Sports are a busy time, and no more so than last weekend. We have seen news from training camps to big surges, and a contract extension we have all been waiting for. Here are some recent highlights from Los Angeles sports.
SPARKS ARE ROLLING!
There was a time when we all wrote off the Sparks as having yet another failed season. They were slumping badly despite the brilliant performance of the Sparks’ lone All-Star Kelsey Plum. Then something just clicked, and no one knows what to make of it. The Sparks have gone 7-3 in the last ten games, including a double overtime winner on Friday. They certainly have been playing better, and things seem like they will step up even more with the return of Cameron Brink. Brink returns from an ACL injury that derailed her promising rookie season last year. While she will be on a minutes restriction, having her back is very encouraging for the Sparks. Perhaps they may make a last-minute run at the playoffs after all.
Now the question is: can they actually make it into the playoffs? Well, it’s not a good chance, but there is a chance. Despite their recent hot streak, the Sparks still stand at 12-15 with the second worst record in the Western Conference. However, with the way they’ve been playing, along with contributions from Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens, I am going to say it’s not a good possibility…but it is a possibility.
DODGERS LOOK TO TURN THE CORNER
July was not a good month for the defending World Series champion Dodgers. The team acknowledged they’re underperforming, especially with the offense being inconsistent lately. Mookie Betts went 8-for-43 in eleven games going into Sunday, which forced manager Dave Roberts to return him to the number two spot in the batting order behind Shohei Ohtani. Still, Sunday’s win where they manufactured runs is a good sign. Freddie Freeman said it best saying, “There’s a lot of good things that happened today. As much as we want to hit home runs every time, score 10 runs, [we] got to win games like this. And that’s a good sign for us.”
The Dodgers certainly feel the heat (and not just the heat from Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays). The team didn’t do too much at the trade deadline, and the “experts” are already considering the San Diego Padres to once again pose a threat to them. Let me be clear on one thing: they’re not a threat. The “experts” keep predicting the Padres will go deep into the playoffs year after year (and every year, the “experts” are wrong). Just because you’re exciting…doesn’t mean you’re good enough to win a World Series. The bottom line is that the Dodgers are getting healthier and appear motivated as the playoffs approach.
NFL TRAINING CAMP NEWS
As MLB and WNBA teams gear up for a playoff run, NFL teams are still working out to prepare for their upcoming season. Over at the Rams’ Training Camp, the battle is on for the third wide receiver spot. It’s a good problem to have as the Rams decide who will be catching passes behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. The battle is currently between Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington, and Xavier Smith. All three are terrific receivers, which is a good problem for Sean McVay and the Rams’ staff to have in choosing between them.
We also got word that quarterback Matthew Stafford is easing his way into his routine after experiencing back soreness. He will be conducting solo workouts in preparation for another season at the helm of the Rams’ offense. This will be a situation to keep a close eye on, as Stafford is currently a vital piece for the Rams, who are looking to move deeper into the playoffs this season.
Over to the Chargers, the goal was to improve the interior offensive line…which had more holes than Swiss cheese last year. Center Bradley Bozeman ranked 160th in run block win rate last year, and that is DEFINITELY not good. This year, Bozeman is being challenged for his starting spot by Zion Johnson and Andre James. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in this battle.
Also, we’ve been hearing good things about Brenden Rice, son of the legendary Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. Rice reeled in two touchdowns in his best training camp practice yet. As someone who thought the Chargers got him at a deal with the No. 225 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, I can’t see Rice staying on the practice squad much longer.
LUKA SIGNS EXTENSION WITH THE LAKERS
The biggest news over the weekend came Saturday when Luka Doncic announced through his agent that he was signing a 3-year, $165 million extension with the Los Angeles Lakers. The critical new deal keeps Doncic out of free agency next summer, eliminating his 2026-27 player option in place of the new contract. At a press conference, Luka mentioned how welcome he felt by the organization and the fans, which influenced his decision to stay. Luka also discussed his improved physical condition and the role of his support system in achieving this.
Luka has acknowledged his leadership role with the Lakers going forward. As many basketball fans know, LeBron James’ time in the league is running out, and the expectation is that Luka will go forward as the face of the franchise (something James himself supports). However, he expressed his excitement for the upcoming season and bringing more championships to the Lakers’ impressive collection.
LAFC MAKES HISTORY!
At the time this article was finished, I was pretty happy with myself. Then I got an alert, and I had to add this last thing. South Korea international star Son Heung-Min announced his departure from Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur. His next destination: right here in LA with LAFC. The fee for the move is valued at around $26 million, which would be an MLS record. It is reported that Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad also had Son on their radar, but LAFC seems to have won the bidding war.
This would be a big boost for LAFC. They currently sit in 6th place in the Western Conference, and some ground to cover. It’s also a sign that the club is looking to drastically improve after their humiliating performance in this year’s Club World Cup. With the defending champion LA Galaxy in dead last, LAFC looks to keep the MLS Cup in Los Angeles…albeit with a different owner.
