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When considering the combined history of college, Olympic and professional basketball, the facts are undeniable: jerry west He is the most impressive individual of all time!
Dennis Butkovich
northern hills
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What a sad day for all of us. Jerry West was one of the greatest players, coaches, executives and human beings to ever walk the Earth. He is the NBA logo for a reason. I was lucky enough to meet Jerry on several occasions and just talk about life and basketball. His wife, Karen, was one of my teachers in high school and she will always be special to me. My heart breaks for the family and everyone Jerry West touched. RIP Jerry West – we will miss you.
Geno Apicella
Placentia
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I have to applaud Jerry West for taking his final shot. Timing his move to make sure everyone keeps talking about the Lakers instead of the hated Celtics during the NBA Finals is certainly a Mr. Clutch move. Well played, sir.
Bryan Wiedeman
saint clement
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When describing a man like Jerry West, one could use words like elegant, humble, and modest. After a career as an All-Star player for the Lakers, he became an All-Star executive for several organizations (most notably the Lakers). But with all that, does anyone else in sports history have better nicknames than Jerry West? “The Logo” and “Mr. Clutch” are as good as they come. Rest in peace, Mr. West, and thank you for all the wonderful memories.
Chris Sorce
fountain valley
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In two weeks, we have lost two Los Angeles basketball legends. For the younger generation who never got to see Jerry West and Bill Walton play, try to imagine 1972. The Lakers, led by West, won a still-record 33 consecutive games on their way to the NBA title. That same season, Walton and the UCLA Bruins went 30-0 and won a sixth straight NCAA championship. Our city was truly the basketball capital of the world and it was an era that will never be duplicated or forgotten.
Jim Bendat
the Angels
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I don’t want to make light of the passing of the great Jerry West, but I take some comfort in the fact that he won’t have to witness another Celtics championship.
George Metalsky
Round Beach
That’s a ‘no thanks’
Regarding his decision to decline In the job of coaching the Lakers, Dan Hurley is not only an excellent basketball coach, but he is also a wise man.
Wayne Muramatsu
Cerritos
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Why would a very successful college coach want to get involved with a questionable organization, a mediocre team, and a star approaching 40 with a huge ego and a big mouth when he can wait until a good team throws money at him?
Bert Bergen
The Canada
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How bad must the Lakers organization be? How about we turn down $70 million?
Russell Morgan
carson
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Rob “Don Corleone” Pelinka apparently made Dan Hurley an offer he could refuse. No wonder, since the Godfather of the Lakers himself stupidly drafted Lonzo Ball instead of Jayson Tatum, Brandon Ingram instead of Jaylen Brown, and Jalen Hood-Schifino instead of Jaime Jaquez. It’s time for Jeanie Buss to beat Pelinka, instead of the countless embarrassingly canned coaches over the past 10 years.
Mark S. Roth
Beach View
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Hi Bill Plaschke, stop worrying, Hurley’s rejection is a blessing in disguise. His hybrid triangle offense will be addressed because teams play each other a lot more than they did in college and scouts will stifle it. Hurley’s mad-dog histrionics on the sideline will drive him crazy, alienate referees and make his players shake their heads.
The college game is a coaches’ game, the professional game belongs to the players. If Rick Pitino couldn’t succeed in the NBA, no one can. Management creates good teams in the NBA and the Lakers need a new one as well as a new owner. It’s a long road, Bill, stay calm, brother.
Franklin
Cayucos
Consider this
If the Lakers want coaches who have recently won championships, they should also consider one who has NBA coaching experience like Becky Hammon, who won the last two WNBA championships after being a well-trained assistant coach to one of the top coaches. of the NBA, Greg Popovich. . And it would be basketball history for her and the Lakers to hire the first female head coach. Or would the Lakers prefer a male college coach to this highly qualified woman?
Judith Levin
the Angels
Olympic mistake
Finally I agree with Bill Plaschke. Members of the US women’s basketball committee have proven themselves to be idiots by leaving Caitlin Clark off the Olympic team.
I played basketball for 30 years and coached a high school girls’ team for two years, but I never watched the WNBA or the women’s Olympic team.
That would have changed if Clark had been added to the team. As Plaschke predicted, he would have looked to see if Clark’s rampage was justified. Now I won’t do it.
A big mistake indeed!
Ray McKown
Torrance
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How is Caitlin Clark not chosen for the US Olympic women’s basketball team? At least leave it on the bench.
Imagine the ratings if I were there in Paris. Wake up WNBA!
Thanks, Bill Plaschke. Leaving Clark at home is, in fact, a big mistake.
Joan Fingon
fortune
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I was a little taken aback when I read the June 9 article about how the Olympic women’s basketball team will be poorer without Caitlin Clark.
Do not misunderstand. Clark is an exceptional talent. However, his game is still plagued by turnovers and the Fever have roughly three times as many losses as wins.
The goal of the Olympic Games is a gold medal, not Miss Popularity, Mr. Plaschke.
Jonathan Goldstein
La Jolla
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Caitlin Clark could not have been kinder in her attitude in not being selected for the 2024 Olympic roster. Young people around the world will see her grace-filled outlook and wonder how this grace can be obtained. Thank you, Ms. Clark, for your brilliant perspective on her future hopes.
Susan Dalton
red lands
Word of caution
I’m glad to see Jack Harris’ story about Kiké Hernández making a mistake in the hot corner in the middle of a question from Dontrelle Willis. (At least the Dodgers won the game.)
Let’s hope MLB finally realizes that the only time players should wear microphones on the field is during spring training or the All-Star Game.
Ken Feldman
tarzana
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The Dodgers have no shortage of banjo-slapping middle infielders, excluding Mookie Betts. So what do they do? They traded for another middle infielder, Cavan Biggio, who barely weighs him, and put him at third base, a position he has rarely played. Has the term “Dodger organization” become an oxymoron?
mike gamboa
Buena Park
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