Los Angeles Times (Sunday)

He’s their King of fond memories

- Email: sports@latimes.com

I am a longtime Kings fan. Take away all family happenings — birthdays, anniversar­ies, etc. — and Monday, June 11, 2012, is the single greatest day of my life.

I know sports is a business, but waking up Wednesday morning to the news Jonathan Quick had been traded was like waking up to a death in the family because for Kings fans, Quick is just that — a member of our “family.” I know Quick is a shell of his former self and with him or Pheonix Copley in net the Kings had a 0% chance of winning, or even seriously competing, for a Cup this season. At season’s end Quick was almost certainly going to retire or be released. But this still hurts and hurts a lot.

Jonathan, you may be gone but you will never be forgotten. Every time Kings fans flock to Section 326 at Crypto.com Arena to get our picture taken with both Cup banners behind us, we will know you were a huge reason for it.

Erik Schuman Fountain Valley

The trade of all-time great Kings goalie Jonathan Quick just shows the “what have you done for me lately” nature of pro sports. Unfortunat­ely Quick was a liability going into the playoffs. That being said, we can expect to see his name and jersey hanging with Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar and other Kings greats when their playing days are over. Thanks for the memories, Quickie. Mike Gamboa

Buena Park

Thank you, Jonathan Quick, for some great years. Thank you for two Stanley Cups. I enjoyed cheering along with the rest of the crowd at Staples Center (Crypto.com Arena now) at the fantastic stops you made.

Also kudos to Helene Elliott for the great article paying respects to you and what you did and accomplish­ed for our Kings.

Bob Martinez

Glendale

Playoffs or bust?

Without Russell Westbrook, the formerly forlorn Lakers are winning. With Russell Westbrook, the higher-placed Clippers are losing. Notice a pattern? Roger Kraemer Brea

The Clippers were thought to have a deep, star-studded roster but given their recent losing streak, maybe they actually need better players? Or a better coach?

Jack Wishard

Los Angeles

The latest plight of LeBron James reminds me of a line from a Little Feat song: “Well you know that you’re over the hill when your mind makes a promise that your body can’t fill.”

Rich Holland

Aliso Viejo

No Lux at all

So now, maybe the money-poor Dodgers might understand going on the cheap was a major blunder as Gavin Lux is out and both Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts were available for the highest bidder. I see many seasontick­et holders getting more nauseated by the minute. Andrew Friedman is not the smartest man in the room.

Fred Wallin Westlake Village

Were it not for the Dodgers trading away promising 18-year-old internatio­nal shortstop prospect Oneil Cruz in 2017 (a hulking slugger who has blossomed into a legitimate 30-30 threat in Pittsburgh) for a relief pitcher who compiled just 20 innings for them, Lux’s injury might be viewed as an unfortunat­e setback for a decent utility player instead of the guy they were hoping could be the critical linchpin of its infield.

Steve Ross Carmel

New rules

It doesn’t take a traditiona­list to see that the new rules adopted this year have been imposed to save baseball from its own players and managers. Endless strolls by pitchers around the mound or countless throws to first base have been eliminated. Batters stepping out of the box after each pitch to adjust their batting gloves even when they didn’t swing are a thing of the past.

It is important that baseball adapt to the times no matter how old school you are. But ironically it’s baseball itself that is changing because its players wouldn’t adapt to improved defenses and strategies, and its fans just got tired of a four-hour game.

Bob Goldstone

Corona del Mar

I can see the game shortening with the pitch clock, but wouldn’t eliminatin­g the shift, which results in more hits, lengthen the game? I don’t see much of a net benefit with these new MLB rules. Vaughn Hardenberg Westwood

GOAT discussion

Reader Jim Redhead referred to Steve Henson’s Genesis Invitation­al story that failed to mention Jack Nicklaus as the greatest golfer of all time because he has won the most majors, not Tiger Woods. Jack had to compete against Gary Player, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino, all multiple major winners. Very hard to compare golfers of different eras.

Although Jack has more majors, Tiger has more wins, 82 to 73. The field now is so deep with any number of players capable of winning a tournament or a major. The players all work out now, train very hard as well as having competitio­n from all over the world. I believe Tiger is the best of all time.

Matt Kerster Redondo Beach

The Times welcomes expression­s of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republishe­d in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.

 ?? Mary Altaffer Associated Press ?? THE TRADE OF Jonathan Quick didn’t sit well with many Kings fans, who considered him as family.
Mary Altaffer Associated Press THE TRADE OF Jonathan Quick didn’t sit well with many Kings fans, who considered him as family.

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