Sorry For The Wait

So Many Hoops, VGK Long Layoff, MLB Streaks and 50 links to the top stories in the pacific time zone.

Friends, the West Coast was wild this week with the Trailblazers winning the play-in game. They upset the Lakers a few days later. The Clippers also beat the Mavericks after Dallas big Kristaps Porzingis got ejected. Dallas followed that up with a game an upset. Both remaining NBA teams will try and not go down 2-1. Plus, we can’t forget hockey. The Vegas Golden Knights were the first NHL team to advance.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors both discovered their draf spots. Slam Diego became a thing with the Padres hitting a bunch of Grand Slams. The Dodgers won seven straight. The Angel’s got Rendon in rhythm. Our Seattle Storm went on a winning streak too.

MLS is back again by the time we speak next week. That means the Timbers, Earthquakes, Galaxy and LAFC should all get more headlines.

We also can’t forget the Chargers and Rams in HardKnocks. San Francisco sustained some injuries in camp. The positive news continued out of Seattle and Las Vegas for the Seahawks and Raiders, respectively. All this and more sprinkled throughout the newsletter this week.

I hope reading about sports from the pacific time zone brings value and community into your life. Please share this with someone who shares a West Coast State of mind. You can read more about what that means in this past Wednesday’s edition. Otherwise, let me know how I can make this newsletter even more valuable in your workweek.

West Coast Reads

The West Coast sports news you must know before your next zoom call. Minus the New York, Boston and Chicago influence.

Knights Advance First

The Las Vegas Golden Knights became the first NHL team to advance in the playoffs with their 4-1 series win over the Chicago Blackhawks this past Tuesday. It is their second-time advancing past the first round in their three-year history.

Chicago squeezed out a 3-1 win in Game 4 to prevent a sweep. Otherwise, Vegas goalkeeper Robin Lehner went 3-1 versus his old team. He’s 8-1 since the Knights acquired him from the Blackhawks at the deadline.

Now, Vegas is managing their extended time off in the Edmonton bubble. They will play either the St. Louis Blues or Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver leads that series 3-2 with Game 6 and 7 over the weekend.

The MLS IS BACK For Reals, For Reals

The MLS is back, back. The Regular season begins around the time you receive this letter. Here are some key matchups to watch as the teams venture out of their Bubble

• LAFC vs LA Galaxy on Saturday at 3 PM PST

• Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders on Sunday at 7 PM PST

• San Jose Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers on Wednesday at 7:30 PM PST

• LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders on Wednesday at 8 PM PST

PRIME TIME: The Seattle Sounders inked a three-year deal with Amazon. Prime Video now owns exclusive digital streaming rights for all non-national broadcasts for Seattle. That includes the upcoming match versus the Galaxy. They will also get a page on the Prime Video app.

Top Seed Bubble Pops

Meanwhile, the NBA playoffs saw their top seeds get their first-round playoff losses popped. The Clippers lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the second game of their series. The Lakers dropped their first game to the Blazers but answered with a dominating win in Game 2. It was their first playoff win since 2012. Lake Show big Anthony Davis made some jokes about LeBron James’ age after the win. James tied Kobe in all-time playoff triple-doubles.

Last weekend, Portland beat the Grizzlies 126-122 to win the 8-seed. That also won Lillard the Bubble MVP award. Paul Pierce called Portland the greatest 8th seed ever.

MORE DAME TIME: Lillard’s recent performances also sparked an old/new debate about him and Steph Curry. Either way, the Oakland native is not here to waste time. He’s even playing Game Three despite a finger injury.

Storming thru the Wubble

The Seattle Storm looked like they could set the WNBA win streak record before dropping a game to the Fever this week. They won 9 games previously which is half the record set by the L.A. Sparks in 2001. Next, the Storm will play the No. 2 Vegas Aces on Saturday.

P.S. Check out the Bryant Daughter’s getting some love from Tio Pau and the WNBA’s latest sensation.

Father of the Streak

Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. made headlines by swinging on a 3-0 count and stealing third with a six-run lead. He also began a four-day walk off Grand Slam streak for San Diego in their streak versus the Texas Rangers..

• Monday: Fernando Tatís Jr.

• Tuesday: Wil Myers

• Wednesday: Manny Machado

• Thursday: Eric Hosmer

Meanwhile, the NL West rival Dodgers ended a seven-game streak with a loss to the Mariners on Wednesday. Also in that series, Seattle’s Kyle Seager and L.A.’s Corey Seager became the first brothers to hit home runs in the same game since 2001.

