Training camp previews
With players reporting today and on-ice sessions beginning tomorrow, writers around the area are taking a first look at the Kings. My training-camp preview will run tomorrow, but Steve Dilbeck wrote a column today about the Kings' challenges and a couple pieces appeared in the Los Angeles Times. Here's a look...
DILBECK: With young team, Kings are tough sell
Terry Murray's key message to Kings: Toughen up
Kings look for the 'erase' button
I also have interviews with Drew Doughty and Thomas Hickey to post.
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About the bloggers
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
Rich:
Can't believe you linked to two Times stories, but then again, you've shown time and time again you want to give Kings fans the most information, regardless the source. Thanks very much.
From Mr. Dilbeck's article
"Perhaps, like me, you took a quick glance at Wednesday's headline and got all excited: "Government to take over AIG." One lousy vowel. We were so close."
+1. Har.
Dilbeck's column is very short on substance and long on look-at-how-bitchin-my-writing-style-is.
No complaint with you, Rich; you're just reporting.
the more i read from Terry Murray the more excited i get to hopefully not see a "soft" team anymore. It's going to be a rough season but hopefully we'll see a team thats not going to take any crap.
Whew..I was waiting for Tim Lieweke to walk into the locker room and threaten the rookies with that 3-0 loss....thank heaven he didn't, or we'd have a Galaxy situation on our hands. Why is he so out of touch will someone tell me as I am a new Season ticket holder.
unfortunately this is exactly why the print media has lost its credibility in today's society. so called journalists are more concerned with catchy phrases and one liners than producing stories with any real substance. Dilbeck in particular basically got his info from every other source and threw in his 2nd rate schtick. ever wonder why print media readership has gone down? this is a perfect example - absolutely no understanding of the "game" of hockey or the "business" of hockey. all the decent hockey journalists have fled or have been forced out of the LA market (Rich is the exception of course) but I suspect that his more a result of his appreciation and fondness of the game and the players than the financial support he gets from the rag he works for. In any event, Rich, we appreciate it.
Heading into Training Camp would also be a good time for an O'Sullivan update.
The forward we got in the Tukonen trade to Dallas - Richard Clune - watch for him. At the rookie camp he played hard nosed, aggressive hockey. Real drive-to-the-net guy. Opened some eyes as he's new to the Kings. Probably won't make Opening Night roster, but will go to Manchester. Could be a recall at some point in the season. Impressive.
When people - fans, media, anyone - look at the Kings today and insist on holding the team accountable for 41 seasons of mediocrity, and worse, they reveal their need to have a personal scapegoat/whipping boy to publicly lash out at in a pathetic attempt to hide from their own faults, weaknesses, failures, disappointments and/or hurt feelings.
If you don't like hockey, than don't watch it, don't listen to it, don't write about it, don't read about it, don't get upset about it, don't complain about it and for god's sake shut up about it.
If you don't like the Kings, than don't watch them, don't listen to them, don't write about them, don't read about them, don't get upset about them, don't complain about them and for god's sake shut up about them.
None of the players, coaches, staff, management, office people or owners need you. People who love the team and are excited and optimistic about the team, today, don't need you either.
If the Kings do get beat writer to travel with them, I hope it's not this DICK! What a poser.
I know Dilbeck's been around for awhile, but Rich you should never allow this guy to write another word about hockey. It's insulting to real fans, and just adds fuel to the fire for people who are too lazy to actually learn the game, but like to talk down about it.
What happened to Don?
With respect. Steve Dilbeck should stick to writing about basketball and not hockey. (Doh!)
What was most insulting about this article was the line:
"Come Watch Our Babies Learn to Skate!"
Dude. Get a clue, and,
READ RICH HAMMOND'S BLOG!
About Lieweke-- Lieweke's Kings involvement is a long story as he ran the club for AEG since they bought it, a story not particularly filled with success. Tim has talent at blaming others. About 2 years ago, when Lombardi was hired, Leweike promised to disassociate himself from the Kings. Whether he keeps that promise remains to be seen--he missed fulfilling plenty of other promises and predictions-- but so far he has kept his word on that promise at least, has kept away from the Kings mostly, and seems he is busy with other AEG productions like the Galaxy and building the Kansas city arena. Lieweke talks a big game but lacks finish. Last year, he came out to the first few games, strutted around the lower loges like the King in his castle for the first few home games, then quickly disappeared from view when things went poorly. AEG/Lieweke probably set Lombardi a budget; but this is a bit unclear: the Kings were last in the league last year so who can blame them for capping expenses.