LA Sports Roundup - March
By Peyton Schultze
Welcome to the March edition of our new monthly series, LA Sports Roundup.
In this edition, we’ll be discussing the dramatic downfall the Lakers, the steady play by the Clippers, the offseason choices for the Rams and Chargers as free agency approaches, the biggest storylines so far at Dodgers’ Spring Training and the Angels’ upcoming Mike Trout dilemma
Amid Epic Collapse, Everyone is at Fault
With constant poor play and a true lack of cohesion, Luke Walton and the Lakers have been nothing short of terrible since the NBA’s All-Star break.
They didn’t land a superstar at the trade deadline. The supporting cast has not been there when needed most. Injuries have hurt the team’s chemistry. Luke Walton has struggled with his rotations and in managing the squad. And LeBron James has so far failed at being the great leader that he has shown in the past. With all of this, t’s time for all Laker fans to finally accept it: this is currently not the same organization that won sixteen world championships on their way toward becoming the NBA’s marquee franchise.
At 30-35, the Lakers have certainly fallen short of their high expectations after a promising start to the season. And given, a lot of their past struggles have a ton to do with major injuries to two cornerstones in Lonzo Ball and LeBron James that has thrown off the team’s chemistry. Yet injuries can not be blamed for what this team, this organization, has truly become. Right now, it is an absolute circus surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers and someone needs to step in quickly before things get truly even more out of hand (if that is even possible).
With this, Luke Walton is the easiest to blame and will certainly not return at the head coach of the Purple and Gold next season. Yet how is he truly supposed to excel with a discombobulated and wacky roster like this? Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka should shoulder much of the blame for failing to surround James with true talent to make them competitive in James’ first year with the Lakers. After all, the Lakers were never projected to win a title this year, especially with the Golden State Warriors still in tip-top form in what looks like will end in a third consecutive title for them. However, the Lakers were at least supposed to make the playoffs. Maybe even win a round or two. This year was all about promise and hope to start the James’ era and truly finding out which building blocks on the roster could help them return to glory. Yet at this point, it has been anything but that and has almost everyone doubting this organization and their capabilities of recreating a winning formula.
The Lakers will likely miss out on the playoff for the sixth straight year, even with the great LeBron James running the show.
But if there is one man that has the capability of turning this ship around, it is LeBron James. Many hardcore LeBron fans will say that Laker fans have never truly bought into James, whereas Laker fans will likely say that James has not yet bought into the Lakers and is too focused on things outside of basketball right now. Both are somewhat true, but as the face of the Laker franchise, James needs to do more.
With that being said, James’ on-court skillset has not diminished no matter what others are saying. What has diminished, however, is his attitude. Given, James does not owe anyone in the league anything at this point in his career with all of his accolades and highlights. He is still perhaps the game’s greatest players and one of the best to ever lace them up. But in joining the Lakers in this past offseason, he joined a title-hungry team with a passionate fanbase nine years removed from their last world championship, not just the main team in the entertainment capital of the world. If James does not any have success with the Lakers during his term, he will be the biggest star to ever suit up for the Purple and Gold to never win a ring which will damage his legacy, especially after controlling the Eastern Conference for the past decade.
The Lakers are not just an average sports franchise. They’re a storied franchise in a major city that loves committed players. Look no further than Ron Artest (aka Metta World Peace) or Justin Turner of the Dodgers for fan-favorite players who are beloved due to their all-in team mentality. James can soon rank among these players, but needs a refreshing offseason that brings back passion and hope to Laker Nation. Essentially, this is a lost season for the Lakers and they are at the very bottom. But even with being at the very bottom and in one of the lowest points in Laker history, there remains a glaring opportunity to soon rise above and win.
Clipped Out of the Playoffs? Nah
Despite a seemingly limited roster, the Clippers are one of the most physical and hard-working teams throughout the league.
About a month ago, the Los Angeles Clippers traded their best all-around player in Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers. With this trade, it seemed like the Clippers were waving the white towel on a successful season and were going to head into the offseason confident in their chances of acquiring a superstar player like Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant.
Now, however, the Clippers are fierce and hungry to be known as LA’s best team. At 37-29 and holding on to the eighth seed in the Western Conference, the Clippers look poised to make the playoffs if the can fend off the Sacramento Kings for the last spot in the playoffs. It will be very tough down the stretch for the Clips, but if their season as a whole is any indication, the Clippers will fight to the end and battle anyone in their path if given the chance.
