Bleh, doesn't sound good. Management better hope D'Antoni wins this year. Phil Jackson chimes in on what happened:
Quote:
"Saturday morning, [Lakers executive] Jim Buss called to ask if he could come and visit. I didn't solicit or ask for the opportunity but I welcomed both him and [team executive] Mitch Kupchak into my home to discuss the possibility of my return to the Lakers as head coach," Jackson said.
"We talked for over an hour and a half. No contractual terms were discussed and we concluded with a handshake and an understanding that I would have until Monday [today] to come back to them with my decision. I did convey to them that I did have the confidence that I could do the job. I was awakened at midnight Sunday by a phone call from Mitch Kupchak. He told me that the Lakers had signed Mike D'Antoni to a three-year agreement and that they felt he was the best coach for the team. The decision is of course theirs to make. I am gratified by the groundswell of support from the Laker fans who encouraged my return and it is the principal reason why I considered the possibility." [...]
Jackson's agent, Todd Musburger, added that media coverage portraying Jackson as being full of demands was inaccurate.
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"It has not been a good day. I lost my glasses early this morning and I had to go buy a pair of 79 dollar reading glasses today. 79 bucks. You can literally get them at Costco, three-for-20." - Darryl Sutter's response to going up 2-0 in the series.
So there have been some rumors on satelite radio that Buss made this move drunk. According to friends he was heavily intoxicated and talking irratic, then the next morning they hear that a decision and contract had been established by the time they woke up.
This coinsides with both Phil Jackson and D'Antoni being shocked and taken off guard with Buss's decision.
I agree with you regarding the access to DS. What are the chances the new ownership negotiates with MTA to build a rail access to the stadium? That'd be ****ing sweet. I mean, the Dodger Express bus is nice, but the bus still has to share the streets with the LA traffic and beat it. Some people are just not willing to pay for overpriced parking (like me).
The Blue Line has helped Staples Center's attendance grow.
Maybe 10 years ago (pre-McCourt), a ex-coworker worked at an arch/eng firm and they did a feasability study to build light rail up to the stadium.
Results were that it's too steep of a hill to get light rail up there. Oh well.
Remember a few months ago there was the article that Arte Moreno was looking to possibly build a new Angels Stadium in downtown L.A.? Well, why couldn't the Dodgers do that? Build a new Dodger Stadium somewhere near Staples Center or Union Station and/or light rail station. I have realized that up on the hill is not a good location at all - it's way too isolated. Bring the Dodgers down to L.A. to become part of the city.
Turn Chavez Ravine back into housing, like it used to be. (did I just say that?)
What kind of contract are you expecting Ryu will receive? Man, I hope it's less than 6 years.
I'm really hungry for a WS championship. Knowing the Giants now have 7 championships while we've been stuck with 6 for 24 years now is irritating.
My money is on Toronto after they stole Miami. Any chance the tax payers sue the Marlins owner? Seems like fraud to me, build a stadium, bring in high profile players, a high profile coach and by the next season they have a minor league team again and poor Giancarlo Stanton all by his lonesome.
My money is on Toronto after they stole Miami. Any chance the tax payers sue the Marlins owner? Seems like fraud to me, build a stadium, bring in high profile players, a high profile coach and by the next season they have a minor league team again and poor Giancarlo Stanton all by his lonesome.
You bring up some good points, but what does your reply have to do with my post?
BTW, the Dodger Stadium renovations include HD scoreboards. The Left Field screen will no longer look like an iPhone. Both boards might have the same shape:
You bring up some good points, but what does your reply have to do with my post?
BTW, the Dodger Stadium renovations include HD scoreboards. The Left Field screen will no longer look like an iPhone. Both boards might have the same shape:
That shot of Dodgers Stadium reminds me... I must kill the queen...
Maybe 10 years ago (pre-McCourt), a ex-coworker worked at an arch/eng firm and they did a feasability study to build light rail up to the stadium.
Results were that it's too steep of a hill to get light rail up there. Oh well.
Remember a few months ago there was the article that Arte Moreno was looking to possibly build a new Angels Stadium in downtown L.A.? Well, why couldn't the Dodgers do that? Build a new Dodger Stadium somewhere near Staples Center or Union Station and/or light rail station. I have realized that up on the hill is not a good location at all - it's way too isolated. Bring the Dodgers down to L.A. to become part of the city.
