Letters to Sports: LeBron James’ new contract isn’t a win for Lakers

I can’t consider I’m saying these phrases, however Invoice Plaschke is 100% right concerning the Lakers extending LeBron. They’ll keep mediocre for the subsequent two perhaps three years. Any Laker fan who thinks this can be a good thought doesn’t actually wish to win. I’m a longtime fan who watched the ‘80s Lakers and the Shaq-Kobe Lakers compete and win championships. Now we’re a sideshow. Unhappy.

Larry Estis
Oceanside

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Together with his new contract LeBron James makes extra in quarter-hour than I do all yr. The astonishing salaries of {many professional} athletes makes the precise recreation during which they take part inconsequential. As Bob Dylan mentioned, “I used to care, however issues have modified.”

Kevin H. Park
Westlake Village

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Arguably the best workforce proprietor in sports activities, Dr. Jerry Buss as soon as had a dilemma. The Lakers had two standard, future corridor of famers, and one among them needed to go.

He made the right, not best resolution, for one of the best long-term good. He mentioned goodbye to Shaq.

This week we’re reminded how a lot we miss the nice physician.

Jeff Belated
Chatsworth

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I do know Invoice Plaschke has unconditional love for the late Kobe Bryant and isn’t so loopy about LeBron James, however to assert that Kobe’s two-year, $48-million contract in 2013-2014 wasn’t as dangerous as LeBron’s new contract is greater than a bit disingenuous. LeBron has carried the Lakers since he bought to L.A. and even received a championship for them in 2020. Kobe performed six video games within the first yr of his contract and 35 within the second yr. The Lakers received 27 and 21 video games the 2 years of Kobe’s contract and didn’t even make the playoffs once more till LeBron arrived in 2019. If the Lakers have any probability of success this yr it is going to be due to LeBron, who stays one of many best gamers within the league. With out him they’d be fortunate to win 20 video games.

Alvin S. Michaelson
Marina del Rey

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Thanks, Invoice Plaschke, for being “on the ball” relating to LeBron. It’s time to start rebuilding for the longer term. There’s no time to waste on a farewell tour for aged gamers. This contains the self-proclaimed GOAT LeBron James.

Patrick Kelley
Los Angeles

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I see that the Lakers opened the financial institution to signal LeBron James to a two-year extension. The final time they did it for an getting older famous person with a fragile physique, was for Kobe Bryant. And you know the way that labored out!

Harris Levey
Venice

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Invoice Plaschke’s column on the LeBron James new contract is correct on the cash. LeBron will play much less and fewer and the workforce shall be disadvantaged of including two superstars over the subsequent yr because it staggers by his contract.

The Lakers are a franchise that may at all times appeal to superstars. However apparently higher to promote tickets now and kick the can down the street to constructing a winner. Is that this workforce actually any higher than the 33-49 it confirmed it was final yr?

Bob Goldstone
Corona del Mar

How the Kimbrel crumbles

We name Craig Kimbrel “crumble” at our home, and we groan each time we see him warming up within the bullpen.

Arguably, the Dodgers’ best flaw in latest World Sequence losses has been Dave Roberts’ pitching choices.

C’mon, Dave! Admit that Kimbrel doesn’t have what it takes earlier than he loses one recreation too many.

Sarah Tamor
Santa Monica

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Regardless of having a bullpen stocked with shutdown arms, Dave Roberts continues to stubbornly run Craig Kimbrel to the mound in save conditions. If Doc doesn’t notice that Kimbrel’s finest years are nicely behind him, he isn’t paying consideration.

Bud Chapman
Northridge

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When will Dave Roberts ever be taught that Kimbrel will not be the person for the nearer job? Right now, Roberts mentioned that whereas Kimbrel continued to bomb as a lead protector, at the least he regarded good whereas dropping. I’ll give Roberts one factor and that’s his stubbornness in admitting any errors in his choices. The place is the pitching coach in all this… certainly he has some enter into whether or not to proceed down this path of destruction in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. I, for one, flip off my TV any time I see Kimbrel enter a recreation.

Dale Clanahan
San Dimas

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We used to suppose watching Kenley Jansen was like being on a curler coaster. Craig Kimbrel is a nightly journey on the Tower of Terror.

Scott Shepherd
Los Angeles

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Dave Roberts says he’s “not involved” with Kimbrel’s efficiency this yr! Effectively he’s most likely the one one in Los Angeles who isn’t.

Invoice Piercy
Lengthy Seaside

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Approaching the heels of the “Area of Goals” recreation final week, it was very nostalgic to see Mookie Betts taking part in catch between innings with a younger fan in Milwaukee who flashed an indication that mentioned, “Mookie, Wanna play catch?” Mookie made a life-long fan final evening and confirmed MLB how simple it’s to succeed in youthful followers.

Edward M. Jimenez
Whittier

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With all due respect to Freddie Freeman, Trea Turner is probably the most worthwhile Dodger. His bat and his glove replicate on him as being an absolute magician.

No matter it takes, the Dodgers ought to be negotiating with him on a brand new contract that can hold him with the Dodgers for a few years.

Dick Ramirez
Valencia

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I didn’t perceive the Mitch White deal when it occurred and after the latest Kershaw and Buehler setbacks I’m much more dumbfounded!!

Mark Kaiserman
Santa Monica

Weighing in on Deshaun Watson

I’m disgusted with the actions of the NFL, the Cleveland Browns house owners and the Houston Texans within the matter of Deshaun Watson. As the one factor these three entities perceive is the greenback, I’ve determined to make my voice heard by canceling my subscription of greater than 15 years to the NFL Sunday Ticket package deal on DirecTV. Possibly if sufficient folks cancel the NFL will take into account ethical decency to be extra vital than the greenback.

John McDonald
Oceanside

Can we belief the numbers?

As somebody who wrote a TV-Radio sports activities column for The Instances for 25-plus years, I learn Invoice Shaikin’s well-researched story on sports activities speak radio with a eager curiosity. I are inclined to agree with AM 570 boss Don Martin that Nielsen numbers are deceptive.

I bought a few of my finest reader response to my columns when the subject was sports activities speak radio. I at all times puzzled how precisely Nielsen measures automobile radios. That’s how most individuals take heed to sports activities speak radio. Additionally, each time staff have come to the home I’ve lived in for 44 years to do reworking or repairs, they usually take heed to sports activities speak radio on their transistor radios. Does Nielsen take into account that?

Larry Stewart
Arcadia

The place was everybody else?

I’m appalled at studying Steve Henson’s article on Aug. 14, “that Clayton Kershaw was one among a couple of dozen Dodgers gamers who took the [Negro Leagues Museum] tour.”

I’m so glad the opposite dozen gamers are so educated as to not avail themselves of the chance to broaden their miniscule (and naturally I’m being beneficiant) data of baseball historical past.

Clayton was grateful, he bought to be taught so much.

Duane Ragland
Baldwin Park

Main league inflation

If doubtful that inflation continues, look in Anaheim the place individuals are paying main league costs to look at a minor league baseball workforce.

Lee Ables
Palm Desert

I like L.A.

How fortunate are we in Los Angeles? Helene Elliott — an NHL Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award winner — interviewing Bob Miller — an NHL Foster Hewitt Memorial Award [winner] — speaking about Vin Scully — Ford Frick Award winner plus. Sports activities readers don’t get any luckier than this. Thanks all to your glorious journalism [and] our alternative to take pleasure in your talent right here in Los Angeles!

Greg Bodell
Manhattan Seaside

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