More blues for the Kings

Los Angeles, Ca

The Kings struggled early again vs the Canucks on Thursday night at Staples. With Dustin Brown, high stick, and Matt Greene hooking penalties early, that led to a first period deficit. With the Kings shorthanded for much of the early going, Daniel Sedin was able to score a power play goal, his third of the year, just over 5 minutes into the game. Goalie Jason LaBarbera looked pretty solid in net before that goal, withstanding an onslaught of shots on net by a crashing Vancouver offense. On the other end of the ice, it was a d

ifferent story. Canucks goalkeeper, Roberto Luongo, one of the premiere goalies in the league, looked phenomenal. Stopping a perfect 28/28 shots, Luongo helped his team cruise to a 4-0 shutout. It was his 40th career shutout and the first time a Vancouver team has shutout the Kings at home in 106 attempts, dating back to the days at the Forum. Next time he laces up will also be a milestone, his 500th regular season NHL game.

The Kings have Friday off for some trick or treating, then play host to the Calgary Flames Saturday night at 7:00pm.  The Kings look to improve their record and get out of last place in the Western Conference. Calgary sits in second place in the Northwest division with 13 points, one more loss than division leading Minnesota Wild, also 13 points. Also coming up, on Election night in America, the Kings will be holding a promotion. Fans may purchase tickets and selected merchandise at a 44% discount. That game will feature the rival Ducks of Anaheim.

Denver, Co

The Lakers decided to take off their God costumes and looked like mere mortals in Denver Saturday night. The Lakers hanging on to win an ugly contest, despite shooting just 38% from the field. The game, close from the beginning, had 38 lead changes. It helped that the Lakers dominated the boards all night. Finishing the night with 53, 15 boards came on the offensive end of the court. Kobe, being Kobe, was the games high scorer with 33 points. He came alive in the fourth quarter with 14 to help close it out. The Lakers shared the ball well, with five players scoring in double figures. They now have until Wednesday to rest, recuperate, and vote for a new President before hosting the Clippers back in Los Angeles.

Carmelo Anthony, after starting very slow, went for an NBA record 208th straight game scoring in double figures. That spans almost three full years. Denver next plays at Golden State on Wednesday.

Los Angeles, Ca

It was a happy homecoming night for the men of Troy at the Coliseum Saturday. The Trojans, apparently up to the task of covering the spread, stomped the Washington Huskies 56-0. Washington was without star quarterback Jake Locker who broke his thumb in a loss to Stanford on September 27th.  After suffering their only loss of the year to Oregon State last month, the Trojans have outscored their opponents by a margin of 180 points over 4 weeks. Next weekend they host the Bears of Cal in a big conference matchup. Both schools have lost just once in Pac-10 play. 

San Diego, Ca

The Chargers are back at home on their bye week preparing for a division matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Wednesday was newly promoted Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera's first day at the helm. Many Chargers defensive players came out to voice their opinions on the season so far. Lead by LB Shawn Phillips and DE Luis Castillo, the message was simple. The players took

 responsibility on themselves, citing a coach doesn't go out on the field and that they need to look within first. Many Chargers players, nursing injuries, hope to benefit from the bye week. Coach Norv Turner also looks forward to playing the second half of the season, heavy with home games where the team is 17-2 over the past two seasons.

Slash can't help Clippers woes in first game, loss of season.

Los Angeles, Ca

On the road opener, the Lakers didn't have to travel far. They played on the Red White and Blue floor of the host Clippers in a battle of the building. While Slash of Guns And Roses fame played the National Anthem, the Lakers did just that and slashed through the Clippers backcourt en route to a lop-sided blowout victory.  The boys dressed in purple and gold came out to the challenge of starting a win streak. The Clippers, whether they wanted to or not, decided to concede. They allowed the Lakers to open up the floor in the half court game and shoot away, usually uncontested. The new emphasis on defense was evident early in this contest, as it was a night before. The Lakers giving way to 27 points in quarter number one and shoring up the D to allow only 17 in the second frame. Giving up 44 points, 10 more than the previous nights first half vs Portland, seemed promising as the Lakers ended that contest giving up the fewest points to any opponent since a November 06 contest against the Bulls at Staples, where they won 82-72. The final score was 117-79 with the Lakers biggest lead being 40 points. Not much to say for Baron Davis's new team in their home opener. The Clips seemed to be ready to get back to the locker rooms early in the third quarter, just wanting the embarrassment to end. With all twelve active Lakers scoring, not much went wrong for this team. The Lakers won both the rebound and turnover games, with what seemed like a lot more than the 12 offensive boards they gobbled up. The Turkeys, or should I say the Clippers looked sleepy most of the night.

They are probably now just hoping this game won't be a foreshadowing of what's to come, as the Lakers won last years season series 4-0, with average wins by 26 points. The Lakers now head to Denver to take on a team seeking revenge, after being ousted in a 4-0 sweep by the eventual Western Conference Champions in the first round of last years playoffs.

Also, ESPN.com reports that Lakers center Andrew Bynum has agreed to a four year extension worth about $58 million. He will earn $42 million the first three years with a team option fourth year at $16 million. This keeps Bynum, earning $2.8 million this year, a Laker through the 2012-13 season.

