A more balanced day for L.A. Rams in Training Camp

by Nick Hamilton (@NickHamiltonLA)

After the Los Angeles Rams dominated Day one of Training Camp, the offense woke up made their presence felt on day two, which thoroughly impressed head coach Sean McVay.

Tavon Austin made two spectacular plays, one where made a aerodynamic catch just as the ball touched the ground for an incomplete catch. The second play when he ran a sweep to the right side before cutting up the middle for a would-be touchdown.

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“It’s exciting for anybody that plays this position,” Austin explained about playing under McVay’s system. “Everybody wants the ball. Everybody wants the opportunity to get the ball. So I’m definitely excited to be in the offense, I just want to keep working every day.”

Former Broncos cornerback Keyvon Webster made life on the field hard for former USC Trojan and Buffalo Bills WR Robert Woods, who brook up an impressive catch by Woods in 1-on-1 drills. Woods was still solid as he connected with quarterback Jared Goff on several passes thrown to him.

“He’s done excellent. He’s playing both outside and inside for us. He’s competing well in the run-game,” McVay said about Woods. “Kind of like we talked about the other day, he’s been what we had hoped. He’s a complete receiver, not really limited in any of the routes he can run.”

RB Todd Gurley who looks to have a bounce back season this year, looked refreshed and hit a lot of holes as he burst through the back field on several runs. His approach to the game seems to be with a renewed energy, which is not surprising since the attitude of McVay is infectious through the team. Gurley could be on pace for another 1,000 yard season, as long as he stays healthy, he will accomplish just that.

“Todd [Gurley] did a nice job. I think when you look at just the running back position as a whole, one of the things that makes him special is his ability to break tackles, so a little hard to get a true evaluation of what a special player he is until you get in those game situations,” McVay said. “But, I think in terms of doing all the little things the right way and being a player both in the pass and the run game and being mindful in protection – I think he’s done an excellent job. He’s definitely setting the standard in that room for sure.”

With the defense continuing to impress everyone under defensive coordinator Wade Philips, The defensive line, in particular, has continued to the transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4. As they continue to adjust daily, the Rams defense is showcasing a lot of depth upfront. Defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Dominique Easley, and Ethan Westbrooks took reps with the first-team. Alec Olgatree looks sharp despite the absence of Aaron Donald who continues to holdout due to a contract dispute

Clayton Kershaw racks up another victory for Kershaw’s Challenge

by Nick Hamilton (@NickHamiltonLA)

On a warm Thursday night settled in the confines of historic Dodger Stadium, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw host the 5th annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose event raising awareness and funds for Kershaw’s Challenge.

Kershaw’s Challenge is a magnificent charity that raises support for children at home and globally, the Kershaws invite everyone to be apart of the organization. They also gave away backpacks with the Dream Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 22nd. From Los Angeles and Dallas to the Dominican Republic and Zambia, Africa, Kershaw’s Challenge has dedicated support to transform the lives of children, serving with partner organizations including the Los Angeles-based Dream Center, CURE International in the Dominican Republic, Arise Africa-Zambia, and the Dallas-based Behind Every Door.

With a specific emphasis on the betterment of children and their health globally.

With a back injury that has once again kept Kershaw from participating in his ping pong tourney, he was still the life of the party. A party that included many A-list guests Jimmy Kimmel, Jack Black, Magic Johnson, and teammates rookie Cory Bellinger, Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier, Rich Hill, Justin Turner, Chris Taylor (CT3). Also in attendance were actors Jason Bateman and Justin Theroux (Ozark) and Lakers head coach Luke Walton were serious on the ping pong tables.

Ping Pong being his favorite sport to play outside of racking strikes on the mound, all Kershaw could do is watch and encourage from the sidelines.

However the biggest news of the night didn’t come from Dodger players or Kershaw for that matter, but from one Magic Johnson, who disseminated a very strong message to Dodger fans and the baseball world.

“The Dodgers are going to win the World Series this year,” Johnson said. “This is our year.”

Kershaw presented Johnson with the Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award, in honor of the charitable work Johnson and his foundation have done.

“Get healthy,” Johnson told Kershaw in accepting the award. “Lead us. That’s the only ring I don’t have, and I need that ring.”

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Of course the crowd erupted in cheers and screams when Johnson made the declaration.

With great food and festivities in the outfield of Dodger Stadium, many items were also available for auction such as one of only two baseballs made available from Clayton
Kershaw’s no-hitter. The opening bid was $5500.

