Kings vs. Red Wings: Kings start hot then unravel; trail 3-1 after one period | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The day went from good to bad to worse for the Kings, who trail the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, at the end of the first period Monday at Staples Center.

It took 30 seconds for the Detroit Red Wings to reverse the momentum the Kings had built throughout the day.

The Kings acquired power forwardDustin Pennerand handedJustin Williamsa four-year, $14.6-million contract extension during the day. They then took a 1-0 lead three minutes into the game whenMichal Handzuschipped in a rebound off the boards for a power-play goal.

Then… Detroit’sDrew Millerscored a soft goal, throwing the puck into the crease and off the right pad of goaltenderJonathan Quickto tie the score. There was nothing Quick could do 30 seconds later, whenDanny Clearycharged down the slot, reached out and redirectedJiri Hudler’spass into the net for a 2-1 lead.

Nicklas Lidstrom’sblue-line shot threaded its way through five players for a power play goal and 3-1 lead.

--Chris Foster

Photo: Kings center Michal Handzus puts in a rebound off the boards against Detroit for the game's first goal Monday night at Staples Center. Credit: Kirby Lee / US Presswire

Source

Clippers: Rasual Butler bought out; Baron Davis speaks | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

There was fairly immediate fallout from the finalization of theBaron Davisdeal.

Sunday afternoon,the Clippers bought out little-used small forwardRasual Butler. Those familiar with the process said he should be waived by Monday morning, and there was speculation that he could end up with the Chicago Bulls.

Butler's name had apparently come up in talks between the Clippers and the Bulls leading up to last week's trade deadline.

Even with the many Clippers injuries, the three-point specialist has been the forgotten man this season, playing a total of five minutes in the eight games before the All-Star break. He was averaging five points per game and would have fallen to fourth on their depth chart at small forward now thatJamario Moonis in the mix. Moon and point guardMo Williamscame to the Clippers from Cleveland in the Davis trade.

Butler was making $2.4 million this season, having signed a one-year deal with the Clippers last summer. His exit was helped along by the departure of Davis, as they seemed to have a decent chemistry, in particular, last season.

Davis did not play in the Cavaliers' game against Philadelphia on Sunday, still bothered by a sore and swollen left knee. But he did meet with the Cleveland media, and one subject was Clippers ownerDonald Sterling,who was said to have heckled Davis this season from his courtside seats at Staples Center.

"You never expect the person who signed you to a contract to be the one who hates you the most," Davis told the Plain Dealer."You have to deal with that too."

-- Lisa Dillman

Source

UCLA basketball: Reeves Nelson leads Bruins to 40-30 halftime lead over Arizona | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The old building is rocking one last time.

Behind an inspired effort from sophomore forwardReeves Nelson, UCLA has taken a 40-30 halftime lead over No. 10 Arizona on Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion, the last game played at the facility before it undergoes renovations.

The 10-point advantage is big because the Bruins are 19-0 this season in games in which they have led by double digits.

Nelson had a double-double in only 20 minutes, getting 16 points on six-for-eight shooting to go with 10 rebounds and three assists. Freshman centerJoshua Smithalso came out aggressively, attacking the basket on the way to nine points, and sophomore forwardTyler Honeycuttadded eight points.

Sophomore forwardDerrick Williamshad 13 points for Arizona, which shot only 38.5% to UCLA's 58.6%. The Wildcats are hanging around in large part because they shot 13 free throws, making eight, to the Bruins' seven attempts. UCLA has an 19-11 edge in rebounding.

The Bruins closed the half on an 11-2 run, with Smith and Nelson each converting a three-point play andMalcolm Leegoing in for a dunk.Anthony Stover'sfree throw in the final minute gave the Bruins the 10-point cushion.

-- Ben Bolch

Source

Kendry Morales still not running close to 100%; will likely open season as Angels' DH | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Mike Scioscia remains"confident" that Kendry Morales will be ready for the March 31 season opener in Kansas City, but it seems increasingly likely that the Angels first baseman, who is recovering from a broken leg, will be relegated to a designated hitter role.

Morales, who suffered a season-ending injury last May 29, is hitting from both sides of the plate with no problems and participating in fielding drills. But he is still not running anywhere near 100%.

Most of his running has been done on a special treadmill equipped with a harness that allows Morales to"de-weight" his body by 30%-40%. The Angels open Cactus League play against the Dodgers on Saturday, but it appears unlikely Morales will play in an exhibition game for at least a week.

"His time frame remains to be seen, but we're a long way from opening day," Scioscia said."He won't need 80-90 at-bats to get ready. And even if he starts off in the spring as a DH, we can fold in the defensive end when he's comfortable with it."

Though Morales doesn't play an extremely demanding defensive position, spending nine innings on his feet in the field could put considerable stress on his lower left leg, which he broke while jumping into home plate after a game-winning home run.