El Segundo, Ca

As the Kings sat idle the last couple of days trying to move on from a tough overtime loss to the defending champ Red Wings, things might be coming together for them. First year head coach, Terry Murray, has promoted Patrick O'Sullivan back to the number one line. He rejoins Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar, two of his closest off ice friends as well. This line displayed a great deal of chemistry last season, with all three seeing a jump in production on the ice. The Kings play host to Vancouver (4-5-0) tonight at Staples Center. Rookie center Oscar Moller looks to be staying with the club, as he needs only two more games before he officially garners the NHL salary for this season. He has 2 goals and 2 assists in 8 games thus far.

Chavez Ravine, Ca

Not much news from the Dodgers right now. While manager Joe Torre took in the Lakers game last night, he was questioned again, not surprisingly, about free agent Manny Ramirez. Torre indicated he would love to keep Ramirez but it is out of his hands at this point. Meanwhile, GM Ned Colletti has a busy week ahead of himself with 14 potential free agents. Ramirez, Furcal, Lowe, and Blake lead that list. The Dodgers have 15 days, starting thursday, to deal with Ramirez.

Philadelphia, Pa

The Phillies ended a long 27 year drought, as Brad Lidge struck out Eric Hinske to end a good game that took about three days to complete. The new World Series Champions have a parade scheduled for noon on Friday. Cole Hamels won the W.S. MVP award after going 4-0 with a 1.80 era in 5 post season starts. 

NBA Opening Night

It's that time of year again. The air is getting cool, we see our first snows in the North East of the country, and were playing, err, trying to finish playing the Fall Classic in Philly. Let's forget all that and check out opening night in the NBA. With a limited schedule of only three games rolling out on this Tuesday evening, we got to sit front and center and take in some exciting basketball action.

Boston, Mass.

On Banner night, the Boston Celtics were presented with some nice jewelry before tip off. The championship rings, worth $3o,ooo, featured over 92 diamonds and emeralds set in 14k white gold with a shamrock in the center. Now to the game action. In a rematch of one of last seasons more exciting playoff series, we got to witness Lebron and company face off against the defending champs. For the first three quarters, The King was his usual spectacular self displaying a vast arsenal of highlight dunks and post moves. In the fourth, another story, when James starts to slip in the clutch already missing a crucial layup and his own put back attempt when the Cavs found themselves down by a triple with only 54 seconds to go. Anybody doubting the Celtics chances of repeating might want to have seen the second half when the shooters came to town picking the team up from an 11 point deficit at it's largest. Just look at the excitement on Paul Pierces' face when Leon "Laker killer" Powe slammed it home to put the game away. This guy is focused and wants another run at the title.

Los Angeles, Ca

Best wishes to sophomore rookie Greg Oden after getting hurt landing on Derek Fishers foot and rolling his ankle early in the contest of his much anticipated and much awaited NBA debut. Oden continued to play through pain for the first half and exited the game with zero points, 5 boards, 1 blocked shot and 2 fouls at the half. Preliminary x-rays came back inconclusive and he is scheduled for an MRI to follow. 

The NBA GM's might have been on to something when they overwhelmingly selected the Lakers to contend for the championship this season. The Lakers looked menacing, especially on defense with blocked shots and steals, four coming from Vladimir Radmonovic. As more evidence that the Zen masters plan of Lamar Odom coming off the bench will work, early in the first quarter Odom dishes the rock to a wide open and visibly stunned Sasha Vujacic standing in full warm ups in front of the Lakers bench. Just one bluster in a sloppy game that the Lakers lead from tip off to the final buzzer. Oh yeah, and that Kobe fella' looked his MVP self really awakening after a hard foul and stare down by Joel Pryzbilla early in the third cruising to an easy 23 point 11 rebound effort. Nice to hear Randy Newman singing "I love L.A." on opening night after losing last year's debut on a last second three.

Chicago, Illinois

NBA overall number one pick Derrick Rose didn't trip coming out of the tunnel and played a great game in his league debut putting up 11 points and, maybe more impressive, 3 steals showing his much needed defensive potential to help the Bulls to a 108-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Scott Skiles came to a familiar house but sat his team down in the visitors locker room after being fired as Bulls coach last season. His own Michael Redd felt at home on the court however, scoring 30 points in the loss. Tyrus Thomas, one of my picks for future NBA star finished with 15 and 10 for the Bulls as well. 

MLB World Series

Philadelphia, PA 

Well, commissioner Bud Selig wants the weather to go his way and says even if Tampa can win this suspended game there probably will be no travel day. Thursday game 6 will be played in Tampa, if necessary, trying to appease to all MLB fans.

NFL

San Diego, Ca

Ted Cottrell loses his third job as a defensive coordinator as the Chargers fire him after going 6-10 in one and a half seasons with the team. Ron Rivera, the team linebackers coach, will assume the position, no pun intended.

NHL

To the ice, it took Mike Grier for San Jose to win 2-1 in Pittsburgh Tuesday night.