Jill Painter Lopez joins The Sporting Tribune
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1. Jill Painter Lopez joins The Sporting Tribune
The former Southern California Sports Broadcasters sports reporter of the year joins the growing staff at The Sporting Tribune and penned her first column on Tuesday.
It’s my pleasure to join The Sporting Tribune as a sports and stuff columnist. By that, I mean sports and anything else! Dogs, wine, fashion, travel, coffee, you name it.
Many of you know me from having covered sports in Los Angeles. I grew up in Colorado (so we’ll be talking a lot of Russ and Prime) and I’ve been covering sports in Southern California since 2000. I have been lucky enough to have a seat in the house for everything from the Dodgers’ playoff runs to all five of the Lakers NBA titles to USC football’s national championships and UCLA’s three consecutive Final Four appearances.
So much stuff in between there, like covering the last Angels playoff series and their World Series title in 2002 to the heartwarming stories, like a recent profile of a cross country runner in Oxnard who has limb deficiencies in all four limbs. What an inspiration. I’m a former cross country runner so I know the challenges of the sport well, and am in awe of how Erick Aleman runs, given the additional challenges he faces.
2. Clippers’ Lue ready to help his country
Tyronn Lue is part of USA Basketball's coaching staff which will be competing in the FIBA Men's World Cup later this month, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Steve Carp.
He may not have made it as a player, but Tyronn Lue is fine representing his country as a coach.
The head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers is part of Steve Kerr’s staff with USA Basketball which will play in the FIBA Men’s World Cup later this month in the Philippines. None of Lue’s Clippers are on the roster but there’s no lack of familiar faces for him.
“Oh yeah, I know all these guys,” he said with a smile prior to Monday’s USA Basketball Showcase vs. Puerto Rico at T-Mobile Arena. “I’m very excited to be part of this. Being in the room with all these great basketball minds. Seeing different plays, different drills and maybe applying it to what we do (with the Clippers). I expect to come out of this a better coach for having experienced this.”
3. Circa Sports opens SlamBall betting lines
SlamBall announced that Circa Sports has been named a Founding Partner of the SlamBall League, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Will Despart.
It was only a matter of time before SlamBall got the full Las Vegas treatment. Circa Sports has announced that they will officially open betting lines for the remainder of the SlamBall season.
“We have always believed that SlamBall was a tailor made property for sports gambling, and Circa Sports coming on at this early juncture further validates and expedites this critical part of our business plan,” said SlamBall CEO Mason Gordon in today’s press release. “Our expansive partnership with Derek Stevens and the team will be amplified this upcoming weekend when live gambling on SlamBall will take place for the first time.”
The cult-classic sport made its return to airwaves this summer after several short-lived attempts throughout the last twenty years. Invented in Los Angeles by Gordon in 1999, it previously peaked in the early 2000’s while airing on the now defunct Spike TV. Often the subject of online nostalgia, SlamBall never fully left public consciousness. Even in its absence, it was one of the relics of the new millennium that remained in people’s collective memory.
4. News, notes and standouts from Chargers camp
The Chargers held their scrimmage on Sunday and there were three standouts, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Fernando Ramirez.
Sunday wasn’t the first time safety Mark Webb had created a turnover this camp. He has shown flashes of being a playmaker, but it was on display on Sunday.
He had an interception and a fumble recovery.
“Mark has been a consistent playmaker for us,” Chargers head coach Brandon Staley explained. “As you guys know, he has flashed in his two years, but some injuries have kind of sidetracked his progress. He’s been really focused.”
Questions arose before camp on whether the team should sign a safety to add depth and because there is little experience besides Derwin James and Alohi Gilman. Webb and J.T. Woods, so far, have given the team hope that they can step up.
5. US Open of Surfing delivers all the fun and all the action
The annual US Open of Surfing descended upon Southern California once again, with over 100,000 spectators in attendance, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Michael Silver.
Kaniela Stewart showcased his trademark style and flow, finessing his board through the Pacific Ocean all week. The 22-year-old Oahu, HI native confidently won the men’s final, defeating last year’s winner Taylor Jensen.
“It feels so good, being out here traveling the world doing contests. All the people getting to watch, I’m glad I give them something to do and stoked to enjoy the sun,” Steward told The Sporting Tribune.
How do you perfect your patent ‘Hang Ten’ style? “Just do it over and over pretty much, practice makes you better and never stop learning,” he shared.
It was also a family affair for longboard riders. Stewart’s cousin, 18-year-old Kelis Kaleopaa from Waikiki took top honors, winning the women’s final.
6. Rams and John Johnson III reunite on one-year deal
The Rams agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran safety John Johnson III on Monday, writes The Sporting Tribune’s Lauren Jones.
The Rams added depth and veteran leadership at the safety position by signing John Johnson to a one-year deal on Monday according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The news was first reported by Jake Ellenbogen of BLEAV.
Johnson, 27, was in attendance at Rams’ practice on Sunday at UC Irvine where he was spotted speaking with the team’s general manager, Les Snead, on the sideline. He was also cheered on by fans after practice as he signed autographs and took photos.
7. Odds and Ends presented by Circa Sports
Here are some odds at Circa Sports if you’re thinking about placing a wager today:
8. Ticket Time presented by TickPick
Here are the “get in” prices for tickets if you’re thinking about going to a game today.
6:38 p.m. – Giants at Angels – $5
9. On the Air presented by The D Las Vegas
Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region today.
4:00 p.m. – Sparks at Fever – Ion
5:00 p.m. – Aces at Wings – Amazon Prime Video
6:38 p.m. – Giants at Angels – Bally Sports West
6:40 p.m. – Dodgers at Diamondbacks – SportsNet LA
6:40 p.m. – Padres at Mariners – Bally Sports San Diego
10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune
The Sporting Tribune’s Arash Markazi is joined by Brandon Deutsch, Armani Buckets and Ji Hae Wiley as they talk about Jake and Logan Paul taking over combat sports.
Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher.
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That’s it for today. Talk to you tomorrow!