Arrival of the Kings

David Klutho/SI

            WHEN the two basketball gems of Los Angeles (Lakers & Clippers) fell under the abuse of rivals San Antonio and Oklahoma City, all hope in the city appeared to be lost for any success in the 2012 playoffs. Kobe’s heroic age-defying plays against the offensive powers of Durant and Westbrook plus the beard of Harden weren’t enough for the Black Mamba to grab his 6^th championship. Even the hype, skill and vision of the newly formed Paul-Griffin combination couldn’t stop the veteran team of Duncan, Parker, Ginobli whose three rings seemed to have blinded the Clippers of their ultimate goal. Little did Los Angeles fans know that their remaining hope for postseason triumph was on the other local team playing their craft under the hard court of Staples Center.

            While the Lakers and Clippers were painfully facing defeat, the 8^th seed LA Kings of the National Hockey League were easily dominating their division rivals in Phoenix 4-1 en route to the NHL’s Stanley Cup finals. There was something to cheer about after all if one was for the city of Angels. And on game six of that final last June 11, 2012, the Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils at their own rink on a 4-2 series score to win the Stanley Cup. This was the franchise’s first championship in their 45 year history. Behind the stellar play of Captain Dustin Brown and goaltender Jonathan Quick, they were able to achieve something even the “Great One” Wayne Gretzky wasn’t able to do back in ’93 for LA.

            Quietly, these Kings were skating their way to glory. In the star-studded city that is Los Angeles, these Kings decided to do their job outside the sports spotlight hogged by Kobe and company. Although one couldn’t be accused of not knowing about this team and their historic run if the NHL playoffs aren’t really followed. Even LA locals themselves would not place the Kings on the same level of prestige as the 17-time champion Lakers. Loyalties are questioned when the basketball court is removed. Still, the Kings played on.

Right state, right name, wrong city

Victory is expected for sports franchises in LA as seen with the Lakers (NBA), Dodgers (MLB) & Raiders (NFL).  Their hockey team however appears to be the black sheep in the family of LA teams. For the Kings, their performance is a shame considering the majesty attached to their team’s name.  The last 20 years of the franchise’s story has been a mix of defeat and rebuilding season after season. Their finals defeat back in ’93 must be the most traumatic defeat of the franchise as they were outplayed in 5 games. Throw in a poisoning bankruptcy scare the following year and it would seem that this team is really destined to fail no matter how hard they try.

Captain Brown and goaltender Jonathan Quick were two among the many cornerstones of the team who kept losing in the recent past. But each knew that they had what it took to become winners.  Brown was selected by the Kings in the first round of the 2003 draft and through the years proved himself worthy of his playing minutes.  He was even a member of the 2009 All-Star Game which is a testament to his playing ability as an all-star.  Quick had a breakout season in 2008 which also contributed to the Kings’ playoff qualification by providing quality goaltending to prevent the puck from passing his body as much as he could.  They are both members of the United States Olympic team -- their talents were unquestionable and world-class.Their team also has a number of solid draft picks by the Kings who played crucial roles for their runs in the playoffs.

Kings suffer defeat against San Jose in 2011 - 

Harry How/Getty Images

Despite the play of these two men and their teammates, the closest thing they can consider a victory in those years was qualifying for the playoffs, and even that happened just three times in the last 10 years. In those times, odds were stacked against them. The team had to undergo tough disappointments of failing expectations. In 2009 and 2010, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in front of their home crowd. The rink at Staples Center has been conditioned to accept defeat and watch their rivals go on to the next round. Playoff success has always been teased on their faces only to be pulled away from them. No matter how painful each defeat has been, and also because of the tradition, the defeated Kings kept their head high as they lined up year after year to shake the hands of their opponents and wish them luck as they move on. It was difficult for the fans and even more difficult for the players.  Somehow, amidst the dejection on their faces, in those years that they line up, the handshakes were like a warning to them as if to say, “we’re coming for you next time.”

