Los Angeles Sports Teams
There are four professional sports teams located in the city of Los Angeles.
They are: Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Clippers (NBA), and Los Angeles Kings (NHL).
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking for a return to the playoffs in 2004.
The team is capable of making a run at the pennant based solely on its talent level. The loss of Kevin Brown will be partially offset by the addition of Pitcher Jeff Weaver. He will join a strong rotation which still includes the likes of Hideo Nomo, and Odalis Perez. Closer Eric Gagne is coming off a Cy Young Award winning season and will make another run at the award.
Shawn Green and Adrian Beltre will once again lead the offense. The is managed by Jim Tracy, and has been located in Los Angeles since 1958. They have made the playoffs 13 times, and last won the World Series, in 1988. Since 1962, the team has been playing its games in Dodger Stadium, which has a capacity pf 56,000.
Los Angeles Lakers
As of June 12, 2002- The Los Angeles Lakers sweep the New Jersey Nets, in the NBA Finals, winning game 4, 113-107, for the third consecutive championship.
Shaquille O'Neal completes a monstrous performance in the Finals, averaging 36 points and 12 rebounds over the four games. His third consecutive MVP award, ties him with Michael Jordan for an NBA record. During the playoff run, Phil Jackson surpasses Pat Riley for most playoff wins-all time, for a coach, and earns him, his ninth championship ring.
Los Angeles Clippers
The rumors are flying about the future of Kobe Bryant, and the Clippers. It is a steadily improving organization, but this season, there is more lottery promise than playoff promise for this team. Though improvements may be small, the team is moving in the right direction, with a lot of young talent. The clippers definitely have future stars of the NBA.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings regressed in 2002-2003, after a close call in the conference semis, the previous year. Devastated by injuries, the team was often made-up of minor leagues, who shuttled back and forth between L.A., and the team's AHL affiliate.
This year, Jason Allison, Zigmund Palffy, and Adam Deadmarsh, are all healthy and ready to lead the attack on offense. They will be joined by off-season acquisitions, Jozef Stumpel, and Luc Robitaille. Defensively, the Kings can boast Aaron Miller, and a host of newcomers, looking to contribute. Goaltender Felix Potvin was shipped to Boston, sp that leaves Flyer castoff Roman Chechmanek in the net, this season, where he will be looking to prove that Bobby Clarke made a mistake in dealing him. This season may be LA King's chance to make a push in the playoffs. Much like their cross-town rivals, the Mighty Ducks, did last season.
|
