League, or watching my favorite team win the World Series. No, it was sitting in the Loge deck along the first base line while the setting sun left a piercing orange hue above left field and ketchup and mustard delicately fell from the Dodger Dog into my lap on warm summer nights that really did it.
So when my friend invited me to an Angels’ game last week, I accepted if for no other reason than scientific observation. How would Angels’ Stadium stack up to the monument in Chavez Ravine, the thought of which once inspired Walter O’Malley to abandon a devout fan base in Brooklyn whose collective demeanor was determined almost entirely by the success of “Dem Bums.” Forget the fact that they now masquerade themselves as a team from Los Angeles, that the team founder is best known as the first signing cowboy of the silver screen (Gene Autry) or that a Disney movie is more than a little responsible for their nationwide popularity, the Angels presented an interesting baseball viewing alternative, and I was sure to find out how viable that was. Continue reading Dodger Stadium vs. Angels Stadium
When I first began this blog, I communicated the range of emotions I was enduring. I was befuddled and bewildered by the state of sports in Los Angeles. Reenter complexity of emotions.
I’m impressed by the Rockets’ ability to push the top-seeded Lakers to Game Seven. I’m also nervous and at the same time, embracing myself for an Aaron Brooks – Chauncey Billups matchup. The Rockets have been inconsistent but have the heart to propel themselves to Denver for the Western Conference Finals.
My heart is heavy for Manny, who has finally apologized to his Dodger counterparts. Manny met the team in South Florida before the first of a three game series with the Marlins. It appears my suspicions that Manny left to the Dominican were incorrect. Of course, the Republic isn’t that far. I wonder if Manny owns a pontoon plane. A pontoon boat?
I’m shaky and struggle to remain optimistic for the boys in blue. The poor fellas recently went from amazing to good. And although it appears that Manny has made amends and continues to support the team, it still begs the question. As per his punishment, Manny will not be at the ballpark this weekend.
I’m oddly excited for Mario Lopez to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium on Monday night. Continue reading Pacific Boys in Blue – Mario Lopez Visits Dodger Stadium
It was a long day. I was exhausted by another Laker loss and the whole Manny ordeal. What better way to unwind than… get a haircut? That sounds silly, right? Haven’t you been paying attention? Getting your haircut has become a masculine activity and moreover, an athletic activity. Continue reading The MoreHawk
21-8. 13 in a row at home to begin the season. The Dodgers seemed to be having another impressive start. However, what has become most impressive is the lack of awareness or self-control (whichever may be the truth) exhibited by the Dodgers’ premier player.
“Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me.”
Manny Ramirez has tested positive for a banned substance. I’d rather sit here and write about his 533 home runs, or his high career batting average. Instead, it’s this.
Although sorrowful, Manny now knows what overlooking or not being aware of MLB regulations will cost him: 50 games and one-third of the season’s salary. That means Manny just gave up $7.7 million dollars. He won’t be eligible to return until July 3 in San Diego. And most importantly, I can no longer partake in the Mannywood promotion the Dodgers organization recently introduced. Okay, that’s not the most important thing, but I wanted to partake in the promotion. Continue reading Mannywould
I checked the twitter status again. NBA now streams the league’s latest scores through twitter. It’s a whole new world, folks. But that’s not the source of my disbelief. I check the stream again.
I rub my eyes like a sleepy toddler in a later showing of Monsters versus Aliens.
Wow. This is really happening.
Although I couldn’t watch the game live (due to work commitments), I could envision the Lakers shaking their heads. I could imagine Houston’s Ron Artest back-stepping down the court, nodding his head and smirking.
When I watched the game in replay, the apparitions were confirmed. Disgusting. Continue reading Houston Blasts Off
