Category: Smack Down

AFL: Turnovers, miscues plague LA KISS. Spokane Shock win, 64-46.

It's a rock 'n roll party at L.A. KISS AFL football games at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
It’s a rock ‘n roll party at L.A. KISS AFL football games at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

ANAHEIM, CA – The expansion L.A. KISS have changed players, held an open tryout and tried everything you can to produce wins in their inaugural season but turnovers and miscues continue to plague Los Angeles.

That was the case in Saturday’s 64-46 loss to the Spokane Shock in front of more than 11,000 fans at Honda Center.

The game was close in the first quarter. Quarterback Aaron Garcia threw two touchdown passes in the frame. The first an 11 yard hook-up with Brandon Thompkins tying the game at 7-apiece.

Then after an 11 yard TD connection from Erik Meyer to Rashard Carter put the Shock (8-7) back on top at 14-7, Garcia found Donovan Morgan over the middle for a 29 yard score. Kenny Spencer missed the extra point and the KISS trailed 14-13 after one.

Los Angeles (3-11) was shutout in the second quarter. In the meantime, Meyer – who completed 23 of 34 passes for 214 yards and six touchdowns – got one of them on a 17 yard hook-up with Carter again making it 21-13, Spokane.

On the ensuing drive Garcia was picked off Terrance Sanders resulting in another Shock touchdown.

When the KISS got the ball back, Garcia was driving them towards the Spokane endzone. On second and seven from the Shock 20, Garcia went back to pass and was hit by Paul Stephens – HARD. And according to head coach Bob McMillen Garcia was hit late.

Stephens wasn’t ejected from the game to McMillen’s displeasure. The team is planning to file a complaint with the league office for action against Stephens. To hear from coach McMillen and Garcia about the hit, click on the video with this story.

Garcia was down on the carpet for about five minutes with numbness in his shoulders. He regained feeling and was helped off the field replaced by Kenny Guiton (completed 5 of 9 passes, 82 yards, 2 TDs one INT) for the remainder of the drive and was unable to get six.

Garcia (16 or 25, 203 yards, 3 TDs, one INT), who was also sacked three times, came back just before halftime thaqt saw the Shock hit intermission with a 35-13 lead.

Los Angeles was forced to play catch-up which shortens an already short field for the opposition making it too difficult to come back.

The KISS host San Jose on Sunday, July 6th. Los Angeles lost the first two meetings against the SaberCats this season. Kick-off at Honda Center is set for 5pm.

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2014 NBA Draft: L.A. Clippers select Washington sharp-shooter C.J. Wilcox with 28th pick.

Ex-Washington Huskie C.J. Wilcox is the newest L.A. Clipper. courtesy: NBAdraftblog.com
Ex-Washington Huskie C.J. Wilcox is the newest L.A. Clipper.
courtesy: NBAdraftblog.com

PLAYA VISTA, CA – Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers – according to NBA pundits needing some front court help to spell Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan – went against the grain picking University of Washington sharp-shooter C.J. Wilcox with the 28th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Wilson – a 6’5” guard from Pleasant Grove, Utah – set the Huskies career record for 3-pointers with 301 during his senior year in Seattle. He’s one of just 3 players in PAC-12 history with 1800 points, 275 made 3-pointers and 400 rebounds over a four-year college career.

 “I just think shooting is a premium in our league,” said Rivers addressing the media after the selection. He added, “The more you have it (shooting) the better for us.”

The Clippers were near the bottom in the league in 3-point shooting last season which was brought up in the selection of Wilson who’s been compared to Miami Heat 3-point sniper Ray Allen.

“We were last in three’s but we led the league in scoring,” Rivers reminded everyone. “So, we’re not going to care where it came from as long as you’re scoring and you’re efficient, you’re pretty good.”

To hear more from Doc Rivers and C.J. Wilson during his conference call, click on the video with this story.

The Cleveland Cavaliers picking first overall for the second straight year choose Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins. Milwaukee selected Duke forward Jabari Parker with the second pick and the Philadelphia 76ers rolled the dice tabbing oft-injured Kansas center Joel Embiid with the third overall pick.

The Los Angeles Lakers added what some think was a top-5 prospect with 6’9” forward Julius Randle out of Kentucky with the 7th overall pick.

