L.A. Times - Bill Plaschke

The city could be UCLA's for the taking

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

For the first time in a long time, the Bruins are the team with the momentum heading into crosstown rivalry game against USC. UCLA players seem to know it, even if they won't say it.

The sweat still dripping, the stains still fresh, Rahim Moore ran from the Rose Bowl's grassy stage to a sideline stage.

Lakers' Gasol proves his worth, even if fans don't notice

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The forward/center, who made his season debut Thursday night against the Bulls, makes the Lakers contenders again.

The World's Tallest Actor With Bed Hair And Braces returned to his day job Thursday, back to the Lakers and the season's most pressing question.

A culture crash for Trojans

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Seven years of near-invincibility have gone down the drain this season, capped by the 55-21 loss to Stanford.

A Stanford senior communications major stood in the middle of a nearly empty stadium, the homecoming crowd having long since gone home, and administered the latest plunge into the heart of a USC football season.

Phoenix's big-top antics come to a stop against Lakers

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Lakers are able to slow and eventually smother the team that thrill-seeking fans hoped would be their biggest Western rival.

The NBA's traveling carnival came to town Thursday, tilt-a-whirl breaks and cotton candy shots everywhere.

Dodgers put a low price on decades of experience

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

George Genovese, the team's 87-year-old scout, gets a 56% pay cut -- to $8,000. Times are tough, the club says.

After spending the last couple of weeks choking on the McCourt divorce numbers -- $6,000 a year for birthday parties? -- Dodgers fans can finally relax.

Kevin Prince is UCLA's best quarterback option

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Redshirt freshman's play against Washington before being sidelined because of a helmet-to-helmet hit leaves no doubt about who the Bruins' starter should be.

Did you see what I saw? Did you see what Rick Neuheisel should be seeing?

A friend across the line in Garfield-Roosevelt game

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The East L.A. Classic brings together Jose Victoria and Chris Moreno, who are inseparable, except for tonight.

They sit next to each other at the kitchen table like oversized stuffed animals propped up on a bedroom shelf.

USC's Pete Carroll is left alone at the top

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Seven key coaches have left the program in the last few years, and the football coach now has an unchallenged voice that might be leaving him hoarse and distracted.

From a dreary field in Seattle to an eerie field in Eugene, the whispers have been the same.

Bradford finally delivers on his promise

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

For most of four years, USC running back Allen Bradford has been making promises. Against Oregon State, he came through with 147 yards, more than any other Trojans running back this season. It helped

The black under his eyes shined like the bruises on Oregon State.

In the end, Dodgers 'just didn't have what it takes'

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

They end up battered and bruised by Phillies for second year in a row, and must add to their pitching rotation if they have any hope of fulfilling promise everyone sees.

Nowhere, fast.