If the Angels need the DH spot for Morales, who hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 RBIs in 2009, that would reduce playing time for Bobby Abreu, who is slotted to bat second.

"He has some work to do, but there's enough time for him to get ready for the season," Scioscia said of Morales."He's made great strides since he's been here."

Just none of them with 100% of his body weight on the field.

-- Mike DiGiovanna in Tempe, Ariz.

 Photo: Kendry Morales. Credit: Kirby Lee / US Presswire

Source

Lakers' NBA title victory voted top L.A. sports moment of 2010 | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Lakers winning the NBA title was named the top sports moment of 2010 at the sixth-annual L.A. Sports Awards, held Thursday night at The Beverly Hilton.

The Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in a dramatic seventh game, 83-79, to win their second straight title and the franchise’s 16th overall championship.

The L.A. Sports Awards are presented annually by the Los Angeles Sports Council to celebrate the greatest moments of the year in sports in the Los Angeles/Orange County area.

In other award presentations, Derek Fisher of the Lakers was honored as 2010 Sportsman of the Year and UCLA softball standout Megan Langenfeld was named the Sportswoman of the Year. Galaxy coach Bruce Arena received the Coach of the Year award and Tim Leiweke, president& CEO of AEG, was the Sports Executive of the Year honoree.

During the gala the overall Top 10 moments of 2010 as selected by a media panel were revealed. They were:

1. Lakers Win NBA Title (June 17): The Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics in seven games to win their 16th NBA championship and 11th in Los Angeles.
2. John Wooden’s Life and Legacy Remembered (June 26): The influence of the long and distinguished life of Coach John Wooden is commemorated in a stirring memorial at UCLA.
3. Buss Elected to Hall of Fame (April 5): Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss is elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
4. Donovan’s Dramatic Goal Propels U.S. to second Round of World Cup (June 22): USA forward and team captain Landon Donovan scored a last-minute goal to defeat Algeria, 1-0, and advance the U.S. to the second round of the World Cup in South Africa.
5. Zenyatta’s Remarkable Winning Streak (October 2): With a series of come-from-behind finishes, Southern California’s own Zenyatta wins five consecutive races to run her career unbeaten streak to 19 and confirm her status as one of the greatest race horses of all time.
6. Olympic Gold for Lysacek (February 19): Los Angeles’ Evan Lysacek wins the gold medal in Figure Skating at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, becoming the first American man to do so since 1988.
7. Kings Return to NHL Playoffs (April 19): The Kings qualify for the playoffs and host their first postseason game since 2002, defeating the Vancouver Canucks, 5-3, at Staples Center.
8. UCLA Wins its 11th NCAA Softball Title (June 8): UCLA goes 10-0 in the postseason, including a sweep of Arizona in the Championship series, as Megan Langenfeld is named Most Outstanding Player of the World Series.
9. L.A.’s Best Power Team USA to Basketball Gold (September 12): The Clippers’ Eric Gordon, the Lakers’ Lamar Odom, and former UCLA Bruin Russell Westbrook help lead Team USA to a gold medal at the FIBA Basketball World Championships in Turkey.
10. Angels Host All-Star Game; Dodgers Broxton Registers Save (July 13): The Angels host the All-Star game for the first time since 1989; the Dodgers’ Jonathan Broxton records the final three outs to save the game, 3-1, for the National League’s first victory since 1996.

--Houston Mitchell

Source

Kings end long and winding road trip with 3-2 win over Ducks | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Playing the last leg of a 10-game road odyssey that could have broken them, the Kings on Wednesday reasserted themselves into the West playoff picture with a 3-2 victory over the Ducks that lifted them into sixth place in the mad playoff scramble.

A slick backhand backpass byJustin Williamsset up light-scoring defensemanWillie Mitchellin the left circle for a slap shot that eluded a screenedCurtis McElhinneyat 6:45 of the third period and gave the Kings a 6-1-3 record in their season-long stretch of 10 straight games away from Staples Center. On Thursday they return home for the first time since Jan. 26 and will face the Minnesota Wild.

The Ducks played one of the best defensive games they've mustered in a while, banding together in front of McElhinney to help the struggling goalie as he tries to replace the still-ailingJonas Hiller.

However, McElhinney left two rebounds the Kings turned into goals and the Ducks had no margin for error since they were also without their two top centers.Saku Koivumissed the game because of a sore groin andRyan Getzlafwas with his wife following the birth of the couple’s son,Ryder James Getzlaf, Wednesday afternoon.

GoaltenderRay Emery, recalled from Syracuse of the American Hockey League Wednesday morning, was in uniform as McElhinney’s backup.

