James’ contract extension hardly a championship move
I can’t believe I am saying these words, but Bill Plaschke is 100% correct about the Lakers extending LeBron. They will stay mediocre for the next two, maybe three years. Any Lakers fan who thinks this is a good idea doesn’t really want to win. I am a longtime fan who watched the ’80s Lakers and the Shaq-Kobe Lakers compete and win championships. Now we are a sideshow. Sad.
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Larry Estis Oceanside
With his new contract, LeBron James makes more in 15 minutes than I do all year. The astonishing salaries of many professional athletes make the actual game in which they participate inconsequential. As Bob Dylan said, “I used to care, but things have changed.”
Kevin H. Park Westlake Village
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Arguably the greatest team owner in sports, Dr. Jerry Buss once had a dilemma. The Lakers had two popular, future Hall of Famers, and one of them had to go.
He made the correct, not easiest decision, for the best long-term good. He said goodbye to Shaq.
This week we are reminded how much we miss the good doctor.
Jeff Belated Chatsworth
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I know Bill Plaschke has unconditional love for the late Kobe Bryant and is not so crazy about LeBron James, but to claim that Kobe’s two-year, $48-million contract in 2013-2014 wasn’t as bad as LeBron’s new contract is more than a bit disingenuous. LeBron has carried the Lakers since he got to L.A. and even won a championship for them in 2020. Kobe played six games in the first year of his contract and 35 in the second year.
The Lakers won 27 and 21 games the two years of Kobe’s contract and didn’t even make the playoffs again until LeBron arrived.
If the Lakers have any chance of success this year, it will be because of LeBron, who remains one of the greatest players in the league. Without him they’d be lucky to win 20 games. Alvin S. Michaelson Marina del Rey
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Thanks, Bill Plaschke, for being “on the ball” regarding LeBron. It’s time to begin rebuilding for the future. There’s no time to waste on a farewell tour for aged players. This includes the selfproclaimed GOAT LeBron James.
Patrick Kelley
Los Angeles
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I see that the Lakers opened the bank to sign LeBron James to a two-year extension. The last time they did it for an aging superstar with a fragile body was for Kobe Bryant. And you know how that worked out! Harris Levey
Venice
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Bill Plaschke’s column on the LeBron James new contract is right on the money. LeBron will play less and less and the team will be deprived of adding two superstars over the next year as it staggers through his contract.
The Lakers are a franchise that can always attract superstars. But apparently better to sell tickets now and kick the can down the road to building a winner.
Is this team really any better than the 33-49 it showed it was last year? Bob Goldstone
Corona del Mar
How the Kimbrel crumbles
We call Craig Kimbrel “crumble” at our house, and we groan whenever we see him warming up in the bullpen.
Arguably, the Dodgers’ greatest flaw in recent World Series losses has been Dave Roberts’ pitching decisions.
C’mon, Dave! Admit that Kimbrel doesn’t have what it takes before he loses one game too many.
Sarah Tamor
Santa Monica
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Despite having a bullpen stocked with shutdown arms, Dave Roberts continues to stubbornly run Craig Kimbrel to the mound in save situations. If Doc doesn’t realize that Kimbrel’s best years are well behind him, he isn’t paying attention.
Bud Chapman
Northridge
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When will Dave Roberts ever learn that Kimbrel is not the man for the closer job? Today, Roberts said that while Kimbrel continued to bomb as a lead protector, at least he looked good while losing. I’ll give Roberts one thing and that is his stubbornness in admitting any mistakes in his decisions. Where is the pitching coach in all this? I, for one, turn off my TV any time I see Kimbrel enter a game.
Dale Clanahan San Dimas
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We used to think watching Kenley Jansen was like being on a roller coaster. Craig Kimbrel is a nightly journey on the Tower of Terror.
Scott Shepherd Los Angeles
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I did not understand the Mitch White deal when it happened, and after the recent Kershaw and Buehler setbacks, I am even more dumbfounded!!
Mark Kaiserman Santa Monica
Can we trust the numbers?
As someone who wrote a TV-Radio sports column for The Times for 25-plus years, I read Bill Shaikin’s wellresearched story on sports talk radio with a keen interest. I tend to agree with AM 570 boss Don Martin that Nielsen numbers are misleading.
I got some of my best reader reaction to my columns when the topic was sports talk radio. I always wondered how accurately Nielsen measures car radios. That is how most people listen to sports talk radio.
Also, whenever workers have come to the house I have lived in for 44 years to do remodeling or repairs, they often listen to sports talk radio on their transistor radios. Does Nielsen consider that?
Larry Stewart
Arcadia
I love L.A.
How lucky are we in Los Angeles? Helene Elliott — an NHL Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award winner — interviewing Bob Miller — an NHL Foster Hewitt Memorial Award [winner] — talking about Vin Scully — Ford Frick Award winner plus. Sports readers don’t get any luckier than this.
Thank you all for your excellent journalism [and] our opportunity to enjoy your skill here in Los Angeles!
Greg Bodell Manhattan Beach
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