For the first time since 1979, three UCLA Bruins were drafted in the first round. Reserve guard Zach LaVine was chosen by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 13th overall pick. Guard Jordan Adams was taken by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 22nd pick. The rich get richer as the newly crowned World Champion San Antonio Spurs took Kyle Anderson with the 30th overall pick.

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Kershaw goes 8 innings striking out 9. Dodgers beat White Sox, 5-2.

Cuban phenoms Jose Abreu (left) of the Chicago White sox and Yasiel Puig (right) of the Dodgers meet in a 3-game inter-league series at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers took the opener Monday, 5-2.
Cuban phenoms Jose Abreu (left) of the Chicago White sox and Yasiel Puig (right) of the Dodgers meet in a 3-game inter-league series at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers took the opener Monday, 5-2.

LOS ANGELES – Save for a couple of fat pitches in the 4th inning that were letter-high, Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw pitched a superior 8 innings allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits striking out 9 as Los Angeles opened a 3-game inter-league series with a 5-2 win over the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium Monday night.

After getting the first 10 White Sox batters out, Kershaw (4-2) gave up a single to Gordon Beckham who found right-center to get on base. The next batter was Jose Abreu – the “other” Cuban phenom – who crushed a 2-run home run to left field (16) right after being taken off the disabled list.

The White Sox led 2-0 with their starter – Jose Quintana – pitching as well as Kershaw but becoming the victim of a couple of fielding errors in the 6th inning that saw 10 Dodger batters come to the plate with Kershaw starting and endng the frame at the dish, plating 5 unearned runs for the Dodgers and that would be it.

To see Clayton Kershaw’s post game interview, click on the video with this story.

The hard-luck Quintana got the loss for Chicago pitching 6 innings, allowing 6 hits and 5 unearned runs. He struck out 5 Dodger batters.

The Dodgers improve to 31-28 while the White Sox fall to 29-30. Game 2 of the series is Tuesday back at Dodger Stadium with Chicago’s Hector Noesi (0-3, 4.33 ERA) facing the Dodgers’ Dan Haren (5-3, 3.28 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:10pm PDT.

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“The Wild Horse” celebrates a year with the Dodgers.

Yasiel Puig's carried a big stick for the Dodgers since his call-up to the majors on June 3rd, 2013.
Yasiel Puig’s carried a big stick for the Dodgers since his call-up to the majors on June 3rd, 2013.

LOS ANGELES – My how time flies. The Cuban phenom Dodgers’ hall-of-fame broadcaster Vin Scully likes to call “The Wild Horse” is celebrating his first anniversary in the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s been a whirlwind year for Yasiel Puig who blasted onto the scene last year on June 3rd infusing a dose of life into a Dodgers team that was lifeless floundering in last place in the N.L. West with a 23-32 record 8-and-a-half games behind the then first place Arizona Diamondbacks when he was called up from double-A Chattanooga the day before.

To read the rest of the story and see the video, please click here.

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Sparks thrilled to still call L.A. home open at Staples against Phoenix tonight.

Sparks' newcomer Candice Wiggins is banking on her million-dollar smile and jump shot to help L.A. win another WNBA Title.
Sparks’ newcomer Candice Wiggins is banking on her million-dollar smile and jump shot to help L.A. win another WNBA Title.

LOS ANGELES –  The WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks tipped off their season Friday night with an 80-69 win in Seattle over the Storm.

The Sparks were led by defending league MVP Candace Parker who poured in 18 points. Alana Beard added 17 for L.A.

For a time, it looked as if the Sparks would be in Oakland or San Francisco after the previous ownership group had to let go of the franchise because the group couldn’t handle the financial burden any longer.

To read the rest of this story, please click here.

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L.A. KISS coach WANTS YOU! after getting “Shocked” by Spokane, 70-21

ANAHEIM, CA – Last time I was at a professional football game in Anaheim on a Sunday afternoon was sometime in December of 1994. The last pro game the Rams played at the “Bigger A” was Christmas Eve of ’94 which was a Saturday.

The Rams lost to Washington, 24-21 then headed to St. Louis.

I was, rudely, welcomed back with another disappointing performance on the field by the home team.

The LA KISS got shocked losing to Spokane, 70-21.
The LA KISS got shocked losing to Spokane, 70-21.

