The Sports Report: Lakers fall to the Kings

LeBron James dunks within the first quarter.

(José Luis Villegas / Related Press)

Howdy, I’m your host, Houston Mitchell. Let’s get proper to the information.

Dan Woike on the Lakers: The refrain from the band Foreigner’s hit was sliced and cued as much as play as quickly as they introduced Russell Westbrook’s identify as the ultimate participant of the Lakers’ beginning 5.

“You’re as chilly as ice.”

They performed it once more when he tried to squeeze a layup between the rim and the backboard and once more when he couldn’t drain the elbow jumper that he likes a lot.

And so they performed it once more when Westbrook missed a three-pointer that might’ve lower the result in one.

Ice chilly certainly, Westbrook going 2-for-14 in a 125-116 loss to the Kings in Sacramento.

With the Lakers pushing to get again within the sport (a push pushed by Westbrook’s offensive power and passing), he took an ill-advised three and turned the ball over on back-to-back possessions to finish the third quarter.

These errors led to five-straight Sacramento factors and that Lakers’ comeback being put again on ice.

However identical to Westbrook has claimed that he can’t be judged solely on makes or misses, the Lakers have the instruments to outlive with one in every of their stars attempting to thaw out. It’s simply that it might’t occur like this, not with so lots of the Lakers’ different points becoming a member of Westbrook in struggling.

Starting with 4 straight baskets late within the second quarter, the Lakers fumbled likelihood after likelihood as a result of their protection allowed the Kings’ backcourt unimpeded paths to the basket.

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RAMS

Gary Klein on the Rams: The Rams, looking for depth within the wake of accidents within the secondary, have signed Eric Weddle, a six-time Professional Bowl security who retired after the 2019 season, the crew introduced Wednesday.

Weddle, 37, performed for the Rams in 2019, the ultimate season of a 13-year NFL profession that included 9 seasons with the Chargers and three with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Rams play the Arizona Cardinals on Monday evening in an NFC wild-card sport at SoFi Stadium.

The Rams signed Weddle and defensive backs Blake Countess and Sharrod Neasman to the follow squad. Additionally they signed security Jake Gervase to the roster.

Rams security Jordan Fuller suffered a season-ending ankle damage final Sunday through the crew’s ’ 27-24 extra time defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, a loss that dropped the Rams from the No. 2 seed to No. 4.

CHARGERS

Invoice Plaschke on the Chargers: In taking their first severe strides towards turning into Los Angeles’ favourite crew, the Chargers have the suitable star, the suitable tradition, the suitable branding … however have but to reply a very powerful query.

Have they got the suitable coach?

Is daring, brainy however baffling Brandon Staley the very best individual to steer them into the hearts of this city?

His soccer intelligence is off the charts, however some sport choices make it seem he’s misplaced his thoughts. He’s a defensive whiz, but his protection ranked among the many worst within the league. He’s a gamers’ coach, but his gamers typically ignore his pleas to play good, racking up the league’s third-most penalties.

Everyone loves him, he’s participating, accountable, and inspirational. After our 20-minute video name Wednesday, this columnist was able to comply with him into battle.

However after his first season as a head coach at any degree, Staley was simply 9-8 and one of many causes America can’t marvel at Herbert within the playoffs.

It's unfair to say he'll enter subsequent season on the new seat. However it's completely cheap to anticipate him to evolve and develop and do no matter it takes to ensure Herbert doesn’t turn into one other postseason-challenged Mike Trout.

Staley had an fascinating honeymoon, however that each one ended Sunday evening in Las Vegas, and now comes the excessive and exhausting warmth.

He’s unapologetic, unfazed, and prepared for it.

”Each fan and each media market has each proper to scrutinize these choices, it’s what makes skilled sports activities so particular,” Staley advised me, including, ”What folks uncover is that I had a very good cause behind what we did and why we did it. I felt like it will be a bonus state of affairs for us. What I’m not frightened of, what I’ll not draw back from, is competing to the fullest of our capability.”

NFL PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE

All occasions Pacific

Wild-card spherical

Saturday
Las Vegas at Cincinnati, 1:30 p.m., NBC, Cincinnati favored by 5 1/2 factors
New England at Buffalo, 5:15 p.m., CBS, Buffalo by 4

Sunday
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m., Fox, Tampa Bay by 8 1/2
San Francisco at Dallas, 1:30 p.m., CBS, Dallas by 3
Pittsburgh at Kansas Metropolis, 5:15 p.m., NBC, Kansas Metropolis by 12 1/2

Monday
Arizona at Rams, 5:15 p.m., ABC, ESPN, Rams by 4

Be aware: Tremendous Bowl is Sunday, Feb. 13 on NBC.

UCLA FOOTBALL

Ben Bolch on the Bruins: Jerry Azzinaro, the embattled UCLA defensive coordinator and longtime Chip Kelly lieutenant, has resigned, in keeping with a number of reviews, offering a chance for the Bruins to improve within the one space wherein they've constantly struggled the final 4 years underneath Kelly.

Azzinaro’s departure comes with UCLA attempting to finalize contract extension discussions with Kelly, who's on observe to enter the final season of his deal Sunday when his reciprocal $9-million buyout expires. It was not believed that Kelly confronted any calls for about employees modifications as a part of an extension settlement.

