Ben Howland is really cracking down on Reeves Nelson . Two days and one game for missing a meeting and general bad behavior . Then a whole half a game for missing a practice and team bus and flight to Hawaii.
I suppose after his next incident Ben will not allow him to have dessert after team meals . But they got that first win. So Ben's tough-love approach is working .
Bert Bergen
La Canada
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I think the L.A. Times might need to issue a correction. In an article, previewing the UCLA basketball season, it was mentioned that because of the current renovations to Pauley Pavilion, the team would be practicing in the men's gym. All the evidence suggests that they decided not to practice at all.
Ed Nemiroff
Sherman Oaks
One more year!
Ten reasons Matt Barkley should return to USC:
1. First USC quarterback to beat UCLA four times
2. Robert Woods and Marqise Lee
3. Rewrite USC records
4. Another opportunity to crush Notre Dame
5. USC Song Girls
6. Lane and Monte Kiffin
7. Heisman Trophy and Davey O'Brien awards
8. BCS and AP National Champion
9. Lottery pick, 2013 NFL draft
10. God is commanding
Jack Saltzberg
Sherman Oaks
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With LeBron James on the Oregon sideline, was it any surprise the Ducks couldn't get it done in the fourth quarter against the Trojans?
Steve Ross
New York
The gap is open
Though I have long been a supporter of Bruin football, I have to wonder if I heard Rick Neuheisel correctly when he stated this week that he believed that UCLA has "closed the gap" with USC during his tenure. After watching inept performances against "powerhouses" like Arizona and Utah, the gap would appear to be wider than the Grand Canyon.
Bud Chapman
Northridge
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"The gap has closed." Really Rick Neuheisel? Obviously, the gap between your ears has not. Sadly, this will probably be the final beating you'll take from the Trojans. I've always thought you were a likable guy, and as a lifelong Trojans fan, will be sorry to see you go. Best of luck at your next gig.
Scott Goers
Lake Forest
Let's see it again
As the likelihood of an LSU-Alabama rematch for the BCS Championship increases, I expect some of the same type of negativity I found in the letters column, and elsewhere, after their earlier low-scoring game. However, these people may be the same ones that will tell you defense wins championships and that there was nothing so exciting, for example, as a Sandy Koufax-Bob Gibson duel resulting in a 1-0 nail-biter.
Andrew Sacks
Fontana
AEG? Gee, whiz
Just an idea. Why doesn't AEG buy the Dodgers and build a new baseball stadium next to the convention center. Then they can tear down the falling-apart Dodger Stadium and maybe build a football stadium in Chavez Ravine. or better yet, build affordable housing and/or return the land to the residents that it was ripped away from.
A baseball stadium downtown would make better sense as it would get used a minimum 81 times per year, greatly improving the area's economy. L.A. Live would be better off with the increased traffic, restaurants, bars, hotels would be more prosperous. It would be a better situation than an enormous building that would sit empty about 300 days per year.
Anyway, just an idea.
Jeff White
Palmdale
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One has to love the fans of the Kings, pining away for the glory days, those well-managed days, the bygone days of winning nothing. It was a time of greatness, when essentially every team made the playoffs, yet the Kings could manage to win only four out 17 playoff series before the great Bruce McNall arrived to continue that success.
Maybe they want the years McNall almost brought Lord Stanley's cup to L.A. with borrowed/stolen money (Frank McCourt had to learn from someone). I understand these same fans are envious that Philip Anschutz and Tim Leiweke might care more for the LA Galaxy and the three MLS championships they've won. Landon Donovan said it best about AEG after Sunday's title. "We've got unbelievable ownership behind us."
In reality AEG has built the Kings into a team that win more games than they ever have and can make the playoffs every year, but in a more competitive NHL. I can't wait for them to win with an NFL team and just hope they'll buy my beloved Dodgers.
Ronnie Grant
Tustin
Lock and key
My guess is that the prospect of holiday shopping without a paycheck will trigger a renewed sense of urgency on the part of NBA players. As a diehard fan of NBA basketball, I can only hope that the impending absence of Christmas Day basketball and the corresponding loss of television revenue will spark a similar response from NBA owners.
Maury D. Benemie
Corona
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No NBA season? Doesn't bother me, I'm a Clippers fan.
Richard Parker
Pasadena
Gridiron logic
After watching the three NFL games on Thanksgiving, I've reached the following conclusions:
Penalties, especially pass interference calls, decide most games. The late Don Meredith understood what pass interference is — and isn't — better than most current officials. UCLA never should have run Matt Moore out of town. Jerry Jones should have the right to go on the field whenever he wants because he owns it. Ray Lewis is seen more when he doesn't play than when he does. And, if you skip the commercials, you can go back and forth between an NFL game and a golf tournament and miss very little action in either.
Bart Robertson
Torrance
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