SB Nation Los Angeles: All Posts by Ron Shahhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2013-01-05T17:00:51-08:00https://losangeles.sbnation.com/authors/ron-shah/rss2013-01-05T17:00:51-08:002013-01-05T17:00:51-08:00Saint Mary's tops Loyola Marymount
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<figcaption>Ethan Miller</figcaption>
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<p>Loyola Marymount dropped their second consecutive conference game on Saturday, after the Lions couldn't get a stop on the road against the St. Mary Gaels.</p> <p>Looking to make some noise in conference play, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/loyola-marymount-lions">Loyola Marymount Lions</a> are now 0-for-2 in the WCC, dropping their second consecutive conference game on Saturday, this time falling by the score of 74-61 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/st-mary-s-calif-gaels">St. Mary's Gaels</a> at the McKeon Pavilion.</p>
<p>The Lions put themselves in position to escape with a road win, opening up the second half down just three points. However, St. Mary's outscored Loyola Marymount by 10 in the second half, putting the game out of reach for the Lions.</p>
<p>Loyola received double-digit points from four of its starters, but the bench contributed just two points in the entire game. St. Mary's, meanwhile, received 38 points from its bench unit.</p>
<p>But it was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101282/matthew-dellavedova" class="sbn-auto-link">Matthew Dellavedova</a> who was the biggest thorn for the Lions, as the senior guard scored 17 points while handing out eight assists and collecting five rebounds.</p>
<p>Loyola will play its third conference game and the first at home on Thursday when Santa Clara comes to visit.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/loyola-marymount-basketbal/2013/1/5/3840716/lmu-st-marys-final-scoreRon Shah2012-12-29T19:17:57-08:002012-12-29T19:17:57-08:00Long Beach State edges out Pacific
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<p>The Long Beach State 49ers improved to 5-7 on the season after just edging out the Pacific Tigers at home on Saturday. </p> <p>After a recent rough patch, the Long Beach State 49ers earned a much needed victory on Saturday, defeating the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/pacific-tigers">Pacific Tigers</a> at home by the score of 67-63. Long Beach State entered the game with just one win in their past five games.</p>
<p>Four players scored in double figures for the 49ers, who made 48% of their shots from the floor as a team. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145603/james-ennis">James Ennis</a> and Mike Caffey each scored 19 points for Long Beach. Caffey did his work from the floor while Ennis did his at the line, sinking in nine free throws.</p>
<p>Despite their strong shooting and defense, Long Beach State couldn't keep the Tigers off the boards and were out-rebounded 39-28 while allowing 15 offensive rebounds to Pacific. Trevin Harris led the way for the Tigers with 13 points and 6 rebounds.</p>
<p>The 49ers improved to 5-7 on the season with the win and will next visit the Cal Poly Mustangs, who defeated UCLA earlier in the season.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2012/12/29/3816416/long-beach-state-pacific-final-scoreRon Shah2012-12-15T19:39:07-08:002012-12-15T19:39:07-08:00USC overwhelms UCR in 70-26 win
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The USC Trojans completely overwhelmed the UCR Highlanders from the opening tip to the final whistle, winning 70-26 at the Galen Center.</p> <p>From start to finish, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/usc-trojans">USC Trojans</a> didn't break a sweat in their win over the visiting UCR Highlanders, winning by the score of 70-26 at the Galen Center on Saturday, a game in which 16 different players saw action for the Trojans.</p>
<p>The Trojans put the pressure on offensively and defensively, running out to a 54-13 lead. The team held the Highlanders scoreless for minutes at a time, making the game a laugher early. Despite forcing just eight turnovers, the Trojans held the Highlanders to just 19% shooting from the floor.</p>
<p>USC also made shots at will, making 52% of their shots and 45% of their shots from behind the three-point line. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52669/eric-wise">Eric Wise</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52265/jio-fontan">Jio Fontan</a> led all scorers with 14 points each.</p>
<p>The USC Trojans improved to 4-6 on the season with the win while the UCR Highlanders fell to just 2-8 and 0-4 on the road.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2012/12/15/3771768/usc-ucr-final-scoreRon Shah2012-12-08T18:40:50-08:002012-12-08T18:40:50-08:00Dodgers, Zack Greinke agree to deal
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers got their man in Zack Greinke, pending a physical, while paying a hefty price to reel him from other serious suitors, according to reports.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> and free agent <span>Zack Greinke</span> have reportedly reached an agreement on a six-year, $147 million contract, <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/277592473159729152">via </a>Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The deal is pending a passed physical.</p>
<p>Once the deal is made official, Greinke would be on the receiving end of the largest contract ever signed by a pitcher in terms of annual average salary. The deal would pay the right-handed starting pitcher $24.5 million per season, which would surpass CC Sabathia's annual record of $24.4 million he received from the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a>.</p>
<p>Greinke found himself as the beneficiary of clearly being the top free agent available this offseason while also creating a bidding war between the Dodgers, whose new ownership has shown a proclivity for free-spending, and his other potential suitors, including the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a>.</p>
<p>Los Angeles now has two former Cy Young winners in their starting rotation with left-handed ace <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> being the other.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2012/12/8/3745382/dodgers-zack-greinke-agree-to-dealRon Shah2012-12-08T17:06:13-08:002012-12-08T17:06:13-08:00Are the Dodgers close to signing Zack Greinke?
