Page 6 August 16, 2012 TORRANCE TRIBUNE Howard Ready to Don Up and Adam Purple and Gold Pioneer League Preview By adam Serrao Anyone who follows the Lakers closely By adam Serrao certainly has question marks, South High No team wins every game they play, knows that coming into this offseason, there Are you ready for some football? Sundays will once again rely on its stellar offensive especially in a lengthy 82-game NBA season. was a lot of anxiety surrounding the team and and Mondays aren’t the only two days of the and defensive lines as well as an aggressive The way that the Los Angeles Lakers are its potential for next year. Kobe is getting week that are about to experience the revival rushing attack to get to where they want to be stacking up, however, it sure looks like they older, Andrew Bynum looked inconsistent of America’s most popular sport. Friday at the end of the season. A solid team year in have a chance to do just that. The Lakers and Gasol basically disappeared. All of a nights will get all of the attention that they and year out, the Spartans will have another acquired Dwight Howard over the weekend sudden, Buss and Kupchak took that anxiety deserve as well. On just next Friday, August strong showing this year, but are a year or and it took a blockbuster four-team trade and flipped it on its head. By acquiring Nash 24, football teams around Torrance will take two away from another Pioneer league title. to finally get the deal accomplished, but for the trade exception received in the Lamar the field for the very first time this season to The North High Saxons had the toughest most importantly, the team didn’t give up Odom deal of a year ago, adding Jamison kick off the new football year. In a tough and time in league play last year, finishing with the farm to get him. By sending Andrew for the minimum and trading away Bynum always competitive Pioneer League, there is only one win against the only team that finished Bynum to Philadelphia, the Lakers were able for Howard, the Lakers have created a team no telling which team will have the better the season with a worse record than they did- to attain the services of Howard while also that fits perfectly together without really season and finish out on top to take a first -the Lawndale Cardinals. Needless to say, the keeping Pau Gasol on the roster. Now, with getting rid of anything. Sure, Bynum was place record into the playoffs. With a closer Saxons and head coach Todd Croce are on a four surefire Hall of Famers in the Lakers’ the second best center in the league, but his look at the league, however, we can begin to mission to get their team back on track so starting lineup, it looks as if the purple and future is still surrounded by question marks. formulate some opinions. that they can finish at the top of the league gold will be avoiding defeat for quite some Will his shaky knees hold up? Will he ever We can begin the debate with last year’s this year--something that they haven’t done time to come. reach his full potential? Will he stop taking winner of the Pioneer League, the Torrance since the ‘05-‘06 season. North will open the “There’s been a lot of speculation regarding part in childish antics on and off the court? Tartars. After a rough start to the season in football year against Redondo Union, a team it Dwight being traded for the last six to eight The Lakers finally decided that they didn’t which Torrance lost three of its first four beat by the final score of 21-14 in the opening to 10 months to a year,” Lakers’ general want to wait around for the answers to those games, head coach Rock Hollis was able to game of last season. Last year was a mess for manager Mitch Kupchak explained of the questions. When you have a chance to get the get his boys back on track and close the season the Saxons. North under-produced because of trade. “Today, the speculation finally comes best center in the league, you go out and do out by winning six of the last seven games. the offensive strategy coming into the season to an end. And we’re hopeful that 10 years it. They did. All of the credit must be given This year, the Tartars open the season against put together around star running back Ryan from now, we can add a jersey to that wall to Buss and Kupchak. Instead of throwing Hawthorne, a team they lost to by a score of McDaniel. McDaniel injured himself early over there that says ‘Dwight Howard.’” players away in possible deals for Deron 20-10 in the third game last year. Though they on and was out basically the entirety of the Certainly, Howard is on the right track to get Williams or other big-name free agents on lost last year, the Tartars are 5-1 in their last season, putting the Saxons’ hopes of having his name on that Hall of Fame wall of which the market, the Lakers’ front office calculated six games against the Cougars. If it can keep an outstanding season in serious jeopardy. Kupchak spoke. Following in the footsteps its moves precisely, waited for the right time that above average record alive and start the This year, that nightmare is in the past, but of former great centers like George Mikan, and was able to keep the team’s core, add season off with a victory, the team will be well so is the talent of McDaniel. The start of the Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and to it and capitalize on other teams’ losses. on its way to another Pioneer League title. season might be a little slow for the Saxons, Shaquille O’Neal, Howard should have no Even still, Howard is standing firm on No team has repeated as league champions in as they take on talented teams like Peninsula, problem fitting in here. Clearly the best center his commitment to not sign a long-term over seven years, so the Tartars certainly have Bishop Montgomery and cross-town rivals the in the league today, Howard has now shifted extension with the team. “Right now, it’s their work cut out for them. Add to that the West High Warriors, but the challenging start his focus to doing what all of those centers about today and I’m here with the Lakers and fact that the team lost its number one player to the year should benefit North in the long before him have done--bring a championship that’s the only thing that matters,” Howard of a year ago, Tyrone Taylor, to graduation run. Look for the Saxons to rebound from last trophy to L.A. explained. “Whatever happens a year from and it becomes easy to see how it will be a year and run away with the division this year In acquiring Howard, the Lakers were able now, we’ll wait until that time. Right now, challenge, to say the least, for the Tartars to for the first time in six seasons. to pick up the most dominant center in the it’s