L.A. SPORTS COLUMN

[pesto]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

Kobe hit 30,000 career points tonight. Pretty incredible that he's still playing like this with 17 years of wear and tear on those knees.

Very true. The goal now is to pass MJ in points (middle of next year) and at least tie him in rings. Kareem and the Mailman are out of reach unless he buys new knees.

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by pesto

Very true. The goal now is to pass MJ in points (middle of next year) and at least tie him in rings. Kareem and the Mailman are out of reach unless he buys new knees.

He's had a lot of spring in his step this year. Playing the passing lane/getting fast break scores, getting to the rim and finishing in traffic. After watching the damaged ghost of Kobe Bryant over the past two seasons, I honestly had no clue that he could still play like this for prolonged periods of time. You'd see flashes (the poster on Okafor in 2011, for example), but most of he time his explosiveness off the dribble was very limited.

[pesto]

Same problem I had the last couple of years. Except for the poster of Okafor.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

He's had a lot of spring in his step this year. Playing the passing lane/getting fast break scores, getting to the rim and finishing in traffic. After watching the damaged ghost of Kobe Bryant over the past two seasons, I honestly had no clue that he could still play like this for prolonged periods of time. You'd see flashes (the poster on Okafor in 2011, for example), but most of he time his explosiveness off the dribble was very limited.

Kobe trains like a maniac and he is in tremendous shape. its really amazing to see. He has lost a bit of his spring, but other than that, he looks phenomenal. He is having his most efficient season so far and i hope he continues like this.

[Westsidelife]

Kershaw
Greinke
Beckett
Billingsley
Ryu?

I like that rotation. I hope that Capuano/Hanrahan trade is still on the table.

[pesto]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Kershaw
Greinke
Beckett
Billingsley
Ryu?

I like that rotation. I hope that Capuano/Hanrahan trade is still on the table.

Well, Greinke is in the bag for a mere 1467 over 6 years. Ryu in next, hopefully.

You can see how the whole baseball world is changing already. With just a hint of "LA" in the air, Angel Pagan signed with the Giants last week for double what he had ever been paid before and for twice as long as any previous contract. A .280 hitting outfielder with no power. Hit .190 in the playoffs. GM's were apparently shocked at the winter meetings.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

heres a very interesting article regarding the DEATH STAR, aka the Dodgers lol

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/breakin...050340056.html

Two awesome quotes..."If the Yankees are the evil empire, the Dodgers are the Death Star – bigger, badder and a hell of a lot more expensive than anything else" and "The Dodgers will make in six games what some franchises make for an entire season in TV revenue"

[Westsidelife]

And the Dodgers have reached a deal with Ryu. Excellent. There are tons of Koreans in LA, so it's great from a marketability standpoint.

I stress the Capuano-for-Hanrahan trade because it would solidify the bullpen with three legit closers (Hanrahan, Jansen, League) who would hold each other accountable. Who wants to face that?

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

exactly. great signing and i do hope that trade happens.

Also, Lakers just suck. No Effort, no Defense, no Urgency

[slipperydog]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

And the Dodgers have reached a deal with Ryu. Excellent. There are tons of Koreans in LA, so it's great from a marketability standpoint.

I stress the Capuano-for-Hanrahan trade because it would solidify the bullpen with three legit closers (Hanrahan, Jansen, League) who would hold each other accountable. Who wants to face that?

1-4th inning - Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu, Billingsley, Beckett
5th inning - Rodriguez
6th - Belisario
7th - Jansen
8th - Hanrahan
9th - League

[Westsidelife]

For all the talk about the Dodgers now trying to buy a championship, we can at least hang our hat on the fact that our best players (Kemp and Kershaw) are homegrown.

The Greinke signing is really our first Yankees-esque move where you go out and sign the best free agent available on the open market (A-Rod, Teixeira, Sabathia). The other guys (A-Gon, Hanley, Crawford, Beckett) were acquired through trades and we gave up some good prospects for them.

