This Year, L.A. Teams Are Struggling

Last year, the Los Angeles winter sport’s teams were creating a scheduling problem as three of them, all playing in the Staples Center, had advanced to their league’s quarterfinal round. This year is a different story.

First of all, the Lakers have already been ousted in four straight games in the first round. The other L.A. basketball team, the Clippers, have lost three straight games to the Memphis Grizzlies and face elimination tonight in game six at Memphis. If the Clippers win there will be a decisive seventh game at the Staples Center on Sunday.

Last year, the Los Angeles Kings won it all with one of the great playoff performances ever staged. They went up three games to none in all four series, winning the first two games on the road each time. No team had ever accomplished that feat and I doubt one will do so again in the foreseeable future.

However, this year the Kings lost the first two games of their preliminary series at St. Louis, vs the Blues. Last year the Kings swept the Blues in four straight games in the quarterfinal round.

Additionally, both L.A. area baseball teams, each touted to do big things this year, are playing under .500 baseball. The Dodgers are (13-14) while the Angels are (10-18).

Finally, the Anaheim Ducks are the NHL West two seed but find themselves sans home ice advantage. This manifested after a (5-4), game two, home loss vs the Detroit Red Wings.