The Kings are tied with Minnesota, Nashville and Calgary with 70 points each. The first tiebreaker is fewest games, and the Kings, Minnesota and Nashville have each played 60. In a rule change instituted before this season the next tiebreaker is the number of wins minus the number of shootout victories, and under that tiebreaker Minnesota stays fifth with 32 wins minus two shootout victories. The Kings have 33 wins minus seven shootout wins (26), but Nashville has 31 wins minus six shootout wins (25).

The Ducks tried to guard the struggling McElhinney as well as they could and they were solid defensively in the early going. But he left two soft rebounds that the Kings pounced on in building a 2-1 lead in the first 20 minutes.

The Kings scored first, at 12:13.Jack Johnsoncontrolled the puck and passed toJarret Stollat the half boards. He returned the puck to Johnson, who blasted a 50-foot shot. The rebound popped up in the air and was batted in byRyan Smyth, displaying great hand-eye coordination as he swatted the puck out of mid-air.

As has become their habit, the Kings gave up a goal soon after scoring.Dan Sextondug out the puck behind the net and passed back to the point toToni Lydman, who shot through a screen created by Kings defensemanMatt Greeneand Ducks forwardBrandon McMillan.Teemu Selannegot enough of it to deflect it past Quick at 13:32 for his 626th career goal, moving him up to 14th on the NHL’s career goalscoring list.
The Kings regained the lead at 17:09. Williams carried the puck up the right side and took a shot that struck McElhinney in the chest.

DefensemanLubomir Visnovskyfell and couldn’t clear the rebound, which was poked in byAnze Kopitarbehind a helpless McElhinney.

The Ducks pulled even at 10:05 of the second period.Corey Perrywas on his knees behind the net when he got the puck toBobby Ryanin the right-wing corner. Ryan sent the puck up the boards to defensemanLuca Sbisa, who faked once before unleashing a shot. Perry, who had gone to the net, deflected it past an apparently screenedJonathan Quickfor his 31st goal of the season.

McElhinney protected that lead with a fine pad save with 46.5 seconds left in the period.Wayne Simmondshad gotten in alone behind the Ducks’ defense and took a backhander that McElhinney stopped with his right leg. The puck sat loose in front but McElhinney used his stick to gather it beneath himself and get a stoppage.

 Check back later for more, atwww.latimes.com/sports

Helene Elliott

 



Source

Former Galaxy star Carlos"El Pescadito" Ruiz returns to Major League Soccer | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Nine years ago, he was the brightest star in Major League Soccer.

Nine years later, he's back.

We are talking about Guatemala'sCarlos"El Pescadito" Ruiz, the striker who lit up MLS with 24 goals in 2002, when he led the Galaxy to the league championship while at the same time picking up individual honors as the league's most valuable player and the golden boot as top scorer.

Ruiz has not reached similar heights since then, but the goals have not stopped flowing, which is one reason why the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday signed the 31-year-old player affectionately known as"the little fish."

Ruiz is Guatemala's leading goal scorer, with a record 41 goals in 86 games for the national team since making his debut in 1998. In MLS, he has racked up 82 goals in regular-season play and a record 16 in the playoffs during spells with the Galaxy, FC Dallas and Toronto FC.

Since leaving the league in 2009, he has continued finding the back of the net while playing for Olimpia in Paraguay, Puebla in Mexico and, most recently, for Aris in Greece.

Ruiz will be back in Los Angeles on April 2 when the Union plays the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.

--Grahame L. Jones

 

 

Source

Clippers: Eric Gordon injury update | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

 

Eric Gordonwon’t be riding to the rescue … not yet.

The shooting guard had his injured right wrist checked out Monday but will not be going with the Clippers on their two-game trip to Oklahoma City and New Orleans.

Gordon, the Clippers’ leading scorer, has been out since Jan. 22.

“He was evaluated today. The response was positive from both doctors,” saidNeil Olshey, the Clippers’ vice president of basketball operations. “He’s going to stay home and do more therapy. Optimistically, maybe by the end of the week. If not, we’re targeting Sacramento.”

The Kings game, which is Feb. 28, appears to be the most realistic target date at this point. CenterChris Kamanreturned to the lineup against Minnesota just before the All-Star break, playing limited minutes. His minutes will probably increase on this trip.

Additionally, forwardCraig Smith, out of the lineup for two months because of a herniated disk in his lower back, will make the trip and could play tonight against the Thunder.

Smith was with the Clippers on their long journey before the All-Star break, in which they went 2-6.

“He practiced today and we should hopefully increase his minutes,” said Clippers CoachVinny Del Negro.“I want to see how he feels tomorrow and get the report from {trainerJasen Powell}."

-- Lisa Dillman

Photo: Eric Gordon. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times.

Source

Freshman Adam Plutko is impressive in UCLA debut | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

A year ago, pitcherAdam Plutkoled Glendora High to the Southern Section Division 2 baseball championship. He turned down the Houston Astros to enroll at UCLA, and on Sunday, he made an impressive college debut.