Yes, the Clippers would likely run into the mighty Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, another continuation of a somewhat intense rivalry of the mid-2010’s. Los Angeles could very well get swept by Golden State, which has many people wondering why the Clippers are even trying to make a playoff push instead of tanking for a lottery pick in this year’s draft. But heading into a major offseason for the Clippers, wouldn’t a playoff appearance with some savvy veterans and intriguing young players be a major selling point to some of the league’s finest superstars? The Clippers’ front office, with big names like Doc Rivers and Jerry West, know they are not there yet, but are quickly shaping up to be one of the league’s major players in the upcoming years with promising faces and great attitudes spread throughout the club.
Doc Rivers has had one of his better coaching season this year in rallying the troops and making this limited Clippers roster a playoff team.
With all that being said, it is still crazy to think that the Clippers are in the position they are in right now, especially after a massive re-haul over the past several years that has included losing Chris Paul and trading the combo of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Even so, the Clippers’ best player right now might even be Lou Williams, a journeyman annual-6th man of the year candidate who has provided some leadership to a young Clippers’ core. Yet this speaks a lot to Doc Rivers and his coaching staff by getting his players ready to play on a nightly basis, even without a major superstar who can take over late in games.
Compared to Los Angeles’ other basketball team, the Clippers look like they have a bright future that is destined to result in some kind of playoff success down the road. Whether their current success propels them to a major upset this season remains to be seen, but there is a lot of promise with the current roster and functional front office that has the Clippers looking like a team that could contend in a few years. They are still not a guarantee for the playoffs in the Western Conference yet, but this season has been one full of joy and excitement in Clipper Land that has fans looking forward to the future of the team.
Charged Up and Ready to Roll
The Chargers and Rams will have some major decisions to make in the coming weeks of free agency to improve their teams heading into 2019.
Few thought that both of Los Angeles’ professional football teams would have so much success so early in the LA tenure, but the Rams and Chargers have provided a lot of hope to the city’s big-time football fans. Last year, the Chargers ran the table and make the playoffs as the 5th seed in the AFC. However, after beating Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the wild card round, the Chargers were stomped by New England in the divisional round. Likewise, the Rams had a phenomenal season that propelled them all the way to Super Bowl LIII, where they also fell at the hands of the dominant New England Patriots in a low-scoring, yet crushing loss.
Now both teams head into the offseason with redemption on their mind. While both teams have their eyes set on winning the Super Bowl (and likely having to overcome the Patriots in the process), they first have to brave an offseason that will provide some major challenges when it comes to re-signing some key talents and bringing in some new players to bring them that much closer to an elusive Lombardi Trophy.
It will likely be in the Rams’ best interest to re-sign defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh as an interior lineman to pair with the outstanding Aaron Donald.
For the Chargers, they will face some key choices in free agency in their pursuit to re-sign some key contributors from last season’s successful year. Names such as Denzel Perryman, Adrian Phillips, Jason Verrett and Tyrell Williams will be unrestricted free agents that the Bolts will likely pursue again to bring back to their squad, especially in the case of Perryman and Williams who were unexpected and solid facets of their roster last year. Elsewhere, the Chargers will look to improve their roster in even more areas, particularly on their offensive line or on the interior part of the defensive line.
As for the NFC champion Rams, they have even more question marks around the Chargers will some big names about to hit the market. One key player the Rams must make a big decision on is CJ Anderson. If the Rams are sold on their backfield combo of him and Todd Gurley or are still worried about Gurley’s long-term health, look for them to ring back the former Super Bowl champion in Anderson. In addition, the Rams will face tough choices on bringing back some important components of their defense. With names such as Ndamukong Suh and Lamarcus Joyner on the market, the Rams will enter free agency with many questions and will face some very difficult decisions with limited cap room at their disposal.
Dodging the Question Marks
Clayton Kershaw’s health has been a major concern thus far at the Dodgers’ 2019 Spring Training.