On this Sunday – May 4th 2014 – just short of 20 years later, I’m sitting in the Honda Center hockey press box, not to watch the Anaheim Ducks, but the Arena Football League’s newest franchise – the LA KISS, owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the legendary rock group, KISS – take on the Spokane Shock with 10,552 fans in the building and a National TV audience on ESPN2.

The "WOW" factor isn't on the field but above it at all LAKISS football games.
The “WOW” factor isn’t on the field but above it at all LAKISS football games.

How can you not like an indoor football game with go-go dancers in cages high atop each back corner of both end zones?

I’ll tell you how. When the home team – the KISS – embarrasses itself with a 70-21 drubbing at the hands of the Spokane Shock.

The beating was so bad that during his post game press conference KISS head coach Bob McMillen asked for tapes and resumes from anyone who could play football. I was there to catch it of course so take a look at my video report at the end of this article.

Before the KISS could get anything going and thanks to two turnovers – one an interception by QB J.J. Raterink, who had three in the game, and then a muffed kickoff off the end zone crossbar A.J. Cruz couldn’t recover – they found themselves down 28-0 early in the second quarter.

Spokane QB Erik Meyer threw for two scores completing 10 of 17 passes for 89 yards and ran for two more before being sacked by L.A. LB Beau Bell on his throwing shoulder sending him to the bench for good with an unspecified collarbone injury.

The KISS threatened to make a game of it scoring twice in the last three minutes of the first half. J.J Raterink (9 of 30, 101 yards 2 TD’s, 3 INT’s, 2 sacks) found Samie Parker for a four-yard touchdown making the score 28-7.

More than 10,000 fans saw the LA KISS lose, 70-21.
More than 10,000 fans saw the LA KISS lose, 70-21.

On the Shock’s ensuing drive that stalled, kicker Taylor Rowan missed a 33-yard field goal attempt that was taken off the end zone cage by Cruz and returned 50-yards for another KISS score cutting the lead in half, 28-14. Looked as if it was going to be a party all night long, and it was………for the Shock.

Taking over the QB duties for the Shock was wide receiver – yes, I said wide receiver – Rashaad Carter who looked like he was meant to play quarterback. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns both coming in the last 31 seconds of the second quarter.

The first on a 45 yard bomb to Brandon Thompkins who finished with seven catches for 89yards. Then Adron Tennell got into the act after one of the KISS turnovers – L.A. had five in the game – catching one of his three TD scores from 13 yards out.

That made the halftime score, 42-14 and all the crowd had to look forward to – aside from the go-go dancers in their cages at each far corner of both end zones – was the concert by Flashback Heart Attack appropriately covering Flock of Seagulls “I Ran (So Far Away).”

Did I mention the KISS Go-Go Dancers above each far corner of both end zones?
Did I mention the KISS Go-Go Dancers above each far corner of both end zones?

The KISS opened the second half with a 15 yard score from Raterink to Donovan Morgan making the score 42-21. The wouldn’t get any closer as turnovers inside L.A.’s own one yard line helped Spokane score the next four unanswered touchdowns.

The KISS fall to 2-5 on the season losing their third straight. They head to Cleveland on Saturday to take on the Gladiators who started L.A. on its losing streak with a 40-20 win last month at Honda Center.

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Clippers win franchise-record 57th game this season beating Denver, 117-105.

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Clippers ended their regular season home schedule Tuesday night beating the Denver Nuggets, 117-105, in front of the usual sellout crowd at Staples Center running that streak to 135 straight.

The win was the club’s 57th setting a new franchise record for wins in a season with one more game Wednesday night in Portland in the season finale against the Trail Blazers.

“We were part of that last year, at least Blake and I were, and we lost in the first round.” Said guard Chris Paul who finished with a double-double pouring in 21points and dishing out 10 assists. “We’re at the point at the point now that it’s all about the post season.”

“It’s nice. I’m very happy we’re doing that stuff.” Said head coach Doc Rivers who sat out all of his starters in the 4th quarter. “That’s not what we want. To get what you want sometimes you get other stuff I guess is the best way to say it.”

Clippers DeAndre Jordan goes up on Denver's Kenneth Faried for two of his 13 points. DJ also grabbed 16 boards in L.A.'s 117-105 over the Nuggets.
Clippers DeAndre Jordan goes up on Denver’s Kenneth Faried for two of his 13 points. DJ also grabbed 16 boards in L.A.’s 117-105 over the Nuggets.

