Lakers clinch playoff birth.

By: Brandon Vondera

Los Angeles, Ca

At Staples Center in Los Angeles before an A-list audience (Hollywood players Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jack Nicholson were all perched courtside) the Lakers improved to 51-18. By pulling away late from the Curt Rambis coached, Minnesota Timberwolves, LA set aside all concerns after Darko Milicic tied the game at 66 in the third. The Lakers thrusting aside of the T-Wolves was just the latest calamity for the latter, dive-bombing steeper yet in their latest 12-game losing streak.

Kobe Bryant led with a game-high 22 points and 13 dimes, as the Lakers closed out the Wolves with a 104-96 victory -- their tenth straight over Minnesota.

Pau Gasol playing with the passion of a Spaniard as of late snatched 14 rebounds, and injected 17 points into the Lakers offensive effort. Subsequently seeing firsthand that his fellow big men shot well, a combined 11 for 18 from the field, Lamar Odom acted as the spark that lit the Lakers flame in the fourth quarter. LO finished with 11 of his 18 points in the final period, also making 4 of six shots from beyond the arc in 26 minutes off the bench.

Unfortunately for the Los Angeles coaching staff and fan-base alike, the real news came in the third quarter when Andrew Bynum limped out of the game. The early verdict was a left achilles sprain, coming after the Lakers big was able to walk off the court under his own power. LA coach Phil Jackson looked burdened when he spoke of his young center's injury after the game.

"We're a little concerned, he'll probably miss a little while," said Jackson. "We'll have to use our practice tomorrow to reassess how we're going to play without Andrew for a little bit here."

Next up for the Lakers will be a 6:30 appointment with the Gilbert Arenas-less Wizards on Sunday. Fans attending the game should leave extra time to arrive to the stadium as the streets of Los Angeles will be finally putting themselves back together following the 24th running of the Los Angeles Marathon. It will be the first race with a new course beginning at Dodger Stadium and finishing at the Santa Monica pier.

By: Brandon Vondera

Phoenix, AZ

Los Angeles Dodgers Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully has been hospitalized after a fall at his home.

Scully, 82, told LA club vice president of communications Josh Rawitch about his injury. According to Rawitch, the Dodgers legend got up from bed too quickly, fell and bumped his head. I'm sure Vin's recollection of the event will be much more poetic when he returns to the booth.

Rawitch later added that after remaining hospitalized overnight at West Hills Hospital and Medical Center for observations, Scully is expected to be at Camelback-Ranch-Glendale this weekend to call the Dodgers' Sunday exhibition game.

Scully has long been heard over the airwaves and seen as a fixture and face of the Dodgers organization. He is in every Hall of Fame imaginable for a broadcaster, has called 3 perfect games (Don Larsen '56, Sandy Koufax '65, and Dennis Martinez '91) as well as 18 no-hitters.

An unprecedented 27 times, Scully has been named the California Sportscaster of The Year. Began calling games in Brooklyn when gas cost 27 cents a gallon, called his first World Series action at 25, and in 1982 had his star placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I invariably look up to Vin Scully with such respect and amazement. The thing is, I couldn't tell you how many people do the same. We will be listening to and talking about Vin Scully as long as baseball is played.

Stu knew?

By: Brandon Vondera

Stuart Holden is a midfielder for the U.S. national team. Just this past Wednesday during a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands, he suffered an injury. The bygone Houston Dynamo star, suffered a fractured fibula, the result of a hard tackle by Nigel de Jong. His injury, though considered serious, will see him back on the pitch in about six weeks time. Holden who regularly plays for the Bolton Wanderers of the English Premiere League has been granted permission to return to his hometown Houston this week to attend to personal affairs and spend some time with his family.

You needn't worry too much however, after visiting his former Dynamo teammates this week, he should be soon able to start his rehab even while wearing a boot. His Bolton manager Owen Coyle expressed concern but expects a full recovery.

"[Holden's loss] is a blow, but the most important thing is that he returns bigger and better."

Strong words that clearly put the pressure on the 24 year old. It also shows me that Coyle has a lot of confidence in his player to be so curt and not worry about Holden not being able to bounce back fit, and before long.

Stuart was an active member on the U.S. U-17 and U-23 teams prior to being called up to the United States Gold Cup squad in 2009. Holden promptly scored a goal in his national team debut vs Grenada, and successfully followed that up with a 30-yard strike in the ninety-second minute against Haiti in his second game. That goal came after he assisted the match's first goal. In the United States 2-0 semi-final win over Honduras, Stuart notched two more assists and as a byproduct was selected to the Gold Cup All-tournament team.

Lets rally behind the midfielder as he recuperates and root for a speedy return. He will be a great compliment to Michael Bradley as the U.S. heads to South Africa.

Gettin' cozy with Jozy.

By: Brandon Vondera

With just over three months to go before Mr. Josmore [pronounced ZHOES-MAIR] Volmy Altidore steps on the pitch against England in the World Cup, get reacquainted with the Hull City star.

If you can't already recognize Jozy from his 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup goal against Spain, you may recognize him as the guy next to Ronaldinho and Guillermo Ochoa on your copy of the video-game FIFA 08. Brian Ekberg of Gamespot.com caught up with the prolific striker and asked him what is was like playing as himself in the game fore the first time.

