January 2012 Archives

© Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
Why you don't let a sports writer get up in front of a group of sportscasters and try to make a speech. It's quickly obvious why you're a writer. Especially when you go off script.

It's really, really nice to be recognized and appreciated.
And even nicer to be employed.
Survival of the fittest isn't really the best way to address the current extinction of the mainstream sports media columnists, particularly those native to the Southern California market.
There are too many other factors in play here.
As Bob Miller introduced me at Monday's 21st annual awards lunch for the Southern California Sports Broadcasters, the group appreciates the fact I'm the last remaining weekly columnist in the area writing about the media. They've given me this nice glass microphone as their token of that.
I hope not to break it by accident as I clear a space for it on my desk populated with stacks and stack of papers and things.

Highlights of the week ahead in sports, both here and afar:

THIS WEEK'S BEST BET

Super Bowl XLVI: New England vs. N.Y. Giants, Sunday in Indianapolis, 3:30 p.m., Channel 4:

Neither the Patriots nor the Giants are like a virgin when it comes to Super Bowl history -- not like Madonna, who will be the one dragged out this year for the 12-minutes-of-agony halftime show. More to the point, aside from their names, there's not a lot new when you're putting New England and New York together in the same sandpit. What's old is what everyone wants to talk about. Like how the Giants outlasted the Patriots in Week 9, 24-20, at Foxboro, Mass., when Eli Manning capped off a final drive by hitting Jake Ballard on a 1-yard TD pass with 15 seconds left. "I knew we would win," Giants running back Brandon Jacobs said. "It definitely took me back to the Super Bowl." That would be the older news, when Manning rallied the Giants to a 17-14 victory in the 2008 title game, hitting Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard TD with 35 seconds to go and ending the Patriots' perfect season. "I'd rather be down by three with a minute-thirty (left) than up by four with a minute-thirty with Tom Brady, with their offense on the field," Manning said after the recent regular-season win. "You like those situations where you have an opportunity to go win the game." Now, on the field where his brother, Peyton, may never play again, Eli will be the Manning on the spot. The Giants, just 9-7 in the regular season, have been playing elimination football since having to win three of their last four games just to make the playoffs, then snatching three playoffs victories -- the last two on the road. The 13-3 Patriots didn't beat anyone with a winning record until the AFC title game -- including that rout of 8-8 Denver in the first round. But they haven't lost since the last meeting with the Giants, pilling up 10 in a row and averaging more than 35 points a contest during the stretch. Since each team has suspect defenses -- the Giants have given up 376.4 yards a game, which is better than the Patriots' 411.1 a week -- this could get pretty offensive. Like, say, Madonna dragging out her training bra-cones. They say revenge games make for better storylines. Even if a Packers-Broncos matchup might have been far more compelling.

MONDAY

NBA: Clippers vs. Oklahoma City, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime:

Russell Westbrook said he hopes his decision to make a long-term commitment to stay with OKC will end rumors of a rift between him and fellow All-Star Kevin Durant. "I wish it would have never started," the former UCLA standout said at a press conference to announce his five-year, $80 million contract extension. "Me and Kevin get along great on and off the floor, and now we're going to be together for at least five more years. Hopefully we can stay together." Meanwhile, Eddie Johnson of HoopsHype.com came out with his top 25 players in the NBA at this moment. While Durant wedged himself in at No. 4, Westbrook has made it to No. 12. "If Westbrook realized 17 and 10 is better than 20 and 5, he would be considered the second best point guard on the list (behind No. 10 Chris Paul)," wrote Johnson. "He is the best athletic PG I have ever seen, but his demeanor on the court is deflating and needs to change if he ever wants to move up further on this list." Humpf.

TUESDAY

NBA: Lakers vs. Charlotte, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

And you thought the Washington Wizards were bad? These Bobcats lost twice to the Wiz last week, have an eight-game losing streak and, at 3-18 coming into this week, stand with the worst record in the league. Despite the fact 21-year-old rookie guard Kemba Walker (20 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists) recorded a triple-double the other night. But then again, we know what kind of trouble -- with a capital T -- the Lakers seem to have with Charlotte over the years.

WEDNESDAY

NHL: Kings vs. Columbus, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

The Kings come off an All-Star layoff that lasted, what, nine weeks? And Jonathan Quick isn't even well rested, having been forced to play in Ottawa for the annual exhibition. One of the few Blue Jacket victories this season was just a couple of weeks ago at Staples Center, when goalie Curtis Sanford recorded the team's only shutout, 1-0, in an afternoon contest where Quick had to take the loss, giving up that one late goal.

NBA: Clippers at Utah, 7:30 p.m., Prime, ESPN:

The Clippers were in Salt Lake City just a couple of weeks ago -- and embarrassed in a 29-point loss where the Jazz had a 56-36 advantage on points in the paint, 16 off dunks -- five of which were alley-oops.

High school football: National college signing day: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., ESPNU; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., CBS Sports Network:

Former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel is part of the CBS coverage, and new Bruins head man Jim Mora Jr., is supposed to be one of the coaches interviewed to assess their team's talent haul. On ESPN's coverage, the network says at least 10 players, four of whom are ranked No. 1 at their position on the ESPNU 150, will make the college commitment decisions live on their show.

THURSDAY

College basketball: UCLA at Washington, 6 p.m., ESPN2; USC at Washington State, 7 p.m.:

The fact that the Huskies share the lead in the Pac-12 to this point is beside the point. The last time the Bruins won in Seattle, freshman Trevor Ariza scored five of his 21 points in overtime to secure a victory in 2004, upping UCLA's overall mark to 11-17. Nate Robinson had 18 points and Brandon Roy had 16 for the Huskies.

NBA: Clippers vs. Denver, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., TNT:

Nuggets coach George Karl said it about the fact his team plays in L.A. tonight, then goes home the next night to meet up with the Lakers, then has to fly to Portland for the third game in three nights on Saturday: "That has to be the most sadistic three games that the NBA doled out this year. If anyone else has three tougher games in a row, I'd like to hear about it." Add to the fact that the Clippers and Nuggets played each other just the other night.

FRIDAY

NBA: Lakers at Denver, 7:30 p.m., Channel 9, ESPN:

The Grammy Awards are just around the corner, meaning this is the first of six in a row away from Staples Center for the Lakers until Feb. 12. Meaning, they sweep, and they're finally over the .500 mark on the road. Sure. Ninety-two points was good enough for the Lakers to beat the Nuggets on Dec. 31. Ninety wasn't enough to beat them in Denver on Jan. 1. Either way, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol enjoyed large point production in each.

NHL: Kings at St. Louis, 5 p.m., FSW:

The first of six in a row on the road for the Kings, who've already defeated the Blues twice this year, once with each goalie. It's the Blues' first game since Jan. 24 -- 11 days off -- and they've lost two in a row, to Pittsburgh and Detroit.

Men's college volleyball: UCLA at USC, Galen Center, 7 p.m.:

The latest USA Today poll had the 9-1 Bruins (4-0 in the MPSF) at No. 3 and the 4-3 Trojans (3-3 in league) at No. 5, but that was before they had a three-game match losing streak in there.

SATURDAY

NBA: Lakers at Utah, 6 p.m., Channel 9:

The Lakers' first (and, for a long time, only) road win of the year happened on Jan. 11. Here in Salt Lake City. In overtime. Thanks to 40 points from Kobe.

NBA: Clippers at Washington, 4 p.m., Prime:

And the Clippers start a six-game roadie in D.C, again missing an invite to the White House, but allowing themselves a chance to marvel at just how spectacular a dunker JaVale McGee can be.

NFL: Pro Football Hall of Fame announcement, 1 p.m., NFL Network:

Two former Los Angeles Rams -- running back Jerome Bettis and defensive end Kevin Greene -- join former Los Angeles Raiders receiver Tim Brown among the 12 candidates up for induction. Expect former coach Bill Parcells to get enough love for enshrinement.

NHL: Kings at Carolina, 4 p.m., FSW:

Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward tied a franchise record with his 2-1 win against the Jets last week. He's given up two or fewer goals in nine consecutive games (5-2-2, 1.54 GAA), tying the single-season Hartford/Carolina record established by Arturs Irbe in 1999 and by Kevin Weekes in 2002.

College basketball: UCLA at Washington State, 2 p.m., USC at Washington, 8 p.m., FSW:

The last time that the Trojans won in Seattle? Just last March, 62-60, when Jio Fontan scored 20 points and Nikola Vucevic added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Those were the days.

Series: "Feherty Live from Super Bowl XLVI," Golf Channel, 10 p.m.:

Before the second season of David Feherty's chat show begins in late February, he'll do this hour-long special, performing before a live theater audience and bringing on folks from the sports and entertainment field.

SUNDAY

Bowling: Chris Paul Celebrity Invitational, 1 p.m. ESPN:

The Clippers' new kingpin does his annual charity event on the hardwood, taped a couple of weeks ago at Lucky Strikes in L.A. Live. Blake Griffin, Reggie Bush, Michael Strahan, Jerry Ferrara and Drew Carey joined in.

Golf: PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Ariz., final round, noon, Channel 2:

Don't waste this opportunity for some pre-kickoff golf on Super Bowl Sunday from the course where yelling is encouraged.

Staff photo by David Crane

Along with a little bravado, Kim Gilbert has a lot of history on her side.

Now it's just a matter of how far that, and the 47-year-old's reputation as once being one of the country's top competitors in table tennis, will take her this time at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.

There's a story she has clipped from the Daily News dated July 23, 1986, along with a photo of her looking intense as she's winding up to slam a return. Gilbert was routinely whipping male competitors at the then-Hollywood Table Tennis Center in the middle of a career that had already taken her to victories in U.S. Open and Olympic Festival tournaments.

Her resume from 1981 on had included junior, state and national level championships.

ESPN did a piece on her to record her reflexes and she broke the Olympic Festival record with a .14 of a second reaction time. By comparison, in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps fastest reaction time off the blocks was .64 of a second.

She could have made a North American team that would be part of the 1988 Summer Olympics, but because of limited female spots did not make the final cut.

Gilbert regrouped for the 1992 Olympic team, which would be made up of U.S.-only players this time. But just before the trials, the heel of a shoe she was wearing broke. She slipped on a curb in Santa Monica, braced herself with her right arm on the concrete and shattered the forearm into 15 pieces.

"I was devastated," she said.

After four years of surgeries to rebuild it and another two years before she was brave enough to try playing again; Gilbert realized it was too painful and just wasn't going to happen. She had to quit a game that she took up at age 14 while at Palisades High, and included intense training for two years in France and England during that time.

"I had to reinvent myself," she admitted.

That meant the next 18 years of working in marketing, producing benefit concerts, and starting up a file management business.

Recently, while working for Dial800, a Los Angeles based marketing optimization firm, she took up the game again after turning down a complimentary offer to join a local gym.

"I was shocked -- it felt as if I left the game for just a couple of minutes," Gilbert said. "You'd have never known I hadn't played in so long. Complete muscle memory."

She then began training and eventually coaching at the Gilbert Table Tennis Center in Los Angeles. The muscles in her arm that had atrophied became stronger just from playing.

She soon hooked up with actress Susan Sarandon, who started a SPiN Hollywood nightclub inside the Mondrian Hotel that included the desire for table tennis experts to put on exhibitions and avail challenges to their patrons.

Gilbert was added to the weekly line-up of pros, taking on high-end clients who wanted to learn the sport. There is trend afoot through SPiN whereby ping-pong is being used in business as a way of breaking the ice between executives because on the "court" everyone is made equal by virtue of their competitive spirit and enthusiasm for the game.

As her skills improved, she grew confidence and secured corporate sponsorship with Dial800 and Hama Sushi of Venice to compete in the 2010 and 2011 U.S Open championships again - and was a semifinalist in the over-40 divisions.

Her performance against some of the top-ranked players in the country was good enough for her. Even better was the support of her employer Dial800 who has built a culture that believes in a living and working balance and is delighted to support Kim's efforts with both a flexible scheduling and actual event sponsorship.

Soon enough, Gilbert got an invite to the 2012 Olympic trails, set for Feb. 9-12 in Cary, North Carolina (linked here).

The current U.S. Table Tennis rankings automatically put the top 10 women into the Trials - that includes Thousand Oaks teenager Ellen Hwang and Arcadia teen Erica Wu. Gilbert has been seeded No. 12, meaning she'll have to play some extra qualifying matches. All matches will be best of four out of seven games to 11 points.

Let's be realistic. The odds of Gilbert making the U.S. Olympic table tennis team at age 47 are stacked against her at best.

"But in competition, anything can happen. I know I can give some of these girls a run for their money - and I've got nothing to lose" the Los Angeles native admitted the other day. "I'm gunnin' for them, and they'd better watch out."

Staff photo by David Crane

(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Dustin Hoffman arrives at the premiere for the HBO series "Luck" on Wednesday night at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The first episode airs Sunday.

By Beth Harris
The Associated Press

David Milch had the script for a horse racing drama kicking around in his head for 30 years. The screenwriter and producer was just too busy living it to put words to paper.

As a 6-year-old, Milch first accompanied his father to the racetrack in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He was too young to wager, but Milch's father worked things out anyway.

