Dousing the flames on the latest Games

I will never be a Lakers fan. If the planet Klingon had an NBA franchise I would lustfully cheer for them to destroy the Lakers any time they played. I despise pretty much everything related to the Lakers.

So it is taking me a lot to say this. I am so grateful Kobe Bryant was on the Olympic basketball team. His fourth-quarter heroics capped by his coldblooded four-point play versus Spain probably saved the gold medal for the USA.

So now until the tipoff of the first game of the upcoming NBA season, Kobe is my man.

Brian Wallace

Juneau, Alaska

Bill Plaschke’s article about how Kobe Bryant’s Olympic experience will help his appeal totally ignored why these games will truly benefit his image and career. Playing team ball, passing more often, and working on defense pale with his display of humility and honor representing Team USA.

As I watched, I thought to myself, “My God, advertisers must be drooling!” at his genuine and heartfelt patriotism. Suddenly, sitting in the stands cheering American athletes, he became real. In interview after interview his unabashed pride in his country – our country – transformed him forever and will benefit him in ways he can’t imagine.

G. Douglas Andersen

Brea

Quit lathering up Kobe so he’ll talk to you. I’m still trying to figure out how this supposed Jordanesque player let his team get blown apart in the sixth game of the NBA Finals.

Was he already dreaming of Beijing while his “deer in the headlights” teammates were looking for a little inspiration?

Steve Orton

LaGrange, Ill.

Bill Plaschke’s blast at China’s “sneaky” Olympics was a cheap shot. The worst offense committed by China was that somebody, apparently, peeked through Plaschke’s hotel door at him. Wow, such horrors. Get real. That’s like swimming with a tank of sharks and complaining that you stubbed your toe getting out of the pool.

Yes, the Chinese may have smiled too much (shame on them), acted too friendly, and been “forced” to participate as spectators at the Olympics. Yes, China has major problems … like every other country. Let’s put aside the bickering for once and just enjoy this event, even if it may have been nothing more than a day at Disneyland. After all, we all know that Disneyland is not real, but that never stops any of us from leaving it with a smile on our faces.

Craig P. Fagan

San Diego

I don’t have cable, and like an idiot I tuned into NBC’s Olympic coverage. I wanted to see the world’s best athletes compete in 28 sports, and as usual, NBC showed me basically four: gymnastics, volleyball (indoor and beach), basketball and swimming (including every Michael Phelps event).

This wasn’t the Olympics, this was “Americans winning medals.” Now excuse me, I have to go watch the closing ceremony and the last sports event of NBC’s coverage – Americans playing volleyball.

Ric Taylor

Los Angeles

There were triumphs and disappointments for the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing, just as there are every four years, but the American athletes conducted themselves with grace and dignity whether in victory or defeat. They passed every sportsmanship test, including the chemical kind. I was proud of our team, as I think every American should be.

Tom Turner

Dana Point

As I watched the Redeem Team celebrate its well-deserved gold-medal win, I found myself consumed with a single thought. One day, in soccer …

Paul Deffenbaugh

Moorpark

Oh, those Dodgers

I was sitting there in my living room Wednesday watching the Dodgers play some of the most inept and embarrassing baseball I have ever seen in my 55 years on this planet, trying to keep from throwing something through my TV set, and three things kept going through my mind:

Fire Joe.

Fire the guy who hired Joe.

Fire the guy who hired the guy who hired Joe.

Eric Monson

Temecula

The Dodgers lose three straight to the Phillies and Torre tells his team to just show up whenever they want and skip batting practice? Why don’t they just roll over and give up?

Jeff Friedman

Santa Clarita

With whom will Kurt Streeter consult next regarding the Dodgers? Astrologists? They are as likely as his aged “professor” to render an intelligent opinion.

Advisor to four presidents? Clinton/Monica? Carter/synthetic fuels? Bush/immigration? Ford/Poland?

Samuel F. Rindge

South Pasadena

Kudos to Kurt Streeter for presenting Professor Warren Bennis’ analysis of the Dodgers’ management. Bennis’ comments should serve as a primer for Major League Baseball the next time they vote on an ownership change. In the future, criteria must include prior success at managing a business. Collecting rent on a Boston parking lot should have been a red flag.

Barry P. Resnick

Orange

I note a Dodgers delegation was scheduled to visit wounded military personnel at Walter Reed Medical Center. I assume this was to improve the Dodgers’ morale.

Bud Fink

Carpinteria

Jonathan Broxton has all the attributes of a closer. The only thing he cannot do is get an out.

Jimmy Corona

Diamond Bar

The answer: Denny’s, 7-Eleven and Jonathan Broxton.

The question: What are things that don’t close?

Jeff Calzada

Monterey Park

Play it again

I support the use of video replay in major league baseball. I’m specifically hoping the Dodgers will be able to review the acquisitions of Andruw Jones and Jason Schmidt and possibly overturn those decisions.

Rob Osborne

Manhattan Beach

Is there any chance baseball’s limited use of replay could be expanded to include all Chicago White Sox games umpired by Doug Eddings?

Ron Reeve

Glendora

Language barrier

The LPGA English-only mandate is a jingoistic, racist travesty couched in self-righteousness. If the LPGA really wanted to help the players and sponsors, they would offer, not mandate, tutoring. What would the American public think if Japan required American baseball players to speak Japanese?

Jeff Drobman

Agoura

Bad in the long run

Frank McCourt says he’s interested in adding the L.A. Marathon to his portfolio because he’s attracted by the race’s “great potential.” For those runners lacking a McCourt Manual, allow me to translate:

You’ll now be required to pay $15 for race parking and $5 for bottled Evian at the water stations, as well as display corporate advertising of Frank’s choice on your hats, jerseys, and exposed body parts.

Bonnie Sloane

Los Angeles

How about a Clue?

I’m certain any need to motivate the team that monopolizes football in Los Angeles is officially over.

Steve Ross

Sherman Oaks

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