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The night and blue carpet could not be complete without Kershaw’s traditional festive Ping Pong socks.

Mike Singer and Michael Weisberg were declared the winners of the Ping Pong 4 Purpose tournament where Kershaw handed the dynamic duo their trophy.

Chargers embrace the change of Training Camp

(photo credit: Chargers)

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Chargers embrace the change of Training Camp

by Nick Hamilton (@NickHamiltonLA)

 

 

The Los Angeles Chargers have made their official pilgrimage to friendly confines of Costa Mesa to a crowd of nearly 6,000 fans, eagerly anticipating seeing their favorite player come down the high-five line.

 

After Kobe Bryant came and spoke to the team on Saturday, the team was fired up and ready for day one of Training Camp.

 

“This is really better than I anticipated,” Philip Rivers said regarding the large turnout on Sunday. “Not that I didn’t have high hopes or excitement about the fan base that’s here, and really all over Southern California, (but) I didn’t anticipate this! My rookie year, granted we were coming off a bad season, but we were in Carson. I was only there for one day of camp, but literally I think there were 12 people there. I’m serious.  Literally, you could count 12 bodies there. So I wasn’t sure, but there was a lot of excitement.”

 

Unsure of the turnout, the Bolts are in a new city, new stadium and surrounded by new faces, yet they have the task of not only winning on the football field but winning the fan base over in Los Angeles and Orange County this season. Winning does cure all, not only is this season’s team immensely talented, but the major factor they must all overcome is staying healthy. Running back Melvin Gordon who just three yards shy of a 1,000 yard season due to injury looks to bounce back in full motion. He looked well and seemed to have a renewed energy on the field in Day 1 of Training Camp. Keenan Allen who also returning from injury looked pretty swift on some routes, however the sophomore tight end Hunter Henry looked as though he didn’t miss a beat in the off-season. Henry ran some good routes however made one spectacular catch in the end zone that made of the fans and media onlooker in awe of his skills.

 

With the return of above guys mentioned, there was one offensive weapon that Rivers won’t have in camp is rookie WR Mike Williams who will not be available in Training Camp due to lower back injury. Williams continues to rehab his back according to doctor’s order, and the team is confident that he can avoid surgery.

 

“We have the talent,” Rivers said. “You don’t look around and go, ‘Gosh, we’re missing this.  If we had one of that. We really need this. We’re almost there.’  I think you look at it, and that doesn’t mean I’m predicting us to win it all, but we have the talent. Now, it’s building the camaraderie, the toughness and the fight.  All of those things, the togetherness and intangibles, and obviously you have to play well.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The defense looked impactful and excited on Day 1 of Training Camp led by Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, yet were without Jason Verrett who is rehabbing a leg injury. However Verrett could return sometime next week, and this year will be huge for him as he looks to make a significant impact on defense this season for the Bolts. Jahleel Addae had many run stuffs, including one where he sliced left to stop the running back behind the line of scrimmage.

 

 

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Newly signed back up quarterback Cardale Jones looked a bit rusty, but will improved as he continues to get accustomed to the new playbook by head coach Anthony Lynn, who has quite a bit of confidence in the young quarterback. Jones has a great football IQ and with time should retain a roster spot in on that quarterback depth chart.

 

Jones is adjust nicely not only to his new teammates but to Southern California, the weather and the fan base.

 

 

 

 

 

Bonnie-Jill Laflin makes presence known on VH1 and on other project

Actress, FOX Sports reporter and activist Bonnie-Jill Laflin appeared on Dash Radio’s “The Morning After with Nick Hamilton” over the weekend and had some interesting things to say regarding her appearances on VH1’s “Basketball Wives”, and her other  projects.

As controversial as Basketball Wives is, Bonnie-Jill maintained her composer on the show, which is simply isn’t easy.

“Alot of people wanted know why I even joined the show, but Shaunie O’Neal (show’s executive producer) came to me who’s a good friend of mine, and she said wanted to go in different direction,” Laflin explained to the host Nick Hamilton and co-host James Allen. “We wanted to bring in a woman who’s not a girlfriend or a wife, but more so around the NBA.”