"'You want to gamble, don't you? Well, you can't gamble because you have to be 18 years old,'" Milch (right) recalled his father telling him. "'I've set it up with Max the waiter. He'll run your bets for you.'"

That mixed message sent Milch off on a lifelong fascination with the track and an eventual gambling addiction. Along the way, he owned two Breeders' Cup champions.

Milch's portrait of horse racing's seedier side comes to life in the drama series "Luck," starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, debuting Sunday on HBO.

He couldn't write it sooner "because I had to quit gambling," he said.

The nine-episode first season was filmed at sun-dappled Santa Anita in Arcadia, an art deco racetrack set against the San Gabriel Mountains. Milch has won and lost money there, but he said he never hit the betting windows during shooting.

"You can't do what we were doing and conduct yourself that way," he said. "It's disrespectful to the material and distorts everything that you're doing. I had to let that go."

Staff photo by Brittany Murray
At a booth in the Redondo Beach Cafe, Daryl Evans can camp out near a wall of Kings' memorabilia that includes his signed jersey. And his protein smoothies on the menu.

What's in today's media column: A feature on former Kings' "Miracle on Manchester" hero Daryl Evans (linked here), and the Top 10/Bottom 5 list of the game analysts in Southern California.

What's not in today's column: A couple of footnotes to the "Miracle on Manchester" game.

Did you know: Evans was assessed a 10 minute misconduct penalty, as were a handful of others, after a scrum broke out with 9:56 to play and the Oilers up, 5-2. Evans happened to be on the ice and grabbed another Oilers player -- and back in those days, everyone who didn't go back to the bench was given penalties. The incident occured when Wayne Gretzky was either pushed or took a dive into the corner, leading to his teammates coming to his defense.

Here's a video clip of that from the Kings' telecast, with Bob Miller and Nick Nickson describing it:

So with less than 10 minutes left, and Evans out for at least the rest of regulation, you'd have thought they'd have gone back to the dressing room and started to hit the showers.

"I didn't think it was over," said Evans, who just witnessed the two teams slug out a 10-8 game -- the Oilers' victory to open the series. "Maybe I was just a naive kid coming out of junior hockey, but we were only town three goals. If could get another ...

"Being so young at that time (21 years old), I learned to appreciate what actually transpired. Now looking back, wow, it's really something special. Just look at the personnel at that team - and that's the best thing that ever happened to that team. We made them. We taught them a lesson they didn't like and made them dig in their heels and go other way. Maybe it was a defining point in franchise history for both teams."

Here's how it played out:

And there's this video tribute that the Kings put together when honoring Evans earlier this year as part of their "Legends" series:

More of Evans in the community:

== A skate and strategy session with a youth group:

== Visiting with a long-time fan at last week's 5K run at Staples Center -- someone who's proud to say he saw the "Miracle on Manchester" first-hand:

== Part of another blood drive:

== And helping out a young fan with ... a fishing pole?

Coming up next Friday: The best and worst of the play-by-play guys. Scully vs. the field. Who's got the best odds?

Photo credits: Los Angeles Kings, Kings Care Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Kings
Daryl Evans, right, has been working with Nick Nickson on the Kings' radio broadcasts since 1999.

Friday's third installment of the 20th annual best and worst of the L.A. sports media focuses on the game analysts. We've got a feature on Kings radio man Daryl Evans -- nearly 30 years after his game-winning goal capped the Miracle on Manchester, he's about to reach a milestone of 1,000 games as a broadcaster. That's a career he never really thought he'd be getting into so deep, but he's adapted and made it work.

More than just an Interesting side note: Evans and Jim Fox are two of some 20 former Kings players who moved into the broadcasting field after their NHL playing days, spanning the last two decades.

Through research by statistician Doug Mann, who works with Fox and Bob Miller on the FSW telecasts, more than a dozen of them are still in the broadcast business, believed to be the most in any sport who are alums of the same team

Evans, a right-winger drafted by the Kings in 1981 and in L.A. through 1985, has been the radio analyst since 1999. Fox, a right winger drafted 10th overall by the Kings in 1980, played all nine NHL seasons in L.A. until 1990 when he began as a Kings broadcaster on TV.

The Kings' alumni list in broadcasting includes:

== Mike Alison: Right wing for Kings from 1987-'90; worked as Kings radio analyst from 1995-'98.

== Pat Conacher: Center for Kings from 1992-'96; worked on Anaheim Ducks radio.

== Darren Eliot: Goaltender drafted by Kings in 1980, played in L.A. from 1984-'87; works a studio analyst for Fox Sports Detroit on Red Wings broadcast, also worked for Versus and Fox Sports South on the Atlanta Thrashers telecasts.

== Brian Engblom: Defenseman for Kings from 1984-'86; former Kings radio analyst from 1991-'95, works as color analyst for Winnipeg Jets, worked at ESPN, Versus and Columbus Blue Jackets TV.

== Ray Ferraro: Center for Kings from 1995-'99; worked for ESPN and NBC as a studio analyst, now with TSN.

== Garry Galley: Defenseman drafted by the Kings in 1983, played in L.A. from '84-'87; works at CBC's Hockey Night in Canada and is a TV analyst for the Ottawa Senators.

== Butch Goring: Center drafted by the Kings in 1969, played in L.A. until 1980; works as an analyst for the N.Y. Islanders TV on MSG Network.

== Tony Granato: Right wing for the Kings from 1989-'96; worked for Minnesota Wild TV. Sister Cammi was a Kings radio analyst in 1998-99.

== Stu Grimson: Left wing for the Kings in 2000-'01; works as a color analyst for Nashville Predators radio, worked as studio analysis on Stanley Cup playoffs for ESPN.

== Glenn Healy: Goalie drafted by the Kings in 1985 and played in L.A. until 1989; a reporter for TSN's coverage of the Toronto Maple Leafs, game analyst for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.

== Kelly Hrudey: Goalie for Kings from 1989-'96; works on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada studio team, also did HNIC radio analysis.

== Tom Laidlaw: Defenseman for Kings from 1986-'90,filled in as Kings radio analyst in 1990-'91 season while injured.

== Marty McSorley: Defenseman for Kings from 1988-'96; worked as a Fox Sports West studio analyst on Kings' broadcasts from 2005-'06, was a San Jose Sharks game analyst for FSN Bay Area.

== Larry Murphy: Hall of Fame defenseman drafted by Kings in 1980 and played in L.A. until 1984; works as a game analyst for Fox Sports Detroit on Red Wings' telecasts and a studio analyst on the NHL Network.

== Ed Olczyk: Center for Kings in 1996-'97; works as game analyst on NBC national telecasts and on Chicago Blackhawks games for Comcast SportsNet Chicago and WGN-TV.

== Charlie Simmer: Left wing for Kings from 1977-'85; game analyst on Rogers SportsNet in Toronto for Calgary Flames' games, former analyst for Phoenix Coyotes.

== Pete Stemkowski: Center ended his career with the Kings in 1977-'78; works as part time game analysis for N.Y. Rangers on ESPN radio, worked in TV and radio on San Jose Sharks games).

== Murray Wilson: Left wing ended his career with the Kings in 1978-'79; works as game analyst on the Montreal Canadiens' English-language radio broadcasts.

Honorable mention: Barry Melrose, who coached the Kings from 1992-'95, went to ESPN as a studio analyst and has been there almost continuously since 1996.

It already has a deal to carry the Lakers on English and Spanish-language channels, starting this fall.

It'll begin doing Galaxy games in March.

Sooner or later, it will be announced that it also has snagged the rights to the WNBA's Sparks.

Before it begins to claw its way into the Dodgers' TV future, Time Warner Cable announced today a way to position itself with the Clippers -- starting immediately.

Seven Clippers games between now and April 16, and including the one tonight against the Lakers at 7:30 p.m., will air in Spanish on Time Warner Cable's Channel 858.

They'll use play-by-play man Roger Valdivieso and analyst Francisco X. Rivera.

TWC sent out this information about 10 minutes ago. Thanks for the heads up.

Andrew Bernstein/Getty Images

A Lakers-Clippers head-to-head matchup at Staples Center has taken on a much different vibe since the lockout ended in November and all heck broke loose getting the rosters set for the 2011-12 season.

To use a circus analogy: Today's Clipper fans are apt to show up early to watch the acrobats warm up, then be dazzled by the trapeze artists. No clowning around.

The Lakers fan arrives when he sees a way to make a grand entrance, takes in some of the freak show outside the main tent, then hangs out around the giant elephants to see if it'll start flapping their ears and actually fly.

C'mon, show us something we've never seen before.

Lob City vs. Rob Lowe still seems to be a rough line of demarcation between what a Clippers and Lakers fan banks on going into the second of three regular-season matchups Wednesday night. As we enlisted the help of those who would know -- fans, broadcasters, team execs, more fans -- we've concluded that the boundaries might also might also be determined by:

VIP PARKING COSTS:
Clippers fan: $50
Lakers fan: $200

AVERAGE TICKET PRICE:
Clippers fan: $104.71
Lakers fan: $171.75

COURTSIDE TICKET VALUE:
Clippers fan (for Jan. 30 vs. Oklahoma City): several choices between $365 and $2,600 on StubHub!
Lakers fan (for Jan. 31 vs. Charlotte): Only two offered on StubHub! for $5,136. Each.
Note: One listed for more than $6,000 on StubHub for tonight's game

FAVORITE JERSEY TO BE SEEN IN:
Clippers fan: Blake Griffin, Chris Paul
Lakers fan: Magic Johnson

TYPICAL APPAREL:
Clippers fan: Lob City T-shirt and jeans.
Lakers fan: The exact same Lob City T-shirt, only it's blank. And costs $200. To go with $500 jeans and $600 sunglasses to be worn indoors.

PRE-GAME MEAL:
Clippers fan: Yard House
Lakers fan: Katsuya

POSTGAME HANGOUT:
Clippers fan: The Pantry
Lakers fan: WP24

TATTOO COUNT:
Clippers fan: 47
Lakers fan: 1 (that can be seen)

ARRIVES TO GAME:
Clippers fan: Ford Explorer with 200,000 miles on it
Lakers fans: A leased Mercedes Benz, with rollover mileage allowance.

TYPICAL COMPANION:
Clippers fan: Wife/brother or sister/son or daughter
Lakers fan: Hot blonde "niece"

OFF-COURT DIVERSION:
Clippers fan: Clipper Darrell, Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp (a friend of Blake Griffin)
Lakers fan: Jack Nicholson, whoever sits next to Nicholson

WHERE CAN I SEE THE OWNER?:
Clippers fan: Courtside (next to Billy Crystal)
Lakers fan: Skybox (next to Playboy bunnies)

STATE OF MIND:
Clippers fan: Contrarian with short-term memory loss ("I've told you we were just a point guard away from being great!")
Lakers fan: Smug frontrunner ("Remember, we traded Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol")

REACTION TO A 9-5 RECORD:
Clippers fan: We're on our way!
Lakers fan: We're on our way to the worst season ever.

BEST RETORT TO OPPOSITE FAN:
Clippers fan: Go back to the Forum.
Lakers fan: Go back to San Diego.

HOW THEY DEFINE THEMSELVES AS A 'TRUE FAN':
Clippers fan: Had season tickets at Sports Arena ... in San Diego.
Lakers fan: Doesn't own a Lakers car flag.

REGRETS ABOUT THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:
Clippers fan: Kobe Bryant (unless they became a Clipper fan because they were turned off by Bryant)
Lakers fan: Chris Paul

WHAT MAKES THEM RECOIL?
Clippers fan: The feeling of being snake bit
Lakers fan: Criticism of the Black Mamba taking matters into his own hands

DEFINITION OF BAD LUCK:
Clippers fan: Losing another one of their best players to injury.
Lakers fan: Not winning the NBA title.

DANCE TEAM APPEAL:
Clippers fan: Modern hot (The Clippers Spirit team is loud, proud and sexy)

Lakers fan: Retro cool (the same routines and music as they did back at the Forum, along with Lawrence Tanter's exit line: "Laker girrrrrrrrrls.")

THE GAME ISN'T OVER UNTIL:
Clippers fan: "Lawler's Law" kicks in -- first team to 100 points wins. How many times have the Lakers scored 100 this season? Once, in 18 games. Clippers? Six in 14 games.
Lakers fan: In a tribute to Chick Hearn, John Ireland asks Mychal Thompson if it's time to put the game in the refrigerator. Even if many of the younger listeners on radio don't know that that means anymore.

TRUMP CARD
Clippers fan: Buzz
Lakers fan: Banners

The Breeders' Cup Classic is coming to prime time for the first time -- at least in places due East -- starting with this November's gathering of the top thoroughbreds at Santa Anita.

NBC Sports Group and the Breeders' Cup announced a multiyear deal for the network to televise the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships, starting with the 2012 event.

This year, NBC Sports Network will televise the Breeders' Cup races on Nov. 2 and then do more on Nov. 3 before NBC picks up coverage for the $5 million Classic from 5-to-6 p.m. The races had been on ESPN and ABC in the past, although NBC aired the first races from 1984-2005.

NBC also televises the Triple Crown races - the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

"Everyone here is delighted that the Breeders' Cup has returned home," said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. "Bringing back this prestigious event, combined with our long-term partnerships for the Triple Crown with Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, in addition to the Preakness and Belmont cements the NBC Sports Group as the home of horse racing."