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers are closing in on free agent starting pitcher Zack Greinke, according to a report.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> are close to getting their guy in free agent starting pitcher <span>Zack Greinke</span>, as first reported by <a href="https://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo/status/277574144642650112">Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports</a>. The right-handed starter is considered to be the top free agent available this offseason.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/277577193926840320">Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times</a>, it will be a six-year deal for $145 million, meaning Greinke will be earning slightly more than $24 million per season over the length of the deal.</p>
<p>While some believed Greinke would be on the receiving end of the largest contract ever signed by a pitcher in the history of baseball, it seems that the ace will not be quite that fortunate this winter.</p>
<p>Greinke, who was traded mid-season in 2012, posted a 3.48 ERA across 212-1/3 innings of work last year with the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Angels</a> and <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Brewers</a>. The ERA was supported by terrific peripherals of 8.5 K/9 and a 2.3 BB/9.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2012/12/8/3745114/dodgers-mlb-rumors-zack-greinkeRon Shah2012-12-08T16:35:34-08:002012-12-08T16:35:34-08:00UCLA rallies back to beat Texas
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<figcaption>Scott Halleran</figcaption>
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<p>The Bruins turned it on late in the second half, rattling off a three-minute run to propel themselves to a 65-63 win over Texas.</p> <p>Led by Jordan Adams and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/177241/shabazz-muhammad">Shabazz Muhammad</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/ucla-bruins">UCLA Bruins</a> rallied back from a eight point deficit late in the second half to steal a 65-63 win from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/texas-longhorns">Texas Longhorns</a> at Reliant Stadium.</p>
<p>The Bruins controlled the first half of the game, entering halftime with a slim two point lead, but the Longhorns came out firing to open the second half and took control of the game. Texas seemingly had the game won, leading by eight points with just 3:43 remaining in the game.</p>
<p>The Bruins did not give up, though, storming back and putting up a 14-4 run behind defensive stops and aggressive offense to end the game and escape Houston with the much needed victory.</p>
<p>UCLA can thank Adams and Muhammad for not only the late second half run, but their overall performance in the game. Muahammad scored 16 points and Adams put up 18 of his own while the two combined for all but ten of UCLA's second half points.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/ucla-bruins/2012/12/8/3745012/texas-ucla-final-scoreRon Shah2012-11-24T18:21:55-08:002012-11-24T18:21:55-08:00Blake Griffin, Clippers fall to Hawks on road
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<figcaption>Paul Abell-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>On the second game of a road back-to-back, the Los Angeles Clippers' poor defensive showing on Saturday led to a loss to the Atlanta Hawks by the score of 104-93.</p> <p>Despite star big man <span>Blake Griffin</span> flirting with a triple-double on Saturday, it was the defense that did the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> in as the Clippers fell 104-93 to the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> at the Philips Arena and became losers of three straight.</p>
<p>It was business as usual for the Clippers to begin the game, as Los Angeles got out to a 24-21 lead after one quarter of play. But, the Hawks then outscored the Clippers 64-36 in the second and third quarters, putting the game far out of reach in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p><span>Chris Paul</span> and the Clippers were able to cut what was once a 22-point deficit down to 10 in the game's final stanza, but the Hawks were able to sustain the run and extend their lead further to hold on for the double-digit victory.</p>
<p>The Clippers defense allowed five Hawks to score double-digit points and were picked apart by point guard <span>Jeff Teague</span>, who scored 19 and dished out 11 assists on the night. Atlanta guard <span>Lou Williams</span> chipped in with 18 off of the bench.</p>
<p>Los Angeles went just 1-4 on its five-game road trip and now stands at 8-5 on the season. The team will now head back to Los Angeles and prepare to host the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets" class="sbn-auto-link">New Orleans Hornets</a> on Monday at the Staples Center.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2012/11/24/3687132/clippers-hawks-nba-final-score-resultsRon Shah2012-11-24T17:10:08-08:002012-11-24T17:10:08-08:00UCLA held in check, enters halftime down 21-10