Turn Chavez Ravine back into housing, like it used to be. (did I just say that?)
Yeah, they can start by tearing down that piece of **** that is the Coliseum and plop it right over there. Or they could knock down some of the other many dilipated buildings and DTLA and gentrify it like AEG has done with STaples/LA Live. People bring up traffic issues in DTLA as if Dodger Stadium is currently in the boondocks. It is right smack in the middle of some major freeway interchanges.
Angels' Flight is less than a mile away. They couldn't do that, adding on to the last light-rail station?
Angel's Flight goes less than 100 yards up a steep hill with no physical barriers in the way. DS is maybe 2 miles from LAUS, over many streets, buildings and houses, and the 110 fwy. Then there's the long steep hill. I think it's steeper than Angel's Flight.
I don't know the answer - maybe they tunnel throught the hill and surface near the top of the stadium? ($$$$) hmm, or in the parking lot behind the RF pavilion?
Maybe build one of those large gondolas like in NYC. Have a capacity of 400 per trip from LAUS to DS...? But the cost of that would be huge, especially considering seismic design, and the fact it would only be used when there's a Dodger game. Oh yeah, that.
I don't know why people cling to Dodger Stadium so much. I'm not a fan of it at all. Last time I was there I couldn't even fit my knees in the seats. They were jammed up against the seat in front of me and I'm only 6 ft tall. Angel Stadium used to seem all old and run down in the 90's and they really fixed it up. Renovating Dodger stadium is like polishing a turd.
You bring up some good points, but what does your reply have to do with my post?
BTW, the Dodger Stadium renovations include HD scoreboards. The Left Field screen will no longer look like an iPhone. Both boards might have the same shape:
You brought up world series, I don't think the Dodgers are close right now. If they can get Greinke I think they are legit contenders but Hunter to Detroit is solid along with Victor Martinez coming back, you still have the Giants, there are a lot of good baseball teams out there. Not sure signing Ryu is a key to winning a ring.
The real test starts this weekend. Road games against Chicago, OKC, and San Antonio.
EDIT: The Chicago game is at home. The 6pm start confused me, thinking it was a road game. Apparently, the original 12:30 start was no longer needed since the Kings' game against Tampa Bay is cancelled. I had to be reminded of the damn lockout.
Last edited by Rafa Nadal: 11-15-2012 at 12:57 AM.
You brought up world series, I don't think the Dodgers are close right now. If they can get Greinke I think they are legit contenders but Hunter to Detroit is solid along with Victor Martinez coming back, you still have the Giants, there are a lot of good baseball teams out there. Not sure signing Ryu is a key to winning a ring.
Adding Carl Crawford to last season's team is a huge bonus.
Seriously if they can get any decent pitcher, they'll be a contender for sure.
I don't know why people cling to Dodger Stadium so much. I'm not a fan of it at all. Last time I was there I couldn't even fit my knees in the seats. They were jammed up against the seat in front of me and I'm only 6 ft tall. Angel Stadium used to seem all old and run down in the 90's and they really fixed it up. Renovating Dodger stadium is like polishing a turd.
I love DS for the nostalgia. I love the symmetry of the stadium, the sightlines and the views.
However, I recognize what a new ballpark could do for the team and the fanbase *if it is done well*.
Keep in mind the huge increase in ticket prices that come with it (see: AT&T Park).
Adding Carl Crawford to last season's team is a huge bonus.
Seriously if they can get any decent pitcher, they'll be a contender for sure.
It's too bad Jake Peavy signed an extension with the Red Sox right after the regular season. He would've been cheaper than Sanchez and Greinke. Plus, he is a beast in the NL West especially at DS.
By cheap, I mean, the length of the contract. Peavy's 2-year deal is worth $29 million.
The real test starts this weekend. Road games against Chicago, OKC, and San Antonio.
EDIT: The Chicago game is at home. The 6pm start confused me, thinking it was a road game. Apparently, the original 12:30 start was no longer needed since the Kings' game against Tampa Bay is cancelled. I had to be reminded of the damn lockout.
Chicago will be a real test, home court or not. Stingiest defense in the NBA.