Highlights of the week ahead in sports, both here and afar:

THIS WEEK'S BEST BET

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers coach Mike Brown, center, had to be retrained by his assistants after the Lakers' Darius Morris was pushed by the Clippers' Blake Griffin during their last meeting on Jan. 14.

NBA: Lakers vs. Clippers, Staples Center, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., FSW, Prime:

Are style points more important at this stage of the rivalry than actual victories? The Clippers can lose a game to a team like Minnesota, but still get a wack on the fanny for making it entertaining. The Lakers can grind down the defending champion Dallas Mavericks and win by scoring just 73 points, and get wacked in the media for how ugly it looked. But the Lakers, whose deceiving nine game home winning streak was crushed by Indiana on Sunday, are going to remember how the Clippers held onto an eight-point win recently after Chris Paul (33 points, six assists and three steals) ran circles around Derrick Fisher, then pulled his hamstring in the closing minutes. It's been a little touch-and-go ever since. The Clippers also held a 50-42 rebounding edge, including six more on the offensive end, which seems almost impossible. And Lakers coach Mike Brown still is huffing and puffing that Blake Griffin should have been kicked out for the way he knocked down guard Darius Morris after the whistle blew. If anything, when these two now get together, it's practically a Western Conference All-Star roster, as the latest voting has determined for the Feb. 26 game. Paul and Kobe Bryant are the leading vote-getters in the backcourt, Griffin is a starter at forward and Andrew Bynum leads at the center spot. The third and final encounter for these two won't be until April 4, or about three weeks before the end of this abbreviated regular season with the playoff spots looming.

MONDAY

NHL: Kings vs. Ottawa, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

After this, it's a bit of a vacation for the players for an extended All-Star break -- they're not back until Feb. 1. Seems as if they could use it. Since the hiring of Darryl Sutter before Christmas, they've piled up an 8-2-6 record -- meaning they've picked up 22 out of a possible 32 points in the standings. It beats the direction they were headed, no matter how frustrating these 2-1 losses lately have felt. The Senators, who moved up to No. 8 in the latest NHL ESPN power rankings, come off a 2-1 loss in Anaheim. Still, Ottawa hasn't allowed more than two goals in its last seven games, and have killed off all 21 opponents' power plays during that stretch.

TUESDAY

NHL: Ducks at Dallas, 5:30 p.m., Prime:

The Ducks' latest five-game winning surge and 8-0-1 mark in their last nine has caught our attention. Funny thing, even after this run, they can't get within sniffing distance of the last playoffs spot in the Western Conference.

WEDNESDAY

Men's college volleyball: Cal State Northridge at UCLA, Wooden Center, 7 p.m.:

Give your regards to 71-year-old Al Scates, winding down his 50th and final season as the Bruins' coach. UCLA opened its season with a 3-1 win over CSUN in the UCSB Invitational, and has another one left after this against the Matadors, as well as two against USC.

Game show: "Baseball IQ," 6 and 6:30 p.m., MLB Network:

Matt Vasgersian, who once hosted FSN's "Sports Geniuses," several blackjack and poker shows, and the 2004 International Championship of Rock Paper Scissors, is called on to officiate a new game show where two participants, each representing a team they work for, square off in a baseball trivia contest with a chance to win money for charity. The bracket-style tournament that runs 31 episodes through Feb. 23 started Tuesday. Today, the Dodgers will be represented by Senior Director of Ticket Operations Seth Bluman, a West Hills resident and UCLA alum who flew out to New York for the show's taping, with a chance to win money for the Dodgers Dream Foundation and ThinkCure. He'll be going against Greg Marinec, the manager of client relations for the rival San Francisco Giants (in the 6:30 p.m. slot). On Feb. 1, the Angels will be repped by Shane Demmitt, the team's assistant equipment manager who lives in Northridge and has a degree from Loyola Law School, having been a member of the California State Bar since 2002. He'll be laying down the law against someone from the rival Texas Rangers.

THURSDAY

Golf: PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open, first round, noon, Golf Channel:

Home-town favorite Phil Mickelson, who rallied with a 66 to make the cut for the final day at the Humana Challenge in La Quinta, returns to Torrey Pines always as the one to watch, especially after losing by just one stroke to Bubba Watson a year ago. About a million miles away, Tiger Woods will tee as well to start his season, over at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in the United Arab Emirates (Golf Channel also has this, at 1 a.m. live). CBS has the last two rounds from San Diego on Saturday and Sunday.

College basketball: UCLA vs. Utah, Sports Arena, 7:30 p.m., Prime; USC vs. Colorado, Galen Center, 7:30 p.m.:

Colorado (13-6, 5-2) has quickly established itself as a force in the new Pac-12, coming off a sweep of the Arizona schools and having won eight of their last 10. The only real blemish in that run -- a 20-point loss at Stanford. So why isn't the Trojans' game on local TV? FSW has the Washington State-Arizona game instead.

Winter X Games, 6 p.m., ESPN:

The annual snowstorm of extremism begins in Aspen, Colorado and runs all weekend. No doubt, the memory of freestyle halfpipe skier Sarah Burke, the sport's favorite competitor who died at age 29 last week during a training run in Utah, will weigh heavily on some athletes. That's her, above, competing in 2010. at Buttermilk Mountain.

NBA: Clippers vs. Memphis, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., TNT:

Jarrett Jack and Rudy Gay have picked up the scoring slack from the injured Zach Randolph and pushed the Grizzles to a six-game winning streak to start this week. The network doubleheader leads in with Boston at Orlando at 4 p.m.

FRIDAY

Tennis: Australian Open women's final, midnight (12 a.m. Saturday, replayed at 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday), ESPN2:

Of the 64 players who made it into the second round of this event, their first names included: Ursulza, Iveta, Lesia, Anabel, Olga, Alberta, Francesca, Romina, Eleni, Galina, Tsvetana, Agnieszka, Ekaterina, Kaia, Greta, Barbora, Angelique, Marion, Anastasia, Vania, Michaella, Aleksandra, Sabine, Shahar, Shuai, Sorana, Sloane and Svetlana. Yet, if the No. 1 seed prevails -- a Caroline -- we'll still wonder whatever happened to Serena, the 12th seed who won this thing five times, including back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. She didn't get to defend her title last year due to injury, and her ankle was giving her trouble coming in here before she finally lost here. With Serena Williams' ouster, the last American hope is gone Down Under. So is it time for Caroline Wozniacki, who somehow has stayed No. 1 without winning a major, to finally capture one? The semifinals are Wednesday (6:30 p.m., ESPN2).

Series: "Jim Rome Is Burning," 1:30 p.m., ESPN:

The series comes to an end. After the show, he is out.

SATURDAY

Figure skating: U.S. Championships in San Jose, women's free skate, 9 p.m., Channel 4:

Defending champion Alissa Czisny (above), healing from an injury, may still be the one to get past in a field that includes 2008 U.S. champion Mirai Nagasu and 2010 champion Rachael Flatt. Then there's 20-year-old Ashley Wagner, who moved to Southern California from Maryland so she could train with coach John Nicks and choreographer Phillip Mills at the Aliso Viejo Ice Palace. On the men's side, defending champion Ryan Bradley turned pro, reigning Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek won't compete yet, and Johnny Weir has got back to training but hasn't set a return date yet. Instead, two-time U.S. men's champ Jeremy Abbott will try to reclaim the title he lost in 2011.

NBA: Lakers at Milwaukee, 5:30 p.m., Channel 9:

A road trip to Milwaukee isn't the same as one to Miami or Orlando. But it counts the same in the standings. So this one counts, considering what happened last week in, say, Miami or Orlando. The Lakers are only 1-6 on the road so far. And that's being generous.

Documentary: "Namath," HBO, 9 p.m.:

Remember how much Bobby Brady wanted to meet his hero, Joe Namath? If faking sickness was the way to do it, we'd already considered it. He was no Wes Parker, but ... "In the mythology of pro football, Joe Namath is Arthur," says Steve Sabol, the president of NFL Films, who helps produce this 90-minute piece on how the former New York Jets (and one L.A. Rams) quarterback made his legendary mark on the game. "He pulled the proverbial sword from the stone and the NFL became the Camelot of American sports."

Still, all "Broadway Joe" did was guarantee his team would win Super Bowl III. He lasted 13 years in the league, made the Hall of Fame, and, at 68, has a Twitter account (@realjoenamath) and a website (www.broadwayjoe.tv). Those who talk about his life and times in the piece range from ESPN's Suzy Kolber to former players Ben Davidson and Fred Dryer, to actress Ann-Margret. Says Dryer: "That guy was very important to the game of football as a cultural icon, and how he brought professional football into the television era and with it a whole degree of excitement ... The likes of him will never ever, ever pass this way again." He hasn't been watching Tebow?

Tennis: Australian Open men's final, midnight (12 a.m., Sunday, replayed at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday), ESPN2:

Roger Federer won the fan vote on the Aussie Open official site: He is officially the "biggest heartthrob on the men's tour," taking 36 percent of the poll. His rival, Rafael Nadal, was second with 33.7 percent. Imagine how many hearts would be thumping if these two, seeded third and second respectively, met in the semifinals (which air early Thursday, 12:30 a.m., ESPN2, replayed at 9 a.m. and early Friday, 12:30 a.m., ESPN2). That would leave the victor to likely face -- who else -- Novak Djokovic.

College basketball: UCLA vs. Colorado, Sports Arena, 1 p.m., Prime; USC vs. Utah, Galen Center, 8 p.m., Prime:

How ugly have the Utes (5-14) done it so far? Of the 344 teams ranked, they're 336th in the country in points per game (56.4) and 338th in rebounds a game (29.3) as a team. Anyone doing worse? The Trojans. They're 341st in points (54.0) and 342nd in boards (28.6).

College football: Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., 1 p.m., NFL Network:

Ten players from the Pac-12 will be there, but none from USC or UCLA. Watch for Washington running back Chris Polk and Arizona quarterback Nick Foles.

SUNDAY

NHL All-Star game, Ottawa, 1 p.m., NBC Sports Channel:

They're going with that "fantasy draft" format again, as the home-town Senators' Daniel Alfredsson and the Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara pick their squads during a show on Thursday. Kings goalie Jonathan Quick and the Ducks' Corey Parry are the only two local reps. You just hope that Quick doesn't get some strange vertigo injury like the one that affected the Ducks' Jonas Hiller for the entire second half of last season after he took a couple pucks to the mask in last year's annual exhibition.

NFL Pro Bowl, Honolulu, 4 p.m., Channel 4:

Here's another annual exhibition where the fans don't get a vote in who plays. Why not? Of all the changes that could be made for this, that's one we'd endorse. Otherwise, it's s $45,000 to each player on the winning side, and $22,500 to the losers. Everyone seems to win. And what would prevent the AFC from adding Tim Tebow to the roster, just for the sake of ratings? Just have him hold on the PATs.

NBA: Lakers at Minnesota, 4 p.m., Channel 9:

You're not going to allow Kevin Love to pop open for a 3-pointer at the top of the key with the game on the line, now are you? Free up Darko instead. The other weird thing about the Timberwolves -- despite a losing record, they have a winning point differential.

NBA: Clippers at Denver, 5 p.m., Prime:

The Nuggets are second in the league averaging better than 104 points a game, and first in team assists. The guy to watch out for: Al Harrington, off the bench. He had 29 in a win over Washington last week, and has scored at least 25 points as a sub almost 20 times in the last three years.

Series premiere: "Luck," HBO, 9 p.m.:

The first of nine episodes in the David Milch-Michael Mann produced series that stars Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte in the setting of some crazy horse racing and gambling storylines, filmed at Santa Anita Park. Hoffman plays Chester "Ace" Bernstein, released from three years in federal prison and plots revenge. He's met by his driver and bodyguard, Gus Demitriou (Dennis Farina), who fronts as the owner of the $2 million Irish horse that Ace just bought. Nolte plays a trainer-turned-owner Walter Smith, Jill Hennessey is there as a track vet, Gary Stevens is veteran alcoholic jockey Ronnie Jenkins ... scandal ensues.

It's on the blog post right below this -- a feature story on Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket reporter Patrick O'Neal, leading into the second week of the four-part best and worst of the L.A. sports media list (linked here).

What's not in the story: How Patrick's first name almost became "Rocky," thanks to his dad's love of boxing.