Plutko threw six shutout innings while allowing two hits and striking out six to help UCLA defeat San Francisco,3-0, and complete a three-game sweep of the Dons. UCLA pitchers allowed one unearned run in 27 innings.

FreshmanNick Vander Tuigpicked up his second save.Cody KeeferandBeau Amaralhad two hits apiece.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Source

Blake Griffin wins slam dunk contest by jumping over a car | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Clippers rookie power forwardBlake Griffinwon the Slam Dunk contest by leaping over a compact car while catching a pass from teammateBaron Davisthrough the sunroof and then slamming the ball through the rim with two hands Saturday night at Staples Center.

The final round was scored by fans nationwide.

Griffin defeated Wizards centerJaVale McGee, who did a one-handed catch and dunk in his final attempt.

But Griffin's final dunk triggered wild applause as he jumped over the car perfectly and scored his dunk in his first attempt. 

Serge Ibakaof the Thunder pulled off a bizarre dunk in the first round by snatching a stuffed toy hanging from the rim with his teeth while doing a reverse slam. But Ibaka was eliminated along with Raptors guardDeMar DeRozan.

Each of the four competitors in the contest performed two dunks in the first round and were scored by five courtside judges.

--Barry Stavro

Photo: Clippers rookie Blake Griffin easily clears a car on his final dunk Saturday night. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

Source

NBA All-Star weekend: Rookies 148, Sophomores 140 (final) | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Rookies defeated the Sophomores, 148-140, in a dunks-filled Rookie Challenge contest at Staples Center on Friday night.

Sacramento centerDeMarcus Cousinsled the Rookies with 33 points, while Wizards guardJohn Wallhanded out 22 assists. Wall was selected the game's most valuable player.

The Thunder'sJames Hardenled the Sophomores with 30 points.

Clippers rookie starBlake Griffinfinished with seven dunks in the game, including five in a seven-minute span in the second half. But with three minutes to go in the game a"We Want Blake!" chant swept Staples Center as Griffin was on the bench. Despite the pleas, he did not return to the game.

Griffin's most impressive dunk came after a Wall bounce pass that rose to the top of the backboard and Griffin grabbed on the way down before finishing with a right-handed slam. Griffin, who played only 13 minutes in the 40-minute game, scored his 14 points on dunks.

Griffin will compete in Saturday's slam contest and will play in Sunday's All-Star game. He was the only rookie to make the All-Star squad.

--Barry Stavro

Photo: Wizards guard John Wall and Clippers forward Blake Griffin share a laugh during the Rookies-Sophomores game on Frida night at Staples Center. Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press

Source

Kings run out of comebacks and lose to Rangers in shootout, 4-3 | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Kings lost in a shootout for only the second time in nine chances this season, falling to the New York Rangers by a final of 4-3 before a lively crowd at Madison Square Garden.

The shootout loss extended the Kings' point streak to 11 games (8-0-3), tying a club record set in the 1973-74 season.

Eric Christensen and Mats Zuccarello -- the latter on an amazing slow-down decoy move -- scored on Jonathan Bernier in the shootout. Jarret Stoll scored the Kings' only goal, as he did in a shootout victory at Columbus on Wednesday. Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped Anze Kopitar to clinch the victory for the Rangers.

The Kings are 5-0-3 in their stretch of 10 straight road games and next play Saturday on Long Island.

Playing for the second consecutive night, the Kings scored first Thursday, converting a power play at 5:25 of the second period for their first man-advantage goal in five games.

Source

Kings beat Columbus in shootout, 4-3 | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Kings have become road warriors, turning a potentially deflating 10-game stretch of games away from Staples Center into a joy ride that continued Wednesday with a 4-3 shootout victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Jarret Stollscored the only goal in the tiebreaking procedure with a hard wrist shot.

Drew Doughtyhad given the Kings a 3-2 lead at 6:08 of the third period, set up nicely byAnze KopitarandMichal Handzus. But the Blue Jackets, playing before a small but noisy crowd of 12,442 at Nationwide Arena, tied it with 1:23 to play and goaltenderMathieu Garonjust reaching the bench to be replaced by an extra skater.Kris Russellwas unchecked when he swept the rebound of a shot byJakub Voracekpast a helplessJonathan Quick.

The Kings extended their point streak on this odyssey to 5-0-2 and extended their overall surge to 8-0-2. The club record for points in consecutive games is 11, set in 1974.

Quick stopped 21 shots, including a high-chest save onAnton Stralmanearly in the third period, to extend his personal success streak to 7-0-1. It was the 16th straight game in which the Kings held an opponent to three goals or fewer.

But it didn’t come easily.