Coach Sutter (Center) with stars 

Carter (Left) & Brown (Right) - 

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Come the 2011-2012 season, there’s a clean slate and a new start. Led by their captain Dustin Brown, the Kings tackled this season with the goal of winning the championship. Still, their road to the playoffs was going to be as tumultuous as their franchise history has been. After a hot start in the season with a record of 5 wins in 6 games, they suddenly went on a slump for a 50% win percentage record. Enough was enough and things had to change. In the middle of what looked like another disappointing season, crucial changes had to be made. First, there was the introduction of a new coach in Darryl Sutter who was responsible for changing the team’s defensive philosophy to an offensive one.  More importantly, Sutter also believed in the ability and natural talent of the players on his team as a winning hockey team. Next was a blockbuster trade that led to their acquisition of all-star Jeff Carter for that extra fire-power the team needed to be a scary playoff contender. These were considered by many as the crucial missing pieces necessary for playoff success they believe they deserved. 

The playoffs had plenty of interesting stories to offer, but the Kings’ were not at the top of that list. Other than a dramatic end to their season, nobody felt the Kings had anything juicy to contribute this post season. Being in the 8^th seed also meant facing more games on the road away from their home fans. There is no place like home, and the Kings surely missed it this playoffs. This was another difficulty in an already difficult season in an already difficult history. Still, the Kings played on.

Brown (White Right) leads the Kings victory against the Canucks - Kathleen Hinkel/Icon SMI

With the Vancouver Canucks as the first round opponents, LA was up against not only the 1^st seeded team in the west and last year’s runner up for the Stanley Cup, they were facing the team with the best regular season record. Odds were again placed against them as another first round exit was just around the corner. For Dustin Brown, Jonathan Quick, and the rest of the Kings, with the memory of being eliminated by the Canucks in the first round of 2009 fresh in their minds, they made sure this year was going to be different. To say LA had a good start would be an understatement. LA was scorching hot.  The series started with a 3-0 destruction care of the Kings, two of those won in Vancouver. The 1^st seed were questioning their capabilities; the 8^th seed were as confident as ever. After a defeat at home in game four, they finished the first round 4-1 and moved on to the 2^nd round for the first time in three attempts. This was only the first act of how good this  team really is.

Quick (Left) denies the Blues - Sarah Conard/Reuters

Next was the 2^nd seeded team in the west: the St. Louis Blues. This series was another display of a team peaking at the perfect time and playing the best hockey they have played for as long as they can remember. Not only did the Kings sweep the Blues 4-0 to advance to the conference final, they did it by really overpowering the opposition. Each game was won by at least a 2-goal deficit. Goaltender Jonathan Quick was already making a buzz for only allowing under two goals a game in nine games. Quick was actually quick in stopping the puck. For the first time, after two games won on the road, they wrapped this series at home ice in game four.  Their skill was too much to handle for the overpowered Blues.  For everyone in attendance, it was nice to see their team line up and shake the hands of their swept opponents as the Kings moved to the next round. It was all in the days work for the Kings.
People were thinking that all good things must come to an end.  A story and performance as hot as this were simply too good to be true.  However in the conference finals, things remained the same.  The Kings faced division rivals and 3^rd seed Phoenix Coyotes. Their first two games was an early imposition of their will on Phoenix as they won their games by scoring four goals.  With that momentum carrying over at home, LA defended well albeit dropping one game. There was still little worry with the team as they clinched the series again scoring four goals at Coyotes’ ice.  Again, a hot LA team dictated the flow of this series as they eliminated their rivals in five games. Finally, the Kings have another shot at the championship since their last failed attempt in ’93.   