"It was a crazy experience because now, you know, it's not like, 'Look what I just did.' he answered. It's look what Jozy just did. It's a lot of fun and it's great." Altidore also added that his character is actually just like himself. "He's aggressive. he's fast. He's got a very powerful side and he's very energetic and it's spot-on to how I am as a player."

After attending the Bradenton academy in Florida, Altidore has played for the U.S. national team at almost every level. As a possible foreshadowing of his upcoming World Cup 2010 appearance, Jozy received his first call up to the national team on November 17, 2007 for a friendly against South Africa. He turned 18 only 11 days prior to coming in as a 65th minute substitution. A few months later, in February of 2008, he had his first start with team in a friendly versus Mexico where he also scored his first goal.

Aside from the youngsters national team duties, Jozy was taken as the 17th over-all pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, with the MetroStars (now called the New York Red Bulls). In a 2-1 loss to D.C. United in the Eastern Conference Semifinals Series, Altidore headed in a cross, becoming the youngest player to score a MLS playoff goal at just 16 years 337 days. You're going to have to eat all your veggies and practice long hours if you'd like to best that mark. Succeeding his impressive early run in the MLS, Villarreal of the Spanish La Liga signed him for nearly $10 million, the highest transfer fee paid for any MLS player. He is currently on loan to Hull City of the Premiere league, and quite possible could end up staying there.

The boy with nicknames like oatmeal and juice is sure to be a fixture on the nation team for years to come, as he is only 20 years old, and continues to improve. Watch out for his wristbands while he plays. His parents hail from Haiti and he wears both the flags of Haiti and the United States when he plays.

You can follow Jozy on twitter if you like. He posts pretty frequently, and is a funny dude.

USA sliding into cup.

By: Brandon Vondera

MVB Sports

Zurich --

The Associated Press this morning has reported that the United States has slipped four spots, to 18th in the FIFA rankings. The top spot is still held by European champion Spain. Brazil, the Netherlands and Italy fill the remaining top four spots respectively.

Germany has climbed up one spot to fifth, England as well, to eighth. And, another former European champion (2004), Greece, has improved two spots displacing Egypt as the world's 10th best team.

Egypt had previously moved up the rankings following their championship in the African Cup of Nations in January. They have now slipped to 17th, just ahead of team USA. Ronaldo's Portugal dropped as well, to sixth. Also seeing more chutes than ladders was Argentina, falling to ninth.

The United States will visit the Netherlands for a friendly today.

Kings stay sharp.

Dallas TX,

At this weekend's NFL combine, the über-moneyed Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, announced more plans for his grandiose soapbox of sport. His $1.2 billion Cowboy cathedral has already hosted the most recent Big 12 Championship, NBA All-Star, and AT&T Cotton Bowl games. Next up is a super-fight featuring Manny Pacquiao on March 13th, and next year's Super Bowl XLV. If that wasn't enough, he wants to go international, bringing a World Cup match and a U.S. Olympic swimming event to Cowboy Stadium. Heck, the guy even aspires to host the Olympics Opening Ceremonies in Dallas.

"Hey, I'll tell you what," said Jones from Indianapolis. "Truthfully, we are looking at possibly doing one of the big qualifying swim deals there." Jones even mentioned a Texas sized swimming pool could be installed. "We'd fill it full of water," he said. "It would be 300 feet deep. We would build them in there. But we are serious about, just looking into it." And there's more...

Jones has also had communications with the NHL about hosting the annual Winter Classic outdoor hockey game. This past Classic presenting the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins was held at Boston's Fenway Park baseball stadium. Clearly Jerry Jones has a lot on his mind these days.

Being so devoted to all things Dallas, the oil-man owner would most likely call on the Dallas Stars play in his stadium. He's also probably scratched the red-hot Kings (11-1-1, in their last 13 games) off his list of possible Winter Classic combatants after last night.

In their first game back from a 16-day Olympics break, Los Angeles dominated the Stars from start to finish. Final score 5-1. Man-of-the-match was none other than returning USA back-up goalie Jonathan Quick, who stopped 31 shots.

"You get back to the rink and get into your routine and everything starts to feel natural," said Quick, who didn't see any ice for the U.S. Olympic team as eventual tournament MVP Ryan Miller's backup. "I caught a couple of lucky breaks and got a lot of support from my team."

Both Quick and Dallas net-minder Marty Turco, had an assist in the contest, marking the first time since March 23, 2006 that both goalies recorded a helper in the same game. The last time it happened, Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils and Atlanta's Kari Lehtonen were between the pipes. Lehtonen now plays for the Stars and is looking to be the future in Dallas as Turco plays out his final year of his contract. The loss also marked a milestone for the 37 year old, 17 year veteran of the NHL. It was his 500th game for Dallas, making him one of only five goalies to play that many games all with one team. Dallas has lost all four games to the Kings this season.

Before the game Olympic medal winners from both teams were recognized on the ice. Drew Doughty of the Kings and Stars captain Brenden Morrow were members of Canada's gold medal team. Los Angeles players Jack Johnson, Quick, and Dustin Brown earned silver medals with team USA and Stars forward Jere Lehtinen won a bronze medal for his native Finland.

Photo credits: Quick- Sharon Ellman AP

Olympians- Glenn James NHLI via Getty Images