UCLA completed 8-4 final season, propped up by a prolific offense, whereas its struggles got here primarily due to a protection that gave up 26.8 factors per sport, rating No. 74 nationally.

UCLA’s protection has been a nagging sore spot underneath Kelly after giving up a median of 34.1 factors in 2018, 34.8 factors in 2019 and 30.7 factors in 2020, resulting in requires Azzinaro’s dismissal.

————

Roundtable: May Caleb Williams remodel USC? What's Chip Kelly’s contract standing?

SOCCER

Kevin Baxter on soccer: Natalie Simon has spent a lot of her life on a soccer subject, but in these 32 years she’s hardly ever seen one other one that appears to be like like her.

“I haven’t had anybody to essentially establish with,” mentioned Simon, who's Black and Native American. “I used to be at all times the one Black individual on each crew I performed on. I used to be at all times the token Black woman.”

It was that manner in highschool in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on journey groups in South Florida and in faculty at Stetson, a small, largely white personal faculty east of Orlando.

“I spent a whole lot of time questioning if I belonged,” Simon mentioned. “I spent most of my profession questioning if I used to be adequate. I feel a whole lot of Black folks, particularly Black girls, can relate to that.”

If Simon felt she stood out as a participant although, she’s actually about to interrupt new floor as an official. Final month, she was added to the worldwide panel of match referees by FIFA, soccer’s world governing physique, turning into one in every of 4 American girls holding a FIFA badge, the best rating a referee can aspire to, and the primary Black American lady to earn that honor, one which clears her to work worldwide video games and tournaments.

And the instance she’s setting may open the door for others to comply with.

“I can’t consider it’s 2022 and your first Black referee?” mentioned Christina Unkel, who was a FIFA official for seven years. “Perhaps I used to be ignorant. ‘There’s no glass ceilings as a result of that’s the American dream.’ However till you see somebody that appears such as you, do you really consider it or assume ‘Hey, , there are those that seem like me that try this’?

THIS DATE IN SPORTS

1962 — Wilt Chamberlain scores an NBA regulation-game file 73 factors to steer the Philadelphia Warriors to a 135-117 conquer the Chicago Packers.

1971 — Lenny Wilkens of the Seattle Supersonics, at 33, turns into the oldest All-Star MVP as he scores 21 factors to provide the West a 108-107 victory over the East.

1974 — The Miami Dolphins win their second straight Tremendous Bowl of their third straight look with a 24-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Larry Csonka, the sport’s MVP, features 145 yards on 33 carries and scores a landing.

1986 — NCAA faculties vote overwhelmingly in favor of adopting the controversial Proposition 48. The rule requires that incoming freshman preserve 2.0 grade level averages and rating 700 or extra on the Scholastic Aptitude Check or a 15 on the American School Testing program.

1987 — Lewis Lloyd and Mitchell Wiggins of the Houston Rockets turn into the third and fourth NBA gamers to be banned from the league for utilizing cocaine.

1991 — Phil Mickelson overcomes an 8 on the 14th gap to turn into the second beginner since 1954 to win a PGA Tour occasion as he posts a one-shot victory over Bob Tway and Tom Purtzer within the Northern Telecom Open.

1995 — America3, the primary all-women’s crew within the 144-year historical past of America’s Cup, wins the primary race of the America’s Cup defender trials, beating Staff Dennis Conner by 1 minute, 9 seconds.

1997 — Spain’s Carlos Moya turns into the primary man to knock out the defending champion within the opening spherical of a Grand Slam occasion in 20 years. After 3 1-2 hours of brutal warmth, Moya beats Boris Becker 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 on the Australian Open.

2003 — Jennifer Capriati turns into the primary girls’s Australian Open defending champion to lose within the first spherical within the Open period. Capriati, seeded third, loses 2-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4 to Ninetieth-ranked Marlene Weingartner of Germany.

2006 — Larry Brown turns into the fourth coach in NBA historical past to win 1,000 regular-season video games as New York beats Atlanta 105-94. Brown, 1,000-762 in 23 seasons within the NBA, joins Lenny Wilkens, Don Nelson and Pat Riley within the 1,000-win membership.

2010 — Kobe Bryant nails a game-winning jumper with 28 seconds left, lifting the Lakers to a 100-95 victory over Dallas. The Lakers turn into the primary NBA crew to achieve 3,000 wins.

2013 — Matt Bryant kicks a 49-yard subject purpose with 8 seconds left and the Atlanta Falcons bounce again after blowing a 20-point lead within the fourth quarter, defeating Seattle 30-28 in an NFC divisional playoff sport. The Falcons lead 27-7 firstly of the ultimate quarter earlier than rookie quarterback Russell Wilson leads the Seahawks to 3 fourth-quarter touchdowns and a 28-27 lead with 31 seconds left.

2013 — Tom Brady turns into the winningest quarterback in postseason play, throwing for 3 touchdowns to beat Houston 41-28 and elevate the New England Patriots into the AFC championship sport. Brady will get his seventeenth victory, surpassing Joe Montana, by throwing for 344 yards.

Equipped by the Related Press

And eventually

The Dolphins defeat the Vikings in Tremendous Bowl VIII. Watch and hear right here.

Till subsequent time...

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