MARK CUBAN THE RIGHT OWNER TO END THE DODGER BLUES?

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a rich history of winning, pride, fan support, and prestige over the years. They've always had great ownership since coming to Los Angeles back in 1958. However that great ownership of Peter O'Malley and later son Walter O'Malley ended in 1998 when the Dodgers were sold to Rupert Murdock and NewsCorp for a reported $350 million dollars. The largest sale of a franchise at that time in baseball. That was the beginning of the end, and Dodger blue was never the same again.

After that terrible time of ownership, Dodger fans suffered yet another blow with the selling of the team from NewsCorp to Frank & Jamie McCourt. Since that time, ownership wasn't any better as we later learned how the McCourt's mismanaged funds, failed to sign top notch free agents, their bitter divorce, and a terrible beating incident on opening day involving Giants fan Brian Stow. It only got worse as fans feared for their safety at Dodger Stadium, and the security issues continued to mound. Finally Commissioner Bud Selig stepped in as Major League Baseball (MLB) took over the team temporarily, and is now looking for new ownership. Selig was quoted as saying that the new owner (once the Dodgers are put up for sale) will be a "safe" choice.

In many baseball owners and executives eyes, Mark Cuban is not listed as a safe choice. However, Cuban is right for baseball, and especially for the Dodgers.
With fan attendance its lowest in many years, the energy, enthusiasm, vision, and fan appreciation Cuban has, the team needs an owner like him who can restore the greatness that was once associated with the Dodgers. Bringing them back to their winning ways on and off the field, along with boosting fan attendance.

If you look at how he completely turned around the Dallas Mavericks franchise that he purchased back in 2002, Cuban has made that team competitive, increased fan support, generated more revenue, and are now world champions. I'm not saying it would take nine years for the Dodgers to be champions, however I'd give Cuban a few seasons or less to turn the franchise around.

MLB is at its best when teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Angels, and Dodgers are deep in the playoff hunt. Cuban gives the best chance for the Dodgers to do just that, along with giving the fans and consumers something to be proud of and support. MLB and Bud Selig need to really evaluate this move and allow Cuban the opportunity to own a team such as the Dodgers. Its apparent, he's learn alot from the time he tried to purchase the Cubs, and Rangers until now. I think he understands the role and responsibility of owning a major league team.

At the end of it all, its about revenue, and that's what Cuban will generate with the Dodgers. He wont be spending money frivolously, yet spend it effectively to get the right players on the field and contend for a world series title.

Fact is the Dodgers haven't seen a championship since 1988, so Bud Selig right the wrong that you've committed and give baseball fans and most importantly Dodger fans something they've needed for years. A real owner who is sharp and just as passionate about winning as they are. Cleaning up the mess that you Commissioner have allowed Frank McCourt to make. Cuban brings the right people in for baseball such as a general manager, president, vice president, etc. to aid him in running the team, the Dodgers should run smoothly.

This is Los Angeles, the second largest market in the nation, this is not Milwaukee (a small market), so do not treat the team as such by bringing in some cheap owner that you can control. Do us all a favor Commissioner Selig make the right choice and allow to Cuban to purchase the team. It'll be great for the city of Los Angeles, businesses, the fans, and most importantly baseball as a whole.

MY POST GAME INTERVIEW W/ TINA THOMPSON (L.A. SPARKS)

My Post-Game Interview w/ MAYA MOORE After Her 1st WNBA Game

MY POST-GAME INTERVIEW W/ CANDACE PARKER (L.A. SPARKS)

Maya Moore and Lynx destroy Sparks - by Nick Hamilton

MINNEAPOLIS - Maya Moore and the Minnesota Lynx returned home off a disappointing loss Friday night in Los Angeles against the Sparks. Maya’s home debut was eagerly anticipated by the home fans at Target Center on Sunday afternoon.

Maya Moore didn't start off strong as she was 1 for 5 shooting and picked up two quick fouls to see only seven minutes of action. As the game progress, Lnyx guard Simone Augustus picked up the slack, scoring at will against a lack luster Sparks defense. Sparks forward Candace Parker started off slow as she had 3 points by the end of the first quarter.

The Minnesota Lynx carried a 12 point lead in the 2nd quarter, only to see it cut down to six, thanks to the two 3 pointers on their last two possessions and sharp plays of Kristi Toliver, Tina Thompson and a last second buzzer beater before the half by Ticha Penichero just inside the half court line. Minnesota’s Augustus lead all scorers with 15 points, yet Los Angeles only trailed 46-40 at the half.

The second half belonged to Maya Moore as she came out aggressive stealing the ball from the Sparks on their first possession of the third quarter, passed it to guard Lindsey Whalen for an easy lay-up. Key defensive stops against the Sparks, allowed Moore to hit back to back 3 pointers, forcing the Sparks to call a much needed time out.