If you all recall a couple of months ago there was scene where the ladies were coming together at an event and there was serious tension between one of the stars Jackie Christie (wive former NBA star Doug Christie) and Laflin. Christie has always been known to rub the all of the cast members at different times the wrong way a time or two. However in this moment, she accused Laflin of lying on her, and was ready to fight for her reputation. As Laflin appeared to figure out why Christie was so mad, both ladies had to be held back from one another before a full MMA type fight ensued. As the two were brought closer to each other, Bonnie-Jill Laflin decided to take the high rode and depart for her limo before things really got out of control.

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“Yes I always try to take the high road because I’m at an age where I’m not trying to get physical fights, and some of the women on their don’t act their own age,”  the fabulous 40-year old Laflin said regarding Christie. “I’m different than all the other ladies because I don’t want to get married, I don’t want to have kids and I pay my own bills.”

Laflin also explained who she is good friends with on the show beside O’Neal like Evelyn Lozada, who left the show at one point to rebuild her image and has since returned in a major way. Yes the show is full of drama, and everyone gets an opportunity to travel into the lives of the ladies on the show, as fans have an opportunity to connect with their favorite cast members weekly by watching.

To Jackie Christie’s credit as lively and capricious as she appears to be, she is certainly entertaining to watch on prime time television. Christie is the common denominator in the drama.

 

“All of sudden she [Jackie Christie] wanted to start a fight with me. In my twenties it would’ve been something, but I’m not trying to fight you. Put your hands on me and see what happens.”

However episodes later on Christie did apologize to Laflin.

Laflin is huge on women empowerment and her only displeasure with the show is that the ladies on the show don’t have to always look like they hate each other and can’t get along. Laflin explained that she enjoys the show, and also told about some other projects that she’s involved in with PETA and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

“I’m not saying everyone should go vegan, just have more of a human way you treat these animals before you kill them.”

 

Laflin also adds clarity to her critics who thinks she’s more of a animal lover than having compassion for human.”I’m a humanitarian as well as an animal activist. I feel I want to be a voice for those who need it regardless.”

 

On her recent ad, Laflin said she got the idea for it from ESPN The Body Magazine vision, and she just wanted to represent strength, passion and get the message out about PETA.

Also be on the lookout for her new show that will feature many powerful people in the sports world including her former boss and mentor Jerry Jones coming soon.

Beautiful, intelligent and fully driven, Bonnie-Jill Laflin has a heart of gold, and powerful voice that continues to be heard as she strives to make a powerful impact in lives across the globe.

To keep up with the latest on Bonnie-Jill Laflin, follow her on twitter (@BJLaflin).

Sam Darnold is giving you the best him this season

 

 

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Sam Darnold is giving you the best him this season

by Nick Hamilton (@NickHamiltonLA)

Entering his second season at quarterback for the USC Trojans, Sam Darnold has learned many things in the off season that will enable to succeed in the Pac-12.

After a 1-3 start in 2016, and head coach Clay Helton made a bold move at quarterback giving young Darnold the opportunity to lead the team in another direction. With the proper father like coaching from coach Helton and a text out to Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, the Utah loss was a distant memory for the young Darnold. For Helton and USC, the Darnold experiment worked as the Trojans remained undefeated up unto the Rose Bowl. His tenacity, his level of ‘fight on’ approach to every game led them to a stunning win over Penn State in an epic Rose Bowl game.

Darnold’s play sent not only college football, but NFL teams in a frenzy. Everyone who was anyone wanted to be apart of the Darnold experience. He became the man, and still is, yet he made sure to always be the best him on and off the field. A lesson he learned from coach Helton, but also witnessed from NFL royalty (Peyton, Eli, Archie and Cooper Manning) when he attended the Manning Camp a few months ago.

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Depite the national praise coming from coaches, fans and media analyst, Darnold remains focused and eager to take the field in Training Camp as prepare for Western Michigan. With a Mamba-like mentality, he truly understands what could be at stake for his Trojans this season.

“A national championship, that’s our ultimate goal,” Darnold said. “We can’t do that without winning the (Pac-12) South and winning the Pac-12.”

With the Trojans favored to win the Pac-12 South and the conference possibly, Darnold will elect to let his play speak volumes for him.

“I’ve grown in many ways, and learning how to handle that, it’s been amazing. It’s been a journey,” Darnold said. “At the same time, with team success comes individual success. I’m not naïve to that, so we have to do well as a team.”

The Pac-12 are loaded with many teams (Washington, Oregon, UCLA, Stanford) trying to take a bite out of the destined for greatness quarterback Sam Darnold.

If he takes the Heisman Trophy this coming season, Darnold will have a big decision to make this spring. Will he continue his college football campaign at USC or take his talents to play on Sundays in the NFL?

