NFLPA Takes Over Los Angeles

On a weekend filled with playoff fever in Los Angeles at Staples Center with the Lakers, Clippers, and Kings playing playoff games, and the red hot Dodgers in town, it was only fitting for the NFLPA to take a slice out of Hollywood.

It began on Friday afternoon at the historic UCLA Campus where a flag football game would be played between entertainers, current and former football players, with hundreds of fans in attendance. Also the 2012 Rookie class would be unveiled up close and personal for fans to see sporting their new team jerseys.

Fans were excited, along with the Rookies, and I had a great opportunity to speak with several rookies, former players, entertainers about this event and many other ventures they are involved in. I asked Cleveland Browns QB Brandon Weeden what has the entire NFL experience been like for you, "It's been a roller coaster, the whole draft process is so long. After the draft, you finally get a chance to throw a helmet on and go to mini-camp, its fun and looking forward to whats coming up in the months ahead."
"Off the field he's a great guy, hard worker," Weeden speaking about his teammate RB Trent Richardson. "We all saw we did he did at Alabama, he's a freak. He's a triple threat, he can run, catch the ball out of the back field, and pass the ball. He's a great player."
Its looks like Cleveland future has changed for the better, they'll have a tall task this season going up against the likes of Baltimore, Pittsburgh and other teams.

Also had the opportunity to speak with the Washington Redskins 1st round draft selection Robert Griffin III aka RGIII about the highlights of his NFL experience. "Besides seeing and talking to Doug Flute, being on David Letterman, Jay Leno, meeting President Obama was a highlight as well." Griffin went on to say about playing in Washington D.C., "its means alot to play there. It's called Chocolate City for a reason, and they [fans] have a quarterback that they can latch on to. I'm very proud about that and the city. I'm looking to bring excitement to the team as well, they don't draft boring players."
I know Washington D.C. along with the NFL, are ready for the RGIII invasion taking place this season at Fed Ex Field.

The flag football game was a success, seeing some NFL greats like Javon Kearse, Roger Craig, Philadelphia Eagles WR DeSean Jackson who coached one of the teams was also very excited and welcomed the fans support by signing autographs and giving out handshakes to all.

On Saturday night I attended an exclusive star studded Red Carpet and party in Hollywood, California at Colony.  I spoke to former Ohio State WR now Houston Texan DiVier Posey on what does it mean to be drafted by Houston. "Its great, looking on the roster and seeing all the veteran's you get an opportunity to learn from like Andre Johnson and others. They have a great coaching staff, great organization, happy to be in Houston."  Posey added " It's priceless to play along side someone like Andre Johnson, amazing."

I also spoke to former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George, who actually served as the party's DJ, and also added he looked forward to speaking to the rookies and offering them advice to prepare them for the NFL. Also in attendance was actor and Dancing With Stars winner J.R. Martinez, The First and Only Black Female Ski Racer in Olympic History Seba Johnson, TDE/ Aftermath artist Kendrick Lamar. He stopped by to talk about his involvement with the NFLPA event, "I'm looking to get in the league, I have the talent," as he said laughing. No I'm looking forward to performing tonight. Later on I'll be touring and doing shows with Wiz Khalifah, ScHoolboy Q, and others, it's going being cool. The Under The Influence Tour starts July 25th."

Also gracing the red carpet was RGIII who showed off his stylish socks of the evening, the 6'8 rookie Brock Osweilder who will be backing up Denver Broncos QB and legend Peyton Manning. ESPN NFL Analyst Antonio Pierce, Seahawks rookie QB Russell Wilson, actor Sean Astin who played in "Rudy", and Cleveland Browns RB Trent Richardson. I asked Richardson what it means to play in the NFL, "it's big, playing for the Cleveland Browns with Jim Brown and all the other great players. It's really some big shoes to fill. I hope I can bring a Super Bowl title to Cleveland."

I also asked Richardson what was it like to be in Los Angeles over the weekend, "it was cool, I had a chance to hang out with Snoop [Dogg] at the Lakers game. He's great knows alot about football, and just an all around funny guy. I had alot of fun."

Later on that night inside, Kendrick Lamar, performed in front of a packed room, very electric and exciting on stage. Everyone from DeSean Jackson to 49ers rookie RB LaMichael James enjoyed the festivities put on by the NFLPA.

These events definitely made this reporter anticipate the season even more this year. I do believe this will be one of the greatest season we've seen in a very long time in the NFL.

Sparks Shut Down Storm At Staples

 After playoff fever has passed at Staples Center, there was one Los Angeles team that continued that playoff type momentum. The L.A. Sparks looked to continue their undefeated ways against their opponent from days prior the Seattle Storm. Also this first time former Spark now Storm forward Tina Thompson returned to Staples Center.

The Sparks came out focused from the opening tip, and never trailed in the game. After a solid first quarter, the second quarter saw a momentum shift from the Sparks to the Storm, as the Storm created and converted on second chance opportunities around the basket. Sparks looked lethargic until that final minute, when Candace Parker came up with a huge block n Storm's Camille Little that not energized her team, but the crowd as well. At the half, the Sparks lead 37-33 over the Storm.

In the third quarter Seattle continued from where the left off in the second quarter, when Sue Bird hit a huge three pointer, to bring the Storm within one point.
But the sharp shooter Candace Parker refused to allow the Storm a chance to think about taking the lead, hitting a timely jumper putting the Sparks back by three points.

With the combo of Ann Wauters and Tina Thompson who had a significant third quarter, the Storm never got any closer than five points. Parker and Kristi Toliver's immaculate shooting blew the game wide open, especially during the final minute of the third quarter. After Shekinna Stricklen missed the shot Parker brought the ball up and passed it to Toliver for a 3-pointer. After another defensive stop the Sparks got that ball, and Parker sinked a 3 pointer to end the quarter.
The Sparks defense was superb in the third quarter, capitalizing on missed shots, and turnovers by the Storm.