Dustin Brown (White) shoots against Phoenix - AP

The Los Angeles Kings: a disciplined team who knew and believed they had the capacity to fight through any adversity they face. Their play silenced their critics and finally showed everyone the true potential these men had: something which was not seen in their pas disappointing playoff attempts.  Goals were being scored all over with their forwards moving the puck effectively and efficiently past defenders.  Their defense played intensely by blanketing and suffocating their opponents, denying them chances and stealing the puck for crucial turnovers.  Most of all, being men down due to penalties given to them were not an issue with the Kings. Rather than be at a disadvantage with penalized players, they shut out opponents, rarely letting opponents score against them.  Even when being shorthanded, they would play effectively enough to score goals themselves.  So much for getting a penalty, they said.

Bruce Bennet/Getty Images

On a larger perspective, the NHL was also buzzing with the stories the Kings have given them in the playoffs. Among them, if you haven't noticed, was that these Kings were road warriors with a seven game winning streak away from home. With a 12-2 playoff record (both defeats at home), it was believed that they were made to play dominating hockey outside LA. Nobody would defeat them as visitors. The Kings didn’t mind getting the 8^thseed that denied them home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Not only did they win on the road astonishingly, they also defeated the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd seeded teams in the west to march their way into the finals. The road to the cup for them was as easy as 1-2-3 and 4. Four would be the four wins they needed to get the ultimate prize in the NHL: the Stanley Cup.

For the past 14 games, it was fairly easy for LA to execute their game plan to perfection. Their resolve had to be tested in the finals however with what was their toughest challenge yet. The east’s 6^th seed New Jersey Devils were the only ones standing in their way. In the years that LA has faced problems and defeat, New Jersey was busy winning 3 Stanley Cups. This year, the Devils survived early playoff adversity and did their own share of brushing  favorite teams in the east off on their way to the cup final. 

Goaltenders Quick (Left) &. Brodeur (Right) in the final - Bruce Bennet/Getty Images

This was not only a series for the cup, but also a series for the two goaltenders.  Vital to the New Jersey titles were the performances of long-time goaltender Martin Brodeur. Brodeur, still playing at the age of 40, has been haunting goal scorers for years due to his intimidating play, denying them chance after chance of making the buzzer sound after goals.  A 4^th finals victory would certainly be a nice touch to an already stellar career.  For Jonathan Quick, this was a legendary matchup against a future hall of famer on the opposite end of the ice.  At 26 years old, Quick had an opportunity to measure his skills against a tried and tested veteran on a very big stage.  Quick was a baby beside Brodeur, but Quick also knew his skills were not as distant to Brodeur’s as their difference in age might suggest.

Kings set the tone early - Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

The Kings really felt that this year was going to be the year that they finally win it all the way. Not much difference to the other series they have had, LA played New Jersey to earn an unbelievable 3-0 series score. The first two games were tight ones showcasing two close teams deserving to battle for the cup, and two goaltenders defending their goal with their lives. Overtime was needed for a winner to be decided in both games which resulted to a 2-1 Kings victory. Again, the Kings won those 2 games on the road making them undefeated in 10 straight road games.

The 3^rd game was an exhibition of LA’s talent for their home crowd. This was the best hockey they might have played all post season as they demolished the Devils with a score of 4-0, Quick stopping 22 shots. With a sweep waiting around the corner, everyone was jacked up for the occasion. 

In game 4, even before the puck was dropped for the opening face-off, there was already a party brewing in the streets of LA. The people were excited to witness what may be their Kings’ first championship. The crowd was electric inside Staples Center with the anticipation of seeing the Stanley Cup raised in LA. Everyone knew this could be the night they finally do it.  Sadly, the players have gotten ahead of themselves and were carried away by the emotion and excitement in the arena. The Kings played as if the cup was already in their hands (although it was already waiting in the tunnel of Staples Center); The Devils played literally as if there was no tomorrow for them.  The Devils denied them of a sweep as they won the game 3-1 forcing a 5^th game back in New Jersey. 