[slipperydog]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

For all the talk about the Dodgers now trying to buy a championship, we can at least hang our hat on the fact that our best players (Kemp and Kershaw) are homegrown.

The Greinke signing is really our first Yankees-esque move where you go out and sign the best free agent available on the open market (A-Rod, Teixeira, Sabathia). The other guys (A-Gon, Hanley, Crawford, Beckett) were acquired through trades and we gave up some good prospects for them.

And Ryu of course. That's big money for someone who has never pitched in the majors, but LA got great terms on him (a long-term deal and no no-trade clause). The only other free agent they signed was League. But I agree, I'm not sure the Dodgers really have a pressing need for another Yankees-esque move at this point. I'm comfortable with the situation at 3B and catcher; the Dodgers are getting great value there. So at this point, I'd prefer another couple arms in the bullpen (including a lefty since Hanrahan throws right-handed), as well as a veteran lefty hitter off the bench.

[pesto]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

For all the talk about the Dodgers now trying to buy a championship, we can at least hang our hat on the fact that our best players (Kemp and Kershaw) are homegrown.

The Greinke signing is really our first Yankees-esque move where you go out and sign the best free agent available on the open market (A-Rod, Teixeira, Sabathia). The other guys (A-Gon, Hanley, Crawford, Beckett) were acquired through trades and we gave up some good prospects for them.

Blame it on sophisticated investors. The important thing is no longer winning or local pride as it used to be when wealthy local individuals owned the teams. Those help but the driver is revenues, and that comes from people watching the product (and the ads).

People watch teams that have players they are familiar with (even if Jeter or Prince or Bonds are in a slump or past their prime, you turn to watch them). So you load up on big names with big personalities which fit your audience (mainstream, Hispanic, Korean, etc.).

Two years ago, Coletti summarized this development when Adrian Gonzalez left SD and the Dodgers didn't spend money to go after him. He didn't say that we was a great hitter that we could have used; he said, "He would have been perfect for our demographic."

[slipperydog]

LOL!

[Westsidelife]

^ Well that was inevitable.

[Westsidelife]

Skip Schumaker traded to the Dodgers. Solid, versatile utility man who hits for a very good BA. Also a valuable guy to have in the locker room. Nice pickup.

I'm very pleased with the offseason moves. McGwire replaces Hatcher as hitting coach, League is re-signed (albeit overpaid), Greinke and Ryu are signed, and successful surgeries for Crawford, Billingsley, and Jansen.

I think all we need now is a 3B and a lefty reliever!

EDIT: Lilly should come out of the pen as that lefty reliever. I think he's better suited for a limited role at his age.

[pesto]

Going to be an interesting show at Dodger Stadium. Should be able to pick up some help from dealing a pitcher or two.

Better cue the Kings; the Lakers act is bombing.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

the Dodgers should be real fun. needless to say, i LOVE Guggenheim so far. hopefully they have the inside track on AEG but pesto, you may know more than i do on this judging from some of your posts in the sports section.

early optimism from todays talks so maybe the Kings will be back before the end of the year.

the Lakers... im not ready to give up yet. Too much talent on this team for this to continue. it will click soon and they will be back. They are lacking energy on defense and obviously depth is atrocious right now with 3 out of the top 7 guys out.

The Clips look Phenomenal! i have no doubt that they are a legit championship contender as long as they stay healthy. mark my words, Lamar will be huge after the all star break

[Westsidelife]

Don't care too much for the Clippers, but kudos to them for keeping LA basketball relevant and on top. The Lakers have been an absolute disgrace thus far. They won't even have HCA in the first round!

NHL... is a 3-month season really worth having?

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

most definitely. the kings are young and have a great chance to repeat. it would be a 6 to 7 month season... start in jan, finish in late june, early july. they would probably play 48 games (all in conference) just like 2004.