Kristi Toliver who was the leading scorer with 13 points, Parker & Thompson who had 11 points each provided a spark for Los Angeles as the intensity began to rise. Yet it would not be enough to overcome the huge hole they dug, being out shot 24 to 10 in the third quarter by the Lynx. Sparks took another blow as guard Ticha Penicheiro fighting for a loose ball sustained an ankle injury and had to be helped off the court by her teammates.

The Lynx dominated the boards, out rebounding Los Angeles 44-28, and capitalizing on fast break points 18-2.

The fourth quarter provided no light for the Sparks as they found themselves getting a 23 point , capped off by a huge Maya Moore block of veteran Tina Thompson, that brought the Target Center to its feet in amazement and joy.

Los Angeles didn't quit going on a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter, but wasn't nearly enough to overcome the Lynx as the Sparks fall 96-84 to Minnesota. The Lynx had a balanced offense with six players in double figures, Simone Augustus finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds. Maya Moore had 16 points in her home debut.

After the game a victorious Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said simply, "it's about darn time we beat L.A.,"

When asked about how the Lynx played in this game verses last game Maya Moore responded “I was just wanting to make up for the way we ended (the first half). We knew we had to come out and be aggressive. I like how we responded today.”

Sparks Candace Parker said “Tough one to lose, back to the drawing board”.

Round II goes to Maya Moore, this wont be the last time we’ll see these two teams clash, they’ll have two more meetings and a possible playoff matchup.

I spoke with Sparks guard Ticha Penicheiro on Monday afternoon regarding her ankle and told me “I'm about to meet my trainer, its a little sore, but not too bad. I think I’ll be fine by this Friday.”

Next up for the Sparks, Friday night at Staples Center verses Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury.

CANDACE’S RETURN SPOILS MAYA’S DEBUT - By Nick Hamilton

LOS ANGELES - Entering a historic 15th season of WNBA basketball, in the electric atmosphere of Staples Center on opening night, fans anticipated seeing the debut of #1 draft pick Maya Moore and the return of Candice Parker. Los Angeles Sparks Candace Parker, sidelined last June with a shoulder injury, makes her return fresh off a season in Russia. Former UConn star Maya Moore can make the Minnesota Lynx a possible contender this season to go far into the playoffs.

From the opening tip, the Sparks and Lynx traded baskets like prize fighters trading blows with one another. After a nervous few minutes on the court, Minnesota’s Maya Moore hit her first shot [a 3 pointer] as an WNBA player. The Lynx began to take momentum as they pulled out to an early lead, with the Sparks turnovers and Deliosha Milton Jones’ early foul trouble. Maya Moore made a pretty scoop shot over Candace Parker, that amazed the Staples Center crowd.

The Sparks hung tough behind the aggressive play of Candace Parker. They had a balanced offensive attack, as Parker and other teammates Tina Thompson, Noelle Quinn, Natasha Lacy, and Ebony Hoffman ended the 1st quarter all tied up at 18.

Down by two points in the second quarter, Sparks rookie Jantel Lavender scored what would be her only two points of the game to tie the game at 20. The quarter belonged to Maya Moore and the Lynx as they out hustled and out shot the the Sparks taking a six point lead into half-time. Moore had 10 points for Minnesota, with the Sparks Parker lead all scorers with 13 points going into the break.

The beginning of the third quarter was not kind to the Sparks as poor shot selection and turnovers cost them dearly. As a result, Minnesota capitalized building a 10 point lead over Los Angeles with the sharp shooting of Maya Moore and court vision of Taj McWilliams-Franklin. The Sparks looked down right flat with no answer. After a much needed time out, the Sparks looked rejuvenated and more focused on the task at hand, winning the game.

Down 57-51, the Sparks Jenna O’Hea lead the comeback by hitting two big 3 pointers that starting an 8-0 run capped by a Candace Parker put back giving the Sparks the one point lead going into the fourth quarter.

Despite the lights out shooting of Maya Moore, the Sparks never looked back. Candace Parker was determined to get the first win in her house along with the Sparks bench who played incredible down the stretch. Veteran Tina Thompson was sensational at the free throw line, finishing the game 5/10 ,15 points, 4 rebounds. Moore guarded Parker a few times, yet we never really saw the match up between Parker guarding Moore.
The Sparks held on behind the brilliant play of Candace Parker, who had a double-double, 19 points, and 10 rebounds to win their first game of the season 82-74 spoiling the debut of Maya Moore.

“We didn't want her [Parker] to get into foul trouble, so we made sure Tina [Thompson], and other players guarded Maya” Coach Gillom responded, when asked why didn't we see more of Candace guarding Maya tonight.
I also spoke with Maya Moore and asked her how it felt to be on a WNBA court for the first time, she answered “ It was fun, it was a great experience, the environment was intense the crowd was great. It helps when you make your shots. Besides the loss, I thought it was great.” Moore was 7/17 from the field finishing with 21 points 4 assist and 4 rebounds.