Devil's goalie Brodeur (Left) puts his body on the line - John Angelillo/UPI

Game five still had the same excitement of game four. Being the road warriors that they are, the Kings faithful believed that they could wrap this up on the road, keep their undefeated road record and finally win the Stanley Cup. The Devils however denied them such a sweet victory for their first title. For the first time, they lost on the road after 10-game road win streak. A rare mistake by Jonathan Quick while at a man disadvantage resulted to a momentum-shifting goal for the Devils and some doubt in the Kings fortitude.  Questions were raised on whether the Kings were actually good or just lucky to be there.  For the first time, LA was falling apart on moments where everyone else was expected to fall apart.  

Game 6 was a do-or-die moment for the Kings in Staples.  Home win would mean a Stanley Cup trophy for their collection; a defeat would mean momentum to the Devils who will play a deciding game seven back in the east, and possibly another heartbreaking cup defeat for LA. 

Devil's Bernier (Right) with a bad hit on King's Scuderi (Left) - Jayne Oncea/US PRESSWIRE

10 minutes in the first period, the Devils were given a 5-minute major penalty for a dangerous hit on one of the Kings’ players.  Being a man-up, LA felt they could finish things oof early on.  With this, the Kings grabbed their chance to dictate the flow of the rest of the game scoring three goals inside those 5-minutes of advantage. Staples Center were on the verge of experiencing something they have never experienced before: winning the Stanley Cup. Yet it was only the 1^st period, two more to go before the celebration can officially start.

The winning moment - Lori Shepler/UPI

Those 5-minutes were already too much for the Devils.  Just like their early series leads, just like their domination on the wills of their opponents, the Kings have played brilliantly early on to deny the enemy a chance for a comeback.  After three more LA goals and a consolation goal for New Jersey, the final score was an astonishing 6-1 blowout for the Kings.  Dustin Brown helped his team in game six by scoring a goal and assisting on two while Quick had the game of his life by making 17 saves for the night.           The 8^th seeded team in the west, with the stigma of being the weakest among playoff teams, showed that the seeding was simply just a seeding.  Jonathan Quick bested rival Martin Brodeur to capture the playoff MVP award.  Captain Dustin Brown was first to lift the Stanley Cup in his team, and the first ever captain to do so in their history.  Let the party begin!

Quick (Left) & Brodeur (Right) share their respects -

Mike Blake/Reuters

It would be an insult to label the LA Kings lucky.  Maybe for a small part, they really were lucky to still be in existence and in contention through the years. Maybe they were lucky for acquiring through the rebuild of the team the players they needed to win the cup.  Maybe they were lucky in hiring the right coach to lead them where they are now.  But watching how they played and the fashion they completely dictated the momentum of the games they played, it was a performance even lady luck wouldn't give .  The LA Kings were not the favorites, nor were favors handed to them to make things easier.  A low seed, a ton of road games and penalties weren’t enough to stop the quality of the LA Kings.  The predicament they have been placed at would even seem to be an unlucky situation.  

There was no point in complaining on how things turned out for them. Those disappointing seasons and humiliating early playoff exits at home would only reinforce them in facing later challenges. Simply put, the Kings believed in themselves, from the general managers, to the coaching staff, to the players, and most especially the fans, to play the kind of hockey the team was really capable of.  No matter the adversity placed on their plates, the LA Kings were sure of their capabilities to overcome them.  Despite being road warriors, it was fitting for the team and for their fans to experience this long awaited victory in their own town.  The Kings have made their mark in LA.

Captain Dustin Brown lifting the Stanley Cup - Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Time Filler

AFTER a four-year wait since its last installment, UEFA’s European tournament has kicked off into the early hours of the morning of June 9, 2012. The opening fixtures of the tournament featured the Greece/Poland match followed a few hours later by the Czech Republic/Russia match. In those hours between the two matches, some viewers either may have been too tired to channel surf or afraid to change the channel at all, fearing the possible risk of missing the next match. This became an opportunity to watch one of the least popular shows on Solar Sports: Jai-alai.