Here's the explanation on the website of Patrick's mother, Leigh Taylor-Young (www.lty.com) and how Patrick's birth certificate actually lists his first name as "Young":

September 14, 1967 was the day my son was born. I was convinced throughout my pregnancy that I would have a girl. I believe I felt that way because I was, at that time, very "soft" internally, extremely sensitive and vulnerable, and I had reached my level of tolerance for "changes."
In the year prior to his birth, I had my first love affair, with Ryan, and had become a major television star where my anonymity and privacy had gone forever. ... I had worked on Peyton Place until my fifth month of pregnancy. They wrote my character, Rachel Welles out of the show, by having her lose her mind and be sent to a sanitarium.
I was now free to enjoy my pregnancy without worrying if my stomach showed or if I would be able to make it to the rest room in time, between shots, to throw up. Ryan and I had married in my third month. I adored Ryan. Actually, it was more of an infatuation, as I had married someone quickly who I barely know as a person. We rented a beautiful house in Benedict Canyon that had been the home of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. It was the perfect place to have an enchanted pregnancy. There was a pool under trees, deer, roses everywhere and a lovely tennis court.
Ryan did me a great favor, he worked me out every day of my pregnancy. Sometimes he would have me run against a time clock, or simply have me run up and down the long driveway of our home. I started tennis lessons in my fourth month and was playing the day Patrick was born.
The night Patrick was born, Ryan was watching "Thursday Night At The Fights", a television boxing extravaganza that was ritual TV fare in Los Angeles in 1967. A boxer, Young McCormick, was fighting that night and Ryan favored him. I was almost three weeks overdue. It was a hot September night and I was cooking dinner. I felt my first contraction while cooking, and two minutes later there was another. I served Ryan his dinner, sat down, said nothing and waited to see what would happen next. My contractions remained two minutes apart. We raced to the hospital. Patrick's birth came quickly. I had only one hour of labor. ...
Because I had been so sure I would only have a girl, I had chosen no names for a boy. Ryan became intent on naming the baby "Rocky O'Neal". I suggested the name Patrick, as a compromise, as that was Ryan's real first name. Ryan agreed, but wanted to add the name Young to Patrick O'Neal in deference to the Irish boxer who had been fighting that night. So Young Patrick O'Neal made his entrance, and blessed my life.

More photos of Patrick O'Neal as a little kid (linked here)

COMING UP:The 20th annual Top 10/Bottom 5 best and worst polls of:
=Jan. 27: Radio and TV game analysts
=Feb. 3: Radio and TV game play-by-play
This follows the first installment on the best/worst L.A. sports-talk hosts on Feb. 13.
And a followup: 20 years later, what ever happened to some of those who made the lists over the years?

Daily News Staff photo by Michael Owen Baker

It's not an act when Patrick O'Neal describes his role these days as the primary host for Dodgers, Lakers and Kings telecasts on Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket.

"It's a dream job," he said the other morning, sitting at an eatery at the Grove complex near Farmer's Market. "I am lucky, no question. I appreciate what everyone does to make it all work -- the producers, the guys in truck, editing video.

"I get to work with Bob Miller, take bus rides to games with Vin Scully. I give a fist pump to the Chick Hearn statue every day I go to work at Staples Center.

"It's so cool. Seriously, I want to stay on this wave as long as possible."

O'Neal may have an even greater appreciation for his role because of the road he took to find his passion, years after he discovered he didn't have the nerve to pursue his first career - acting.

That Hollywood track would have seemed far more likely, considering his lineage.

Although it was a subject he didn't really want to broach much during the earlier years of his sportscasting career, O'Neal is much more candid now about being one of four who call Academy Award-nominated actor Ryan O'Neal his dad. Patrick spent regular weekends and lived fulltime as a teenager with him at his Malibu house, including when Farrah Fawcett was there.

Patrick's mother, Emmy-Award winning actress Leigh Taylor-Young, met Ryan on the Fox lot set of the TV series "Peyton Place" more than 40 years ago before they married. That's the same place where Patrick got his first sports broadcasting job years later.

(Photo, left, of Patrick O'Neal with his parents, from www.lty.com)

The O'Neal family tree, of course, includes his older half-sister and Academy Award-winner Tatum, once married to former tennis star John McEnroe. Patrick is also the father of two daughters, 14-year-old Sophia and 10-year-old Veronica from his relationship with actress Rebecca De Mornay.

As much as there often seems to be O'Neals in the news -- Ryan and Tatum did a reality-TV show last summer on the Oprah Winfrey Network that focused on them patching up their relationship - Patrick is the one cultivating the sports news on a nightly basis.

"My passion was always sports, and I owe a lot of that to my dad," said Patrick of Ryan, who grew up as a Golden Gloves boxer and once co-managed the career of prizefighter Hedgemon Lewis in the 1970s. "We'd watch thousands of games together. There was never any bedtime. Stay up and watch the Kings, Lakers, whatever was on.

"Our bond was always sports. Without that, there's no way I'm able to do this."

Aside from being "very proud" of his son's career, Ryan O'Neal said the one thing that impresses him most about Patrick's TV work is that "he's iron. You never see his nerves. He's never caught short. He looks like he's been doing this all his life. I'm very impressed, really."

Ryan says "Patrick just shrugs" when asked at how he's able to know so much information about all the sports teams in town.

"It's just easy for him," said Ryan. "He sure makes it look easy."

Patrick credits his professional work ethic to his father, who, despite just turning 70 and having two knee replacements, often calls him for a paddle-tennis challenge.

"I just read the Jerry Kramer book, 'Instant Replay,' where he talks about how it might have been difficult to play for Vince Lombardi (with the Green Bay Packers), but he loved the guy like a father and all they did was win championships," said Patrick. "My dad always pushed me athletically. We'd work out non-stop. Sometimes it might be hard, but he always wanted to win.

"I never got caught up in (any kind of Hollywood-type lifestyle). I loved sports and I love my dad. He's totally my hero."

The 44-year-old Patrick calls his upbringing "awesome," a stable childhood shared with divorced parents who always had celebrity friends in their midst, especially for Monday Night Football parties.

After attending high school in Pebble Beach, where he was intrigued by working at a 50,000-watt student-run radio station, Patrick had enough of an interest in communications that he studied it for two years at the University of La Verne, with intentions of transferring to USC. But wanting to give acting a try, he was diverted, and landed movie and TV parts on "Beverly Hills 90210," "China Beach" and "Die Hard II."

But after a time, the grind of it all wore him down.

"My batting average as an actor is .025," laughed O'Neal. " I always knew I wasn't getting the job when I saw Brad Pitt (at the casting call), and I'd talk myself out of a lot of rolls that way."

His last audition was in the late 1990s for the Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg HBO movie "Band Of Brothers," a spot he thought was a sure thing.

It wasn't.

"Now I'll see Tom Hanks at a Laker game and thank him for not giving me the part," said O'Neal.

Within six months of that last rejection, O'Neal gladly took a midnight-to-5 a.m. update anchor shift at the Fox Sports Radio studios in Sherman Oaks. That evolved into a talk show. Which got him more local TV anchor work at FSW.

Some 12 years later, he hasn't had to look back.

Daily News Staff Photo by Michael Owen Baker
Patrick O'Neal, left, works with Norm Nixon and Kiki Vandeweghe before a recent Lakers telecast for FSW.

"Having roots here and growing up as a diehard L.A. sports fan, Patrick is incredibly well versed on the teams we cover and has cultivated longstanding relationships amongst those organizations, said Tom Feuer, the executive producer of FSW/Prime Ticket. "He continues to work hard at his craft and his preparation for each and every event is unsurpassed."

Kings analyst Jim Fox has been impressed how O'Neal has come a long way to where, "in all honesty, he's the smoothest guy on the broadcast.

"From my perspective, I can't thank him enough. He's got a lot of information, but he often takes a back seat to feature the analyst. He sees the big picture of the broadcast. I like to defer to him now. He's more than just a set-up guy. I trust him a lot. He's really part of the team."

O'Neal said he doesn't think "most people even know or care" about his family's background, as long as he remains a credible, reliable reporter on the games they're watching.

The irony would be if some casting director now wanted to hire him to play the role of a TV sports reporter.

"I'll bet you that doesn't happen," O'Neal said, laughing. "I know I could do it. But I'm not your typical looking sportscaster, the guy with the perfect hair, standing there. They won't even hire me for that."

UPDATED FRIDAY:The list of the Top 10/Bottom 5 Los Angeles TV sports anchor/reporters:
http://www.dailynews.com/sportscolumnists/ci_19780654

Getty Images
Bob Hope, second from left, is flanked by former presidents Gerald Ford, left, and George H.W. Bush, far right, as well as standing president Bill Clinton, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and PGA Tour golfer Scott Hoch during the 1995 Bob Hope Desert Classic.

Linda Hope has a vested interest in the success of the PGA Tour's Humana Challenge, far beyond what takes place this weekend at La Quinta Country Club.

Her father, Bob Hope, invested more than just his name to the event the previous 44 years, before the title changes were the first noticeable alteration for the event.

Since the legendary entertainer's passing at age 100 in 2003, the golf tournament has struggled to keep its identity in the desert. Former President Bill Clinton's involvement with his foundation have kept it from disappearing all together.

It's the hope now of Linda Hope that her father's legacy will continue to be an underlying thread to connect the past to the future. Still a TV producer living in Toluca Lake, she discussed how she saw that happening while she was at the tournament, including the unveiling of the new winner's trophy today in her father's honor.

Q: Does it feel to you as if the transition from what was known as the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic to the Humana Challenge is moving along the right way?

A: Very much so. Dad would be excited to see all this. He was a real showman and first one to realize it was getting not as exciting as had been in early days. And this really brings back a new energy to the game, and the tournament and to the desert charities.

Q: Could you dad see the day coming when the event would eventually change, even while he was involved?

A: He'd always talked about the fact that Chrysler was a longtime sponsor, one of Dad's sponsors, and he was concerned, and voiced it, on what would happen when Chrysler and he was no longer with the event. Chrysler had the ongoing commitment, but then the way the market reacted and circumstances made it impossible to have that level of corporate sponsorship. Dad would be the first to recognize it and also be thrilled that Humana stepped in with an eight-year commitment.

Q: He would have OK with, for example, having it condensed from five rounds to four?

A: I think he would have. It makes more economic sense, and I think he'd still feel it was a good challenge for the player. That had been a problem, not being able to get a lot of the top players who told him it was just too big of a commitment to make. And truthfully, the desert elements sometimes worked against the tournament, with the winds and sometimes the rain. It's a beautiful setting, but when there were arduous conditions, it made it even tougher.
You know, my dad's career was based on change, recording it and reacting to it, with his topical sense of humor. I don't think he'd be adverse to say this was a good move.

Q: The emphasis of the Humana Challenge is all about getting more exercise. How did that fit into your dad's work schedule?

A: It was an integral part. Every single night of his life, he'd take a walk after dinner before going to bed, at least a mile at a brisk pace. I know, because sometimes I'd be with him. He'd get his golf club, which he always walked with - maybe for protection but he was secure with it - and frankly, he'd go for walks around the downtown areas of some of the cities that may have been a little scary. But somehow he had an angel on his shoulder and never had any problems with that. I think of stars today with their huge entourages and security. Dad never had that. People stopped him all the time to talk to him.
He was also a big believer in massages - he'd have one almost every day for the last 40 years or so, and that was really important for circulating and his well-being.

Q: He was good with his diet as well?

A: Pretty good. Mother made a point to have balanced meals and green vegetables and fish and starch foods. But that was when he was home. When he was away, I'm sure with hotel food and banquet dinners, it wasn't as good. But he was always conscious of his weight, and my mother would always warn him about putting on extra pounds. Although he loved his lemon meringue pies.

Q: In 1995, Bill Clinton played in the Bob Hope event as a sitting president. How gratifying would have been to your dad to have President Clinton involved in keeping it moving?

A: He's been absolutely wonderful. He and dad had a special relationship and Dad adored him. It turned out they were friends for many years. Dad first met him at the University of Arkansas when he was doing a show and the President, who was then governor, came up afterwards and met Dad, and he felt he had such an amazing amount of charisma and would go very far, which proved to be true. Many years later, when he was president, there was a knock at the door when my parents were staying at the Waldorf Towers in New York. Mother was in her bathrobe and getting ready to have supper and she opens the door, and there's President Clinton, no body guards to be seen, and she invited him in and they had a wonderful visit. He was charming and captivating.

He has taken that affection for my dad and insisted that dad be a part of this event. They've named the pro-am after Dad, and created a very stunning trophy in his name for the winner.

Q: So physically you can see the changes, but emotionally does it feel the same?

A: It really does. One of the things I found interesting, we were just out the other morning at a place called The Living Desert, a habitat for animals and desert plants and all that. The man guiding the tour said to me, 'They can call it the Humana Challenge, or anything they'd like, but to all of us, it'll always be the Bob Hope Desert Classic.' And I've heard that so many times. They'll say that on the local TV coverage, too. It's still in people's minds, just like the Dinah Shore LPGA event even though it has changed sponsors years ago. It's interesting how that happens. I think it's wonderful and a lovely thing that people still care about what Dad was trying to do and had so much fun with it. So many good times and memories that are imprinted on everyone.

Q: What was the most important element of the tournament to keep going - the pro-am? The charities tied to it?

A: They've certainly stuck with the same desert charities that have been recipients of the purse - particularly the Eisenhower Medical Center, which was a real favorite of my Dad's. He gave the property for its construction and wanted it named in honor of his friend. The funding is very important to it continuing as a hospital. The pro-am is also so vital to the fun part of the event and that was dad's favorite part, to call upon his friends who loved golf and tried to get them to come and be part of the tournament. Now, President Clinton is able to bring in a lot of those people to be part of this.

Q: Maybe there's a time when President Obama, who seems to be quite an avid golfer, gets an invite?

A: You can be sure Dad would have been on the phone working to get him out here. He enjoyed his playing days with all the presidents and I think also allowed them the opportunity to get a break from all the things they have to deal with, all the pressures. With President Obama, you never know. We'll see if he's elected again and make he can make time for it.

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reacts after receiving a Lakers jersey as a gift from global cultural ambassador Kareem Abdul-Jabbar today at the State Department in Washington.