Someday the Kings will completely end their absurd habit of allowing a goal within five minutes of scoring one. Wednesday wasn’t that day, as they took leads of 1-0 and 2-1 only to allow Columbus to pull even within three minutes each time.

Source

Chivas USA bolsters defense by signing U.S. international Heath Pearce | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Having lost starting left backJonathan Bornsteinto Tigres of the Mexican league during the Major League Soccer off-season, Chivas USA on Tuesday added some depth to the position by acquiring another U.S. national team defender,Heath Pearce.

Pearce, 26, assisted on six goals in 2010 while helping Dallas win the Western Conference title. Chivas gave up allocation money for the former University of Portland player, who will vie with Canadian internationalAnte Jazicfor the starting role on the left side of the defense in 2011.

Pearce joined Dallas in 2009 after playing professionally in Europe, first with FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark and then with Hansa Rostock in Germany.

In other player moves Tuesday, Chivas USA released three players from its preseason camp in Arizona. They were goalkeeperKevin Guppy, Canadian defenderCurtis Ushedo, who was picked in January's MLS supplemental draft, and midfielderNorberto Ochoa.

Chivas USA lost its second preseason game in a row Tuesday when goals byJamison OlaveandWill Johnsongave Real Salt Lake a 2-0 win in a scrimmage at Casa Grande, Ariz. On Saturday, Chivas USA dropped a 1-0 decision to the Seattle Sounders.

--Grahame L. Jones

Source

Angels 1B Kendry Morales not a lock to be ready for opening day | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Manager Mike Scioscia said Monday morning that he has"no doubt" Kendry Morales, who missed most of last season after breaking his lower left leg on May 29,"will be 100% by the start of the season."

Listening to Morales as he addressed reporters for the first time this spring, that prediction seemed a little ambitious.

Morales, who has a five-inch scar just above his left ankle and a pin and six screws inside the ankle from the June surgery, has been running at"only 50%," and the switch-hitter, speaking through a translator, said the Angels"don't want me to run" in camp yet. He is not expected to begin fielding drills for another week to 10 days.

"I'm not really feeling any pain, but I feel tightness and a lack of flexibility," said Morales, who has put on 10 pounds since last season and is up to about 235 pounds."As I work out and the inflammation goes down, I should regain that mobility."

Does Morales, who hit .306 with 34 home runs and 108 RBIs in 2009 and is considered one of the keys to the Angels' season, feel like he'll be OK by opening day?

"I'm not the one to make that decision, but I hope I'm ready by then," he said."But I know it could be a possibility {that I'm not ready}."

For more on Morales later today, go towww.latimes.com/sports.

-- Mike DiGiovanna in Tempe, Ariz.

Photo: Kendry Morales. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Source

Kings-Flyers: Jonathan Quick saves the day in Kings' 1-0 victory in Philadelphia | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

At this rate the Kings might ask to play all road games next season.

Jonathan Quick’ssensational 40-save performance and a strong effort by their penalty killers helped the Kings eke out a 1-0 victory over the East-leading Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday and improve to 4-0-2 during a stretch of 10 consecutive games away from Staples Center.

Drew Doughtyscored the only goal, afterWayne Simmondstook the puck fromMike Richardsbehind Philadelphia’s net and got the puck toAnze Kopitar. The center’s feed to Doughty was a good one, and Doughty rifled a shot pastIgor Bobrovsky17 seconds into the second period for his seventh goal of the season.

The Kings killed off a five-on-three Flyers power play in the middle period, with former FlyerMichal Handzusleading the way with smart positioning and solid plays in which he tipped passes away.
Quick’s shutout was his sixth this season and 14th of his career. The Kings had lost to the Flyers, 7-4, at home on Dec. 30.

The Kings, who have earned points in nine straight games (7-0-2), have allowed three goals or fewer in an impressive 15 consecutive games.

Despite all these accomplishments, the Kings are still not among the top eight in the Western Conference. They’re even in points with the Minnesota Wild, at 65 each, but Minnesota has played fewer games and so wins the tiebreaker.

Check back for more atwww.latimes.com/sports

--Helene Elliott, reporting from Philadelphia

Photo: Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick makes a save during a game last week in Edmonton. Credit: John Ulan / Associated Press

Source

USC basketball: Oregon leads Trojans at halftime, 25-19 | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

All season long, USC has struggled on Saturdays, its players, all seven who actually play, looking dead-legged and listless after usually playing a game two nights before.

That seems to be the case again at the Galen Center tonight, where the Trojans trail Oregon at hafltime, 25-19.

USC's chances of winning took a big hit -- a 6-foot-10, 250-pound hit, to be exact -- when senior forwardAlex Stephesonpicked up two quick fouls, forcing him to the bench for the rest of the half.

But the Trojans kept their deficit slim behind junior forwardNikola Vucevic, who has scored a game-high 10 points on five-of-12 shooting and also has eight rebounds.

