Los Angeles week in sports
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What a month it’s been in Los Angeles sports. First Kobe Bryant retired and the Lakers ended what is the worst season in their history. It may have looked like an obvious decision a week ago, but it is now a reality: the Lakers have fired head coach Byron Scott. The two seasons he’s been at the helm have been the worst in franchise history.
In a statement to the media, general manager Mitch Kupchak said, “We would like to thank Byron for his hard work, dedication and loyalty over the last two years, but have decided it is in the best interest of the organization to make a change at this time.”
The Rams made a big trade for the number one pick in the NFL Draft and the selected the 28 women who will make up the L.A. Rams Cheerleaders.
The Dodgers started their season in San Diego and swept the Padres. But then the Dodgers bullpen started showing its weaknesses. They continue their season tomorrow, April 25, at Dodger Stadium when the Miami Marlins come to town for a four-game series.
Jackie Robinson Day.
This week: After the Kings entered the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs second in the Pacific Division … they were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by the third place San Jose Sharks, in five games. The Kings were unable to get a win on their home ice at Staples Center, a testament to the much improved Sharks defense and their special teams play.
The Clippers are still in the NBA Playoffs. They now lead the Portland Trail Blazers in their series, 2-1. The Blazers have proven to be a resilient team, as members of the Clippers predicted after the first two wins here in Los Angeles. They play game four in Portland and then the series returns to Staples Center for game five, Wednesday, April 27.
The Anaheim Ducks are still in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They lost their first two games against the Nashville Predators, but then came back to win the next three. The series continues tomorrow, April 25, in Nashville. It is do or die for the Predators.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have struggled to start the season, their record is a disappointing 8-11. The season is still young, there are 143 games left in the season for the Angels. This is a team with Albert Pujols and Mike Trout swinging the bat, as well as Kole Calhoun. They are getting some good pitching from Jered Weaver, Garrett Richards and Nick Tropeano starting and great innings from closer Huston Street who has five saves. So it’s no time to write off the Angels’ season. On Monday they start a three-game series against the World Series Champion Kansas City Royals at home in Anaheim.
Our reporter, Claudia Gestro, filed a weekend video report Saturday, from Hawaii. Below is her report, which includes news about Kenta Maeda, Clayton Kershaw, Blake Griffin, Damian Lillard, Anze Kopitar and more.
We would also like to add Claudia will be in Chicago this week for the NFL Draft, so we look forward to more of her video reports.
Photos by Claudia Gestro, who contributed to this article.
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