This press release just sent out by the office of the U.S. Secretary of State:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer and a New York Times' best-selling author, to discuss his new role as a global cultural ambassador.

During the meeting today, Secretary Clinton reiterated the United States' strong commitment to engaging young people worldwide and to using people-to-people diplomacy as a means to create opportunities for greater understanding.

Secretary Clinton and Abdul-Jabbar discussed his upcoming trip to Brazil as a Cultural Ambassador and the strong relationship between the people of the United States and Brazil.

"I am excited and honored to serve my country as a Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State," said Abdul-Jabbar, who has focused his efforts after his NBA career on engaging youth through socially-minded projects and education. "I look forward to meeting with young people all over the world and discussing ways in which we can strengthen our understanding of one another through education, through sports, and through greater cultural tolerance."

From January 22-28, Abdul-Jabbar will travel to Brazil to meet with underserved youth in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. As a Cultural Ambassador, Abdul-Jabbar will lead conversations with young people on the importance of education, social and racial tolerance, cultural understanding, and using sports as a means of empowerment. In addition, he will participate in basketball clinics with young people in both cities.

Since his retirement in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar has devoted himself to projects focused on African American history and socio-economic justice. His 2011 documentary "On the Shoulders of Giants" sought to highlight these issues. He has also launched the Skyhook Foundation, which works to improve children's lives through education and sports.

In June 2011, Abdul-Jabbar was honored at the White House by President Barack Obama and received the Lincoln Medal from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. The medal honors Abdul-Jabbar's commitment to education and equality which reflects the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln.

More information regarding Abdul-Jabbar's travel to Brazil will be forthcoming. He will continue his public service as a Cultural Ambassador throughout 2012. Information on upcoming trips will be released at a later date. Stay tuned for updates via Twitter at @ConnectStateGov.

Photo from Ellen Kershaw/Regal Books
Ellen (center) and Clayton Kershaw pose with Hope, the orphan they met in Zambia that became the inspiration for the Kershaw Challenge last season.

Ellen Kershaw has no doubt that her husband Clayton's 2011 Cy Young Award-winning season was the result of a purpose-driven fastball.

It started just a few weeks after they were married in December, 2010. Ellen convinced Clayton to come with here on a return trip to the village of Lusaka, about a 10-hour plane flight from Los Angeles through London, serving as the capital of Zambia in southern Africa.

Or, about as far away as possible from the comfort zone known as the mound at Dodger Stadium.

There, on a different mound of dirt, the 6-foot-3 Dallas native can attract so many of the local orphans that, according to Ellen, he's "like a human jungle gym - he's got five kids on him at all times."

Inspired to do more, and as a result of the creation last season of the "Kershaw's Challenge - Strikeout to Serve," Kershaw committed $100 for every one of his league-best 248 strikeouts last season.

A coincidence that his number of Ks went so high?

Highlights of the week ahead in sports, both here and afar:

THIS WEEK'S BEST BET

Golf: PGA Tour Humana Challenge, La Quinta, Thursday through Sunday, Golf Channel, noon to 3 p.m. (first two rounds) and noon to 4 p.m. (last two rounds):

The stick-and-ball event formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic has not just a name change and bigger purse, but a revival under the direction of former President Bill Clinton, whose foundation has taken over and tried to push better health through positive changes in diet, exercise and lifestyle. Because the Hope was all about wine, women and late-night carousing? One coup for Clinton was getting Greg Norman to compete for the title. "How do you turn down the president?" said Norman. "It's important to get an event like this back to the level it once was." Outside of getting Tiger Woods to commit -- he passed, again -- organizers were able to procure Phil Mickelsen, Zach Johnson, Anthony Kim, David Toms, Trevor Immelman and Bill Haas to challenge defending champ Jhonattan Vegas (above). Last year, Vegas shot 27-under to win as a rookie. Celebs are still welcome, and the field that includes Alice Cooper, Julius Erving, Don Cheadle, Smokey Robinson and Morgan Freeman (no George Lopez?) will will be divided among the La Quinta Country Club, the Palmer Private Course and the Nicklaus Private Course each day. Sunday's final round will have pros only. The key to this PGA event is that it's the first each year in Southern California, making taking some of the thunder from the event in February at Riviera Country Club. Would they ever consider flipping the two?

MONDAY

NBA: Clippers vs. New Jersey, Staples Center, 12:30 p.m., Prime; Lakers vs. Dallas, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., TNT:

The annual MLK doubleheader could have been milked to the max by the Kardashian family. Now, it's just more like an episode of "Modern Family." For starters, Nets center Kris Humphries must be thankful for the early tipoff against the Clippers, since he can get in and out of L.A. before ex-wife Kim even rolls out of bed. As Sports Illustrated's Jack McCallum writes this week, there's been an outpouring of vitriol for Humphries, recently named the NBA's most disliked player, after his 72-day marriage to Kim. McCallum says that the fans who've heckled him with cardboard cutouts of his ex during his games are planting their flag on the "wrong side of this culture war." Not that a guy who used to fart his wife's face during episodes of "Kourtney and Kim Take New York" is to be celebrated. But he's the one who just signed an $8 million contract, and Kim's the one who just got dropped from a Sketchers endorsement.

So then, later in the day, Lamar Odom, husband of Khloe, makes his return as a new non-productive member of the world champion Mavs. Maybe he'll be more distracted by the gossip stories going around that says he spent a night with strippers in a Washington D.C. club last week with Shawn Marion and Delonte West as the Mavs were in town to be celebrated by President Obama at the White House. That happened days after Robert Kardashian's former wife, Jan Ashley, and his widow, Ellen Kardashian, claimed that Khloe was not a Kardashian. As if Odom, averaging just 6.6 points (on 29.5 percent shooting) and 4.8 boards in a career-low 19.8 minutes per game through the Mavericks' first 12 games, isn't having enough problems. There's always drama, isn't there?

TUESDAY

NBA: Clippers at Utah, 6 p.m., Prime:

The Lakers handed the Jazz their first home loss of the season, but needed overtime. The Clippers ... they've only had three roadies so far? Goodness.

NHL: Kings at Vancouver, 7 p.m., FSW:

Sendin alert: Hendrik leads the league in assists, while Daniel isn't far behind, while also in the top 10 in scoring.

WEDNESDAY

NBA: Clippers vs. Dallas, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW, ESPN:

As long as the Mavs are still hanging around in town, might as well make a stay of it, have a sleepover at Lamar's, a visit to the "Tonight Show" and allow Mark Cuban to take one last tour around Dodger Stadium.

THURSDAY

NBA: Lakers at Miami, 5 p.m., TNT:

Kanye West, Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, Landon Donovan, Hope Solo, Larry Fitzgerald, Serena Williams, Jerry Rice and that dude from "Parks and Rec" don't have much of a need to learn how the "Kobe System" works in the new Nike ads. They can surely afford the $180 price tag, though. If they really wanted to make the commercial over-the-top, they could have added LeBron James to the audience, taking copious notes. Anyone who saw a week ago how the Clippers figured out the blueprint on defeating the Heat -- make LeBron go to the free-throw line ASAP with the game on the line -- should give the Lakers some clues. These two national attractions have one more meeting -- at Staples on March 4.

College basketball: UCLA at Oregon State, 7:30 p.m., FSW; USC at Oregon, 6 p.m.:

The Beavers' ability to lead the conference in scoring at 83.7 points a game, field-goal percentage (49) and assists (17.9) seems to contradict their record. Because Craig Robinson's team is still next to last in scoring defense (71.9).

NHL: Kings vs. Calgary, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

The Kings made sure to give coach Darryl Sutter (left) a convincing victory last week in Calgary against his brother, Brent (right), who's coaching the Flames. It was their first matchup as coaches, probably won't be the last -- the teams have two more meetings after this.

FRIDAY

NBA: Lakers at Orlando, 5 p.m., Channel 9, ESPN:

If the Lakers are allowed to leave Andrew Bynum as a deposit and pick up Dwight Howard at a later date, that could be arranged.

NBA: Clippers vs. Minnesota, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime:

A leaner, meaner Kevin Love continues to be among the league leaders in rebounds, and is tops in minutes played, so it shouldn't be such a question any more if he deserves an All-Star selection. The Clippers, meanwhile, are still near the bottom in team rebounds, but Blake Griffin is individually in the top five.

SATURDAY

Motocross: Monster Energy Supercross, Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m.:

The Dodgers have agreed again to cover up the infield with plywood and tarps, bring in the dump trucks and rent out the place for the AMA dirt jumpers. God bless 'em. Here's the only time when loge level seats ($60) are more expensive than field level ($50), pavilion seats ($35) give you a better look than the best dugout-section spots (they aren't even on sale) and kicking back in the top deck ($20) provides the best opportunity to smuggle in medicinal marijuana without drawing much attention. Doors open and qualifying starts at 12:30 p.m. Ear plugs required.

College basketball: UCLA at Oregon, 1 p.m., FSW; USC at Oregon State, 7:30 p.m., Prime:

E.J. Singler scored a 24 points when seventh-seeded Oregon overpowered No. 2 seed UCLA, 76-59, in the Pac-10 tournament quarterfinals at Staples Center last March. Singler is averaging 12.6 a game, second to senior guard and University of Minnesota transfer Devoe Joseph's 15.1 this season for the Ducks, who are 9-2 at home so far.

NHL: Kings vs. Colorado, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Three weeks ago, Avs goalie Semyon Varlamov bested Jonathan Quick in a shootout for a 2-1 win, when the Kings couldn't prevent Ryan O'Reilly from tying the game with 5:43 left in the third period. Colorado is 7-0 in shootouts this year and has lost only once in their last 19. Meanwhile, J.S. Giguere (2.14 GGA) has seen something of a career rebound with the Avs in the nets.

SUNDAY

NFL playoffs: AFC championship: Baltimore at New England, noon, Channel 2; NFC championship: San Francisco at Green Bay, 3:30 p.m., Channel 11:

Now that Tebow is toast, and the Packers hangover is over, those who choose to view this as a harbinger as a Harbaugh Reunion Super Bowl in a couple of weeks overlook a couple of key factors. Such as, the AFC's No. 1 seed is still alive and willing to meet John's Ravens (above), and there's a Giant hurdle in the way for Jim's 49ers (right). Then we can start talking about HarBowl II. Oh, brother.

Running: Rose Bowl Half-Marathon, 8 a.m.:

If you quit halfway through, do you get a quarter's worth of credit on your Boston Marathon application?

NBA: Clippers vs. Toronto, Staples Center, 12:30 p.m., Prime; Lakers vs. Indiana, Staples Center, 6:30 p.m., FSW:

End the week just as it started: A hoopish twin-bill, where Lakers fans noticing the floor under their chairs much stickier from the spilled Clipper slushies that don't always get mopped up.

Pro bowling: PBA Cheetah Open, Fountain Valley, final, 6 p.m.:

PBA Tour rookie and Upland native Josh Blanchard was the guy who took that fall on his approach shot and fell into the gutter during match in Las Vegas last weekend. The 25-year-old's hand got stuck in the ball as he was trying to release it, he lost his balance and he slipped on the oily lane. "I would have never dreamed in a million years that it would have gotten this much attention," he said. "Everything happens for a reason and I'm actually having a lot of fun with it. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to turn it into a positive for the sport." Positively. Now we're watching pro bowling like we do NASCAR -- where's the accidental spinout? Blanchard is competing in this event, so the odds are he might pull it off again. "I've bowled at Fountain Bowl many times and I'm confident I can do
well there," he said. For the first time in its history, PBA will be stream the Cheetah
Open live in its entirety on the www.pba.com's online bowling channel Xtra Frame. After Friday and Saturday qualifying, the top 24 make it to Sunday's match play rounds.

A defender caught in a moment of isolation against Harold Miner must have felt as if he was lost in a dark tunnel without a headlamp.

In his three years as an All-American at USC, from 1990-'92, the man they called "Baby Jordan" and winner of the national college player of the year award could explode baseline for a dunk, back up for a fade-away left-handed jumper or find another way to make the crowd come to its feet.

But once the cheering stopped, Miner was somewhat blindsided.

He had only four seasons in the NBA after the Miami Heat drafted him 12th overall. Despite winning two All-Star dunk contests, he'd logged only 200 games, averaging 9.0 points a contest, his knees giving him constant problems.

It led to his own isolation.

Friends couldn't find him, even though he was nearby in Las Vegas. USC was at a loss on how to ask if the former Inglewood High star who remains the Trojans' all-time leading scorer and owner of 13 school records wanted to come back and have his number retired.

It took awhile, but now Miner is ready.

At halftime of Sunday night's USC-UCLA game at Galen Center, Miner's No. 23 will be officially be lofted, and fans will be given a bobblehead doll in his likeness.

Miner also did us the honor of answering a few questions about how he's handled his time away from the Jordan-esque spotlight, and what he focuses on these days instead:

Where is Jimmy Allen?

Like a 101-yard return.

== More on Allen's NFL career at Pro-Football-Reference.com.

What's in today's weekly media column (linked here): The Top 10/Bottom 5 list of the Southern California sports-talk circuit. KSPN-AM (710)'s Marcellus Wiley, the feature story to go with the list, is the former NFL player who you've likely seen on an ESPN show but has himself a nice future in the media business. As long as he doesn't lose his train of thought. Seriously.