Still, USC is struggling big-time on offense, having shot only eight for 31 (25.8%) from the field against Oregon's zone defense. In fact, aside from Vucevic, the rest of USC's lineup has shot only three for 19.

Oregon hasn't shot much better, shooting nine for 27 (33.3%).

Senior forwardJoevan Catron, who missed the Ducks' home win against USC last month because of injury, has seven points to lead Oregon. 

-- Baxter Holmes

Source

USC football: Receiver Kyle Prater suffers foot injury | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

USC receiverKyle Pratersuffered a foot fracture during off-season workouts and will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, the school announced.

Prater is expected to sit out most of spring practice, which begins next month.

It's the latest setback for the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Prater, an Illinois native who enrolled at USC in January 2010 but redshirted last season after suffering several injuries.

Prater is hoping to earn playing time as part of a receiver corps that will include sophomoreRobert Woods, a returning starter, seniorBrandon Carswelland sophomoreMarkeith Ambles, among others. Incoming freshmanGeorge Farmeralso is expected to contend for a starting spot.

--Gary Klein

Source

USC basketball: Trojans taking it to the Beavers, lead 37-23 at halftime | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Trojans had eight days off between its last game, a loss to UCLA, and Thursday night's game against Oregon State at the Galen Center.

But instead of looking fresh, USC sleepwalked through most of the first half before waking up. 

And did it ever. 

At halftime, the Trojans lead, 37-23, behind 12 points from junior forwardNikola Vucevic. 

USC trailed for most of the first half, down 7-2 shortly after tipoff, but then the Trojans started forcing turnovers and attacking the basket, and, boom, a 12-0 run gave them an 18-11 lead with 8:41 left. 

USC led 26-17 after Vucevic converted a three-point play with 5:17 left. Then freshman forwardGarrett Jacksonnailed a three-point shot from the left wing to give the Trojans a 12-point lead with 4:46 left. 

Vucevic added a three-pointer with a few seconds left before halftime.

So, basically, from the point Oregon State led 11-6 with 15:23 in the first half, USC turned the game around, closing the half on a 31-12 run. 

USC is shooting 13 for 29 (44.8%) from the field and four of nine (44.4%) from three-point range.

Oregon State, which is led by seven points from freshman guardAhmad Starks, is shooting eight for 25 (32%) and has missed six of seven three-point shots. 

The Beavers have 11 turnovers, which USC has turned into 16 points. 

-- Baxter Holmes

Photo: USC guard Donte Smith and Oregon State forward Devon Collier go after a loose ball during the first half Thursday night at the Galen Center. Credit: Chris Carlson / Associated Press

Source

Lawsuit filed over Super Bowl seating issues | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The NFL has been scrambling to make up for thefiasco that left hundreds of ticket-holding fans without Super Bowl seatsat Cowboys Stadium on Sunday, but that has not prevented a lawsuit from being filed on behalf of those fans, as well as others who felt their seats were inadequate.

A federal lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Dallas against the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys and team owner Jerry Jones, alleging breach of contract, fraud and deceptive sales practices. It was filed on behalf of fans who were left seatless due to problems with temporary seats installed for the game, as well as some Cowboys season ticket-holders who ended up in folding chairs with obstructed views rather than the prime seats they say they were promised.

A Cowboys spokesman did not immediately return a call from the Associated Press requesting comment Wednesday.

Roughly 1,250 spectators in six sections of the stadium were relocated or had to watch theGreen Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25, on monitors because their temporary seats weren't ready.

Many of those people were moved to comparable or better seats in the stadium, but 400 were relegated to watching live feeds of the game in the venue and were offered $2,400 from the league, triple the face value of their tickets, on Sunday.

The league says it also let those fans onto the field for the postgame festivities and gave them free merchandise, food and drinks. On Monday the NFL announced those fans would also receive tickets to next year's Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

On Tuesday a second option was offered: Those fans could choose to attend any future Super Bowl and receive round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations, and they can wait until after the conference championship games each year before deciding.

In choosing that option, however, they will not receive the $2,400. In addition, those tickets will not be transferable. The first option of next year's game and $2,400 includes transferable tickets that can be sold on the secondary-ticket market.

“We had more time to think about how to create a broader range of options that would better recognize the deep emotional bond that fans have for their team,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an e-mail Tuesday.

RELATED:

Now the NFL action moves to the front offices

Score a narrow Super Bowl win for Nevada casinos

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Photo: Six sections of temporary seats were deemed unsafe at Cowboys Stadium during Super Bowl XLV. Credit: Al Bello / Getty Images

Source

Sports Legend Revealed: Did Vince Lombardi trade a player five minutes after learning the player hired an agent? | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

FOOTBALL LEGEND: Vince Lombardi traded a player five minutes after learning the player had hired an agent to represent him in contract negotiations with the Packers.