So far in the Cactus League, the biggest storyline running throughout Arizona has been the major arm injury concerns of Dodgers’ starter, Clayton Kershaw. In the past several years, Kershaw has experienced a lot of DL time (now known as the IL) with several back and arm injury diagnoses. However, many of these injuries have come mid-way through the season and not at the very beginning of camp like this year, which should have Dave Roberts and Co. very concerned.
Although Roberts already announced Kershaw as the opening day starter, the Dodgers need to play this situation very carefully in the event that Kershaw’s current arm injury or inflammation is not very serious. The Dodgers are well-known for being very serious about the arms’ of their players (a lot of credit goes to pitching coach Rick Honeycutt), but they do not want to end up in a similar situation to Corey Seager’s lingering arm injury last year which eventually caused the need for Tommy John surgery and a lost season. For now, Kershaw has returned to throwing from as far as 150 feet, but the Dodgers will surely monitor the situation closely in the coming days.
Elsewhere at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers have shown a lot of promise that should bode them well heading into the 2019 regular season. There are many storylines that have sprouted up in the days since camp begun that should have Dodger fans excited for the season.
Alex Verdugo (61) will have to have a solid Spring Training to guarantee a spot on the Major League roster in 2019.
Some noteworthy news thus far from Spring Training:
It is still uncertain if Corey Seager will be ready to go for Opening Day, but he is rapidly progressing and looking to be involved in some real game action in the coming week or so.
Kenley Jansen lost a lot of weight over the offseason after a rough on-field and off-the-field season in 2018 involved a serious heart scare.
Kike Hernandez has been the Dodgers best hitter so far in Spring Training, even knocking in two key hits in yesterday’s matchup against the Angels.
Austin Barnes has been great in camp so far according to Dave Roberts. He is expected to be half of the Dodgers’ platoon at catcher along with Russell Martin.
The Dodgers are taking it easy with Walker Buehler so far. Don’t expect him to have a heavy workload in Arizona.
Julio Urias has been another great contributor in spring that looks to be a key part of the Dodgers’ upcoming rotation, even hitting speeds of up to 98 mph in a game the other day.
After an up-and-down 2018, Cody Bellinger looks rejuvenated in 2019 with a shorter swing at the plate that has provided some good results so far.
Fishing for $400 Million
After Bryce Harper’s record deal, Mike Trout will likely receive the largest paid contract in professional sports history.
As almost unanimously agreed upon as the game’s best player by baseball fans and players alike, Mike Trout is one of sports’ marquee players. As a surefire Hall of Famer even so early in his career, Trout has been everything the Angles could ever want from a franchise cornerstone. Except for one thing. The Angels have rarely made the playoffs in the Trout-era and have been unable to even win one playoff series with the game’s best player. As his free agency nears, will that affect his decision?
The reason this comes to mind so quickly now is not because Trout will demand high compensation, but because Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies seems to be actively recruiting Trout to come to the Phillies in two years to form a type of “baseball superteam”. Taking upon a mantra from the NBA, the MLB could have a small problem on their hands and so could the Angels. Harper is clearly tampering and should be warned by the MLB, but what if this is actually persuading Trout and making him more interested than he already was in the City of Brotherly Love? He is already on pace to be the game’s first $400 million dollar player, a role he clearly deserves, but will this lingering choice force the Angels to act quickly?
Trout’s elite level of play will make him the most coveted free agent to ever hit the market if the Angels do not sign him to an extension soon.
Although Harper’s recent comments are a bit of a blow to the Angels, it is even more unfair to Trout, who has already been criticized by the commissioner of baseball, Rob Manfred, for not being more outgoing and embracing the role that comes with being the face of the league. Since he arrived in Anaheim, Trout has been a quiet and steady leader for the Halos, someone who puts in a lot of work each and every day to perform at a high level. He’s all-business, all the time, somewhat like a modern day version of Chase Utley (with five times the amount of power). So Trout probably will not respond to Harper directly, but will constantly face media questions now about his future if the Angels struggle in 2019 or if he does not sign an extension.
Other than Harper and the Phillies, there is no winner (yet) in this situation. While it may force the Angels’ hand in paying up for the game’s best player, Trout may decide that he is not ready yet and will wait until his free agency year. Whatever the case, Mike Trout and the Angels now have a major situation on their hands that they must deal with over the course of the season for reasons other than their own. But what is the only way to fix it? Winning, which makes 2019 a huge season for the club down in Anaheim.