More on Wiley and his career: His Wikipedia page, his Facebook page , his Twitter account (along with a shot of him with Tim Tebow), his ESPN bio and his NFL career stats on Pro-Football-Reference.com.

What's not in today's media column: More quips from Wiley about how life works in his world these days:

Here's your annual heads up.

It starts with a feature on KSPN-AM's Marcellus Wiley that accompanies the Top 10/Bottom 5 list of the local sports-talk guys.

The following weeks will cover the best and worst of the TV anchor/reporters, the radio and TV game analysts, and then the play-by-play guys. And because this is something of a magic number -- we started it at the L.A. Daily News in 1993 -- we'll attempt to do a "whatever happened to" column in mid-February after all this blows over.

Any reader comments before and after are welcome. Email me at thomas.hoffarth@dailynews.com for your favorites and disfavorites, in any category, and we'll weigh it into our decision.

The 2011 lists:
== Radio talk-show hosts
== TV personalities
== Game analysts
== Game play by play

Jim Rome's multi-year deal with CBS to launch a new half-hour show on the network's cable channel, CBS Sports Network, called "Rome" that'll air weekdays at 3 p.m. (PDT) starting April 3 as well as hosting a new sports and entertainment series on Showtime this fall was finally announced this morning.

CBS said Rome will also contribute to network coverage of the NFL, NCAA basketball and U.S. Open tennis, as well as be featured on CBSSports.com.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jim Rome to the CBS family," said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports in a press release. "Jim is a high profile, marquee talent who elevates our overall sports coverage and is a perfect fit within the growing platforms of CBS Sports and Shwtome sports."

Rome replied that he was "ecstatic" and "fired up" for the launch of 'Rome.' "CBS Sports is the pinnacle, and I'm ready to get after it."

Mark Shapiro, Rome's former producer on ESPN2's "Talk 2" long ago who rose to be executive producer of ESPN, is now the chief executive officer of dick clark productions, which will be doing the Showtime side of Rome's activity. Shapiro is the executive producer of both Rome shows for CBS Sports Network and Showtime.

"I look forward to working with the production team and have been searching for an opportunity to work again with Mark Shapiro," said Rome.

The TV side won't change the fact that Rome will continue to host his nationally-syndicated radio program from 9 a.m. to noon (PDT) based on Orange County. It has 244 affiliates.

The Associated Press

The Dodgers and Fox have settled their lawsuit, removing an impediment to the sale of the bankrupt team.

In a motion filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, the Dodgers said they were abandoning their attempt to sell future media rights and will adhere to their contract with Fox's Prime Ticket subsidiary, which has an exclusive negotiating window from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30 this year.

The team said in a statement "this agreement is a significant step towards a successful sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers."

Former Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo, who came over from Japan and opened the doors for future player imports, and famed Pacific Coast League slugger Steve Bilko are among the first-timers to appear on the ballot for the Pasadena-based Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals.

Fifty names listed as eligible candidates for the organization's 14th class induction on July 15, 2012, with Nomo and Bilko among the 10 appearing for the first time. Other noteworthy returning names on the ballot include former Dodgers outfielder Glenn Burke (fifth year on), former UCLA softball pitcher Lisa Fernandez (12th year), Dr. Frank Jobe (10th year), former Dodgers Cy Young Award winning relief pitcher Mike Marshall (seventh year), former Dodgers outfielder Manny Mota (fifth year) and former Angels outfielder Curtis Pride (second year).

Members in good standing with the Baseball Reliquary are eligible to vote. For more information: www.baseballreliquary.org The top three voters by percentage will be inducted.

The 10 first-timers, in alphabetical order, with bios provided by Reliquary executive director Terry Cannon:

UPDATED TUESDAY 10:30 a.m.:

After of years of sidesteping requests to have his likeness cemented in bobblehead fame, Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully has agreed to be one of 10 bobblehead giveaway promotions that Dodgers will stage for the 2012 season, the team announced today.

The Scully bobblehead will come out on Thursday, Aug. 30, when the Dodgers face Arizona. Expect it to be listed as a sellout minutes after the single-game tickets go on sale. And if we're allowed to suggest: Make it in a way that it has one of Vin's call (the Gibson home run?) at the press of a button.

The Dodgers are using the series to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dodger Stadium.

"Since I won't be here for the 100th anniversary, I agreed to do the 50th," Scully said. "Otherwise, I would be open to questions as to why I didn't do it. It's far easier this way."

The rest of the Dodgers' bobblehead list:

==Don Drysdale and Maury Wills: Saturday, April 28 vs. Washington
==Orel Hershiser: Tuesday, May 15 vs. Arizona
==The record-setting infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey: Tuesday, May 29 vs. Milwaukee
== Mike Scioscia: Tuesday, June 12 vs. the Angels
==Eric Karros: Thursday, June 28 vs. the N.Y. Mets
==Tommy Lasorda and Walter Alston: Saturday, July 14 vs. San Diego
==Kirk Gibson: Tuesday, July 31 vs. Arizona
==Sandy Koufax: Tuesday, Aug. 7 vs. Colorado
==Fernando Valenzuela: Tuesday, Aug. 21 vs. San Francisco

Why so many promo nights against the D'backs, the defending NL West champs? One reason, is because they assume Gibson, the team's manager, will be there in July to accept it.

The UCLA store has announced a new line of John Wooden apparel that "embodies the quality of UCLA and the character of a legend."

It's basically a bunch of retro T-shirts, some of which are really pretty neato. And others that, well ....

This $31 tight women's style shirt that asks "What Would Wooden Do?" Perhaps not plaster his name across his breastplate in this fashion. But then, who's to say? We see no NCAA violation in that. If only there was a "WWWD" bracelet to accessorize.

Royalty proceeds from this special collection support the Nell and John R. Wooden Scholarship Fund, awarded each year to a deserving UCLA undergraduate student. So there is a good cause attached to the steep-ish price. For more info, go to this link.

For our $34, we'd be OK wearing the John Wooden Basketball Camp shirt. If only we still had our original.

Highlights of the week ahead in sports, both here and afar:

THIS WEEK'S BEST BET

(AP Photo/Curtis Compton - Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Dwyane Wade, left, and LeBron James, center, who did not play because of injuries, react while on the bench as the Miami Heat defeat the Atlanta Hawks in triple overtime last Thursday in Atlanta.

NBA: Clippers vs. Miami, Wednesday at Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime, ESPN:

In a rivalry week where the Clippers clash with the Lakers, USC reunites with UCLA and even Pepperdine posts up against Loyola Marymount, sorry, but this one has more curb appeal. Even though Dwayne Wade (foot) and LeBron James (ankle) have been questionable on a game-to-game basis lately, the fact that both will likely rise to the occasion to give Chris Paul and Blake Griffin their first real test under the spotlight gives all of reason to pay attention. Of course, the 8-1 Heat, also 5-0 on the road and leading the league in points and assists per game, will be back in L.A. one more time, facing the Lakers on Sunday, March 4. But why wait? This is where it pays to have two NBA teams in one city, especially in a shortened season.

MONDAY

College football: BCS title game in New Orleans: LSU vs. Alabama, 5:30 p.m., ESPN:

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson has gone on the record that if the top-ranked Tigers outlast the second-ranked Crimson Tide to finish 14-0, "I think we will go down as the greatest team." Ever. In college football history. The USC team of 1972, Nebraska's teams of 1971 and '95, and a couple other Alabama teams might have an argument. LSU tailback Michael Ford adds they can be regarded as "arguably the greatest team in college history."
They've beaten eight Top 25 teams, and six of them away from home, including the 9-6 overtime win at Alabama. Since neither team scored a touchdown in that meeting, why wouldn't another fateful kick be in the makings this time? Alabama's Cade Foster (right) missed three of his four attempts last time, including a 52-yarder in OT; LSU won it on a 25-yard field goal by Drew Alleman. We'll see if Alabama coach Nick Saban sticks to his plan to use Foster on kicks of 42 yards or longer and Jeremy Shelley, who had a kick blocked against LSU, on shorter tries. Foster is 2 for 9 this season; Shelley is 16 for 20. LSU coach Les Miles, meanwhile, says that he expects the game to be "big boy football. And I'd expect it to be very, very physical."

NHL: Kings vs. Washington, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Alex Ovechkin makes his only So Cal appearance of the season, having had a seven-game point streak snapped during a loss in San Jose on Saturday night, where he ended up with a minus-3 rating. If the Kings' defense thinks it can do an equally swift job on containing the All-Star Cap, that's fine. But the Kings' offense must do better than 0-for-8 on the power play as it did in the 1-0 loss Saturday against Columbus.

Golf: Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Kapalua, Hawaii, final round, 1 p.m., Golf Channel:

How about Bubba Watson pull himself together and chase down Stricker? All he has to do is make up 15 strokes.

Baseball: Hall of Fame announcement, 11 a.m., The Baseball Network:

Barry Larkin, Jack Morris, Lee Smith and Jeff Bagwell are waiting by the phone. Maybe it's best they find something else to do. Larkin lines up as the leading candidate to gain election to the Cooperstown this time around, having come close a year ago (receiving 62.1 percent of the needed 75 percent, an improvement over 51.6 percent in his first year of eligibility in 2010). While he spent his entire major league career with the Cincinnati Reds from 1986-04, Larkin hit .295 with 198 home runs, 960 RBIs, 2,340 hits and 379 stolen bases. Nice, solid numbers. But Hall worthy? Add in that he won three Gold Gloves and was part of the 1990 championship team. Maybe not. If he is elected, he would be inducted on July 22 with the late Ron Santo, voted in last month by the Veterans Committee. The real intrigue comes in 2013 -- Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are eligible for the first time along with Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling and Sammy Sosa.

TUESDAY

NBA: Lakers vs. Phoenix, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

What's up with this new round of Steve Nash trade rumors? Because the Suns aren't up to par for him anymore? Phoenix is only averaging just 92.9 points a game, 19th best in the league. The team hasn't averaged last than 105 points a game over the last four previous seasons.

NBA: Clippers at Portland, 7 p.m., Prime:

The Clippers are last in the league at 35.3 rebounds a game, about seven more a contest that they're allowing to their opponents. The Blazers are in the top eight at 44.7 boards a game.

WEDNESDAY

NBA: Lakers at Utah, 6 p.m., Channel 9:

The Jazz are 4-0 at home already, a lot of it based on the strength of their bench. Which, remarkably, is led by former UCLA point guard Earl Watson. Yes, he's still around (that's him, right, trying to guard Denver's Andre Miller).

THURSDAY

College basketball: Loyola Marymount at Pepperdine, 7 p.m., ESPNU:

The Lions (9-7, 2-1 in the WCC) and Waves (7-8, 1-3) split their two meetings last year -- each winning at home, each game decided by three points. They're calling this the PCH Cup series now. Sponsored by a local bank. Bank on a tight one.

NBA: Kings vs. Dallas, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

One of Jonathan Quick's league-best six shutouts was against the Stars, but that was back on Oct. 22. Since then, he's given up three goals on two occasions to Dallas, and the Stars have split the previous four meetings.

Golf: PGA Tour Sony Open, Honolulu, first round, 2 p.m., Golf Channel:

The first full-field event of the season should make for some more intriguing results, especially since the Tour moves to Palm Springs after this one.

FRIDAY

NBA: Lakers vs. Cleveland, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Kyrie Irving, the Cavs' 19-year-old rookie point guard out of Duke, has put up about 14 points, five assists and four rebounds a game so far. So Baron Davis was apparently expendable?

SATURDAY

NBA: Lakers at Clippers, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Channel 9, Prime:

If you want the two exhibition games last month to mean something, then the Clippers' 19- and five-point "victories" force the Lakers to do some catching up. The only real news those two meetings produced was Kobe Bryant's wrist injury, which kept him out of the second game and has bothered him since, even though he's averaging 27.8 points, second best in the league. Their only other head-to-head matchups from here: Jan. 25 and April 4.

NFL playoffs: New Orleans at San Francisco, 1:30 p.m., Channel 11; Denver at New England, 5 p.m., Channel 2:

The 49ers' 13-3 finish under new coach Jim Harbaugh is their best since another 13-win season in 1997 under another rookie coach, Steve Mariucci. That team 14 years ago made it to the conference title game before losing to Green Bay, 23-10, at Candlestick Park. The Niners are best in the NFL against the run but rank 16th against the pass, so no matter what rep the Saints have as a road team, they can find an opening here. As for the Patriots defending the No. 1 seed in the AFC against the power of Tim Tebo: Best of luck to no matter what team has to match up against Tom Brady in frosty New England. As "Jesus"/Jason Sudeikis said in that "Saturday Night Live" sketch a month ago when he was trying to tell Tebow to tone it down a little bit: Brady is, if not the son of God, at least his nephew. That was right before the Patriots' Week 15 win over the Broncos, 41-23, in Denver.

NHL: Kings at Calgary, 7 p.m., FSW:

These two teams didn't even face each other at all in the first half of the season; now they have four meetings in the second half. Jarome Iginla scored his 500th career goal the other night in a win against Minnesota -- you think the Kings are still interested in adding his offensive punch to their lineup in some kind of trade?