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<figcaption>Andrew Fielding-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Bruins star running back Johnathan Franklin was held in check by Stanford in the first half as UCLA enters halftime down 21-10.</p> <p>Star running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38186/johnathan-franklin">Johnathan Franklin</a> and the No. 17 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ucla-bruins" class="sbn-auto-link">UCLA Bruins</a> offense was held in check for the most part, but the team was able to put points on the board to end the half. However, the No. 8 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/stanford-cardinal" class="sbn-auto-link">Stanford Cardinal</a> remain in front, 21-10, after one half of play at the Rose Bowl.</p>
<p>The two teams traded scores to begin the game, as each received big-play passing touchdowns from their respective quarterbacks in Stanford's Kevin Hogan and UCLA's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38230/brett-hundley" class="sbn-auto-link">Brett Hundley</a>.</p>
<p>However, the scoring exchanges ended there, as Stanford answered with two touchdowns in the second quarter, including a 49 yard rushing touchdown from Stanford's star running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77863/stepfan-taylor" class="sbn-auto-link">Stepfan Taylor</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Franklin has been largely bottled up by Stanford's swarming defense up front, as he has managed to gain just 42 yards on 12 carries in the first half.</p>
<p>Fortunately for the Bruins, they were able to get points on the board to head into halftime with, thanks to a 48-yard field goal from kicker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162620/ka-imi-fairbairn" class="sbn-auto-link">Ka'imi Fairbairn</a>, which should certainly be a confidence-booster.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/ucla-stanford/2012/11/24/3686982/ucla-stanford-game-score-update-jonathan-franklinRon Shah2012-11-17T14:54:38-08:002012-11-17T14:54:38-08:00Lakers' Steve Blake game-time decision for Sunday
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<p>A lower abdomen injury kept Steve Blake out of Saturday practice and perhaps Sunday's game against the Houston Rockets</p> <p>As reserve guard <span>Steve Blake</span> continues to nurse a lower abdomen injury, which kept him out of Saturday's practice, new <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a> head coach Mike D'Antoni says Blake will be a game-time decision to play on Sunday against the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a>, via <a href="https://twitter.com/MedinaLakersNBA/status/269909472103776256">Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News</a>.</p>
<p>Mike D'Antoni says he will make his Lakers coaching debut on Sunday, but may be without his starting and backup point guards, if Blake is unable to go. The Lakers are already without starting point guard <span>Steve Nash</span>, who will miss <a href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/11/16/3657216/steve-nash-injury-update-leg-fracture">at least one more week</a> due to a leg fracture.</p>
<p>Blake, 32, has played in seven games this year and made five starts for the team. The veteran guard is averaging 5.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 26 minutes of action per game.</p>
<p>If Blake is unavailable on Sunday, the Lakers will likely start <span>Darius Morris</span> at point guard. Morris started on Friday against the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> with both veteran point guards out.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2012/11/17/3659450/steve-blake-injury-update-lower-abdomenRon Shah2012-11-17T14:03:07-08:002012-11-17T14:03:07-08:00Mike D'Antoni to make Lakers debut Sunday
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<figcaption>Jeff Gross</figcaption>
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<p>New Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni says he will make his Lakers debut on Sunday, when the team takes on the Houston Rockets</p> <p>New <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Lakers</a> head coach Mike D'Antoni has been in town the past several days running practices and installing his offense and defense philosophies, but it has been <span>Bernie Bickerstaff</span> in charge during the games so far. That will all change on Sunday, the new Lakers head coach tells <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinDing/status/269909562738491393" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Kevin Ding of The Orange County Register</a>.</p>
<p>It means Mike D'Antoni will officially take over for <span>Mike Brown</span> as the new Lakers head coach when he makes his Lakers debut on Sunday, when the team takes on <span>James Harden</span> and the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a>.</p>
<p>It will be the first time D'Antoni coaches for the Lakers, but also the first time he will be a head coach in a NBA game since parting ways with the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a> mid-season last year after an 18-24 start in the lockout-shortened 2011 season.</p>
<p>While it is a new start for the Lakers and D'Antoni, the new Lakers head coach is familiar with the core group, having coached <span>Kobe Bryant</span> and <span>Dwight Howard</span> with the USA Olympics team. Also, D'Antoni spent several years with <span>Steve Nash</span> as his starting point guard when the two were together in Phoenix.</p>
<p>Since the firing of Mike Brown, the Lakers have gone 3-1.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/lakers-head-coach-mike-dantoni-phil-jackson-mike-brown/2012/11/17/3659202/lakers-mike-dantoni-debut-sundayRon Shah