Introduction to the Sports Report
The Kings and long-embattled general manager Rob Blake have mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced Monday, four days after the team’s fourth consecutive first-round playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Reaction from the Kings
“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Rob for his dedication to the L.A. Kings and the passion he brought to the role,” president Luc Robitaille said in a statement. “Reaching this understanding wasn’t easy and I appreciate Rob’s partnership in always working toward what is best for the Kings.
“Rob deserves a great deal of credit and respect for elevating us to where we are today. He has been an important part of the Kings and will always be appreciated for what he has meant to this franchise.”
Search for a New General Manager
The search for a new general manager will begin immediately, the Kings said.
Coaching Situation
Speaking to reporters Monday, Kings coach Jim Hiller said he hadn’t talked with Robitaille yet regarding his future. Hiller, 55, signed a three-year contract with the Kings last May.
Robitaille is scheduled to speak Tuesday about the coaching situation and the search for a new general manager.
Dodgers
From Jack Harris: The Dodgers’ biggest player waited for their smallest one in the visiting dugout at LoanDepot Park on Monday night.
There, in a moment of joy captured by television broadcast cameras, the two shared a celebratory mid-game embrace.
Like many Asian-born players of his generation, Hyeseong Kim has long looked up to Shohei Ohtani. At first it was from afar, Kim following the Japanese superstar closely while beginning his own career in the Korean Baseball Organization. Then, this winter, the pair became coincidental training partners, occasionally working out at the same Southern California facility together as Kim (who, like Ohtani, is represented by Creative Artists Agency) prepared for his own move to the major leagues.
In the Dodgers’ 7-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Monday, Kim shared a starting lineup with Ohtani for the first time since being called up to the big leagues last week.
Clippers
From Broderick Turner: Clippers All-Star James Harden has been highly criticized for another dismal playoff performance against the Denver Nuggets, but he does have a supporter in the organization.
President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank views Harden as having done a “great job leading the way” while Kawhi Leonard sat out the first 34 games because of right-knee injury management and liked how the team responded to the 16-year veteran.
NBA Playoffs Schedule, Results
All Times Pacific
Conference semifinals
Western Conference
No. 1 Oklahoma City vs. No. 4 Denver Nuggets
Denver 121, at Oklahoma City 119 (box score)
Wednesday at Oklahoma City, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Friday at Denver, 7 p.m., ESPN
Sunday at Denver, 12:30 p.m., ABC
Tuesday, May 13 at Oklahoma City, TBD, TNT
Thursday, May 15 at Denver, TBD, ESPN
Sunday, May 18 at Oklahoma City, TBD*
Olympic Medals
From Chuck Schilken: Gary Hall Jr. won 10 Olympic medals with the U.S. swimming team from 1996-2004, then lost them all in January when the house he was renting in the Pacific Palisades went up in flames.
He now has all five golds, all three silvers and both bronzes back in his possession again, after the International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach presented him with replicas Monday during a ceremony at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.
NHL Playoffs Schedule, Results
All times Pacific
Conference semifinals
Pacific 1 Vegas vs. Pacific 3 Edmonton
Tuesday at Vegas, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
Thursday at Vegas, 6:30 p.m., ESPN
Saturday at Edmonton, 6 p.m., TNT
Monday at Edmonton, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Wednesday, May 14 at Vegas, TBD, ESPN
Friday, May 16 at Edmonton, TBD, TNT
Sunday, May 18 at Vegas, TBD, TNT*
This Day in Sports History
1895 — African American jockey James “Soup” Perkins guides Halma to a wire-to-wire victory in the Kentucky Derby. The 15-year-old joins fellow African American jockey Alonzo Clayton as the youngest jockey to ride a Derby winner.
1944 — Pensive, ridden by Conn McCreary, wins the Kentucky Derby going away by four and a half lengths ahead of Broadcloth. Pensive, who clocks 2:04.2, is third entering the stretch and wears down Broadcloth and Stir Up.
This Day in Baseball History
1917 — Bob Groom of the Browns duplicated teammate Ernie Koob’s feat of the previous day by pitching a 3-0 no-hit victory against the Chicago White Sox in the second game of a doubleheader in St. Louis.
1934 — Carl Reynolds, Moose Solters, Rick Ferrell and Bucky Walters hit four consecutive triples in a 12-run fourth inning for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, en route to a 14-4 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Conclusion
The sports world is filled with exciting events and news. From the Kings parting ways with their general manager to the Dodgers’ and Clippers’ latest games, there’s always something new to talk about. The NBA and NHL playoffs are also in full swing, with teams competing for the top spots. Olympic medals and sports history are also being made every day.
FAQs
Q: Who is the new general manager of the Kings?
A: The search for a new general manager will begin immediately, the Kings said.
Q: What is the schedule for the NBA playoffs?
A: The schedule for the NBA playoffs can be found in the article, including the Western Conference and Eastern Conference semifinals.
Q: Who presented Gary Hall Jr. with replicas of his Olympic medals?
A: The International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach presented Gary Hall Jr. with replicas of his Olympic medals during a ceremony at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.
