A Quick Glance of the LA Sports Scene
It has been a very busy week and although the weather has been pretty crappy, the play of the local teams have not. First and foremost with the MLB season opening, the Dodgers were picked anywhere from first to third in the division by various sports writers. LAist has always maintained that if the team, how ever hodge-podged it may seem, remains healthy they will contend. Well, we know how that went dont we? Nomar Garciaparra ended up on the 15 day DL from opening day... NOT a good sign. Eric Gagne's elbow is putting his career in SERIOUS jeopardy. Kenny Lofton (at about 100 years old) who was to lead off and patrol center has not played a game yet. The pitching has been spotty at best (can someone PLEASE remind Derek Lowe that he is a GROUNDBALL pitcher?) and the offense has shown flashes. Standing at .500 (5-5) after splitting four games from former Dodger manager Jim Tracy and the Pirates, the Boys in Blue get set to start the rivalry with the hated Giants. We wonder what type of reception Barry is gonna get... PLEASE OH PLEASE do NOT let him get his first homer of the season against us!
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Orange County California by Disneyland (ugh... PUH leeeeez!) are back to their winning selves taking 2 of 3 from the Yankees and the Rangers. The Angels are good picks to not only win the AL West but probably contend for a World Series. Things are a little different with some key losses, but they clearly have what it takes to make noise come playoff time (Chicago White Sox... the Angels and the ump from that blown third strike call on AJ Pierzynski are still waiting for a cut of that Championship bonus... jeez)
In other sports, the Lakers and Clippers appear to be heading to the playoffs... thats right I said the Clippers. OK so that is kind of weak, considering how the Clips are FAR better than teams past. Corey Maggette's injury will be a problem as well as Sam Cassell's body falling apart. The Lakers will go as far as Kobe will carry them. People around the league think that he is a legitimate MVP candidate. Even if its with a little bit of hate.. No matter how you want to slice it or how much you hate him, he is the clear cut choice (along with Avery Johnson for Coach of the Year). If you want to pick the best overall player in the league, its Kobe. If you want to pick the player that is most resposible for his team's success... its still Kobe. LAist will be watching this MVP race VERY closely.