The Clippers want a championship. Winning the Pacific Division and setting a new franchise record for wins are all part of the journey to a championship.

The next leg of that journey – the playoffs – begins sometime this coming weekend, either Saturday or Sunday at Staples Center. It all depends where the Clippers finish in the Western Conference.

L.A. currently sits in the third seed and a first round match-up with arch rival and sixth seed Golden State.

There’s an outside chance the Clippers could claim the second seed should they beat Portland and Oklahoma City – currently seeded second – loses to Detroit in its season finale which is a possibility should Thunder head coach Scott Brooks sit Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rest of his starters against the Pistons.

The Clippers really have no control over what happens in Oklahoma City Wednesday night. All they can do is play and beat Portland. Whatever happens in OKC happens.

Rivers has decided to do something similar with a couple of his starters.

He’s keeping all-star power forward Blake Griffin, who led all scorers with 24 points, and shooting guard J.J. Redick (18 points on 4-of-10 from the 3-point arc) in Los Angeles instead of heading up to Portland for the regular season finale.

Both are nursing ailing backs.

“I want Blake to stay home and get some rest. He’s so banged up. Then the only guy I know for sure will be J.J.” Said Rivers.

Griffin wants to play but might have no choice in the matter. He got his 16th technical foul of the season in the second quarter which garners an automatic suspension for the next game – in this case tomorrow night’s finale.

Trying to make a play to swipe the ball up high from Denver’s Timofy Mozgov, Griffin hit him in the head getting the tech.

“I honestly think it’ll be rescinded.” Said Griffin after the game. “It was one of those continuation plays. I make a play on the ball hitting it first and the ref gives me a tech for that. I don’t think it’ll stand.”

If the call isn’t rescinded, Griffin’s out anyway because Rivers is sitting him out for tomorrow’s game in Portland.

Center DeAndre Jordan, who will play limited minutes in Portland, finished with another double-double knocking down 13 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

Chris Paul will play some minutes against the Blazers in the finale which tips-off tomorrow night at 7:30 from the Rose Garden.

 

 

 

 

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Griffin has 37 in rumble at Staples. Clippers beat Suns, 112-105.

Clippers' Blake Griffin registered a franchise record 23rd straight 20+ point game in L.A.'s 112-105 win over Phoenix Monday night at Staples Center.
Clippers’ Blake Griffin registered a franchise record 23rd straight 20+ point game in L.A.’s 112-105 win over Phoenix Monday night at Staples Center.

Blake Griffin scored 22 of his game-high 37 points in the first quarter leading the Los Angeles Clippers to their eighth straight victory beating the Phoenix Suns in a hard-fought 112-105 win.

Griffin keeps setting a new franchise record every night registering his 23rd consecutive game with 20 or more points and he did it connecting on 14 of 16 field goals good for 88% from the field.

To read the rest of this story and see the post game video, click on this link.

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Clippers roll the Lakers to worst defeat in franchise history, 142-94.

DeAndre Jordan and the rest of the Clippers smelled blood early beating the Lakers by 48 points, 142-94.
DeAndre Jordan and the rest of the Clippers smelled blood early beating the Lakers by 48 points, 142-94.

There is no sugar-coating it if you’re a basketball fan in Los Angeles. This town is known as a Lakers town and probably always will be.

But we live in the moment and at this moment the Clippers run Los Angeles. And run it the Clippers did Thursday night at Staples Center leading by as many as 51 points on their way to a sixth straight win  beating the Lakers 142-94 in front of a  Lakers home crowd that was stunned by the Clippers display of superior athleticism.

To read the rest of the story, please click on this link.

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Clippers vs Lakers tonight. Clips Griffin Western Conference Player of the Month.

Clippers forward Blake Griffin was named Western Conference Player of the Month for February.
Clippers forward Blake Griffin was named Western Conference Player of the Month for February.

LOS ANGELES – A complete reversal of fortune when the “Hallway Rivalry” resumes tonight at Staples Center with the Los Angeles Lakers playing host to the Los Angeles Clippers.

With 20 games to go the Clippers (42-20) are in a virtual tie for third place in the Western Conference with the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers.

To read the rest of this story, click on this link.

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