January 1 2012

The 1st day of January 2012 - new beginnings & new hopes. The sun is shining with temperatures in the mid 70's on this final day of the NFL season. The Chargers are out of playoff contention as they try to derail their archival Raiders in Oakland. Our NHL teams are each struggling with the Ducks last in their division and the Kings trying to climb into playoff contention. The NBA squads returned from the lock out with diametrically different outlooks. The Lakers are 3-2 after dropping their first two games; the only significant roster change is the loss of Lamar Odom after a botched trade for Chris Paul. We are going to be relying on Kobe big time this season. Here's hoping Pau Gasol maintains his level of play and that Andrew Bynum becomes the star everyone has predicted. The Clippers are on an upward trajectory with Blake Griffin and now the aforesaid Paul. Neither, however, look like contenders for the title.

At the college level we can expect nothing from UCLA or USC basketball teams and maybe a tournament appearance by SDSU. None of these teams will be threats this season. USC football had a good season and the prospects for next year brightened considerably with the recent decision by Matt Barkley to return for his senior season. UCLA has replaced their coach again after another disappointing season.

The real excitement around our sports scene is major league baseball. The Dodgers locked Matt Kemp up through a long term contract and the Angels landed future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. The Padres are still in a re-building mode and let their sole legitimate star, Heath Bell, escape to Florida.

Nevertheless with weather like this on New Year's Day sports tends to take a back seat. So I am sitting back enjoying an Oliva Connecticut wrapped cigar sipping a Jack Daniels with mellow tunes on the XM in my gazebo watching the sun set over the Pacific. Tomorrow a drive down the coast with the top down on the Mustang, another cigar, another bourbon and the same sun sinking into the ocean.