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He definitely has the skill set to continue set the power 5 conference on fire. With quarterbacks like Russell Wilson, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees whom Darnold studies and looks up too, it’s only a matter of time before we could a combo of all of these quarterbacks in him.

 

 

 

 

 

Kid’s Choice Sports Awards carpet

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Kids Choice Sports Awards carpet had too much ‘sauce’ for one show

by Nick Hamilton (@NickHamiltonLA)

On a very warm day in Los Angeles on the historic campus of UCLA, the 4th annual Nickelodeon Kids Choice Sports Awards took place on Thursday afternoon. Decked in the festive orange carpet, many of the best in sports, entertainment, and Nickelodeon star graced the carpet as fans watched above to their favorite stars.

Olympic Gymnastics stars Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas hit the carpet in style, Michael Strahan brought two of his daughters and were all smiles as they posed for the cameras. Many were shocked yet happy as former NBA star Lamar Odom hit the carpet with his daughter, Von Miller, Laila Ali, Curtis Conway and family enjoyed the carpet as well.

Tampa Rays pitcher Chris Archer was excited to be apart of the show as he claimed to be a huge Nickelodeon fan, especially when was a teenager. Former MLB slugger Prince Fielder brought his wife and family along to experience the awards. Fielder also revealed he has a new show with his wife coming this Fall to network television.

The host Russell Wilson brought his stepson Future Zahir Wilburn to the show as the two walked the carpet and enjoyed the attention from media and several fans.

“Super excited and honored to three-peat and host Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Sports 2017,” Wilson said in a statement about hosting the show again. “Kids get ready…three times the slime coming your way.”

Of course Lindsey Vonn stole the night as she wore eye catching pants and a sheer shirt.

Nick Cannon made his rounds around the carpet before having some fun with the kids who were seated in the pit, hoping not get slimmed to early.

Many of the other stars included Shaun White, Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond, Lakers’ Cory Brewer, Oakland Raiders’ Donald Penn, Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Michael Phelps and wife Nicole Johnson, U.S. Olympic gymnasts Alexandra Raisman, Nashville Preds P.K. Subban, WNBA’s Skylar Diggins-Smith walk the carpet with their own individual style and swag.

Lonzo is more like Kobe than a Big Baller

 

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(photo credit: HotNewHipHop)

 

 

by Nick Hamilton (@NickHamiltonLA)

On Wednesday the Lakers and Lonzo Ball made headwaves, for a different reason. No, it didn’t include Lonzo’s talkative and gigantic personality of a father Lavar, it had everything to do with what was on his feet.

For approximately a year, we’ve all heard about Lavar creating and trying to take his Big Baller Brand to the next level, in billions of ways. As his attempts to partner with Nike, Under Armor, and Adidas failed, Lavar decided to take his “talents” the various media circuits to promote his brand that his sons, Lonzo, LaMelo, and LiAngelo would model.

Finally Lonzo hit the NBA scene with a huge splash by being drafted by the hometown team, the Los Angeles Lakers as the second overall pick. His summer league debut was the highest anticipated in years. It was met with cheers and support, and some with hate and disdain. Not so much for the bright, faded afro wearing young man with the golden smile, but for his father who has rubbed many in NBA circles the wrong way — with his mouth!

The Summer League opening debut was a poor showing, however being the fantastic player Lonzo is, he bounced right back the next night against the Celtics with a triple double, 11 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assist.

Wednesday he continued to impress, however instead of wearing the BBB shoes that have been over hyped and overpriced by his father. Lonzo hit the court with purple Kobe AD’s by Nike. Which caught the attention of many including Lebron James, who sat court side and later commented on the shoes via social media, “Just Dot It!”.

 

 

Interesting enough, Lonzo finished with 36 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in a 103-102 victory over the 76ers.

All Eyez On Me

By Nick Hamilton

Many actors, actresses, music artists all came out to show support of the film directed by veteran director Benny Boom and producer L.T. Hutton. Demetrius Shipp Jr, who starred as 2Pac appeared along with Kat Graham who plays Jada Pinkett, E-40, DJ Quik, comedian Tommy Davidson, Johnell Young (Ray Luv), Dominic Santana (Suge Knight), MC Hammer, Money B, and Shock G (Digital Underground). Floyd Mayweather, Grace Gibson (Faith Evans), Big Boi (Outkast), DeRay Davis (Legs), and many more.