The fourth quarter the Sparks continued the intense defense, while balancing their supreme offensive attack in the first few seconds Alana Beard scored on an uncontested driving layup to extend the lead 62-47. The Sparks maintained a double digit lead throughout the quarter and Toliver sealed the deal with two key 3 pointers within the final five minutes.
After an April Sykes missed three pointer, Beard grabbed the rebound and dribbled the ball until clock ran down. Sparks grab the victory over the Storm 74-61, as "I Love L.A." blasted over the Staples Center sound system, while the joyful home crowd cheered.

Kristi Toliver about the victory, "We didn't dig ourselves a hole today. I felt like we controlled the game the entire way. We're making progress. We're making steps. We're building forward. We're getting wins and still making mistakes and learning."

"We've done a good job with our pressure, our guard have a great amount of confidence out there. That block is what we hope our identity will be", Candace Parker spoke about that huge second quarter block. Parker had a double-double, 21 points and 10 rebounds.

The Sparks held the Storm to 38.6 percent shooting from the field and forced 19 turnovers.
Ann Wauters led the Storm with 15 points, Tina Thompson had 13 points, and Sue Bird has a career low 5 points.

Sue Bird described what happened in the loss, "I think it's maybe us continuing to try to get more familiar with each other. You have to give credit to L.A. They, once again, pressured us and probably caused some of those turnovers."

The Storm fall to 0-2, while the Sparks are 2-0 and now go on the road to face the World Champion Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury.

L.A. Kings Punch Their Ticket To Stanley Cup Finals

In a hostile environment in Glendale, Arizona against the Phoenix Coyotes, with the crowd constantly chanting "Beat LA", ironically it was the L.A. Kings who beat Phoenix.

In a must win Game 5 and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals on the line, an accomplishment that hasn't happened for the Los Angeles Kings in 19 years, this game would prove to be a defining moment for this team.
Kings looked to make history as an 8th seed, who already have knocked off a #1 seed in Vancouver, #2 seed in St. Louis, and now have the chance to knock off a #3 seed in the Coyotes. After failing to sweep the Coyotes at Staples Center this past Sunday and end the series, the Kings went back to their balanced attack on the road. The Kings became the first team to go undefeated on the road en route to the Stanley Cup finals and have won 10 straight road playoff games over two seasons, which is another record.

On the powerplay goal Coyotes Radim Vrbata shot it towards the net by thanks to the quick wit of Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, a brilliant save to prevent the score. But just six seconds later a relentless Taylor Pyatt scored the powerplay goal with Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata on the assist.
Later on in the 1st period Dustin Brown attempted a shot only to have it blocked by Antoine Vermette, the Kings quickly regroup as Anze Kopitar scored his fifth short handed goal to tie up the game 1-1 with Drew Doughty and Dustin Brown on the assist.

As intense as this game was, the crowd was extremely loud, the Coyotes came out in the second period with a efficient mindset, David Schlemko made an attempt at the net. However a ready Jonathan Quick made a spectacular save, but didn't get back on defense in time which allowed Coyotes Marc-Antoine Pouliot scored a nifty backhanded goal that gave the Coyotes the lead with the assist by Rostislav Klesla and Kyle Chipchura.

Coyotes goalie Mike Smith was just as sharp at the net, as Kings' Justin Williams made a shot attempt that was denied by Smith, the Kings refused to give up. An assertive Drew Doughty slapped a shot from about center ice thanks to the assist by Colin Fraser and Justin Williams. The Kings didn't stop there, as their offense continued to soar, at about the 13:40 mark Dustin Penner set up an amazing assist for Mike Richards to score and give the Kings the lead 3-2.

That Kings offense sparked the Coyotes who made sure a response was made on the ice as Taylor Pratt set up a brilliant play for Keith Yandle who scored and ties up the game 3-3. Both teams play immaculate defense, Jonathan Quick made a spectacular save on a goal attempt by Mikkel Boedker to end the period. 

This is the time for the Kings to continue the strategy, keep the balanced attack and Jonathan Quick had to continued to make phenomenal saves. Anze Kopitar won the face off against Antoine Vermette in neutral zone to start the third period. About a minute and thirty seconds into the period, Coyotes Lauri Korpikoski was sent to the penalty box for 2:00 for holding on Alec Martinez. The Kings were awarded a powerplay opportunity, Mike Richards slapped a goal towards Mike Smith who ended up stopping the goal. Defense by the Kings and Coyotes was superior, the Coyotes failed to convert on powerplay opportunities of their own, ending regulation in a 3-3 tie, sending the game into overtime.

Thanks to a 2 minute interference penalty on Drew Doughty, the Coyotes had a chance to win the game on a powerplay, but Quick would not have Derek Morris slap a goal on his watch, and Morris was denied.

Both teams continued to blow opportunities to score in overtime, however the Kings made it up in their mind that enough was enough between the circles, Dustin Penner saw the puck bouncing his way. In the midst of players thrashing in front of him, he fired a shot through the crowd and lasered it through Coyotes goalie Mike Smith for the win with 17:42 left in overtime.

Kings defeat the Coyotes in dramatic fashion 4-3, win the series 4-1, and make history as the first 8th seed to consecutively defeat a 1, 2, and 3 seeds in the playoffs.

"I got a lucky bounce. I just waited for it to settle down, and I got a chance to get it in the net. It's the biggest goal of my career so far. Hopefully, there are a couple more waiting in the finals," said Dustin Penner describing that heroic overtime play.

The Kings now await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.

*The Los Angeles Kings returned home late Tuesday night to LAX, greeted by over 4,000 excited and elated fans.*