all about the Lakers and me starting repeat as league champs once again this year. Predictions can be made and powerhouse league since O’Neal, who also left Orlando to fresh. I’m happy to be here and that’s the The second best team in Torrance out of teams can be chosen, but it is a long, 10- come to the Lakers 16 years ago last month. only thing that matters now.” It has been the Pioneer League last year was South High. game regular season--and as North High Howard, though, isn’t concerned with those known that Howard would like the ability Certainly, the Spartans will look to reclaim knows, fortunes can change in an instant. who have come before him. “I don’t want to to lead his team to a championship and not the title of the league’s best team, which they The only way to know who the real winner try to compete with those guys,” he said. “I follow in the footsteps of players like Kobe also held two years ago when they went all of the Pioneer League will be this year is want to bring my own flavor to L.A. I saw or Gasol. He wants to be dominant in his the way to the CIF championship game before to be there on November 2 when the teams a picture last night. It was like the Mount own right and stand out as the focal point losing in the final seconds against Lompoc. wrap up the regular season. Until that time, Rushmore of Lakers’ centers and they had on the team. Clearly with the Lakers, that Comparatively, last year was a disappointing it should be a fun and interesting season to all those guys up there and said, ‘Will he join doesn’t seem to be possible, leaving open one for the Spartans, as they wound up finishing watch--a season in which anything can hap- the list of heads with the Lakers greats?’ I the scary thought that at the end of the in fourth place in the standings. This year, pen and some of the brightest young football want to write my own history and today is season Howard may move on and leave the however, the team will look to get back on stars in Torrance will be on center stage the first day of that history.” Howard should Lakers with no Bynum or Howard. Bryant, track when they open up the season against to showcase their skills. Get ready for the have no problem getting right down to it and however, isn’t worried about that right now. Carpinteria, which the Spartans have not played ride, because this year the Pioneer League is writing a positive beginning to that history “I’ll probably play two or three more years. against in the last eight seasons. A team that looking to impress. • in his first year with the Lakers. Not only Then the team is his,” Bryant said from the that also features Gasol, Steve Nash, Metta for the franchise because now they have a El Segundo Herald*Olympic Games in London. “I’m excited will he be the center of an All-Star team World Peace and Kobe Bryant, but he will player that can carry the franchise well after Manhattan Beach Sun be supported by what has now become one I’m gone. This should be his and he should Hawthorne Press Tribune* of the league’s better benches as well. want to accept that challenge.” Laker fans Inglewood News* this offseason trying to reshape a team that that he does. Lawndale News*everywhere are hoping with fingers crossedKupchak and Jim Buss have stayed busy has lost in the second round of the playoffs While all of the excitement is sure to con- Torrance Tribune the last two consecutive years. Among one of tinue surrounding the team this offseason, their first moves aside from signing Nash away the Lakers haven’t won anything yet. With EL SEGUNDO OFFICE •312 E. Imperial Ave • El Segundo • CA • 90245 from the Phoenix Suns was acquiring Antawn an extremely talented Oklahoma City Phone: (310) 322-1830 • Fax: (310) 322-2787 • www.heraldpublications.com *Our papers are legally recognized and adjudicated newspapers of general circulation Jamison to play as the sixth best player on Thunder team in the way and an even more the team for the veteran’s minimum. Jamison talented Miami Heat team in the Eastern Chairman and Vice President: Richard Van Vranken Patty GrauGraphic ArtistsHerald Publications Board Members has been in the league for 15 seasons now, Conference, the Lakers better make sure CEO and President: Heidi Maerker Jean Shultz spending most of his time playing for teams that they don’t just rely on the big names Secretary: Linda Conkey without any playoff potential. That being said, on the back of their jerseys to get the job Director-at-Large: John Van Hook Gerry Chong, TerriAnn Ferren,Contributing Writers however, Jamison still has a career average done. If the aging Kobe or even older Herald Publications Staff Greg McMullin, Duane Plank, of 19.5 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per Nash happen to get injured this season, Accounting: Denise Armas, ext. 24 Joe Snyder, Cristian VasquezAdam Serrao, Brian Simon, Heidi Maerker, ext. 28Editor-in-Chief: game, bringing in much-needed production the hopes and dreams of the franchise Editorial: Noraly Hernandez, ext. 25 off the bench that was absent all of last may immediately go down the drain. Even Legal Notices: Noraly Hernandez, ext. 25 Photographer: Shelly Kemp season. In addition to Jamison, the Lakers Howard is recovering from back surgery Classifieds, DBA, People Items, Subscriptions: Martha Prieto, ext. 21 also re-signed Jordan Hill, who proved to that prematurely ended his season last year. be a good player for them down the stretch Health is now of the utmost importance for Display Advertising Sales: last season, and added Jodie Meeks, who the Lakers, but should they maintain that, Charlene Nishimura, ext.23, advertising@heraldpublications.com Liz West Odabashian, ext. 22, sales@heraldpublications.com is a career 37.1 percent shooter from three- it may not be long before Kobe Bryant is point range--another area that the team has looking in the rearview mirror at the career General Information recently been in much need of improving. accomplishments of Michael Jordan. • For Calendar items: calendar@heraldpublications.com For Classifieds: classifieds@heraldpublications.com For DBA notices (Fictitious Business Name): dba@heraldpublications.com For Display ads: marketing@heraldpublications.com For Legal Notices: legalnotices@heraldpublications.com “Nothing happens unless first a dream.” For People Items: classifieds@heraldpublications.com (weddings, engagements, announcements)letters@heraldpublications.comFor Letters to the Editor: ~ Carl Sandburg For Press Releases: pressrelease@heraldpublications.com For Real Estate Ads: graphics@heraldpublications.com For Obituaries: obits@heraldpublications.com
Torrance 8.16.12
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