By michelle-lee
NBA: LA Lakers: The once powerful Lakers have been fighting with Utah all season to stay out of last place in the West. At this writing they were tied. Injuries have played a part (Kobe, Steve Nash in particular) but the Lakers are just not the Lakers of the past – not by a long shot. Kobe, who was given a ridiculous $48.5 million 2-year extension is done for the season – his knee injury has not healed. He played only six games this season. The next day it was announced that Nash was also done for the season due to nerve damage in his back. Big changes, starting from the top in my opinion, have to be orchestrated to help the team even become competitive next season. Lakers brass says that Coach D’Antonio’s future with the team will be assessed at the end of the season. Only Kobe, Nash and Robert Sacre are on contract for next season and Nick Young has a player option. It will be interesting to see what happens.
(Stanford), from Toronto, Khem Birch (UNLV) from Montreal, 2nd in the NCAA for blocked shots and Dyshawn Pierre (Dayton) from Whitby, Ontario.
Boxing: Question: What is it with some boxers that they just can’t quit? Bernard Hopkins, 49, climbs into the ring April 19th in the hopes of becoming the oldest fighter in boxing history to unify world titles. Hopkins the IBF Light Heavyweight champion will meet WBA champion Beibut Shuminor. Hopkins already holds the record for oldest fighter to defend a title.
Soccer: TFC: Mississauga native Emery Welshman, 22, was waived by Toronto. He was the 16th overall pick of the team in the 2013 MLS Super Draft. Also waived Bermudian Reggie Lambe. Lambe, 23, played 66 games, had 5 goals and 4 assists. The move was salary related. Striker Jermain Defoe scored two goals against Seattle and another in the home opener against DC United as the team goes 2-0 to start the season.
Veteran Wayne De Rosario back with TFC, his hometown club, staged a launch party at the Trump Hotel for his De Ro Foundation. De Rosario, who grew up in various Scarborough neighborhoods, says his foundation’s aim is to help kids in at-risk neighborhoods through soccer camps. His organization has been in contact with several community centres in Scarborough and throughout Toronto. The camp’s mandate is to provide a sporting environment where children can learn about soccer, nutrition, money management and self-discipline.
Golf: Trinidadian native Stephen Ames will become a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Ames, who resides in Calgary, has dual citizenship. He has four PGA wins and has earned more than $19.5 million.
Baseball: Among America’s Top 30 baseball prospects are two Canadians. RHPitcher Tom Robson (Vancouver) and Mississauga’s Dalton Pompey (OF). Both have been invited to participate in the Jays mini-camp and both are expected to perform in 2014 at the Class A level. Robson won the 2013 league championship in Vancouver and Pompoey who is a switch-hitting centre fielder won the Outfield Gold Glove for all minor leaguers in 2013. Both players welcome the experience to be among the elite prospects as they pursue their dreams of a major league career.