SUNDAY

College basketball: UCLA at USC, Galen Center, 6 p.m., FSW:

On the night that the Trojans honor former star Harold Miner by retiring his No. 23 jersey and handing out bobbleheads in his likeness, it doesn't hurt that USC has won four of the last five meetings against the Bruins. Miner's USC teams beat UCLA four times in six tries during his three seasons from 1990-92. As a freshman, he hit a free throw with 30 seconds left to secure a 76-75 upset over the 16th-ranked Bruins. In Feb., '92, Miner had 29 points and a season-best 13 rebounds as the 13th-ranked Trojans stunned the fourth-ranked Bruins, 83-79, beating them for the second time that season before a sellout of more than 15,000 at the Sports Arena. "UCLA has such a great program, and for our team to beat a team the caliber of UCLA is unbelievable," Miner said after that second win. "I know it's a longshot that we would beat them twice, but our team comes out and fights and we always believe we can win in any situation."

NFL playoffs: Houston at Baltimore, 10 a.m., Channel 2; N.Y. Giants at Green Bay, 1:30 p.m., Channel 11:

The Packers reached the playoffs as the sixth seed in the NFC last season, then went on the road to Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago, knocking out the conference's top three seeds en route to their Super Bowl title. They've got a completely different trip this time -- can the top seed in the conference handle the extra Lambeau Leap pressure every week from here on? Of the last six Super Bowl champions, four of them had to play in the first round of the playoffs. "I was so amused with all the talk about the No. 1 seeds," said Randy Cross, the former Crespi High and UCLA star who played his entire career with the 49ers. "Who wants to be a No. 1 seed these days? When do they ever win anymore? That just puts a bigger target on you. Do you want to be on a roll or do you want to be rested? Being rested has become more like being rusted." Meanwhile, rookie Texans QB T.J. Yates should get steamed alive on the road in Crab City.

NHL: Kings at Edmonton, 5 p.m., FSW:

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers' 18-year-old rookie center who put up 13 goals and 22 assists in the team's first 38 games, was included in the recent ESPN magazine in their "Next" issue, touting the stars of the future. Meaning, he's the next big deal in the NHL. Next up: Another trip to the trainers' room, as he's expected to miss the next few weeks with a separated shoulder.

Tennis: Australian Open first round, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2:

The "news" scroll on the Aussie Open website notes that "Andy Roddick is in Melbourne with a new Mohawk haircut." Roddick, who has eight months left in his life before he turns 30, may be having one of those end-of-career crisis situations. In the 2011 event, Roddick registered 76 aces, second most in the whole event. But he lost in the fourth round. Novak Djokovic needed only 51 aces to win it all and go on to finish 70-6 overall with 10 titles and three majors.

Jon SooHoo/L.A. Dodgers
Dr. Frank Jobe, center, meets with with Tommy John, left, and Orel Hershiser in 2008 at Dodger Stadium -- the two Dodgers pitchers whose careers he was able to extend through breakthrough surgery.

No matter how many athletes' lives he may have improved with his orthoscopic breakthroughs, Dr. Frank Jobe's legacy in the sports world will be likely defined by three words: Tommy John surgery.

Nearly 200 Major League Baseball players - not all of them pitchers -- have had their careers extended by the ulnar collateral ligament replacement surgery in their elbow, one that Jobe decided to try with the 31-year-old John, then a Dodgers left-handed pitcher in 1974 who was on the verge of retirement.

John went on to pitch another 14 more years and win 164 more games than the 124 he won in the previous 12 seasons.

Another Dodgers All-Star, Orel Hershiser, came up with an unstable right shoulder in 1990, also at age 31. He added 10-plus seasons after Jobe figured out a way to reconstruct the ligaments in the rotator cuff and joint.

In recognition of his lifetime contribution to the sport, Jobe will be given the Dave Winfield Humanitarian Award by the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation at their annual "In The Spirit of the Game" banquet at the Century Plaza Hotel on Jan. 14.

The soon-to-be 87 year old (see his bio here) who holds the title of Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Dodgers has retired from practice, but is often consulting with patients and doctors at the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic near Culver City.

He showed his patience by answering some of our questions in light of his pending honor:

Q: It's been said that you've done more than 1,000 Tommy John surgeries yourself and have changed or saved the career of 1,800 athletes with your orthopaedic procedures. Does that sound accurate?

A: Well, it might even be more. The reason I say that, is just from this particular operation that's been named after Tommy John, it's hard to know really how many you did. After we started doing them, and found they could be successful, and the failure rate was fairly low, people all over the country started doing them - maybe one or two a week now.
The practice load lends itself to doing this on baseball players because there are so many more of them than in other sports - and on so many levels. I know James Andrews (a famous colleague in Alabama), who works for the Cincinnati Reds, does many operations for those who aren't on the professional level.

L.A. Dodgers file photo

Q: Talk us through how you were able to convince Tommy John to do that first experimental operation and how nervous you must have been about doing it. You gave him a one-percent chance of recovery at the time, and about an 18-month recovery period. Why would he have taken that?

A: I think the discussion about the surgery itself was a very interesting thing. Should I have done it or shouldn't I? Every circumstance is different. Tommy happened to be in my office talking, and we already had told him about all the potential complications. I was ready to sign his papers for retirement. I wasn't even sure I should have brought (the operation idea) up in our conversation. I had no idea if it would be successful. I really wasn't sure. We got to a point where we kind of looked at each other and he said, 'That makes sense, let's do it.' I think those were the three words that changed the course of baseball medicine for the rest of time. 'Let's do it.'

He had so much expression in his voice when he said it. So, I put it on the schedule. We did it. And really, the rehab was all up to Bill Buhler (the Dodgers team trainer). He spent a lot of time in the training room, creating a lot of special exercises for his upper extremity. A year passed, he was able to pitch again, and he got people out.
But I didn't do another one for about a year, maybe longer. I thought maybe it was a fluke. I thought we probably would never do another one again. I really waited a long time before the next one - and that worked, so more and more happened.

Q: So what would have happened if that first pitcher who had the surgery wasn't named Tommy John? What if it was Van Lingo Mungo? Or J.J. Putz? Tim Spooneybarger? Would that have changed the popularity of the surgery moving forward? Shouldn't it have been called the Frank Jobe surgery?

A: I've often thought that same thought. It's such a nice name, Tommy John. It rolls off the tongue very nicely. I thought about (Frank Jobe surgery), too, but I think it works better as 'Tommy John,' don't you? When we'd do them in the office, we'd have a player come in and we'd start describing it to him as, well, 'we're taking a ligament and grafting it to this and . . . like what we did to Tommy John.' So that's when they knew what we meant. After a while, everyone was calling it that. It's nice. It just fits.

Q: What about the revolutionary shoulder reconstruction you did years later for Orel Hershiser. Wasn't that just as important in your eyes -- especially since it was more complicated and had so many more moving parts -- as the elbow reconstruction with Tommy John? Does it get overlooked somewhat?

A: That really was something that kind of gets put in the shadows. We had great results with it, and it was groundbreaking. That was due to the advancements in arthroscopic surgery where you could do more without cutting so much tissue. That cut down on the time it took and eliminated a lot of unnecessary surgery. But you're right. It turned out to be a great surgery.

Q: How have either of the surgery procedures changed much over the years?

A: The Tommy John surgery hasn't changed very much. It's quite the same. The doctors have learned how to make incisions carefully. The Orel Hershiser surgery doesn't even start the same way anymore. It's all done inside the shoulder, and getting there is a very different thing.

Q: You started working with the Dodgers in 1964 - when Sandy Koufax was in his prime. Do you ever wonder what kind of career he could have had if he had access to this kind of medical technology just 10 years earlier?

A: I've seen him many times in spring training, and, sure, he's brought it up. He'd say, 'Why didn't you do that on me?' He knows that the problems he had with his elbow were the same (with Tommy John). If he had just been a little younger, maybe we could have taken advantage of it. But we simply didn't know what do for them back then (before he retired in 1966). He pitched at that time with an elbow that hurt him every time he pitched, and it wasn't a good thing to happen. Maybe if he could have waited three more years, we'd have been able to do more.

Q: Is there a false perception that those who have the elbow surgery come out stronger than they were beforehand after a year off and with all the training involved?

A: That is the perception, but it's a wrong one. The stronger reason is they come out and work harder in rehab so much better now than they did years ago. I see people all the time who bring their kids in and ask, 'Can you fix him?' I have to spend the time telling them that Tommy John wasn't strong because of the surgery, it was the rehab. You had the same muscles working in the same order.

Q: Are there certain pitchers who are more susceptible to joint injuries than others? Can someone who throws sidearm or submarine be better off? Or even someone who throws a knuckleball?

A: It really is about exposing a weak area in the arm. A submariner might need repairs on certain things, just a knuckleball pitcher.

Q: One of the latest techniques used to repair a pitcher's arm seems to be going toward bone marrow stem cells, which is what the Yankees' Bartolo Colon had some success with, albeit with some controversy. Is that the 'next big thing' in athlete treatment?

A: There's a lot conversation about it, and maybe there's a lot of truth to it. But I don't think we know enough to understand enough about it, if that makes sense. We can't understand what we don't know.

Q: You were inspired to be a doctor when you joined the Army and worked in a medical supply unit in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. You watched how doctors saved other soldiers' lives. Do you ever think about what you might have done with your professional career had you not gravitated toward the medical field?

A: I really don't know. I signed up for the Army when I was 18 and right out of high school. I didn't think of anything else. I thought I'd decide once I got out. The doctors I saw were 36, 38 years old. I thought I could go back to school and do something worthwhile. So I headed to medical school.

Q: There's been talk over the last few years that you deserve to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for your contributions to the sport. Do you feel worthy of that honor?

A: I'd be happy to accept it. I'm not sure if I know what 'worthy' means. It's been a wonderful 38 years (since the John surgery) , and if (the Hall acknowledge) happened, that would be a beautiful thing. I'd be very proud and happy about it.

L.A. Dodgers file photo

== More information on the Professional Baseball Scouts' "Spirit of the Game" awards ceremony set for Jan. 14 at the Century Plaza Hotel: http://www.pbsfonline.com/event.php

The Calabasas-based organization founded by Dennis Gilbert that helps retired baseball scouts is also honoring longtime scouts Donald Pries and Bill Livesey with the George Genovese Lifetime Achievement Award in Scouting, Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland (Tommy Lasorda Managerial Award), Frank Robinson (Player Lifetime Achievement Award), Johnny Bench (Scout's Dream Award), Al Rosen (Bud Selig Executive Leadership Award) and the Tim Wallach Family (The Ray Boone Family Award).

Amidst reports that Jim Rome was leaving his ESPN2 show after eight years and moving over to the CBS Sports Network, the host of "Jim Rome Is Burning" offered only a message on his Twitter account at about 5 p.m. today: "I want to thank ESPN for the opportunity to host JRIB & all the support I received over the years. I'm looking forward to future endeavors."

ESPN confirmed Rome's last TV appearance on the network will be January 27 and said in a statement: "Jim has been a valuable part of the ESPN family for most of the last two decades. We wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor."

Jim Miller, co-author of the book "They Have All The Fun" on the oral history of ESPN, tweeted out as well that he was told the offer for Rome to stay at ESPN was in the $1.3 million to $1.4 million a year.

Reports are that Rome, a Calabasas High grad born in Tarzana, makes upwards to $20 million a year hosting his weekday morning syndicated radio show for the Premiere Radio Network, based in the San Fernando Valley.

Since TheBigLead reported this morning (linked here) that Jim Rome was ready to exit ESPN ASAP after eight years when his "JRIB" contract ends -- and then scoot over to much-more-difficult-to-locate CBS Sports Network -- there's been an interesting array of blip and blurb reporting done about whether this is true or not, since Rome hasn't confirmed or denied.

Especially intriguiing is the Twitter-twatter on the subject.

Jim Miller, author of the "They Have All The Fun" book last year about the oral history of ESPN, has tweeted that "ESPN offered a lot of $ for Rome to stay, but it was too little too late." Miller also writes: "Jim Rome evidently found out he was being moved to ESPN2 when they came out to do a promo campaign for the show. ESPN2 was in the script."

We've known that Rome was not happy with the switch from ESPN to ESPN2 months ago.

John Ourand of the Sports Business Daily adds: "Source confirms CBS and Jim Rome are talking but deal isn't finalized."

Attempts to reach Rome, who just finished his national radio show and is en route to do his ESPN2 TV show, will be continued.

Rome's only recent tweet is about how Forbes did a story about him and his horse racing endeavors (linked here).

We already predicted in today's media column that Charles Barkley wouldn't be doing Weight Watchers very much longer.

Maybe that process was just sped up.

Barkley, doing his prep work before hosting NBC's "Saturday Night Live" this week, thought the cameras, and audio, was off during a time out while covering the Atlanta-Miami game for TNT last night.

They weren't:

How is what Barkley says off the air any different than on the air?

Seriously, this kind of publicity for Weight Watchers is worth its weight in Barkley's trousers.

Angela Rypien of the Seattle Myst, who we featured in a column last month (linked here) as well as a Q-and-A (linked here), is the one wearing No. 11 in this promo filmed in the Las Vegas desert:

2012 Lingerie Bowl Commercial (Extended Directors Cut) from LFL Films on Vimeo.

What's included in today's year-opening sports media column (linked here): Predictions for the 2012 sports media year. Focused more on how the time is now to batton down the hatches for Time Warner Cable's list of intended goals. That creepy logo just won't stop looking at us.