MORE WEST COAST MLB: The A’s swept the Giants in the battle for the bay. Dave Kaval trolled Giants fans by telling them to hop on Oakland’s bandwagon.

Name that Clippers Stadium

L.A.C. retained CAA sports to sell naming rights to their new proposed arena in Inglewood. The 18,000-seat facility begins construction next summer. It will open when the Staples Center lease expires in 2024-25.

Recently, SoFi Stadium and Allegiant Stadium both signed naming deals for more than $20 million a year. The Chase Center in San Francisco did between $300 and $400 million over 20 years. The Climate Pledge Arena did between $15 and $20 million a year too in Seattle, per Front Office Sports.

OTHER SOCAL STADIUM NEWS: The LAFC Stadium and Dodger Stadium will both serve as voting stations in the upcoming election. San Diego St. also broke ground on their new arena.

NBA Lottery

In the middle of all the NBA games, the NBA Draft lottery revealed draft selections for the Kings and Warriors. Golden State sealed the No. 2 overall pick while the Kings sealed the 12th spot.

DIVAC DIPS: The Sacramento Kings began their search for a new General Manager. Vlade Divac stepped down as GM while Peja Stojakovic left his role as assistant GM. Both are Kings’ legends.

Joe Dumars steps into the interim GM role after Divac failed to end the 14-year playoff drought in Sacramento. Dumars is not being considered for the role long-term. Scott Perry, Brent Barry and others are connected to the job already.

West Coast Links

Stories, transactions, rumors and updates from your rivals, neighbors, or idols in the pacific time zone. All these links are worth further exploration during your afternoon stroll or dump.

SOCAL

• Russell Westbrook could return for Rockets soon.

• The inspiration behind Kawhi’s new shoe.

• Why Paul George and Kawhi met in S.D.

• Who is LeBron endorsing for president?

• Kyle Kuzma on starting for Lakers.

• Receiver Van Jefferson giving off Cooper Kupp vibes.

• Melvin Ingram returns to Chargers practices after getting full salary guaranteed.

• Carlos Vela has the highest expectations for LAFC.

• Galaxy sign former USMNT son.

• Trout getting thrown at.

• Dodgers’ Pedro Baez suffers groin strain.

• No more horses by the Honda Center.

• LAFC loses the first team president.

• LAFC sign Mohamed Traore.

• Adama Dioman says goodbye to LAFC.

• Pujols tied A-rod in RBIs.

• Julio Tehran sent to Angels’ bullpen.

• Kenny Clark is the highest-paid nose tackle ever.

• Mighty Ducks coming to Disney+.

• LA Kings mascot suspended.

• Alex Wood coming back strong.

• The Golden Boy is coming back.

NORCAL

• Jalen Hurd hurt in practice.

• An argument for the Warriors to keep the draft pick.

• Former Trojans, Seahawks, Raiders and 49ers LB scores workout with Browns.

• Aldon Smith turning heads in Cowboys camp.

• Safety Johnathan Cyprien signs with San Francisco.

• San Francisco’s kicker shares perspective on COVID and football.

• Former Stanford standout returning for Washington.

• Sacramento Kings players thriving in the playoffs.

• Sharks lose Tim Heed.

• Aaron Rodgers is declining.

• The Currys endorse Biden.

• Magnus Eriksson leaving the Earthquakes.

• Jeremy Ebobisse drawing interest from Belgium.

• Joe Bart arrives for San Francisco.

• Bay Area teams unite against a ban on affirmative action.

PACWEST

• CJ McCullum opens up on back injury.

• Why Carmelo Anthony says fuck when he grabs boards.

• Phillip Dorsett fastest Seahawk?

• Mariners’ Dee Gordon gots hops.

• Damien Lewis continues to impress in Hawks camp.

• Kraken head coach rumors.

• Russ taught D.K. Metcalf to swim.

NEVADA

• Cardale Jones works out with Raiders.

• Vegas is still interested in Yannick.

• A new face mask enters the Raiders chat.

• Derek Carr is running out of time to prove himself.

MEDIA AND MORE

• Apple VS. Fortnite.

The goal of this newsletter is to inspire and connect pro sports fans and professionals across the pacific time zone. If you discovered one story or insight you didn’t know before please subscribe to this newsletter.

If you know someone else who interested in reading about teams in their city or division, ask them to check out this newsletter. Thank you for your help in growing the West Coast Sports community. Love Y'all.

Sincerely,

Pete D. Camarillo aka Clippers in six