It's been a while since I have taken a look at the Los Angeles Times, but it could not have come at a better time.
The biggest news coming into the NBA season was the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers already had Kobe Bryant, but had added some great star players to make the next "Big Three" in the NBA. The Lakers traded for Dwight Howard, and grabbed Steve Nash in free agency to become the preseason favorites to win the Western Conference, and maybe even the NBA Finals.
Fast forward to the present, and the Lakers look like they'd be lucky to even make the playoffs. The team fired head coach Mike Brown just five games into the season because of a 1-4 start, and since the hiring of Mike D'Antoni, the Lakers are now at a 3-5 record, sitting in fourth in the Pacific division and 14th in the Western Conference. For a star-studded starting five, the Lakers are severely underperforming.
The Los Angeles Clippers, however, are exceeding preseason expectations. A team that was seen as a five seed for the playoffs and a possible dark horse for the Conference Finals are now first in the Pacific division and third in the Western Conference. Led by Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, the Clippers are now the favorite basketball team in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles fans are fans of winning teams, and the Los Angeles times are nor exception. The Times focus on the Laker's decision to hire D'Antoni over Phil jackson, even writing a story that the Lakers had Kobe's approval to hire D'Antoni. Meanwhile, the Times focuses on how the Clippers are winning games, and their recent win over the Heat shows they are one of the best teams in the NBA.
Personally, I am not a fan of the NBA, but rather two specific players: LeBron James and Blake Griffin. Both put on offensive clinics every game, and both, especially Griffin, will throw down highlight reel dunk after highlight reel dunk. For the Times, it's good to have one team that is winning to sell the papers.
The biggest news coming into the NBA season was the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers already had Kobe Bryant, but had added some great star players to make the next "Big Three" in the NBA. The Lakers traded for Dwight Howard, and grabbed Steve Nash in free agency to become the preseason favorites to win the Western Conference, and maybe even the NBA Finals.
Fast forward to the present, and the Lakers look like they'd be lucky to even make the playoffs. The team fired head coach Mike Brown just five games into the season because of a 1-4 start, and since the hiring of Mike D'Antoni, the Lakers are now at a 3-5 record, sitting in fourth in the Pacific division and 14th in the Western Conference. For a star-studded starting five, the Lakers are severely underperforming.
The Los Angeles Clippers, however, are exceeding preseason expectations. A team that was seen as a five seed for the playoffs and a possible dark horse for the Conference Finals are now first in the Pacific division and third in the Western Conference. Led by Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, the Clippers are now the favorite basketball team in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles fans are fans of winning teams, and the Los Angeles times are nor exception. The Times focus on the Laker's decision to hire D'Antoni over Phil jackson, even writing a story that the Lakers had Kobe's approval to hire D'Antoni. Meanwhile, the Times focuses on how the Clippers are winning games, and their recent win over the Heat shows they are one of the best teams in the NBA.
Personally, I am not a fan of the NBA, but rather two specific players: LeBron James and Blake Griffin. Both put on offensive clinics every game, and both, especially Griffin, will throw down highlight reel dunk after highlight reel dunk. For the Times, it's good to have one team that is winning to sell the papers.