Letters: Lakers lose, sound the alarms

Once again Bill Plaschke got it wrong. Kobe is not the culprit here. The Lakers cannot win any series until Lamar Odom decides to show up. That coupled with their inability to listen to Phil Jackson and force-feed Gasol and Bynum is killing them. Lamar is the best coast-to-coast player in the league, but he is playing now like he has no talent. Phil has told him, now Kobe, Pau and Ron have told him. He is not listening. Wake up, dude, before it’s too late.

They also need to do to Russell Westbrook what they did to Tony Parker a few years ago, knock him to the floor once in a while when he sashays into the paint so easily. Bring in a bench player to foul him hard and keep the bigs out of foul trouble. This guy is playing like he thinks he’s Jordan, or Wade, so put him back in his place.

Dirk Hennesey

Granada Hills

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Like all aging great athletes, Kobe Bryant is trying to turn back the clock. Unfortunately, the dial is set for the 2004 Finals.

Joseph P. Schimps

Santa Monica

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If Phil benches Kobe for not feeding the ball into Gasol and Bynum, he should be awarded coach of the year.

Russell Hosaka

Torrance

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While I understand the concern regarding Kobe Bryant’s injuries as of late, I cannot help to think that calling Kobe an X-factor [Mark Heisler, April 20] seems a little far-fetched. While I agree his efficiency with his shot must improve in order for the Lakers to even think about repeating, it is his hunger, dedication and sacrifice to play hurt that even has us in this position in the first place, and we should be looking to shower him more with praise rather than blame.

Ben Wright

Oak Park

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Note to Ron Artest. Perhaps more time in the gym working on jump shots and less time drawing attention to yourself by looking like a fool. Lakers fans support passion, competiveness, work ethic and hustle — not haircuts.

Ron Roberts

Encino

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What is it Mark Twain once said? “Reports of the Lakers’ superiority are greatly exaggerated?”

Dennis Petticoffer

Orange

Showing their stripes

Somebody should put a muzzle on David Stern, the NBA’s resident control freak.

The overall officiating has been shabby, inconsistent and sometimes game-altering; but nobody, the coaches or the players, can express their concerns or frustrations.

Well, as a fan, I have no qualms in saying that the referees need to tighten things up and perform better on their jobs. Enforce the rules and be fair, because lately, you’re all over the place and it’s hurting the games.

Now, should I look for a fine or will the TV signals be scrambled coming to my place?

Steve LaRochelle

Chatsworth

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Simply watch the exaggerated body gestures of the officials when making a call in favor of the home team as opposed to the same calls in favor of the road team and tell me they’re not playing to or influenced by a roaring crowd. For David Stern to deny this smacks of either delusion or collusion.

Jerry Leibowitz

Culver City

Hanging Chad

There’s a scene in the 1988 movie “Bull Durham” where one of the coaches for the Durham Bulls remarks that their rookie pitching sensation has a “million-dollar arm and a five -cent brain.”

Now fast-forward to 2010 and substitute Chad Billingsley’s name for that of Nuke LaLoosh.

Do you think the Dodgers could hire Kevin Costner to coach Billingsley?

You have to feel bad for Joe Torre, and even more so for Dodgers’ fans that have to watch performances like Billingsley’s three-inning outing Tuesday against the Reds.

Next time “Nuke” pitches, I think I’ll go rent a movie.

John Schultz

Sherman Oaks

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If Billingsley can pitch only two good innings, then he is better off as a middle reliever.

Jimmy Corona

Diamond Bar

The Voice

I woke up, grabbed the Sunday paper and went straight to the sports section expecting to see an article (a front-page article at that) on Vin Scully’s 60th anniversary with the Dodgers. Nothing. Nothing?

It’s pointless to argue why Vin’s anniversary with the team is so special. But between the McCourt divorce, Manny’s suspension last year and then just the frequency at which players come and go on pro sports teams these days, Dodgers’ fans treasure him for his character, his brilliant mic work and his long history with the team.