Labeled as “the fastest sport in the world” with its ball speed reaching up to 300kph, the agility displayed by the pelotari (jai-alai player) in receiving the opponent’s throw is a visual spectacle. The players utilize their quick feet and flying ability when rushing for the ball. Jai-alai has its moments for example when gravity is challenged by a wall jumping player for a lost ball. Catching and controlling the ball is not a walk in the park. Anticipating the ball’s trajectory and velocity makes baseball catchers’ jobs effortless. The energy and arm needed to return balls is a feat in itself when in a playing area twice as long as a basketball court, and as high and wide as a five-storey building.  When a sport requires helmets and padding as vital parts of the equipment, a certain degree of danger and excitement is suggested.  Watching two players risk their bodies to play tennis on turbo facing a solid wall using a curved basket or cesta takes nerves of steel.

The game can be fascinating, intriguing, or really uninteresting to watch. Despite the high speed and fast paced society we live in today in which “the fastest sport in the world” can be enjoyed, jai-alai with all the intensity and pace it has to offer, is treated as irrelevant and worthy only of odd time slots in what used to be the premier sports channel in the Philippines. It seems that the production crew is stuck in the 80s considering the televised games are in one of the lowest resolutions we’ve seen in recent memory. This is comparable to watching a YouTube clip on a 240p setting. With the dullness of the commentators in giving a play-by-play to the matches, one cannot help but look for the irritating color commentating of Jeff Van Gundy. Although there is indeed color to their tone when they mention the player’s numbers, names, and final score, it’s merely a consolation. Do not expect a crowd to cheer in-game as the playing hall seems isolated from society or a mere afterthought to whoever is residing within the vicinity of the court.

          For those who are into sports and are expected to follow popular sports like basketball, tennis, football and volleyball, why would one bother to watch a forgotten sport like jai-alai? Why in the world is this sport, which may not even be relevant today, still featured between two matches of one of the most popular sporting events in the world?

Believe it or not, despite what we see on television, jai-alai is not a dying sport. In fact, it has been 11 years since jai-alai in the Philippines had its resurrection that was 13 years in the making. Amidst the poor production value we may see in television, there is plenty of money to make in the world of jai-alai. It is a huge cash magnet that it was an essential point in its banning in the Philippines back in 1988 and its official resurgence in 2010. How much money are we talking about? A 2001 article on its initial return to legality gave an official estimate by PAGCOR of about an annual 1.5 billion Pesos in revenue.  That is just an official estimate given 11 years ago, a time when Manny Pacquiao was just on his 2^nd division title. Post global financial crisis, inflation/deflation, three Philippine presidents and six more Pacquiao division titles later, who knows how much money jai-alai is making nowadays. As the saying goes, “money makes the world go round.” In this case, it’s the world of jai-alai.

            It seems as if there is no reason to change things when you make that much money. With gambling as its main reason for existence and low mainstream viewership, bringing in a high-definition camera, hiring two very entertaining commentators and playing in a crowded arena is unnecessary. It doesn’t matter if viewers can see a dimple or an accurate, detailed and dramatic description of how the plays happened.  For the interested parties, place some bets, present the players, give the numbers, let them play then money is exchanged.

            The gambling is just as much a part of jai-alai as much as a cesta is always a part of the pelotari. It is what makes the sport alive and lucrative in the Philippines. It is also the same reason it was banned and shut down in the late 80s and went on a 13-year disappearing act due to game fixing. Even in the past year, illegal gambling issues such as game fixing with jai-alai as a front for jueteng continue to taint the reputation of what is otherwise another good sport to watch.

            The gambling is a dangerous part of sports as much as the injuries that players risk when competing. It is a reality in sports that threatens the purity and validity of any game. Deliberate flopping performances from a play and bad officiating have been cited as evidence of gambling’s influences on a game. Athletes and officials have been accused of negatively influencing outcomes of games due to different pressures put on them. Outside the playing area, spectators become risk takers who are susceptible to financial success or injury depending on the outcome of the games they bet on. One can be richer after 90 minutes of football or have a gaping hole in their pockets after being eliminated from the playoffs. There is potentially a lot of risk involved that some bettors will do everything in their power to make sure the results go in their favor.