On the other side of the ball, in the victory Sparks forward Candace Parker spoke about the comeback in the 3rd quarter “I think the 3rd quarter was important for us, we never stopped believing, we needed to lock down on defense and knock down shots and we did that. Our bench is what saved us, and won us this game”. I also asked about Maya Moore’s debut “I think she’s a phenomenal player, she’ll have long wonderful career in this league.”

The Sparks were 7/14 from 3-point range in the second half and never trailed in the fourth quarter.

The Lynx shot just 36 percent, while the Sparks made 53 percent of their shots.

The impact of Candace Parker was welcomed by not only teammates and coaches but also by the 13,589 at Staples Center and fans nationwide who witnessed the LA Sparks victory who are now 1-0, treating the fans to an impressive and intense basketball game.
Parker vs. Moore, round I goes to Parker tonight. Round II will be on Sunday, in Minnesota, as Maya Moore has an opportunity for redemption.

L.A. SPARKS MEDIA DAY - 15TH EDITION "WE'RE READY"

Under sunny skies, at the historic St. Mary's academy in Inglewood, CA the debut of the new coaching staff that includes Joe "Jellybean" Bryant (father of NBA star Kobe Bryant) and the 2011 Sparks first round draft pick Jantel Lavender was eagerly anticipated along with the arrival of Candice Parker, and veterans Delisha Milton-Jones and Tina Thompson. The atmosphere in the building was very upbeat, energetic, and all of the Sparks team can agree on one thing, they know they have the talent and depth to compete and win a WNBA title this year.

Photo by Eric Wade

I had an opportunity to speak with the rookie & first round draft pick center Jantel Lavender about this season and what she's looking forward to bring to this team "Just want to be the anchor of the defense, help out wherever I can. The training camps have been intense, but we are a team, when one girl may go down, some one like Candace [Parker] or Delisha will step right in and continue the play." I asked how she liked Southern California "I like it, I haven been to too many places yet, but I like it". Lavender is definitely going to be a defensive presence in the middle, where opposing offenses will have alter shots or even pass the ball, which will give the Sparks time to swarm on other teams offenses.

The healthy return of Sparks forward Candice Parker, fresh off a stint in Russia, was back and looking in the best shape of her basketball career. I asked her how special was it to be playing in the 15th season of the WNBA "I think its great, to have an opportunity to play basketball, fortunately my daughter will never know that there was never a WNBA, and I hope to keep it going for another 15 years and beyond". Her pre-game music ritual is playing Jay-Z, to which Candace knows all of his songs, even the remixes. She is definitely set on winning a WNBA championship this year, and is confident of the talent that they have have can get the job done.

Photo by Eric Wade

The 12 year veteran Delisha Milton-Jones was excited and looked to be ready to play the season opener right now. I asked her how confident is she that the Sparks will bring a championship back to Los Angeles (who hasn't seen a championship since 2002) "I'm very confident in our team, last year I felt we had a championship caliber team, but we were plagued with injuries, but this year we're healthy, so no excuses". The look on Delisha's face was of pure excitement & joy as if she was envisioning her team winning the title already.

The multi-time champion and 15 year veteran Tina Thompson stopped by and I wanted to know what her goals were for this season "I think its important to no to have individual goals, if you're doing all the right things for your team, and playing together as a team, all the MVP awards, offensive & defensive awards will come. However when you're playing as a team, thats how you when championships. So for me I've never set my own goals just team goals, that's what's worked for me. Its all about a championship this year". Wondering who was the team the Sparks have to beat this season in order to have a strong chance of winning a championship, "there alot of good teams out there, but definitely Seattle, they're the defending champs". Tina along with the other players Ticha Penicheiro, Courtney Paris, Loree Moore, Natasha Lacy, and the rest of team echoed the same mentality, that this is our year.

If head coach Jennifer Gillom has anything to do with it, she's ready to take what she feels is her teams property, that WNBA trophy. Assistant coach Joe "Jellybean" Bryant preaches defense, which is going to be key according to him if they want to be successful this season and into the playoffs. "Its also about playing with confidence, a little bit of swagger, being a little cocky, but not disrespectful, that's what I try to instill in our players. One team, one mission".

It looks like the L.A. Sparks have their mission, and are ready for battle, their first test will be at Staples Center June 3rd as they take on the the number draft pick Maya Moore and the Minnesota Lynx. Media Day was a success, and much say the PR staff did an outstanding job, making the players accessible and this team I must say is the best I've seen in a long time. The teams in the WNBA better be equipped to handle the Sparks because they are coming with vengeance.