Please don’t blow it on his 70th anniversary.

Richard Kratt

Woodland Hills

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It’s time for Dodger baseball. No, it’s time for the greatest baseball announcer of all time, Vin Scully, to have a statue in front of Dodger Stadium.

Bart Miller

Marina del Rey

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Vin Scully: 82 or 28?

Ed Trivers

Lake Arrowhead

On his honor

One of the finest shows of truth, honesty, and sportsmanship happened Sunday when Brian Davis called a penalty on himself and thus gave Jim Furyk the win in a playoff at the Heritage.

But because it had nothing to do with tragedy, moral disgrace, etc. it didn’t make the front page. It was stuck back on page 10.

I bet if Brian Davis called Jim Furyk a name that wasn’t PC, it would have been all over the front page.

Just goes to show you what the world thinks is important. And you wonder why we are in the shape we are in?

Sam Rizzardo

Harbor City

Big Bad Ben

Why does Ben Roethlisberger get away with saying that he won’t comment on any details relating to the accusations made against him? When Tiger Woods tried the same thing, he was pilloried. The only differences I see between Roethlisberger and Woods is that Ben is not married and that he is, uh, tall.

Rodney K. Boswell

Thousand Oaks

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Roger Goodell has overstepped his authority with his suspension of Ben Roethlisberger. The facts that aren’t in dispute don’t constitute conduct detrimental to the NFL, which is all that Goodell is permitted to discipline players for. This isn’t the first time Goodell has overstepped his authority, either. Ben Roethlisberger should sue the NFL for breach of contract and violating the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

Joel Rivetz

Northridge

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Is Roger Goodell trying to turn football into a gentleman’s game, like golf or tennis? Because if those are the sports he’s trying to emulate, players in those sports cheat on their wives and use crystal meth.

Brad Stern

Santa Monica

Nay sayer

Wednesday at Hollywood Park was absolutely the worst experience in a lifetime of following horse racing. The ushers, jockeys and horses did their job, but there was a lack of tellers, a lack of machines to get a voucher, horrible food with a 20-minute wait and one had to go downstairs to find a carved sandwich stand with rude help that could not get the order correct. I have attended better funerals.

Joe Rizzi

Tustin

Dear Donald

So now the Clipper don’t want to pay their former coach. There’s a reason this franchise it what it is, just ask the apartment renters of Mr. Sterling. If Blake Griffin is smart, he will demand an immediate trade as otherwise his career is doomed.

Isn’t it time Donald Sterling and the other NBA owners said to This Donald, “You’re fired?”

Fred Wallin

Westlake Village

Really?

After 28-year-old Lorena Ochoa called it quits this week, it’s time for sports pages to adopt a policy of reporting “retirement” stories only if the athlete is over 60. (See Favre, Jordan, Henin, Mayweather, etc)

Hugh K. Malay

Beverlywood

Ryan and T.J.

The April 17 paean by T.J. Simers for Ryan Leaf’s mea culpa must have been a practice column for the day Simers will bless Frank and/or Jamie McCourt when they confess their many sins.

Jeff Shirimi

San Diego

Where is he?

First AEG apologist Tim Leiweke defends reclusive Kings’ owner Phil Anschutz as caring about his team’s performance from afar. Then NHL “leader” Gary Bettman comes to Anschutz’s aid by minimizing his absences and downplaying the complete silence. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial for Anschutz to just emerge from hiding and make a public statement rather than hide behind the words of the only two guys who are more disliked and distrusted than he is?

Jocelyn McManus

El Segundo

Great stat

Keep waiting for Elias Sports Bureau to inform us when the last time, prior to Casey Blake/Blake Dewitt, two consecutive batters in a lineup had names that when you used just their first names it was the former batter’s name but when using their last names it made the latter.

Jeff Wood

Newhall

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