STATUS: False.

The last two weeks, I featured one legend each week involving one of the two teams who played in this year's Super Bowl. And I said that this week I would feature a legend about whichever team won. Well, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25, so this week I'm featuring a Packers-related legend!

With the Packers bringing home the Vince Lombardi Trophy, I felt it was only fitting to do a legend involving Vince Lombardi, the larger-than-life head coach of the Packers from 1959-1967 who won five National Football League (NFL) championships (plus the first two Super Bowls) in that time span.

From the new book by former New York Giants kicker (and longtime NFL announcer) Pat Summerall (just released a few months ago, co-written by Michael Levin) about what he learned from his time spent with Lombardi and Tom Landry when both coaches were assistants on the Giants,Giants: What I Learned About Life from Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry, Summerall discusses how different it was for players when they tried to negotiate their contracts during the 1950s and 1960s:

Negotiating didn't always work out, though. As I'm sure you've heard, one year, Jim Ringo, the all-pro center for the Packers, went into negotiations with Lombardi when he was the Packers' head coach. He brought his agent to the meeting. Lombardi said,"I don't negotiate with agents. Hold on, let me make a phone call." He turned away, picked up the phone, and the moment he hung up he said,"I told you I don't negotiate with agents. You've just been traded to Philadelphia." Ringo was one of his best players and all-pro for several years, but Lombardi chose to trade him rather than deal with his agent. I think it was sort of an unwritten rule at that time not to bring others into negotiations because nobody had agents or other people speaking for them.

Summerall is correct in noting that thisisa very popular story, but it also happens to not be true.

 Read on to learn what actually happened!

Source

USC football: Eighth-grade quarterback David Sills remains committed to USC | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

USC CoachLane Kiffinmade news last year when, shortly after being hired at USC, he offered a scholarship toDavid Sills, a then-seventh-grade quarterback from Delaware.

Sills made a verbal commitment to the Trojans and started for Red Lion Christian Academy last season as an eighth-grader.

Sills' Southern California-based private quarterback coach,Steve Clarkson, caused a minor stir Monday when he told The Times'Eric Sondheimerthat Auburn had offered Sills a scholarship.

But Sills' father, also named David, told me that his son has not been offered a scholarship by the Bowl Championship Series titlists, who have offered a scholarship to another Red Lion player.

"David was not offered by Auburn," the elder Sills said in a phone interview."We have a very good relationship with their coaches. They all know he wants to go to USC. It's his dream school and he's made it very clear he's committed to USC."

Sills' father said his son would attend a few weeks of spring practice at USC.

--Gary Klein

Source

Super Bowl ads: The best commercials | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Here's a look at some of the best Super Bowl commercials from Sunday's game:

-- Austin Knoblauch

Source

UCLA basketball: Bruins hold 29-26 halftime lead in Steve Lavin's return | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

He's baaaack!

Steve Lavinreturned to Pauley Pavilion on Saturday morning, and the former UCLA coach appeared to have his St. John's team poised for a romp before the slow-starting Bruins stormed back to take a 29-26 halftime lead.

Freshman center Joshua Smithscored 12 points on four dunks, a layup and a pair of free throws for UCLA, which closed the half on an 18-7 run after trailing by as many as nine points in the early going. Freshman guardTyler Lambadded a pair of three-pointers off the bench for the Bruins, who held an 18-9 rebounding edge but committed nine turnovers to three for the Red Storm.

Dwight Hardyhad 16 points, making seven of nine shots, but no other player had more than four points for St. John's, which held leads of 13-4 and 19-11 before the Bruins rallied.

Lavin spent several minutes before the game exchanging hugs and handshakes with old friends, includingTyus Edney, the hero of UCLA's national title run in 1995 who is now director of basketball operations for the Bruins.

A Bruins yell leader poked fun at Lavin before tip-off, taking a courtside microphone and shouting,"Let's remind Steve Lavin exactly what it feels like to lose at Pauley Pavilion."

--Ben Bolch

Photo: UCLA guard Tyler Lamb forces St. John's guard Dwight Hardy to stop his drive in the first half Saturday at Pauley Pavilion. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Source

USC football: School officials warn athletes not to attend Everson Griffen's Super Bowl trip to Las Vegas | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Former USC defensive endEverson Griffencontinues to keep the Trojans in the news— though not for reasons the school would like.

USC administrators on Thursday sent e-mails to football players and all other school athletes prohibiting them from attending a trip to Las Vegas this weekend organized by Griffen.

Griffen, who played for USC from 2007 to 2009, was arrested Monday and wasbooked on suspicion of felony battery after an incident in which he allegedly grabbed an officer’s crotch during an altercation after a traffic stop near campus. Police used a Taser to subdue Griffen, who recently completed his first season with the Minnesota Vikings. Prosecutors said they wouldrefer the case to the city attorney's office for possible misdemeanor filing because Griffen does not have a criminal record and because the officer he allegedly grabbed was uninjured.

