LA is known as a Mecca for entertainment, and professional sports are no exception. The city is home to 11 professional sports teams, and its NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL teams — the “big four” leagues in professional sports — have 26 championships combined.
This article focuses on LA’s big four teams. Soccer fans, perhaps this is for the best: as of our publication deadline, the LA Galaxy are dead last in the MLS Western Conference, although LAFC is at a respectable fourth. In the realm of football, the LA Chargers have yet to amass a local fandom comparable to the Rams, who returned to LA one year prior to the Chargers in 2016. And while UCLA Football brought down Penn State, then ranked seventh nationally last weekend, they aren’t known as a football powerhouse. USC Football might lay claim to that label, but we can’t root for them.
The Dodgers
It’s been a turbulent season for the Blue Crew. After winning the World Series last year, the Dodgers kept the momentum rolling with an offseason that was hailed as one of the best in MLB history. Fans were expecting a repeat tour of Dodger dominance this year, and while the team has continued their winning ways, it’s been a far rockier road than anyone expected. Imagine assembling a dream team for a presentation but only getting a C grade, though you paid your groupmates a cool $350 million for the performance. That’s how Guggenheim Baseball Management feels right now.
So, what’s been ailing the Dodgers? One word: injuries. Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki has practically been a non-factor due to arm health troubles, and the team as a whole has been decimated by so many ailments that you’d think they were cursed by the same Etsy witch who — rumor has it — helped the Seattle Mariners in their playoff run.
LA’s vaunted bullpen has also been a major source of frustration, as Tanner Scott’s repeated on-field collapses have sent the fanbase into a frenzy on numerous occasions. Let us not forget Mookie Betts, whose bizarre season-opening illness caused him to lose twenty pounds en route to one of the worst seasons of his career.
Despite all these shortcomings, the Dodgers have once again captured the NL West crown thanks to some truly heroic efforts from their top international stars. Shohei Ohtani continues to redefine what can be accomplished on the baseball diamond, blasting a team-record 55 home runs at the plate and slinging 102 MPH fastballs on the mound. Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s sophomore season was also one to behold, as he posted a gaudy 5.0 WAR and 2.47 ERA.
While the regular season was wrought with frustration for the Dodgers, the postseason is a fresh start for even the most beleaguered of teams. Can the boys in blue manage the first World Series repeat since 2000? Only time — and Shohei —will tell.
The Rams
While the Dodgers are now in the postseason, the Rams are entering the heart of the NFL season.
Despite being just three years removed from their last Super Bowl championship, it feels like it’s been ages since the Rams have been a worthy contender for the NFL crown. Often relegated to second fiddle status by the juggernaut San Francisco 49ers, the past two years saw the Rams regain relevance thanks to standout seasons from some unexpected players. Wide receiver Puca Nacua went from late-round draft pick to record-breaking sensation in mere months, and running back Kyren Williams evolved into one of the best dual-threat players in the NFL after displaying prowess in both the running and receiving facets of the game.
With the 49ers reeling this season due to myriad injuries, the Rams have a shot at capturing the NFC West for a second straight season and reintegrating themselves into the championship conversation. Super Bowl MVP receiver Cooper Kupp departed for Seattle this past offseason, but his position has been filled by a former All-Pro in Devante Adams, who will look to bounce back following a drama-laden season with the Jets. Frankly, the fact that he’s not on the Jets anymore is a bounce-back in itself.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Rams signed run-stuffing tackle Poona Ford to shore up the front seven, but didn’t make many other major signings. Last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year winner, Jared Verse, will lead a relatively undistinguished squad of players, but stalwart defensive coordinator Chris Shula should once again showcase his ability to get the most out of his personnel.
Star quarterback Matthew Stafford is also back for another run at gridiron glory, but his future with the team is in jeopardy due to age and injury. The Rams’ championship window appears to be closing, but this year presents one last opportunity for the grizzled veteran QB to lead LA to the promised land.
The Lakers
The NBA is home to some of the most polarizing teams in the sporting world, and the Lakers are no exception. Angelenos adore them; other fanbases loathe them. But even the most fervid Lakers haters must admit that this year’s squad appears destined to dazzle the basketball world.
Slovenian megastar Luka Dončić is entering his first full year with the club after he was shockingly traded away by the Dallas Mavericks last season, and he’ll look to build on one of the NBA’s most impressive résumés at just age 26. At his side is LeBron James, who has continued to defy time itself as he amasses mind-boggling stats despite entering his 40s. Shooting guard Austin Reaves appears to be one of the NBA’s fastest-rising stars, and bruising power forward Rui Hachimura has added a new dimension to his game by blossoming into a lethal sharpshooter.
Although the Lakers’ past offseason didn’t involve any blockbuster trades, they did manage two key pickups. Former first overall pick DeAndre Ayton will be joining the team at center, and former DPOY Marcus Smart will be a key component off the bench. Let’s just hope that head coach J.J. Reddick doesn’t consult ChatGPT for lineup advice.
The Kings
LA’s premier hockey club finds itself on the precipice of a new era, as legendary center Anže Kopitar has announced that he will retire at the end of this season. This isn’t your standard retirement tour, however — with Kopitar just 29 points away from the Kings all-time scoring record, he’ll certainly have motivation to add a few more memorable performances to his awe-inspiring résumé.
As Kopitar begins his swan song, he’ll be supported by one of the better talent pools in the NHL. Star winger Adrian Kempe appears primed for another 30+ goal season, and goalie Darcy Kuemper is coming off a career year in which he finished Top Three in Vezina Trophy voting. Longtime defensive stalwart Drew Doughty will return for his 18th season, and while there are questions surrounding his age and health, his ability to shut down opposing skaters remains potent.
The main issue for the Kings at the moment is their relative lack of fresh talent following a disappointing offseason. Newly minted General Manager Ken Holland has been tasked with acquiring the talent necessary to help the team win their first playoff series since 2014, but he’s yet to make any major transactions thus far. With the greatest player in team history about to hang up his skates, the Kings would be wise to go all-in on one last postseason push before it’s too late.
With its top four teams all primed for playoff pushes, there’s a ton to look forward to in the world of LA sports. Hopefully, one or more of these teams can capture their league championship and end LA’s heartbreaking 11-month parade drought.
Contact Mac Ribner at ribner@oxy.edu and Ben Petteruti at petteruti@oxy.edu.