What's not included:
== A reminder that the reminted NBC Sports Network (formerly Versus) has several reairs of its outstanding 90-minute documentary "Cold War on Ice: Summit Series '72" that debuted on Jan. 2, revisiting the eight-game series 40 years ago between the Canadian NHL All Stars and the USSR national team." Ross Greenburg, the former head of HBO Sports, produced this one for the NBC Sports networks.
== CBS Sports Network will reair of the 90-minute Showtime documentary "A Game of Honor" narrated by Gary Sinise on Sunday at 7 p.m., highlighting the season-long journey of the Army and Navy players leading up to their annual rivalry football game.
== The New York Times reports that the Nov. 4 New York Marathon will announce a new TV deal with ESPN2.
== Daily Variety reports (linked here) that Fox Sports will start its own original programming division.

CharlotteObserver.com

Maybe the reason why the Lakers didn't sign former UCLA star Baron Davis as a backup point guard recently was because they knew something that other NBA teams didn't.

The Charlotte Observer observed something else when reporting on why Davis, now a member of the New York Knicks, wasn't in uniform when playing Charlotte's Bobcats on Wednesday night.

From USA Today's "Game On!" blog (linked here), the explanation of why the Observer referred to a "herniated disc" as something far more serious had to come from the newspaper's damage-control team. In this case, from executive sports editor Mike Persinger (linked here):

"Observer reporter Rick Bonnell wrote the preview box, and in it he wrote that Davis, a former Charlotte Hornet, is recovering from a 'herniated disc' in his back. The box was edited by an experienced copy editor, the reporter's first line of defense, and moved along in the production process as written.

"Baron, get well soon."

Davis tweeted out: "Thanks Charlotte Observer for announcing my new injury. Still able to workout with it. Lol." He added: "That was a joke people. Excuse the person from the Observer who made a Typo. I was Just having fun. My Goldmember is not herinated. Lol."

Reader response to the typo on the Observer website included:

From mfrost503: "At least the typo wasn't made with a bulging disc."

From Parker Ciambrone: "They say 'Please refrain from profanity, obscenity' in the comments, but they can put it in the paper?"

On Dino Costa's SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio show Wednesday night, Larry King discussed how things are shaking out for those who want to be the next owner of the Dodgers:

"I am part of ... Dennis Gilbert's group. I think there'll be about seven groups bidding. It's going to go over a billion. (Steven) Cohen, from New York, big hedge fund guy, he's in. Magic Johnson has a great group with him. Spoke to Magic the other day and he's very ... everyone thinks they are going to get it. They vetted everyone. What they're doing this year, is they vet you before the bidding so that once the bid is accepted by (Frank) McCourt and the bankruptcy judge and the league, you're in. It used to be that you were in and then they vetted you. Now, they pre-vet you.

"(The bidding's) going to go over a billion. McCourt will pay off his debts. He'll probably come out making about $200 million and leaving the town ... The investors, it's not just you buy it for a billion. Then you've got to put money in. You know, we should be, the Los Angeles Dodgers, should be bidding on [Prince] Fielder. We're the Los Angeles Dodgers! It's the second biggest city in America. It's got great baseball history. It's a shame that's what it has become."

Warren Olney was generous to give me a few minutes on his "Which Way L.A." show on KCRW-FM 89.9 to talk about the latest in the Dodgers ownership situation.

Most of what was discussed will be in Thursday's editions of the L.A. Daily News. When it's still nice and fresh to read.

Go to the station website at this link: http://www.kcrw.com/media-player/mediaPlayer2.html?type=live&id=kcrwlive. Click on the "Which Way L.A." show from Wednesday Jan. 4 and the interview is about one minute in.

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Joe Torre, right, talks with Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig during a news conference last February to announce Torre's new position as the MLB executive vice president of baseball operations, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Unless Manny Ramirez can convince his knitting circle to form an LLC and submit a robust business plan, there can't be any more surprise entries in the Dodgers ownership sweepstakes.

Because for now, these fans are just fanning the flames away from the next smokescreen investment group.

Highlights of the week ahead in sports, both here and afar:

THIS WEEK'S BEST BET

NFL wildcard playoffs:
Saturday -- Cincinnati at Houston, 1:30 p.m., Ch. 4; Detroit at New Orleans, 5 p.m., Ch. 4.
Sunday -- Atlanta at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m., Ch. 11; Pittsburgh at Denver, 1:30 p.m., Ch. 2:

Take a knee and thank the TV gods that Tim Tebow's season isn't over. One of the great storylines of this NFL season has been born again - barely. Give the Denver quarterback a rock and slingshot and maybe he and the Broncos have a chance of taking down the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC wildcard opener. But probably not. Which makes this one all the more compelling. Despite Tebow's ability to will the Broncos into contention for the AFC West title, they claimed their first playoff trip since 2005 despite having lost their last three in a row and watching the Raiders and Chargers give away their shots at snatching it away only because of a tier of tie-breakers. It's cause for pause and reflection. Or, as the Global Language Monitor recently acknowledged as an English language word, Tebowing. The website recently said that the word "Tebowing" is about as hot in the language this year as "Obamamania" was in 2008. The word apparently first made an appearance on Oct. 23, when he kneeled after leading the Broncos to an overtime win against Miami. "Sports have become significant generators of new cultural trends and memes that transcend the athletic arena," said Paul JJ Payack, president and chief word analyst of the Global Language Monitor. "The ESPN sports broadcasting network has widely championed the word. Jared Kleinstein's tebowing.com website devoted to people posing in the 'tebowing position' has been wildly popular. The New York Times has recently carried an editorial on the subject and the Chinese search engine, Baidu.com, already has hundreds of citations for tebowing." One other QB who could be thankful for being the postseason: Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, who made it, while Oakland's Carson Palmer, the guy he replaced, didn't.

MONDAY

College football: Rose Bowl in Pasadena: Oregon vs. Wisconsin, 2 p.m., ESPN:

Don't worry. The Rose Bowl Flea Market will take place as scheduled this week on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There may be some old stuffed badgers to pick over. The last two losers of the Rose Bowl will return to see if they can get it right. Two-time Big Ten champion Wisconsin lost the Rose Bowl to TCU last year. Three-time Pac-12 champion Oregon was busted up by Ohio State two years ago before falling in the BCS title game last January.

College football: Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.: Stanford vs. Oklahoma State, 5:30 p.m., ESPN; TicketCity Bowl in Dallas: Penn State vs. Houston, 9 a.m., ESPNU; Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla.: Michigan State vs. Georgia, 10 a.m., Channel 7; Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla.: Nebraska vs. South Carolina, 10 a.m., ESPN; Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.: Ohio State vs. Florida, 10 a.m., ESPN2:

Remember when the Fiesta Bowl was in jeopardy of being taken out of the BCS rotation after a scandal over bogus political campaign contributions and expense reimbursements got longtime game CEO John Junker fired? Now it has the best match up outside the BCS title game between LSU and Alabama. Let the tortilla chips fall where they may.

NHL Winter Classic: N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, noon, Channel 4:

Ryan Howard with some eyeblack in the Flyers' net at Citizens Bank Ballpark might be the home team's best chance in the annual outdoor game, as coach Peter Laviolette has been juggling goalies Ilya Bryzgalov and Sergei Bobrovsky. Some 44,000 are expected to pack it into the baseball stadium, where it's ideal for hockey: A predicted high of 41 degrees with a 20 percent chance of rain. They've already moved the faceoff back two hours from the original time to make sure it's optimial playing conditions.

NHL: Kings vs. Colorado, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Figure out a way to play this outdoors on the LA Live rink, and we'll be right over. The Kings have won four of their last six with new coach Darryl Sutter and somehow snuck into the Pacific Division lead, although their record is only eighth-best-range in the Western Conference. Darryl Evans, the Kings' radio analyst and the man who ended with "Miracle On Manchester" with his overtime goal, will be honored as part of the team's Legends Night Series. Read more at this link.

TUESDAY

NBA: Lakers vs. Houston, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

What was Kevin McHale thinking when he agreed to coach these Rockets of Houston?

College football: Sugar Bowl in New Orleans: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech, 5:30 p.m., ESPN:

The Sugar Bowl committee decided to take the 13th-ranked Wolverines and 17th-ranked Hokies, passing up No. 8 Boise State and No. 11 Kansas State in the process and putting their credibility on the line. "We thought every team we had an opportunity to select presented us with certain unique credentials," Sugar Bowl chief executive officer Paul Hoolahan said. "In the final analysis, we just felt the two teams we have chosen really give us in the long run the best opportunity to put together a matchup that will provide a very exciting football game." Tech, meanwhile, has has trouble selling its 17,500-ticket allotment.

WEDNESDAY

NBA: Clippers vs. Houston, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Chances of Chauncey Billups being up to playing in this one? Check his groin yourself.

College football: Orange Bowl in Miami: Clemson vs. West Virginia, 5:30 p.m., ESPN:

The 15th-ranked Tigers and 23rd-ranked Mountaineers made it this far. They might as well let them play it.

THURSDAY

College basketball: UCLA vs. Arizona, Honda Center, 8 p.m., Prime; USC vs. Arizona State, Galen Center, 7:30 p.m.:

The Wooden Classic, in early January? That's how UCLA decided to digest it this year rather than have it against a non-conference foe in December. So this one against the defending Pac-10 champ Wildcats is designated as the annual event to honor the legendary coach. "We just want to kind of keep it going and hopefully next year we'll get a chance to get it back more on course with four teams and two games," said Nan Muehlhausen, Wooden's daughter.

College basketball: BYU at Loyola Marymount, 6 p.m., Prime:

These post-Jimmer Cougars are playing their first season in the West Coast Conference, and already have a win over USD. The Lions (8-6) won their conference opener against USF on Saturday.

NBA: Lakers at Portland, 7:30 p.m., Channel 9, TNT:

The Blazers, which started 3-0 before losing to the Clippers last Sunday, may be even better without Brandon Roy.

NHL: Kings vs. Phoenix, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

Last matchup: A 4-3 win against the Coyotes on the day after Christmas, against former Kings goalie Jason LaBarbara.

High school football: Under Armor All-American Game, 4:30 p.m., ESPN:

Taft of Woodland Hills defensive tackle/offensive guard Antwaun Woods, committed to playing at USC next season, will be part of this annual exhibition in St. Petersburg, Fla.

FRIDAY

NBA: Lakers vs. Golden State, 7:30 p.m., Staples Center, FSW:

Lakers radio analyst Mychal Thompson gets to see his son, Klay, play for the first time in person as an NBA player. The Warriors took him in the first round out of Washington State. Thompson's other son, Mychel, out of Pepperdine, has stuck with Cleveland so far.

College football: Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Tex.: Kansas State vs. Arkansas, 5 p.m. Channel 11:

The sixth-ranked Razorbacks were left out of a BCS bowl because of a rule that precludes three teams from a single conference from making a BCS game. Then again, the Cotton Bowl should be a BCS game, and the Fiesta shouldn't.

SATURDAY

College basketball: UCLA vs. Arizona State, Honda Center, 7:30 p.m., FSW:

The last time the Bruins were 0-3 to start conference play was in 1987-88, yet that team rebounded to finish 12-6 and tie for second in the conference. However, they missed the NCAA Tournament, and it cost Walt Hazzard his coaching job.

NHL: Kings vs. Columbus, Staples Center, 1 p.m., FSW:

The two just met back on Dec. 15, when the Kings nabbed a 2-1 win with a pair of third-period goals to end a five-game losing streak.

NBA: Clippers vs. Milwaukee, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., Prime:

Brandon Jennings (22.7 points a game so far) seems to be feeling like his old self again for the Bucks.

Series: "Saturday Night Live," 11:35 p.m., Channel 4:

Charles Barkley is the host. Or if he's a no show, it's Keenan Thompson dressed as Charles Barkley. Sir Charles hosted the show's first 2010 episode as well, 16 years after he did his first one coming off an MVP season with the Phoenix Suns.

College football: BVAA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.: SMU vs. Pittsburgh, 10 a.m., ESPN:

SMU coach June Jones thought he had the once vacant Arizona State job. Then the school turned him down and took Pitt coach Todd Graham, who talked to ASU officials after Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson declined to give him permission to do so. Graham then sent a text massages to his players that he was leaving after just one season.

High school football: U.S. Army All-American Bowl, 10 a.m., Channel 4:

Locals involved in this one include Oaks Christian defensive back Ishmael Adams (headed to UCLA) and receiver Jordan Payton (pictured), plus Crespi offensive guard Jordan Simmons (USC) at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

SUNDAY

NBA: Lakers vs. Memphis, Staples Center, 6:30 p.m., FSW:

Gasol vs. Gasol, once again.

College basketball: USC vs. Arizona, Galen Center, 2:30 p.m., FSW:

The Wildcats' Solomon Hill (Fairfax High) comes back home as the team's top scorer, rebounder and assist man.

College football: GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala.: Northern Illinois vs. Arkansas State, 6 p.m., ESPN:

The MAC and Sun Belt champions get to play on the eve of the national title game. You go, daddy.