How many times have we heard stories of high profile basketball games that were fixed or players and referees paid to influence the final score? Such stories only hurt the hardworking athletes, referees, coaches and staff who play their games simply because of their love for the game. They also disappoint the fans who want to enjoy a clean and honest match between two opposing forces fighting to one-up the other. It would be an insult to realize that the triumphs and victories supporters cheer for result from game fixing and bribed players. On the other hand, a defeat due to a paid party is infuriating knowing that a game is not being played and officiated by the best of the best.

Make no mistake about it - most spectators take on a certain amount of risk when they choose a side or pick a winning team. The difference is that they commit to a reasonable risk that may either involve dejection and humiliation in losing, or the joy and pride that comes with triumph. They let the game play as naturally as possible and hope for the best that they too may win the pot. Unless you really believe in absolute winning at all costs, there is pride in an honest defeat than a tainted victory.

For what all of us really want in sports, whether we are aware of it or not, is to witness the triumph of the human spirit. Be it in the success of the winning team, the fight of the underdog, or the comeback of a knocked-out, we want to see those moments wherein we witnessed that anything is possible despite facing an impossible task. A “pure” game delivers such a moment, a fixed one surely does not.

The next time we watch jai-alai, or any sport for that matter, do not take away from the athletes their share of the victory they have worked hard for by making the bet more important. Let them play. We are witnesses to all of these. A spectator’s betting is acceptable up to a certain degree. The athleticism, the triumph and the loss are amusing enough so the results must be accepted.

There is always a next match.

Tip Off, Lead Off, Kick Off, Face Off

WELCOME to Outside the Box(Score)! This is just another sports blog that will do its best to feature. As the blog title suggests, posts will go beyond simple game recaps, highlights and news. Relevant statistics will still be used but it will not be the main focus of the articles. Imagine a write-up about your favorite sports movie with all the personalities of the characters and the drama involved and you have this blog.

            Writing about sports is similar to telling a story. Sports are not only about the final score and the players who played. Behind every match and game is a story that gives the action on the court a deeper meaning and more relevance to the fans who watch them.  It is all about attention to detail. It is the little things in these sports, though minute and somewhat insignificant, that makes our appreciation of them make the bigger picture more majestic. Each post should make the players behind the television screen, on the court more real and relatable.

As much as we want to believe that athletes are immortals and heroes, they are not. Sports personalities are persons just like you and the people around you who have their own share of stories. Their world does not end in the stadium just like our world does not revolve only in school or work. The game does not end on the final buzzer as much as work does not end when it’s quitting time. We all have stories at home, stories on the road, with our family, friends and peers to consider. Intimately, there are also those stories waiting to be heard within us. Those stories are what I hope to share with you.

            This isn’t only a blog about sports, but a blog on life’s little pieces as well. As the cliché goes, “sport is a metaphor for life.” Sports are merely used as a platform to present those pieces. For this blog, coverage will include, but are not limited to, the major sporting events around the globe. American leagues will be featured like the NBA, NFL, NHL etc. Football will also be a significant part of the blog, a sport where most of the greatest sports movies are told. Boxing, tennis, Motorsports will be featured as much as possible. If possible, even simple neighborhood games may be covered as well.

            This is me sharing and writing mostly as a fan. I have little experience in writing about sports outside my writing class elective in school. All the pieces I will write are written with humility. My aim is to write about sports and presenting a wider method of appreciating the athletes we admire so much. As far as I know, I am also doing this simply to put my mind into use I would never get tired off: writing, conducting research, analysis. This is a way for me to practice all of that in an environment I love: sports. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up covering sports as a career. 

            Now that you know who I am and what I want to do, let me invite you to a world bigger than the stadium, bigger than the court. Go out there, watch some sports and then let’s look at them outside of the box score.