The e-mail, sent Thursday by Athletic DirectorPat Hadenand vice president for athletic complianceDave Roberts, read:

“It has come to our attention that a current NFL player and former USC student-athlete, Everson Griffen, along withJordan Campbell, a former student-athlete who is or was affiliated with First Round Entertainment, have arranged for and are promoting a Super Bowl Weekend trip to Las Vegas over the Super Bowl weekend (February 4–6).

“Because of the NCAA rules concerning gambling, impermissible extra benefits and the conduct of agents, we believe that there is a significant chance that the eligibility of any student-athlete who participates in such a trip would be jeopardized.

“Therefore, you are not permitted to partake or participate in the Super Bowl Weekend trip that has been arranged and promoted by Mr. Griffen or Mr. Campbell under any circumstances.”

Campbell was suspended from USC’s team last year for violating team rules and transferred to Louisville. 1st Round Entertainment is owned byTeague Egan, a USC student who was an NFL agent before he was decertified in December by the NFL Players Assn., for providing Trojans tailbackDillon Baxterwith a golf cart ride on campus. Egan is appealing the ruling.

Neither Griffin nor Campbell could be reached for comment.

In a text message, Griffen told ESPNLosAngeles.com, which first reported about the e-mail:"I'm a businessman. I'm trying to start my promoting business, I'm not doing everything at all. Just bring everyone down to Vegas for superbowl weekend for 100 dollars.

"I'm not paying for anything."

--Gary Klein

Source

Ndamukong Suh is NFL rookie of the year | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh became the first defensive player to win the NFL rookie of the year award Thursday. The second overall pick in last year's draft, Suh is the second rookie ever to register 10 sacks.

"It's truly an honor, it's the NFL," said Suh, a Pro Bowl starter who also had 66 tackles, one forced fumble, an interception and one fumble returned for a touchdown."I'm glad I can take this home to Detroit."

Suh beat out four other finalists, including St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, who was the top draft pick overall and set a rookie record for pass attempts and completions.

RELATED:

NFL executive says league, union need to commit to'serious' labor talks

Hair stylists on Troy Polamalu, Clay Matthews: Have a scrunchy with that scrimmage

--  Chuck Schilken

Reuters contributed to this report.

Photo: Ndamukong Suh holds the trophy after he was named as the NFL rookie of the year. Credit: Mike Stone / Reuters

Source

Recruiting: USC announces 22-player class | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

USC CoachLane Kiffinannounced a 22-player recruiting class Wednesday while awaiting an announcement from Crenshaw's De'Anthony Thomas.

When asked if USC had achieved its goal of building a wall around Southern California, Kiffin said,"I don't think we know yet."

USC, which had eight players enroll in January, added nearly two dozen more despite NCAA sanctions that could keep the Trojans out of a bowl game again this season.

Gardena Serra receiverGeorge Farmerleads the class, which includes five defensive linemen and four offensive linemen.

I'll have more later at latimes.com/sports.

--Gary Klein

Source

USC basketball: Trojans Athletic Director Pat Haden nearly beats forward Alex Stepheson in a free-throw contest | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

USC senior forwardAlex Stepheson is not what you'd call a good free-throw shooter.

AMark Price(career 90.4% free-throw shooter) he is not.

Nor is heRay Allen(89.3%) orReggie Miller(88.8%).

At times, he's barely as good asShaquille O'Neal(52.7%), which explains why opposing teams foul Stepheson at the end of close games. 

Stepheson, who has shot below 50% from the line in each of the last three seasons, including 48.5% (33 for 68) this season, is reminded of this particular shortcoming by the sporting press quite often.

But before practice Tuesday the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Los Angeles native entered into a situation in which whatever credibility he had was all at the line, which is the last place he should have put it. 

Then, USC Athletic DirectorPat Haden, a former college and NFL quarterback, engaged Stepheson in a free-throw contest. Stepheson accepted.

Haden took off his jacket and strolled to the free-throw line wearing dress shoes, slacks, a button-up shirt and a tie. He proved that basketball was not his specialty, missing his first few shots badly, but Stepheson missed his first few attempts, too, perhaps succumbing to the pressure as everyone in the Galen Center had stopped to watch the matchup of futility. 

Eventually, Haden hit two in a row, but Stepheson then hit three in a row and won by that margin.

After practice, Stepheson was glowing, as if he'd just won the Super Bowl.

"I was kind of nervous," he said."I didn't want to play him to begin with. I knew he was going to make a couple. But I stepped up to the challenge nicely, got the win. I came through under pressure. I want to say it was a landslide, but I think that might be a lie." 

-- Baxter Holmes

Source